Forgiveness of Sin

September 1, 2024

Sunday

All sins are worthy of death. This is not the physical death that some think it is. It is the death of the relationship between man and God. The relationship is newly established when a person commits his life to the Lord. Sin will not cause a person to lose that established relationship but it will estrange the person from God. God holds onto the sinner but the sinner must make a different commitment to return the intimacy that was once known. That is why the scripture was written.

1 John 1:9 (ESV) ⁹  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

It is that unrighteousness that God cannot stand. He is holy and cannot walk with us when we walk in unrighteousness. It is like having a pen leak ink on our shirt pocket. Nothing will get all the ink out but confession in this case.

Confession is more than admitting that the sin was committed. Many people will admit their sins when they can't hide them anymore. They try to make their sins small by only admitting to what they have been caught doing. Sin does not diminish its affects by how few times it happened. Confession without a brokenness over the sin that results in true repentance is somewhat meaningless. It does not take full responsibility and cannot result in cleansing from all unrighteousness. 

Confession is more than admitting that all people have sinned. Responsibility for sin must be personal. Yes, everyone has sinned. And, yes, everyone must personally confess.

1 John 1:10 (ESV) ¹⁰  If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Sinners must admit who they have sinned against. It seems strange that King David sinned with Bathsheba. Had others involved in his treachery. Had her husband killed. Then, he tried to cover up what many people, very probably the members of his household already knew. Yet, when he confesses he says:

Psalm 51:4 (ESV) ⁴  Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.

He saw his sin against God before all others he had sinned against. This is the very root of sin. It is against God and cannot simply be forgiven by others who have been sinned against. He must first answer to the Almighty God who created him, put him in his position, sustained him, blessed him and with whom he had at one time an intimate relationship. He has let that relationship go and treated it as worthless. This is why he will cry out:

Psalm 51:10-12 (ESV) ¹⁰  Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. ¹¹  Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. ¹²  Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.

He has lost the joy of his salvation. He desperately wants it back. This is repentance.

No person can make up for a sin. No words can be unsaid. No acts can be undone. No one can make it up to the person they have sinned against. Forgiveness is a gift that the person must give to the one who has sinned against them. It is never earned. Yes, sinners are at the mercy of the one they sinned against.  Pointing out the sins of those you sinned against doesn't help. God forgives on the basis of the blood of Jesus. It was the payment of the innocent for the guilty. People who forgive others should use that basis for their forgiveness. They forgive because Jesus has paid the price of the sin. It is still a gift.

True repentance may not result in forgiveness by others. Some don't know their own sin. Some are so hurt that they believe that forgiveness allows the guilty to go unpunished. Holding onto their forgiveness rather than giving it to others is a type of punishment. It hurts the one who has sinned and appears to protect the one who has been sinned against because they believe this will help them make sure that it never happens again. (On the other hand, some people are just mean and want any means to have an advantage over others. They hold this sin before the sinner forever. They are agents of Satan because he, too, is the accuser of the brethren.)

Restoration comes from God but it may still mean enduring severe consequences. Robbing the bank can be forgiven and receive a full restoration from God but it may mean spending years in prison. Committing adultery may result in years of distrust by the spouse even if the spouse forgives. Forgiveness is a gift. Trust is earned. Trust is faithfulness over time.

Regret for the sin may never go away. It is not the same as refusing to forgive oneself. Regret is a reminder that keeps people from committing the sin again. Forgetting the pain makes sin more enticing. 

Restoration with God is not taking God's second best. God does not work that way. While there may be consequences, God still makes good happen in the lives of those who love Him. 

Romans 8:28 (ESV) ²⁸  And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

So, confess, repent and be restored. Know the joy of salvation again. Have an intimacy with God that goes beyond all other experiences.

Romans 8:1 (ESV) ¹  There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 

Fully Committed Followers of Christ

 August 31, 2024

Saturday

I ride a bicycle to work. That gives me lots of opportunities to observe common driving practices. I must know these practices or I will be hit by a vehicle. For example: The common driving practice is to look left without ever looking right when taking a right turn. That means if I come up on the sidewalk on the right, I must wait for that person to turn or I will be hit because the thought to look right never to that person. I also know that almost no one stops before taking a "right on red." About fifty percent of the drivers never use their turn signals. Nearly everyone speeds. And texting while driving is just as prevalent as it was before it was made illegal. When I have pointed these things out (lots of drivers have their windows open) I have been met with extreme ire because they are kings and queens while behind the wheel and mere peasants on bicycles are forgetting their place when they point out the law that these people seem to be above. How did we get to this point?

It appears that people believe that nothing commonly practiced should be punished. If that is the case, then as we get worse, we will get worse. And by the way, there will never be enough police to change this because we have always depended on a majority of the people complying with the law. No, Big Brother, can't be everywhere. At least, until he is.

In the past, people were stimulated to good works by those who attended church. It was awkward staying home on Sundays when all your neighbors went to church. It was embarrassing for a couple to live together without being married. Things like this excluded people from society. They were odd.

When Christians stopped acting like Christians, this all changed. Church attendance has dropped to a point where it is more normal to stay home on Sundays than to go to church. Divorce is just as common in or outside the church. People in the church act like those outside the church. They see nothing wrong with bringing the world into the church. The Word of God is no longer attracting people to church. People can be regular attenders and be unchanged because they do not give up the ways of world. 

Christians who follow the Lord have no option of acting like the world. It is simply impossible to follow two paths at the same time. While people may know that in the physical world, they seem to ignore it in the spiritual world. They want to say they are following the Spirit while following the world.

Galatians 5:17 (ESV) ¹⁷  For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.

 So, what are we to do? We must be fully committed followers of Christ if we are to see our own world change. We must leave no room for the flesh. We must encourage others to walk with the Lord. It must become the expectation for those who are called Christians rather than the exception. We must be honest in our sins, complete in our confession and repentance, and resolute in allowing the Spirit to give us renewed minds. All of this is to change what is normal. It should be normal for Christians to fully follow the Lord.

It is a miracle of God to see people become devoted to Him. It is an act of God when followers live such a way that others follow their example.

Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV) ²⁴  And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, ²⁵  not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. 

The Children of God

 August 30, 2024

Friday

I hear people say that everyone is a child of God. That is true if you are speaking of creation. Everything and everyone was created by God. However, there is a designation of being called children of God, too.

John 1:12–13 (NASB 2020)¹² But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name, ¹³ who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of a man, but of God.

This designation has a spiritual supernatural element. We so often tell people that by praying a prayer they will become the children of God. A prayer is not mentioned here. Faith is required rather than a prayer even if a prayer will help focus the faith. John said that "as many as received Him." This lets us know that Jesus is seeking to be received. 

Revelation 3:20 (NASB 2020)²⁰ Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.

He stands at the door waiting. He asks to come in. He does not force His way. So, there is an element of our our spirits allowing the Lord to come in. Of course, that could never happen if the Lord wasn't waiting to come in.

John further tells us that receiving Him is believing in HIs name. This is far beyond believing what His name is. In other words, we may believe His name is Jesus but that does not indicate that we have believed in His name. This is only identifying Him. Believing in a name means so much more. Believing in Jesus' name is complete submission to who He is. He is Lord whether we treat Him as Lord or not. Believing in His name is submitting to Him and allowing Him to be our Lord. In other words, people can call Him God but not submit to Him as God. If they do, they have not believed in His name.

This is not like natural birth. We did not take any conscious action for our own birth. We do not will our own salvation. God manipulates the universe to see us saved. He sent His Son without our approval or help. Jesus became the sacrifice for us with our rejection of Him. He was resurrected with no help from us. God is always causing things to happen to bring us closer to Him. He was doing so before we became children of God. Yes, God was using others to bring us to Him. He is using us to bring others to Him to Him now. He is working and waiting to call others His children. 

The Christian world laments in the fact that less and less people overall are attending church. I have another idea. Less and less believers are truly followers of Christ. Less and less ever tell a soul about Christ. Less and less care whether others receive Christ. 

Unfortunately, we can't change human nature. But followers of Christ reject the human nature that refuses to accept our own calling to be those who bring others to Christ. This doesn't seem to be a topic that I hear very often spoken about. It isn't popular to tell people that followers of Christ reach people for Christ. The children of God must step forward to reach a new generation of the children of God.

The Attitude of the Mature

August 29, 2024

 Thursday

I spoke at a funeral yesterday. Afterwards, I sat at a table with people who don't go to my church. I listened to them brag on their pastors. I thought that was fine until one asked me how long I had been at the current church. I said nineteen years. (I probably said that with a bit of pride.) She pointed out that her pastor had been there over twenty years. Then, she said his name and waited for me to be awed. Truthfully, I don't know him. I don't think I have ever met him. She told me how great he was. Praise God she loves her pastor! 

But this seemed a little too cultish for my approval. It seems that many people either love or have contempt for their pastors. They are either heroes or someone to be tolerated. They are either lifted high or thrown out with the garbage. Neither attitude speaks of maturity. Both speak of the flesh.

In 1 Corinthians 3, Paul addresses this issue in the early church.

1 Corinthians 3:1-4 (ESV) ¹  But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. ²  I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready, ³  for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way? ⁴  For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not being merely human? 

The evidence of the immaturity of the Corinthian church was jealousy and strife. The root of the matter was pride. And it came from a very unusual place. They were proud of whom they supported as preachers. They, too, had become cultish. They were not able to accept the solid food of the faith. They were still on milk. They were still acting more in the flesh than in the Spirit.

The flesh divides believers. It claims a greater status because of the internal character of whom is listening. That being said, there is nothing wrong with being proud of your pastor. There is something wrong when it is a pride that seeks to dominate. It seeks its own praise. Seeking praise from others will divide.

Maybe this is why there is so much controversy going on between churches. One says we baptize by immersion. Another says we sprinkle. Another says we baptize by immersion one time for each member of the Trinity. Each claims the other has deviated from the scriptures. Each claims superiority. Each is in the flesh as it does so.

There are a string of YouTube videos telling people which churches and pastors to avoid. Yes, they name names. While the New Testament warns of false prophets, it has neglected to name them. There are clear teachings on how to spot a false prophet, but they are not called out. We know what they did. We just don't know who they are. We do know the preachers that people gathered around. This was deemed immature. It seems we haven't escaped pride. You are wrong and therefore less knowledgeable than me if you listen to that preacher. It reeks of saying, "I follow the best. You follow less." Maybe that's why these YouTube channels are followed. They are succeeding in gathering the people who listen to the "right" preachers.

Of course, that doesn't mean that we tolerate false preachers. We simply need to point out the truth and lead people to follow the truth rather than seeking an audience for our own selves. 

So, be careful when you praise your pastor. Ask whether this is a matter of pride on your part. Know what the truth is so that you can unite with those who believe the truth. Work to unite in truth rather than divide believers. This is the attitude of the mature.

Looking Good or Being Right with God

 August 28, 2024

Wednesday

A lady sat in my office and suggested that I do something at church which would have been unethical. Her reasoning was this, "No one will know." I replied, "You are wrong. I will know and God will know and that's enough for me."

I heard that a survey given out years ago claimed that a majority of people said they would commit murder for $10 million dollars if no one could ever find out who did it. Christians also said they would become murderers if there was no way to be discovered. Do we believe that God only exists when we need Him? Is this the result of preaching so myopically on God's love that we can't see His holiness?

Apparently, making things look good without being good isn't a new idea. Having people think you are righteous must be more important than being righteous. We have an in the early church that illustrates this:

Acts 5:1–11 (NASB 2020) ¹ But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, ² and kept back some of the proceeds for himself, with his wife’s full knowledge, and bringing a portion of it, he laid it at the apostles’ feet. ³ But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the proceeds of the land? ⁴ While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men, but to God.” ⁵ And as he heard these words, Ananias collapsed and died; and great fear came over all who heard about it. ⁶ The young men got up and covered him up, and after carrying him out, they buried him. ⁷ Now an interval of about three hours elapsed, and his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. ⁸ And Peter responded to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for this price?” And she said, “Yes, for that price.” ⁹ Then Peter said to her, “Why is it that you have agreed together to put the Spirit of the Lord to the test? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out as well.” ¹⁰ And immediately she collapsed at his feet and died; and the young men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. ¹¹ And great fear came over the whole church, and over all who heard about these things.

What was the sin of Ananias and Sapphira? Their character of pride caused them to lie to God and the early church. They knew that others were giving to the church and getting the praise of the congregation. They wanted to look like they were just as generous. God would have been pleased with them for the amount of money they gave. He wasn't pleased that their pride caused them to lie and say that they gave all of it.

Pride causes many people to do the wrong thing in order to look good. The mantra is "what others don't know won't hurt them." However, it will hurt the liar.

Now, I am guilty of this. I can't tell you how many times I didn't tell the whole story so that I would look good. Failing to tell it all is a form of deception. Deception is a lie no matter how much truth is in it. I wanted to look good without being good. I wished I could tell you that I repented of trying to make myself look good but the truth is that I am still repenting because I know that pride waits just outside my door all the time. I can still fall into its trap.

What I am saying is this: Looking good cannot be the reason that things are done. There must be a renewing of the mind to overpower the pride that says that it is. True confession tells the whole story. True confession accesses the Lord's righteousness. Partial confession is a lie to God Himself. You may think that you look smaller to others (and you just might) but you will be right with God. 

Which is more important to you?

Walking in the Light

 August 27, 2024

Tuesday

I have an indoor/outdoor thermometer. This morning the indoor receiver lost the signal with the outdoor sensor. At first I couldn't get them to reconnect. The problem was that the channel the receiver was trying to receive from had been changed. When I place the outdoor sensor on the same channel as the receiver the signal was received again.

It is too bad that we don't notice when we stop receiving communication with God. So often, we are like parents that are so busy shopping that we don't notice that our child has wandered away from us. We may know that something is amiss but we aren't quite sure what it is until we notice that our child is nowhere in sight. It is a shame that we don't miss Him.

Of course, we are the children that have wandered away. We aren't aware of the dangers around us. We aren't aware that we are lost. We are just fascinated with the things immediately in front of us and do not think of the consequences of wandering off.

The Bible says that Jesus is the light shining in the darkness. 

John 1:5 (NASB 2020) ⁵ And the Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not grasp it.

It seems we would miss the light when we wandered away from Him. Darkness is just the absence of light. We are no longer the children of darkness if we have received the light. However, our flesh still doesn't see things that way. Our flesh still loves the darkness.

John 3:19 (NASB 2020) ¹⁹ And this is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the Light; for their deeds were evil.

It is only through the Spirit that we will see our own deeds as evil. The Light shines on the evil and exposes it. We don't see our sin as progressing. We are like King David who simply stayed on the roof watching Bathsheba rather than looking the other way. Who would know? What was the harm? It was that simple decision to see only that which was before him that led to serious consequences. He wandered away without knowing it.

Today you will either walk in the light or wander in the darkness. The darkness is subtle. The dimming of the light will be almost unnoticeable until you find yourself hoping the light never comes back on. A sudden light hurts the eyes. You might dread that moment. But it is this exposure that you will need if you wander into the darkness. You will never find your way home in the darkness.

We can't be like soldiers who are unaware that the enemy wants to destroy us. We must always be on our guard. The darkness will not overcome the Light but it just might overcome us. The awareness that we might fall is necessary to make sure that we keep our feet. 

So, make sure that you are connected to the Light right now. Resolve that you will continue in it all day. Ask God for warnings if you start to stray. And sleep tonight knowing that you have been with the Lord.

The World Still Doesn't Know Jesus

 August 26, 2024

Monday

John 1:10 (ESV) ¹⁰  He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him.

Recently there have been people who blaspheme the name of God, Christ and anything that has to do with Christian faith. On one side there are those who try to excuse this behavior. On the other people are expressing their outrage. Well, I am not one to do either. I do not like that my Lord has been ridiculed. I hurt for those who are damaged by these actions. This sentiment is like a virus that infects a society with no vaccine. Many will not know the Lord because they will go with the crowd of blasphemers who defiantly dare God to do something to them if He is real. For some, this is proof that God is a figment of the believers' imaginations. There is no logic in that conclusion. Logic has nothing to do with it.

Jesus came into the world so that people could be saved. He did not come so that everyone would be forced to accept salvation. Many people chose not to believe in Him while He walked on the earth. Even the resurrection would not change the minds or hearts of many. They had set their hearts on disbelief. They thought in human terms. They saw Jesus as a threat that needed to be removed. This is exactly what is happening today. These militant non-believers seek to have the influence of Jesus removed. He cramps their style.

When we react with outrage, we are typically preaching to the choir. The militants aren't listening to us. Those that agree with us agreed with us before we expressed our outrage. We are not making any progress toward seeing things change. However, if we could see these enemies of Christ become followers of Christ as Paul the Apostle did, we would all but eliminate the wave of blasphemy that seems to be growing. 

And how do we see those people come to know the Lord? We act in faith. We walk with God. We love like Jesus. Some people will always come to know the Lord when we have evangelism programs. They can be very effective. But the most effective way for people to come to know the Lord is through seeing true believers living out their faith with joy and love in their hearts. The world has no place to receive forgiveness. We have received it. We are dedicated to our Lord without reservation. We have purpose and life. The world is looking for that.

The Missing Element of the Work of the Lord

 August 25, 2024

Sunday

God uses all sorts of things to get my attention. Last night, I couldn't sleep. Rather than toss around so that my wife couldn't sleep either, I went downstairs and started to read. I have been reading a book I read a long time ago: George Muller of Bristol by A.T. Pierson.

If you have followed this blog, you know that it has been getting more than a little dry. It seems that I have nothing to say but I want to say it. Last night I read: 

          On April 20 Mr. Muller left for Bristol. On the journey he was dumb, having no liberty in                 speaking for Christ or even giving away tracts, and this led him to reflect. He saw that the             so called "work of the Lord" had tempted him to substitute action for meditation and                      communion. He had neglected that "still hour" with God that supplies to spiritual life alike             its breath and its bread. No lesson is more important for us to learn, yet how slow we are to          learn it: that for the lack of habitual seasons set apart for devout meditation upon the Word          of God and for prayer, nothing else will compensate.

The truth of the matter is that I was dry because I wasn't going to the well. My axe was dull because I failed to sharpen it. I was acting on my own abilities and strength and the result was merely human. It was a failure to my God and to my witness.

So, this morning I had time in the Word and prayer. It wasn't for a Bible Study, sermon or even to write this blog. It was so that I could seek the face of my Lord without being distracted. It was deeply meaningful and it rejuvenated me for the day.

Doing the work of the Lord is not necessarily seeking the face of the Lord. Working for the Lord in our own strength will make us tired and weary. That is why we must do the work of the Lord with the Lord so that we have His strength. Otherwise, we are on our own.

Yes, the Lord let me go my own way but He used sleeplessness to bring me to where I need to go. Don't tell me the Lord isn't concerned about us. He is always calling us to come closer to Him. So, don't miss the opportunity to get before the Lord this next morning. You will be different if you do.

Psalm 5:3 (NASB 2020) ³ In the morning, Lord, You will hear my voice; In the morning I will present my prayer to You and be on the watch.

Will the Sky Fall?

 August 24, 2024

Saturday

It seems that politicians have learned something from the media. The media knows that they must do something to get attention. There are so many news outlets that each one works hard to steal attention from the others. The must write or declare something that will get attention. So, they yell out in every way, "The sky is falling! The sky is falling!" Now the politicians have learned something that they can use against their opponents. "If you vote for "X" the sky will fall!" Wouldn't it be a novel idea for politicians to campaign on merit and policy? Wouldn't reason be a good motivator of people to vote? Obviously, no.

It seems that very few people realize how ungodly this campaign tactic is. They are saying that whoever wins will be able to do whatever is wanted. They are saying that there is no God who will limit the evil that can be done. They are saying that God doesn't bring about good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. He can't because the disaster will consume all that is good. They are saying that God has no future.

Now, they are correct if they continue with this tactic. God has allowed godless societies to fade from existence. Where is the Roman empire? What about the Carthaginian empire or the Ottoman? Each of these empires were plagued with materialism, immorality, devaluing human life, and a loss of faith. We have more to fear from ourselves than we do from the politicians that are elected.

However, we do know that God will hold onto us as long as we will continue to hold onto Him. God told Abraham that He would stay His hand if only ten righteous people were found in Sodom. It is so important that we seek the face of the Lord so that we will be those righteous people who will keep our land from fading into history as those empires did before us. 

Yes, the sky could fall but it won't simply be a politician that makes it fall. It will be the people who have turned their backs upon God. The ones He called "my people." Our nation needs a revival. It does not need Christian nationalism. It needs to be a nation of true Christians who follow Jesus being impowered by the Holy Spirit. It should take on the attitude of God that never forces anyone to become a believer. It should be founded in loving people into a faith in Jesus. It should act to feed the starving, heal the hurting and walk so closely with God that He can be seen through their testimonies. 

This revival will begin as other revivals have. It will always be one person making his or her own decision. Even when 3000 came to the Lord on one day, each one had to make his or her own decision to follow the Lord completely.

Will you be that one today?

Ezekiel 33:11 (NASB 2020)¹¹ Say to them, ‘As I live!’ declares the Lord God, ‘I take no pleasure at all in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn back, turn back from your evil ways! Why then should you die, house of Israel?’

Hope for Bad Days

 August 23, 2024

Friday

Psalm 88:1-18 (ESV) ¹ O LORD, God of my salvation; I cry out day and night before you. ²  Let my prayer come before you; incline your ear to my cry! ³  For my soul is full of troubles, and my life draws near to Sheol. ⁴  I am counted among those who go down to the pit; I am a man who has no strength, ⁵  like one set loose among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave, like those whom you remember no more, for they are cut off from your hand. ⁶  You have put me in the depths of the pit, in the regions dark and deep. ⁷  Your wrath lies heavy upon me, and you overwhelm me with all your waves. Selah ⁸  You have caused my companions to shun me; you have made me a horror to them. I am shut in so that I cannot escape; ⁹  my eye grows dim through sorrow. Every day I call upon you, O LORD; I spread out my hands to you. ¹⁰  Do you work wonders for the dead? Do the departed rise up to praise you? Selah ¹¹  Is your steadfast love declared in the grave, or your faithfulness in Abaddon? ¹²  Are your wonders known in the darkness, or your righteousness in the land of forgetfulness? ¹³  But I, O LORD, cry to you; in the morning my prayer comes before you. ¹⁴  O LORD, why do you cast my soul away? Why do you hide your face from me? ¹⁵  Afflicted and close to death from my youth up, I suffer your terrors; I am helpless. ¹⁶  Your wrath has swept over me; your dreadful assaults destroy me. ¹⁷  They surround me like a flood all day long; they close in on me together. ¹⁸  You have caused my beloved and my friend to shun me; my companions have become darkness.

Does you life ever feel like this? You try hard and things get worse. You just can't get ahead. The car breaks down, the air conditioner fails, the foundation on the house sags and you get laid off from work. What do you do?

You tell the Lord. Yes, He already knows about your situation but telling Him is contact with Him. Telling Him opens you up to listening to Him. Listening to Him will give you the solution you need to act. Hearing from Him reveals that He still loves you. Knowing He loves you will get you through it because what has happened did so with His permission. Draw close to the Lord for this could be the very reason it happened.

And don't give up hope.

Do Your Best to Listen

 August 22, 2024

Thursday

Some people seem to be professional intellectuals. They believe they are smarter than everyone else. They won't listen to others. In fact, they insulate themselves with like-minded people so that they can never be proven wrong. They fail to see the arguments made from those they disagree with. They frankly see others as merely foolish. They propose ideas that have failed and claim that the reason they failed is because they weren't the ones making the ideas work.

Proverbs 12:15 (NASB 2020) ¹⁵ The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But a person who listens to advice is wise.

The Bible would call these intellectuals fools. They are not fools because they are uneducated nor because they lack knowledge of a variety of subjects. They are fools because they fail to listen to others. They will take up causes without listening to the reason why things are like they are. They protest without grasping the whole picture. They fail to seek counsel.

You will know a fool when he does not listen to you. You will know a fool when he things he is above you. You will know a fool when there is nothing more he needs to know.

Proverbs 18:2 (NASB 2020) ² A fool does not delight in understanding, But in revealing his own mind.

On the other hand, a wise man listens to both sides of an argument. A wise man asks for counsel from those who have also proven themselves to be wise. A wise man fears the Lord.

Proverbs 1:7 (NASB 2020) ⁷ The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction..

Of course, there are some people who are highly intellectual. They are also humble and listen to others. They are wise. In fact, they are incredibly wise because it would be much easier to think that they already have all the answers to the world's problems. It is one thing to have a strong mind. It is even stronger to be able to disciple a strong mind.

So, be wise. Listen to others. Listen to the Lord. Know that you can learn from everyone. Make sure you understand why someone argues their position. And don't call people fools. Let them do that for themselves.

The High Price of Sin

 August 21, 2024

Wednesday

There are truths that appear to contradict each other. For example:

God allows people to sin.

God allows the consequences for their sin.

Yet, God cause all things to work for the good of those who love Him. 

How can that be? The ones who love Him still sin. He has allowed it and He has allowed for the terrible consequences that follow the sin. How can those consequences be good for the person who has sinned?

Someone might say, "Go ahead and sin. God will work it out anyway." I would be cautious about this attitude. It will lead to greater consequences. It sounds like, "Go ahead and spend beyond your ability to pay. You can declare bankruptcy later." Bankruptcy is a lot more painful than you think. It carries consequences that last for years. It may not condemn you for life but it certainly takes a chunk out of your life. You really don't go scot free. 

The consequences of sin are much like that. Sin damages your relationship with God. You become estranged from Him. Only a confession that breaks your heart will return you back to your former relationship. Brokenness is not a pleasant experience. Ultimately, it is good.

I have been broken over sin. It is not just sorry that I did them. I grieved over them. I knew I was forgiven but I hurt my Lord. He suffered greatly for my sin. I knew I couldn't undo anything that I had done. I knew that I was at His mercy. I knew He gave me grace that I will forever be thankful for, but I still grieved over the sin. Confession was far from painless.

There is the consequence that sin causes in others. Sin will destroy anyone's testimony for the Lord. Anyone who has looked up to you must not use you as an example of what they should be. They, too must forgive but the damage is still done.

I knew a man who taught a young adult married class at a church who had an affair. His sin made him leave his wife. His grown daughter wouldn't have anything to do with him. The group of young adults he had taught thought he was all talk and no walk. Yes, he can repent but the damage is done. He must take a long time before he will ever be able to restore trust.

Sin will keep people from believing in Christ. Non-believers don't think what we say is real until they see that it is real. You simply can't live like the world and expect the world to pay attention. They can see sin right where they are. Why should they become believers? Some may never become believers because of your sin. They will spend an eternity in hell. 

I think a lot of people think that the woman caught in adultery got away with it but Jesus told her to not sin anymore. In her culture a woman could only commit adultery if she was married. It didn't matter what the status of the man was. Her sin was made public. Her husband would have known she had committed adultery. The most common response of a husband was to divorce her and kick her out. There was no long legal proceedings for this. A divorced woman who had committed adultery would have a hard time making her way. There was really only one profession that would ensure her future. Of course, she couldn't take that one because Jesus told her to go and not sin anymore. Her life would have been far from easy.

None of what I have said here will keep us from being sinners. It hope it makes us much more conscious of what sin does. I hope that we don't consciously sin because we know we can be forgiven.

On the other hand, I want people to know that they are forgiven. I want them to know the price that Jesus paid for them. I want them to know that they can walk with God even though they have been sinners and continue to sin. I just want to say that sin is expensive too. Praise God that Jesus paid that price.

1 John 1:5–10 (NASB 2020) ⁵ This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. ⁶ If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; ⁷ but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. ⁸ If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. ⁹ If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous, so that He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ¹⁰ If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.

The Wisdom of the World

 August 20, 2024

Tuesday

If God's wisdom is foolishness to the world, then the world's wisdom should be foolishness to us. 

1 Corinthians 3:19 (NASB) ¹⁹  For the wisdom of this world is foolishness before God. For it is written, "He is THE ONE WHO CATCHES THE WISE IN THEIR CRAFTINESS";

Think about this today. Is the wisdom of this world that thinks that you need to have all the physical pleasure you can have, all the money and possessions you can have and everyone praise you foolishness to you or does it make sense?

What wisdom do you have if it makes sense? 

Keep Your Politics at Home

 August 19, 2024

Monday

This is an election year and politics often come to church. People become so adamant for a candidate that they want to convince everyone else that this is the only candidate to vote for. They want to gather around politically like-minded people to praise their candidate. Thus, churches can grow in attendance when they adopt a certain candidate. So, why is this a bad thing?

Many people do not believe the adopted candidate is the best. They may not care about certain policies that protect unborn children or fight climate change. Their central issue may be getting the homeless off of the streets or preserving Social Security. These political issues can become so engrained into people that they can't hear the gospel when politics are mixed in.

People who can't relate to the gospel, often relate to politics. Political parties for some people are like sports teams that they support. Their team may do wrong or right but their team is still their team. Rival teams are opposed vehemently. Rival teams are evil while their team is good. Thus, people believe every bit of fake news that supports their team and denigrates their opponents. Of course, they can't believe their own candidate would be a part of such low-life shenanigans. Therefore, people will reject the gospel when a church supports the other candidate. It is like crossing over to the evil side for them. 

Churches that get a reputation for supporting a party or a candidate keep many people from ever darkening their doors. Often, these are people who need the gospel. They will never hear the gospel from those who support other candidates because they have decided not to listen.

In short, supporting a political candidate at church causes people to stumble. They will even quit going to a church (or any church for that matter) if they believe they must be pounded on to support a certain candidate. The Bible warns us that we must not cause people to stumble. I am afraid that is exactly what we are doing when we bring our politics in the church.

Romans 14:21 (NIV) ²¹  It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall. 

God Speaks through His Son

 August 18, 2024

Sunday

Many people struggle with reading the Bible. I believe they struggle because they have difficulty relating it to their lives. They have this difficulty because they have depended on others to tell them what it says rather than going before the Lord with the expectation that He will apply it to their lives. Without a relationship that sticks to us, the Bible can become like reading a physics book for someone who has no physics background. It can be like someone who has never heard opera going to an opera. Somehow, the medium needs to connect with the person.

So, how should people interpret the Bible? The Bible is a spiritual book and must connect to our spirits through the work of the Holy Spirit. It must be read in light of who and what Jesus has done. It must connect us to Him.

When read by the Holy Spirit in light of who Jesus is, the Bible will teach us what we are to do and how to do it, will rebuke us for what we have done wrong, will correct us for the things we shouldn't be doing and will train us in righteousness. This is all done for the glory of Jesus Christ. It is our identification with Him that has ushered in the Holy Spirit. It is the revelation of the Holy Spirit that brings a change in our lives when we read the Bible. And our relationship with our Lord grows as we encounter Him through God's Word, the Bible.

God has spoken through His Son to us. We may hear a message from a preacher but it is through His Son that we interpret what God has said. We may experience circumstances that reveal what God is doing through our relationship with His Son. We may be in deep prayer when we hear from God but again it will be in accordance with the message of the gospel that comes from God's Son.

So, while the Holy Spirit is the true interpreter of what we hear from God the medium that God delivers His messages are through His Son. Our relationship with Him enables the communication.

Some people claim that you can make the Bible say anything you want. Of course, that is true if you do not filter out what you want with His Son. The question isn't what would Jesus do but what will Jesus do with me? How will He join me in what He desires? How will the entrance of the Holy Spirit make me more like Jesus?

Yes, God speaks through His Son. We need to be listening.

Hebrews 1:1–2 (NASB 2020) ¹ God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, ² in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom He also made the world.

Who Offers the Invitation?

 August 17, 2024

Saturday

Each week I offer an invitation at the end of the worship service. I tell the people that they need to respond to what God is telling them to do. I can't help but believe that many of them are thinking that I am the one asking them to come to Christ, get baptized or join the church. They have gotten accustomed to standing there for a few minutes or simply leave before others can block them from the doors. The moment passes them by.

Each message should come from God. Each message should challenge people in their walks with the Lord. Each time people need to make decisions. Not all of them need to be as visible as coming down the aisle but each one should elicit a commitment. Unfortunately, some are assuming that the messages are not for them. These messages are for the sinners.

I don't chastise people for gripping the back of the seats in front of them during the invitation. I don't even try to prolong the time so that people can be coerced down the aisles. It isn't my invitation. I know there are ways to manipulate people but I never use them. God doesn't manipulate people. I am merely His servant.

I wish people would realize who is offering the invitation. Maybe they would respond then.

John 4:10 (NASB 2020) ¹⁰ Jesus replied to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who is saying to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.”

God Is Not Finished with You Yet

 August 16, 2024

Friday

Many Christians do not believe in the power of the gospel. The gospel not only changes your eternal habitation, it changes who you are. I know a lot of people want to tell Christians who they are in Christ by the names the Bible designates for them.  That's wonderful, but it isn't what I am talking about. When a person comes to know Christ, the Holy Spirit inhabits him. His spirit communicates with the Spirit of God. He is motivated toward a closer and ever closer walk with the Lord. This changes who he is from the inside out. Yet, many people do not believe in the transforming power of the gospel.

To be fair, the Apostle Paul did not believe in this power at one time. John Mark abandoned him once. Paul would not take him on a subsequent missionary journey. The dispute was so great between him and Barnabas that they went their separate ways. Barnabas took John Mark and Paul took Silas. It is extremely interesting that the early church was very wary of Paul when he came forward professing Christ. Barnabas believed in the power of the gospel and stood up for Paul. No one should have needed to explain to Paul how the gospel changes people. He was a product of a changed man by the power of the Holy Spirit. Of course, years later Paul would ask that John Mark would be sent to assist him because he was valuable to Paul.

People have learned that past performance predicts future performance. They simply have a difficult time in believing that people will change. Most of the time they are right. However, people do change by the power of the Holy Spirit living within them. 

Too many times I deal with people who believe that being baptized will be their final act of sealing their ticket to heaven. They have no intention of being changed. They just want to go to heaven. I, personally, do not believe these people will be changed. They have not received the Spirit. They have performed a work that they believe will earn their place in heaven. Unfortunately, their destination hasn't changed and more than they have.

Too many other times I deal with people who come to church but have no manifest relationship with the Lord. They, too, never change. They endure the music and the sermons. They certainly are not engaged in them. I, personally, do not believe that they know the Lord either. How could the Spirit live in them without a change in them?

Then, I have people who have known someone who has sinned and may even have done so enough times that he is no longer trusted. These people reject the possibility that this untrusted person could ever become trusted. They seem to believe that a person instantly becomes all that they will be at the moment of salvation. Thus, there can be no change even if the person knows the Lord. This same sentiment makes Christians condemn themselves when they sin. They wonder how they could call Jesus Lord and act they way they do. They are correct in realizing that they are not acting under the lordship of Jesus. They are wrong in thinking that they achieved perfection.

Christian maturity is not an on/off switch. The person receiving Christ grows in that relationship. The person is changed in that relationship. Unfortunately, our testimonies don't reflect this. We tell of coming to Jesus and loving everything Jesus loves right away. We skip the parts that tell of failure.

Sometimes people come to me completely broken over their sin. They don't think they have changed a bit. They can't realize that the change that has already occurred and caused their brokenness over sin. They will be stronger because of this brokenness. They will continue to change.

So, you will be patient with people when you believe in the power of the gospel. You will forgive them as they have been forgiven by the Lord. You will be someone who lifts them up, encourages them and even may need to point out their sins. All of this is done to work with the Holy Spirit in bringing maturity in their lives.

Praise God! He is not finished with any of us yet!

1 Corinthians 6:9-11 (ESV) ⁹  Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, ¹⁰  nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. ¹¹  And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 

Are Things Getting Worse?

 August 15, 2024

Thursday

Does it seem like the world is getting worse? Did you expect persecution as a Christian? The answer to both of those questions is "yes." Many in this world will hate us because we stand for a holy God. We shouldn't be surprised. Jesus told us they would.

John 15:18-19 (ESV) ¹⁸  “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. ¹⁹  If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

And yes, it is getting worse. That was also said in the Bible.

Romans 1:21 (ESV) ²¹  For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

It seems such a small thing to neglect honoring or giving thanks to God but it has led to a greater and greater separation between those who fail in this and God. As they forgot about God they thought more of themselves. They speculated that they world didn't need God and their hearts were darkened because the light was gone.

So, things get worse:

Romans 1:24 (ESV) ²⁴  Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves,

God let them sin to their hearts' content. They have indeed done so in our lifetimes. Each time I think it can't get any worse, I am proven wrong. The further we have gotten from God, the worse things have gotten. 

Now, before we decide to go out and preach how bad the world is, we need to examine who is genuinely at fault. Most of us think that we are the good guys as Christians and they are the bad guys because they aren't Christians. But does God call on the non-believers to repent before He calls on the believers?

1 Peter 4:17 (ESV) ¹⁷  For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?

And who does God call on to repent so that the land will be healed?

2 Chronicles 7:14 (ESV) ¹⁴  if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

So, we can rail on and on about how bad the world is getting when the truth is that we are the ones called to humble ourselves, pray, seek God's face and repent from our own wickedness. Sure, we may not have sinned with such notoriety as those in the world but the fact that we know God and yet do not honor or give Him thanks by the way we carefully live our lives reveals hearts that aren't that different from those in the world.

God placed the solution to this crisis in our hands. If we will clean up our act, He will heal our land.

So, how bad does it need to get before we will get serious? Now, that's the real question. 

Not Worried about the Election

 August 14, 2024

Wednesday

I am so tired of political ads that I wish I could sleep until after the election. I can't stand the rhetoric between the political parties. I can't stand the fear mongering, the warnings of existential threat, the comparisons to historical evils and the relentless negative statements. I have gotten to the point where I won't watch the news because each station is so biased that none of them are giving the whole truth. I am so tired of people thinking that they can put their trust in human beings to make everything alright. 

I am sure of some things. God is not concerned whether the world will go haywire no matter who wins the election. He remains in control regardless of the outcome. Jesus will still be the only means of salvation whether a Republican or Democrat occupies the White House. The Bible is and still will be the Word of God. It will be just as true and effective as it was before the election. The Holy Spirit will continue to inhabit believers and lead them to the truth only known by those who possess Him. Jesus will still be coming back if He doesn't come back before the election. Heaven is still the eternal place made for God and those who follow Him. God's love is not going to abandon us after the election. Making disciples will still be the church's main mission. Loving God and each other will still be the two greatest commandments.

These things are not a comprehensive list of things that will go on after the election. They are the things that simply come to mind. These are the things that give me calm while "the sky is falling" is screamed on the streets.

How do those who don't know Jesus handle this? I suppose they believe that they have the power in their hands to make everything exactly how they want it. Maybe they are finally realizing that they can't. Maybe that's why there is so much anxiety over this election. 

O, and there is one more thing that gives me confidence in the future: 

Romans 8:37-39 (ESV) ³⁷  No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. ³⁸  For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, ³⁹  nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

When Do We Pray or Act?

 August 13, 2024

Tuesday

If you have the option of doing something for the Lord or praying to the Lord, which do you choose? Many of us will admit that it just depends. After being defeated by the farmers of Ai, Joshua goes to God in prayer. He gets an unexpected response from God.

Joshua 7:10 (NASB 2020) ¹⁰ So the Lord said to Joshua, “Stand up! Why is it that you have fallen on your face?

The city of Jericho and all of its spoils had been devoted to the Lord. Achan took some things and hid them under his tent. The problem wasn't that God didn't act to help Israel defeat the town of Ai. The problem was that there was sin in the camp and it must be dealt with first. So, prayer wasn't what was needed at the moment. Confession and consecration of the people was called for. Severe action against this transgression would serve as an example to all the Israelites that complete obedience to the Lord was necessary if they were to expect that He would walk with them.

Of course, most of us will take action when we know what action to take. We go to God in prayer when only He can give what we need to do. So, prayer is necessary to act but prayer cannot be a substitute for action. When someone comes to us with a need our normal response is, "I'll pray for you." That may be exactly what we need to do when we don't know what to do or have no power to change the need they present to us. However, that isn't where we need to go when we know what God has called us to do.

Let's say a lady comes to my church and tells me that she hates her job. She can't stand working there because the environment is toxic. It isn't just her situation but the whole company is in a malaise. I can't change her job for her. I can pray for her to get a new job. I can encourage her to apply for new jobs.

In another scenario a lady comes into my church and tells me she has a flat tire. I don't tell her that I will pray for her. I go out and change her flat. (There have been exceptions; like when I am fifteen minutes from doing a funeral.)

The key is knowing when prayer alone is necessary and when actions plus prayer are necessary. The question we must ask is if we already know what we need to do. If so, we must do it.

James told us just that:

James 2:15–16 (NASB 2020) ¹⁵ If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, ¹⁶ and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?

On the other hand when Jesus' disciples couldn't cast out a demon from a boy, he told them why they were unable to do so.

Mark 9:29 (NASB 2020) ²⁹ And He said to them, “This kind cannot come out by anything except prayer.”

So, discernment is needed for the time to pray and the time to act. The danger is getting the two mixed up. 

Does God Still Do Miracles?

 August 12, 2024

Monday

There are some who believe that God no longer does miracles. They say that the time of miracles has passed because we have the Bible. They claim that miracles proved who Jesus was. They say that miracles pointed toward His coming. They are correct, but does that mean that God stopped doing them?

If there are no more miracles, what are we praying for? Each prayer asks God to intervene to provide or change the outcome of something. We pray for the sick with the expectation that God will answer with healing. We pray for the means of paying our rent with the expectation that God will provide. Do we call these things less than miracles because we can also explain them by circumstances?

Years ago, we prayed for a lady who was about to have surgery and radiation treatments for a large abdominal tumor. The MRI proved it was there. Just before surgery another MRI was done and the tumor was gone. Should we say that the MRI machine was flawed? If so, before or after the prayer? Why wasn't it also flawed with every other image it had taken that day?

I was on a mission trip years ago with a group of college students. One of our chartered busses broke down and we were taken to the bus station in Flagstaff, AZ. I went to a Japanese man and spoke with him. I discovered that he had been sent by his church to the US for Okinawa. He was traveling to share the gospel. He was very lonely for his English was very limited. I wanted to encourage him so I read Jude 24-25 to him. He followed along in his Japanese Bible. He looked up and told me, "These are the two verses my church commissioned me with in Okinawa." 

Now I realize that I cannot say that the laws of physics were violated in what happened. It was no miracle that our chartered bus broke down. It was not a miracle that we were taken the the bus station while it was being fixed. It was not a miracle that a Japanese man was also at the bus station. It was not a miracle that I would talk to him. It was not a miracle that I would read two verses from the Bible. It wasn't even a miracle that his church would commission him with these verses. But add all of these up, and tell me if this wasn't a miracle!

Yes, God still does miracles! Depend on God because He is dependable. Pray to God because He is still just as powerful as He ever was.

Jude 24–25 (NASB 2020) ²⁴ Now to Him who is able to protect you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory, blameless with great joy, ²⁵ to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority before all time and now and forever. Amen.

Praise the Name of the Lord!

 August 11, 2024

Sunday

What is in a name? It seems that each time the Psalmist praises the Lord, he mentions the name of God as the focus of the praise. Here are some examples:

Psalm 106:47 (NASB 2020) ⁴⁷ Save us, Lord our God, And gather us from the nations, To give thanks to Your holy name And glory in Your praise.

Psalm 86:9 (NASB 2020) ⁹ All nations whom You have made will come and worship before You, Lord, And they will glorify Your name.

Psalm 52:9 (NASB 2020) ⁹ I will praise You forever, because You have done it, And I will wait on Your name, for it is good, in the presence of Your godly ones.

Psalm 9:10 (NASB 2020) ¹⁰ And those who know Your name will put their trust in You, For You, Lord, have not abandoned those who seek You.

Psalm 5:11 (NASB 2020) ¹¹ But rejoice, all who take refuge in You, Sing for joy forever! And may You shelter them, That those who love Your name may rejoice in You.

Psalm 44:8 (NASB 2020) ⁸ In God we have boasted all day long, And we will give thanks to Your name forever. Selah

Psalm 8:1 (NASB 2020) ¹ Lord, our Lord, How majestic is Your name in all the earth, You who have displayed Your splendor above the heavens!

Psalm 80:18 (NASB 2020) ¹⁸ Then we will not turn back from You; Revive us, and we will call upon Your name.

Psalm 22:22 (NASB 2020) ²² I will proclaim Your name to my brothers; In the midst of the assembly I will praise You.

Psalm 86:11 (NASB 2020) ¹¹ Teach me Your way, Lord; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name.

Psalm 83:16 (NASB 2020) ¹⁶ Fill their faces with dishonor, So that they will seek Your name, Lord.

Psalm 7:17 (NASB 2020) ¹⁷ I will give thanks to the Lord according to His righteousness And will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High.

Psalm 66:4 (NASB 2020) ⁴ “All the earth will worship You, And will sing praises to You; They will sing praises to Your name.” Selah

Read each of these and make it an exercise to start this day with praising the Lord according to His name. Think on the names God is called. 

He is Jehovah-jireh (provider) Genesis 22: 14

He is Jehovah-rophe (healer) Exodus 15: 26

He is Jehovah-nissi (my banner) Exodus 17:15

He is Jehovah-m'kaddesh (holy) Leviticus 20: 7

He is Jehovah-shalom (peace) Judges 6: 24

He is Jehovah-tsidkenu (righteousness) Jeremiah 23: 6

He is Jehovah-rohi (shepherd) Psalm 23: 1

He is Jehovah-shammah (here) Ezekiel 48: 35

In each of these names you can add "my" before the name. We all need Him to be who He is. Some times we need Him to be one of those names more than we need Him to be another but He is always all of them.

I believe this might be a good time to praise the Lord.

Stop the Bleeding

 August 10, 2024

Saturday

Sometimes I believe that people enjoy being defeated. They never seem to take the actions they need to take to fix their problems. They are in debt past their ears and continue in it because they have given up being debt free. They have more than cluttered homes because they hardly ever throw things away. They like to say they want things clean and tidy but they never really make the hard decisions for throwing things away. They gain weight until they are uncomfortable but continue eating like they always did to gain even more weight. 

People don't understand that they need to first stop the bleeding. The actions they are comfortable taking are the actions that are causing their discomfort. They must stop doing what they are doing. Sometimes people say they have a different plan to rectify their problems. This gives them permission to continue in their problems. But it does not matter what their plans are if their plans are not working to fix the problem. They may need to set a new budget. They may need to set a goal of ridding themselves of all clothes that haven't been worn for a year. They may need to stop buying clothes until they donate those that haven't been worn. They may need to set out a diet plan. Whatever they need to do isn't what they are currently doing.

Some people have all of this in order. They are in-shape, tidy, and debt-free but their spiritual life is sorely lacking. The only time they work on it is when there is a crisis. They say that they believe but their actions reveal that they don't believe much.  They say they believe that God will supply their every need but hardly give God a tip much less a tithe. They say He is the most important person in their lives but they go to worship with others about twice a month. they say that they are growing in their faith but they are just as anxious as they were a year ago. Isn't it time to stop the bleeding here?

Sure, it is nice to stay at home Sundays and just relax after chasing everything else that we wanted to do every other day of the week. When you think about it, isn't this just like those who have messy houses, debt past their ears and flabby bodies? They aren't doing what they need to do to be in the best shape. Neither are those who are lax in their walk with God. They'll be fine as long as they don't run into a crisis. The problem is that we all eventually run into crises.

So, how do you stop this bleeding? It's simple: you turn away from what you are doing and walk with God by seeking God's kingdom to be the same in your life as it is in heaven and make His righteousness your own. In other words, you make a commitment today that things will change. You will no longer get distracted with other things. You will no longer miss church for lame excuses. You will not longer miss your morning quiet time because you just got too busy. You will no longer neglect praying for spiritual things. You will be His and accept all that He has for you.

And that's quite a lot. Once you truly have His presence in your life, you won't really miss the other stuff anyway.

Matthew 6:33 (NASB 2020) ³³ But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided to you.