Scared or Sacred?

Scared. Sacred. Do you notice both words use the same letters. It's all a matter of the "c." Where do you see the "c" in your life?

Scared. Sacred. You're walking one or the other. Me? Sacred.

There is plenty to fear.
God is to be feared above it all.
Reverent fear of the Lord makes us walk sacred.
Irreverent positioning of self makes us walk scared.

The Psalmist wrote, "I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears." (Psalm 34:4 ESV) Maybe the question is whether we are seeking the Lord or not.

Later on in the same Psalm, we are even told, "Oh, fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack!" (Psalm 34:9 ESV) See it? Fearing the Lord is the answer to provision, without and, especially, within!

The next verse says, "The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing." (Psalm 34:10 ESV) Wow! It's not about the ignorant boldness of youth, but about the wisdom of seeking God. This is no thumbing our noses at risk, acting like we are 10 feet tall and bullet proof with no thought of tomorrow or forever. Seeking the Lord is wiser and more rewarding than youthful fierceness.

Praise God, this is a learned process! The Psalmist said, "Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD." (Psalm 34:11 ESV) If it can be taught, it can be learned.

A great many individuals -- EVEN WHOLE CONGREGATIONS! -- are walking scared ... so scared that they have forsaken the mission of the gospel ... so scared that they have given up the struggles of gathering and growing and serving and going.

I am more afraid to face the Lord than the trials of the day.

I'm no young lion, but I am a seeker. I am a learner. The issues we face are complex, and neither pithiness nor denial can answer these issues, but neither can running scared. Neither apathy, nor antipathy are the answers. Neither scorning nor scoffing provide serious solutions. Running and hiding away are not the answers either.

Wise mitigation. Appropriate reticence. Humble obedience.
Sacred struggle. Childlike trust. Sacrificial service. Loving toil.

As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord...

That's on you...

That's on you...

One thing that is missing today is personal responsibility. Along with it, accountability. It's common in our culture for us to look for someone to blame for whatever happens to us or for the bad attitudes and habits we develop.

Now, we don't mind receiving credit for the positive things in our lives. The Scripture says the reward for wisdom belongs to us AND the consequence of not being wise is equally ours to bear. "If you are wise, you are wise for yourself; if you scoff, you alone will bear it." (Proverbs 9:12 ESV)

Here is the fact: a man gains the wage for his work, or lack thereof, and that's true in physical and spiritual labor (ref. 1 Corinthians 3:8). We increasingly live in a world where we want something for nothing in the good and no consequence for the bad.

At some point, a reckoning will come, and it'll be on each of us to give an account. We'd do well to learn to praise God when we've seen fit to walk by wisdom and to also cry out to him when we've been unwise, taking responsibility AND seeking mercy.

Are you a hypocrite?

Are you a hypocrite? Are you an actor on the stage of life? Are you a pretender in this life that is no fantasy?

If our hypocrisy is confronted, are we ready to deal with it?

Only Jesus is found in the New Testament calling people hypocrites. One thing I'm learning is this: Jesus can rightly call someone a hypocrite because He knows every human heart perfectly. We can only take a guess, and often an educated one, but God knows. I've called people hypocrites, and I've been called a hypocrite. I've been wrong, and I've been right; both in the role of accuser and accused.

The spiritual heart that is accused simply says to the Lord, with no malice toward their accuser, "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting" (ref: Psalm 139:23-24). Then, that heart trusts God to reveal truth and move to healing or release from false guilt.

The spiritual heart that accuses an individual trembles in reverent fear, praying it's an oracle of God, not the folly of the flesh. If it's found to be folly, that person repents and humbles themselves for repentance and reconciliation.

The Lord often delivers message to others through us and to us through others. We MUST be ready to consider if the accusation comes from the Lord. That's what King David did when Shimei cursed him (ref: 2 Samuel 16:5-14). David said, "But the king said, 'What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? If he is cursing because the LORD has said to him, "Curse David," who then shall say, ‘Why have you done so?'" (2 Samuel 16:10 ESV)

My point is this, and it's twofold: (1) we ought to tremble with fear if we accuse an individual or a group of hypocrisy. (2) if we are accused, instead of blowing up in the face of the person or the idea, we should consider whether the Lord is trying to break through to us.

Peace unto you all, and may the grace and mercy of God visit your every step.

Our hearts will be wounded.

If we walk in this world, our hearts will get wounded.

God is able to lift us, restore us, encourage us, and renew us. He has acted in love and is Himself love.

I do not expect the world to be nice, nor do I expect believers to be perfect, so I know wounds and pain will come.

Beloved, you should know it, too. WHEN it happens, do not lash out, but bow down. Do not curse and rage, but pray and fast. Seek the Lord; He will be found of you.

Walk in wisdom. Act in love. Imitate Jesus. Fast. Pray. Praise. Worship. Do not be tossed about. Remain stable. Be steadfast; immovable. Abound in the work of the Lord.

"You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen." (2 Peter 3:17-18 ESV)

May our God of comfort encourage you today.

Want to understand a LOT?

Want to understand A LOT? Read this:

"But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready, 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?"

Many people cannot be addressed as spiritual people... many are not ready... they are still of the flesh... they are behaving only in human way. Whoa.

This is why, though multitudes are under the hearing the Word of God, many are not activated by the Spirit in a walk with God.

This isn't a long offering, but it explains much about what is going on in our culture.

On the way...

On the way...

Ultimately, the brothers of Joseph were headed home to reveal to their father that they had been the cause of Joseph's supposed death and real disappearance.

Most likely, as they traveled, they'd discuss all that had transpired over the many years. In the minimum, they'd realize and dread the chastisement of their father, Jacob (a.k.a. Israel). Think about it; I am quite sure those boys would start blame casting, accusations, arguments, divisions, separations, and such.

In other words, human nature would take over. Despite the joy of discovering the son together, they would lose sight of the good news, and they would lose sight of the joy of their father, and begin to quarrel about the details of their faults or the levels of their guilt rather than the goodness of Jacob's son, Joseph, and the joy of their father, Jacob.

As Joseph's brothers were leaving, Joseph said, "Do not quarrel on the way." (Genesis 45:24 ESV)

Have you seen it yet? This is us!
Our sin nailed the Son to the cross.
The Son saves us.
We journey the rest of our lives to the Father.
We -- THE CHURCH -- tend to live like Joseph's brothers.

Why? Human nature takes over wherever and whenever human nature is not surrendered to the Spirit.

We need Joseph's counsel today: "Do not quarrel on the way."

It's good advice. Do not quarrel on the way.

Their way is our way too. Those boys were on their way to face their father about how they had treated his son. We are on our way to THE Father to face Him concerning how we have treated THE Son. We're on the same way. We're on the way to the Father. Do not quarrel on the way.

We face the same danger along the way. We may fail to rejoice in the Son's goodness. We may fail to join in the Father's joy. Do not quarrel on the way.

We have the same job as those boys had. Receive the goodness of the Son as we journey to the Father. Love the brethren. It's our duty! It's our privilege! It's the Father's joy! Do not quarrel on the way.

On your journey, on your way to the Father, -- and on mine too! -- we must journey with the brethren. Do not quarrel on the way.

A liberal sower...

A liberal sower...

One of my core values is to always be about discipleship. When it comes to people, be a disciple of Jesus in all circumstances. Whether I am discipling someone or being discipled by someone, I want my dealings with people to be characterized by discipleship.

Any person can be my teacher, and, likewise, in some way or the other, I can be any person's teacher.

In conversations, in every relationship, in small and large interactions, and even on social media, I want to sow God's word, trusting the Holy Spirit to plow soil, make seed take root, and bear godly fruit.

I love how the writer of Ecclesiastes said, "In the morning sow your seed, and at evening withhold not your hand, for you do not know which will prosper, this or that, or whether both alike will be good." (Ecclesiastes 11:6 ESV) See it? Morning or night, sow!

Sow all the time! We don't know what will prosper, so just sow.

In Thomas Hastings' hymn, "He That Goeth Forth With Weeping," Hastings wrote of faithful sowing:

"He that goeth forth with weeping,
Bearing precious seed in love,
Never tiring, never sleeping,
Findeth mercy from above.

"Soft descend the dews of heaven,
Bright the rays celestial shine;
Precious fruits will thus be given
Through an influence all divine.

"Sow thy seed; be never weary;
Let no fears thy soul annoy;
Be the prospect ne’er so dreary,
Thou shalt reap the fruits of joy.

"Lo! the scene of verdure brightening,
See the rising grain appear:
Look again; the fields are whitening,
For the harvest time is near."

I don't know that I am a good sower, but I do know I long to be a faithful sower! I want to be known as generous. I want a liberal output of seed slinging. At any rate, as long as I sling solid seed, which is the Word of God, the Spirit will do with HIS seed better than I could ever do!

Sow!!! Let's go!

Should I get involved?

Should I get involved? Is it being nosey? Am I being judgmental?

When we see a believer caught in sin, walloped by Satan, choosing darkness over light... et cetera and so on... do we get involved?

In general, the answer is "YES!" However, ALWAYS, discernment is required.

First, remember what Paul said to the believers of Galatia: "Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted." (Galatians 6:1 ESV) Those abiding in Christ, being filled by, and led of the Spirit are ready to help others. If you are living worldly, don't try to advise someone else. Repent and believe the gospel in a fresh way yourself; and, then, help others. I'm not saying not to share truth and show love; I'm saying have a position of holiness from which to speak on holiness.

So, yes, we are to get involved, but not if we are not filled by, led by, walking in the Spirit AND abiding in Christ. Got it?

But, even then, is it up to us to help believers caught in error or sin? Let Brother James speak on the subject: "My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins." (James 5:19-20 ESV)

We may not be REQUIRED, but we will be BLESSED if we are used of the Lord. Think on these things...

I'm not perfect....

I'm not perfect...

Sometimes, we use the above phrase as an excuse; sometimes, as an apology. Sometimes, it's a self-realization, or an inventory. At other times, it's a confession. All the time, it's a fact.

I know God is not letting up in the work He's doing in me (ref. Philippians 1:6). I know it's right and wise to join Him in His work in me with every good sense and all strong effort (ref. Philippians 2:12 and Romans 12:1-2).

But, why? For some, that's the question. Why work on God's idea of perfect? Simple, it's His plan for us to be like Jesus (ref. Romans 8:28-29). It's the call to live Kingdom minded (see Matthew 6:33).

But, the "why" for me is most sufficiently answered by these words: "...because Christ Jesus has made me his own." (Philippians 3:12 ESV) Because Jesus has made me His own... wow. My life is secure in Him, not because I'm good, but because He is good to me.

How, then, shall I live? I shall live in response to Him who has made me His own. I'm not perfect. There, I said it. It is not an excuse, but it can be an apology...to God...and to man. I know it about me. I freely confess it. It's true; I'm not perfect. But. I. PRESS. ON!

Not just to breathe, but in the high calling...

Not just to get by, but to respond to Him who has loved me...

...to Him who has made me His own.

Not just to say I'm trying, but to be more like Jesus...

...I press on.

I'm not perfect, but I press on to become perfect. I'm working it out, but only because He's working in me.

I live in response to Him who has made me His own. I press on.

"Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own." (Philippians 3:12 ESV)

We need...

We need loving listeners who are ALSO truth tellers...

Too often, we offer limp friendship. Yes, our friends need listening to, but our friends don't need lying to. When we fail to speak truth into our friends' false notions, complaints, opinions, and issues, we might as well be telling an outright lie.

A real friend loves by listening, but a real friend also speaks truth that leads a friend up to Jesus, not just on into frustration. We need to lament, and a good friend should be there to listen. However, we also need to come under the truth, so a real friend pushes us to God. They push us to lay our frustrations at the altar of God's goodness, yes, but also to receive the life of Jesus in addressing those frustrations.

Too many times we urge our friends on in their lamenting and venting, or even add fuel to their fire, when what we need to be doing is directing one another in wisdom and peacemaking. 

We don't always want to hear truth, nor do we always want to tell it. We want people on our side; we want people to feel our pain and affirm our frustrations. A loving listener will consider the person they give ear to, but they will consider God too. More so, they will not only consider their friend in the moment, but also in the light of heaven. A loving listener lets us say whatever we need to say in whatever way we want to say it, but they also speak the truth of God and doctrines of faith to us.

Proverbs 27:6 says, "Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy." (NLT) That's profoundly accurate; it can FEEL like a wound when a friend speaks needed-to-hear-that-truth to us.

We especially need loving listeners who love listening to Jesus. We need people to tell us we are wrong when we are wrong. We need people who will push to believe and behave in ways that honor God. It is actually a GOOD THING to be rebuked in ways that push us to God. The Psalmist said, "Let a righteous man strike me—it is a kindness; let him rebuke me—it is oil for my head; let my head not refuse it." (141:5a NLT)

Are you a loving listener? Are you a truth teller? Do you have loving listeners in your circle? Are they also truth tellers? 

Let us not surround ourselves with people who treat us like pigs, encouraging us to wallow in our self-centered mud piles. Let be brave and find friends who will call us to lift our eyes above the horizon of self. 

We especially need loving listeners who love listening to Jesus. We need people to tell us we are wrong when we are wrong. We need people who will push to believe and behave in ways that honor God. It is actually a GOOD THING to be rebuked in ways that push us to God. The Psalmist said, "Let a righteous man strike me—it is a kindness; let him rebuke me—it is oil for my head; let my head not refuse it." (141:5a NLT)?

I keep a close watch...

Like a sea captain of old kept an eye on the stars, I keep a close watch on this heart of mine...

God loves you. There’s nothing you can do about that. However, there is much we can do or not do that will cause us to miss out on experiencing or enjoying His love. 

It’s not that God is narrow; it’s that in a highly broken world, it’s a narrow path to stay out of the wild, wide mess. 

Don't you want to be on the narrow road? I do! Well, that requires a watchful spirit when it comes to maintaining our confession and abiding in Jesus. 

In the old days, sailors would use a compass and a sextant to navigate by day --with the sun-- and by night --with the moon and stars. This way, when they could see and when they couldn't --in light and in darkness-- they could determine their way. They could stay the course. 

The Apostle Paul counseled believers in Corinth thus: "Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!" (2 Corinthians 13:5 ESV)

Beloved, this isn't about paranoia. Nor does it concern living under the weight of constant guilt. Neither is this living under the constant judgment of people. 

It's simple... if we want to stay the course, we have to keep our bearings. If we want to abide, we must be willing to...well...abide! So, we check. We walk the walk and work the word and stay the course and hold fast. 

The Spirit of God is our compass and God's word is our sextant. Check the signs! Keep your eye on the Son! The Bright and Morning Star will never lead you astray! 

It's no hymn or CCM hit, but Johnny Cash nailed it when he sang, "I keep a close watch on this heart of mine. I keep my eyes wide open all the time." For Johnny, it was a love song. It is for me, too, except I'm not singing to my lady, I'm singing for my soul. Know why? Because I want to stay the course; in the dark times of life and in the Light that is Jesus, I want to stay the course. 

Help me, dear Lord, to navigate this raging sea of life. I trust You to always guide the way. Help me keep my eyes on YOU!

Who we are is revealed by what we do...

Who we are is revealed by what we do...

Jesus would say, "A tree is known by its fruit." (ref. Luke 6:44). 

Perhaps nothing reveals who we really are faster than what we talk about and the attitude with which we talk about it. Notice how the Proverbs reveals this truth: "The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the hearts of fools." (15:7, ESV) 

Lips that spread knowledge are the fruit of a heart that is concerned about wisdom, and is being driven by something more than self-concern. However, the hearts of fools are unconcerned and unable to produce the words and works of wisdom --that is, on a regular basis, you know, because even a blind squirrel finds an acorn from time to time. 

And, what of our hearts? We know we need help! The Apostle Paul saw the totality of this reality when the Spirit led him to write Romans 7:7-25. Even under the best of conditions, he saw that HIS MIND knew some things, and even that his heart wanted the right things most of the time, but, even then, he needed power to move forward! He said, "Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?" (Romans 7:24, ESV)

Thank God, in Jesus Christ, there is deliverance...

Know your calling, and stick to it...

Know your calling, and stick to it...

To the believers in Corinth, Paul wrote, "And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified." (1 Corinthians 2:1-2 ESV)

Believer, YOU have a ministry. Sure, Paul was an apostle. He was a church planter. One might even call Paul a missionary. He was certainly an evangelist and a disciple-maker. Yes, Paul was all those things, but God didn't call you to be Paul. God called you to be you.

Just because you are not Paul does not mean you don't have a ministry. YOU have a ministry. You, believer, in the minimum are a servant of God. You are a witness to Jesus. You are a Spirit sealed and Spirit sent worker in the field of God.

Now, don't complicate that. Don't.

You don't have to be fancy. You don't have to be a Rhodes Scholar. Give people Jesus. Give people Jesus in your words, in your works, with your character, by your example...give people Jesus!

Now, the problem for many believers is they are so busy being ministers of things of the world that they have no inclination to be ministers for the Lord. That's why it's critical we resolve to make Jesus first in our lives; that way, we can help others focus on nothing by Christ as well.

Keep it simple. Give people Jesus.

A lifestyle for a lifetime...

A lifestyle for a lifetime...

It's not about people loving motorcycles together. It's not about people loving horses together. It's not about people loving praise music together. It's not about people loving secret clubs together. It's not about people loving dressing up together, or not dressing up together. It's not about everyone loving the organ and a choir together. It's not about loving sports together. It's not about loving race cars or old cars or campers or tents or beaches or mountains or lakes together.

As disciples of Jesus Christ, what we ought to hold in common is loving Jesus together. The gospel is not a call to separate into our hobbies and preferences. It's a call to be separate from our hobbies and preferences and surrender wholly unto Christ.

Red, yellow, black and white, precious and gathered in Jesus' sight! Rich and poor, Jew and Gentile, from every stripe, all sorts of trades and professions, young and old, scholars and laborers, city, suburban, and rural people, walking with Jesus together because HE is what we hold in common; this, beloved, is the disciples life!

Just look at Jesus' basic description of discipleship: "Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, 'If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ''This man began to build and was not able to finish.'' Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.'" (Luke 14:25-33 ESV)

We love our distinctions. However, Jesus calls us to make Him our number one distinction and to forsake all other distinctions.

If Jesus had posted the above on Facebook, He would not get many likes. Jesus demands that HE be number one in our lives. He demands that He become our life and our lifestyle; His will must become our way because He is the Way, and no one comes to the Father except through Him.

The glory of walking with Jesus is that we've counted Him more worthy than ANY other thing AND also more worthy than EVERY other thing.

The beauty of the church is that she is gathered because of Jesus, not because of hobbies and preferences.

Walking with Jesus is meant to define a disciple’s life, not be an additive to it. Being a disciple is supposed to be our lifestyle simply because Jesus is our life, and we are to pursue Him for our lifetime.

Check out the process...

Check out the process...

First, grab your Bible and slowly read Proverbs 2. After that, come back and start reading below.

Make "...your ear attentive to wisdom..." (Proverbs 2:2a ESV)

Incline "...your heart to understanding..." (Proverbs 2:2b ESV)

"For the Lord gives wisdom..." (Proverbs 2:6a ESV)

"Then you will understand..." (Proverbs 2:9a ESV)

"So you will be delivered..." (Proverbs 2:16a ESV)

"So you will walk in the way of good..." (Proverbs 2:20a ESV)

"For the upright will inhabit the land, and those with integrity will remain in it..." (Proverbs 2:21 ESV)

So much of the American experience is designed for constant consumerism. So much of the American experience is designed for us to constantly be doing something -- surfing the web, watching a show, playing a game, texting, Kicking it, Snapchatting, looking at a magazine, chatting with a friend, taking a selfie, shopping, playing...some of it useful, for sure, and a great amount of it simply being distraction to the soul.

But...

What we really need to do is slow down our minds and our hearts and seek wisdom. It takes some time and intention to abide in Christ. To seek wisdom from God often means to lay down some things of lesser importance and actually get into God's Word, sit before Him in prayer, have deep discussions, enjoy personal worship, etc.

More than that, we need to cut down the chatter in our hearts. Get still. Wait upon the Lord. The process of seeking wisdom and gaining it's reward is indeed worth it.

Losing hope?

​Losing hope? 

Get in the word of God. 

"For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope." (Romans 15:4 ESV)

See that? 

"...whatever was written in former days..." -- all of the Old Testament and the New Testament.

"...was written for our instruction..." --  to teach us! 

"...and through the encouragement of the Scriptures..." -- to buoy our hearts! 

"...through endurance..." -- as we hold on to God and allow His word to light the path of our way. 

"...we might have hope." -- we will see what IS hope and what IS NOT hope, and that we might fix our eyes on HIM who is the only hope for those seeking hope. 

Many of us have no hope because are hoping in things through which there is no hope. 

Many of my brothers and sisters are losing hope because we are not enduring in and according to the Scriptures. Seek hope in Jesus! Search the Scriptures! Stay in God's word! 

Let God remind you of the great hope that is in Jesus!