Acts 1 (NLT)
How often have we heard the old adage “It is not what you know, but who you know that counts”? When something at home breaks down and we need it repaired, the first person we look for to help us is someone we know. If we do not know someone to fix it, we call a friend ask who they recommend—someone they know. Our last resort is to Google the issue and call a stranger.
News of their ability to fix it is passed from person to person. This is referred to as word of mouth and is the advertising method for most. Even if you have not experienced their ability to fix it, if you just know them because of the social circle you are in, they are the first one you call. It is all about who you know.
Dunamis is the Greek for Power. It is power for performing miracles, moral power and excellence of soul, the power and influence which belong to riches and wealth, and more. The dictionary defines it as the ability, strength, and capacity to do something and as having the authority to act or do something according to a law or rule.
When you do not know someone and introduce yourself as a friend of someone they know, the walls come down and conversation begins. Association opens a door for trust and a relationship begins. Without the opening of that door, chances on getting to know them would be slim to none.
1 Dear Theophilus: In my first book I told you about everything Jesus began to do and teach 2 until the day he ascended to heaven after giving his chosen apostles further instructions from the Holy Spirit. 3 During the forty days after his crucifixion, he appeared to the apostles from time to time and proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive. On these occasions he talked to them about the Kingdom of God. 4 In one of these meetings as he was eating a meal with them, he told them, "Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you what he promised. Remember, I have told you about this before. 5 John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit."
I believe it is Jesus’ intention for all to be baptized with the Holy Spirit. It is not wrong to be baptized as John baptized. Water baptism is a public confession of our commitment to Christ. I do not believe it maters if that is by sprinkling a few drops of water on one’s head, or by full immersion in a pool of water. It is the public confession that is important. Jesus Christ is your Lord and Savior.
However, the results in our lives are not the same. Water baptism creates an opportunity for us to be a part of a group of other confessing believers in the natural; it does not give us access to the Holy Spirit in our daily lives. This is where the disciples were when Jesus told them not to leave Jerusalem until they were baptized in the Holy Spirit. They had received John’s baptism and were followers of Christ, but they were not to go out to minister without the Holy Spirit.
6 When the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, "Lord, are you going to free Israel now and restore our kingdom?" 7 "The Father sets those dates," he replied, "and they are not for you to know. 8 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." 9 It was not long after he said this that he was taken up into the sky while they were watching, and he disappeared into a cloud. 10 As they were straining their eyes to see him, two white-robed men suddenly stood there among them. 11 They said, "Men of Galilee, why are you standing here staring at the sky? Jesus has been taken away from you into heaven. And someday, just as you saw him go, he will return!"
Notice He tells them (and us) it is when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you will receive power and will tell people about Jesus everywhere. This is that dunamis power I spoke of above. The Holy Spirit opens the door for us. He gives us the authority to operate in the name of Jesus. He is the influence we need to go through doors that would have otherwise been closed to us.
We are to reach the lost with the power of the Holy Spirit which is obtained when we are filled with the Holy Spirit, the result of being baptized in the Holy Spirit.
When we attempt to reach the lost without Holy Spirit power, we resort to human marketing methods to win them over. There is no wining people to Christ. When the Holy Spirit is involved, they are drawn to Him.
We can have the best marketing program, run ads on prime time television, and hand out thousands of tracts. Sure, we will fill the institutional churches, increase membership in them, and even fill the coffers with untold tax deductible dollars.
However, the count does not having anything to do with how many were drawn to Christ by the leading of the Holy Spirit; how many were converted from heathen to believer. Do not get me wrong. The campaigns do bring them into the potential presence of the Holy Spirit and they may be drawn to follow Him as an indirect result of the effort.
Yet, Jesus said to be filled the power of the Holy Spirit and then go out into the entire world,
12 The apostles were at the Mount of Olives when this happened, so they walked the half mile back to Jerusalem. 13 Then they went to the upstairs room of the house where they were staying. Here is the list of those who were present: Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James (son of Alphaeus), Simon (the Zealot), and Judas (son of James). 14 They all met together continually for prayer, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brothers of Jesus.
They listened to what Jesus had told them, and then gathered together to wait for the Holy Spirit. We know this as the “upper room”. We each need to have our own “upper room” experience, and it occurs when we receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit. It is then that we receive the power to go out into the world and preach the good news. It then that the words out of our mouth are not our own, but are those of the Holy Spirit as we allow Him to speak through us. It is then others are drawn to Him.
15 During this time, on a day when about 120 believers were present, Peter stood up and addressed them as follows: 16 "Brothers, it was necessary for the Scriptures to be fulfilled concerning Judas, who guided the Temple police to arrest Jesus. This was predicted long ago by the Holy Spirit, speaking through King David. 17 Judas was one of us, chosen to share in the ministry with us." 18 (Judas bought a field with the money he received for his treachery, and falling there, he burst open, spilling out his intestines. 19 The news of his death spread rapidly among all the people of Jerusalem, and they gave the place the Aramaic name Akeldama, which means "Field of Blood.") 20 Peter continued, "This was predicted in the book of Psalms, where it says, 'Let his home become desolate, with no one living in it.' And again, 'Let his position be given to someone else.' 21 "So now we must choose another man to take Judas's place. It must be someone who has been with us all the time that we were with the Lord Jesus – 22 from the time he was baptized by John until the day he was taken from us into heaven. Whoever is chosen will join us as a witness of Jesus' resurrection." 23 So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. 24 Then they all prayed for the right man to be chosen. "O Lord," they said, "you know every heart. Show us which of these men you have chosen 25 as an apostle to replace Judas the traitor in this ministry, for he has deserted us and gone where he belongs." 26 Then they cast lots, and in this way Matthias was chosen and became an apostle with the other eleven.
As they waited they began to better understand the fulfillment of scripture that had already occurred. The pieces of the puzzle were fitting together. In further fulfillment, they elected Matthias to take the place of Judas.
No matter how much logic could be applied to the situation surrounding Jesus’ birth, life, death, and resurrection, man cannot be convinced to become saved. The disciples were not convinced, they were drawn by the Holy Spirit to follow Him, and others will be as well. It is that dunamis power from the Holy Spirit at work in our lives daily.
It is not about how much knowledge we have obtained. It is about who we know, and He is the Holy Spirit.
Friday, December 28, 2007
Monday, December 10, 2007
Friend of God
1 Timothy 3:1
It is a true saying that if someone wants to be an elder, he desires an honorable responsibility. (NLT)
The marketplace is the business arena where we work and shop each week. At work, we are either the boss or work for one. The boss is the person responsible for seeing that the goals of the company are accomplished. His first duty is to the company and its ability to make a profit.
When a businessperson first comes to church as a new member of even as a new believer, many look to him or her as a leader because of their position in the marketplace. The new person may be expected to move into leadership within the church. They might even expect to do so.
The KJV refers to a bishop rather than an elder. The root word is the Greek word Episkope, which means to be an oversight. That person would be the overseer or one of the presiding officers in a Christian church. He would be holding the position of overseership referred to in the Bible as the office of an elder.
In other words, this is someone who is given responsibility over others in a church body, the family of believers that assemble regularly. In a worldly sense, we think of elder as someone who is older than us and wise with wisdom because of their age and experience in life. In the body of Christ the wisdom and experience is all about their walk with God.
We must be careful not to blend the marketplace responsibilities with the church responsibilities. The goals are different. In business, the boss may even force his or her wisdom and knowledge on us. They demand involuntary submission on our part. In the church submission is voluntary. We submit to the elders because we seek their wisdom, experiential knowledge, and spiritual guidance. They are to be an encouragement to us in our walk, not our guide--the Holy Spirit takes us on the journey.
Although a church organization needs finances to pay the bills and function in our society, the "bottom line" is not the primary purpose of its existence. It is the people that come first. As such, the marketplace leader must learn how to lead in an entirely different scenario; with a different protocol.
Holding a title in a church organization does not mean you are any more successful than he who does not. There is no large paycheck or long exotic vacation attached to it. No, with the title comes responsibility to God's children. With it comes commitment to compassion to others.
The first title we should be seeking is "friend of God". We need to develop our relationship with Him. Then we can think about the title at our church; at the body of believers we assemble with to praise God each week.
Were you a friend of God today?
It is a true saying that if someone wants to be an elder, he desires an honorable responsibility. (NLT)
The marketplace is the business arena where we work and shop each week. At work, we are either the boss or work for one. The boss is the person responsible for seeing that the goals of the company are accomplished. His first duty is to the company and its ability to make a profit.
When a businessperson first comes to church as a new member of even as a new believer, many look to him or her as a leader because of their position in the marketplace. The new person may be expected to move into leadership within the church. They might even expect to do so.
The KJV refers to a bishop rather than an elder. The root word is the Greek word Episkope, which means to be an oversight. That person would be the overseer or one of the presiding officers in a Christian church. He would be holding the position of overseership referred to in the Bible as the office of an elder.
In other words, this is someone who is given responsibility over others in a church body, the family of believers that assemble regularly. In a worldly sense, we think of elder as someone who is older than us and wise with wisdom because of their age and experience in life. In the body of Christ the wisdom and experience is all about their walk with God.
We must be careful not to blend the marketplace responsibilities with the church responsibilities. The goals are different. In business, the boss may even force his or her wisdom and knowledge on us. They demand involuntary submission on our part. In the church submission is voluntary. We submit to the elders because we seek their wisdom, experiential knowledge, and spiritual guidance. They are to be an encouragement to us in our walk, not our guide--the Holy Spirit takes us on the journey.
Although a church organization needs finances to pay the bills and function in our society, the "bottom line" is not the primary purpose of its existence. It is the people that come first. As such, the marketplace leader must learn how to lead in an entirely different scenario; with a different protocol.
Holding a title in a church organization does not mean you are any more successful than he who does not. There is no large paycheck or long exotic vacation attached to it. No, with the title comes responsibility to God's children. With it comes commitment to compassion to others.
The first title we should be seeking is "friend of God". We need to develop our relationship with Him. Then we can think about the title at our church; at the body of believers we assemble with to praise God each week.
Were you a friend of God today?
Salvation is a Choice
1 Timothy 2:4
God wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. (NLT)
The world expects certain behavior out of those calling themselves Christians. Society has put anyone with that moniker in a box. The meaning of who a Christian is has been formed by the behavior of a few; none of which representing all Christians.
It doesn’t stop there. Christians expect certain behavior from other Christians as well. Some will only do business with another that claims to be a Christian. Because their expectation is based on their own ideals they may become disappointed if that businessman does not live up to them.
I have heard statements like "They call themselves a Christian so they should know better." This is another example of judging spmeone based on ones own expectations. This should not occur in any relationship if that relationship is to be successful.
He wants all His children to be saved. He wants us all in eternity with Him. Yet He knows many will fall under the spell of the enemy; many will not make it. He does not pick and choose who He wants to be saved and neither should we. We need to stop judging Christians and stop judging those who are not. We need to reach out to all His children and let them have the opportunity to choose.
Many will be saved, but not all will understand the truth. Step one is salvation, but with it does not come understanding.
It is up to each and every one of us to walk out our salvation. We need to press in and dig into His word. We need to talk to God every day. We need to pray without ceasing. He will put us around others that we may learn from. He will fill us with His knowledge.
Salvation is a choice followed with a step of faith. Walking out our salvation takes effort, and it is in walking that we gain understanding.
Did you walk a little more today?
God wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. (NLT)
The world expects certain behavior out of those calling themselves Christians. Society has put anyone with that moniker in a box. The meaning of who a Christian is has been formed by the behavior of a few; none of which representing all Christians.
It doesn’t stop there. Christians expect certain behavior from other Christians as well. Some will only do business with another that claims to be a Christian. Because their expectation is based on their own ideals they may become disappointed if that businessman does not live up to them.
I have heard statements like "They call themselves a Christian so they should know better." This is another example of judging spmeone based on ones own expectations. This should not occur in any relationship if that relationship is to be successful.
He wants all His children to be saved. He wants us all in eternity with Him. Yet He knows many will fall under the spell of the enemy; many will not make it. He does not pick and choose who He wants to be saved and neither should we. We need to stop judging Christians and stop judging those who are not. We need to reach out to all His children and let them have the opportunity to choose.
Many will be saved, but not all will understand the truth. Step one is salvation, but with it does not come understanding.
It is up to each and every one of us to walk out our salvation. We need to press in and dig into His word. We need to talk to God every day. We need to pray without ceasing. He will put us around others that we may learn from. He will fill us with His knowledge.
Salvation is a choice followed with a step of faith. Walking out our salvation takes effort, and it is in walking that we gain understanding.
Did you walk a little more today?
Saturday, September 15, 2007
It’s Green
I was walking Tuffy, our five year old Cairn Terrier the other day. As we were heading back to our house I was admiring the lawn. It was green and plush looking, like the fairway on a well kept golf course. This is a big change from twenty-five years ago.
When we first moved into our New England neighborhood I was busy working all the time. The condition of the lawn did not mean anything to me. I would cut it or have it cut by our boys when it absolutly needed to be cut. If it was to grow and be green, I figured God would send the rain. What kind of grass was it, you ask. It was green. Sure it was mixed with what most would call good grass and a lot of weeds and clover. From a distance it looked pretty good, when it was first cut. When you got up close, you could see the patches of dirt where nothing was growing and the mixture of various green growing things all bunched together. Never the less, it was green.
In Florida our grass is different. It is course and green during the rainy season. Ant mounds can be found popping up all over the place. New England grass does not survive in that southern climate. In Florida the watering is very expensive and because of the shortages most of the year, it is usually never allowed. To water cost effectively, you must drill a well and water with the brackage, unpotable water you can pump. Some of our neighbors keep their lawns green with this approach. Even though it is green, it is not like the soft and silky grass up north; the kind you can run barefoot through and have it feel soft and cool underfoot. Walking barefoot on Florida grass can be painful, it is so coarse.
Back in Rhode Island, our grass is still green. However, we planted new grass, added a sprinkler system, and have it mowed once a week. From a distance it has never looked better. Up close there are a few weeds here and there, but you really have to look to find them. My wife, Dianne digs the culprits up and plants new grass to fill the space.
Then I began to reflect on how church, the body of Christ, is like our lawn. As you enter many a church on Sunday morning, it looks pretty good. People of all walks of life are together in their Sunday best worshipping God. Like the green lawn, they all look like they belong together. They appear in one accord.
After you belong for a while you notice the crab grass and even some bare patches. Some have come because they want to be a part of the picture, but are not yet willing to give their life over to Him. They are not willing to let go of the control they have or presume to have over their own destiny.
Then there are those that have no intention of converting. They are from the camp of the enemy and have been placed to infect the good seed. Their purpose is to infiltrate, confuse, and to bring temptation to the body of Christ. Their spot will never be green.
Just because people gather with Christians does not make them a Christian. I am reminded of Jesus’ words in Matthew 7-- “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
As we stay in His Word and build our relationship with Him, we will grow. Our nourishment comes from the Lord and not from man. For man can sound good and look good, but be a wolf in sheep’s clothing. We must test all we hear and experience against the Word of God. It is the Truth.
From a distance the body of Christ is like that green lawn. It looks good. Up close, the weeds blend with the grass. When the harvest comes, only the grass will be with Christ.
Saturday, September 08, 2007
GPS
We purchased one of those GPS mapping devices for the car. It is actually a computer with a color screen and even a hard disk drive, just in a small package. On the disk are maps of the entire country. An antenna seeks out one of the global positioning satellites (GPS) and the internal software can tell exactly where on planet earth we are located. Knowing our position, it locates the proper map on the hard drive and displays it. All this in a matter of seconds.
As cool as that is, that is not all. We can input the location we want to drive to and the software maps out the best route for us to take depending on our choice of fastest time or shortest route. And then it speaks to us telling us turn by turn what to do as we progress on our route.
Everyone I know has at least one cell phone; some have more than one. What you may not realize is that every cell phone includes a GPS. As long as the cell phone is turned on, its location can be determined by the cell phone company and other agencies. This is why dialing 911 on a cell phone works. The 911 operator can find out exactly where the call came from and dispatch someone to help.
You can even pay for a service to locate your kid’s phones and even see where they are on your PC on a map. Their route displays in real time.
The GPS for our car is so useful, my wife has nicknamed it her buddy. It is the best backseat driver she has ever had. No need to have exact directions anymore. All she needs is an address and her buddy will get her there. If she makes a wrong turn, it corrects her by suggesting she make a legal u-turn. If she does not comply, it simply figures out another route and continues with its task of guiding her to her destination.
As I thought of how useful the GPS is I realized that GPS could stand for God’s Perfect Spirit. When Jesus left this earth He promised to send the Holy Spirit to live in each believer. Paul refers to Him as the Spirit of Christ and He lives within each of us.
He is our comforter and our guide. As we go through this life on earth, He shows us the way. We still make our own choices every day and as we go off the path, He attempts to bring us back. Often we are so wrapped up in doing it our way, we either miss His guidance or ignore Him. He does not give up. Knowing our destiny, He encourages us in another direction.
The Holy Spirit is God’s Perfect Spirit living in us. He is our GPS. Isn’t it time we gave control over to Him and let Him do the work God designated for Him to do in our lives?
As cool as that is, that is not all. We can input the location we want to drive to and the software maps out the best route for us to take depending on our choice of fastest time or shortest route. And then it speaks to us telling us turn by turn what to do as we progress on our route.
Everyone I know has at least one cell phone; some have more than one. What you may not realize is that every cell phone includes a GPS. As long as the cell phone is turned on, its location can be determined by the cell phone company and other agencies. This is why dialing 911 on a cell phone works. The 911 operator can find out exactly where the call came from and dispatch someone to help.
You can even pay for a service to locate your kid’s phones and even see where they are on your PC on a map. Their route displays in real time.
The GPS for our car is so useful, my wife has nicknamed it her buddy. It is the best backseat driver she has ever had. No need to have exact directions anymore. All she needs is an address and her buddy will get her there. If she makes a wrong turn, it corrects her by suggesting she make a legal u-turn. If she does not comply, it simply figures out another route and continues with its task of guiding her to her destination.
As I thought of how useful the GPS is I realized that GPS could stand for God’s Perfect Spirit. When Jesus left this earth He promised to send the Holy Spirit to live in each believer. Paul refers to Him as the Spirit of Christ and He lives within each of us.
He is our comforter and our guide. As we go through this life on earth, He shows us the way. We still make our own choices every day and as we go off the path, He attempts to bring us back. Often we are so wrapped up in doing it our way, we either miss His guidance or ignore Him. He does not give up. Knowing our destiny, He encourages us in another direction.
The Holy Spirit is God’s Perfect Spirit living in us. He is our GPS. Isn’t it time we gave control over to Him and let Him do the work God designated for Him to do in our lives?
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
WE HAVE TO ASK
He grants a treasure of good sense to the godly. He is their shield, protecting those who walk with integrity. (NLT Proverbs 2:7)
With the Internet we have a wealth of the world's information at our fingertips. A Goggle search seems to always find something related to the subject matter we are searching for.
The key to a successful search is in knowing what to enter as the search words. But it does not just happen. You have to ask.
The same is true with our walk with God. He sent the Holy Spirit to guide us, but we have to ask. Until we are ready to turn things over to Him, it is like entering our search request into Google and never pressing the Enter key.
It takes more than just thinking about. God may know our thoughts, but He waits for the words to leave our lips. When we pray, He listens.
Did you talk to Him today?
With the Internet we have a wealth of the world's information at our fingertips. A Goggle search seems to always find something related to the subject matter we are searching for.
The key to a successful search is in knowing what to enter as the search words. But it does not just happen. You have to ask.
The same is true with our walk with God. He sent the Holy Spirit to guide us, but we have to ask. Until we are ready to turn things over to Him, it is like entering our search request into Google and never pressing the Enter key.
It takes more than just thinking about. God may know our thoughts, but He waits for the words to leave our lips. When we pray, He listens.
Did you talk to Him today?
Monday, June 18, 2007
A FULL INSTALL
This is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel on that day, says the Lord: I will put my laws in their minds so they will understand them, and I will write them on their hearts so they will obey them. I will be their God, and they will be my people. (NLT Hebrews 8:10)
One of the options when installing a new application from Microsoft is to partially install or to install it all. If you do a partial install, everything works fine until you attempt to access a new feature. Then you must put the CD back in so the new feature can be added to the installation.
Although this is in Hebrews, the writer is quoting scripture, old testament prophecy. God is speaking of mankind having the mind of Christ.
As we move from our position in the world to our place in Christ our mindset is changed from carnal to spiritual. When we were saved we were given His mind, the mind of Christ.
No longer are we limited to what we know, to what we have experienced in our lifetime. We don't have to be able to figure it out by our self.
We have the mind of Christ. We have the complete database of eternity at our fingertips. He installed it all. Whatever we need, He will supply. We do not have to go to school to hear it. We don't have to pass a course or get a piece of paper to prove anything.
When we received Him into our life we received it all.
One of the options when installing a new application from Microsoft is to partially install or to install it all. If you do a partial install, everything works fine until you attempt to access a new feature. Then you must put the CD back in so the new feature can be added to the installation.
Although this is in Hebrews, the writer is quoting scripture, old testament prophecy. God is speaking of mankind having the mind of Christ.
As we move from our position in the world to our place in Christ our mindset is changed from carnal to spiritual. When we were saved we were given His mind, the mind of Christ.
No longer are we limited to what we know, to what we have experienced in our lifetime. We don't have to be able to figure it out by our self.
We have the mind of Christ. We have the complete database of eternity at our fingertips. He installed it all. Whatever we need, He will supply. We do not have to go to school to hear it. We don't have to pass a course or get a piece of paper to prove anything.
When we received Him into our life we received it all.
Friday, June 08, 2007
Thoughts on the Vine
John 15:1-8 (NLT)
"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch that doesn't produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned for greater fruitfulness by the message I have given you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful apart from me. "Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who parts from me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But if you stay joined to me and my words remain in you, you may ask any request you like, and it will be granted! My true disciples produce much fruit. This brings great glory to my Father.
THE BRANCHES
I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. (NASB John 15:1-2)
Fruit is the result of growth, which is the result of nurturing. Fruit does not just happen, He wants us to bear the fruit of the seed He has placed in us.
He does not make us to have but one crop. Each season has new growth and fresh fruit, To mature and grow, pruning is a must. Old branches must be torn away-pinched back. Then all the nourishment can feed the new fruit allowing it to grow to abundance.
How often do we refuse to let the old branches go? When we hold on to stuff we enjoyed in the past, we prevent new fruit from developing. We hang onto the old while screaming out to God to change us and give us abundance. It is our unwillingness that holds us back.
It is not our lack of faith or sin that keeps us where we are at; No, it is our unwillingness to be pruned. When we let the stuff in our lives go, the new fruit can be birthed and grow abundantly.
It should go without saying that none of this can occur without our pursuit of a close personal relationship with Him. We must trust Him completely, be in His word daily, and allow Him to change us.
YOU ARE CLEAN
You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. (NASB John 15:3)
There is no qualification necessary. As you stepped forth in faith and accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, because He died for all your sin, you were washed clean. There is no work to be done before you can be what He made you to be.
When you purchase a used car, the dealership has gone through it completely. They replace any worn parts, put on new tires, touch up any rough spots, any give it a fresh coat of wax. Not only does it look almost new, it has that new car smell--the result o a new car spray they use on the inside.
We are born again, not refurbished like that used car. We are brand new and without blemish in His eyes. He sees us sparkling clean just like a new car driven out of the dealership on the first day.
There is no testing period before we are allowed to step out doing whatever He has for us. We are ready day one. Sure, we have a lot to learn. We are inexperienced. He knows that and He will never give us something to do that we cannot handle.
As we listen for His voice and obey, we gain experience and grow in Him. As we grow, He gives us more and our character becomes more Christ like.
BE FRUITFUL
Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful apart from me. (NLT John 15:4)
I cannot tell you how often I have lived by that old adage "If you want something done right, do it yourself". Even now, when I am looking over someone's shoulder while they work on a computer problem, I want to push them aside and take over.
When we became born again, we were grafted into the vine. The vine's nourishment comes from Christ; He is the vine. Without Him our branch cannot survive; it cannot produce fruit and therefore is useless. Sure, we still have the ticket for the bus ride to heaven, but we are not doing what he destined us to do while residing in these mortal vessels.
Only as we stay connected do we walk bearing fruit. It is easy to notice when others are hurting and run up to them and begin to pray for their healing. When directed by the Holy Spirit, when God is in control of who we lay hands on, the fruit is plentiful.
We must be in God's word daily and we must let Him lead the way in all we do. As we do, He directs our path putting others needy of Him in places for us to minister. As we listen and obey, He moves in mighty ways.
STAY CONNECTED
Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who parts from me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. (NLT John 15:5-6)
A situation occurred a couple of days ago. I ran a long network wire, installed the cable ends and plugged both in. The computer I was networking to was an older Windows 98SE machine. I have not setup networking on one that old in a long time and was not sure of how to go about it. I googled to find a solution and came up with all kinds of possibilities. Nothing seemed to work, and then I thought of the connection. I cut the ends off the wires and installed new ones. With a good connection, the network worked and the Internet was accessible.
To produce fruit we need to be connected. If we are born again, He is in us. Jesus promised He would send the Holy Spirit and He did. He is only one-half of the connection. Without our consciously being in Him, the network will not work.
Remaining in Him requires we communicate with Him. We must be in God's Word so He can show us what we need to move forward--to stay connected. We must praise God in all we do and be continuously in prayer.
If we choose to disconnect, to part from Him, we will be thrown aside like a useless branch. Our destiny will change from one of life to one of death as we are placed in the pile to be burned in the eternal fires.
BE ELIGIBLE
But if you stay joined to me and my words remain in you, you may ask any request you like, and it will be granted! (NLT John 15:7)
When you are good friends with someone and they are in need, you do not think twice about helping them. On the other hand, if someone you have not had a very good relationship with called asking for help, you might hesitate or even come up with numerous reasons why you cannot be available for them.
We read this verse in John and assume "any request" means anything at all. Others modify it and say any request that falls in line with God's will. All we have to do is look at the first half of this sentence to know what it means. If we are joined to Christ and His words remain in us, then our request will never fall outside of God's will. If it did, we would no longer be in Him and no longer be eligible for having our request granted.
God supplies all our needs as we walk with Him, as we grow in our personal relationship with Christ.
HAVE FRUIT
My true disciples produce much fruit. This brings great glory to my Father. (NLT John 15:8)
When you walk into a model home and see the tasty looking bowl of fruit on the dining room table, you want to reach out and grab an apple. You can taste the sweetness of that first juicy bite. As you get closer and pick up the apple, you discover it is not what it seems; the fruit is actually made of plastic. It looks good but is not useful for anything but display.
Many are not who they say they are. In our culture, people spend a good deal of money on how they appear to others. They have their hair done to accentuate their good features. Hours are spent under tanning lamps for that golden brown, I just came back from the islands look. Health clubs abound with those looking to shed inches and keep their teenage bodies.
In addition to these external methods, hours are spent learning how to speak to get what you want from others. Techniques in manipulation are passed on from generation to generation. We learn how to say what others want to hear so we can sell them on the latest thing we have to sell. The who they know is the who we want them to see. The real me is hidden behind the clothes, the hairstyle, the tan, and the years of training to project the person I want them to perceive me as.
Then we get saved and a new person is birthed. To the world around us, we are still hidden behind the façade we created. That new person has to come out. As we allow God to change us and take on more of the character of Christ, cracks appear in that façade and we are revealed as His disciples.
We cannot hide who we are in Christ without staying behind those walls from before. We must come out into the open. This is the only way our fruit can be real and useful. Without the fruit there is no discipleship. Without fruit there is no evidence of a personal relationship with Christ.
"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch that doesn't produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned for greater fruitfulness by the message I have given you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful apart from me. "Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who parts from me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But if you stay joined to me and my words remain in you, you may ask any request you like, and it will be granted! My true disciples produce much fruit. This brings great glory to my Father.
THE BRANCHES
I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. (NASB John 15:1-2)
Fruit is the result of growth, which is the result of nurturing. Fruit does not just happen, He wants us to bear the fruit of the seed He has placed in us.
He does not make us to have but one crop. Each season has new growth and fresh fruit, To mature and grow, pruning is a must. Old branches must be torn away-pinched back. Then all the nourishment can feed the new fruit allowing it to grow to abundance.
How often do we refuse to let the old branches go? When we hold on to stuff we enjoyed in the past, we prevent new fruit from developing. We hang onto the old while screaming out to God to change us and give us abundance. It is our unwillingness that holds us back.
It is not our lack of faith or sin that keeps us where we are at; No, it is our unwillingness to be pruned. When we let the stuff in our lives go, the new fruit can be birthed and grow abundantly.
It should go without saying that none of this can occur without our pursuit of a close personal relationship with Him. We must trust Him completely, be in His word daily, and allow Him to change us.
YOU ARE CLEAN
You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. (NASB John 15:3)
There is no qualification necessary. As you stepped forth in faith and accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, because He died for all your sin, you were washed clean. There is no work to be done before you can be what He made you to be.
When you purchase a used car, the dealership has gone through it completely. They replace any worn parts, put on new tires, touch up any rough spots, any give it a fresh coat of wax. Not only does it look almost new, it has that new car smell--the result o a new car spray they use on the inside.
We are born again, not refurbished like that used car. We are brand new and without blemish in His eyes. He sees us sparkling clean just like a new car driven out of the dealership on the first day.
There is no testing period before we are allowed to step out doing whatever He has for us. We are ready day one. Sure, we have a lot to learn. We are inexperienced. He knows that and He will never give us something to do that we cannot handle.
As we listen for His voice and obey, we gain experience and grow in Him. As we grow, He gives us more and our character becomes more Christ like.
BE FRUITFUL
Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful apart from me. (NLT John 15:4)
I cannot tell you how often I have lived by that old adage "If you want something done right, do it yourself". Even now, when I am looking over someone's shoulder while they work on a computer problem, I want to push them aside and take over.
When we became born again, we were grafted into the vine. The vine's nourishment comes from Christ; He is the vine. Without Him our branch cannot survive; it cannot produce fruit and therefore is useless. Sure, we still have the ticket for the bus ride to heaven, but we are not doing what he destined us to do while residing in these mortal vessels.
Only as we stay connected do we walk bearing fruit. It is easy to notice when others are hurting and run up to them and begin to pray for their healing. When directed by the Holy Spirit, when God is in control of who we lay hands on, the fruit is plentiful.
We must be in God's word daily and we must let Him lead the way in all we do. As we do, He directs our path putting others needy of Him in places for us to minister. As we listen and obey, He moves in mighty ways.
STAY CONNECTED
Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who parts from me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. (NLT John 15:5-6)
A situation occurred a couple of days ago. I ran a long network wire, installed the cable ends and plugged both in. The computer I was networking to was an older Windows 98SE machine. I have not setup networking on one that old in a long time and was not sure of how to go about it. I googled to find a solution and came up with all kinds of possibilities. Nothing seemed to work, and then I thought of the connection. I cut the ends off the wires and installed new ones. With a good connection, the network worked and the Internet was accessible.
To produce fruit we need to be connected. If we are born again, He is in us. Jesus promised He would send the Holy Spirit and He did. He is only one-half of the connection. Without our consciously being in Him, the network will not work.
Remaining in Him requires we communicate with Him. We must be in God's Word so He can show us what we need to move forward--to stay connected. We must praise God in all we do and be continuously in prayer.
If we choose to disconnect, to part from Him, we will be thrown aside like a useless branch. Our destiny will change from one of life to one of death as we are placed in the pile to be burned in the eternal fires.
BE ELIGIBLE
But if you stay joined to me and my words remain in you, you may ask any request you like, and it will be granted! (NLT John 15:7)
When you are good friends with someone and they are in need, you do not think twice about helping them. On the other hand, if someone you have not had a very good relationship with called asking for help, you might hesitate or even come up with numerous reasons why you cannot be available for them.
We read this verse in John and assume "any request" means anything at all. Others modify it and say any request that falls in line with God's will. All we have to do is look at the first half of this sentence to know what it means. If we are joined to Christ and His words remain in us, then our request will never fall outside of God's will. If it did, we would no longer be in Him and no longer be eligible for having our request granted.
God supplies all our needs as we walk with Him, as we grow in our personal relationship with Christ.
HAVE FRUIT
My true disciples produce much fruit. This brings great glory to my Father. (NLT John 15:8)
When you walk into a model home and see the tasty looking bowl of fruit on the dining room table, you want to reach out and grab an apple. You can taste the sweetness of that first juicy bite. As you get closer and pick up the apple, you discover it is not what it seems; the fruit is actually made of plastic. It looks good but is not useful for anything but display.
Many are not who they say they are. In our culture, people spend a good deal of money on how they appear to others. They have their hair done to accentuate their good features. Hours are spent under tanning lamps for that golden brown, I just came back from the islands look. Health clubs abound with those looking to shed inches and keep their teenage bodies.
In addition to these external methods, hours are spent learning how to speak to get what you want from others. Techniques in manipulation are passed on from generation to generation. We learn how to say what others want to hear so we can sell them on the latest thing we have to sell. The who they know is the who we want them to see. The real me is hidden behind the clothes, the hairstyle, the tan, and the years of training to project the person I want them to perceive me as.
Then we get saved and a new person is birthed. To the world around us, we are still hidden behind the façade we created. That new person has to come out. As we allow God to change us and take on more of the character of Christ, cracks appear in that façade and we are revealed as His disciples.
We cannot hide who we are in Christ without staying behind those walls from before. We must come out into the open. This is the only way our fruit can be real and useful. Without the fruit there is no discipleship. Without fruit there is no evidence of a personal relationship with Christ.
Monday, June 04, 2007
STAY CONNECTED
Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who parts from me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. (NLT John 15:5-6)
A situation occurred a couple of days ago. I ran a long network wire, installed the cable ends and plugged both in. The computer I was networking to was an older Windows 98SE machine. I have not setup networking on one that old in a long time and was not sure of how to go about it. I googled to find a solution and came up with all kinds of possibilities. Nothing seemed to work, and then I thought of the connection. I cut the ends off the wires and installed new ones. With a good connection, the network worked and the Internet was accessible.
To produce fruit we need to be connected. If we are born again, He is in us. Jesus promised He would send the Holy Spirit and He did. He is only one-half of the connection. Without our consciously being in Him, the network will not work.
Remaining in Him requires we communicate with Him. We must be in God's Word so He can show us what we need to move forward--to stay connected. We must praise God in all we do and be continuously in prayer.
If we choose to disconnect, to part from Him, we will be thrown aside like a useless branch. Our destiny will change from one of life to one of death as we are placed in the pile to be burned in the eternal fires.
A situation occurred a couple of days ago. I ran a long network wire, installed the cable ends and plugged both in. The computer I was networking to was an older Windows 98SE machine. I have not setup networking on one that old in a long time and was not sure of how to go about it. I googled to find a solution and came up with all kinds of possibilities. Nothing seemed to work, and then I thought of the connection. I cut the ends off the wires and installed new ones. With a good connection, the network worked and the Internet was accessible.
To produce fruit we need to be connected. If we are born again, He is in us. Jesus promised He would send the Holy Spirit and He did. He is only one-half of the connection. Without our consciously being in Him, the network will not work.
Remaining in Him requires we communicate with Him. We must be in God's Word so He can show us what we need to move forward--to stay connected. We must praise God in all we do and be continuously in prayer.
If we choose to disconnect, to part from Him, we will be thrown aside like a useless branch. Our destiny will change from one of life to one of death as we are placed in the pile to be burned in the eternal fires.
Saturday, May 26, 2007
CHOOSE LIFE
Once you were dead, doomed forever because of your many sins. (NLT Ephesians 2:1)
I never felt as though I were dead. I thought I had things pretty good. I had friends and family and fun times. Life was filled with work and hobbies. Every day was busy from start to end. What is this dead stuff? I believed in God and knew He was always present in my life, but as an observer. When I realized I had done something wrong or was thinking about doing it, I hoped God was looking into someone else's life instead of mine.
Like most, I thought our lives were judged on our goodness and if we passed the test we would go to heaven instead of the alternative, hell. As humans we were basing good and bad on what we as a culture had decided was good and bad. As the years went on we moved things from one category to another and assumed God was doing the same.
As the years moved on, more and more bad became good and sometimes it was a blurry line between the two sides. Sin was what was defined in some list somewhere. Everyone seemed to have different lists. Catholics had a different list than most Protestants I knew, and Jews had another. We all tried to live within our own list and envied some of the things on another list or gloated about what we could do and they could not.
I had heard about Jesus and new it was written that He was crucified for our sins. We celebrated Easter and Christmas and went to church every Sunday. What I did not know is what Jesus was to me. I did not have a relationship with Him. The emptiness in me was being filled with new things. Often having them was more important than using them. As each was obtained, it was fun for a while, then another would top the most desired list. It was like a never ending need to have. I believed the adage "He who dies with the most toys wins."
When our housekeeper invited us to attend that healing school in 1991, I knew Dianne would be healed of Crohn's Disease. What I did not know is how that day would affect the rest of our lives. Both of us accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior that day. We began a personal relationship with Jesus.
Dead was no longer just a physical state. Now that I was alive in Him, I understood what dead really was. Not having a relationship with Him was being dead; dead to Him. As our relationship with Him grows, we grow. We become more Christ like in our thoughts, actions, and deeds. This is all possible because we were given the chance to choose life over death and we took it.
I never felt as though I were dead. I thought I had things pretty good. I had friends and family and fun times. Life was filled with work and hobbies. Every day was busy from start to end. What is this dead stuff? I believed in God and knew He was always present in my life, but as an observer. When I realized I had done something wrong or was thinking about doing it, I hoped God was looking into someone else's life instead of mine.
Like most, I thought our lives were judged on our goodness and if we passed the test we would go to heaven instead of the alternative, hell. As humans we were basing good and bad on what we as a culture had decided was good and bad. As the years went on we moved things from one category to another and assumed God was doing the same.
As the years moved on, more and more bad became good and sometimes it was a blurry line between the two sides. Sin was what was defined in some list somewhere. Everyone seemed to have different lists. Catholics had a different list than most Protestants I knew, and Jews had another. We all tried to live within our own list and envied some of the things on another list or gloated about what we could do and they could not.
I had heard about Jesus and new it was written that He was crucified for our sins. We celebrated Easter and Christmas and went to church every Sunday. What I did not know is what Jesus was to me. I did not have a relationship with Him. The emptiness in me was being filled with new things. Often having them was more important than using them. As each was obtained, it was fun for a while, then another would top the most desired list. It was like a never ending need to have. I believed the adage "He who dies with the most toys wins."
When our housekeeper invited us to attend that healing school in 1991, I knew Dianne would be healed of Crohn's Disease. What I did not know is how that day would affect the rest of our lives. Both of us accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior that day. We began a personal relationship with Jesus.
Dead was no longer just a physical state. Now that I was alive in Him, I understood what dead really was. Not having a relationship with Him was being dead; dead to Him. As our relationship with Him grows, we grow. We become more Christ like in our thoughts, actions, and deeds. This is all possible because we were given the chance to choose life over death and we took it.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
PURSUE RIGHT PATHS
Run from anything that stimulates youthful lust. Follow anything that makes you want to do right. Pursue faith and love and peace, and enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts. (NLT 2 Timothy 2:22)
We hear others refer to "the good old days". They look back and remember good times and think all would be better if we could only go back. They forget the growth in them because they came out of those "good old days" and moved into the future.
In our youth we were driven by youthful desires. We may have been looking to please ourselves; looking for the good times. Our ambitions were driving us into schools and down career paths. Our youthful lust may have been driving us down other paths as well.
As we get older, we realize how important it is to stay away from anything sending us in a direction we know to be wrong. But the world still pulls us. It still offers opportunity every day to take the wrong path.
The emails flood my machine daily with gambling opportunities, get rich quick schemes, and invitations to peek into the private rooms of young girls with their online video cams. These are not the avenues to follow. These are not ways to pursue faith and love and peace.
We must choose our companionship carefully, always mindful of the leading of the Holy Spirit. We must work daily to keep our hearts and our bodies pure as we continue to call on the Lord.
We hear others refer to "the good old days". They look back and remember good times and think all would be better if we could only go back. They forget the growth in them because they came out of those "good old days" and moved into the future.
In our youth we were driven by youthful desires. We may have been looking to please ourselves; looking for the good times. Our ambitions were driving us into schools and down career paths. Our youthful lust may have been driving us down other paths as well.
As we get older, we realize how important it is to stay away from anything sending us in a direction we know to be wrong. But the world still pulls us. It still offers opportunity every day to take the wrong path.
The emails flood my machine daily with gambling opportunities, get rich quick schemes, and invitations to peek into the private rooms of young girls with their online video cams. These are not the avenues to follow. These are not ways to pursue faith and love and peace.
We must choose our companionship carefully, always mindful of the leading of the Holy Spirit. We must work daily to keep our hearts and our bodies pure as we continue to call on the Lord.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
BOOMERANGS
For the Scriptures say, "If you want a happy life and good days, keep your tongue from speaking evil, and keep your lips from telling lies. (NLT 1 Peter 3:10)
Being happy is feeling or showing pleasure, contentment, or joy. Feeling it is the result of something, which has happened. This occurs when we are involved with something pleasing. Perhaps it is when we see our children succeeding, or our grandchildren enjoying a new toy, or when our parents are pleased with something, we did.
Showing pleasure however is a decision. We must choose to show happiness. When we do, it is contagious. Just try to be with a number of others laughing at something funny and not laugh. It is like someone yawning; it is catchy.
There is something real about the old adage laughter is the best medicine. I Googled the phrase and discovered a study done by the University of Maryland that found that people with heart disease were 40% less likely to laugh in a variety of situations compared to people of the same age without heart disease.
What we decide to say and how we decide to react to day-to-day circumstances affects who we are and how we feel. Think before you delete that joke in your email. Laughing at it may change your day.
As far as speaking evil and telling lies, I like another old adage—what comes around goes around. Our words are like boomerangs, they come back at the most inopportune times.
Smile, God sees it all.
Being happy is feeling or showing pleasure, contentment, or joy. Feeling it is the result of something, which has happened. This occurs when we are involved with something pleasing. Perhaps it is when we see our children succeeding, or our grandchildren enjoying a new toy, or when our parents are pleased with something, we did.
Showing pleasure however is a decision. We must choose to show happiness. When we do, it is contagious. Just try to be with a number of others laughing at something funny and not laugh. It is like someone yawning; it is catchy.
There is something real about the old adage laughter is the best medicine. I Googled the phrase and discovered a study done by the University of Maryland that found that people with heart disease were 40% less likely to laugh in a variety of situations compared to people of the same age without heart disease.
What we decide to say and how we decide to react to day-to-day circumstances affects who we are and how we feel. Think before you delete that joke in your email. Laughing at it may change your day.
As far as speaking evil and telling lies, I like another old adage—what comes around goes around. Our words are like boomerangs, they come back at the most inopportune times.
Smile, God sees it all.
Saturday, February 24, 2007
GOOD OLD DAYS
Some Pharisees and teachers of religious law now arrived from Jerusalem to interview Jesus. "Why do your disciples disobey our age-old traditions?" they demanded. "They ignore our tradition of ceremonial hand washing before they eat." (NLT Matthew 15:1-2)
Do you know anybody who always talks about the good old days? Hindsight is twenty-twenty. We have all heard that one and we know it is true. The further ahead we get the better we see what we left behind.
Sure, life was different when we were growing up. We had not been through all the trials that got us to where we are right now. It was a simpler life. I for one do not want to go back there. I like cell phones, notebook computers, the Internet, PDAs, movies on demand, microwaves, GPS navigational systems, and all the conveniences we have in the early stages of the twenty-first century.
We want new things without change--a better life without having to give anything up. Everyone wants eternal life. Look how many are using whatever means they can to live longer and longer. It is not just in the movies that people are thinking about cloning themselves as a way to love forever.
True eternity is not a physical thing; it is spiritual. When we become born again, we are born of the Spirit. The next step is to walk in step with Jesus, to take on His nature. As our relationship grows, so do we; change occurs. We must give up the ways of the old traditions to take on the new. No longer do we think how great the good old days were.
Are you ready to give up your age-old traditions?
Do you know anybody who always talks about the good old days? Hindsight is twenty-twenty. We have all heard that one and we know it is true. The further ahead we get the better we see what we left behind.
Sure, life was different when we were growing up. We had not been through all the trials that got us to where we are right now. It was a simpler life. I for one do not want to go back there. I like cell phones, notebook computers, the Internet, PDAs, movies on demand, microwaves, GPS navigational systems, and all the conveniences we have in the early stages of the twenty-first century.
We want new things without change--a better life without having to give anything up. Everyone wants eternal life. Look how many are using whatever means they can to live longer and longer. It is not just in the movies that people are thinking about cloning themselves as a way to love forever.
True eternity is not a physical thing; it is spiritual. When we become born again, we are born of the Spirit. The next step is to walk in step with Jesus, to take on His nature. As our relationship grows, so do we; change occurs. We must give up the ways of the old traditions to take on the new. No longer do we think how great the good old days were.
Are you ready to give up your age-old traditions?
Monday, February 05, 2007
FILTERS
Those who have been born into God's family do not sin, because God's life is in them. So they can't keep on sinning, because they have been born of God. (NLT 1 John 3:9)
I receive many emails each day and quite a few are spam. To reduce the number of unsolicited emails I use a filter. My email program allows me to set up parameters which, if met drop the unwanted mail into my junk folder. Mail falling into the rules set up in those filters cannot find its way to my inbox.
When we are born again, we are given the chance to start over with a clean slate. All our past sins are not only forgiven, but in God’s eyes, they have never existed. We are truly a new being; truly given a second chance at this life.
Knowing what we know about our past, we must set up our own filters to insure we are not pulled back into an old life. We need to set filters for how we speak, who we hang around, what we are involved in, and whatever else might tempt us back to the old ways. God does not set the filters; we do.
When we do, our lapses into sin will be less and less. We are born of God and cannot keep on sinning because His life is in us--the spirit of Christ is within.
Have you set your filters?
Those who have been born into God's family do not sin, because God's life is in them. So they can't keep on sinning, because they have been born of God. (NLT 1 John 3:9)
I receive many emails each day and quite a few are spam. To reduce the number of unsolicited emails I use a filter. My email program allows me to set up parameters which, if met drop the unwanted mail into my junk folder. Mail falling into the rules set up in those filters cannot find its way to my inbox.
When we are born again, we are given the chance to start over with a clean slate. All our past sins are not only forgiven, but in God’s eyes, they have never existed. We are truly a new being; truly given a second chance at this life.
Knowing what we know about our past, we must set up our own filters to insure we are not pulled back into an old life. We need to set filters for how we speak, who we hang around, what we are involved in, and whatever else might tempt us back to the old ways. God does not set the filters; we do.
When we do, our lapses into sin will be less and less. We are born of God and cannot keep on sinning because His life is in us--the spirit of Christ is within.
Have you set your filters?
Sunday, January 07, 2007
MAN IN THE MIRROR
As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the person. (NLT Proverbs 27:19)
Mirror mirror on the wall... We all remember that line from Snow White. The reflection we see in the mirror is how we look to others; how they see us with their mortal eyes. It is not a reflection of how we feel or of the deep hurts we many be harboring. It is just the way we have groomed ourselves to appear to the world. It is like the WYSIWYG feature of most computer applications used today; what you see is what you get.
What if we could choose between seeing the reflection of our mortal self, the image others see, and the reflection of our Spirit man, the person whose presence others feel when they are around us? How finished would that reflection be? Would there even be a reflection?
Who do you see in your mirror?
Mirror mirror on the wall... We all remember that line from Snow White. The reflection we see in the mirror is how we look to others; how they see us with their mortal eyes. It is not a reflection of how we feel or of the deep hurts we many be harboring. It is just the way we have groomed ourselves to appear to the world. It is like the WYSIWYG feature of most computer applications used today; what you see is what you get.
What if we could choose between seeing the reflection of our mortal self, the image others see, and the reflection of our Spirit man, the person whose presence others feel when they are around us? How finished would that reflection be? Would there even be a reflection?
Who do you see in your mirror?
RELATIONSHIP
Don't speak evil against each other, my dear brothers and sisters. If you criticize each other and condemn each other, then you are criticizing and condemning God's law. But you are not a judge who can decide whether the law is right or wrong. Your job is to obey it. (NLT James 4:11)
Many watch shows on television having to do with legal battles. We see guilty and not guilty represented in court by lawyers. Some of us have actually seen it in reality by being called to jury duty. Others have had the misfortune of being the one on trial. The job of the judge is to make sure the law is obeyed.
In an attempt to not be judged wrongly, it can be easy to point fingers at others; to place the blame on them for some wrong. By doing so we are disobeying His commandment to love each other as He loves us. He is the judge; not us.
Our job is to hear His words and obey them. This is not an easy task if we do not really know Him. Sure, we all know about Him. We believe God exists and that He rules over all. I know who the mayor of our city is, too. Without a personal relationship with him, I will never hear his words. So how can any of us expect to hear from God if we do not have a personal relationship with Him?
Are you in relationship with Jesus Christ?
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