A free gift of salvation

Ephesians 2:8-10 (NKJV)
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Matthew Henry states, “Our faith, our conversion, and our eternal salvation, are not the mere product of any natural abilities, nor of any merit of our own: Not of works, lest any man should boast, v. 9. These things are not brought to pass by anything done by us, and therefore all boasting is excluded; he who glories must not glory in himself, but in the Lord. There is no room for any man’s boasting of his own abilities and power; or as though he had done anything that might deserve such immense favors from God.

 

 

Helicopter pilot Iain McConnell, along with the rest of his air station crew, was summoned at 4 a.m. on the morning of August 30, 2005, to the Coast Guard Aviation Training Center in Mobile, Alabama. The Center soon became one of the first bases of operations for Hurricane Katrina relief. McConnell and his crew were told to keep five H-60 helicopters airborne on missions at all times, around the clock.

The first airborne relief teams arrived in the affected areas before any news crews, and were completely unprepared for the devastation they saw. A train track running parallel to the ocean had been pushed inland 15 feet off its gravel bed. A houseboat was floating down U.S. Highway 90. The entire city of New Orleans stood under water.

McConnell's crew got right to work, airlifting stranded people from their rooftops and out of windows, and delivering them to the Superdome helipad. To their chagrin, however, they were only able to help a relatively few amount of survivors. In an interview, McConnell shared why:

On our first three missions, we saved the lives of 89 people, three dogs, and a cat. On the fourth mission, to our great frustration, we saved no one—but not for lack of trying. The dozens we attempted to rescue refused pickup!

 Some people told us to simply bring them food and water. "You are trying to live in unhealthy conditions, and the water will stay high for a long time," we warned them. Still, they refused. I felt frustrated and angry, since we had used up precious time and fuel, and had put ourselves at risk during each rescue attempt. I felt like they were ungrateful. But, in truth, they did not know how desperate their situation was.

 

The Coast Guard was offing a free gift of rescue from the horrible conditions they were left in, yet they did not want to receive the gift of being saved. The same is often true of those who have an opportunity to receive God’s gift of salvation. They just don’t quite see the horrible condition they are living in so they refuse to accept what God offers, a chance for a more peaceful life with eternal salvation.

I remember talking to a homeless man once about God’s free gift of salvation. The sad part was you could tell he grasped the meaning of not accepting God’s grace. Tears welled up and was even shaking as he said, “I have just done too many bad things to accept God’s gift.” He couldn’t realize it was God’s mercy reaching out to him, trying to help him, and offer him an abundant life.

Do you believe

Galatians 3:2-4 (NLT)
2 Let me ask you this one question: Did you receive the Holy Spirit by obeying the law of Moses? Of course not! You received the Spirit because you believed the message you heard about Christ. 3 How foolish can you be? After starting your Christian lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort? 4 Have you experienced so much for nothing? Surely it was not in vain, was it?

The apostle here addresses the Galatians who have placed their faith in Christ, but still continued to seek justification by works according to the Law of Moses. He questions them as to when the Holy Spirit was received, was it when they performed works or when they came to faith in Christ? It was through Christ that they received the Holy Spirit into their lives to lead them and cry out to God for them. The apostle wanted them to realize it was their faith in Christ that justified them and that it was Christ who would show them a new way to live.

 

 

It's easy to blame others (and thus justify ourselves) for our disobedience. But in the following quote, Thomas Merton identifies the key reason why we fail to experience the freedom and joy Christ offers believers:

It is not that someone else is preventing you from living happily; you yourself do not know what you want. Rather than admit this [and ask for God's help], you pretend that someone else is keeping you from exercising your liberty. Who is this? It is you yourself. [Thomas Merton, New Seeds of Contemplation (New Directions, 2007), p. 110]

 

God has given us directions on how to live our lives, but most importantly the Holy Spirit of Christ dwells within those who have placed their faith in Christ to guide and direct their lives. Jesus said in John 16:13-14, “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me. All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said, ‘The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me.’” So our guidance on how to live our lives comes through Christ by means of the Holy Spirit.

We all need to learn to put aside our own ways and listen as the Holy Spirit directs us. Having a relationship with Jesus Christ, talking with Him, asking for help from Him, and letting Him lead us is some of the most important things we can do.

In John Chapter 6:28-29, the people asked Jesus a question and He responded, “28 They replied, “We want to perform God’s works, too. What should we do?” 29 Jesus told them, “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.””

 

Believe in The One God sent

John 6:26-29 (NLT)

26 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, you want to be with me because I fed you, not because you understood the miraculous signs. 27 But don’t be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you. For God the Father has given me the seal of his approval.” 28 They replied, “We want to perform God’s works, too. What should we do?” 29 Jesus told them, “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.”

The day before Jesus had fed over 5000 people with a few fish and few loaves of bread. The disciples and Jesus had now moved to the other side of the shore and some who had seen Him the day before came seeking Jesus. When they found Him - Jesus told them the reason they had followed. It was not because of the works He performed or who He was, but instead it was because they had been fed. They replied they wanted to perform God’s works and Jesus replied that all God desired from them was to believe in the one God sent.

There are people who try to work their way into heaven. Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us this, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Let’s think of it this way, if any person were able to be as holy as God they would end up boasting they were like God themselves. Therefore it would seem impossible that we could perform any work that would equate us to God.

I like to use an illustration where I draw a scale from 1 to 100 and place God at the 100% mark of holiness. Then I ask people to place those they know at various points on the scale. Usually there are some religious leaders placed close to the 100 percent mark and others below them. I have never had anyone place anyone other than God or Christ at the 100% mark. Intuitively we all know we are sinners and can never measure up to God. The Bible even tells us, “For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” Then I point out if God cannot tolerate unrighteousness how can we ever be close to Him.

It is then we can remember that God forgives all our sins through Jesus Christ His Son. By placing our faith in Christ we receive a free gift salvation. It is not a gift we have to work for, but instead a gift that works through us. For when we accept Christ on faith we have a desire to follow Him and become more like Him.

Jesus let the people know that this is God’s desire when He said, “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.” Our duty is to place our faith in Jesus Christ who will then dwell in us, convicting us of sin and show us how to live our lives. 

Encourage one another

Hebrews 10:25 (NLT)
25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

It was the will of Christ that His disciples would gather either in private or public to encourage each other and the people to which they ministered.  They were to watch over each other, warn each other of sin, and motivate one another to stay firm in their faith of Jesus Christ. Christ had warned them that as the time for His return came closer there would be trials and tribulations they would face. Working together as one body for Christ they could help each other face the difficulties ahead.

 

 

Years ago I started writing short devotionals as a way to encourage a friend. He was facing some hard times in life and I wanted to help give him some hope and let him see how much God loved him. He shared those devotionals and then I got requests to include others on my devotion list.

Most of the time I write about events that are affecting my life, because I know if I am facing a trial in life there are others facing the same trial. Through my devotions I have learned I was not alone. Often people write back and say, “How did you know I was facing this problem”?  I didn’t know, but I knew I had faced the problem. God was using me to speak to others about the problem I faced so I could encourage them and give them reassurance that God was with them.

God has a way of taking the pain in our life and using it for the benefit of others. For instance Alison Arngrim, the child star of Little House on the Prairie, was molested as a child. Instead of that event defeating her, Alison helped found an organization aimed at the protection of children from abuse and molestation. Alison has been able to encourage others and help others through their pain.

Kathy Ireland the well-known model and business woman has talked about some of the struggles of entering modeling as a young woman. Kathy managed to keep a strong faith in Christ and she often shares that faith to encourage others.

Tyler Perry the actor and director talked about his childhood abuse, but he didn’t let it keep him down. When Whitney Houston died, Tyler encouraged others by telling others about the salvation the Lord Jesus Christ provides. Tyler did not let his troubles turn him from Christ, but instead he found hope and faith in Christ.

Jennifer O’Neil who went through many trials in her life gives time to encourage others in the faith of Christ. Jennifer went through an abortion after a divorce. She grieved for years and now she reaches out to other women to give them hope and options to keep them from the same grief she faced.

Actress Leah Remini has faced some opposition after leaving the Church of Scientology. I have read about those who have reached out and encouraged her about her decision. I pray Leah would know the true love of God and that she would be encouraged and that others would encourage her.

May God encourage each of you as you encourage one another! Let God’s love abound in your life. Look to God for hope and know that God is with you.  God loves you greater than you can even imagine. Encourage one another!

Working together as one body

Romans 12:4-5 (NLT)

4 Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5 so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.

The apostle explains that all the saints’ work together to make up the body of Christ, with Christ being at the head of the body directing and leading. Not everyone performs the same work, nor does everyone have the same authority; for each are unique individual members of the body working as a whole to perform the functions for Christ. We must all work in love and harmony with each other so that we can perform all the functions necessary for the church. We work together, supporting one another, encouraging one and motivating each other to do what is right.

Coach Carter is the true story of Ken Carter (Samuel Jackson), a successful sporting goods store owner, who in 1999 became head basketball coach for his old high school in a poor area of Richmond, California.

Dismayed by the attitudes of his players and their dismal performance on the court, Carter sets out to change both. He immediately imposes a strict regime that includes respectful behavior, a dress code, and good grades as a prerequisite of participation.

One particular player, Timo Cruz (Rick Gonzalez), initially refuses to accept the coach's demands and quits the team, only to return later with a desire to be reinstated. Timo asks Coach Carter what he has to do to play. Carter informs Cruz that he must complete 2,500 push-ups and 1,000 suicide drills by Friday? A task even the coach calls "impossible."

By Friday, Timo is short of both goals. Coach Carter, though impressed with what Timo has done, asks him to leave the gym. He has failed.

Suddenly, one of Timo's teammates, Jason (Channing Tatum), who previously had a personality conflict with Timo, steps forward saying, "I'll do push-ups for him. You said we're a team. One person struggles, we all struggle. One player triumphs, we all triumph. Right?"

As Coach Carter stands speechless, Jason drops to the floor and begins doing push-ups. One by one the entire team begins to join in to help Timo reach his goal.

[Coach Carter (Paramount Pictures, 2005); directed by Thomas Carter; submitted by Van Morris, Mt. Washington, Kentucky]

The Christian life is working together as one body. When one member gets weak then another member helps in the place of the other person. When one person is discouraged, another member encourages. As Christians let us stand firmly together, helping one another so that we can do the work of Christ, not by ourselves, but as a body of believers with a common goal in purpose.

The Lord supports us in our time of need

Psalm 94:18-19 (NLT)

18 I cried out, “I am slipping!” but your unfailing love, O Lord, supported me. 19 When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer.

The psalmist and the people there were under persecution and oppression. The psalm is an appeal to God to appear against their enemies.   In the verses above we see the psalmist at times feels as though he is slipping away, but God pulls him back from the despair and gives him hope.

In a recent news story, Antoinette Tuff hailed as ‘true hero’ for handling Georgia school gunman, [Greg Botelho, Vivian Kuo, and Josh Levs, www.cnn.com, August 22, 2013.]

A man slips behind someone else into a packed elementary school with an AK-47-type weapon. He goes into the office and shoots at the ground, then darts between there and outside to fire at approaching police.

So what do you do?

If you're Antoinette Tuff, who works in the front office at Ronald E. McNair Discovery Learning Academy just outside Atlanta, you don't run. You talk. You divulge your personal struggles to the gunman, you tell him you love him, you even proactively offer to walk outside with him to surrender so police won't shoot.

And then the nightmare ends with the suspect, later identified as Michael Brandon Hill, taken into custody and no one inside or outside the Decatur school even hurt, despite the gunfire.

"Let me tell you something, babe," Tuff tells the dispatcher, Kendra McCray, at the end of the dramatic 911 call that recounts her minutes of valor and terror. "I've never been so scared in all the days of my life. Oh, Jesus."

I listened to Antoinette’s story as she told it. She was scared and said she was praying through the entire ordeal. The Lord held her firm as she comforted and reassured the young man with the gun that he was loved and that many people went through difficulties. God was supporting her and even through doubts may have filled her mind that anything could happen she was renewed with hope and cheer as she was able to persuade the young man to lay down his weapon and peacefully give himself up to authorities.

The psalmist reminds us, I cried out, “I am slipping!” but your unfailing love, O Lord, supported me.  When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer.

Oh how He loves us

James 4:4-5 (NKJV)
4 Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously”?

The terms adulterers and adulteresses in verse 4 refers to those who are faithless towards God. They have turned their back on God to be friends with the sin of the world; therefore making themselves opposed to God. James goes on to say that God is jealous over us when He sees our preference for worldly ideas and thoughts. It is God’s desire for us to turn to Him and fellowship in righteousness with Him.

 

 

The following is a except of the lyrics from the song How He Loves, by the David Crowder Band.

He is jealous for me,

 Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree,

 Bending beneath the weight of His wind and mercy.

 When all of a sudden,

 I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory,

 And I realize just how beautiful You are,

 And how great Your affections are for me.

 

And oh, how He loves us, oh,

 Oh, how He loves us,

 How He loves us all

 

God is jealous of us in a good way in that He would rather we fellowship with Him in righteous than to follow the world in sin. God loves us deeply and wants the best for us. God loves us so much that he gave His only son Jesus Christ to die for our sin. Knowing Christ died for our sin, let us be willing to live for Christ - demonstrating God’s love and glory to the world.

Harmonius living

Proverbs 21:9 (NIV)
9 Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.

These are interesting words from King Solomon considering he had over 700 wives and 300 concubines. Solomon was the wisest man to have lived, yet it seems his wisdom was conquered by the women in his life. Many of his wives were from foreign lands and practiced foreign religions, which eventually led to Solomon’s downfall.  Here we find Solomon contemplating solitude on the corner of an uncomfortable roof would be more peaceful that living in the comfort of the home with constant quarrels.

 

 

The Chicago Tribune Business Section printed an article called Families seek room to retreat, dated December 10, 2004, by June Fletch. The article states: After two decades of pushing the open floor plan--where domestic life revolved around a big central space and exposed kitchens gave everyone a view of half the house--major builders and top architects are walling people off. They're touting one-person "Internet alcoves," locked-door "away rooms" and his-and-her offices on opposite ends of the house. The new floor plans offer so much seclusion, they're "good for the dysfunctional family," says Gopal Ahluwahlia, director of research for the National Association of Home Builders.

 

 

It’s sad to think homes have to be built with dysfunctional families in mind. Instead of families learning to cope with problems and issues, they push each other aside by retreating to private places in the home. One TV show I always enjoyed watching was The Walton’s. They were a large family, but the one thing they were good about was talking through their family issues and problems. They might have taken time out and gone for walks, but they always came back to address their issues and settle their problems.

God designed us for relationships. When we break off from those relationships and go our own way our lives become out of sync and often dysfunctional. Instead of trying to find a place of solitude, let us learn to create fellowship in families, good communication, appreciation for one another, and showing the same love, grace and mercy that God shows us.  Let us put aside quarrels and learn to communicate properly with each other in a harmonious way.

The message of Salvation

Psalm 16:8-11 (NKJV)
8 I have set the Lord always before me; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved. 9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will rest in hope. 10 For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption. 11 You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

All of these verses were shared by the St. Peter in his first sermon (Acts 2:25-28) after the Holy Spirit came upon everyone on the day of Pentecost. In these words Peter says David was speaking of Christ. For those who place their faith in Christ find rest in Christ. They find eternal life and a life on earth that can be lived in joy even when facing the painful moments of life.

 

 

The words of St. Peter:  “Men and brethren, let me speak freely to you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, He would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne, he, foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption. This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses. Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear. “For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he says himself:

‘The Lord said to my Lord,

“Sit at My right hand,
 Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.”’

“Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”

 

 

Peter’s message was on the salvation from sin given as a gift to all those willing to repent of their sin and to follow Christ by placing their faith and trust in Him. For their faith they would receive a free gift of salvation, the opportunity to live eternally with Christ in heaven. Salvation is a free gift offered to all people who are willing to receive it.

Blaming others for your problem

Proverbs 19:3 (NLT)

3 People ruin their lives by their own foolishness and then are angry at the Lord.

In this proverb King Solomon points out two foolish acts of people. First they create their own trouble, embarrassing themselves and running themselves aground. Second when they have done so they choose to lay blame against God. In holding their anger against God they take away their own peace by removing The One who could comfort them.

Adam and Eve could have used this proverb from King Solomon.  When Adam and Eve disobeyed God by eating from The Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, God asked Adam a simple question, “Have you eaten from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat?” It was a simple yes or no question, but instead Adam gave this response, “It was the woman you gave me who gave me the fruit, and I ate it.” In other words, God had you not created this woman for me then how could she have given me the fruit to eat.

God specifically told Adam he could eat from any tree in the garden except one and that was The Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. Adam had heard the command. Adam had understood the command. It was Adam who disobeyed the command and yet we find Adam blaming Eve and God for his own actions.

How many times in your life do you think you have blamed someone else when it was your actions that caused a problem? If we never learn to accept blame for our problems then it becomes difficult to ever correct the problem; for we always justify ourselves. When we justify ourselves there is no need to look for a future solution because we have already laid the blame on someone else; believing it is their problem to correct.

Learn to accept responsibility for your own actions. Learn that getting angry at others for your actions is not the way to solve problems, but instead create new problems. In your mind because they are wrong you alienate yourself from others who could most likely help. Learn to turn to God and others for help instead of placing blame on them.

Perfecting Holiness

2 Corinthians 7:1 (NKJV)

1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

The apostles reminds those in the Church of Corinth that God has given them promises of His unfailing love, grace and mercy that includes salvation from sin through Jesus Christ. There is an exhortation to put aside sin and live a righteous and holy life. There is a motivation to be perfect in holiness through reverential respect for God. Thought we will always fall short of sinless perfection, our desire to be like Christ aims us toward the righteousness of God.

I am dwelling in a generation to whom nothing is holy. Sacredness is an aspect people never assume toward anything. They revel in bald frankness which enervates moral consciousness. I feel it affecting me. ...

Oh, to be holy! Just to sense for a moment that I have somehow, however small, simulated some measure of Thy character, Lord Jesus. A word from Horatius Bonar spoke to me tonight. "Holiness is not austerity or gloom; it is the offspring of conscious, present Peace." 

Jim Elliot wrote the words above in one of his journals. Upon first reading “I am dwelling in a generation to whom nothing is holy” a person might assume Jim was talking about present times. However Jim Elliot lived October 8, 1927 – January 8, 1956. Jim was an evangelical Christian who was one of five missionaries killed while participating in Operation Auca, an attempt to evangelize the Waodani people of Ecuador.

When you have a relationship with Jesus Christ and the intent of your heart is focused on God you see so easily the sin that is about you. We all live in a generation to whom nothing is holy, which is why we must live in the love, grace and mercy of Jesus Christ to show others that love, grace and mercy. For as we are reminded by Christ, we must first be free from the sin that binds us before pointing out the sin of others. Listen to the words of the apostle, “let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”

Live for Christ

Romans 14:8 (NLT)
8 If we live, it’s to honor the Lord. And if we die, it’s to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.

From Matthew Henry’s Commentary: Christ is the gain we aim at, living and dying. We live to glorify him in all the actions and affairs of life; we die, whether a natural or a violent death, to glorify him, and to go to be glorified with him. Christ is the centre, in which all the lines of life and death do meet. This is true Christianity, which makes Christ all in all. So that, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s, devoted to him, depending on him, designed and designing for him.

 

 

It was a cold night out as a priest walked down the street with his overcoat on. Suddenly out of an alley steps a man holding a gun demanding the priest’s money. The priest opened his overcoat to reach in for his wallet to hand over to the robber.

At that point the robber exclaimed, “I didn’t you were a priest. I’m so sorry. I don’t rob priests. You see I’m Catholic.” He then told the priest he could put up his wallet. Relieved the priest said, “Why don’t you let me buy you a drink” to which the robber responded, “I can’t believe you would suggest something so evil.”

 

Sometimes people have convictions about certain things in life, but they don’t allow themselves to live fully in Christ so as to see all their faults. If they did see all their faults they would be slow to criticize others for their faults. Let us live for Christ that we would honor Him.

Open up to Jesus

Revelation 3:14,20

14 “Write this letter to the angel of the church in Laodicea. This is the message from the one who is the Amen—the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s new creation:  20 “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.

In the revelation to John, Jesus instructs an angel to write to the church of Laodicea. It is interesting that for the previous six churches Jesus gave a statement of correction and then a statement of affirmation. For Laodicea the statement was about their lack of enthusiasm for the church; for Christ compared them to lukewarm water, which will wet the mouth but was not very pleasant for drinking. Jesus offers the church hope saying that if anyone hears Him calling they should open the door and He would come in as an intimate friend to be with them.

In his love for us Jesus acts like a hound-dog, intense and focused as he pursues the hunt. That image comes from Francis Thompson, a 19th century British poet who wrote "The Hound of Heaven." Although Thompson was a follower of Christ, he struggled with poverty, poor health, and an addiction to opium (which in those days was sold as an "over-the-counter" medication).

In the depths of his despair, Thompson described his flight from God: "I fled him, down the nights and down the days. I hid from him, and under running laughter. I sped … from those strong feet that followed, followed after [me]."

But Thompson also knew the unrelenting love of Jesus, the hound of heaven. In the poem Jesus pursues Thompson with "unhurrying chase, and unperturbed pace, deliberate speed, and majestic instancy [or urgency]." He hears the feet of Jesus beating after him as Jesus calls, "All things betray those who betray me."

In a recent biography of John Stott, Stott refers to Thompson's poem. According to Stott, he owes his faith in Christ not to his parents or teachers or even his own decision, but to Jesus, "the hound of heaven." Stott writes:

[My faith is] due to Jesus Christ himself, who pursued me relentlessly even when I was running away from him in order to go my own way. And if it were not for the gracious pursuit of the hound of heaven I would today be on the scrap-heap of wasted and discarded lives.

[Roger Steer, Basic Christian: The Inside Story of John Stott (IVP Books, 2009), pp. 262-263;]

Jesus never gives up pursuing a relationship with us. Even when we are ignoring Him, Jesus comes and knocks at the door of our heart waiting for us to fellowship with Him. Jesus loves at all times and defends us when Satan accuses us. Jesus is our savior, our friend, and someone we need to spend time with. Open the door of your heart to Jesus and get to know Him in a very personal and intimate way.

Look before you leap

Proverbs 13:16 (NLT)

16 Wise people think before they act; fools don’t—and even brag about their foolishness.

 

A reminder, one should think through their actions before jumping in head first. However there are those who don’t and even brag about their thoughtless actions.

 

 

 

There was a time I performed interviews for job candidates. Our HR department had trained some of us in a specialized way of handling interviews using questions selected towards the job category. One of the questions was “What one thing have you done that you wish you could do over and do it better?”  The idea behind the question was to see if the job candidate would give a technical example of something where they fell short of expectations and later saw how they could improve upon their work skill. Most of the job candidates understood this and would give an example of an error and how they later corrected it.

 

One person we interviewed had a completely different kind of response to the question. I’m going to be a little gentler with what the person actually said, but it went something like this: “I once was told I was getting a job transfer so I decided to cuss out my current boss. I think I went a little over board in some of the language I used. Then I found out I didn’t get the transfer. Next time I would wait for the transfer to happen before actually telling anyone where they could go.”

 

I could tell the other person conducting the interview with me was as taken back by the answer as I was. Here was a person talking not about their technical skill, but instead about their interpersonal skills with others. It became clear we didn’t want a person who thought the answer to cussing out their boss was to wait until a more opportunistic time. We wondered how they would respond to others authority. The two of us interviewing also thought that was probably not an answer we would have given in an interview.

 

 

Wise people think before they act or as is often said “think before you leap”, because there might be something you don’t want to leap into.

To be used for good works

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NKJV)

19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

The Apostle Paul reminds the Church of Corinth that their bodies are now the temple in which the Holy Spirit resides. God use to be only present in the inner most part of the temple, but now His Holy spirit resides in the bodies of those who have placed their faith in Christ. Therefore they should treat themselves with respect just as they would for the temple.

To those of us in the West, he is known only as "The Traveler." He is one of the persons who helps distribute goods inside North Korea. Despite the ever-present danger of exposure, The Traveler remains an unpretentious and simple man. He looks more like a blue-collar factory worker than the Korean James Bond, but that's one of the keys to his success. He's adept at blending in, remaining both vigilant and decisive.

It's a matter of survival.

He has served Open Doors for years, and yet we don't even know his real name. We never will. The fewer people who know it, the better, for if his secret work on behalf of God's people were ever to be discovered, it would mean a brutal death sentence for him.

When [our] leaders spoke to him, we asked him what the church in North Korea prays for. This ostensibly emotionless man who puts his life on the line every day—often for people he's never even met living in cities he's never visited—began to weep.

He told of a church movement that has remained underground ever since the fifties. In order to wipe Christianity from the face of the land, Kim II-sung's soldiers herded entire congregations into the streets and ran them over with bulldozers. Thousands of men, women, and children—nearly all of them North Korean citizens—were literally crushed to death, their remains … used to line roadbeds throughout the surrounding cities.

Today, under Kim's son Kim Jon-il, there are [around] 240,000 believers, direct descendants of those who were left behind …. [These] North Korean believers are prayerfully focused on one purpose: to be in place and fulfill God's will for their lives. Their prayer is a prayer for liberation, for lifting of the darkness, for a possibility to reopen the churches of their ancestors, and for reconciliation ….

So despite the dangers, The Traveler continues to [risk his life in order to] equip believers with commentaries, Bibles, radio resources, training, and encouragement to keep them focused on the Lord.

[Carl Moeller and David Hegg, The Privilege of Persecution (Moody Publishers, 2011), pp. 67-68, 70]

We can put our bodies to use to do good works or works of evil; it is our choice to make. But we are reminded that our bodies are where the Holy Spirit resides; for we are the temples of Christ. Therefore we should use our bodies for good works and not that of sin.

God places great value on us

Luke 12:6-7 (NKJV)

6 “Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. 7 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.

In these verses Jesus is teaching about the respect and reverence we should have towards God the Father. Jesus first speaks of the earthly value of five sparrows, which were sold for pennies. Jesus then shares the value God places upon sparrows by saying they are taken care of, remembered in their life and death. Then Jesus speaks of people saying they are more valued than many sparrows. God knows us intimately, knowing even the number of hairs on our head. When we cry God counts our tears; even the drops of blood shed for His sake are counted. God finds us precious and loves us dearly.

Yesterday I read a statement followed by a question. The woman said she had a friend who had realized her husband had a problem with pornography. Obviously it was not just a trivial matter, but years of addicted use. The wife confronted the husband about it and the response was probably not what she expected. The husband began to defend his actions and even played the game children do when they are caught by saying, “Well all the other men do it!”  Angry over the confrontation he packed his bag for the night and left home and also left behind a devastated wife. The friend asked, “What do you say to the wife that will bring comfort her?”

As I thought about the question, I thought of how God found her to be precious and highly valued despite the husband’s reaction towards her. The husband was treating her as an object, while God was responding to her as His child. God would be her comforter and if she allows herself to trust the Lord, He will guide her to do what is needed.

There are no easy answers in a matter like this. First the husband has to come to a point that he realizes he needs to change. No one can change the husband, except God and that is only if the husband allows God to do so. We might think we can change others, but the only one we have control over is ourselves.

Others can pray for this couple. First pray for the husband that he would fall under God’s conviction and understand the harm he is doing to his wife. This was a problem that obviously disturbed her, yet the husband ignored her feelings. Pray for the wife that he would have strength to face this problem. Pray that she would have strong boundaries that say if you continue this behavior then these will be my actions.  Also, pray for the wife to understand that her husband has a problem that may be rooted in years of other emotional distress. Pray she might be able to see any of her errors and be able to express affection and concern for the husband.

God cares deeply for each of us. He cares for the husband and would love to see Him do what is right. Pray he will understand God's love for him. God cares for the wife and knows her pain, even counting the drops of her tears. He will comfort her as His child and He will guide her with His wisdom to do what is right for her.

Father you know our sin, but you call us by our name. Satan knows our name, but calls us out by our sin. Help free this husband from his past so that he can live in a harmonious future with his wife and You.

I Surrender All

Psalm 194:4 (NKJV)
4 For the Lord takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation.

Psalm 194 gives praise to God, The Redeemer, who provided victory over an enemy. The psalm also refers to the future glory of Christ our Savior; for God will beautify the meek, those who surrender their lives to Him and those who trust in Him. They will hear God’s word of salvation and put aside their pride and accept His gift of eternal life in heaven through Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

Judson W. Van DeVenter (1855-1939) was raised in a Christian home. At age 17, he accepted Jesus as his Savior. He graduated university with a degree in art and was employed successfully as a teacher and administrator of high school art. He traveled extensively, visiting the various art galleries throughout Europe.

Van DeVenter also studied and taught music. He mastered 13 different instruments, sang and composed music. He was very involved in the music ministry of his Methodist Episcopal church and eventually found himself torn between his successful teaching career and his desire to be a part of an evangelistic team. This struggle within himself lasted for almost five years.

In 1896, Van DeVenter was conducting the music of a church event. It was during these meetings that he finally surrendered his desires completely to God -- He made the decision to become a full-time evangelist. As he submitted completely to the will of his Lord, a song was born in his heart.

I Surrender All was put to music by Winfield S. Weeden (1847-1908 ), who published this and many other hymns in several volumes. Weeden so loved this song that the words I Surrender All were put on his tombstone. (1)

 

The words of I Surrender All are something we should all strive for - All to Jesus, I surrender; All to Him I freely give; I will ever love and trust Him, In His presence daily live. I surrender all, I surrender all, All to Thee, my bless'd Savior, I surrender all. All to Jesus I surrender; Humbly at His feet I bow, Worldly pleasures all forsaken; Take me, Jesus, take me now. I surrender all, I surrender all, All to Thee, my bless'd Savior, I surrender all. All to Jesus, I surrender; Make me, Savior, wholly Thine; Let me feel the Holy Spirit, Truly know that Thou art mine. I surrender all, I surrender all, All to Thee, my bless'd Savior, I surrender all.  All to Jesus, I surrender;  Lord, I give myself to Thee; Fill me with Thy love and power;  Let Thy blessing fall on me.  I surrender all, I surrender all, All to Thee, my bless'd Savior, I surrender all.All to Jesus I surrender; Now I feel the sacred flame. O the joy of full salvation! I surrender all, I surrender all, All to Thee, my bless'd Savior, I surrender all.

 

 

 

 

 

(1)[http://www.sharefaith.com/guide/Christian-Music/hymns-the-songs-and-the-stories/i-surrender-all-the-song-and-the-story.html]

Reviewing ourselves

Galatians 6:4 (NKJV)

4 But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.

Here the apostle says each person should examine their lives in the light of God’s word to see whether or not their lives align with God’s desires for them. Some would prefer to judge and censure others so as to make them feel proud, but this is wrong. We instead should view our actions in light of God’s will for us instead of what other people do.

In his book Let Your Life Speak, Parker Palmer, a Quaker, tells the story of how God used Palmer's friends to shape his vocational path in a significant way. Palmer had been offered the opportunity to become the president of a small educational institution. He was certain the job was for him, but he honored the tradition of the Quaker community, which is to call on a dozen trusted friends to engage in a "clearness committee," a process in which "the group refrains from giving you advice but spends three hours asking you honest, open questions to help you discover your own inner truth." Palmer writes that the initial questions were all very easy, until someone simply asked, "What would you like most about being a president?" He writes:

The simplicity of that question loosed me from my head and lowered me into my heart. I remember pondering for at least a full minute before I could respond. Then, very softly and tentatively, I started to speak: "Well, I would not like having to give up my writing and my teaching…. I would not like the politics of the presidency, never knowing who your real friends are…. I would not like having to glad-hand people I do not respect simply because they have money…. I would not…"

Gently but firmly, the person who had posed the question interrupted me: "May I remind you that I asked what you would most like?"

I responded impatiently, "Yes, yes, I'm working my way toward an answer." Then I resumed my sullen but honest litany. …

Once again the questioner called me back to the original question. But this time I felt compelled to give the only honest answer I possessed, an answer that came from the very bottom of my barrel, an answer that appalled even me as I spoke it.

"Well," I said, in the smallest voice I possess, "I guess what I'd like most is getting my picture in the paper with the word president under it."

I was sitting with seasoned Quakers who knew that though my answer was laughable, my mortal soul was clearly at stake! They did not laugh at all but went into a long and serious silence—a silence in which I could only sweat and inwardly groan.

Finally my questioner broke the silence with a question that cracked all of us up—and cracked me open: "Parker," he said, "can you think of an easier way to get your picture in the paper?"

By then it was obvious, even to me, that my desire to be president had much more to do with my ego than with the ecology of my life—so obvious that when the clearness committee ended, I called the school and withdrew my name from consideration. Had I taken that job, it would have been very bad for me and a disaster for the school.

Sometimes we just need to stop and take a moment to examine our life and look at our true intentions. So often we mislead ourselves by making comparisons to others or by letting our own ego and pride draw us away to a place we should not be.

God's comfort

2 Corinthians 1:3-6(NLT)

3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. 4 He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 5 For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. 6 Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer.

After the preface the apostle writes about the comfort God provides even in the midst of trials and tribulations. All comfort originates with God and is passed to us so that we can share that comfort with others. For in our trials and tribulations we learn that we can endure and that God is with us. We can share that with others so they can patiently endure the same type of suffering and know God will be with them too.

In The Story before the Story, preached at Lincoln Christian College by Damien Spikereit speaks about a portion of his life: When I was in high school my father passed away rather suddenly. It was just two days before my high school graduation. At that time in my life I was a baby Christian; immature and shallow. I was still drying off the baptistery waters. All I cared about was not going to hell.

But then my dad died. I found myself in a place I'd never been before. I wanted to hear God speak. I wanted to know what he had to say about this situation; how he was going to get me and my family through this difficult time. So I prayed. And I waited for God to speak.

Then came the day of the funeral. The church was packed. I sat on the front pew with my mother and two younger sisters. The Lutheran priest spoke, but I don't remember what he said. I continued to wait for God to say something. Then the service was over. It was the tradition of this church to have the family line up in the foyer. Everyone would file past us and offer words of condolence and encouragement. Tears were shed, hugs offered, and words were given. I don't remember what anybody said to me in that time. But I continued to wait for God to speak.

Then I saw Kim O'Quinn. She was my age. We were in the youth group together. When she got to me, she didn't say a word. She had tears in her eyes. And she simply hugged me and walked off. But I heard God speak. It dawned on me. Just months before, I had attended another funeral; the funeral for Kim O'Quinn's father. In that moment she knew exactly what it meant to be me.

If you want to hear God's voice in your life look no further than the one who knows exactly what it's like to be you. He knows what it is to be human, he knows what it is to suffer, he knows what it is to be rejected, he knows what it is to be human. If you want to hear God's voice speak, allow your soul to be quieted long enough so that you can hear the one who was in the beginning say to you, "draw near to me and I'll draw near to you."

Psalm 23:4 Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.

The enticement of sin

Proverbs 5:21-23 (NLT)

21 For your ways are in full view of the Lord, and he examines all your paths. 22 The evil deeds of the wicked ensnare them; the cords of their sins hold them fast. 23 For lack of discipline they will die, led astray by their own great folly.

Those who live in sin attempt to live in secrecy. They promise themselves they will let no one see the evil acts they perform, but it is to no avail for The Lord sees all that they do. God knows the heart of the person and sees it in truth. Man is always under inspection by God and eventually man is called into judgment for the wrongful actions committed. It is not that man has not been warned, but that man is following his own selfish desires instead of the plans God had laid out for him.

In the vicinity of Richmond, Vermont, you'll find the Huntington River Gorge. It's a beautiful spot—but it's also quite deadly. In the last 40 years, 20 persons (mostly young adults in their 20s and 30s) have lost their lives in the gorge. Those injured while swimming have numbered in the hundreds.

On the surface, the water looks calm and placid, but beneath this attractive scene are strong currents that run swiftly over treacherous waterfalls and whirlpools. Public safety officials have designated the gorge "the single most deadly place in the state." Warning signs have been posted by a concerned individual on a side of the gorge, reading: "When the water is high due to rain or snowmelt, especially powerful currents can easily sweep you over the falls and trap you underneath the water."

A debate rages as to what to do with this dangerous place. Some argue for more public information that can properly educate people of its risks. Others are pushing to ban anyone and everyone from visitation. All the while, swimmers continue to be attracted to the scene. One college student attending the University of Vermont—just 14 miles away from the gorge—said she had heard about the beauty of the location and had the desire to see it herself. She commented that people know about the dangers and try their best to be careful.

"We just go swimming in the shallow part," she said. "You can't change the water, and you can't stop people from going in." [Katie Zezima, "An Enticing Gorge Poses a Deadly Problem," The New York Times (7-16-06); submitted by Ted De Hass, Bedford, Iowa]

Sin often looks attractive and enticing to a person; yet they don’t see the dangers lying beneath the surface. There are strong currents that will suck them deeper down into sin and hold them there. If they are not careful they are swept away by sin. Some see the temptation of sin and think they can play at the edge and stay safe, but eventually they are lured deeper into the sin. Just like the warning signs posted around the water God has given us warning signs in His Word. Free yourself from the secrets you are holding onto and open yourself to God that He would free you from the sin that so easily wants to entrap you.