Thoughts…

Thoughts…

For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. ~ 1 Corinthians 2:11-12

Thoughts are mental cognitions – our ideas, opinions, and beliefs. They are framed by what we perceive through our senses and our human experience in this world. And yet, there is a much deeper component found within the spirit God breathed in each of us. (Cf. Genesis 2:7) As the text indicates, our thoughts find their origin within our spirits … the “essence” that animates us and gives us “life”. And through human speech or language, we have the capacity to express our thoughts; and therefore, express what resides within our individual spirits. And it is the expression of thoughts through our words and actions that reveals the nature of our true spirits in relational terms.

When we examine the “sin nature” of man, it is rooted in our spirits. Genesis 6:5 states: “The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time.” It is the depravity of our spirits that God calls into account. As Jeremiah noted: “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? “I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.” (Jeremiah 17:9-10) The Prophet Amos confirmed as well: “He who forms the mountains, who creates the wind, and who reveals His thoughts to mankind, who turns dawn to darkness, and treads on the heights of the earth— the Lord God Almighty is His name.” (Amos 4:13)

I am thankful our merciful God has expressed His thoughts on these matters through His Spirit to the Prophet, Isaiah, and provided this instruction:

Isaiah 55:7-9 (NIV)

Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and He will have mercy on them, and to our God, for He will freely pardon. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

As Paul explained in our text, the thoughts of God reside with His Spirit; and it is through the expression of His Spirit in words and actions that His thoughts are revealed. Indeed, as Paul notes, until we are regenerated (born-again) by the Spirit of God (Cf. John 3:3-8), our spirits will not be joined with His so that we may understand what the Father has freely given us. Indeed, “The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 2:14) And perhaps I should add: “The god of this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the Gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” (2 Corinthians 4:4)

My friends, the core message here is that as image-bearers of the Triune God, our thoughts reside within our spirits as well. And our thoughts are expressed through words (and actions). But the unfailing love of God has afforded us a solution for our depravity: His Thoughts! Our Creator has revealed His thoughts through His Spirit. It is known to us as the “Word of God.” Yes, when we are born-again of the Spirit, we receive the mind of Christ. We are able to process and understand spiritual thoughts (the words of God) because the Spirit explains spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words! (1 Corinthians 2:13) And Jesus confirms the Word of God is Truth! (John 17:17) Further, Jesus affirmed: “I AM the Way, and the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) I pray we will embrace the Word of God and its power to transform and renew our minds! (Romans 12:2)

Have a Blessed Day!

Desire…

Desire…

If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.” ~ Genesis 4:7

Desire…. It permeates our thoughts. It is the motivator of all human effort and activity. It is ever-present in our consciousness and directs our will. As God cautioned Cain, if your desire leads to sin, it is ready and waiting at the door of your heart. Sin has a desire of its own to enslave you. Yet, the text here indicates that sin can be mastered. The Lord has provided the way for us:

1 Corinthians 10:12-14 (NIV)

So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation (test) has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted (tested) beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted (tested), He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

King David advised his son, Solomon, to honor God and to serve Him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind because the Lord searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought. (1 Chronicles 28:9) Indeed, God knows the desire of our hearts whether for good or evil. It was with great faith and discretion that King Solomon asked God for wisdom, knowledge, and understanding instead of the temporal desires of this world within the human heart. (2 Chronicles 1:10-12)

Solomon discovered that wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you or I ever desire can compare with her. (Proverbs 8:11) He would advise: “Desire without knowledge is not good— how much more will hasty feet miss the Way!” (Proverbs 19:2) And later, he would conclude: “By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.” (Proverbs 24:3-4)

The thoughts and desires of the human heart are manifested in everything we say and do. But what are the desires of the heart of God? Here are some answers revealed for us in His Word:

The Lord desires faithfulness … even in the womb…. ~ Psalm 51:6

The Lord desires mercy, not sacrifice; knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings. ~ Hosea 6:6

The Lord desires intimacy with those who belong to Him. ~ Song of Songs 7:10

The Lord desires His Word to accomplish the purpose for which it is sent forth. ~ Isaiah 55:11

The Lord desires His dwelling place to be Jerusalem. ~ Psalm 132:13

My friends, the desires of God are revealed in His commandments, laws, statutes, and precepts. He desires holiness and righteousness … mercy and justice … to be displayed in our lives. Indeed, God desires us to believe in His Son and to love one another as He commanded us! (1 John 3:23) Therefore, I pray this verse be our resolve this coming year: “I desire to do your will, my God; your Law is within my heart.” (Psalm 40:8) Yes, “Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4)

Have a Blessed Day!

Look At The Heart…

1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV)

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

Our Verse of the Day captures an observation of human nature that each of us has been guilty of doing: looking at the outward appearance of others. It reminds that any of us can fall into this kind of behavior. We are human. We have natural biases that are filtered through our own life experiences and upbringing. We make assumptions. Draw conclusions. And yet, too often, we do so without full information or facts. It happened to holy men of God like the Prophet Samuel; and it happens to each one of us….

If you have time, I encourage you to read 1 Samuel Chapters 15-16. It records how Saul, the first King of Israel and a person of handsome appearance and stature, was disobedient to God. His rebellion resulted in the rejection of his authority over God’s people; and Saul suffered the loss of his anointing (Cf. 1 Samuel 16:14) The one who appeared “fit” to be king was found lacking in meekness and in his devotion to God. And though he was a man of smaller stature, David – a shepherd boy, would show himself to be a man after God’s own heart as he battled not only the enemies of Israel but his own sinful, human nature.

Samuel had been charged by the Lord to begin the search for a replacement for King Saul. God had rejected Saul because of his disobedience. So, God directed Samuel to the Bethlehem to anoint the new king. We find the story here:

1 Samuel 16:1-13 (NIV)

The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.” But Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.” The Lord said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.” Samuel did what the Lord said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, “Do you come in peace?” Samuel replied, “Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.” But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The Lord has not chosen this one either.” Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the Lord chosen this one.” Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The Lord has not chosen these.” So, he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.” Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.” So, he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.” So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David. Samuel then went to Ramah.

As Samuel learned, we should hesitate to make decisions based on outward appearances … based on our own imperfect assessments or generalizations of people … not knowing their inner thoughts and beings. And the lesson here is that God sees people and situations differently than we are able to see them sometimes. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. We would be wise to follow His methodology before we assess and judge and act on flawed determinations.

It is my prayer that each of us will check our hearts … our prejudices … our judgments of others based on their outward appearances. For there is an inner person … an inner being … a soul that God created … that lies within the person in front of you. He or she is unique, valued, and loved by God whether we see it for ourselves or not. Just as we received the merciful love of God, so our Father wants all people to repent and come to a knowledge of the truth. (Cf. 1 Timothy 2:4) “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Cf. Romans 3:23) The people we tend to judge and condemn based on appearances are the very people many of us were ourselves at one time. Paul addressed this very issue:

Ephesians 2:1-5 (NIV)

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.

My friends, we need to remember WHO made us clean … WHO sanctified us … WHO justified us with His own blood of atonement. Jesus did not look on our outward appearance and reject us; rather, He loved us and gave Himself for us. He cleansed our inner hearts and healed our inmost beings! That is how God looks at people! That is how we are supposed to look at people! We need to look beyond the appearances of people and see the inner brokenness that needs to be healed through an authentic, life changing encounter with Jesus! I think that is the lesson the Spirit wants to teach us today….

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous, but on the inside, you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness. ~ Matthew 23:27-28

Hasten To Obey…

Psalm 119:60 (NIV)

I will hasten and not delay to obey Your commands.

Have you ever hesitated to follow through on a prompting of the Holy Spirit that you know was aligned with the Word of God? Regretfully, I know that I have done so. I suspect it happens to all of us…. We hear His voice in our spirit to say or do something that is intended to advance the Kingdom of God; but then we fumble the ball, we doubt the impulse, we make excuses, or we act like we did not hear the voice of God. We might begin to question, “Was that really you speaking to me, God?” How can I know? Show me a sign! Yet, in our inner being, we knew God wanted us to respond to Him and to act upon His command in that moment…. It was another opportunity to be light … to be salt … to show grace … to plant a word from God … to lead someone to the truth … but we did not follow through. I hold my own head down in shame at the opportunities … given and forsaken. I hear Jesus ask me, “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” (Cf. Luke 6:46)

Our Verse of the Day filled me with fresh conviction! Faith asks me to be bold … to be courageous. “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.” (Cf. 2 Timothy 1:7) Oh, how I need to remember these scriptures when I find myself in a “divine appointment” … when I find myself “asked of God” to do a good work – one that He prepared in advance for me to do. (Cf. Ephesians 2:10) I should say in my heart, “Lord, I will hasten and not delay to obey you!”

When God directs us to act … we need to listen and align with His Word and His timing. And, yes, I believe it is fine to ask God for “the right time” to accomplish His assignment. We should ask for wisdom or discernment regarding the circumstances, if needed. But these types of requests are different than simply procrastinating out of our own doubts or insecurities or just plain slothfulness. If it matters to God to prompt us through His Spirit … it matters for us to be obedient.

And while it is important for us to listen to God and to obey Him as He guides and direct us to be His hands and feet in this world, I think there might be another application much closer to home that we should consider … something that might be overlooked. I want to encourage us to look inward for a moment. What if the “divine appointment” is with yourself? What if the good work God asks of you is to change something within you? Perhaps we should be still and listen for His still small voice a moment. What is the Holy Spirit speaking to you in your inner being? What commands have you heard that you have dismissed or delayed to obey? Is there a conviction from the Word of God challenging your pursuit of sanctification? Consider this passage from 1 Corinthians 6:19-20: “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies.” Or is there a conviction from the Word of God challenging your character? Consider this passage from Philippians 2:3-4: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”

My friends, there is plenty we can hear from God and apply to our lives from His Word. We just need to read it and study it. “For the Word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Cf. Hebrews 4:12) Indeed, the indwelling Holy Spirit guides us into ALL truth … including the truth about ourselves. And sometimes when we want to impact the world around us for Christ, we often need to begin with changes within ourselves. Whether God calls us to divine encounters with those around us, or He calls us to submit to His prompts within our own hearts, we would be wise to listen to Him! Jesus said, “My sheep listen to my voice, and they follow me.” (Cf. John 10:27) And so, as we hear His voice, let us hasten and not delay to obey His commands. This is my prayer for each of us. Amen.

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

“What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’ “‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. “Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go. “Which of the two did what his father wanted?” “The first,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “Truly, I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the Kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him. ~ Matthew 21:28-32

The Word of Life…

Matthew 4:4 (NIV)

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Our Verse of the Day comes from the account of when Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness. His offensive weapon to withstand the attack of the Adversary was the Word of God. I’ll reprint the passage for our context.

Matthew 4:1-11 (NIV)

¹ Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted (tested) by the devil. ²After fasting forty days and forty nights, He was hungry. ³The tempter came to Him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” ⁴Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Note: Jesus is quoting Deuteronomy 8:3) ⁵Then the devil took Him to the holy city and had Him stand on the highest point of the temple. ⁶“If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “‘He will command His angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” (Note: Satan is quoting Psalm 91:11-12) ⁷But Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” (Note: Jesus is quoting Deuteronomy 6:16) ⁸Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. ⁹“All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” ¹⁰Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’” (Note: Jesus is quoting Deuteronomy 6:13) ¹¹Then the devil left Him, and angels came and attended to Him.

I find it interesting that in every temptation … every test … Jesus countered the maneuvers of Satan with Scripture. And when Satan tried to use Scripture to induce deception, Jesus countered with an opposing tension to balance the assault. So do not be fooled when others teach and use the Word of God out of context or create this type of conflict. We should seek and ask for discernment … rightly dividing the Word of God. The Apostles warned of those who pervert the Gospel and distort the truth. They are false teachers and prophets – who masquerade as servants of righteousness. Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. (Cf. 2 Corinthians 11:14-15) So, it is important both to know the Word and to understand its Truth. That is why the following passage resonates with me:

1 John 2:18-27 (NIV)

Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us. But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth. I do not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it and because no lie comes from the truth. Who is the liar? It is whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a person is the antichrist—denying the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also. As for you, see that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father. And this is what He promised us—eternal life. I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray. As for you, the anointing you received from Him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as His anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in Him.

John was quite familiar with the realities of dealing with false teachers, those who left the faith, and antichrists. Yes, even in the earliest days after Pentecost and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, demonic adulteration and deception was already in motion to separate the wheat from the chaff … the sheep from the goats. The battle between light and darkness continues within the hearts of people to this day. The choice between good and evil … between the truth and the lie is ever present. But John knew the Word of God. He knew Jesus! And so, when Jesus spoke about the Spirit of Truth to the disciples, I believe John listened with full conviction:

John 16:12-14 (NIV)

But when He, the Spirit of Truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on His own; He will speak only what He hears, and He will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify me because it is from me that He will receive what He will make known to you.

So, I think all of this material points us to two applications for our lives:

1. We must read the Word of God diligently.

2. We must rely on the Spirit of God to guide us into the truth of His Word.

My friends, what Jesus is telling us is that both are essential for life … true life as God intends for us. If we are to ever resist temptation and to consecrate our hearts and lives, we must know the Word of God and submit to His indwelling Spirit. And it is Jesus who gives us BOTH for our benefit because of His great love for us. Jesus IS the living Word of God. He has given us His words so that we might believe and no longer walk in darkness. It is through Jesus that we come to the true knowledge of God. Jesus sent His Word through the Holy Spirit to guide us into the truth. Indeed, what a wonderful Savior we have in Jesus! He has given us everything that we need for life … eternal life IN HIM. He is worthy of our praise! And we are wise to listen and respond to His Word!

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day. For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken. I know that His command leads to eternal life. So, whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say. ~ John 12:47-50

Taming The Tongue…

Proverbs 15:1 (NIV)

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Our Verse of the Day reminds us it is good to check our attitudes whenever we become provoked or angry. There is nothing lost when we exercise kindness in our relationships, and often we can gain understanding if we will pause and listen to the other person … regardless of the tone of their expression. While I realize it might be difficult to be silent when someone is yelling at you and out of control, your patience and gentleness (even silence) can help subdue emotions of anger, hatred, or bitterness. Immediate reactions are not always helpful in a stressful situation. We might feel attacked and want to be defensive, but if we choose to engage another with harsh or caustic replies, we typically invite anger to move into the realm of rage. And I’m fairly certain there will be no positive outcome under those conditions…. Remember, the tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. (Cf. Proverbs 18:21)

The Apostle James gives us some additional insight and wisdom on this issue as well:

James 1:26 (NIV)

Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.

James 3:3-12 (NIV)

When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

My friends, we are called to control our tongues … to exercise restraint when it comes to our words. For what are words except the expression of the thoughts of our hearts. When emotions run high, it is best to guard our hearts and our words. Once words come out of our mouths, it is like toothpaste. You will not be able to put it back into the tube! Consider what Jesus taught when He admonished the Pharisees for their hypocrisy: “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” (Cf. Matthew 12:34a – 37) These are powerful words for us to contemplate if we want to give serious thought to the consequences of our words….

King Solomon provided considerable wisdom on this issue throughout Proverbs 15. So, I will end with a few excerpts for your introspection. I am sure there will be other passages that will come to mind as you study the Word of God on your own, but these are provided to stimulate and motivate us to think before we speak. We live in a temperamental culture, filled with all kinds of division, strife, and interpersonal conflict. In Christ Jesus, we are called to love. We are called to peace. Indeed, I believe the fruit of the Spirit is most often manifested through our words. So let us live and keep in step with the Spirit in this regard.

Thoughts for the Day:

Gentle words are a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit. ~ Proverbs 15:4

The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but the hearts of fools are not upright. ~ Proverbs 15:7

The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly. ~ Proverbs 15:14

A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel. ~ Proverbs 15:18

Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time! ~ Proverbs 15:23

The Lord detests the thoughts of the wicked, but gracious words are pure in His sight. ~ Proverbs 15:26

The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking; the mouth of the wicked overflows with evil words. ~ Proverbs 15:28

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

The righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it forever. The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom, and their tongues speak what is just. The law of their God is in their hearts; their feet do not slip. ~ Psalm 37:29-31

Wisdom From Above…

James 3:17-18 (NIV)

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

Our Verse of the Day focuses on the wisdom we all need for daily living. We are urged by the Apostle James to ask for it. “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” (Cf. James 1:5) But James also indicates that we need to distinguish the wisdom that comes from God versus the wisdom that comes from the world and human intellect. In seeking the wisdom for living that comes from God, let us look at the surrounding context:

James 3:13-18 (NIV)

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

Here we can see the challenge that our lives should emulate the character of our Lord Jesus. And James has some fairly salient points for us to consider. He starts with the premise that those who are wise and have spiritual understanding demonstrate their “depth of faith” by living a “good life”. Then he defines a “good life” as “deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.” To further explain his instruction, James then contrasts the differences between the “earthly” or “carnal” wisdom of the world with the “heavenly” or “spiritual” wisdom that comes from God. I think it might be useful to breakdown these “distinctions” James brings to our attention:

Wisdom that does NOT come down from heaven is described as earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. It is manifested in human conduct such as “harboring bitter envy” or “selfish ambition” in your heart. James goes on to observe that wherever you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. In other words, envy, jealousy, pride, covetousness, idolatry, and greed proceed from a pattern of life that is sensual, brutish, and of this world. Such behavior is inconsistent with a life rooted in the love of God. By contrast, we see that those who live a “good life” through the wisdom that God gives are:

Pure (i.e., seek holiness and self-control)

Peace-Loving (i.e., seek resolution to conflict and reconciliation)

Considerate (i.e., seek the good of others above themselves)

Submissive (i.e., not only to God but to each other)

Full of Mercy (i.e., readily forgiving)

Full of Good Fruit (i.e., acts of service and compassion)

Impartial (i.e., righteous judgement; unbiased)

Sincere (i.e., genuine; unpretentious, faithful)

I think we can infer from these “distinctions” in the source of wisdom what is best, good, and wholesome in our relationships with others versus what is immoral, destructive, and unrestrained to the extent that physical, emotional, and spiritual harm is inflicted others. Only the wisdom that comes from above equips a person to live the righteous life God intends for each of us to live; and I believe that is the very reason God has drawn us to believe in His Son – so that we might be filled with His Spirit … the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord. (Cf. Isaiah 11:2).

No doubt, to be filled with the Spirit of God is essential to living a “good life” as James envisions it. And I can almost hear Paul chime in with his Letter to the Galatians on this matter – parsing out the same contrasts as James:

Galatians 5:13-26 (NIV)

You, my brothers and sisters, have been called to liberty. But do not use your liberty to indulge the flesh (and its nature); rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Citing Leviticus 19:18) If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. So, I say walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.)

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires (the wisdom that comes from heaven). Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

My friends, my prayer is that we will seek wisdom … ask for wisdom … and apply wisdom to our hearts so that our lives will be good and beneficial to others. This is HOW we are to love one another as we ourselves have been loved by God through our Lord Jesus. So, I will conclude with an excerpt of the prayer Paul offered up for the believers in Colossae: “We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of His will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding; so that you may walk worthy of the Lord, pleasing Him in every way, bearing fruit in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God.” (Cf. Colossians 1:9-10)

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.” (Citing Isaiah 29:14) Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block (an offense) and to the Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. ~ 1 Corinthians: 1:18-25

God Is My Strength…

Psalm 73:25-26 (NIV)

Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Our Verse of the Day comes from the beautiful Psalm 73. I decided to reprint the entire Psalm for us today because of the message it conveys regarding our attitudes towards those who seem to prosper in this world; and yet, they do not know God nor have a faithful relationship with Him. When Asaph, the Psalmist, went into the sanctuary of God, he discerned the end of the unrighteous and took hope in the resurrection to come for the righteous.

Psalm 73 – A Psalm of Asaph.

¹Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.

²But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold.

³For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

⁴They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong.

⁵They are free from common human burdens; they are not plagued by human ills.

⁶Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence.

⁷From their callous hearts comes iniquity; their evil imaginations have no limits.

⁸They scoff, and speak with malice; with arrogance they threaten oppression.

⁹Their mouths lay claim to heaven, and their tongues take possession of the earth.

¹⁰Therefore their people turn to them and drink up waters in abundance.

¹¹They say, “How would God know? Does the Most High know anything?”

¹²This is what the wicked are like— always free of care, they go on amassing wealth.

¹³Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure and have washed my hands in innocence.

¹⁴All day long I have been afflicted, and every morning brings new punishments.

¹⁵If I had spoken out like that, I would have betrayed your children.

¹⁶When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply –

¹⁷Until I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny.

¹⁸Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin.

¹⁹How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors!

²⁰They are like a dream when one awakes; when you arise, Lord, you will despise them as fantasies.

²¹When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered,

²²I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you.

²³Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.

²⁴You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.

²⁵Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.

²⁶My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

²⁷Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.

²⁸But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.

Do you ever have thoughts or feelings like those expressed in this psalm? Do you envy others because of their apparent wealth or prosperity? Do you feel the arrogant have treated you with malice, contempt, injustice, or oppression? Do you seek revenge or demand justice based on your own perceptions? I believe Asaph affords us some great perspective when we need to process through any feelings of jealousy, disappointment, injustice, inequity, bitterness, or pain. He paints a vivid contrast between the destinies of those who live in covenant with God and those who live apart from Him in this life. He reminds us that there is a Day of Judgment coming, and there is hope for those who submit themselves to God….

However difficult it might be for us to put into practice, our Lord Jesus taught us to have a mindset of love and forgiveness that supersedes the natural inclinations of our hearts. He reminds us that our hearts are to be compassionate just as our Heavenly Father is compassionate toward all:

Matthew 5:38-48 (NIV)

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your Heavenly Father is perfect.

My friends, no matter what your circumstances might be, God is for you! We know in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. (Cf. Romans 8:28) As King David reflected, we are always before God … always in His presence. It is He who sustains us and guides our hearts. (Cf. Psalm 139) It is He who will take us into glory. As Paul affirmed: “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So, we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (Cf. 2 Corinthians 4:17-18) Oh, yes, God is the strength of our hearts and our portion forever! Let this truth be the anthem of our faith.

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. ~ 1 John 2:15-17

Know The Truth…

John 8:31-32 (NIV)

To the Jews who had believed Him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

In our culture, it seems that many people have become uncertain of what is true. Indeed, it can be difficult to know what is truth and what is not when there is so much deception being promulgated around the world. It comes in so many forms: misrepresentations; information filtered with slanted biases; half-truths; withheld information; and just down right lies. It could, in some cases, be unintentional, but I think in the majority of the time, people intend to deceive and manipulate others for their own purposes, personal gain, pride, or their own narcissism.

One thing that I believe we can all agree on is that there is a great confrontation going on in our nation and in the world between the truth and falsehood … between light and darkness. We see it being played out every day in the media; on social platforms; and in our conversations with others. And the intensity seems to have escalated during the past 2-3 years. What can we make of all this conflict? What can we be certain of in these unsettled and uncertain times in which we live? Well, Jesus affords us some insight with our Verse of the Day:

John 8:25-36 (NIV)

²⁵“Who are you?” they asked. “Just what I have been telling you from the beginning,” Jesus replied. ²⁶“I have much to say in judgment of you. But He who sent me is trustworthy, and what I have heard from Him I tell the world.” ²⁷They did not understand that He was telling them about His Father. ²⁸So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. ²⁹The one who sent me is with me; He has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases Him.” ³⁰Even as He spoke, many believed in Him. ³¹To the Jews who had believed Him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. ³²Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” ³³They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?” ³⁴Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. ³⁵Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. ³⁶So, if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

I believe we can conclude that the teaching of Jesus is truth. In fact, the whole Word of God is affirmed by Jesus to be truth! What Jesus said and shared with the world is what the Father instructed Him to do. The Apostle John declared, “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (Cf. John 1:14; 1:17) When we believe in Jesus … when we trust Him at His Word … we will know the truth! And it is the truth that will set us free from lives of sin and rebellion. Indeed, when Jesus prayed for His disciples and for those who would believe in Him because of their testimony, He asked the Father to sanctify them to live in accordance with the truth; and then declared: Father, Your Word is Truth! (Cf. John 17:17) So, if we need a standard by which to know and judge what is truth, Jesus has confirmed the truth for us.

So, the best counsel I have for anyone who wants to discern what is truth in these turbulent times is to look into the Word of God, to look at Jesus, and come to the Light of the World. Jesus said, “I have come into the world as a light so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.” (Cf. John 12:46) And when asked by Pontius Pilate during his trial, Jesus responded: “The reason that I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” (Cf. John 18:37) And we need to understand that Jesus promised to fill us with His Holy Spirit … the Spirit of Truth – who will guide us into all the truth. The Advocate will not speak on His own; rather, He will speak only what He hears – and He will tell us what is yet to come.” (Cf. John 16:13) Perhaps this is what prompted the Apostle John to write:

1 John 4:1-6 (NIV)

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. ²This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, ³but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. ⁴You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. ⁵They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. ⁶We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.

Could this instruction for our spiritual discernment be made any clearer? To me, John is quite eloquent as he provides us the guidance to discern between truth and falsehood. And I am convinced this “test” of the spirits can afford us all the clarity we need to evaluate what false information is being propagated throughout the world now. My friends, it is imperative for us as believers to have a foundation of truth … the Word of God … both in our minds and in our hearts. It will equip us and empower us to navigate through the deception and darkness that permeates the culture of this world. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in the sight of God. (Cf. 1 Corinthians 3:19)

Jesus said His followers would be in the world but not of this world. He taught, “If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.” (Cf. John 15:19) And Paul advised: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Cf. Romans 12:2) And James affirmed: “God chose to give us birth through the Word of Truth, that we might be a kind of first-fruits of all He created. (Cf. James 1:18) And so, I just felt impressed to remind us of all these things….

Ephesians 6:10-17 (NIV)

¹⁰Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. ¹¹Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹²For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have tribulation. But be courageous! I have overcome the world.” ~ John 16:33

A Heart of Wisdom…

Psalm 90:12

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Our Verse of the Day has impressed on me the necessity of getting still before the Lord and spending some quite time alone with Him each morning before starting the day. If we want to hear from God, then we need to consider having a time be quiet and away from any distractions. Yes, we need to be willing to listen for the voice of truth to fill us with wisdom for the day ahead….

Psalm 90, as we have seen in previous study, is entitled A Prayer of Moses – the Man of God. It begins Book IV of the Psalms (90-106). The theme of this Psalm reflects on the temporal existence of human life and the eternal being of God our Creator. The writer observes: “Our days may come to seventy years, or eighty, if our strength endures; yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away.” (Verse 10) Indeed, what any of us will experience in this life is uncertain at best. For me, this past year has been a prime example of enduring the unexpected; and I have been reminded to keep life in perspective … to understand that our time on this earth is finite and uncertain. To apply this understanding to our hearts will afford us the wisdom needed to have full, productive lives for the glory of God. It will cause us to be more intentional to live each day for the purposes of God … to carry out our Kingdom assignments with passion and diligence.

I believe God wants us to simply to recognize that each day of life is a precious gift! Regardless of our individual circumstances, it is to be received with thanksgiving and used for accomplishment of the good works which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Cf. Ephesians 2:10) I especially like how Paul articulates the idea: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship (reasonable service).” (Cf. Romans 12:1) In view of God’s mercy reminds me of another passage of scripture. It speaks to the deepest hope of each day of life: “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion: therefore, I will wait for Him.” The Lord is good to those whose hope is in Him, to the one who seeks Him: it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. (Cf. Lamentations 3:22-26)

Indeed, we need perspective. We need wisdom. And so, I pray that we will be vigilant to practice the spiritual disciplines that will keep us intimate with the Lord … abiding in Him and He in us. Let us resolve each day to spend personal time with God in prayer; to study and meditate upon His Word; and to minister our gifts and talents to those we encounter along the journey. Let us be the instruments of healing and deliverance that God desires His servants to be. Yes, let us be intentional to be His Body in this world in 2023! Amen.

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life. ~ Psalm 143:8