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What is Success?

This is a foundational question that can make a big difference in how you live your life, evaluate your life, and in how you feel about your life. What is success? Is it more money, lots of laughter, great relationships, an upward career path, accomplishing a list, or becoming a better person? These would be the answers that you would expect in the Christian or secular world, but God has something to say about the matter. READ ON - THIS COULD CHANGE YOUR LIFE!

In Joshua chapter 1, Moses has died and God is now using Joshua to lead the Hebrews into the Promised Land. God is talking to Joshua and in verse 7 He tells him, "Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go." In other words, be obedient. That's Christian success. It isn't following a formula, or paying more penance, or being better. For a Christian:
 

                          obedience = success

Usually, I tend to look to the results of my labors to determine my success. For example, if I witness to someone, and he accepts Jesus as His Savior, then I am successful. In 1 Corinthians 3:7, we find these words: "So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth." God says that if we are obedient to plant and water, the results are up to Him. In other words, if I know that I am to witness to a person out of obedience to God's word or His direct impression upon my spirit and I do so to the best of my ability, whether or not he accepts Jesus as his Savior, I am a success! Has God called me to teach? Then I am to teach. If only two small boys show up, I still teach as if I am teaching to a thousand. If I am to serve, then I serve as unto the Lord Jesus, Himself. If He asks me to administer grace then grace it is. The results do not clarify my success. My obedience does.

The next verses in 1 Corinthians 3 talk about the work that will be burned up and the work that will pass through the fire. It would stand to reason that the work that burns up is the work that we determine to do in and of our own strength. It is done not out of obedience, but rather out of selfish ambition or trying to gain our own salvation. The work that will pass through the fire is work done out of obedience. God calls; we answer and obey.

Pretend, for example's sake, that you wake up one morning and you decide to fry an egg. We tend to think that if we fry an egg and the yolk is whole, then we have succeeded. If we fry the egg and the yolk breaks, we have failed. (I tend to fail at this task regularly!) But if we look at obedience as our measure of success and God asks us to fry an egg and we choose to fry an egg out of obedience, we are successful whether the yolk breaks or not!

So whether you are trying to succeed as a parent, a worker, a spouse, a homeschooling mom, or a friend, if you are doing this task with all your heart because you feel that God has called you to it, then you are a success! If your spouse walks out, your child goes into rebellion, you lose your job, etc... you are not a failure. Others have free will. You are not responsible for their choices - only your own.

This perspective can bring such freedom. Walk in obedience and know success in your Father's eyes

God

Out of Revelation and now finishing up Deuteronomy.  It is an amazing book.  I just don’t see how anyone can read the Old Testament and think that God is this angry, vindictive, judgmental God.  Rather, I see a God of patience, compassion, love, and grace.  Anyway, Moses wrote and taught a song to the people of Israel right before he died and they were entering into the land.  It is found in Deut. 32.  It is wonderful!

“For I proclaim the name of the Lord;

Ascribe greatness to our God!
The Rock! His work is perfect,
For all His ways are just;
A God of faithfulness and without injustice,
Righteousness and  upright is He.

Is not He your Father who has bought you?

He has made you and established you.

He found him in a desert land,

And in the howling waste of a wilderness;
He encircled him, He cared for him,
He guarded him as the pupil of His eye.

Like an eagle that stirs up its nest,

That hovers over its young, He spread His wings and caught them,
He carried them on His pinions.
The Lord alone guided him…
He made him ride on the high places of the earth…

See now that I, I am He,

And there is no god besides Me;
It is I who put to death and give life.
I have wounded and it is I who heal,
And there is no one who can deliver from My hand.

Rejoice oh nations, with His people;

For He will avenge the blood of His servants,
And will render vengeance on His adversaries,
And will atone for His land and His people.”
Deuteronomy 32:3,4,6,10,11, 39,43

As a Christian you have been grafted into the spiritual nation of Israel. (Romans 11:17-24)  The God of the Old Testament is also your God.  Learn Him, know Him, accept Him, love Him. He will protect you under His wings; He will guide you; He will carry you above life’s circumstances; He will avenge you and He has and will atone for your sins.  God is our Rock – our stability, our assurance, our protection, and our hope.  He is righteous and just and faithful and upright.  He can be trusted and counted on.  He loves His children with a perfect Father’s love – giving and loving, disciplining and correcting, guiding and rewarding. 

 

Do you see Jesus in this passage?  (He bought you; He will atone for you).  God knew even then that He would send Jesus for our Salvation.  He knew that man can not get to God on his own.  God had to come down to breach the gap.  And I am so glad that he did!

What a mighty God we serve!

 

The Church of Laodicea is Trusting in It's Own Works

The Churches of Revelation:
#7 The Church of Laodicea:

The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God says this:

I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot;
I wish that you were cold or hot. 
So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold,
I will spit you out of My mouth.

Because you say, “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,”

And you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked,

I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich,

and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed;
and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see.

Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline;

therefore be zealous and repent…

He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne,

as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
Revelation 3:14-21

The church of Laodicea is believed by most scholars to be one of the modern day churches.  This is not the true church of born again believers, but rather the institution of the church that depends upon its traditions, rituals, riches, and influence.  God recognizes the deeds of this church declaring them neither hot nor cold.  In other words, deeds are being done, but from the wrong motives.  These deeds are done for self-promotion and deceit.  God clearly says that He will spit this church out of His mouth.  The false church of our time will not find themselves in heaven, but rather at the door saying, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles? And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’” (Matthew 7:22-23)  Jesus will not cast them out because their deeds were not adequate, but rather because He never knew them.  Their deeds were done in their flesh and for themselves, not for the love of their Savior and Lord.

This church is also a wealthy church in monetary riches, and influence, and power.  But they are poor in the things of the spirit: a relationship with Jesus, truth, love, joy, etc…

But Jesus is not turning them away yet!  He strongly recommends that they buy gold refined with fire (salvation through Jesus), white garments (purity and righteousness through the blood of Jesus), and eye salve (truth).  He reproving them because of His great love for them.

And for those who repent, God promises that they will sit with Jesus on His throne in heaven!

God is a forgiving, compassionate God.  He calls all to repent.  The >>> in the above verses is a verse that you all are familiar with: “ 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.”  Jesus is putting forth an invitation, but He can’t save those who don’t open the door ad let Him come in.  when they do, He will stay and dine with them of eternal things.

Keep seeking the things above… (Col. 3:1)

Chruch of Philadelphia Rejoices at His Coming!

Churches of Revelation
#6 The church of Philadelphia:

“He who is holy, who is true, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, and who shuts and no one opens, says this:

I know your deeds.

Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut because you have a little power,
and have kept My Word, and have not denied My name…

Because you have kept the word of My perseverance,

I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.
 I am coming quickly; hold fast what you have so that no one will take your crown.

He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God,

and he will not go out from it anymore;
and I will write on him the name of My God,
and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God,
and My new name.
Revelation 3:7-13

This is the modern day true church – those who trust in the blood of Jesus for their salvation and have died to self that they might live for Jesus.  There is another modern day church – the church of Laodicea.  We will discuss this church tomorrow.

I love the names that Jesus chose for Himself here.  He is holy and true. Nothing will change His character for He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.  He has the key of David that will unlock for all true believers the promises of an eternal Jerusalem.

Jesus begins with the statement that He knows the deeds of the saints and that because of these deeds of the heart, Jesus has placed before the saints a door to heaven that no one can shut.  He is faithful and true.  His promises are everlasting!  Here upon this earth, the true church has a little power – the power to tell others and to invite them to Jesus, to use the word for the healing of the brokenhearted.  They have that power because they keep the word of God and do not deny Jesus.

This true church has persevered despite Satan’s attacks and the false church’s accusations.  They have pushed ever forward with the goal of heaven set out before them.  Because of that perseverance, Jesus is promising that the true church will not go through the tribulation.  But that rather, God will pull them out.  But He also warns them that He is coming quickly and that the true church must hold fast to the truth so that their crown will not be taken from them.  We are to persevere and seek only the goal of obedience and heaven.  We must know the truth that we may hold onto the truth.  We must hold fast that confession.

To these overcomers, God is promising them a position of permanency and responsibility in heaven or perhaps in the millennial kingdom.  It will be a position of belonging such that the true believer will never have leave the temple.  He will be a priest before God for eternity.  The promise of God to claim the saints as His heir will be fulfilled as He writes His name upon them – claiming them as His eternal bride.  All that is His will be theirs.

Oh what a glorious day!  I choose to hold fast to the truth, to know the truth, to seek out the truth, and to persevere.  I pray that this is your goal as well as we continue to live out this life here on earth until the day of Christ’s return.  And never doubt, He Is Coming!!!

 

 

Church of Sardis Needed to Stand Firm

Churches of Revelation:
#5 Church of Sardis:

“I know your deeds, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. 

Wake up, and strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die;
 for I have not found your deeds completed in the sight of My God. 

So remember what you have received and heard; and keep it, and repent.

Therefore if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come to you.

But you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their garments;

and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy.

He who overcomes will thus be clothed in white garments;

and I will not erase his name from the book of life,
and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.
Revelation 3:1-6

Many believe that was the church of the protestant reformation until the 1800's..  Jesus says that He knows the deeds of this church and this is not a word of commendation, but rather condemnation.  The deeds of this church are evil or fleshly.  Deeds that speak of greatness for men – bigger churches, more buildings, more campuses, and deeper coffers.  They have the name of Christian church, protestant, but they are not alive, but dead because they are not promoting the truth and authority of God’s word.  Many protestant denominations of our time hold to traditions but have left the essential truths and application of true believers.   Jesus is calling the church to “Wake up!”  The church in Sardis was situated on a mountain.  It was impregnable on three sides.  This left them to guard just the south entrance.  Twice in their history, however, they were overtaken by the enemy because that south guard was asleep.  We are to be sober, stand guard, and protect the Biblical truths that Protestantism was founded upon, for we do not know when the church will be raptured and Jesus will come again.

 That which the church received and heard was the saving power of the blood of Jesus through repentance and rebirth.  But many churches of our day are preaching good works and baby baptism rather than the blood of our Lord and Savior. 

 Jesus does say, however, that there are those who have “not soiled their garments.”  In other words those who are walking in purity through the saving blood of Jesus.  They are claiming His power and His life and walking therein to the obedience of Christ.  These are the true believers – the true church that Jesus will rapture and give white garments to that they may walk with Jesus through all of eternity.

This next statement is confusing, but J Vernon McGee, a writer of Christian commentaries and the Bible teacher of “Walk Through the Bible”, says that in this book is written every name of every person ever born.  When they die and have not received Christ, then their name is erased from this book.  Only the names of the true believers will remain and these Jesus will present before God and the angels as His brethren.

Each of you have made that critical decision to become a Christian.  You were each born again and are in the book of life.  But now what?  Will you walk as in garments of white through confession and repentance and righteousness?  Will you choose to be the voice of grace to others?  Will you grow and learn the truths of God’s word and be a witness to God’s great love and mercy?  Will you raise your children to love the Lord Jesus and to be born again?

Money, education, prestige, happiness in your circumstances, are all good if used for the kingdom of God.  God is preparing you for arenas of influence that astound and amaze me.  Be faithful with the teachings that have been yours since birth.  Be faithful to the calling of God on your life.  And seek Jesus in all things – hard and joyful.  May you grow in the knowledge and grace of Jesus our Lord.

 

Church of Thyatira Stayed True

Churches of Revelation
#4 Church of Thyatira:

“I know your deeds,

 and your love and faith and service and perseverance,
and that your deeds of late are greater than at first. 

But I have this against you,

that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess,
and she teaches and leads My bond-servants astray so that they commit acts of immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols… 
Behold, I will throw her on a bed of sickness, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation,
unless they repent of her deeds... 

But I say to you, the rest who are in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not known the deep things of Satan, as they call them –

I place no other burden on you. 
Nevertheless what you have, hold fast until I come.

He who overcomes, and he who keeps My deeds until the end,

 to him I will give authority over the nations;
and he shall rule them with a rod of iron, as the vessels of the potter are broken to pieces,
 as I also have received authority from My Father;
and I will give him the morning star.”
Revelation 2:19-28

 There seems to be two separate groups here in Thyatira – the true Christians and those who are posing as Christians but teaching a strange doctrine.  The true Christians were those who lived spotless lives and by their good deeds showed their true hearts.  They were a church of love and faith resulting in service and perseverance.  Lastly, their works were increasing rather than diminishing. 

 The false church was condemned.   Jezebel was the evil wife of Ahab of the Northern Kingdom of Israel.  She brought in the prophets of Baal and led many astray.  Here, the church is following after the pagan practices and idolatry that is mingled in with Christian works and worship.  The introduction of rituals and church doctrine supplanted personal faith in Jesus Christ.  These people were about being religious, but not about knowing Jesus or being born again or sanctified through his blood.  Often the churches of Revelation are held up as different times in church history.  This church corresponds to the dark ages when the Catholic church introduced heretical teachings and rituals such as the worship of Mary and Mass being said for the dead.  But we can fall into this sin today when church rituals and doctrine become more important to our salvation than Jesus. 

Jesus then commends the true believers to hold fast to what they have.  We know the truth.  It will be challenged and we will be persecuted for it.  But we need to determine to hang on until the end.  The rewards are great!

To the overcomers is promised authority over nations.  We will not be playing a harp and sitting on clouds in heaven.  God says that we will have responsibilities and jobs such as ruling the nations.  Will you be ready?  Will you have matured and persevered and grown as a Christian so that Jesus can put you in charge?  Have you learned responsibility here on earth that Jesus will be able to trust you with great responsibility in heaven?  Are you persevering through the trials and tribulations here that you will be able to rule and reign in heaven?

We are also promised the morning star.  Jesus is the Bright and Morning Star (Rev. 22:16).  We will get Jesus as our husband, our Lord, our Friend, our King – face to face.  What joy that will be! 

Stay strong and hang on!

 

Church at Pergamum Held Fast

The churches of Revelation:

Church of Pergamum:

“I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is;
and you hold fast My name,
and did not deny My faith even in the days of Antipas, My witness, My faithful one,
who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.

But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam…

So you also have some who in the same way hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans.
Therefore, repent; or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of My mouth.

To him who overcomes,

to him I will give some of the hidden manna,
and I will give him a white stone,
and a new name written on the stone which no one knows by the who receives it.”
Revelation 2:13-17

This is a tough passage.  First of all, let us identify where Satan’s throne is.  1 John 5:19 says, “We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.”  Satan is the prince of the power of the air, the ruler of this world.  Therefore, we all dwell where Satan’s throne is.  God gave Satan authority over this earth when Adam and Eve sinned.  But!  That doesn’t mean that we are all followers of Satan.  Colossians 1:13 says that “…He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”  And Ephesians 2: 1-6 says, “And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.  But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love  with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace are you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus…”

The saints at Pergamum were in the world, but not of this world.  They held fast the name of Jesus and did not deny the faith even at the cost of death.  Antipas is an unknown martyr, but possibly the first martyr there in in Pergamum.  He lived during a time that the world began to enter into the church through false teaching and false religion.  We too must hold fast to our confession and our faith to the point of death.  God will equip us to do all that He calls us to do.  If Jesus asks us to be a martyr for His name, then He will give us the grace and power to do so at that time.  Until then, the harder part is being a witness to the name of Jesus and the faith in our everyday life.  We must look differently than the world, responding in love, not seeking revenge, being people of forgiveness and reaching out with the good news of Jesus to others.  Know God now in the times when He may be found so that when the world seems dark, you can find your way to God.  “Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called…” (Ephesians 4:1).  The world must see the truth of God’s word lived out in your life.  Learn it and live it. 

God does condemn the church of Pergamum for two transgressions – the doctrine of Balaam and the doctrine of the Nicolaitans.  The doctrine of Balaam was a doctrine of intermarriage with those not under God’s covenant leading to idolatry and fornication.  In our time this would be marriage with the doctrines of this world and breaking your marriage covenant with Jesus and not  staying pure in that relationship.  The doctrine of the Nicolaitans was accepting foreign knowledge not taught in the word of God leading to a return to rituals and allowing the clergy to rule over the saints with “special knowledge”.  

For the overcomers, Jesus promises them some of the hidden manna.  Jesus, Himself, is the bread of Life, the manna and even though He is hidden in our day and time, the time will come when He is revealed and we will taste the goodness of that sweet relationship for eternity.  The white stone suggests that believers are not blackballed in heaven.  White is the color of purity and righteousness.  This stone will have on it a new name.  Perhaps a new name for our regenerated body or the new  name of Christ Jesus – a name that only those intimately related to Him will know.

So, stay strong.  Keep the faith even unto death and more so until that time.  Stay pure (which involves quick confession when you mess up!) and stay in relationship with Jesus denying the doctrines of this world. 

 

Church of Smyrna was Faithful

Churches of Revelation:

#2 Church in Smyrna

“I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich),

and the blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 
Do not fear what you are about to suffer.
 Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison,
so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. 
Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life…
He who overcome will not be hurt by the second death.”
Revelation 2:8-111

Does God allow suffering?  Yes!  But it is authored by Satan.  God allows it that we might be tested.  This is not the pass/fail type of test, but rather the testing by fire that hardens and firms up the faith of the believer.  It may be the very “church”, the established institution , that sets out to destroy the real church (believers in Jesus Christ).  Note that we are not to live in fear in those days.  Yes, it may be tribulation unto death, but we don’t have to fear death!  We are going to live forever and in a much better place.  Pastor Ronnie used to say 1 birth 2 deaths, 2 births 1 death.  If we are born only of water into this fleshly world, we will die a physical death and a spiritual death of eternal damnation.  If we are born into this world and into the kingdom  of God, then we will face a physical death, but never again will death have victory over us.  We will live forever.  Notice that we will be given the crown of life if we are faithful unto death.  Don’t fear death, but rather fear God and run into His arms.  He is safety.  He is joy and peace and hope and love. 

Ian McClearon, a theologian, once said that what we know in the light, we can see in the dark.  Know God now while He may be found, and He will be there still when your life seems dark and your hope is wavering.  Learn His promises and His faithfulness through study of the word.  Talk to Him daily through prayer and learn to praise Him even in the hard times.  He will be there in your darkest hour.  Will you discern His voice and His comfort?

I think you will look radiant with the crown of life upon your brow.  Decide now that no matter what, you will stand for Jesus!
 

Church of Ephesus Endured

The seven churches of Revelation:
#1 Ephesus:

“I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance,

and that you cannot tolerate evil men,
and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles,
and they are not, and you found them to be false:
and you have perseverance and have endured for My name’s sake,
and have not grown weary. 

But I have this against you, that you have left your first love…

repent and do the deeds you did at first…

To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God.”

Revelation 2:1-7

Let’s see how we are doing.  Are you persevering even in the midst of hardship.  Are you seeking God in the midst even when you are not experiencing His blessings?  Is your faith firm on the word of God and not on your circumstances?  Do you tolerate evil?  On television, at work, at school?  Are you testing to make sure that those you listen to and take advise from are Godly men?  Are you enduring and not growing weary of God’s commandments?

Do you still get excited about reading God’s word, praying, praising Him, going to church, talking about God, witnessing to others?  Is God your god or are there idols in your life?  Are you spending time and money on God things or on you things?  (working and providing for your family is a God thing!)

Endure to the end; persevere no matter what this life throws at you.  Be and overcomer and I will meet you there by the tree of life in the Paradise of God and we will enjoy fruit salad together!

 

Aliens

“…but He who was born of God keeps him,

 and the evil one does not touch him. 
We know that we are of God,
and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.”
1 John 5:19

“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you,

which come upon you for you testing,
as though some strange thing were happening to you;
but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ,
keep on rejoicing,
so that also at the revelation of his glory you may rejoice with exultation."
1 Peter 5:12-13

It’s all about perspective.  We are aliens living in a foreign land.  The natives are not happy that we are here.  They will try to destroy us.  But our hope is in Christ Jesus.  Yes, life will be tough as a Child of God, but we don’t walk through it alone!  Jesus has promised to be right here with us.  We must keep an eternal perspective as the days around us seem bleak.  The whole world lies in the power of the evil one, and darkness and light cannot dwell together.  Be the light of the world and determine to bring as many as possible into glory with you.   Don’t be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, we live in satan’s world and he will try to pull you away from your first love of Christ.  We are in a war.  Each thought, each action, each non-action is our battleground.  Listen to your Commander and you will make it through.  Heaven is waiting.  Whether we get there because of cancer, old age, martyrdom, or the rapture doesn’t matter as long as we get there.  Rejoice in your infirmities and trials.  Allow them to bring you closer to the Lord God Almighty.  They can make you better or bitter.  God is using the hard things of this world to grow us and to test us.  Are you passing?

Knowing God's Will

“Do not love the world not the things in the world.
 If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life,
is not from the Father, but is from the world. 
The world is passing away, and also its lusts;
but the one who does the will of God lives forever.”
 
Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ,
keep seeking the things above,
where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 
Set you mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.”
1 John 2:15-17 and Colossians 3:1-2

So the question is “How?”  How do we set our minds on the things of God and not on the things of this earth when needs have to be met, careers have to be worked out, children have to be raised, etc…  the key is in 1 John 2:17 – “…but the one who does the will of God lives forever.”  So what is the will of God and how do I discern it?  First, we ask the Holy Spirit to guide us and teach us and illuminate the Scriptures for us.  Then we spend time studying the Word of God, seeking for His moral will.  God’s will can be broken down into two categories.  God’s moral will and God’s individual will.  The moral will is universal and laid down in Scripture for us all.  The individual will is the plan and purpose that God has for each of our lives individually. 

Jesus tells us in John that when we follow His commandments (moral will) then we will find joy.  He goes on to explain that we must abide in the word, in Him, and in God in order to follow those commandments.  In other words, He knows that we cannot be perfect and that we can only follow the commands through the power given to us by the Holy Spirit.  We tap into that power through the relationship with God.  As we walk in the moral will of God, seek a relationship with God through prayer and praise, then God leads us to His individual will for our lives.  He usually does this one step at a time.  I love lists.  I wish God would just  write it down, hand it to me and let me check off the boxes.  But lists do not require a relationship!  I must walk closely with God to discern His will for me. 

Sometimes, God has hit me over the head with a two-by-four (not literally), by someone speaking or by something I am reading.  These times stand out as real life changers.  One Christmas, as I was wrestling with my relationship with God as my Father and what that looked like, I was sent to my knees in praise and adoration through the song, “Little Drummer Boy” while at a Christmas program.  Another time, God led me to accept His direction of moving to another state through a book that I was reading.  Still other times, I clearly heard God’s voice in my heart telling me to let something go and to trust Him.  He often uses Scripture that I have memorized to remind me of His sufficiency and to lead me to an action.  “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”

When we are abiding with Christ and studying His word, then God can speak to us, and we can know the direction that He is leading.  If it is still unclear, we have learned to keep doing what we are doing until we know that God is calling us to change direction.  My husband gives the illustration that it is easier to change direction of a moving vehicle than the direction of one sitting still.  So, we keep moving, doing what we feel God has called us to and knowing that He is able to get our attention and lead us in a different direction at His bidding.  Think of Abraham, Joseph, Paul, and others.  They were not on their knees begging for God to reveal His will.  No, they were living life the best they knew how (even Paul/Saul was killing Christians thinking that he was pleasing God.)  God was able to get their attention when He had a purpose for them to change direction.  So, live according to the moral word of God (confessing and accepting total forgiveness when you mess up).  Seek a right relationship with God – be growing and becoming holy before God, and He will let you know what He wants you to do.

It is easy to look at the world, and other people, and to desire what is of this world, but God says to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and He will provide all that you need.  This has been so true for us throughout our lives.  My husband and I just celebrated our 29^th anniversary.  We spent time remembering God’s awesome guidance in our lives; the growth in areas of relationship with God; our growth in the fruit of the Spirit; and the wonderful adventures that we have had following Him. 

Success for the Christian is not a big house, money, greatness, or fame, but rather success for a Christian is obedience to the will of God both  morally and individually.  And in obedience is joy and peace and hope.

 

“In You, O Lord, I have taken refuge;
Let me never be ashamed;
In Your righteousness deliver me.

Incline Your ear to me, rescue me quickly;

Be to me a rock of strength,
A stronghold to save me.

For You are my rock and my fortress;

For Your name’s sake You will lead me and guide me.

You will pull me out of the net which they have secretly laid for me

For You are my strength.
Into You hand I commit my spirit’
You have ransomed me, O Lord, God of truth.”
Psalm 31:1-5

Lean on the Rock.  Keep leaning on the Rock.  Then lean some more!  David is asking God to incline His ear to hear him.  This means that David was calling out to God.  Call out.  Be on your knees.  He will rescue you.  And not only from the secretly laid nets of others, but farther on in verse 10, David admits that he is also crying out because of his own iniquities.  Remember 1 John 1:9 and be quick to repent and call out to God.  Be restored to that relationship and know that God hears you and will lift you up.  He is also our fortress.  A place of refuge and safety.  A place of peace and quiet in the midst.  Go to Him in the midst.  Spend time and find peace. 

“And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” Philippians 1:9-11

 

No Offense Meant

These blogs are a compilation of verses that I send to my own children each day.  Now that list also includes daughters-in-law and friends. 

 

I have struggled with writing the verse of the day because it seems that each verse that I choose could offend someone.  That is not my intent.  Rather, I am hoping to encourage, uplift and love you through these emails.  If you are offended by any of my emails, please know that that was never my intention and that I don’t write any of them pointedly for any one of you.  I am choosing to keep sending them, because God’s word is truth and only by the word of God will you be transformed into the young men and women that God would have you to be for all of eternity.  Please forgive me if any chosen verse offends and then check your heart and see if the Holy Spirit would have you learn from that verse.  Most of all, know that I love you.

“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God,

that He may exalt you at the proper time,
casting all your anxiety on Him,
because He cares for you. 

Be of sober spirit,

be on the alert. 
Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour….

After you have suffered for a little while,

the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.”
1 Peter 5:6-10

 

Christian Success

“Submit therefore to God.  Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you…”
James 4:7-8

 Success in the Christian life is obedience.  Once you know what God is asking you to do, move heaven and hell to do it.  And you just may have to!  But these verses tell us that we have the power that we need.  “Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”  Tell Satan, “No, Get out of my way!”  And he will.

 The best way to know God’s will and direction is to draw near to Him.  Seek Him.  Abide in God and His word.  Be in prayer and praise.  Live your life obeying what you know.  If God has something else for you, He will make it clear to you.  Abraham was living among pagan moon worshipers in Sumer when God called him out.  Paul was murdering Christians when God called to him.  Again and again in Scriptures we see men living righteously before God and God letting them know when He has a directive for them.  Don’t worry about missing God’s will in your life.  Life with integrity and according to the Scriptures and if and when God needs you, He is big enough to let you know.  Decide now that when God calls, you will follow.  That is true success.

Remember that God is more interested in your character development than in your comfort.  Character is for eternity; comfort is but for the moment.  We will be judging angels in heaven (1 Corinthians 6:1-3).  The maturity we gain here on earth is to prepare us for our eternal destiny.  Let God have His way in your life now, and wait for the reward in heaven.

 

Perfection!

 “Now the Lord is the Spirit,

 and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
 But we all…are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory,
 just as from the Lord, the Spirit.”
2 Corinthians 3:5,17,18.

The place to begin is on our knees understanding and claiming that we are not adequate, but that our God is!   Then through Bible reading, prayer, and holy living we will be transformed.  God is transforming our character and inner  man with eternity in mind.  He has jobs for us there that will require the maturity of our souls.  There is much liberty since we are not under law, but use your liberty to make wise decisions about your time and activities that God might be glorified.  Give yourself much grace and know that “We are all in process, and that’s okay!”  Perfection will come when we get to heaven!

 

My Prayer for You

“To this end also we pray for you always,
That our God will count you worthy of your calling,
And fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power,
So that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified in you,
And you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
1 Thessalonians 1:11-12

What is your calling?  For Billy Graham it was a call to evangelism.  For a little girl that I met in Springfield, MO it is to give her big beautiful smile to everyone she meets.  For now my calling is to be faithful in my writing and speaking and in hosting students for the holidays.   What has God called you to do in this stage of your life?  Whatever that calling is, be faithful to it that God might count you worthy to fulfill that which He has given you to do.  And, remember that He has equipped you to do what He has called you to (Hebrews 13:20-21).  God will also fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power.  If you aren’t feeling the power, you aren’t living the faith! 

It isn’t all about you, either (although, it is a little bit!).  But first, our purpose is to bring glory to our Lord and Savior, Jesus.  And in so doing, you will be glorified in Him (that’s the little bit!).  It’s really not about what man may think anyway.  Live your life in obedience to God and you will glorify His name and find your glory in Him.  All because of the grace of God that poured out upon you at Calvary.  You have the Holy Spirit within you.  Follow that voice; He will lead you into obedience and glory.  There you find peace.

God will...

“In Your presence is fullness of joy…”
Psalm 16:11

Overwhelmed, frustrated, unsure, confused?  Find your joy in the midst of life’s circumstances by seeking God and going into His presence through prayer and praise.  There you will find the joy that you need to carry you through each day.  He is not finished with you yet! 

 “For I am confident of this very thing, that He wo began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6.  The song says that “He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it in you.”  Trust God, sit with Him, walk in His ways, and wait upon the Lord.

 

God's Word United with Faith

“…but the word they heard did not profit them,
because it was not united by faith in those who heard.”
Hebrews 4:2b

“For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword,

and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow,
and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
Hebrews 4:12

"So let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace,

 so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
Hebrews 4:16

Not only is the truth of God’s word for salvation, but also for victorious living for the Christian.  But we must continue to unite what we hear and read with faith.  God said it, therefore I believe it and will act upon it.  For example, Philippians tells us , “Be anxious for nothing, but through prayer and supplications make your requests known to God nad the peace thqt passes understanding will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.”  So, I have heard the truth.  Now I must choose, minute by minute to not be anxious.  Every anxious thought that comes into my mind, I choose to turn it to prayer and praise.  I am shocked at the peace that I experience in the midst of hard times.  But I shouldn’t be shocked, it is God’s truth.

I know that the word of God is active and alive.  I must choose to allow the Holy Spirit to convict me of sin.  The word of God says that this is what the Spirit does.  When that conviction comes, by faith, I must repent and be cleansed and accept the judgment against that sin as well as the cleansing of Jesus on the cross.

God’s word says that we can draw near to the cross with confidence and there we will find grace and mercy.  God’s word says it, I choose to believe it and to act upon it.  He is my Father God, my Papa.  I can come to Him and know that no matter what I have done, that I can find forgiveness, acceptance, love, and grace, and mercy at His throne. 

There are so many commands and promises in God’s word.  Don’t just hear them, but begin to apply them with faith and see God’s glorious hand in your life.

 

God's Counsel

“I will bless the Lord who has counseled me;
Indeed, my mind instructs me in the night.

I have set the Lord continually before me;

Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices;

My flesh also will dwell securely.”
Psalm 16:7-9

Those who are in Christ Jesus have the mind of Christ! (Corinthians 2:16).  The key is to do verse 8 – I have set the Lord continually before me.  When He is at our right hand, then we will stand firm in our beliefs, our integrity, our hope, and our convictions.  It doesn’t mean that bad things won’t happen, but that in the midst, we will stand.  And because we will stand, our hearts will be glad and we will dwell securely both now and for eternity.

Tracy and I have seen this happen many times.  We go to sleep praying about an issue and in the morning, we have a very defined plan.  It’s really quite cool!  Do your part, and God will be faithful!

 

Not Crushed

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the; surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves,
We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed;
Perplexed, but not despairing;
Persecuted, but not forsaken;
Struck down, but not destroyed;
Always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.”
2 Corinthians 4:7-10

In our weakness, He is made strong.  Don’t despair when circumstances are hard, but throw yourself upon the cross and see God bring about a victory.  Walk with you heads up when situations are difficult; Satan wants to claim the victory, but we are more than conquerors! 

Clifton Jansky wanted nothing less than to be a country western star and to sing in Nashville.  He poured himself into his music and his career for years.  Then one day his dreams were dashed as he went outside to find that his trailer had been emptied of all of his equipment.  He had no money to go on.  His wife left him.  He was in despair.  Someone invited him to a Bible study and Clifton asked Jesus to be in control of his life.   God has used Clifton in a mighty way ministering to people and in places that he would never have been able to if god had not opened the doors.  Now he is glad that he has not sung in Nashville.  You may know Clifton Jansky as the writer of “Amarillo by Morning”.  He wrote it and recorded it and it went nowhere until George Strait picked it up and ran with it.  But God…

How is God going to use your present situations?  Walk with God, purge your life of any sin, trust in the Lord with all your heart, and wait expectantly for God to work.

 

Keeping an Eternal Perspective

Keep a proper perspective:

"I will enter His gates with Thanksgiving in my heart,

I will enter His courts with praise…”
Psalm 100:4

We can get really caught up in the immediate, especially when things aren’t going well.  But that’s the time that we most need to spend time in thanksgiving and praise to the Creator God who loves us and died for us. 

Joni Erickson-Tada wrote about a conversation that she had with some friends about hiking.  She asked them what the best part of hiking was.  They replied that when they got out from under the trees and stepped out onto the top of a hill, mountain, or peak and saw the vista before them, that was the best because they could see where they came from and where they were headed.  Then they said that the worst hikes are those that never come out from under the trees.  You just keep walking and walking and it seems like you will never see the end. 

Your time spent with God should be your vistas.  There you will find perspective.  You will remember the eternal and the temporal won’t be so oppressive.  Praise reminds you that the things of today won’t last forever.  So go ahead and take a look!  Whether you have an hour to sit and stare at eternity or just a few minutes to glance that direction, it will give you the right perspective and you will be able to get through your day.

Stand firm

Stand Firm.

 “Now after him was Shammah…

And the Philistines were gathered into a troop where there was a plot of ground full of lentils,
and the people fled from the Philistines,
but he took his stand in the midst of the plot,
 defended it and struck the Philistines;
and the Lord brought about a great victory.”
2 Samuel 23:11-12

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.  Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, agasint the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.  …Stand firm…” Ephesians 6:10-13

Stand firm. 

Remember that Satan’s weapons are speculations, lies, and pride.  (2 corinthians 10:3-5).  Stand against these using the word of God and a pure and repentant and humble heart.  Stand firm.

A faltering or failed venture does not make you a failure.  Let God use every situation in your life to build you up into the young man that God created you to be.  Stand firm.

 

Drifting

For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard,
so that we do not drift away from it.
For if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable,
and every transgression and disobedience received a just penalty,
how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?
Hebrews 2 :1-3

We do not always make a conscious, volitional choice to become apathetic or to drift away from God’s word and His presence.  Usually, it is more of a gradual drifting away.  One Sunday we choose to stay in bed, and the next Sunday it is easier and easier.  Or maybe we are rushed to get to work or school and quiet times become a thing of the past.  We watch one television show that has homosexual couples in it and then another and another and pretty soon, it no longer seems to be such a bad thing.  Romans 12:2 says that we will either be conformed to this world or be transformed by the renewing of our minds.  Transformation can go either direction.  What we set our eyes and minds on, we will think and become.  Read Romans 12:2 again.  We must be transformed by the renewing of ur minds.  This renewal comes from bible study, prayer, church, and fellowship with other believers.  If you are not being transformed by the renewing of your mind, then you are being transformed by the world.

 If you don’t want to be caught in a raging river, don’t put you big toe into it!  Wading becomes swimming and pretty soon you have drifted so far away that you can’t see the shore!

 

God's Grace

For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived…
But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared,
He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness,
but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,
whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,
so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”
Titus 3:3-7

Praise God for His grace!  It is said that we are as sick as our sickest secret.  Those secrets are the foolishness that Jesus died to save us from.  Don’t be bound up and enslaved by the past, by your sins or foolishness. Find release by telling someone of grace and allowing them to minister to you.  There is nothing in your past that Jesus’ blood can’t cover.  Telling someone is hard.  But that festering sore must be opened up and drained of all its infection, then healing can begin.  Accept God’s grace, give yourself grace, and move forward in trust and joy!

“His grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9).  Give your weakness to God and let His power shine through!

Don't Conform (Computer Madness)

“Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God,
to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.
And do not be conformed to this world,
but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…”
Romans 12:1-2

Not a new verse.  But in this day and age, I ask you to look at it again.  Do not be conformed to this world.  I urge you to take up the spiritual disciplines of Bible study, prayer, meditation, fasting, and fellowship.  Bible study, prayer, and meditation that your mind would be renewed and you would be transformed.  Fasting from things which can be harmful or detrimental to your spiritual walk such as computer games, facebook, and/or any other thing that is stealing your time.  Then surround yourself with other believers that can hold you accountable, encourage you, and give you hope. 

This world is deceptive.  We can easily numb our minds with computer games (spider solitaire for me).  This is no different than being controlled by drugs or alcohol – it is just a different way of escaping our reality.  I read a report about computer games and television that said that when we play these games, we skip the work part of our brain and skip right to the pleasure center.  By doing so, real work loses its consequence of giving us pleasure.  To reroute the brain waves, we must stay away from these games or tv and interact verbally with others.

Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed through praise and worship, study and fellowship.