Shalom!

Peace, first of all, is granted by God, and secondly, as a reward for obedience (Lev 26:3, 6).

There’s no peace -only fear of punishment- for the disobedient because of the lack of the intimate presence of God, who is love (Hab 1:13; 1 Jn 4:18). But for those who have either obeyed or truly repented for their disobedience, we’ve been freed from the yoke of slavery to sin (which results in death) and we’re ‘enabled to walk with heads held high’ to serve our Lord unhindered (Lev 26:13; Ro 6:23; Gal 5:1, 13).  

Throughout the Old Testament there’s an ebb and flow of the people of Israel enjoying peace and prosperity because of their obedience to God (and often His leaders), and suffering from death, lack, and destruction because of their disobedience (from Judges to 2 Chronicles; Jn 10:10). (Remember:  Although the Lord is merciful and long-suffering, there’ll be a Day of Judgment for all of us where we’re given the wages of all that we’ve done on earth, whether good or bad [2 Pe 3:9; 2 Co 5:10; Ac 3:19].)  

‘May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit’ (Ro 15:13).  

(See:  Nu 6:26; 25:12; Dt 20:10; Jdg 3:11, 30; 5:31; 6:24; 8:28; 1Sa 7:14; 2Sa 10:19; 1Ki 2:33; 1Ch 22:9; Job 22:21; Ps 29:11; 119:165; Pr 16:7; Isa 9:6; 26:3; 54:10; Jer 30:10; Mt 5:9; Jn 14:27; Ro 1:7; 2:10; 5:1; 8:6; 1Co 14:33; Gal 5:22; Eph 2:14; 6:15; Php 4:7; Col 1:20; 3:15; 1Th 5:33; 2Th 3:16; Heb 13:20; Jas 3:17; 1Pe 3:11)

In Our Own Eyes

This post was inspired form my pastor’s message this past Sunday on the Israelite leader’s report on their Canaan exploration (Nu 13:25-33).  There were some things that stood out to me from that scripture. 

First of all, an overview:  The Lord told Moses to send out men to explore the land of Canaan, which he was giving them.  Moses sent twelve, representatives of the various tribes to report.  He told them what look for:  type of land, strength of the people, whether the towns were walled, check the fertility of the soil and whether there were trees or not.  And they were also to bring back samples of the land’s fruit.  They came back, and told the people how plentiful the land was and showed them all of the fruit they’d collected.  It was flowing with milk and honey!  But they continued with a ‘but’, telling the people that basically the people living there were giants.  Caleb (and Joshua) attempted to put an end to what were clearly expressions intended to frighten and dishearten the people.  It may’ve been inhabited by large people, but Caleb expressed faith in God in saying, ‘We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.’   

Then the other men continued saying, ‘We can’t attack those people; they are stronger than we are’.  They even then changed their report about the land saying, ‘The land we explored devours those living in it.’ And exaggerated by adding, ‘we saw Nephilim there...’  The reference to the Nephilim seems deliberately intended to evoke fear (NIV note).  And finally, the truth of the matter, ‘We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them.’

·         First of all, the land had already been set aside for them by God (Nu 13:1-2).

·         God didn’t want them to be ignorant of the situation they faced, but faithful enough to trust him.  The land was rich and the people may’ve been giants, but ‘faith never denies reality, but leaves room for God to grant a new reality’. (Jim Cymbala, from ‘Praying God’s Word’ by Beth Moore). It was for them to speak and act based on faith in God.  God always does his part. The question is:  Will we do ours?

·         It was the leadership’s responsibility to instill confidence in the people based on God’s ability, not their own.  Instead they expressed doubt based on their own ability (or inability), which is nothing more than pride.  There own so-called ability had never been a factor in any success they’d experienced in the past, so why should it be then?

·         Caleb and Joshua’s report came from faith in God, which is an expression of love, while the other’s report came from fear.  The two are always in opposition (1 Jn 4:18).

·         Real power is in faith, and faith comes by hearing the word of God (Ro 10:17).  The Canaanites were faithless pagans, so imagine how much more powerful the Israelites would’ve been had they just stood on God’s word?  They would’ve been the real giants (Ro 8:31)!  But since they seemed like grasshoppers in their own eyes, they looked the same to their opposition (v. 33).  

And the Second Is Like It...

And the second greatest commandment is like the first, “Love your neighbor as yourself”, Jesus says (Mt 22:39; Mk 12:31) (And this love for self is also shown in the context of a marriage union in Eph 5:28-30, where the love for a spouse is equal -on some level- as love for self, since the two have become one.).  Jesus tells us, “love one another as I have loved you…” (Jn 13:34).  (He said this was a new commandment, but it was actually an old one [Lev 19:18].  It was new in the sense that it was a mark of the disciple’s bond created by Christ’s love for them [NIV note on Jn 13:34].)  We love because God first loved us (1 Jn 4:19).  Love ultimately comes from God himself. If anyone says, ‘I love God’, but hates his brother is a liar; because anyone who doesn’t love his brother, who he has seen, cannot love God, who he hasn’t seen.  So God has given us this command:  Whoever loves God must also love his brother (1 Jn 4:20-21).  Here, the term ‘brother’ is intended to mean mankind, not simply our siblings in Christ. But those who are followers of Christ should especially care for our brothers and sisters in Christ (Jn 21:15-17; Gal 6:10).       

The parable of ‘the Good Samaritan’ illustrates this love well, and shows us who we are to regard as our neighbor.  In the presence of so-called lovers of God, Jesus commends a Samaritan –a people who Jews were openly hostile against and considered both spiritual and physical half-breeds- over a religious leader (priest) and another lay person (Levite) to show that love has no national, religious, racial, etc. boundaries (Mt 10:5; Jn 4:20,22; Lk 9:52; NIV note on Lk 10:31-33).  It was this despised Samaritan who cared for a foreigner -who would’ve probably cursed him, if he had the strength (v. 33-35).  It was him who Jesus told his fellow Jews to imitate (v. 36-37).  So, my definition of a neighbor, given the context, is anyone who isn’t you!

And again, this is a commandment from God.  To show love towards men, who were made in His spiritual image, is one way of showing love for him (which remember, is second only to directly showing love to God).  This is true, just as failing to love our brothers is to show contempt for Him.  If you follow the first and greatest commandment, the second -which is like it- will fall into place.  Love for God and love for man are inseparable.        

  

The Greatest Commandment

Jesus said, the first and greatest commandment is to love the Lord your God with everything you’ve got, with everything that you are, with your entire being (all your heart, soul, mind and strength; Dt 6:5; Mt 2337; Mk 12:29-30).  Here, the heart represents an individual’s will and desire (Ex 25:2; 1 Sa 13:4; Lk 6:45).  The soul is our true self (our immortal being, while the body is merely a temporary shell (Mt 10:28 and NIV note).  The mind encompasses our complete mental faculty: memory, perception, reasoning, opinions, views, disposition, and mood (m-w.com).  And our strength is our power to resist, our attributes or inherent assets, our ability, energy, might, and vigor (m-w.com; 1 Co 10:13; 16:13; Isa 40:31).  God wants it all!       

It was necessary for Jesus to fulfill all that had been previously taught to Israel (the Law of the Prophets, which is the Old Testament in its entirety) by making clear its full meaning.  To fulfill means to measure up to, convert into reality, and develop the full potentialities of (m-w.com).   Jesus did this by emphasizing the deep underlying principles of the law and total commitment to it rather than mere external acknowledgement and obedience (NIV note on Mt 5:17). 

It’s this commandment to love God with our all –along with the second greatest commandment- that the Law of the Prophets hangs on (Mt 22:40.)  The love shown here, to the Lord our God, is primarily in view of the love shown by a subject to a king, because to truly love God is to be his loyal and obedient servant (NIV note on Dt 6:5).  God, our king, requires complete devotion and honor.  He commands us:  not to put anything before him, not to form any idol(s), and not to misuse his name (Ex 20:3-7).         

Our love for God will be evidenced by a life that’s characterized by service to him; the perfect example being the life lived by Jesus Christ.  However, we are to offer ourselves as living sacrifices (Ro 12:1).       

Have Nothing to Do With Them

We are all called to be holy and sanctified.  But if perfection was the criteria for whom God allowed us to associate with, then we’d truly be islands, not dealing with anyone.  (Furthermore, how estranged would we be from a holy God himself?) So, I believe that the instruction not to have anything to do with people who are:  lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, and lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God should be understood as being indicative of the very character of that individual (2 Tim 3:1-5).  I believe that if the overall tenor of a person’s life is marked by sin -if it doesn’t surprise you that they’ve chosen to do wrong, as opposed to right- then these are the people the Word is referring to.  These are the people we should have nothing to do with. 

To some extent, I’ve found myself in the previous description.  I can work on being more self-controlled.  I have moments of pride.  And unfortunately, there have been times when I’ve put my own pleasure first.  But my life is not characterized by these instances of failing to meet the mark.    

The Bible tells us how to further indentify these people we’re to distance ourselves from.  They seemingly lead a life that is good and holy, with a reverence for God, but they lack the power of one who does (2 Tim 3:5; NIV note on 1 Tim 2:2).  They take advantage of people’s weaknesses (v.6-7). And they oppose the truth of God’s word (v. 8).  But the Bible also lets us know that they won’t get very far, because their folly (lack of good sense, prudence, or foresight) will be clear to everyone (v. 9).  God’s not trying to deny us anything, but it’s plain to see that he wants to save us from suffering the same fate as these people because surely bad company corrupts good character (1 Co 15:33).

Similarly, these people who do not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God (the word ‘retain’ is used here because the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men [Tit 2:11]), not only continue to do these things -become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity, are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice, are gossipers, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil, they disobey their parents; they’re senseless, faithless, heartless, and ruthless- but they approve of those who practice them as well (Ro 1:28-32)! 

The Bible tells us that these people deserve death (v. 32).  But thank God, he’s loved us enough to provide us with a way out if we’re ever so caught out there that we’re given over to a mind such as this (v. 28; Jn 3:16).  Jesus Christ (our way out!) who’s given the ransom for our lives, so that we can be restored into right standing with God has offered his blameless, unblemished, perfect life for ours (Mk 10:45; Ro 5:10; 10:9; 1 Co 15:56-57; 2 Co 5:21).  Through him we have the opportunity to cheat death (Rev 12:11).  All YOU need to do is accept the gift of salvation offered, by confessing that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead and you will be saved (Ro 10:9).  No, you won’t be perfect, but you will be saved.          

Racism

It is so necessary to approach God’s word with a spirit of sincerity, desiring the truth, and to pray for spiritual discernment in this, because it blows my mind how much people distort biblical scripture in order to fit their own prideful and selfish ideas (Jn 4:24).  Racist Christians –a contradiction in terms- is a practice that has been accepted for far too long.   We need to be careful not to align ourselves with others (e.g. the Ku Klux Klan) who preach the hatred of racism based on a perversion of God’s word.  Racism is defined as a belief that race (a class or kind of people unified by shared interests, habits, or characteristics; a category of humankind that shares certain distinctive physical traits) is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent  superiority of a particular race; and is also defined as racial prejudice or discrimination. 

So, what appeared to be what we know as racism today, in the Old Testament was no more than God demanding absolute spiritual devotion from his people.  Before God’s word was preached to the Gentile people, everything associated with them (their shared interests, habits, characteristics) was, in fact, sinful and spiritually unclean because they didn’t recognize God (1 Sam 17:26).  Their beliefs were at issue, not physical characteristics.  This is why interfaith marriage, then and now,  is considered detestable to God.  We’re told to not be joined together with unbelievers because righteousness and wickedness have nothing in common (2 Co 6:14).  There is no fellowship.  There is no harmony (v.14-15).  Again, the issue here is belief.  When the Canaanite, Hittite, Perizzite, etc. races (meaning nations or peoples) are spoken about negatively, it is because of their detestable practices (Ezra 9:1).  The people of Israel -God’s people- were identified as ‘the holy race’ because they were believers of God’s word (v.2).  It was their belief that justified them as a people, not their nationality, skin tone, native tongue, or any other superficial characteristic.  Again, God’s concern was that their mingling with foreign people eventually would lead them into unfaithfulness, and it did (v.2; Neh 13:27).        

A strict adherence to Mosaic Law, and cultural practices associated with it laid the foundation of the faith that would later be clarified -not abolished- by Jesus Christ’s teaching of grace in the Gospel (Mt 5:17).  God does not show favoritism, but accepts people from anywhere  that revere him and do what’s right (Ac 10:34-35; Ro 2:9-11; 10:9-13).  And since we’re to be like God, we’re told not to show favoritism as well (1 Pe 1:16; Jas 2:1-13).  If we do, we sin (Jas 2:9).  Don’t be like one of the experts of the Law who wanted to justify his own racist views (Lk 10:29).  Like the good Samaritan, we’re to treat our others as ourselves (Lk 10:25-37).  This is our charge:  to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teach them to obey everything Jesus Christ has commanded us, according to God’s word, which is the Holy Bible (Mt 28:19-20; Jn 1:1-2, 14).       

Be Encouraged

Encouragement plays such a big part in the walk of one trying to follow Christ.  In fact, it’s absolutely essential.  Throughout the Bible, we ourselves are not only encouraged by God’s word, but charged to encourage one another as well (Tit 2:15; Isa 1:17; Eph 6:22; Col 4:8).  The writer (who we believe to be Paul) of Hebrews was divinely inspired by God to pen these words, ‘…(E)ncourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness’ (3:13).  Here, Today is contrasted with the Day (of ultimate judgment), so we’re presented with many opportunities to admonish (which involves warning and urging, in addition to encouraging) one another in everyday that proceeds our day of judgment.  For those who trust in the Lord, the forthcoming Day is not a looming threat, but an encouragement to, not only find joy in working for the Lord, but to admonish others to share in that joy as well.  For the Christian, there is no suffered loss, whether it’s Today or the Day (Php 1:20-26).  To live is Christ and to die is gain (Php 1:21).  How’s that for encouragement?  If you’re on God’s side you win, no matter what!

There is no real encouragement outside of God’s word (2 Ti 4:2).  Any other words spoken are just flowery and deceptive, with no basis, or promise.  Be careful not to accept negative ‘encouragement’, which we’re all susceptible to (Ps 64:5).  That is why we’re encouraged to regularly meet with those who are strengthening themselves in God’s word (Heb 10:25).  Iron sharpens iron, indeed (Pr 27:17)! 

It’s not only for the prophet, the gifted, or the seemingly strong to encourage (Ac 15:32; Ro 12:8; 15:1).  We can all be an encouragement, at least in prayer.  Remember, Job in his affliction had the heart to pray for his friends (who were supposed to be an encouragement to him), and as a result of his act of faith, he was then prospered (Job 42:10)!  It’s not only for the benefit of others that we should encourage.

God is our source for all things.  Through Jesus Christ himself and God our Father we have eternal encouragement (2 Th 2:16-17).  And if -and when- we become weak, God has a ready ear to listen to our desires and our cries (Ps 10:17).  With that thought in mind, I want to encourage you to go to Him who’s not only ready to hear you, but has all the power in heaven and earth to positively affect your circumstance.              

How to Get Promoted

I believe the attitude we have toward work determines our productivity, happiness, and whether or not we’ll be promoted.  A woman at my job once groaned, asking me something to the effect of, ‘Do I have to be here?’ when arriving to work one morning, and my answer was, ‘No, there are plenty of people just hoping you decide not to show up for work today.’  Judging by her response, I suppose she was disappointed I didn’t accept the invitation to her complaint session, but I didn’t want any of ‘that’ (negativity) on me.  I was trying to maintain a positive attitude toward work myself.

Whatever our jobs are, we’re to work at it with all of our hearts, as working for the Lord, not men (Col 3:23).  I often consider myself as being employed by God, as opposed to whoever might be signing my check (which isn’t to say I don’t respect them, but I know who my source is).  We’re encouraged to work diligently, coming from the Latin word dlilgere, which means to prize, love, esteem highly (1 Ti 4:15; Heb 6:11; 2 Th 3:6-15).  So in other words, our work is to be done in love, with a desire to please God being our focus.  Our attitudes toward all of our work then (whether it is considered “the Lord’s work”, in a traditional sense, or not) has spiritual implications, and can result in certain rewards (Pr 10:4; 12:24; 13:4; 21:5).

Obvious benefits to working diligently are new opportunities, or promotions.  There are so many people in the Bible who were recognized while working.  Moses was tending his father-in-law’s flock when the Lord called him from a burning bush and commissioned him for a great work (Ex 3).  Ruth was provided with protection and greater profit because of her work (Ruth 2; see also God’s intended purpose for Eve in Ge 2:18, and the description of ‘The Wife of Noble Character’ in Pr 31:10-31).  By the Lord’s direction, Jesse’s youngest boy David had to be pulled from tending the sheep in order to be anointed by Samuel, and would later be crowned king (1 Sam 16:6-13; 2 Sam 5:4; Ps 78:70).  And Jesus called Peter, Andrew, James and John to be his disciples as they were in the act of preparing and casting fishing nets (Mt 4:18-22). And so on.

But seek God’s kingdom and righteousness first, and the things will come later (Mt 6:33).  He must receive his honor first, because it’s the Lord who raises the poor and seats them with princes (Ps 113:7-8; Dan 3:30), who lifts up those who humble themselves before him (Jas 4:10), who honors those who honor him (1 Sam 2:30), who not only gives wealth and possessions, but enables a person to enjoy them, and accept their lot, and be happy with their work (Ecc 5:18-20), and it’s God who enables us to earn the respect of one who works with what they have (1 Th 4:11-12).  There’s dignity in finding work.

Guarding the Reputation of Others

I’d mentioned this a week ago, as I spoke with a few others about honest report.  It came to me that we aren’t only supposed to be concerned about our own reputations, but the reputations of others.  I believe that guarding the reputation of other people is an expression of our love for them (Mt 22:36-39). 

What are you doing to ensure the good name of those around you?  Are you even damaging their name?  We should do to others as we would have them do to us, and speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves (Lk 6:31; Pr 31:8).  We aren’t to give false testimony, or speak falsely of them (Ex 20:16; 23:1; Ps 34:13; Jas 4:11).  But caring for other’s report isn’t limited to only false statements.

Do you reveal personal or sensational reports about others, be they true or false (which by the way, is the definition of gossip.  My definition of gossip is passing on anything you wouldn’t want known about yourself. Pr 11:9 and 13)?  Will you be like Ham, who was quick to tell of his father Noah’s indiscretion, or will you be like Shem and Japheth, who made sure he wasn’t further disgraced (Gen 9:20-23; Pr 17:9)?  A gossip betrays confidence, separates close friends, and without it a quarrel dies down (Pr 11:13; 16:28; 26:20).  We aren’t to slander one another (Lev 19:16; Ps 101:5).  Instead, we should speak words of encouragement and build people up (Acts 13:15; 20:2, Eph 4:29, 31; Php 4:8; 1 Th 5:10-12; Heb 3:13).

This isn’t to say, we aren’t supposed to be truthful, but we should examine our motivations for choosing to say the things we do (Ps 37:30; Mt 12:36; 1Pt 3:10, 16).  We should ask ourselves, is this what I would want said about me?  Better yet, is this what God would have me say (1 Pt 4:11)?

Grieving God

I was just thinking about how we attempt to misuse God (and trust me when I tell you, it’s only an attempt) when we treat him like a genie, who’s only useful for granting wishes (I had a little writer’s block).  But God demands that we love him, deeply respect him, and do what he tells us to do.  Our obedience is his due, and our duty, in love (Ecc 12:13; Pr 3:6; Lk 10:27).  And when we don’t do what he tells us to, God isn’t merely angered, but saddened (Gen 6:5-6, 11-12). 

Yes, our motivation for doing God’s will should be in love.  And that includes a desire not to sadden our God who wants only the best for us (Jer 29:11).  I say this to encourage, not only you, but me as well:  Don’t grieve the Holy Spirit of God by choosing to do wrong; don’t burden him (Eph 4:30; Isa 43:24).  He will not stand for it (Heb 10:26-31).  Have enough faith in God to obey him (Ro 1:5).

God has given us the ability, in him, not to give in to the temptation to sin (1 Co 10:13).  So, let’s throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us (Heb 12:1).  Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that we will not grow weary and loose heart.  In our struggle against sin, we’ve not yet resisted to the point of shedding our blood (Heb 12:3-4).  Jesus suffered way more than he’s asking any of us to, which should be encouragement when we’re tired and tempted to become disheartened. 

Have an appropriate relationship with God.  Give him the honor and reverence that belongs to him (Failure to do so is sinful).  Don’t grieve God by believing the lie of pride that says he’s here to serve us.  He is not a dag-on genie!        

After You've Done Everything to Stand...

Okay, it’s another day of battle soldiers, and we’ve been commanded to be strong in the Lord’s mighty power.  Our enemy has been identified as the Devil, who we are to stand against.  His tactic is schemes.  Don’t be misled by focusing on the tangible.  Human resources are not fitting for this struggle.  Our battle is not against flesh and blood.  Understand, our battle is spiritual against rulers, authorities, powers, and spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  We are instructed to put on the full armor of God, so that we may be able to stand our ground, and after we’ve done everything to stand, we’re told to stand some more, but it must be with God’s full armor (Eph 6:10-14):

Belt:  Make sure every piece of armor is bound with truth, as well as the loins of your mind, so that nothing is ensnared.  Without a secure belt, you will not be able to move freely, and you’re in danger of stumbling and falling (Eph 6:14; 1Pe 1:13-16 KJV) .

Breastplate:  Make sure you’re righteous, both in status and in character.  Let your righteous character be the defense of your vital organs, such as your heart (Eph 6:14; Ro 3:21-23; Pr 4:23).  Don’t be like King Ahab, who’s questionable character caused a flaw in his armor, which was pierced by an arrow, resulting in his death (1 Ki 16:30; 21; 22:31-35). Without a strong and secure breastplate, any attack can prove fatal, but with it, strikes will merely graze the armor.

Feet shod:  Walk in peace, as Christ did, promoting unity (Eph 2:14-16; 6:15).  Reconciliation to God is offered to all.  And those who accept it have the peace of mind to walk freely as one approved by God (Ro 5:1; Mt 5:9; 1 Jn 1:9).  Peace protects the soldier of God’s feet, as the legionary wore heavily reinforced sandals that were as protective, and possibly more comfortable, than today’s combat boots.  They were made with thick leather soles studded with hobnails, enabling them to have secure tread on almost any terrain.  Leather thongs could be laced calf-high, and stuffed with wool for warmth and protection.

Shield:  The large, leather-covered shield, which is your faith, is to be soaked in water and carried to extinguish fire-tipped arrows (Eph 6:16 Heb11:1, 6; Pr 26:18).  Your shield itself -if not accompanied by a will to carry it- is useless (Jas 2:17).  Although it may be heavy, it offers a great deal of protection.  Don’t put it down!  A Roman soldier’s shield was curved to deflect the full force of an attack.  In the center was a metal knob, which enabled the shield to be used as an offensive weapon, by knocking the Enemy back.

Helmet:  Salvation is to cover your head as a helmet (Eph 6:17).  God designed this gift to be received, not earned (Eph 2:8-9).  The purpose is for reconciliation to Him, for the purpose of his predestined work for you (Eph 2:10).  Bronze, on iron, on leather, absorbed shock.  A back shield protected the neck.  A front ridge protected the face.  And pieces at the cheeks protected the face and ears. (I’m sure Malchus wished he had a helmet when he came across an angry Peter [Jn 18:10].)

Sword:  Success in battle depends on skillfully wielding our sword, which is the very Word of God (Eph 6:17; 2 Tim 2:15; Heb 4:12).  Don’t worry about how you will perform.  The Holy Spirit will bring to our remembrance all that you’ve trained in (Jn 14:26).

Prayer:  And don’t forget to communicate continuously with God, who will, lead, encourage, and ensure your victory (1 Co 15:55-57).  By (praying) God’s word you have the power to speak and make the Enemy flee, the power to speak and move mountains, the power to bind and loose (Lk 4:1-13; Mt 11:23; 18:18).

We’re more than conquerors through Him who loved us (Ro 8:37).  Thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ (2 Co 2:14)!  With Christ we are guaranteed victory!  So, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on the full armor of God, and stand, then stand some more (Eph 6:10-14).  With him we are able!

                    

God Is Love

I planned on writing about another topic today, but got to thinking about what love means -considering it’s Valentine’s Day- so that’ll have to wait.  And aside from the fact that this is Valentine’s Day, I think this message is so timely.  We need to constantly be reminded of what love is, according to God’s word (so that we can also recognize what love isn’t).  Love is characterized by patience, kindness, and endurance.  It isn’t envious, boastful, arrogant, rude, selfish, irritable (Once again, God’s talking to me.), or resentful.  It doesn’t rejoice in wrongdoing, but in truth.  It bears, believes, and hopes all things. Love is endless (1 Co 13:4-8)!

The Bible tells us that God himself is love (1 Jn 4:8).  The word’ is’ is the singular form of the word ‘be’, which means to equal in meaning, or to have the same condition as.  What’s cool is as I looked this word up, the first definition sentence example in Merriam-Webster Online was <God is love>.  The two are, indeed, interchangeable.  God is love, and love is God.  So, consider that the next time you hear a flippant testimony about what love is.  Love is a crazy game?  I think not!  God is not to be trifled with.

Enough of the commentary though.  I can’t tell it better than God can anyway, so here’s one of God’s many love letters to us from the pen of John: 

‘Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.  Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.  This is how God showed his love among us:  He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.  This is love:  not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.  Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.  No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.  And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.  If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God.  And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.

God is love.  Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.  In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him.  There is no fear in love.  But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.  The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

We love because he first loved us.  If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ yet hates his brother, he is a liar.  For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.  And he has given us this command:  Whoever loves God must also love his brother (1 Jn 4:7-21).

With that said. 

Love y’all!

          

Never Alone

No one’s ever truly alone.  Nothing is hidden from God; everything is laid out bare for him (Heb 4:13).  We should feel secure in knowing that we have a God that’s always present (Ps 46:1).  He’s here to counsel us, comfort us, and help us cope with the difficulties of everyday life (Jn 14:25-26). 

We’re told to trust God enough to pour out our hearts to him, and encouraged to cast all of our anxiety on God because he cares for us (Ps 62:8; 1 Pe 5:7).  There’s a song called ‘Tomorrow’ by the Winans that’s often sung as an encouragement for those who are unsaved to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, but recently I’ve gotten a new revelation on this message, and it’s that God truly desires a relationship with each and every one of us.  Let me pause here.  That thought is just so overwhelming.  The ‘fire insurance’ is good, and absolutely vital, but God wants a real-deal relationship with us!  He already knows us through and through, and still loves us (Ps 139)!  Now I challenge you to make that testimony about anyone else.  He wants us to truly know who he is, not just what we’ve heard about him! 

He’s told us that he will never leave us, so we should be able to say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid’ (Heb 13:5-6; Isa 54:17; Dt 31:6).  It’s unfortunate that many have chosen not to believe that these things are true (1 Ti 2:4; Tit 2:11; Heb 9:28). 

Enemies of God

Make no mistake about it.  Whether we acknowledge it or not, we are all in spiritual warfare, and it is absolutely crucial to make sure we are on the right side, the side that’s guaranteed victory (Eph 6:12; 1 Co 15:54-58; Ro 8:37)!  So, consider the following a checklist to make sure you are on the right side.  And if you aren’t, fix it!  We don’t have long y’all (Mal 4).

The Bible describes enemies of God in more ways than one.  Jesus said -in no uncertain terms, “He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me, scatters” (Lk 11:23).  He said, that those who don’t accept him and hold on to the truth, belong to their father, the devil, and desire to carry out his will.  Jesus said, people who don’t believe me, don’t understand the language of truth because they’re accustomed to their father’s native tongue, which is lies (Jn 8:42-47).  (But thank God for our ability to be born again to him [Jn 3:5; Ro 10:9-10]!)  Those who make a habit of bringing up accusations against others are characterized by their father, the Accuser, who is Satan (Rev 12:10).  People who deliberately sin –that is, practice sin- are called enemies of God (Heb 10:26-27).  People who love money are enemies of God (Mt 6:24).  Those who haven’t been reconciled to God, through Christ, are enemies of God (Ro 5:9-11). 

Enemies are also characterized by certain behavior.  They seek to devour (1 Pe 5:8).  They are deceitful and flattering (Pr 27:6).  They pervert truth by calling what is good evil, and what is evil good (Is 5:20).  They plot evil, stir up dissension, gossip, slander,

make insinuations, and so on (Pr 16:27-30; Mt 5:14-15).  And not to stir anything up myself, but the enemy may be closer than you think (Mic 7:6; Mt 10:32-33, 36-39).  Just sayin’.

And those who are against God’s people are, no doubt, enemies of God as well (Jn 15:13-15; Mt 10:40-42; Ro 8:31).  But we have been given divine instruction on how to deal with them (Mt 5:44-45; Lk 6:27, 35; Pr 25:21).  It’s God himself who will handle our enemies (Ro 12:19; Is 59:18).  We have nothing to worry about, as long as we’re on the winning side (Pr 16:7). 

Only By Faith

This subject is so rich! I’ll cover my immediate thoughts on it though.  Faith is defined as allegiance or duty to a person; loyalty; fidelity to one’s promise; sincerity of intentions; belief and trust in, and loyalty to God; without question; complete trust.  And I was in agreement with Merriam-Webster’s definition; until I got to their defining it as a firm belief in something for which there is no proof.  Correction Merriam-Webster: 

Faith is being sure of what you hope for and certain of what you do not see, says God, who always has the final word (Heb. 11:1).  The proof of faith is in its sureness and certainty.  It doesn’t say that faith was or will be; it says that faith is.  And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him (Heb. 11:6). 

We cannot stand without faith (Isa. 7:9).  We cannot have peace without faith (Isa. 26:3-4).  With faith we can do great things (Jn. 14:12)! 

We are to imitate God’s faithfulness, which always expresses itself in action.  Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead (Jas. 2:17).  As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead (Jas. 2:26; Mt. 9:2, 22,29).  You doubt God’s faithfulness?  Consider that he’s preserved your life to this very moment.  How are you showing yourself faithful to a faithful God?    

The Great Restorer

As stated in the last post, Satan comes only to kill, steal, and destroy (John 10:10).  And the result of sin is death; whether you interpret that as literal, physical death, spiritual death, death or loss of opportunities, or material blessings, etc., what is clear is that we will suffer for our wrongdoing (Romans 6:23).  That’s simply the appropriate response for a just God. 

The common response of wrongdoing is attempting to conceal them (John 3 19-20).  Our Accuser (Rev. 12:10) does not want us to gain from the restoration that results for a truly repentant believer.  Repentance is God’s plan for restoring us.  God says, ‘If you repent, I will restore you that you may serve me…’ (Ps. 23:3; Jer. 15:19; Ez. 18:30-32; Nahum 2:2; 1 Pet. 5:10).  To be clear, repenting isn’t merely admitting to God that you’ve done wrong, but it’s also turning away form sin and dedicating oneself to the amendment of one’s life (according to Merriam-Webster Online).  God doesn’t merely offer an opportunity to repent, but commands it.  And he is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins (1Jn. 1:9). 

Spiritual laws guarantees blessings (Ps, 1:1; 2:12; 32:2; 33:12; 40:4; 41:1; 84:5; 89:5; 89:15; 94:12; 106:3; 112:1; 118:26; 119:1-2; 127:5; Pr. 3:13; 8:34; 28:20; 29:18; 31:28; Isa. 30:18; Mt. 5:3-11; Jn. 12:13; Ac. 20:35Jas. 1:12; Rev. 1:3; 22:7).  We just need to trust that God will do what it says he will do in his word, and know and believe that ‘without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him’ (Heb. 11:6).