The Love of God is Greater Far than Tongue or Pen Can Tell

Consider God's steadfast love...

"'For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,' says the LORD, who has compassion on you." (Isaiah 54:10 ESV)

These words ought to lift the heart of the saint: "...My steadfast love shall not depart from you..."

If God is for us, who can stand against us? If NOTHING can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord, we ought to be people of settled, humble confidence. (see Romans 8:31-39)

If every single thing crumbles -- if "...the mountains ... depart and the hills be removed..." -- God's love is still with us. It's not a matter of the sight of trouble or the lack of sight of God's presence that proves His love, but that He has promised it shall not depart. His word is true! (And, for we New Testament saints who look BACK at the cross, we know that God so loved that world that He gave His Son... love on massive display, and the work thereof still in effect for all who will believe and receive!)

Further, if the mountains and hills can crumble or be removed and God's love still remain, surely, our troubles can be remove or yet remain and God's love will still stand true. God is able to lift us again and again from the valley!

It is God's love that gives us eternal purpose in life and secure our eternity beyond this life.

It is God's love that gives us compassionate, sacrificial concern for others.

You see, beloved friend, God IS love, and God is, so, being that God is, and that He is love, then love shall remain! The need for hope will pass, for Christ shall come and victory will be complete. The need for faith will at some point be no more, for we shall have sight. But, OH! BUT!!!!! His love shall remain!

God's love is steadfast because God is steadfast. His love is surer than death and taxes. That, dear hearts and loved ones, is reason to rejoice and run the race of faith with fervor today!

Enjoy this song today: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6B_jYtjvME

What God has for us is FAR MORE than we can imagine or think!

An inheritance...

Praise God, He has a wonderful vision -- a "far more", "exceedingly abundantly" bigger vision -- for those in Christ than we could ever have for ourselves.

Stop and think about that for a little bit. We hope in what we do not see, for, truly, who would even hope in what we do see? Who would hope in the biggest dreams of seen things? No, we who believe in God through Christ hope for much more than this world has to offer.

But God...

YES! But God PLANS to grant more than we've even dared to dream of in our wildest hopes!

"For you, O God, have heard my vows; you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name." (Psalm 61:5 ESV)

He has an inheritance in mind for those who believe, and it's better than the rotten false gospel of prosperity in this world.

The Apostle Paul says, "That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, 'No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.'" (1 Corinthians 2:9 NLT)

Thank the Father today; Abba has something awesome in mind for His children!

That YOU know your conversion is real.

Read with eternal, internal, supernal, temporal caution...

Something is about to be disturbed, unless you quit now.

Was it a prayer? Was it some strange sign? Was it a dunk or a sprinkle? Was it a walk down the aisle? Was it by membership gained? Was it by a position held? Was it by certain knowledge gained? Was it by an emotional experience or outburst?

Is it by any of these things?

What marks your conversion? What sign? What indication?

What signature of Christ is upon you?

Look here, dear friend, and see this then what Jesus would say. Should we wonder if our hearts His, our souls secure and our hope fixed, we'd best hear these words of the Master.

One cannot be saved save by Him who was born to save, lived to die, that by dying we might be saved from wrath and by raising we might be saved from death.

What marks one who is marked by Him who was marked by nails and a spear?

Listen...Jesus says...

1. Jesus says IF one is His disciple, one continues in -- that is hears, learns, heeds and obeys -- His word. One is marked by obeying the Master: "So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, 'If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples...'"(John 8:31, ESV)

2. Jesus says IF one is His disciple, one loves -- that is, lives it out, not as an emotion or feeling, but in action, by fact -- LIKE He loves -- that is, sacrificially, not only when it's convenient or easy: "By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:35, ESV)

3. Jesus says IF one is His disciple, one bears fruit -- that means one's life has results, and by fruit, He means that life is producing His likeness: "By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples." (John 15:8, ESV)

Whatever mark we might have been considering, these are the marks He is considering. Sure, Jesus has come to save, but He will come to judge. Obedience to His word...sacrificial love for others, like Him...death of me that I might bear fruit of Him...that's what Jesus is looking for.

Sure, we'd better be baptized.
Sure, we'd better gather with the Body of Christ.
Sure, we'd better work.
Sure, we'd be brave and right to ask for miracles.
Sure, we'd better have a share a public testimony.

Are we dead and busy or alive and living?

These void of those are not that.

But, what does JESUS SAY about those who are His disciples?
Continue in His word...
Love sacrificially like Him...
Die to self, and bear His life in our bodies...

Think on this.

Humbled by and because of God's grace.

Some thoughts...

Romans 12:3 "For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned."

All that we are as Christians is because of the grace of God.

We don't get a corrupt heart because we sin; we sin because we have a corrupt heart.

We have no ground to stand on without God's grace.

The first thing we have to do is get honest about ourselves. We don't deserve salvation. We don't receive it because we are good, but because God is good.

It's not about having a freshly polished life, but to have our stone hearts ripped out by God and be given a tender heart of flesh.

It's not the look of faith, but about being clothed in Christ.

God calls us to look soberly at ourselves.

Church is not a business we are in, but a life we share. It's not about getting ahead of each other, but about running the race of faith.

God has called us to be new creations, so be sober thinking when you think of that new man.

The devil is always telling you a truth about who you are or were, but it's to get the wrong response from us. God shows us who we are that He might draw us to Himself, change us, gift us, and send us out for His glory.

We are given gifts of grace to bless the Body. However, many times we don't use those gifts because no one is being real with each other. For example, we are hurting, but don't allow truth tellers and encouragers to do God's work in us because we will just put on a face and say, "I'm fine."

The weaker faith of sight...

"Then they believed his words; they sang his praise." (Psalm 106:12 ESV)

Part of this Psalm refers to Israel's belief in God's word AFTER they saw God defeat the Egyptians by crashing the Red Sea down upon them (see Exodus 14). Their faith needed sight.

The ESV Study Bible says of Psalm 106, "This historical psalm recites a series of events from Israel’s history to illustrate God’s steadfast love in the face of Israel’s rebellion and unfaithfulness. The events are selected from Israel’s time following Moses in the wilderness (Exodus and Numbers) and from the time when Israel repeatedly indulged in rebellion against the Lord after the death of Joshua (Judges). All of the episodes are instances of the whole people being unfaithful, and of God’s continuing commitment to maintain this people and to foster among them the conditions in which piety can flourish. The focus is therefore on corporate unfaithfulness and forgiveness."

This Psalm also relates to Exodus 15:1-21. When Israel finally believed God, they praised Him!
The context is a great illustration of my truer point, which is, Israel has plenty of reason for faith BECAUSE they clearly SEE what God has done and is doing -- reason enough, I'd say, to KEEP believing when they DON'T SEE -- yet they keep falling away. Faith is a huge struggle for Israel. Hmmm... maybe we can relate. 

Faith after sight, when there is opportunity, is faith nonetheless, but it could be confirming faith or it could be damning faith. Let me explain...

Take the Apostle Thomas for example. He couldn't believe the resurrection until he not only SAW the risen Jesus, but also was allowed to touch the wounds of Jesus (see John 20:29). Church history tells us Thomas took the gospel to India, and also died there. In his case, having seen, Thomas' faith was confirmed and he was made stronger, more committed, and more resolute in his service to the Lord.

Some, however, will find faith BY sight damning. There will come a time when EVERY person will SEE Jesus on His throne, ruling. EVERY knee will bow; EVERY tongue will confess (see Philippians 2:5-11). However, it will be too late then for such belief to save. Faith unto salvation happens before we stand at the throne, and such faith is approved at the throne (see John 3:18).

Faith without sight happens when it comes as revelation. When God presents the truth of Jesus to us, and we take Him at His word, believing in our heart and confessing with our mouths (see Romans 10:9-10). Such belief leads to repentance and good works (see Matthew 3:8). In other words, when the Holy Spirit brings conviction, we believe Him, trust God, and live a changed life.

That's not to say we don't see, have never seen, or won't see God work. It means we take Him at His word!

It's like Jesus told Thomas: "You believe because you have seen me. But blessed are those who haven’t seen me and believe anyway." (my paraphrase of John 20:29) THAT is the stronger faith! That is saving faith! That is securing faith! That is sheltering faith! That is sanctifying faith!

Friend, are you waiting to see something? God is speaking to your heart if you have read this far. You wouldn't be compelled to read this far if the Holy Spirit were not dealing with you. Believe God that Jesus' blood is necessary to pay for your sins and sufficient to do so. The Holy Spirit is giving you the desire and sense to read this. Trust Him!

Get down on your knees... humble yourself ... confess your need of God and receive His gift of grace in Jesus. Follow Jesus as your King and Lord.

Friend, do not wait until your faith must be by sight, for what you want to SEE may come too late for you to believe.

You who say you believe in God, get to praising Him! Let His glory ring! Sing! Praise! Shout! Dance! Give God the glory, glory! Testify!

When we do believe, we share! Even the weaker faith of sight confesses. Surely, the stronger faith of believing without seeing sings praises too, and more glorious to the soul!

DO YOU have bragging rights?

Go ahead, brag, if you have good reason...

Most bragging is a waste. Here's one type that is not: "Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south." (Psalm 107:1-3 ESV)

Be thankful and brag on God. Tell anyone who will listen, and especially yourself, how good God has been to you. Count your blessings. Sing praises. Testify. Witness.

We usually brag on our smarts, what we can do, or what we have. Jeremiah says if we are going to boast, boast about God!

Jeremiah put it like this: "Thus says the LORD: 'Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD.'" (Jeremiah 9:23-24 ESV)

Yes! God is good! Do you know Him? Do you have understanding? Boast about God!

Do you know God, my friend? Do you know about His love by experience? Let the redeemed of the Lord say so!

Brag on God! Do you want your day ignited into goodness? Boast on God!

Be faithful to God's Church

Three thoughts...

Get up. 

Go praise the Lord! 

Be the church! 

Stop waiting on the church to come to you. 

If you love God, He is alive in you. Go to someone else! Praise the Lord, today. Be thankful. Humble yourself and ASK HIM to speak to your heart...then, expect it.

Value the Body of Christ. Stop asking what has a church done for you, and start asking what YOU can do for the Body of Christ. Ask the Lord. Use your talents and gifts. Don't wait for a title; get to serving. No good deed need be recognized by men if it's driven by God. Humble yourself and ASK HIM to use you to bless someone in a local church today...then, expect Him to do it through you.

Be faithful. 

Be faithful to God. 

Be faithful in your household in whatever capacity you are -- father, husband, wife, mother, son or daughter. 

Be faithful to the Body of Christ. 

Be faithful in your local church. 

If you don't have one, be faithful TODAY in beginning the search. 

Be faithful to the Gospel (share it and love hearing it...that's being faithful in it!). Ask God to lead you to the church that could use you, not the one that has things / people / programs you could use. Humble yourself and ASK HIM to lead you...then, expect Him to speak.

“Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches.” (1 Corinthians 7:17 ESV)

GET IN THE WORD!

My beloved friends in Christ, if there was ever a reason to be in the word...

Jesus said, "I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away." (John 16:1 ESV)

Said what? For what? Whatever Jesus has taught was to bring people to Himself and to keep them from falling away from Him. Whatever Jesus said, He said it to save and sanctify.

Jesus tells us to make disciples and to teach them to observe all He has commanded (see Matthew 28:19-20).

One of the reasons God gifts us all is so we can admonish one another (see Colossians 3:16). He gifts some leaders to equip the saints and to make believers mature, "so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes." (Ephesians 4:14 ESV)

The Lord Jesus wants us to be stable! He does not want us unstable in our ways nor should we be untethered and "driven and tossed by the wind" (see James 1:5-8).

The Apostle Jude describes false teachers like this: "...swept along by winds; fruitless trees in late autumn, twice dead, uprooted; wild waves of the sea, casting up the foam of their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved forever." (Jude 1:12b-13 ESV)

Yes, beloved brothers and sisters, there is plenty of reason to be in the word!

Talk to God.

Quiet before men; desperate before God...

We ought always say all things to God before saying any thing to others. That regular conversation works as a powerful filter for how we respond to others. Sure, it slows down the conversation in relationships, but it increases its worth and fruitfulness. That conversation, especially when soaked with God's word, also centers our thoughts on God, and seeks Him to understand the world rather than looking at this world to understand God.

People, well, really, life can be a strain. We can truly wonder what God is up to sometimes. We often are hurt, angered or, in the minimum, bewildered by the activity of people -- both people we know and the world at large. We may even wonder why God allows some of the foolishness He does allow.

For all these reasons above, I love what the Spirit gave David to say in Psalm 39. I love the expression of verse 3: "My heart became hot within me. As I mused, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue:" (Psalm 39:3 ESV)

In verses 1-2, David basically says he tries to do what is right in God sight and David says he remains quiet in the face of all that he sees going on; that, he says, makes his heart "hot" with him. When David did speak, it was to God.

And, there it is. David speaks to God. Oh! the profit in that!

If you read the rest of Psalm 39, you'll see David expresses his frustration to God, and David doesn't hold back. That's okay; God can handle that. David lays his heart before the Lord in no uncertain terms; he expresses his frustration to the Lord...and God allows it.

Remember that! We can pour our hearts out to God! He can handle it!

What are you intentions when you use the gift of speech?

Will you cut to kill or cut to heal?

There is something called "intentionality." It means having been formed intentionally. We need intentionality with our words. Our words are like knives. The questions is not whether our words cut, but are they cutting for healing or killing effect? Are we looking to operate to bring healing in our relationships and in people's spirits and in trying situations? Or, are we looking to kill friendships, break others' spirits and make war in various situations?

"There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing." (Proverbs 12:18, ESV) Get wisdom. Get wisdom and employ it with surgical precision. Seek healing in your own heart, and want that for others.

Your words are powerful! The Bible says, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits." (Proverbs 18:21, ESV)

Killing?
Healing?
Form your thoughts. Form your speech.
Exercise intentionality, or it's no telling who may be hurt from lack of it.

Peter scolds Jesus. Say what?

Scolding Jesus...

How often do we scold or correct Jesus? How often, in the midst of our broken culture, do we claim something is right just because a majority agree, or because it’s what we’ve always done, or because it’s a current fad?

Really, truly, think about it.

Jesus reached a certain point in His earthly ministry when He clearly began to head to the cross. “From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.” (Matthew 16:21 ESV)

His disciples did not understand nor did they like such talk. “And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, ‘Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.’” (Matthew 16:22 ESV)

How do you like that? Peter didn’t like the ideas Jesus espoused, nor did He like the PR. He scolded Jesus, basically saying, “Hey, listen, that’s not a message we like. Don’t talk like that.”

Jesus responds very strongly: “But he turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.’” (Matthew 16:23 ESV)

I think we live in an age and in a culture that constantly scolds Jesus, and I mean even among those who claim to be His disciples. He says some fairly direct things about what it means to follow Him, issues of morality and holiness, and how we ought to love God and each other, and we very regularly, whether aloud or simply by behavior, tell Jesus we don’t agree with His line of thinking.

Then there’s the crowd who put words in Jesus’ mouth without ever really seeking to understand the words Jesus Himself spoke from His own mouth. Then there are the cherrypicking and selective agreement crowd who pick and choose what Jesus said that they like and dislike.

The real challenge — and BASIC assignment— of a disciple of Jesus is to take Him at His word, live by His teaching, and seek His power for transformation in areas that we are not in agreement with Him.

These are the very next words Jesus spoke to His disciples:
24 Then Jesus told his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?
27 For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done.
28 Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom." - Matthew 16:24-28 (ESV)

Beloved, we who claim to know God must take heed to this things, and I believe we all better consider our ways.

"Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?"

Probably one of the most disturbing questions...

[Jesus asked] "Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?" (Luke 6:46 ESV)

Why give Jesus a title of respect if we do not give Him our ultimate respect of obedience?

Proof is in action! Absolutely, it is important to have the right confession of faith. Absolutely, no doubt, what we believe is extremely important. However, we cannot say we really believe it if we don't live it.

"Lord, Lord..." --- think about that for a moment...
it's polite...it sounds nice
it's orthodox...it sounds right
it's fervent...saying it twice for emphasis
it's public...saying out-loud in front of others

Of the sister passage in Matthew 7, William Barclay said, "There is only one way in which a man's sincerity can be proved, and that is by his practice. Fine words can never be a substitute for fine deeds. There is only one proof of love, and that proof is obedience. ... So often we confess God with our lips and deny Him with our lives. It is not difficult to recite a creed, but it is difficult to live the Christian life. Faith without practice is a contradiction in terms, and love without obedience is an impossibility."

Just think about abuse cases... many a battering man has told a battered woman "you know I love you" and then slapped her around. Words ring hollow and pain runs deep.

We KNOW real love, real submission to God in Christ is expressed in obedience. We KNOW it!

Jesus would say to many of us, "Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord' and not do what I tell you?" Why, indeed.

Let us not play games. IF you say "Lord, Lord," live it! If you won't live it, don't lie to your own mind or heart, and don't lie to your neighbor.

Do you call Jesus "Lord"?
Does that work out in obedience?

The future IS better than bright for those in Christ!

Better than anything you see!

Would you be happy if you had the best mind in the world? Would you be satisfied if you had the best body? Would you be fulfilled if your health, bank account and emotional state were better than anyone else's?

Do you want to be some combination of all the people you admire, having all their benefits with none of their weaknesses?

God has something in mind for us that is far more, exceedingly abundantly better than we could think or imagine.

Paul puts it like this: "And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience." (Romans 8:23-25 ESV)

We hope for what we do not see! The genuine, biblical expectation of one who is in Christ is something better than anything or everything we've ever seen!

The Apostle John says it this way: "Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure." (1 John 3:2-3 ESV)

Let us not live in constant striving for goals that are less than God's! Let us not be constantly carried away in what we see -- wanting this and wanting that. Let us want for ourselves what God wants for us, which is far more than what we see.

Even Job, in the midst of his true despair, though oft times frustrated, confused and pained, was able to say, " For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. My heart faints within me!" (Job 19:25-27 ESV)

May God give us a vision and fresh hope in what we do not see, and fresh confidence that what is to come is better than what we currently see. Praise God, I believe it!

I invite you to burn brightly with me!

Stoke the lighthouse fires...

With pluralism, saying everything is equally right, and nihilism, saying nothing matters -- with both ideologies -- running rampant in our every day culture and society, the Bible stands as the moral light and anchor in a world of darkness and drift. The Church, living by that Word, becomes the agents of lights and points of safe harbor.

Likewise, local churches become lighthouses in communities. Local churches act as anchors in communities swirling in the storm of human brokenness and ideological confusion.

Get up, go to church. IF you say you are a disciple of Jesus, you already ought to be on the move. IF you want to discover how light and safety are working in communities ... IF you are curious about God ... IF you want to seek positive community, you get up too ... and go on out to a local church.

Which one? Who in your life do you know that really, really loves Jesus AND shows you respect and love as a person? Give that person a ring and go to church with them. OR, think about that person or people who have tried over and over and over again and again and again to invest in your life, speak wisdom, show love, and live some other kind of way than this old rotten world. Go to their house of worship.

Look for a spot that teaches the Scriptures AND for those type of people who try to actually live out the teaching of Jesus.

"A lighthouse on fire at night" oil on canvas painting created by Joseph Wright of Derby in 1770.

The local church I am a part of meets at 6:00 pm on Sunday nights. That gives you a good nine hours to make it to us tonight! Many other local churches have 10:30 and 11:00 am services. You have plenty of time to make it! You could even get a biscuit! Walk in, smile, introduce yourself, find a seat up near the action, sit down, take a deep breath and say, "Here I am, God; I'm listening."

There are a LOT of reasons to go to church. There are a LOT of reasons to become a regular part ("join") a local church. The ONE reason I am putting forth today is that communities need these local lighthouses, and these local lighthouses need people to stoke the flames.

In a world that is an ethical darkness and danger, we need lighthouses of love and truth. We need bright beams of direction. When neighborhood lighthouses have full parking lots and when those cars leave full of people full of truth ... when they walk out and pull out planning to live out what just got dropped down, it changes communities!

Jesus said, "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 5:14-16 ESV)

See y'all at church...

God inhabits the humble.

I want to be in the midst of the people in the midst of Him...

If one thing could be said of Israel's failure it could be they looked around in distraction instead heavenward in expectation. Their pre-incarnation history proves it -- though filled with prophetic promises of a coming Messiah, Israel, too often was caught up in the things of the world.

Not all, though. The prophet Zephaniah gave us God's word: "But I will leave in your midst a people humble and lowly. They shall seek refuge in the name of the LORD," (Zephaniah 3:12 ESV)

Regardless of what is going on in the world, God promised there would be some who were humble and lowly and those would be people who trusted in Him and believed in Him and waited upon Him.

The church seems to be the same today. God is good; He has promised us our Savior will return. How are we responding to that? How should that shape our lives? Should we not at least be humble and lowly? Shouldn't such waiting speaking into our lifestyles and habits?

I want to be one of those who takes refuge in God. It may be hard to embrace humility, but it's the very thing that leads one to trust God. Further, the prophet Isaiah tells us God is in the midst of the humble: "For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: 'I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.'" (Isaiah 57:15 ESV)

Lord God, revive Your church. Revive me, O Lord. I want to be a humble man in the midst of humble people who YOU are in the midst of. Help us through Christ Jesus, our Lord. Amen.

I often find myself lifting my hand to heaven, asking, "How long O Lord?"
No fear; He does not tarry, nor does He waste a moment of our lives.
Read Psalm 13, and ponder it over the course of your day.

Perfecter of our Faith

The Spirit going where He dares...

The Bible says Jesus is the "...author and finisher of our faith..." He's begun the work and finished the work. Sin is paid for. Death is defeated. It's a done deal.

But, none of us are born knowing the work is done, nor are any of us born being convinced of our need for the finished work. So, Jesus champions the cause of making sure we know. He pioneers the work in each of us. He authors the truth in a fresh way to each of us individually. He digs in and founds a new work in every person. He is the source of us coming to understand our need for Him! And, friend, that's the point! He shows us our need of Him and leads us to receive His finished work.

pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

He is "...the champion who initiates and perfects our faith." (NLT)
He is "...the founder and perfecter of our faith..." (ESV)
He is "...the author and perfecter of faith..." (NASB)
He is "...the author and finisher of our faith..." (KJV)
He is "...the source and perfecter of our faith..." (HCSB)

He sends the Spirit where He dares! He dares to come after and into my heart! He dares to come after and into your heart! Jesus dares pursue paupers and kings; presidents and drug addicts; murderers, thieves, gossips, self-righteous...UNBELIEVERS! None is so bad that He does not dare go unto them! None is so good they do not need His individual, personal work!

"We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God's throne." (Hebrews 12:2 NLT)

Why endure the cross? Why deal with the shame? Why? It is the power of God unto salvation for all who believe. And, if any would believe, it will take a personal, daring work of God. He shows us! He writes the truth of God on our hearts, causes us to see our need and causes us to trust His finished work.

Thank God the Spirit goes where Jesus dares!

What are you desires today?

Desires of the godly...

King David wrote, "Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long." (Psalm 25:4-5 ESV)

David desired vision. He said, "Make me to know Your ways..." The KJV says, "Shew me Thy ways..." David didn't simply want A vision; David desired God's vision. David wanted to know the path God would have him go, the work God would have him pursue, and the way God looked at him, others, and the world around him. David desired vision!

David desired knowledge. David asked God to "...teach me Your paths..." or, as the NLT says, "...point out the road for me to follow." David wanted to know the way to go and the way of the Lord and the pitfalls and potential of a life surrendered to God. David knew his ways, and he'd seen the ways of man. David now desired to know things as God knows them.

David desired truth. He said, "Lead me in Your truth..." See, dear friend, David wasn't interested in facts and pursuing his own agenda, the desires of the flesh, or the guessing game of following his own deceptive heart. David didn't want mere facts. David wanted truth. He wanted to be guided into constant God-reality and eternal perspective and holy values.

David desired the lordship of God. He said, "...teach me..." David longed to be a student of God, a disciple, a surrendered sheep in the Shepherd's flock, a sent servant at the Master's command.

The desires of the godly...

Vision. Truth. Knowledge. Lordship.

What are your desires today? To whom / what do you look for fulfillment?

HE is the piece we need for peace.

Piece for uniting peace...

Okay, I'll just say it: Jesus is the most crucial part in the entirety of all things seen and unseen. Without Him, we'll never understand how we or anything fits together; there'll always be something out of whack within us and with us.

With Him, we continually grow in our understanding of our place and things and everything else's place in the scheme of things.

Let me share a story [but not mine, because I'm boring; plus the Bible is infinitely more useful than my meanderings]...

Once [among more than one time], when Israel was trying to determine her place among the nations; fearing world events, she tried to align herself with Egypt. The failure of Israel was she was measuring her strength, finding herself weak and looking to strengthen herself by adding another nation's muscles.

Israel's condemnation, then, was that she did not depend on God. She'd forgotten her place in the scheme of things! Israel was out of touch. The prophet Isaiah was led of the Spirit to say, "Because you have said, 'We have made a covenant with death, and with Sheol we have an agreement, when the overwhelming whip passes through it will not come to us, for we have made lies our refuge, and in falsehood we have taken shelter'; therefore thus says the Lord GOD, 'Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation: ''Whoever believes will not be in haste.'''" (Isaiah 28:15-16 ESV)

In other words, "Israel, you've built on and with the wrong stuff. I'm going to remind y'all what is missing."

The Psalm writer had previously mentioned this, saying, "I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation. The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is the LORD's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes." (Psalm 118:21-23 ESV)

See that? Either the stone is what we build on or the thing we trip over. The stone is Jesus! He is either a strong tower of safety or a crushing weight of conviction. He is either the missing piece that makes life work or He is the missing piece that is ... well ... missing.

Notice this little / huge detail from Ephesians 1: "In [Jesus] we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, TO UNITE ALL THINGS IN HIM, things in heaven and things on earth." (Ephesians 1:7-10 ESV, emphasis mine)

Jesus is the stone that brings the building of ALL THINGS together!

We can make all the same mistakes Israel made. We can stumble over the stone. We can miss how things fit together. We can trust the strength of someone / something else besides the Lord. We can miss the significance of Jesus. We can stop waiting on Him.

We can refuse the piece that unites us in peace with God and all that He has made.

Soak in this: "For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit." (Ephesians 2:18-22 ESV)

Jesus makes it all work, and without Jesus, it just doesn't...

Our first steps as disciples of Jesus are critical.

First steps of discipleship are crucial...

Many of us like the idea of God in general, but not God in specific. Even IF specific, we like the idea of "God the Father," a loving, benevolent patriarch whose sole joy is our soul's joy. However, we often do not like the idea of God the Father as a chastening father.

We are wise to consider fully the godhead, surely the apotheosis of all goodness and righteousness, because without considering the fullness, we miss the Reality, and thus create some false god, and choose it over the True and Living God.

I nearly digress; nearly. My point narrows here; we must consider the fullness of God, and, here, today, let us consider the nature of being disciples.

A disciple is "a learner, follower, pupil." In antiquity, a disciple sought a master. In Christendom, the Master seeks disciples. We don't choose Him; He chooses us.

In antiquity, a disciple sought a master and placed themselves under their teacher. Such a disciple did their master's bidding... by choice. They learned from the master, discerned and mirrored their master's wisdom and ways, and intentionally placed themselves at their master's disposal. Their master taught them a certain way, and learners walked in that way.

In "The Cost of Discipleship," Dietrich Bonhoeffer said, "When we are called to follow Christ, we are summoned to an exclusive attachment to his person." Indeed, allegiance, adherence, and attachment to Christ is the key to proper, true discipleship.

So then, first steps are important. Dr. Bonhoeffer, a few pages later, continues by explaining the importance of first steps: "If we would follow Jesus we must take certain definite steps. The first step, which follows the call, cuts the disciple off from his previous existence. The call at once produces a new situation. To stay in the old situation makes discipleship impossible."

Ah... here is the sticking point. We often want Gentle Father, but not at the loss of self. We often want Compassionate Brother, but not at the loss of self. We often want, Helping Spirit, but not at the loss of self. However, the very nature of discipleship is leaving one's way to learn and follow another's way.

Take note of Jesus calling some disciples: "While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, 'Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.'" (Matthew 4:18-19 ESV)

Do you see it?
"Follow me..." -- Jesus leads.
"...I will..." -- Jesus determines.
"...make you..." -- Jesus shapes.
...fishers of men." -- Jesus gives employ.

Are we disciples of Jesus? Do we fully appreciate this aspect of the Living God? Do we embrace the Master with intentional following? Do we admire a god of our creation or do we adhere to the God who created us?

Hold fast, believer, for He holds fast to you.

Hold fast...

The testimony of the Israelites who held on to God's promise of a land to call their own was this: "But you who held fast to the Lord your God are all alive today." (Deuteronomy 4:4, ESV)

That's what we must do today! We MUST hold fast to the Lord Jesus! And, we'd better test stuff, and make SURE it's of the Lord. The Bible says, "...but test everything; hold fast what is good." (1 Thessalonians 5:21, ESV).

The number one thing to hold on to is Jesus; He is a believer's confession over sin, over death, over hell, over Satan and over every stronghold and weapon. Jesus is the believer's confession over hardship and trial, over depression, oppression and suppression of truth. Jesus is the believer's confession over lies, deceit and destruction. Jesus is our confession over loneliness, fruitlessness and faithlessness. He is our confession against the enemies of God and man.

There is no name given under heaven whereby men might have hope to be saved, except Jesus. Hebrews 10:23 says, "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful." (ESV)

Do you see that dear friend? Hold fast. He is faithful. He made promises. Don't waver.

Surely, these are that who receive a reward: "...he rewards those who seek him." (Hebrews 11:6c, ESV) Like those who were about to cross over Jordan and into Canaan, we want to hear God's approval, and we want life.

The believer holds on and is excited to one day hear "Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master." (Matthew 25:21, ESV)

Beloved believer, hold fast!

The Bible believing, God obeying, Spirit filled, NOT the worldly, should decide matters between believers.

Who ought not decide...

When there is a problem among or between believers, who ought not decide are such who don't know the Lord. When there is a dispute, we shouldn't ask those who are not walking in God's word and being filled with His Spirit to judge in spiritual matters. The non-spiritually alive should not be called on to judge in cases dealing with the spiritually alive (see 1 Corinthians 6:1-8).

Who, then, are the spiritually alive?

You and I both know when one believes on the name of Jesus and receives Him in truth and in sincerity, we are given the right to be the sons and daughters of God (see John 1:12). However, how can we know such a confession and reception is sincere? A sincere confession and a true reception of Jesus's life leads to a continued confession and continued reception of Jesus's life. In other words, we keep confessing and we keep surrendering so that we keep becoming like Jesus. A person who is spiritually alive is a person who is continually putting away the works of the flesh and taking up the life of the Spirit.

When there is a dispute, believers aren't to take their case before the world. They are to work it out among the transformed! They are to work the problem out among those who know what it's like to be changed by God. They are to take the case to those who are agreeing with God about what is right and wrong and who are allowing God to change their lives. They are to take the case to those who are sharing in the same inheritance as they are.

Paul said, "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, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 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." (1 Corinthians 6:9-11 ESV)

Take the case to those who it can be said "And such were some of you..." (emphasis on the WERE...changed people...people touched by God's Spirit!).

Why?
(1) Such people do not look at situations with only the reasoning of the world.
(2) Such people do not look at situations by what this person or that person wants, but by what God says.
(3) Such people know the mercy and grace of God personally.
(4) Such people are coming to grips with danger of ignoring the commands of God; there is a holy trembling among such people at the thought of facing God.
(5) Such people are seeking the leading and wisdom of the Spirit.
(6) Such people are comparing lives and situations not to human precedence but according to the person of Jesus.
(7) Actually, the list could be even longer, but the main point is that such people bring Father, Son and Holy Ghost into the discerning and deciding process.

Who ought not decide? In its notes on 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, the ESV Study Bible says those who ought not be called on to judge in the lives of believers are those "...indistinguishable from the unbelieving world..." Wow! That simplifies what I've been saying! How do you know who to invite into the assessment and reconciliation process? We invite those who we can clearly tell are walking with God and who we can clearly tell have forsaken worldliness.

Do we really understand liberty?

Just because one can does not mean one should...

Even if your heart is free to act in a certain way --and by free, I mean unhindered by your conscience-- it does not mean it is wise to indeed do all that your heart "feels" (for lack of a better word) you ought to do.

Paul said, "'All things are lawful for me,' but not all things are helpful. 'All things are lawful for me,' but I will not be dominated by anything." (1 Corinthians 6:12 ESV)

Some occasion grace to believe everything is permissible. Such thinking totally misunderstands grace. Grace is more about receiving favor we did not / could not earn than it is about receiving permission which was never extended.

However, grace is freeing. Grace frees us from the load of guilt, but it does not free us to load on wrong.

That Paul quotes "'All things are lawful to me'" probably means it was a common saying among Corinthian believers adopted that they used to excuse their choices. Paul could not, nor would not, deny Christian freedom, but he also could not ignore Christian wisdom. Sure, we are free beings, under the greatness of grace, and we are not bound by law, but it is good to live by wisdom in the Spirit, not just license in the flesh.

So, then, will you agree, just because we can do something does not me we ought to do it?

The Day of the Lord is coming.

Respond now...

Judgment Day is coming. What day? I don't know. What time? I don't know. What I do know is that it is coming!

Responding to this pending judgment NOW is crucial. Judgment Day is something we must be prepared for BEFORE it comes. We must already be at peace with the Great Judge before we stand before Him.

Imagine the many who are complacent about the Lord... think about people who are living for the weekend... living for hobbies, habits, comfort, pleasure, leisure... living for their own kingdoms... think about people whose entire concentration is on self... what will Judgment Day be like for such as these?

"Their goods shall be plundered, and their houses laid waste. Though they build houses, they shall not inhabit them; though they plant vineyards, they shall not drink wine from them. The great day of the LORD is near, near and hastening fast; the sound of the day of the LORD is bitter; the mighty man cries aloud there." (Zephaniah 1:13-14 ESV)

What will it be like to set our hearts ONLY on enjoying the things of this earth only to never fully enjoy them?

Let us seek the Lord while He is being found. Let us not wait until there is no time to respond to the Lord.

That I / you / we might know Him.

The greatest delight...

To know God, what a wonder! To enjoy Him, what a privilege! To fellowship with Him, what a joy!

Warren Wiersbe says, "The atheist claims there is no god for us to know, and the agnostic states if there is a God we cannot know Him." Ah! But we who have tasted the Lord and seen that He IS good, we know better! We, whether in the tumult of desperation or in the still quiet of peace, who have known the Lord Jesus, and have heard His voice, and have been ushered up before the Father, we know there is a God who both knows us and invites us to know Him.

What did Paul want for the believers in Ephesus? It's simple; Paul wanted them to have the "...knowledge of him..."

What do I want for myself? That I might know Him.
What do I want for my family? That we might know Him.
What do I want for my church? That we might know Him.
What do I want for Person County? That we might know Him.

Join me in meditating upon the following passage today
...

"For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all." (Ephesians 1:15-23 ESV)

Dear and beloved friend, may you experience the greatest delight of the ages; may you indeed know HIM!

Sin grows up to become death.

Every sin is a soul killer and some sins are society killers.

To say sin doesn't matter is to ignore personal, spiritual health, the care and condition of society, the word of God, and the sacrifice of Jesus. That's an incredible list of things to ignore. 

But, God is good, too. 
That matters. 

In John 8, Jesus forgave the sinning woman, but told her to go and sin no more. In Luke 5, Jesus forgave the sins of a paralytic and healed him. Jesus never ignored sin. He loved people enough to die for sin -- to bear it on His body (see 1 Peter 2:24) -- that the power of sin and rule of Satan might be broken. We can honestly look at the bad news of sin AND be joyful about the good news of Jesus; we can do both. We can know the Savior who says "you are forgiven" and realize He is the same one who says "go and sin no more."

Same passage in the New King James Version

Today, just as a meditation, consider how Bro. James says sin comes about: "Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Let no one say when he is tempted, 'I am being tempted by God,' for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death." (James 1:12-15 ESV)

So, we see how sin is born. Now, we must agree with God about what is sin and what is not sin and enter the struggle with Him to put to death day-in-and-day-out the work and want of sin in our lives. 

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Side note: I pray my dedication to the Word of God and preaching the Gospel is a Calvin's was in his day. 

I highly recommend reftoons.com. Paul Cox has many wonderful toons and his shop is full of goodies.