Practice Makes Perfect

On March 20, 2023   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

Matthew 6: 1

Take care not to practice your righteousness in the sight of people, to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.

The idea I wish to share with you today will encompass more than just this first verse of chapter six, but let’s pause here and hear what Jesus is going to speak about.

When I read this recently it got my attention differently than ever before. I read this first verse and stopped in my tracks because of two things I heard. First, Jesus is going speak with us about righteousness. What is it and how in the world do we practice it? The part that really got my attention, though, is at the end. Jesus said that the Father would reward us for practicing our righteousness. What? Let that sink in for a moment. What does that mean and who ever thought that Father rewards us for acts of righteousness?

Can we be honest with one another for a moment? Some people are so “holy” and self-righteous that they scoff at the idea of Father rewarding us for anything. In their minds, we are to be servants of God and not expect anything in return. Let me be blunt. They are wrong. Well, either they are wrong, or Jesus is because he is about to speak with us about rewards. This first verse is a caution because Jesus doesn’t want us to lose our reward.

We need to understand that God doesn’t want servants. He can make those. He didn’t send Jesus to earth so that He could get a bunch of slaves or employees. Yahweh wanted kids. He sent Jesus to earth to build a family. Those people who scoff at the idea of Father rewarding us are actually trying to earn their righteousness. They probably don’t even realize that is what they are doing but, in their hearts, they don’t believe they are worthy of the Father’s promises. The rest of us know we aren’t worthy and that sets us free because we have accepted Jesus’ substitutionary miracle, our brokenness for his righteousness. In these next lines, Jesus is going to teach us exactly what he wants from us. He is going to show us what practicing righteousness looks like and, yes, he is going to speak to us about rewards.

Get ready! This is going to be a short, but fun, study. Perhaps you wish to save today’s Word of the Day because next week’s will pick up where we leave off today.

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Pigs & Pearls

On March 13, 2023   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

Proverb 23: 9            NLB

Don’t waste your breath on fools, for they will despise the wisest advice.

This is one of the hardest lessons for me to learn. Let us suppose you have a friend with a problem, and you have a solution to that problem. What kind of friend are you if you do not offer what you have?

It turns out that people would rather suffer with their issues than accept advice. Is this ego? Is it pride? I don’t know, but it is true that people do not want advice. Frankly, this truth hurts my brain. A friend of mine and I were discussing this just this past weekend. She knows many dietary and nutritional realities that, if heeded, can positively alter a person’s health dramatically. She said she has learned not to offer solutions even when she sees someone seriously damaging their health with food choices. She said, “Ivey, it is casting your pearls before swine.” She was referring to Matthew 7: 6, “Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.”

Do you know who my friend quoted? Yes, you said right. It was Jesus. Didn’t Jesus tell us to go into all the world and preach the gospel to all people? How, then, does he also advise us to keep our sage wisdom to ourselves? Jesus knew that even the most precious wisdom, the most sagely advice is wasted on a fool. Here is the part which really breaks my heart. Those fools are often my friends and family. How can they not accept truth? Right? Even friends you respect and who are intelligent are not always wise. This is a painful truth. Your best friend may be unable to see the truth which is evident to you. What are you to do?

I wish I had all the answers here, but the reality is, sometimes this truth creates separation between you and a friend. If you wish to climb a mountain and your friend does not, you have no choice but to go on without them. It is painful, but sometimes you just have to leave that friend behind. Pray for them. Ask God to keep them in His peace, but go on up the mountain. You can’t, you just can’t sit on a stone at the bottom of the mountain with them. It will kill you. What would have happened if Moses had not climbed the mountain? All Israel would have been lost and even we would be without the revelations that came out of his sacrifice.

I remember a friend and mentor telling me years ago that you just have to go on without some of the people you would choose to have on the journey with you. I knew he was right; he’s still right, but it is just one of those really challenging life lessons with which I continue to struggle. A different friend of mine recently experienced the same dynamic. She has recently found her relationships strengthened or diminished by this dynamic. It’s simple really, you cannot journey with someone with whom you are unequally yoked.

This is a heart-breaking reality. Personally, I find it intellectually overwhelming that people cannot see the truth that will set them free. No matter what you say, no matter how diligent you are in presenting revelation, some will see it, some won’t. Jesus is effusive in encouraging us to move on. He goes even further than Solomon, revealing that these people will not only despise you and your advice, but they will turn on you. They will not respect or thank you for trying to save their lives or their eternal soul.

What shall we do? We pray for them, but we go look for someone else. It hurts your spirit, I know. Your heart will feel heavy, but don’t allow your calling to falter because of it. Find running mates who can see what you see. Find some folks with the same kind of passion for the things that inspire you. Encourage yourself with the Word and the testimony of Christ because you are suffering the same thing he did. Keep looking up to the heavens for there is your destiny.

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Business Partner

On March 6, 2023   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

John 15: 5

Apart from me you can do nothing.

I had to stop myself recently and ask how much I believe God is our partner in all things, including in business. If you believe a thing, it will show up in your behaviors. Do we really believe that Yahweh, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are present and active in our everyday lives? Do we believe He (the trinity) intercedes in the affairs of men.

Intellectually and theologically, I absolutely do believe that our Father is ever present and desires to work alongside us in our everyday existences. In fact, did you know that one of the titles of the Holy Spirit is He who goes alongside? What, though, does that mean in practical terms? In other words, even though we may believe this intellectually, how does one partner with the Spirit of God. Does this belief color our actions?

I live knowing my Father is beside me all the time. I speak with Him all day. It is probably the greatest revelation of my life. However, when I arrested myself about God as my senior business partner, I had to face some difficult questions. If you have a boss or a senior partner, do you go about the business of your occupation without checking in with that person? Or do you have regular meetings in order to receive counsel and direction? I was working hard in all the things God has given into my hands, but I wasn’t conferring with Him enough. There is the daily chatter which we keep up and that is great, but it isn’t enough. I need time consulting with Him when I am not driving a car, working out, or applying my hands to any number of tasks. I need that quiet time which is devoted completely to our relationship. Truthfully, I also find it is best if I do that first thing in the morning.

Today’s passage comes from the parable of The Vine. Jesus is the vine; we are the offshoots of the vine and it is from those branches that you find the fruit. Jesus says that he who abides in him and in whom Jesus abides, that person will bear much fruit. The fruit, then, is the product of abiding in Jesus and allowing him to abide with you. There are realms of theology in that statement, but even just at a surface level it means that our lives must be intertwined with him. This is the substance of my logo, lest I forget. He in us, we in him, that is the best business model ever. If we cut ourselves away from the vine, we bear no fruit; we can do nothing.

Here is a little insight for us all. Advancing in our businesses or in another facet of life is in seeking time with the Lord. Sometimes we go to him only when we have a question. Above I wrote that the best thing for me to do is spend time with the Father on our relationship. Out of that relationship flows the river of life. Even when I am not asking Him about business, He is opening my eyes to ideas and insights. My advice, then, to you and to myself is to seek Him. Let us not only seek business counsel but also simply seek the one with wisdom. Seek the lover of your soul. While you seek His heart, He will prosper your business.

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You Win

On February 27, 2023   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

Romans 8: 28

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

I have been thinking about this verse lately. For those of you who have read the Word of the Day for a while, you know that I have written on it multiple times. I call this the Lemonade scripture by which I mean that God takes our lemons and turns them into lemonade. I want to revisit this verse today because we all need to remind ourselves that our Father is always looking after us and turning the sour lemons of life into sweet lemonade.

When Paul wrote that “all” things work out for our ultimate good, what do you think he had in mind? When we speak of all things it necessarily includes good things, mediocre things and bad things. Do you, though, think that Paul was thinking of the good things? No. He could just as easily have written that God causes the bad things in our lives to work out for our good. That is what he was really saying. He was thinking about the stumbling blocks, the “no’s” you get when you’re looking for a yes, and all the other things that don’t go as you would have liked.

The first thing we must understand is what this verse does not mean. It does not say, nor does it mean, that God makes bad things happen to you. Only with this realization can we understand the promise which is embedded here. The promise is that God is with you, and He is going to turn around the junk the devil meant for harm so that it works out for your benefit.

I am intrigued that just a few verses later Paul ties this thought in, “Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or trouble, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?” (v. 35). These verses come together to show the comprehensive work of the Lord. It is the love of God which is working for you such that none of these “bad things” carry the day. Jesus said, “I’ve told you this so that my peace will be with you. In the world you’ll have trouble. But cheer up! I have overcome the world,” (John 16: 33 GW). It is Paul’s revelation of the love of Christ which drives this entire discussion. He understands the dynamic of Father, Son and us. All was done for us.

Paul concludes beginning in verse thirty-seven with, “in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord,” (verses 37 – 39). He tells us that it is because of the love of God that we overcome those things which do not initially go in our favor. God’s love triumphs over the lemons turning even the most rotten things sweet for us. This conquering, which is our inheritance, is through Him who loves us. Nothing can separate us from God’s love and His love turns things around. In other words, You win, if you don’t give up!

I hope you are seeing this and see that you don’t have to eat lemons. You can, instead, drink lemonade. It is God’s love which sweetens the lemons and turns them into something favorable. The one last thing I would share is that the role you play in this overcoming victory is in calling those things that currently are not what they should be as though they already are (Romans 4: 17). Call that lemon, lemonade. When lemons happen, just call them out. Say, “This has to work to my good because God said so.” Then let go of the stress of it and look forward to it working out for you. Treat it as a seed and look for your harvest!

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Prayer Temple

On February 20, 2023   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

2 Chronicles 7: 15

My eyes shall be open and My ears attentive to the prayer offered in this place.

After Solomon built and sanctified the temple, God made him the above promise. God’s omnipresence and attention would always be in the temple. At the time, that promise would have meant a great deal to the people of Israel. However, we don’t live in Israel. What has it to do with any of us?

The answer for that question is in John 14, verse 23, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him, and make Our abode with him.” The apostle Paul made it clear, “Don’t you know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?” (1 Corinthians 3: 16 GW). These verses bring 2 Chronicles into sharp focus for our lives today. God’s eyes and ear are always attentive to the prayers offered in His temple and you are His temple.

Do you ever feel like you are praying into a void? Me too! Sometimes it seems like our prayers are cast into a vast silence of brooding space. However, now we know that is not true so how we feel can be overwritten with truth. Last week’s Word of the Day told us that nothing can separate us from the love of God. The point I tried to get across was that we should not let our feelings be the final authority. The same applies here. Though it does not always feel like God is listening, the truth is that He has no choice. He tied Himself to His temple thousands of years ago. Besides that, He loves you and is always attentive to your voice because He loves to hear from you. Still, I like having scripture to stand upon when I am not feeling my strongest. Scripture is solid and reliable.

So, what would you like to pray for today? Father is waiting and listening. Let Him know the desires of your heart.

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Omnipresent Love

On February 13, 2023   /   Word of the Day   /   1 Comment

Romans 8: 35

Who shall separate us from the love Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

The first thing I find interesting in this passage is that Paul begins by asking “who” shall separate us from the love of Christ and then goes on to list things rather than writing a list of who might do this separation. Is there a revelation in there that Paul had that we do not?

The main point of the passage, though, is obvious. There is nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. When a person is going through tribulation, persecution, etc. they can feel very lonely and separated from God. The truth, however, is that no thing can separate us from Jesus, Father, and the Holy Spirit.

Economically we are going through a bit of a famine right now, but you can overcome in this time of economic down turn and any other trial that tries to make you falter because the God of the universe is alive and well and living right inside of you. There is no thing and no one, the devil included, that can separate you from the love of God and the power of God. You are seated at the right hand of the Father with the glorious Jesus, the Christ, the Messiah. Reread the list above and let it sink in how encompassing the list really is. If those things cannot separate you from the love of Christ, then nothing can.

Lastly, receive this truth despite your feelings. Put feelings to the side because they will mislead and handicap you. You may feel alone, but the fact is that you are not. You may feel isolated but No Thing and No One can isolate you from the love that sent Jesus into this world in the first place. Let truth overcome emotion. Let Jesus reign overall, including emotions and circumstances. Know beyond reason that the love that sent Jesus is present and watching over you today.

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Light in the Darkness

On February 6, 2023   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

Romans 2: 19

[A]nd are confident that you yourself are a guide to people who are blind, a light to those in darkness.

The way of Christianity, it is not always easy to discern. One thing I have learned, though, is that we must walk in the light. You are not surprised by this, I am sure, but I find it a more challenging issue to live than we may believe.

Jesus said, “I have come as Light into the world, so that no one who believes in Me will remain in darkness,” (John 12: 46). Because of this statement, we go about the world trying to lure people out of the darkness and into the light. The compassion which drives that task is commendable. The problem I have seen is in the way we go about it. I have witnessed more condemnation, criticism, judgment and loathing in our approach than compassion. Jesus came as the light so that none should remain in darkness. We believe ourselves redeemed from a life of darkness and yet, we plunge ourselves right back into that shadowy world when we begin to address others. Believe this, one cannot defeat darkness with darkness. Only the light can dispel darkness.

The one who fights against another by criticizing and judging, only condemns himself. This is a hard lesson. We think we are of the light, but do we remain in the light when we see something we believe is amiss?

“I am the Light of the world; the one who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life,” (John 8:12). Life is in the light and so is love. I know, it gets old hearing about love, but it really is the only way to fight the darkness. Prayer has the power to change situations and people, but that prayer must be a prayer of reconciliation, healing, redemption and forgiveness. Only the light can overcome darkness. That means there is a better way to pray than asking God to change what we think is wrong with someone. It means hateful speech and harsh criticisms are to be set aside in favor of kindness.

If you watch, you will see other Christians and even whole churches focusing on methods of darkness. Obviously, that is not the way, but we only realize that darkness has crept back in when we stop and look around. I think when you observe the life around you, you will see that many of us are trying to dispel the darkness with more darkness. I know, though, that I can count on you to be a light, a true light in a dark place. Let Jesus’ light within you shine and bring joy and healing to an already hurting world.

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