Higher Perspective That Takes Some Work

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A “positive” perspective takes effort.  There are so many things that want to draw our attention to the negatives- from social apps, mainstream media, people we come in contact with but negativity can   come from us as well.

While growing up I dreaded school more then most.  Anxiety would race through my body even before my ear piercing alarm would go off.  No amount of studying seemed to calm the apprehension of a test or quiz day.  Change brought nervousness and queasiness.  Failure brought depression and frustration. 

I preferred solitude.  I still prefer a quiet place where I can “gather my thoughts”. 

Today I have to make an effort to be sociable with large groups of people.  I seem to be an observer of people.  I often pay close attention to people’s verbal tones and actions.  I still collect people’s actions like data- especially where I sense tension or some kind of judgment towards me. 

In these cases I have to fight the urge to withdraw.  I have to fight sinking into the quicksand condemnation.   I have to let go of “feeling less” then….

I always felt different and to this day I still sometimes feel awkward around others.  My mind at times seems to fail me -shutting my access off to its’ vocabulary banks where I easily forget people’s names and words causing conversation blunders.

Assessing these matters, I have pondered if these insufficiencies and failures have strengthened me in a strange way- where I have had to yield myself to God’s abounding grace instead of what wants to impede and deter from “higher/constructive” perspectives.    

It takes work to not fall into the habitual practices of the past.  It is probably one of the most difficult things we can do- to learn to submit, let go and accept God’s authority over our life so we can walk in the resilient buoyancy of God.     

Paul wrote, “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 the faith with power.” 2 Thessalonians 1:11 NASB

 

We often look at out our calling in a broad sense but our calling is also “intimate” and “eternal”.  If you are a Christian, your calling is being a child of God.  There is no higher calling.  It is allowing to God to empower you in all things great and small in the day… no matter in success or failure, sickness or good health, richer or poorer, older for older and so on… 

Our calling is believing that God is the author and finisher of our faith…  He helps us become conquers over the old habits of self and the hindrances of this world.  We put our hard “investment/effort/work/” into trusting that the LORD is LORD of our life.

And in return for our hard mental work: Life has… goodness because He is LIFE, which is our higher perspective/power amongst everything else. 

Think of all the benefits there are to your soul, mind and body in living in our calling.

  

Does God Challenge You? 3

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SPIRITUAL CHECK-UP

I think in America and probably else we have come to think, "This is how it should be"... when it comes to things concerning God…  But is it?  What is “normal” with God?

This type of thinking “This is how it should be,” has only brought trouble… look at all the separated doctrine Christian churches!  Look how they have changed over time… I am not knocking the Methodist Church but I going to use them as an example.   Methodist Churches do MANY great works in their communities along with other churches but as the years have gone by they no longer work in or approve of the giftings of the Holy Spirit such a speaking in tongues and prophecy and interpretation of tongues.  What changed this?  It’s the understandings of man verse the reality of God.

 

Remember what Jesus says to the church of Ephesus?

“I know your industry and activities, laborious toil and trouble, and your patient endurance, and how you cannot tolerate wicked [men] and have tested and critically appraised those who call [themselves] apostles (special messengers of Christ) and yet are not, and have found them to be impostors and liars.

³ I know you are enduring patiently and are bearing up for My name’s sake, and you have not fainted or become exhausted or grown weary.

⁴ But I have this [one charge to make] against you: that you have left (abandoned) the love that you had at first [you have deserted Me, your first love].

⁵ Remember then from what heights you have fallen. Repent (change the inner man to meet God’s will) and do the works you did previously [when first you knew the Lord], or else I will visit you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you change your mind and repent.”  Revelation 2:2-5 AMP

That can go for any church or any individual in the church.  Religious activity can be just a meaningless to God as unreligious activity because God wants a relationship with us -and His will to be done. 

If we “do” -not in “both” Spirit and truth then what “it” is to God?

When the experience is of burden and empty of joy we must ask ourselves… where is God?  When the experience is only for our own gain- where is God? 

Where have we positioned ourselves in regards to the experience and God? Is it more about us then it is about God?  

AND how has this routine, regimented, foolish, thinking got us closer with God?  Look back that Revelation again my friend.

When the winds and storms start to blow in this life and the driving rains become rushing floodwaters to sweep away all that grows- what will become of us?  Is it about works or a relationship with God?

I am being reminded of Martha and Mary…

“As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home.  Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught.  But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.”

 But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Luke 10”38-42

Honestly ask yourself this question…  Do we just sit on the surface (roots and all)- knowing God has more but never seeking, never discovering and never anchoring our faith more deeply in HIM? 

What happens to our shallow understanding when troubles come?  God help us see our continual need in anchoring ourselves in relationship with HIM.  

We might be able to control and schedule our services and things in our lives but these things… what are they? These things are fragile things…  and these fragile things if not orchestrated by God are what?  Who really has control?  What are they really strengthening?

Was Jesus ever “routine” when he went about the Father’s business?  (Read it again.)  Who’s schedule and plans did Jesus go by?  What was Jesus addressing and strengthening and healing?  Did he not just challenge the unreligious but the religious as well?

I consider myself a pretty open minded Christian.  I was not always so.  Speaking in tongues would just "freak me out!"  Slain in the Spirit... I just thought that was fake....  And.... well anything else that fell along that side of the tracks was just STRANGE and SCARY....) 

In truth… I trusted in what I understood.  Anything that wasn't "traditional" just was WEIRD.....  Until GOD used the very things I wanted to stay FAR away from to touch and change my life.  

Speaking of which…let’s talk about the term “born again”

Commiting to the Will of the Lord.

SEEK & REMOVE
Proverbs 16:3
"Commit your works to the LORD, And your thoughts will be established."

The word "commit" stuck out to me as I read this scripture.  The context of the word "commit" comes from the word "galal" which also is a place in the bible that you can find in Joshua 5:9.

As a way to show their commitment to the Lord, all the males that were camped in Jericho waiting to enter the the Promise Land were circumcised.  "Then the LORD said to Joshua, 'Today I have rolled away the shame of your slavery in Egypt.'  So that place has been called Gilgal to this day."

Hope I don't lose you here.  We too can be slaves to "Egypt"  Egypt can be used as an illustration of the world.   We can be a slave to the world.  We can become a slave to the ideals and social norms of this world.  Do as the world does.   Egypt was full of false gods, was rich with resources, and used it's influence to manipulate and enslave people.

Before we came to Christ we were slaves to this world BUT when we "commited" ourselves to the Lord Jesus Christ our sins that were counted against us were "rolled" away.   They were removed.
  
This might help us see the context of the word "galal" better.

The Hebrew context of "galal is to: "roll, seek, wallow, trust, commit, remove, run down."

This context of "galal" we see in proverbs 16:3 and Joshua 5 really has two meanings that come together as one if we look carefully.  "God removes your shame/guilt/sin with your seeking, trust and commitment to him (Our Heavenly Father, Son -Jesus Christ- Holy Spirit)."

TRUE COMMITMENT
The Holy Spirit reminded me of what Paul wrote in Romans:  "For you are not a true Jew just because you were born of Jewish parents or because you have gone through the Jewish ceremony of circumcision.  No,  a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God.  And true circumcision is not a cutting of the body but a change of heart produced by God's Spirit.   Whoever has that kind of change seeks praise from God, not from people."  Romans 2:28-29

That goes the same for Christians.  God knows if our conviction is in Him, if we are devoted to Him, if we are sincerely seeking Him,  and if we are truly trusting Him.  Just because you were born of Christian parents and because you go to church doesn't make you a true Christian.  Just because you are standing in a parking lot or a library doesn't make you a car or book.   A true Christian is one whose heart is right with God.  It is a change of heart produced by the Holy Spirit when you committed and continued to trust and seek the Lord.  That is faith.  You walk with God.  You can not please God without faith.  "So it is impossible to please God without faith.  Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that there is a God and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him."  Hebrews 11:6

We have to seriously consider, again and again, are we truly continuing to walking that path God has for us or have we snatched our life back from God where we lose the life God has desired for us.

You seek God's will and you will find yourself living in the desires of God for your life.   There will be a departure from your wants to God's wants.  He will give you the strength to do his will for what is required for the tasks he wants you to do.  You will not be seeking praise from people but God.

So one might say, "Lord what is your will for my life?  What is your will for this day?"

I believe God can do that but my tendency is when I do ask those questions and God answers- I become so narrow minded I don't see the little or big things God is bringing up to help me become more like Christ because I am I so focused on a particular aspect of what I think is the conclusion or major point or the climax to the crescendo.  And because I get so narrow minded I miss out on the building lessons of the Holy Spirit and the instruction and direction in those life changing lessons.

When I do that I am no longer working in the Spirit but in this task oriented mode which can easily be distracted by how things are are or are not getting down in the way I think they should be done - which drives me to unsound thoughts or actions in the flesh or just plain and simple wears me out.  

Sometimes I feel a little bit like I am experiencing a preview to a movie and if it looks like a good movie I want to not just see the preview but the entire movie especially if it has a good ending.  (Knowing God wants the best for His children we know life is going to have it fair share of ups and downs but in the end it is going to be GOOD!) 

We want the big picture of what God is doing and when we don't get the big picture we lose patience and jump the gun.  We can go an entirely different direction than God wants us to go because we become impatient and then we wonder why we aren't satisfied and confident in that task or direction we chose.  Then that leads to inner conflict- BUT hopefully with repentance, learned lessons, we get back on the path and plan God wants us to be on too.

Seeking God with patience God will give us direction and with that direction, He gives us the confidence and gumption to do what He has asked and has directed us to do.

Now I could manipulate God's words to make them sound like what I want them to say.  For example a person could say the bible says, "There is no God" because they only chose only to hear what you wanted to hear.  And in reality the bible says, "Only fools say in their hearts, "There is no God." They are corrupt, and their actions are evil; not one of them does good!" Psalm 53:1

You can say "I will commit this or that plan 'I' have to the Lord and it will succeed and it will be established."  And I know people do that and sometimes that turns out good and sometimes it turns out not so good.  But the question is- "Is that really God's plan for your life?"  Ask and follow God's plan not your plan.

I could run this race of life and win and come to find out as I stand before the Lord that I really won the wrong race.  I could have done many good things and lived what I thought was a good life but the Lord say to me, "I never you."  I don't know about you but I want to be sure I'm doing the Lord's will in my life, don't you?  The only way to do that is to follow the Holy Spirit's counsel and direction and that only happens if we take time to each day and throughout the day to listen and read God's word. 

"Not everyone who calls out to me, 'Lord! Lord!' will enter the Kingdom of Heaven.  Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter.  On judgment day many will say to me, 'Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.' But I will reply, 'I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God's laws." Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.  Matthew 7:21-24

Notice he says, "the will of my Father".

Doing the will of the Father is learning to trust Him in all things in life even in the plans He has for our life.  God knows exactly what is inside of you and me that He can use for His glory and you and I know- He knows what is good and still needs more work.  His plan/will- will get us to the full stature or measure of Christ Jesus- not our plan.  My plan may look and sound good, it may even earn me a bunch of money and benefits and lots of nice things but I would be chasing the wind and life would be meaningless in the end because I chose to the dollar and material things instead of Almighty God who gives me everything I need and a life full of thanksgiving.  I want my life to be secure and built on the solid rock of Jesus Christ.

Again it would be easy after reading this to point your finger and say "well so and so doesn't do this and that".   Please don't do that.  That is something else at work and only tears down and does not build up.  Keep your heart and thoughts diligent on the Lord.  Be mindful of your relationship with the Lord - not anyone else and you will make a greater difference then if you pointed your finger and grumbled about others who you considered superficial in the faith of Jesus Christ.

Seek and pray to God with me as we seek the Lord's will and plan for our life.  In Jesus Name Amen.  

Need and Want

Is there power in not wanting?   Is there a difference in a need and a want?  What does God consider a need and want?  Do wants and needs change as we mature in Christ Jesus?

I may "want" a Toyota 4Runner or a FJ Cruiser but God says your "need" for a vehicle can be met with a used Toyota Corolla.   I may "want" a large flat screen TV with surround sound and endless selection of movies to watch from Netflix but is that what I really need?  We may "want" a lot of things but what is the basic "need" that needs to be met?  Is television really a need or a want?  Is a cell phone really a need or a want?  Is all that texting more a "need" or a "want"?

Sometimes our "wants" can take us away from more meaningful experiences with our family, friends and others God puts in our path. We can be so busy doing this and that "want" - that we don't even see what really matters in life.  We live in a culture that tells us what we "need" when in fact it isn't a need at all but a way to manipulate us to "want" something.  They make us feel like everyone has it so we need it too!  Think about that for a second.   We have to have that "thing", that emotion, that experience and so on.  Is that coveting?  

THEY HAVE IT WE NEED IT TOO
But that is not true.  I have been to third world countries where people don't have televisions, don't have cellphones, and may not even have a car.  Their primitive homes are not filled with material objects but hospitality and love.   They share what little they have with us who have abundance.  Cookies and some soda pop are graciously given without any second thought.  They shared what is a special treat with us without a motive of getting something in return.   They had so little but they were not concerned if they had enough for tomorrow- they were just grateful for what they had for that day and they shared it.  They knew God would meet their need.

We strive so hard to gain and earn and scrap together.  We stress ourselves out to live just beyond our means -to hold up to some human standard of what we think is "the good life."  What we think we need.  We want more and more until the gravity of the wants make us a slave to them.   I don't know about you but I don't want to keep up with the Jones or anyone else.   I just want to live within my means which probably is still more then I really need.   Do we realize and understand the difference between a want and need?

Jesus says "No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. "That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn't life more than food, and your body more than clothing?  Look at the birds. They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren't you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? "And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.   And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? "So don't worry about these things, saying, 'What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?' These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.  Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need."  Matthew 6:24-33

"Those who love money will never have enough.  How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness!" Ecclesiastes 5:10

 Psalm 23:1-6 A Psalm of David. The LORD [is] my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You [are] with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever.

Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?  Is anything worth more than your soul?  Matthew 16:24-26

So I guess in a way we can technically win the version of life we "wanted" but "lose" in the end because we didn't live the life we needed to live.

Again, is there power in not wanting?   Is there a difference in a need and a want?  What does God consider a need and want?  Do wants and needs change as we mature in Christ Jesus?

A Good, Faithful & Sensible Servant

There is a story in bible told by Jesus that I couldn’t help but see in a medieval context of a movie.

Here is how I saw this passage. The master of a castle in the highlands appoints a servant to manage and be ruler of his household while he has to attend to urgent matters someplace else far away. In confidence, the lord of the castle tells the appointed servant that he doesn’t know when he will be back -hinting it could be many mouths and even years. The lord of the castle leaves and at first the servant does all that he is expected but slowly he starts to abuse his power. He starts oppressing the other servants and starts indulging himself as if he is master of the castle. He barrows and dresses in some of the master’s fur garments and jewelry. He begins to throw parties for him and his pals in the Lord’s magnificent dinning hall. They gorge from the master’s choice pantry and stock of meats. The now kooky indulgent servant sits in the master’s chair and drinks the master’s choice ale in one hand while a woman, open to whatever pleasures of men, sits in his lap. These occurrences become common place until one night the master of the castle returns unannounced and unexpected. Furious, the lord of the castle strips the man of his clothing and orders his armed men to take him to the dungeon where he personally cuts the man in two.

Jesus says “And ²⁵³² shall cut^{1371 0} him ⁸⁴⁶ asunder¹³⁷¹ , and ²⁵³² appoint ⁵⁰⁸⁷ [him] his ⁸⁴⁶ portion ³³¹³ with ³³²⁶ the hypocrites ⁵²⁷³: there ¹⁵⁶³ shall be ²⁰⁷¹ weeping ²⁸⁰⁵ and ²⁵³² gnashing ¹⁰³⁰ of teeth ³⁵⁹⁹” Mat 24:51

Be a good, faithful and sensible servant. You can read this illustration for yourself in Mathew 24:45-51

Another illustration that Jesus speaks of is of three servants who are given five bags of gold to invest for him while he is on a trip. It was divided in proportion to their abilities. Two of servants do well in investing the money but the third servant who hid the money in the ground because he was afraid to lose it - the Master was furious and he has servant thrown into outer darkness where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. Reference: Matthew 25:14-30

This second passage can be confusing. What is Jesus talking about when he is speaking about gold? A better clarifying question is what has God given you?

God has given you faith. God has given you salvation through Jesus Christ. God has transformed your heart and given you a new Spirit, the Holy Spirit, who gives you power, knowledge, wisdom, encouragement, assurance and direction. He has also given you gifts and talents.

None of which are accidental or happen stance because Jesus created you to have those things.

“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” Ecclesiastes 3:11

“But we know that there is only one God, the Father, who created everything, and we live for him. And there is only one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom God made everything and through whom we have been given life.” 1 Corinthians 8:6

Still a bit confusing is this notion that if we don’t use what we are given we won’t only lose what we have but God will consider us unfaithful and throw us into hell (weeping and gnashing of teeth.)

We know we don’t go to heaven because of our good works but by faith yet this scripture makes it sound as if we are expected to do good works and if we don’t do good works we are going to hell.

I said, “Jesus this is confusing to me. You expect a person to do good deeds even if they don’t feel like it? So they grudgingly do the works? Or worse they do works to get human praise or think it saves them? That type of work is pointless because it isn’t based on faith or love. It is either based on puffing ones self up or some strained obligation. These works will burn and are not fruitful.”

This was his reply, “It’s not about the good deeds but the condition of the heart. How much do they love me? “

He then reminded me of two scriptures.

"A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” Luke 6:45

He then reminded me of what he said to Peter. “What did I ask Peter?”

“Do you love me?” you asked.

“Then what else did I say? “

“Feed my sheep.”

Reference: John 21:15-17

Read Matthew 25:31-46 (Jesus separating the sheep from the goats.)

Interesting. Jesus wants us to have an unapologetic, unreformed love for him, the kind of love that runs over with joy, appreciation, generosity and an enormous amount of trust. Through this trust we can do many things that we didn’t think were possible in our lives for others.

Remember the servant that put gold in the ground because he was afraid to lose it? He was trusting in is his own understanding. He was trusting in what he knew about himself, maybe even in what others had told him in the past. The Master knew his servant was capable of doing more then servant thought of himself. His doubt was causing him to be unfaithful and unwilling to take chances.

“God has given gifts to each of you from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Manage them well so that God’s generosity can flow through you. Are you called to be a speaker? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Are you called to help others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.” 1 Peter 4:10-11

Again be a good, faithful & sensible servant.

BE…Living & Building Pt4

“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.” Ephesians 2:8-9

Believing in the gospel message is living in the gospel message of Jesus Christ.

What we need to ask ourselves is “What are we trying to build up in our lives when we are not living in the gospel of Jesus Christ?

What am I building on the amazing foundation of Jesus Christ that I might disregard the simple powerful truth of the life saving gospel?

Knowing the pressure is off of proving ourselves- seats us in a place where we can live in Spirit and truth- we can have the mind of Christ. We can "do" and humbly and wonderfully receive without feeding our flesh.

Then Jesus explained: “My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work.” John 4:34

Led by the Spirit, we do the will of God -not “do” to prove ourselves and we receive joy by doing the will of God. The will of God is not just in the big things but everyday small things.

Can you imagine the joy God has everyday doing his work? The creative mind God has …and He created us to share in that joy of his work. The work not just around us but for Him to do His work through us so we might experience the same joy.

That is an amazing thought! Think about what it says in the first book of the bible.

“Then God looked over all he had made and he saw that it was excellent in every way” Genesis 1:31

Excellent in every way…

To live and be free in Christ is to lay down all other devices of justification and worth and see how much Christ matters in our lives. God loves us and in the Holy Spirit “living” grows buds, flowers and fruits of tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. (Reference: Colossians 3:11)

"If you are wise and understand God's ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with humility that comes from wisdom. But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don't cover up the truth with boasting and lying. For jealousy and selfishness are not God's kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. James 3:13-15

"For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. James 3:16-17

Contentment in what the Lord has done brings temperance in our lives. We aren’t one extreme or the other. We aren’t walking in man made rules and understandings that may seem wise and require strong devotion, humility and server bodily discipline but do nothing when it comes to overcoming the wants and desires of the flesh and for vain glory. In this “living” understanding, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Reference: Colossians 2:23 & 2 Peter 1:8) And you aren’t lukewarm or indifferent either… if you get my drift? (Reference: Revelation 3:15-19)

Of course from time to time we might allow others and circumstances in life to stand in front of the Lord’s love but it doesn't mean it still isn't there. Just because the sun is being blocked out from the dark clouds doesn't mean the sun isn't there, right?

BUILDING

A house has a foundation. It is probably the most unappreciated and unnoticed part of a house even though it is the most important. Everything that is built on a foundation will be effected by that foundation. If the foundation is true and the builder builds with materials that are not true on it, the foundation will show the faultiness of those materials. If the foundation is faulty then the builder will have a difficult time constructing a structure on that foundation and the house will not be able withstand the stresses and pressures that come against it.

“Righteousness and justice [are] the foundation of Your throne; Mercy and truth go before Your face.” Psalm 89:14

God has placed us on Jesus Christ as our foundation.

"According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 3:9-11

“For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, [you are] God's building.
“What does all this mean? Even though the Gentiles were not trying to follow God's standards, they were made right with God. And it was by faith that this took place.
But the people of Israel, who tried so hard to get right with God by keeping the law, never succeeded.
Why not? Because they were trying to get right with God by keeping the law instead of by trusting in him. They stumbled over the great rock in their path.
God warned them of this in the Scriptures when he said, "I am placing a stone in Jerusalem that makes people stumble, a rock that makes them fall. But anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced." Romans 9:30-33

Intentionally or unintentionally be careful of what you build or allow others to build on your foundation. If it isn’t in deeply rooted and getting nourishment from the freeing message of the gospel- do some demolish work and tear it off.

"But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do the things which I say?
"Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: "He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock. "But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great." Luke 6:46-49

Everything that isn’t abiding in the saving truth and love of Christ will be destroyed and cause confusion within us.

People mean well but they aren’t God.

“Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.“ Galatians 5:1

“For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation [with] gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is. If anyone's work which he has built on [it] endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. Do you not know that you are the temple of God and [that] the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which [temple] you are. Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, "He catches the wise in their [own] craftiness"; and again, "The LORD knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile." Therefore let no one boast in men. For all things are yours: whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, or things present or things to come--all are yours. And you [are] Christ's, and Christ [is] God's”. 1 Corinthians 3:11-23

He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay, And set my feet upon a rock, [And] established my steps. Psalm 40:2

Be-living and build in the joy and peace of the Lord Jesus Christ.

CONT. W/ Efforts & Proving Ones Self Pt3

The Spirit incited more thought this morning about efforts and proving one’s self as he directed me to Romans 11. It was pretty thought provoking and stirring, as He gave Paul some examples of causes and effects of not emphasizing and trusting Christ but trying to “earn” favor with God by works.

When we trust in our works we are no longer trusting in Christ to save us. Trusting in works only leads to in fleshly perspectives and appetites. It leads and leaves us unsatisfied, religious, judgmental, and our souls to be at unrest.

The good things we do need to be driven by what Christ has done for us. For if we start to put on emphasis on works and outer appearances we will likely stumble and fall into trusting our appearances and works more then the saving grace of Christ Jesus. We will start serving our flesh and things of this world instead of God. Our hearts will become harden or indifferent and we will deceive ourselves and forgot it’s not by works that we are justified/saved but by faith alone. The peace, appreciation and gratitude we find in Christ will disappear if we serve works not God. (That doesn’t even mention what will happen in the church we attend and is already happening.) We will become blind and deaf to the Spirit of God and ensnared by human praise and temporary accolades and stumble over our true everlasting peace and blessing we have in Jesus Christ. We will even forget our fear towards God.

Join me in Romans 11:2-24.

“No, God has not rejected his own people, whom he chose from the very beginning. Do you realize what the Scriptures say about this? Elijah the prophet complained to God about the people of Israel and said, “LORD, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.” And do you remember God’s reply? He said, “No, I have 7,000 others who have never bowed down to Baal!” It is the same today, for a few of the people of Israel have remained faithful because of God’s grace- his undeserved kindness in choosing them. And since it is through God’s kindness, then it is not by their good works. For in that case, God’s grace would not be what it really is- free and undeserved. So this is the situation: Most of the people of Israel have not found the favor of God they are looking for so earnestly. A few have- the ones God has chosen- but the hearts of the rest were hardened. As the Scriptures say, “God has put them into a deep sleep. To this day he has shut their eyes so they do not see, and closed their ears so they do not hear.” Likewise, David said, “Let their bountiful table become a snare, a trap that makes them think all is well. Let their blessing cause them to stumble, and let them get what they deserve. Let their eyes go blind so they cannot see, and let their backs be bent forever.” Did God’s people stumble and fall beyond recovery? Of course not! They were disobedient, so God made salvation available to the Gentiles. But he wanted his own people to become jealous and claim it for themselves. Now if the Gentiles were enriched because the people of Israel turned down God’s offer of salvation, think how much greater a blessing the world will share when they finally accept it. I am saying all this especially for you Gentiles. God has appointed me as the apostle of the Gentiles. I stress this, for I want to somehow to make the people of Israel jealous of what you Gentiles have, so I might save some of them. For since their rejection meant that God offered salvation to the rest of the world, their acceptance will be even more wonderful. It will be life for those who were dead! And since Abraham and other patriarchs were holy, their descendants will also be holy- just as the entire batch of dough is holy because the portion given as an offering is holy. For if the roots of the tree are holy, the branches will be, too. But some of these branches from Abraham’s tree- some of the people of Israel- have been broken off. And you Gentiles, who were branches from a wild olive tree, have been grafted in. So now you also receive the blessing of God has promised Abraham and his children, sharing in the rich nourishment from the root of God’s special olive tree. But you must not brag about being grafted in to replace the branches that were broken off. You are just a branch, not the root. “Well” you may say, “those branches were broken off to make room for me.” Yes, but remember- those branches were broken off because they didn’t believe in Christ, and you are there because you do believe. So don’t think highly of yourself, but fear what could happen. For if God did not spare the original branches, he won’t spare you either. Notice how God is both kind and severe. He is severe toward those who disobeyed, but kind to you if you continue to trust in his kindness. But if you stop trusting, you also will be cut off. And if the people of Israel turn from their unbelief, they will be grafted in again, for God has the power to graft them back into the tree. You, by nature, were a branch cut from a wild olive tree. So if God was willing to do something contrary to nature by grafting you into his cultivated tree, he will be far more eager to graft the original branches back into the tree where they belong. Romans 11:2-24

I hope this is clear for you.

Jesus says "I am the vine, you [are] the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. John 15:5

Efforts & Proving Ones Self Pt3

Jesus says "The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life." John 6:63

Teach and do good acts but not under some kind of religious thinking. Let the peace of Christ seat you in a position to receive from the Spirit of God. There you may be able to teach, help, build up, and answer the cries of God’s people.

Doing things in the flesh is like trying to water a garden blind folded. People come to church not to be just educated but to be encouraged and uplifted and to see God meet their cries and needs. They come for nourishment. They come seeking direction. They come seeking how to apply the word to their life. The word of God is living and breathing but it means nothing if it does not pertain to the needs of His people. God’s word should always be administered in love or it means nothing. If I spout out scripture that doesn't address the needs of God's people, it is just as good as a dry stale cracker because the power of God isn't giving, instructing and directing them.

Examine these scriptures in their contexts in the bible.

“But when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power and will tell people about me everywhere- in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8

The Holy Spirit will give you what?

“Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I say are not my own but my Father who lives in me does his work through me.” John 14:10

Who is doing the work through you? You or God?

“For when we brought you the Good News, it was not only with words but also with power for the Holy Spirit gave you full assurance that what we said was true.” 1Thessalonians 1:5

What you say by the power of the Holy Spirit will address and give assurance to God’s people.

When a person continually feels they have to prove themselves they are not free. Jesus says” So if the “Son sets you free, you are truly free” (John 8:36) but if we doubt or forget the life giving message of Christ and who we are in Christ then we are a slave to whatever comes.

Christ makes room for his peace in our heart and that peace allows us enter into fellowship with him and minister to the needs of others. Proving yourself and human justification only robs you of that peace. We become only hearers of the word and not genuine doers of the word.

If we are too busy doing and proving ourselves- then we don’t develop a relationship with Christ who allows us to have peace. Proving ourselves is based on us and because we don’t have peace within ourselves we don’t see or hear the needs of others - and even if we do see and hear the needs of others they tend to be pretty shallow in perspective. We may even hear God’s voice but teach and do with no real genuine love for others and their well-being.

When proving ones self to others -even going to church becomes some obligation. we go not to receive a message from God but to uphold some relational that you are a Christian.

If you are in a garage does that make you a boat or car? If you are in a library does that make you a book?

What makes this idea? What makes this idea that if you are in "church" you are a Christian. Further, what makes this idea that if you miss church you are sinning?

I have observed that you don’t go to church for a couple Sundays or Wednesdays, people start forming an opinion that you are slipping and it doesn’t matter what your actions are or not. You could have the most loving actions in the world but because you didn’t come to church you are judged and looked down upon. Hum? A person can be totally faithful to Jesus yet others perceive him/her has a hit and miss folk, church hopper, lazy, loner or hippie. I wonder if Jesus was ever perceived as any of these?

I don’t know if people know they do this or not but when people form prejudices in their mind they are forming a bias and in forming a bias they are making some form of judgment. This judgment makes them feel obligated to carry out some kind of form of punishment or prejudice. Most likely they will withdraw from that person, such as withdrawing fellowship with that person. The people being judged don’t carry out some standard in judger’s mind or in their little group so they disassociate themselves like Peter did with the Gentiles.

I am not going to go all apologetics on you but I want us to really think how much we are embracing the saving gift of the gospel.

The BASICS. Pt2

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“We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who they are. For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty of our sins. For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. The sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he declares sinners to be right in his sight when they believe in Jesus. Can we boast, then, that we have done anything to be accepted by God? No, because our acquittal is not based on obeying the law. It is based on faith.” Romans 3:22-27

I cover the basics because I am afraid we all to easily forget the assurance and confidence we only have in Jesus Christ. We will forget about God’s kindness and mercy and we do not do good out of the peace and hope we have in Christ but do out of some kind of human rational of obligation to prove ourselves.   In this type of thinking we go from being moved and directed by Spirit to moved and directed by the flesh.  This is no good!  This is us depending on us.  Can you earn Salvation?  No!  So why don't we just surrender to this fact?  God is to be the author and finisher of our faith not us.  Religion is all we have if we lean and depend on ourselves and our understanding. 

“But when God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. Because of his grace he declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying and I want you to insist on these teachings so that all who trust in God will devote themselves to doing good. These teaching are good and beneficial for everyone. Do not get involved in foolish discussions about spiritual pedigrees or in quarrels and fights about obedience to Jew laws. These things are useless and a waste of time.” Titus 3:4-9