Confidence

On April 4, 2018   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

Romans 5: 5           GW

We’re not ashamed to have this confidence, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

Can we truly be confident in the Lord, so confident that it shows? The love of God brings hope and we will not be disappointed in our hope because God has given us the Holy Spirit. Did you know that one of the roles of the Holy Spirit is to pour love into our hearts? He pours, not dribbles. A great volume of love is available to anyone who will receive. This love brings confidence.

We have confidence that God will never leave us nor forsake us because He poured out His Spirit to us. His Spirit lives in us so God is bound to us. He has chosen to be bound to us. We cannot be separated from Him because His Spirit is in us. That is a powerful statement. Therefore, nothing can separate us from the love of God (Romans 8: 39). Surely this truth yields hope, a hope which leads to confident expectation.

Look at this verse from the New Living Translation, “And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” Is that not special? Here is the Passion version, “And this hope is not a disappointing fantasy, because we can now experience the endless love of God cascading into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who lives in us!”

Just think, it was God’s choice that provides us with a never-ending flow of His love. No one coerced Him. He came up with the idea and the plan. So, our confidence is in His love because He offered it freely even while we were yet lost. When we did not love Him, He devised a plan to furnish us with an everlasting, endless supply of His love and His love never fails. We should have confidence in that love. It is reliable and we can trust in it.

Let your hope in God’s love fill your heart with confidence. There is no guesswork here. God has given Himself to you because He wanted to. If He would give you His Spirit, and His Spirit is constantly pouring the love of God into your heart, what would the Father deny you? He has given the best, why not the rest?

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Law and Life

On April 3, 2018   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

Matthew 12: 1 – 2

At that time Jesus went on the Sabbath through the grainfields, and His disciples became hungry and began to pick the heads of grain and eat. But when the Pharisees saw it, they said to Him, “Behold, Your disciples do what is not lawful to do on a Sabbath.”

Whoa! This is major bad news! Jesus, he whom we hold up as perfect, as having never sinned, broke the law. He and his disciples did not keep to the law regarding the Sabbath. The law says, “For six days work may be done, but on the seventh day there is a sabbath of complete rest, holy to the Lord; whoever does any work on the sabbath day shall surely be put to death” (Exodus 31: 15).

How many times have we read over this without even pausing to consider the significance? For myself the answer is, many times. This passage is right here in the middle of the first book of the New Testament; in the gospels. It would seem to have calamitous results for our faith. So, what gives?

Jesus’ answer is contained in verses three through eight but the substance of it is in verse seven, “But if you had known what this means, I DESIRE COMPASSION, AND NOT A SACRIFICE, you would not have condemned the innocent.” What does he mean by this and how does this answer the problem of the law?

The answer is found in 1 John 4: 8, “God is love.” Compassion has greater weight in the Kingdom of God than law. I am not disregarding the law, only showing that there is something superior and that is the love of God which is most clearly demonstrated in acts of grace. Jesus came to bring God’s Kingdom to earth, but what is His Kingdom? Here we see that God values grace over law. He sent Jesus so that we could be free from the curse of the law.

How many of us stand in the same shoes as the Pharisees? I know that I have in the past. When confronted with someone who was engaged in an adulterous affair, all I could see was the law. It is very, very hard not to be so hide bound that all you can see is the letter of the law applied to the situation. Where does grace fit in here? What does love have to do with it and why was Jesus not put to death for his violation of the law? How does compassion apply to this situation and who are the innocents of whom Jesus speaks?

The Pharisees had them dead to rights. Why didn’t they prosecute? Even the Pharisees were forestalled by Jesus’ response. Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath (v. 8) which means what Jesus brought into the earth is a higher law than the law of Moses. Jesus reminded the Pharisees, who knew the law, what was recorded in Hosea 6: 6, “For what I desire is mercy, not sacrifices.” Mercy, grace and compassion, those are the laws of the Kingdom of God. They are a higher law than anything else.

This, I believe, is what Jesus was trying to tell us in this passage. We have a tendency towards strict application of the law to all people other than ourselves. We get a revelation of grace when we are in the hot seat, but it is considerably harder when we look upon others. Why were the actions of Jesus and his disciples not sin? Because the higher law stepped in. God’s mercy and Jesus’ lordship are bigger than the law. There is a higher law in the land now, one that is rooted in the love and compassion of God. Jesus came to set us free from the bondage of the law so that we too can walk in the grace of our Lord. This explains why the fruit of the Spirit and the characteristics of God are shown in kindness, goodness, gentleness, etc. When we are able to really wrap our heads around this, we will understand a great deal about the Kingdom of God. I would say this is a great passage to meditate on and even to journal. Ask the Father to explain this to your heart, “How can Jesus be sin free when he broke the law?” The answer is as big as God Himself and will completely revolutionize the church if we can grasp it. Herein lies the Kingdom of God in its glory. Partake of His goodness in full.

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No Worries

On April 2, 2018   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

Psalm 94: 19          Names of God Bible (NOG)

When I worried about many things, your assuring words soothed my soul.

How about some reassurance this Monday morning? It’s the day after Easter, Resurrection Sunday, and we have renewed belief in the power of the resurrection and the glory of the Lord. He is alive and present. His resurrection and the power that raised him confirms in our hearts that he is with us, even until the end of the age. Now why should he be continually present in our lives if not to help us and comfort us?

I noted  the psalmist, didn’t write that when he prayed about his troubles, God soothed him. While I believe that would be inevitable, it is comforting to know that God soothes even our troubled thoughts. Not only that, it is clear that God spoke to him because he wrote that it was God’s assuring words that soothed him. God was on hand in the moment of need.

It is easy to get bogged down in a mountain of worries. Jesus acknowledged that each day has enough worries of its own. The power of the Trinity in our lives, though, is to carry those burdens for us. Peter told us to cast all our cares upon the Lord because He cares for us. So, we mustn’t be weighed down with the cares of the world but instead set our eyes on him, the author and perfecter of our faith. Seek the Kingdom of God while Jesus bears the weight of problems for you. It may sound irresponsible, but this is New Testament faith, union with the Holy Trinity so integrated that our problems are theirs as well. Jesus gives us his glory and takes our troubles. It’s not fair but it sure is good.

Listen to the heart of the Lord today. He is calling you into a new place with Him. It is the first day of new life today. Let him speak soothing and reassuring words into your ears. He loves you, you know. Just let him show you today. Be blessed.

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The Living One

On March 30, 2018   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

Luke 24: 5

Why do you seek the living One among the dead?

Oh my! This literally made me laugh out loud this week. As Easter is upon us, I was reading all of the accounts of the resurrection. A number of things struck me, but this was loudest. The angels that spoke to the two Mary’s framed the resurrection beautifully, if ironically. They stood in Jesus’ tomb as harbingers of the good news of his resurrection.

He is alive. That is the good news. He is alive today too. I think we lose track of that sometimes as we pour over the historical record of him. He got up from his tomb and he took his body with him. He came back from death to life. Hallelujah. He wasn’t just raised from the dead into a mortal body that would again suffer death. No, he overcame death. He has authority over death and he is alive and well.

So, if, as the angels indicated, Mary and Mary were looking for him in the wrong place, where should we look for him today? Among the living is the obvious answer. He is real. He is not some ethereal entity with no understanding of life on earth. He is God who walked the earth, suffered as we do, and knows the trials we face. He has retained the experiences. He understands. So, we seek him as we seek a real, alive person but, he does not occupy physical space in the earth the same way others do. He doesn’t have a physical location where his body resides and that is where we become challenged.

Let me offer you this. He is literally everywhere. He is right there with you right now. Become aware of your surroundings for a moment. There is life all around you, right? I am not being metaphorical when I say, “He is the life.” He is with you, seated right next to you. His presence is in the air around you. We are not always sensitive to the spiritual beings which occupy the same space we do but he is there. Just believe it.

He is the light. Every time you see a speck of light, remind yourself that is Jesus. He is the Word. Do you want more of him in you and around you? Put the Word in the air. You can play Christian music or even have the Bible read aloud to you. Grasp this though, wherever there is life, there Jesus is. He is in every molecule on the planet. He gives motion to the atoms.

Do you think the two Mary’s perspective changed when the angel told them, “He is not hear, but He has risen?” They ran back to the others and told them the good news. They became the very first people to spread the gospel. Yeah, I think their entire attitude changed. They went from grief to exultation and great joy. So, shall it be when we get a clear perspective of “He is alive.” Our grief shall also turn to joy as we understand that he is with us, right now. He is not on a cross. He is not laying in a tomb. He is the risen Lord who died to give you abundant life.

This Easter, I hope you celebrate a bigger revelation of Christ with you. I pray it fills you with joy. Neither hell nor the grave could crush him and he won’t let them crush you. The living one is with you. Amen.

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Prideful

On March 29, 2018   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

Ezekiel 16: 49             CEB

This is the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were proud, had plenty to eat, and enjoyed peace and prosperity; but she didn’t help the poor and the needy.

You know what happened to Sodom, don’t you? The city was obliterated from the face of the earth. What was her crime? The Complete Jewish Bible tells us clearly, “The crimes of your sister S’dom were pride and gluttony; she and her daughters were careless and complacent, so that they did nothing to help the poor and needy.”

Did you know that pride was a sin? What about gluttony? Now that definitely hits below the belt. Sodom was prosperous. Her people had plenty and although they lacked for nothing, their hearts were hard, so that they did nothing to help the poor or the needy.

Does that really sound so different from our towns and cities today? How about the church? Are we, as the church, doing much to help the poor and needy? We can even reduce this analysis to the individual level and ask ourselves how well we are doing at helping others. The New American Standard Bible says that the people of Sodom were arrogant. They were so blessed in their prosperity and peace that they became arrogant. They began to think they were responsible for their wealth and expected other people to make their own way too.

It’s a funny thing. Sometimes when we have much, we become more greedy than those who have less. That is what happened to Sodom. They horded their wealth rather than helping to meet the needs of others.

It’s too late for Sodom but not for us. We have a chance to do something about our fate and that of those less fortunate than ourselves. At every level we can change our perspective and begin to give to others. Our churches can greatly impact their communities. We must change our consumer culture and become one of charity. With our tithes and offerings, even our local churches can have a great impact. Ask yourself, what you can do to effect change. We should all begin with prayer and with seeking God. We should trust Him to show us new paths and we can follow those paths to an entirely different way of living, one which does not only consume the blessing but instead spreads the blessing to those less fortunate. Let’s allow this to sink in and then let’s all find ways to initiate change.

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Pinocchio

On March 28, 2018   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

Philippians 2: 12

Work out your salvation with fear and trembling.

Do you remember the Disney movie Pinocchio? I had it on last week and was struck, as never before, with the commonality between that little wooden headed boy and Christians.

The story goes that Geppetto, a wood carver by trade, made the little wooden puppet. He wished, though, that this little puppet could be a real boy. The blue fairy heard Geppetto’s wish and because he had given so much joy to other people she visited his house to grant his wish. She waved her magic wand and the puppet came to life. Hallelujah!

Do you see the parallel there with us and Jesus? When we were dead, nothing but inanimate wooden heads, he came and gave us life (John 10: 10). But wait, there is more to the story. The blue fairy explained to Pinocchio that it was because Geppetto wished for a real boy that she came to give him life. Upon hearing this, Pinocchio asked, “Am I a real boy?” The blue fairy told him, “No,” that becoming a real boy would depend upon him. He had to prove himself truthful, brave and unselfish, and to learn right from wrong to become a real boy. Interestingly, she didn’t say that he had to “do” right rather than “wrong”. That is implied. The key was in learning the right way from the wrong way. It is not instinctive. We, like Pinocchio, have to learn.

Pinocchio’s task was monumental, almost insurmountable, but the fairy didn’t leave him on his own to learn all of these important lessons. He would have been destined to fail. She gave him a helper. His name was Jiminy Cricket. We too have been given a helper. Jesus said, “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever (John 14: 6). We have been told to be transformed (Romans 12: 2) but like Pinocchio, our task would be impossible if not for the Holy Spirit, our helper.

We have another similarity with Pinocchio. Jesus came and gave us life but it is up to us to become real Christians. We have the life, but we have to be transformed into “real boys” through our own walk with our helper. When we do not listen to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we end up in the same kind of trouble that Pinocchio found when he did not heed the advice of Jiminy Cricket. Because of his own actions, Pinocchio was being transformed into a jackass. I am afraid that comparison is far too close for comfort.

Many of us have thought that once we accepted Jesus as Lord, we were done. We concluded we could go on living like Pinocchio’s worldly friend, Lampley, without reaping the consequences. Wrong! The salvation prayer is akin to what happened when the blue fairy gave Pinocchio life. From there we should have received advice like she gave Pinocchio. It is up to you to become a real boy. Prove yourself truthful, brave and unselfish; learn right from wrong and you will be transformed into the very image that Geppetto, the Father, has for you.

We must work out our own salvation with fear and trembling but we are not alone in this or any other endeavor. God didn’t tell us to be transformed and then we would be saved. No! He saved us, gave us life and then gave us His very own Spirit to be our guide, our conscience, if you will. We will never be transformed without his help. We cannot do this work in our own strength or else we would have created a prettier version of ourselves long ago. But here’s the rub, he cannot do it without us either. This is always a cooperative effort.

I hope you take your own transformation seriously. I hope you seek the heart and mind of God to discover where He wishes to lead you. The road is far better when we follow the advice and leading of the Holy Spirit. If you don’t believe me, go watch Pinocchio and see how it turns out. Spoiler Alert: the secret is in learning to be unselfish.

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Glorious Hero

On March 27, 2018   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

Psalm 91: 15             The Passion Translation

I will answer your cry for help every time you pray, and you will find and feel my presence even in your time of pressure and trouble. I will be your glorious hero and give you a feast.

I know I have written to you about journaling your conversation with God before. You may also have checked out my journaling at this website: http://www.bornofthespirit.today/learning-to-hear-directly-from-god/. Today I am sending you my journaling on Psalm 91: 15. I hope it not only blesses you but also inspires you to begin your own “Journaling with Jesus”. To learn more about two-way journaling go to www.cwgministries.org.

Father, what would you say to me today about this verse?

I am poised, ready to leap into action, to help you at your call. I have angels positioned with orders in hand. They will come to your aid as soon as you give us permission. We are staged and ready. All my forces are on high alert.

Each time you speak my name, I am there with you. This is my greatest desire. I want to be the one you call. I want to be your hero and best friend. You are my beloved and I want nothing more than to protect and care for you.

I have your back in times of trouble. When the forces of darkness threaten you, I will be the strong refuge in which you take shelter. I will also be the army that fights your battles while you remain hidden in the fortress.

Fear not! Never let fear rule your actions.

I will prepare a feast for you in the midst of your enemies. While they are tormented, you shall enjoy my bounty. Do no let the presence of enemies dissuade you or cause you alarm. I have called you for such a time as this and I shall, in my glory, keep you from the slayer’s blade. I will be your strong right arm. Do not fear.

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