No Matter What
Jesus was often challenged publicly by religious leaders. They would demand answers to their questions; Why was He doing what He was doing; By what authority was He doing those things? Well, when the appointed time came, Jesus stood trial before the religious High Counsel. What did Jesus do during that trial that threw the Counsel into a rage? What would cause the High Priest over all Israel to tear his priestly robe and send Jesus to the cross?
Some three years earlier, John had baptized Jesus in the Jordan River. As Jesus rose from the water the Bible records a voice from heaven saying, “You are My dearly loved Son, and you bring Me great joy.” God the Father, Creator of heaven and earth, affirmed Jesus as His Son!
Fast forward again to Jesus’ trial. The High Priest asked Him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?” Jesus said, “I AM.” He simply agreed with what God had said. That agreement resulted in His crucifixion. However, without His death there could be no miracle of resurrection, no forgiveness of all our sins. You can say His life and ministry consisted of two things; agreement with the Word of God and fulfillment of the will of God.
Before you find yourself in a personal trial, seek the Lord (through prayer) and read His Word (the Bible). If you’re already in a trial, and need wisdom or direction…do the same thing. “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.” (James 1:5) There in the Word of God you will find the Will of God. And yes, He wants you to know His will.
Inevitably, our willingness to agree with the Word will be tested. When God gives you a Word, stand firm on it. No matter what anyone else may say or how desperate things may seem, stand on it. Why stand? Because, circumstances do not determine whether or not the “Truth” is indeed truth. Isaiah 55:11 declares that no matter what, you can rest assured that the Word of God will, “…always produces fruit. It will accomplish all (God) wants it to, and it will prosper everywhere (He) sends it.” Even if you find yourself standing alone in an impossible situation, hold-fast to what God has given you. Then, lift up your eyes and see what He will do.
As for me, I have been guilty of much in my life. But now, if I am to be guilty of anything, let me be found guilty of agreeing with the Word of God. No matter what!
(Matthew 3:16-17 & Luke 3:21-22)
June 29, 2011 | Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: faith, jesus, knowledge, listen, scripture, understanding, wisdom | Leave A Comment »
Hey Jude!
Read the book of Jude, it won’t let you down!
In this very short book, the writer warns us about people who divert, disrupt and destroy the work of God. These individuals are said to also “worm their way in,” perverting the grace of God. The writer goes on to describe them as dangerous reefs, shameless shepherds, empty clouds, wild waves, and wandering stars (Jude 1:12-13). Notice the underlying “form-without-substance” connotation; shepherds caring only for themselves; clouds offering no rain, waves only stirring up foam, etc. All their actions and flattery serve as a means for them to simply get what they want.
Unfortunately, when I read that I remembered I…knew a guy. The guy I knew wasn’t out to pervert the grace of God. He actually had enough understanding to be somewhat productive in the body of Christ. He never set out to deliberately divert, disrupt or destroy anything! Somewhere along the line though, he found himself almost driven to turn aside, to bring confusion, and to tear down what was holy in his life. The brother didn’t even know why! Praise God that one day the light of the Lord penetrated the guy’s spirit, exposing his hidden motives. God also began to reveal WHY those motives were there in the first place. God takes seriously anything that hinders His plans and purposes in lives of His people.
Now, I know a new guy. This guy thinks differently, walks differently, and talks differently. See, godly men chose to rescue him as though snatching him from the flames of judgment. They brought harsh rebuke, but also displayed the mercy and grace of God. They spoke the Word of God, which is Life. Now, this guy actively awaits the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ by building others up in the faith and praying in the power of the Holy Spirit (v20-21). As it is written in Jude v21-23, he keeps himself safe in God’s love by showing mercy and grace to others. He does so with great caution; hating even the clothes stained by sinful living! All this by the grace and power of God.
Let the light of the Lord penetrate down deep and expose any hidden motives. Because, I’m telling you right now, you don’t want to be another guy who can say…I knew a guy!
“Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault.” – Jude v24
Sing it with me…Na na na, na-na na na, Na-na na na, read Jude!
May 28, 2010 | Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: christ, jesus, knowledge, listen, past, understanding, wisdom | 2 Comments »
Now I See
Father, thank You that before I was born, You saw me. Every day of my life was recorded in Your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had past. (Psalm 139:16) The fact is, You knew me and set me apart before I was formed. (Jeremiah 1:5) You did not wait for me to choose You, You choose me and appointed me to go and produce lasting fruit. (John 15:16)
Thank you that You teach me and make me to walk along the path of Your Word, for that is where happiness is found. You have given me an eagerness for Your Word and have given me life through that Word. You turn my eyes from worthless things and help me abandon my shameful ways. I long to obey Your commands. (Psalm 119:33-40) By Your grace, I will walk in freedom for I have devoted myself to Your Word. (Psalm 119:45)
Again today, You have given me the choice between life and death, between blessing and curses. And again today, I choose life and reject death, I walk in blessing and no longer in curses. Everyday, I make this choice by loving You Lord, obeying You, and committing myself firmly to You. (Deuteronomy 30:19-20) For You are able to keep me from falling away and will bring me with great joy into Your presence without finding a single fault. (Jude 1:24)
You have reassured me of Your plans for good, for hope and a future. You ended my captivity. You are restoring what I allowed the enemy to take. (Jeremiah 29:11-14) You have breathed into these bones and brought my family to life again. Because You have raised us up and put Your spirit within us, our hope is in You. We know that You are the Lord, You have spoken and have done what You said You would do! (Ezekiel 37:5-6,9,14) Because Your call and Your spirit are upon us, we will see other captives released, blind made to see, and many oppressed set free! In the name of Jesus! The time of the Lord’s favor has indeed come. (Luke 4:18-19)
You have brought me to the place where I understand the Word for what it is… it is alive and active. I come to you, praying the very Word of God, in the name of Jesus. You said regarding Your Word, “I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.” (Isaiah 55:11) As You lead me I will speak the Word.
January 10, 2010 | Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: alive, captive, cross, faith, free, Freedom, jesus, knowledge, life, listen, past, righteous, sacrifices, scripture, sin, slave, slavery, sovereign, understanding | Leave A Comment »
“Pay attention”
The other day I was reading in Proverbs and was struck by 5:1-2, “Pay attention” and “Listen carefully to the Father’s instruction and wise counsel.” Not knowing what was coming, I grabbed my pen and journal. Here’s what the Father had for me that day…
“Pay attention” and “Listen carefully” to the Father’s instruction and wise counsel. “THEN you will show discernment, and will express with your mouth what you have learned. ” The Lord sees clearly what a man or woman does; whether it is holy or evil. He also examines each of their paths; whether it is Godly or fleshly.
Because of God’s wonderful grace and glorious power, we are NO LONGER…
- Captive to our sins (Prv 5:22)
- Lacking in self-control (Prv 5:23)
- Lost because of our great foolishness (Prv 5:23)
I then recalled Romans 6 that had explained that when I was a slave to sin, I was consumed by it. “And what was the result? You are now ashamed of the things you used to do, things that end in destruction. ” However, the Lord reminded me that I have been ransomed, because of the grace of God through the blood of Jesus. I am now FREE from the power of sin and have become a slave to His righteousness. Now, I do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but…BUT…the free gift of God is eternal LIFE through Christ Jesus our Lord. (v20-23)
Due to Jesus work on the cross, we are no longer bound by sinful desires. Those desires the enemy once used to hold us back from being the individuals God originally designed us to be. Proverbs 5:22 speaks of a man’s sins as ropes that catch and hold him captive. Those ropes have been severed in Jesus name! When Jesus died, He died to break the power of sin. Now that He lives…it’s for the glory of God. We too must consider yourselves dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus.
The unshakable Word of God exhorts us, in Hebrews 6, to keep “moving forward to further understanding.” (v3) By the grace of God, we will “NOT be spiritually dull or indifferent” any longer. God bound Himself with an oath that we can be sure His calling, His election, His promises are SET! “He will NEVER change His mind” (v17) about us. He has given His promise and His oath, which are unchangeable.
I used to (…USED to…) ask God why He would even bother with a guy like me; a guy who would treat His love, mercy and grace (as well as some of His people) with such treachery and disregard. One day recently He became tired of being asked that question. I’m telling you it was almost audible. In my spirit I heard the Father say, “Enough. Do not ask that again. You know why.” I sat there for a few seconds then said out loud, “Because You love me.” Boom. I got it. An even greater freedom was realized at that moment.
Hopefully, I have been obedient to the Word today. As written in Proverbs 5:1-2, I pray that I have shown discernment in expressing what I have learned.
July 21, 2009 | Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: alive, attention, captive, christ, cross, fail, failures, faith, fear, forgive, free, Freedom, jesus, knowledge, lacking, life, listen, lost, past, proverbs, righteous, sacrifices, scripture, sin, sins, sovereign, tired, wisdom | 2 Comments »
