Category: Obedience

I Pray…..

Short and sweet….

“Hear my prayer, O LORD, Give ear to my supplications! Answer me in Your Faithfulness, in Your Righteousness!” – Psalms 143:1 NASB

“Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.” – Ephesians 4:29 NASB

Oh LORD, let this be true of me, I pray!

I pray for that to be true, but the reality is that I often say things that are not edifying to others. That’s something I am very aware of, and yet I do it anyway.

“For, “The one who desires life, to love and see good days, must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit.” ” – 1 Peter 3:10 NASB

How do we achieve this? Knowing human nature, it’s a lofty goal. I think that first, we have to submit it to the LORD. The tongue is powerful, and to control it, we need help. I need help! Submitting it to the LORD is the only way to keep our tongues from saying things we shouldn’t, and it’s a constant battle. This what we have to keep front and center in our minds:

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” – 2 Corinthians 3:17 NASB

Ah, liberty. Liberty to say whatever is on my mind, and the Spirit of the LORD to govern my tongue!

GOD Will Chase You Down….

“Then they called on the LORD and said, “We earnestly pray, O LORD, do not let us perish on account of this man’s life and do not put innocent blood on us; for You, O LORD, have done as You have pleased.” So they picked up Jonah, threw him into the sea, and the sea stopped its raging. Then the men feared the LORD greatly, and they offered a sacrifice to the LORD and made vows.”

Jonah was a Prophet, a spokesperson for the LORD to the nation of Israel. He was respected and revered by the people because of his prophesy that Israel would be expanded back to its original borders (2 Kings 14:25) He was the first prophet to be sent specifically to preach judgement to another nation….. and he refused to go. Instead, he ran the opposite direction, boarding a boat to take him far away. He was self-righteous, he had no compassion, and he thought himself better than the people of Nivevah; that they didn’t deserve to be saved. To Jonah, God was a means, not the end – he loved the recognition, comfort, prosperity, and the blessings he received but not the worship of God, and yet in spite of Jonah, God saved the sailors. Those pagan sailors demonstrated more compassion for ONE man than Jonah did for the entire city of Ninevah. Jonah said No to God. Jesus said Yes. I want to be more like Jesus and less like Jonah….. tuned in, listening, paying attention to what God is saying.

My Conduct In Life

Distractions abound! Alarms go off, phones ring, social media and email notifications pop and ding, music plays in the background, doorbells ring; there’s knocking on the door, yelling next door, dogs barking ……

What distracted you today before you had a chance to sit down with your LORD and spend a few minutes with Him, and before jumping into the day? I can’t speak for anyone else, but days I skip my sit down with Jesus aren’t nearly as good as the ones where I do. There tend to be more anxiety and irritations to deal with …… or it might just be that the anxiety and frustration feel worse because I missed my morning Peace. Not having that peace can make it difficult to conduct ourselves in a manner that our LORD can be proud of.

“Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the Gospel; in no way alarmed by your opponents – which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God.” – Philippians 1:27‭-‬28 NASB

Conducting ourselves in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ doesn’t take a rocket scientist or a Bible scholar to figure out how to do it. Jesus makes it simple for even baby Christians to know how to act.

“For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But he who practices the Truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.”
John 3:20‭-‬21 NASB

All we need to do is practice the Truth. Turn away from evil, love God, and treat everyone (yes, everyone) like you want to be treated. Simple. Not always easy. Take a minute (or more) next time you get up. Talk to God. Tell Him how much you appreciate waking up. Thank Him for His Son, and the endless opportunities of a new day. I promise you, your day will be better. Love you all. Thanks for reading. May the Blessings of our Glorious LORD and Saviour pour down upon you and your families.

Love One Another

Trust and obey the Commandments of the LORD.

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” – John 13:34‭-‬35 NASB

Martin Luther King Junior said, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.” (From Strength to Love Martin Luther King)

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” – 1 John 4:7‭-‬8 NASB

Love one another. Not a suggestion; a command. Our world needs a “come to Jesus” meeting about that.

Love one another. Sure, as long as they look like me and dress like and act like me. Love one another. Sure, just don’t tell me about your Jesus. Love one another. Sure, just don’t try to put your beliefs on me.

Love one another might be the most difficult commandment to obey. It involves trusting that God knows what He is doing, and obeying Him. Examine your heart. Do your actions reflect your obedience to this command?

My Hope

I’m ready for a change in my life. I shouldn’t complain about it, because overall, I’ve had a pretty amazing life. I’ve met so many people who haven’t been more than a couple hundred miles from their hometowns, and I’ve traveled to Europe. I’ve tried cuisines from many different nations, and enjoyed it. I’ve been hungry and I’ve been homeless; I’ve eaten in 5-star resturants and stayed in fancy hotels. I have been physically and mentally abused, and I have been cherished. I have seen the ugliness and oppression in a communist country, and I have recognized the glorious privilege to be an American citizen. It’s a very diversified life, and although I would have preferred to skip the underbelly parts, I wouldn’t be who I am without those experiences.

Still, I am ready for a change. The question is, what am I willing to do to change? I have to be open to accept whatever it is that God has in mind for me, and that can be hard. Stepping out on faith. Believing – knowing – that even though the path in front of me is obscure, He will guide me over or around any obstacles. My Hope, my Faith, rest in Him.

My Hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly lean on Jesus’ Name
On Christ the solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand

(Words by Edward Mote (1834). Music by William B. Bradbury (1863). Public Domain)

“But if it is by Grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise Grace is no longer Grace.” – Romans 11:6 NASB

“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 1:6 NASB

What Do You Ask For?

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” – Philippians 4:6 NASB

“And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.” – Matthew 21:22 NASB

As my long time followers know, my record with relationships is rather dismal. (Understatement, I know!) I think – no, I am asking for another chance, God. It isn’t that I’m anxious to get married; I want a friend who puts God first, and who wants to put me next. Because of my past experiences, I find it easy to become anxious when I consider a new relationship, yet I know that God doesn’t want me to have anxiety!

So how, then, do we ask for something that we want without feeling anxious about the results? First, we ask. Be specific! I want a relationship with a man who loves God, and I am asking, specifically, for that. Next, I Trust that God will do as He has promised, and give me the desires of my heart. I have Faith that He has the ability to make it happen. I Believe, knowing that God loves me, and He wants me to be content. Last, but of utmost importance, is that I be thankful – whether I get what I desire, or what He desires for me. Whatever happens, I believe this is the key: as long as I am thankful, and I trust in Him, I will be content.

“Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the Throne of Grace, so that we may receive Mercy and find Grace to help in time of need.” – Hebrews 4:16 NASB

Thank you, Lord, for Your Son and for my salvation from a life of ugliness and sin! You are bigger; You are mightier than any doubt or anxiety the enemy plants in my thoughts. You know my desire, and I ask in confidence that You will provide the right man in the right kind of relationship for me. I love You, Lord; Your Will be done in my life. AMEN.

I Surrender

“Lord, make me humble, but don’t let me know it.” Dwight L Moody

Continuing Pastor Mark Hitchcock’s sermon from Sunday …… he talked about humility in our Christian life. It makes me wonder why so many Christians are so proud.

“You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.” – 1 PETER 5:5‭-‬7 NASB

“Pride is the soil from which all sin grows.” Mark Hitchcock

Merriam-Webster describes “servant” as “someone that serves other. A “subject” is “to make oneself amenable to the discipline and authority of another,” or, to be under someone, a servant, of service to someone else; humble. nothing we can do on our own, all depends on GOD. The phrase here, to “clothe yourselves” means to tie it on, like an apron on a servant – like Jesus did when He washed the disciples feet.

“….. and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to – continually fighting, open warfare – the proud, but gives grace to the humble. (Proverbs 3:34, 16:5, 6:16-19) Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, ….” – 1 PETER 5:5‭-‬6 (Deuteronomy 8:2-6, James 4:10)

“Clothed in humility” ….. are we scantally clad?

Do you see what the message is? We must consciously come under the Hand of GOD. Not just in this moment, but continuously, as we go through life. It’s so easy to let pride, the I can do it attitude, creep in! GOD will exalt the humble, not man. It may be this life, and it may not be, but it will definitely be in GOD’s Kingdom and Eternity.

Remember these words of the old hymn by Judson W. Van DeVenter, published in 1896? This is what he said of his inspiration for the hymn:

For some time, I had struggled between developing my talents in the field of art and going into full-time evangelistic work. At last the pivotal hour of my life came, and I surrendered all. A new day was ushered into my life. I became an evangelist and discovered down deep in my soul a talent hitherto unknown to me. God had hidden a song in my heart, and touching a tender chord, He caused me to sing. (Emphasis mine)

I Surrender All
All to Jesus I surrender,
All to him I freely give;
I will ever love and trust him,
In his presence daily live.

Refrain:
I surrender all,
I surrender all,
All to thee, my blessed Savior,
I surrender all.

I surrender all, I surrender all, All to Jesus, I surrender all.

Are You Fractious?

It’s easy to learn something new every day, but I don’t always like what I learn. Take these verses from Titus and Romans:

“But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. Reject a factious man after a first and second warning, knowing that such a man is perverted and is sinning, being self-condemned.” – TITUS 3:9‭-‬11 NASB

“If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” – Romans 12:18‭, ‬21 ESV

Have you ever truly read these verses? I’m quite sure I’ve read them before, or at the very least, heard them read, but they sure didn’t register with my brain until today. “Reject a fractious man ….” I looked up the word ‘fractious’ and was a bit dismayed by what I found.

Factious as defined by Dictionary.com is all of this and more. Aliented, belligerent, contentious, dissident, divisive, hostile, insubordinate, insurgent, litigious, malcontent, mutinous, partisan, quarrelson, rebellious. I’ve spent a large part of my life being fractious, and I still catch myself, especially the partisan and rebellious parts. I am partisan, a strong supporter of things I believe in. I am rebellious against anyone trying to force their beliefs on me, and I confess to some belligerence when I need to be forgiving to the person(s) who wrong me.
As R. T. Kendall wrote in Total Forgiveness, “forgiveness is giving up the natural desire to see the person who wronged you ‘get what’s coming to them.‘ ” Oh, such truth! It’s hard to give up our “natural desires,” because our “natural” selves are so deeply mired in sin. I am fortunate that a few of the people who have known me didn’t follow Titus’ words and reject me for being fractious. In today’s world, I think we’d all be pretty isolated if we were rejected for that. Look at how many people actually make a living by being fractious! Newscasters, social media talkshow hosts, so-called comedians, and politicians, just to name a few. The louder we get, the more fractious we become, the more people listen. As we become more controversial, our audience continues to grow.

It’s important to remember how these things, these attitudes, affect our walk with Christ. This morning, I watched a replay of a television show that was aired 22 years ago. A very famous woman, one with a great influence, came on a controversial new show to give her support. An audience member who identified as a Christian called this famous woman out, asking how she could support this show while calling herself a Christian. This famous, influential woman, answered “my definition of Christian is different from yours.” How can that be? There is, and can only be one definition of ‘Christian’. A follower of Jesus Christ, who accepts that Jesus is the Son of GOD, and that Jesus came as the ultimate, and final, sacrifice for our sins. Believing that Jesus died on the cross for us, was buried, and rose up out of that grave on the third day. He was resurrected for us. Knowing that He will return to earth one day and take His followers to spend eternity with Him. You have to know that Jesus was not a “good man” and He was not a prophet. He was, is, and will always be the Son of the Most High God.

More Christians need to be Chrst-followers and be considered fractious in the eyes of the world, standing up for the True Gospel. We need to be living peaceably, as much as is possible. If I am seen as fractious by the world because of my testimony, I accept that as an acknowlegement that I am doing what God wants of me. If, however, the Christian community sees me as being fractious and unforgiving, then I need to get on my knees and ask God for guidance.

This Is Timely….

“Do not speak against one another, brethren. He who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks against the law and judges the law; but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge of it. There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and to destroy; but who are you who judge your neighbor?” – JAMES 4:11‭-‬12 NASB

I don’t think James was speaking about man’s laws here, but God’s. There isn’t a person on earth who can say they are better than another, because even though our outward lives may appear “better”, God looks at our thoughts over our actions. Our thoughts make us no better than the worst murderer, because who hasn’t murdered someone in their thoughts? Or whose thoughts would reveal that they have desired a man or woman who was not their spouse? Who hasn’t wished for gold and riches, a bigger better house, more clothes and more things? Just because someone looks all clean and prim and proper on the outside, doesn’t mean that inside, they are the same. We have to remember, too, that in God’s eyes, sin is sin. A lie is no better or worse than murder – and everybody has lied.

“You have spent your years on earth in luxury, satisfying your every desire. You have fattened yourselves for the day of slaughter.” – James 5:5 NLT

So. What to do?

I think that all we can do is to do as Jesus did, and continually pray to the Father, not my will, but Thine. Actually, that’s the best thing we can do! I’m far from perfect, and I count myself among the worst of criminals, but there is one thing I know without a single doubt: I have been forgiven of all my sins, and one day I will see my Saviour! O Glorious Day, one day He is coming! Listen to this hymn, Glorious Day, sung by Casting Crowns.

Do you know that Truth? Can you sing without hesitation that when He returns, He is coming to sweep you up with Him ……. or will you be at the Judgement Seat, wondering what happened?

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent His Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through Him. There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in Him has already been judged for not believing in God’s One and Only Son.” – John 3:16‭-‬18 NLT