Wise Counsel

On September 14, 2017   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

James 3: 17

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.

Learning to hear and recognize the voice of God is a skill and like all skills, it can be learned. One of the questions I am asked most frequently is, “How do I know that I hear is God speaking?” That is a good question. Brother James gives us a good response today. If what you hear in your head (or heart) contradicts any of the godly characteristics he lists above, then it is not God. When you ask God for advice and/or wisdom, He will always answer with pure, peaceable, reasonable, merciful, unwavering, non-hypocritical answers which are full of good fruit. One caveat, however. What God tells us does not always sound reasonable to our human minds but when you look at it through the eyes of the Spirit, you will see the reasons for it.

You can extrapolate a bit further with this advice from James. What if you have asked another person for advice or wisdom? Run whatever they say through this machine. If it does not pass the test of James 3: 17, then it is not “wisdom from above.”

Okay, now take it even one step further. What if a person runs a business in which its guiding principles are not as enumerated above? It does not mean the owner is not a Christian but it does mean that God’s wisdom is not being employed in that business. We are all on a learning curve so don’t judge the owner. They, perhaps, have just not learned how to run a business in partnership with God yet. However, you should ask yourself if it is a business you are comfortable aligning yourself with. And, if you really want to hear something radical, watch all of the businesses you deal with. You may actually find a non-Christian who employs more of God’s wisdom than the Christian.

James told us that we are to ask God for wisdom and that the Lord gives it freely (1: 5). Now you know how to check it to determine if it really is wisdom from above.

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Name of Shame

On September 13, 2017   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

Mathew 16: 23

But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.”

This is an interesting passage. Jesus had just blessed Peter because Peter, in listening to the voice of God within him, received the revelation that Jesus was the Christ. Then just a couple of verses later, Jesus called him Satan. Why did he do so and what did he mean by it?

As you know, Satan was once known as Lucifer. He was the beautiful angel and his name reflected how he shone like the morning sun. Unfortunately, his beauty went to his head and he led a revolution against God. He was cast out of heaven and his name was changed to Satan.

In Hebrew, a name is not just a name. A person’s name reflects his, or her, essential character. You will have noticed many people whose names were changed, the most obvious being Peter and Paul. When Satan was cast down, he was no longer the bright, shining, beautiful angel he once was. His character overcame his appearance and his new name reflects this character. The name Satan means to be against. Some other words found in the Strong’s Concordance are: to lurk, persecute, oppose self against, to attack, accuse, to be an adversary, resist. Satan is further described by Strong as the arch enemy of good, an opponent. All these words describe Satan’s character and actions. Some are recognizable from other scriptures as in Revelation 12: 10 where he is called the accuser of the brethren. Peter warned that Satan is our adversary (1 Peter 5: 8).

So why would Jesus call Peter by this less than favorable title? Peter meant to be a blessing to Jesus but in rebuking him, Jesus said, “You are standing against me and against my purposes.” Peter would have known the meaning behind the word “satan.” Being Jewish, he understood that Jesus wasn’t renaming him but rather showing him that his ideas opposed Jesus’ purpose. Peter didn’t understand the big picture at that time and he was not on the same page with God’s interests.

Satan opposes everything about God. It is another way we know that God is good because Satan opposes everything that is good. His entire desire is to stand against anything that is Godly. He is never in agreement with God at any moment. There is no darkness in light for when the light comes, the darkness flees. There is no light in darkness. These two stand as polar opposites. Where there is opposition to God’s design, there is satanic influence, meaning against and opposing God’s plan. Peter temporarily stood against God’s plan and Jesus called him on it. Jesus showed him the way and Peter chose to follow Jesus. That is what we must all do. Choose to align yourself with God’s plan even when it does not make sense to your reasoning mind. In the end, you will see the wisdom of God’s design and you will be glad you chose “the way.”

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Foot Apparel

On September 12, 2017   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

Ephesians 6: 14 -15

Stand firm therefore, having . . . shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace.

I wrote a devotional recently titled “Gospel Boots.” In that devotional I wrote about spiritual warfare and how you are well able to overcome all the schemes of the enemy. I used the term Gospel Boots as a reference to this passage from Ephesians. Today I wish to elucidate on that term and why I think it is important to your life.

By using the term Gospel Boots I intended to put you in remembrance of putting on your shoes of the gospel of peace. Visually I could see us in the trenches of warfare where we would wear boots. These boots are special though, they are the boots of the Kingdom, they are Gospel Boots. Moreover, when we wear our battle boots, we are protected and we are always able to stand firm. The reason why these boots afford us tremendous victory is because of an oft overlooked word in verse 15; preparation.

By now you know that the gospel of peace is the Word of God which, besides being the written Word, is also Jesus, himself, and every word he ever speaks. So, here is the key. If you want to stand firm, if you want your shiny gospel boots, and absolutely if you are endeavoring to don them, then you must pay heed to the word preparation because it is your preparation in the gospel that empowers you.

All of the words of these two verses are meaningful and intentional. You will stand firm and be victorious; you will stand and enjoy peace when you have prepared yourself in the Word. Paul didn’t say it was only through peace, nor only through preparation, nor even only through the gospel that you will overcome in the evil day. He said that you are to put on your shoes of preparation in the gospel of peace. Jesus teaches and the Holy Spirit leads us to peace. You don’t even have to fight when you understand this. You can simply stand. The Word will give you strength. It insulates you from the world because it is the substance between your feet and the earth. Your boots protect you and give you firm purchase, even upon slippery ground. They will prevent you from making a misstep and turning your ankle because they are reinforced with truth. So, as I wrote in the “Gospel Boots” devotional “Shine up your gospel boots and stand against the schemes of the devil. Put him to flight because the one who is in you, already won.”

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Be Found

On September 11, 2017   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

Luke 15: 25

He was lost and has been found.

At spin class today our instructor played a song in which the lyric said, “I didn’t know I was lost.” I wondered how much that describes our Christian salvation. Did we realize how lost we were before Jesus found us? I think that even as I continue to grow closer to the Father that I realize how lost I was. I don’t know that I thought I was lost though.

The interesting part of this being or feeling lost is that I was actually “saved” in that I had given my life to Jesus. I called him my Lord. This is why the Word says, “Work out your salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2: 12). Even after our initial surrender to Christ, there is so much more for us to work out. We get one area resolve only to discover there is another area of our lives where we are lost in the fog. At first, we don’t even realize we are wandering around in the tall weeds. Then, there is a moment of clarity in which we see the truth of our situation. In that moment we have a choice. Sometimes we are embarrassed by our weakness and wish to hide from the truth. That is a normal reaction, I think, but also one, which if embraced, leads to failure rather than growth. In the moment of our epiphany if we will allow ourselves the right to be on the grow rather than demanding perfection of ourselves, we can choose to let Father help us. Together we can work out our salvation in that area.

Right now, in this very moment, there may be an area where you still feel lost. That’s okay. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit for just such a moment as this. It could also be the case that you are lost and don’t even realize it. A simple prayer asking Jesus to find you in any way you are lost will resolve that problem. We all wander around at times but wise is the person who realizes it and seeks “the way” and you are wise. Reach out to Jesus and allow him to shine light upon your path. Let him lead you into all truth. Be found!

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Chill Pill

On September 8, 2017   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

Titus 3: 9

But shun foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law; for they are unprofitable and worthless.

Don’t you love how Paul minces words? This letter is to Titus who is one of the pastors trained by Paul for the work of the Gospel. Paul tells him plainly not to get involved in quarrels over the law because those arguments are worthless.

I believe very strongly that at the end of the day, we are all congregations of one. By that I mean that there may well be no other person on earth who believes exactly the same way you do on every single question of the Bible, doctrine and theology. But . . . who cares? God has called us into unity despite our differences in opinions and Paul teaches us that controversies over these differences are foolish. The word “silly” keeps coming to my mind. Some of you have heard me say this before but I imagine us all getting to heaven, running up the Father and laying our arguments before Him in a demand to know who is right. I can see Him shake His head sympathetically as He tells us we were all wrong.

That image helps me to remember not to judge another. I love to seek answers and I love to delve into the deep things but Paul said another thing that really speaks to this problem of unity or division over the things of God. He wrote, “For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified,” (1 Corinthians 2: 2). This is the point of agreement and this is where we should hang our hats. Let there be consensus among us to agree upon that which we agree upon and give one another room to receive further instruction and revelation from God about everything else. You may think I am wrong about something. Okay. We are both learning and growing and how we think today, hopefully, is not exactly how we will think next year. I intend for us all to be more mature and further along in our Christian walk by then.

If one of your friends has a very divergent view from you about something in the Bible, it’s okay. Their theology is not going to send you to hell so don’t worry about it. Pray for God to pour out new revelation upon you both and He will. And here is the kicker, they just may be right. If so, God will teach you when you are ready. Neither being right nor being wrong is a reason for division. Neither gives us license to judge the other person. Moreover, someone else’s beliefs aren’t going to condemn you. Only your beliefs condemn you.

So, relax. Take a chill pill. Resolve to agree on Jesus as Lord and King. Determine to celebrate the life of our beloved. I think you will find that when you do, a lot of that other stuff just isn’t as important anymore.

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Love Law

On September 7, 2017   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

Romans 13: 10

Love does no wrong to a neighbor, love therefore is the fulfillment of the law.

If Paul is right and love is the fulfillment of the law, then we ought to know this verse by heart. Interestingly, I don’t really hear this verse bantered around very much. Paul derived this teaching directly from Jesus’ “One Commandment” message. Jesus gave us a new commandment, that we love one another, knowing that it would fulfill all the requirements of the law. Paul synthesizes that idea for us in today’s verse.

Love is a high hurdle. There are people we don’t like but God requires us to love them anyway. What does that really mean? How can you love someone you don’t like? Well, liking them may mean that you want to spend time with them, that you enjoy their company. Love means regardless of their personality or behaviors, you still want all God’s best for them. You pray for their salvation, blessing, etc. You are going to be tested when your prayers succeed though, so be warned. God will bless them because of you even if they don’t do anything worthy of his blessing. That is how He is. You might choke a little when they begin being blessed because you have stood in the gap for them for a long time. It’s okay. Just enjoy knowing your prayers are honored in God’s throne room.

This verse should be a lesson for every avenue of life. It applies to governments and diplomacy. It applies in businesses. It applies in every organization. Love never does any harm to another. There is a better way for you to succeed than to step on another human being or their business. We don’t succeed on the backs of other people. We succeed on eagle’s wings. That is the love principle and I tell you the truth, there is no power in the universe stronger than love.

Keep today’s verse in mind. Memorize it perhaps and let it guide all of your human interactions.

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Commanding Presence

On September 6, 2017   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

John 15: 17

This I command you, that you love one another.

I may have mistyped today’s verse. Shouldn’t that read, “I encourage you to love one another” or “I suggest you love one another?” And yet, I looked it up in a bunch of translations and all of them say “command.” What happened to the gentle, kind Jesus or is it that we sometimes forget he is Lord?

Good things flow to us when we obey the Lord and he always has our best interests at heart. However, it seems to me that his giving us a command ought to be reason enough to do it. Where does reasoning fit in? Is there any room to question this directive?

Jesus is our big brother and our best friend. That does not negate his lordship though and I think we sometimes forget that he is Lord and king. We have been given a high status in the kingdom of God and we praise God for that but it would not hurt us to revisit Jesus as Lord. We worship him but lordship also demands obedience. Every word out of Jesus’ mouth is to be obeyed. I can tell you that his words are life and that it serves you well to obey him for that reason but I do not wish for us to lose sight of Jesus as Lord and master.

Every knee will bow before the Lord Jesus. He is to be lifted up. Yes, talk to him as your big brother. Giggle with him as your best friend but also praise him, worship him and above all obey him because he is Lord and because he is worthy. He takes his responsibility seriously and we are wise to remember that we owe him service and obedience.

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