Tag: Pondering our Excuses

Pondering, Praying, this Invitation: “Come Now, Let us Reason Together saith the Lord.” Isaiah 1:18-20

Isaiah 1:18-20Amplified Bible

“Let Us Reason”

18 
“Come now, and let us reason together,”
Says the Lord.
“[a]Though your sins are like scarlet,
They shall be as white as snow;
Though they are red like crimson,
They shall be like wool.
19 
“If you are willing and obedient,
You shall eat the best of the land;
20 
But if you refuse and rebel,
You shall be devoured by the sword.”
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

The Word of God for the Children of God. Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Amen.

I want to begin by looking at this three thousand year old open invitation.

“Now come and let us reason together saith the Lord.”

You know it seems to me as the more we read the Bible and study God’s Word that we find the Lord is constantly calling and inviting mankind to come to him.

And of all the wonderful things God is, He is genuinely Reasonable, He is Just.

A God who offers who does not “stay mad for very long” offers His rebellious children a voice of reason, and a call to the sinner and the backslider to return.

Romans 12:1 God’s personal invitation says, “Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God which is your reasonable service.”

In Jeremiah 3:22 the Lord God’s personal invitation says, “Return ye backsliding children and I will heal your backsliding.”

In Jeremiah 29:10-14 the Lord’s promise to His rebellious children about to be taken into a 70 year exile in Babylon reads like a giant sized God type bear hug:

10 “For thus says the Lord, ‘When seventy years [of exile] have been completed for Babylon, I will visit (inspect) you and keep My good promise to you, to bring you back to this place. 11 For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call on Me and you will come and pray to Me, and I will hear [your voice] and I will listen to you. 13 Then [with a deep longing] you will seek Me and require Me [as a vital necessity] and [you will] find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,’ says the Lord, ‘and I will restore your fortunes and I will [free you and] gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you,’ says the Lord, ‘and I will bring you back to the place from where I sent you into exile.’”

In Malachi 3:7 the Lord said, “Return unto me and I will return unto you.”

Our text today from Isaiah 1:18 says, “Come now and let us reason together.”

As I read this, I just realized that this is not a call to trial or a call to judgement.

It’s an open invitation to forgiveness an mercy, to open up our hearts and listen to what the Lord might just speak to us, that we might hear His voice of reason.

I think of the prodigal son. You know, the Bible says he came to himself from the midst the moment of watching pigs, joyously eating their food in a pig sty, and I believe that suddenly the voice of reason could speak and reach out to him.

Luke 15:14-17 “14 Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began to do without and be in need. 15 So he went and forced himself on one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to [a]feed pigs. 16 He would have gladly eaten the [carob] pods that the pigs were eating [but they could not satisfy his hunger], and no one was giving anything to him. 17 But when he [finally] came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have more than enough food, while I am dying here of hunger!”

The voice of reason, an inner voice, spoke some very important facts to him:

He had spent his entire inheritance, he had no job and had no source of income.

There is a great famine in the land and the food is running out.

I am slowly starving and I don’t have very many people to rely on for help.

The only job I can get is “feeding someone else’s pigs.”

The only food my stomach desires are the Carob pods found in a filthy pig sty.

He’d gladly get filthy, fight the pigs, steal those filthy Carob pods from the pigs.

With each thought he had, he got progressively closer to his “maximum worst” image of “exactly how much worsen that worse can this whole situation get?”

The greater the degree and measure of “worsen than worse” got, the greater the sound of the voice, the greater the impact of the “voice of reason” became.

Now his thoughts were turning away from the worst of the worst possible ….

And becoming “There is bread enough to spare in my father’s house.”

He didn’t know and probably did not even care over much if his father would accept him as a son again or not, but he knew he would not let himself starve.

Luke 15:18-19 “18 I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; [just] treat me like one of your hired men.”

The Voice of Reason redirected, humbled his thoughts – “I am GOING HOME!”

The voice of reason sent him back and brought him back to his father’s house.

His father’s love restored his sonship.

Luke 15:20-24 “20 So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe [for the guest of honor] and put it on him; and give him a [a]ring for his hand, and sandals for his feet. 23 And bring the fattened calf and slaughter it, and let us [invite everyone and] feast and celebrate; 24 for this son of mine was [as good as] dead and is alive again; he was lost and has been found.’ So they began to celebrate.”

I believe the voice of reason spoke to Saul on the road to Damascus.

Jesus “impeded, interceded, questioned and reasoned” with Saul.

And didn’t He do so in a decisively, directly, definitively humbling manner?

Acts 9:1-9 Now [a]Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord [and relentless in his search for believers], went to the [b]high priest, 2 and he asked for letters [of authority] from him to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any men or women there belonging to [c]the Way [believers, followers of Jesus the Messiah], men and women alike, he could arrest them and bring them bound [with chains] to Jerusalem. 3 As he traveled he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him [displaying the glory and majesty of Christ]; 4 and he fell to the ground and heard a voice [from heaven] saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting and oppressing Me?” 5 And Saul said, “Who are You, Lord?” And He answered, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting, 6 now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” 7 The men who were traveling with him [were terrified and] stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. 8 Saul got up from the ground, but though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 And he was unable to see for three days, and he neither ate nor drank.

He asked Saul, “Why are you persecuting and oppressing me?”

When God has a plan for your life, and you decide you have a better plan, things are going to be very hard.

When we get into our maximum mode of maximum impact sinful rebellion ….

You can count on getting God’s attention – and then God is going to get Yours!

The Voice of Reason – gong to start seriously banging against your conscience.

Ask brother Jonah – Him and his smartphone are in the belly of a “great fish.”

And I hope and pray there is some seriously outstanding reception down there!

I’d be willing to “bet the farm” Jonah had a whale of a conversation with God!

The truth of the matter – from the first verse of Genesis through the very last verse of Book of Revelation – God’s invitation is 100% consistently available,

but, ….

and isn’t there always a but (sometimes spelled “butt”) to be kicked around:

The road away from God is always going to be an extraordinarily rough road.

God reasoned with Abraham over Sodom and Gomorrah.

God repeatedly reasoned with Moses on the back side of the desert and Moses could not find a question nor an excuse that God did not have an answer for.

Now it is 2022! God is calling a meeting. What should we say at this meeting?

Should we plead our innocence?

Surely not, for we all have sinned, fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23)

Should we list our excuses?

No. This meeting is not to discuss guilt or innocence.

That part is already been more than adequately and sufficiently stated by God.

Our sins are as scarlet.

We can’t hide our sin from God. (Genesis 3:7-13 NKJV)

7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves [a]coverings.

8 And they heard the [b]sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the [c]cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.

9 Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, “Where are you?”

10 So he said, “I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself.”

11 And He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat?”

12 Then the man said, “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate.”

13 And the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?”

The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”

How many voices do you hear here?

The Serpents, Eve’s and Adam’s ….

The Voice of the master deceiver ….

The Voices of those who were so easily deceived ….

The Voice of God ….

Whose voice, whose voices are we most apt to listen to or want to hear?

Answers depends on where your heart and soul and whole life are in the exact moment the voices are “clearly and unmistakably heard” and considered too.

From the text of today’s devotional passage from Isaiah 1:18-20 …

It sticks out like a blood red orange on a newly fallen patch of fresh snow.

God is calling a meeting with him, not to establish guilt, but to arrange pardon.

God is not asking for compensation or for retribution for your past.

Jesus took care of that at Calvary.

God is asking us, not demanding from us, for our obedience and repentance.

See how reasonable he is?

As with all invitations there is an appointed time.

Verse 18 says the time for this meeting is NOW.

Now God has already stated his will in this.

He said what he would do.

He is willing to blot out all our transgressions and make us white and clean.

The price has already been paid.

But, verse 19 & 20 tells us he is going to leave the choice up to us.

Only believe?

The devils believe.

You can believe in salvation and never be saved.

You must act on what you believe.

Verse 19 says, If ye be willing and obedient.

Some are willing to be saved, but not obedient to the instruction.

To be saved or renewed today, we will not only have to be willing to hear and prayerfully consider the words of God’s invitation, but also willingly obedient.

You and I are not hearing a call in our collective hearts that is for someone else.

God didn’t dial the wrong number.

God does not dial wrong numbers.

Even in the Year of our Lord, Savior 2022

The Lord says,

Come now, let us reason together. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land. If we are not willing – the sword will also be another choice.

Most people are willing to be blessed, but not willing to live for Jesus.

We can know peace, love, joy, and comfort, if not the sword of the world will devour or overcome us.

That is not a threat, it is just the way things are.

It is just the unmistakable reality, harsh truth of how God has ordered things.

Listen to the Voice of Reason today.

Listen to the Voice of God …

Listen to the Words of the Logos – Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior …

Listen to the whispers of the Holy Spirit as we are reminded of God’s Voice.

There will always and forever be bread enough to spare in the Father’s house.

COME LET US EAT AND LET US REASON TOGETHER, SAITH THE LORD.

And ponder the question:

“What is the Voice of Reason and Truth telling me in this exact moment …?”

In the name of God the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Let us Pray,

God of all truth and wisdom, sometimes I not sure if I’m actually hearing your voice, or if it’s just my own thoughts or even another spirit. Sharpen my spiritual hearing, Lord, so I can recognize your words when you are speaking to me. Help me know it’s really you, with no doubt or second-guessing. When I’m asking for your guidance in important decisions, give me your peace that surpasses understanding with your answer. Help me to always remember that your words to me will never go against your written word in the Bible. Give me a clear mind and push out all my confusion. Let me always exalt, always magnify my Savior Jesus! Alleluia! Alleluia! Amen.

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Are we Pondering Our Compassionate Shepherd? Considering or Recognizing the ‘Reasonable’ Christian? Luke 7:13-14

Luke 7:11-17Amplified Bible

11 Soon afterward Jesus went to a city called Nain [near Nazareth], and His disciples and a large crowd accompanied Him. 12 Now as He approached the city gate, a dead man was being carried out—the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the city was with her [in the funeral procession]. 13 When the Lord saw her, He felt [great] compassion for her, and said to her, “Do not weep.” 14 And He came up and touched the bier [on which the body rested], and the pallbearers stood still. And He said, “Young man, I say to you, arise [from death]!” 15 The man who was dead sat up and began to speak. And Jesus gave him back to his mother. 16 Fear and profound awe gripped them all, and they began glorifying and honoring and praising God, saying, “A great prophet has arisen among us!” and, “God has visited His people [to help and care for and provide for them]!” 17 This news about Him spread through all of Judea and in all the surrounding countryside.

The Word of God for the Children of God. Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Amen.

The divine image, which every single human being bears as a result of God’s indescribable and undeniable benevolence at creation, attracts us to the Divine.

Human beings are religious by nature and in order to fully realize themselves as human beings they have to be and live out the divine qualities instilled in each of them by the Creator of their Life, Author of their Life, Redeemer of their Life.

The opposite is often the case when human actions are critically evaluated.

One of the divine qualities, which we ought to acquire and practice in order to enhance good human relationship, is compassion.

This singular divine feature characterized Jesus earthly ministry in words and deeds.

In this Narrative text, the writer Luke, focuses on an episode in the life of Jesus, as recorded in the Gospel according to Luke 7: 11-17.

The man Rabbi Jesus walked into a dire situation, he had compassion on the widow who lost her only son; he consoled and restored her son back to her.

In following upon Jesus’ footsteps, demonstrating His radical counter-cultural compassion we can make our world better, be able to bear and live with others.

Instantly upon walking into this situation, Jesus made an instant assessment of all the other’s needs, Jesus’ heart went out to this woman who was left all alone.

While many rightfully, righteously grieved and mourned with her upon the loss of her only son, the man, Rabbi Jesus’ heart was touched, longed to comfort her.

His heart was full of indescribable and undeniable compassion.

He could say what no one else could say: “Don’t cry!” 

Most of us can only cry with those who have lost loved ones.

Only Jesus can wipe away our tears.

Jesus is touched by our loss, moved to compassion by our mortal limitations.

That’s why he came to earth.

We can be blessed and we can be assured He feels our losses in the same way.

Psalm 103:11-14English Standard Version

11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
    so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west,
    so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
13 As a father shows compassion to his children,
    so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.
14 For he knows our frame;[a]
    he remembers that we are dust.

When we cry in grief, we do not cry alone.

The coming of the kingdom of God was not heralded by spectacular and dramatic victories over the powers and authorities of the world but through something much more transformative: the great compassion of its King.

Throughout their accounts of Jesus, the Gospel writers present us with encounter after encounter demonstrating Christ’s unparalleled compassion.

In these incidents, Christ’s power is revealed as His compassion is extended.

In chapter 7 of his Gospel, for instance,

Dr. Luke highlights Jesus’ compassionate response to a sorrowful widow—a response which hopefully, prayerfully, clears any doubts about His greatness.

The woman in this part of Luke’s narrative was in true need. Her husband was already gone, and now her son had just died.

In an ancient Middle-Eastern society, this meant that she had no means of protection or provision.

She faced a life of sadness, loneliness, and precariousness—and then the end of the family line.

But then Jesus entered into the extremity of this woman’s life, and “when the Lord saw her, instantly had compassion on her and said to her, ‘Do not weep.’”

All it took to arouse the compassion of our tender Shepherd was seeing this grieving woman.

Literally, that word “compassion” means “His bowels moved”—our equivalent would be “His stomach churned.”

https://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/luk/7/13/t_conc_980013

https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g4697/kjv/tr/0-1/

When Jesus, through whom and for whom all things were created, sees sadness and grief in this broken world, He feels it and He feels it DEEPLY!.

Here is a King who cares deeply.

Even more beautiful is that Jesus had the power to meet this widow’s need, and so He chose to do something only He could do: to bring the dead back to life.

He didn’t just restore a deceased son alive again to a mourning mother and thereby meet her need and obliterate her grief, though.

More importantly, Jesus revealed Himself to the crowd (and to us!) in all of His power, grace, mercy, lovingkindness, authority—even authority over death.

Scenes such as this show us that Jesus doesn’t simply comment on or cry over sickness and death, those great enemies of mankind.

He overcomes them.

He hears the cries of the sorrowful, He comforts them, not only in an earthly, temporal sense but also in a final, perfect, and eternal way, by offering Himself as the only true and genuine means of salvation to all who confess and believe.

Your King is not merely infinitely powerful; He is infinitely compassionate.

And note the combination of those two qualities in Him is sufficient to bring you through every single sadness and every single grief of this world, until you and I stand in His amazed presence and He wipes every last tear from our eyes.

Now, what should we say and how should be address, what should be connect others with about a “reasonable” human response to such a magnitude of love?

Philippians 4:4-7Amplified Bible

4 Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, take pleasure in Him]; again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentle spirit [your graciousness, unselfishness, mercy, tolerance, and patience] be known to all people. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God. 7 And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours].

Philippians 4:5 English Standard Version– THE REASONABLE CHRISTIAN

5 Let your reasonableness[a] be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand;

“They will know you by your love.”

This saying is often used in the church as we talk of reaching others for Jesus.

This is taken from the famous verses in John 13:34-35.

A question we need to ask ourselves though is, “What does this love look like?”

It is reasonable for us to surmise that it can be helping those around us, giving of ourselves, our time, resources to the needy, or just lending an ear or lending our quieting presence to someone as they just “desire someone to be near by.”

But, what if showing love meant being a reasonable person?

The Greek word for “reasonable” can also be translated to the word “gentle” with its definition: seemly, equitable, yielding.

https://www.blueletterbible.org/esv/phl/4/5/t_conc_1107005

https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g1933/esv/mgnt/0-1/

Does this sound like someone you have come to know an deeply trust?

Is this one person you claim to know and trust so thoroughly – actually YOU?

Aren’t we called to be strong in our stances and to not bend in what we believe?

The answer is yes!!

But we can do it in a reasonable manner.

Too many times Christians can be looked at as a hard headed, divisive group of bickering snarky people who want argue with everyone they don’t agree with.

You know, that guy or gal who wants to always argue, never compromising and is never wrong and who has about as much compassion, mercy and forgiveness as the specks of dust on top of their bookshelves loaded down with 1000 Bibles.

I know I am definitely guilty of being one of those people at times.

We are never going to change people by belittling their views and putting them down, never seeking to find, till, seed, that reasonable piece of common ground.

We are, however, definitely going to win them over with the same measure of love, uncompromising compassion Jesus revealed to everyone at that funeral when we reasonably meet their grief, and lovingly show them Christ’s mercy.

Our reasonable, unreasonable arguments don’t and won’t change reasonable or unreasonable people, the infinitely reasonable Jesus reasonably changes people.

Beloved Child of God, God has absolutely seen your tears.

He has absolute compassion on you.

He will absolutely and reasonably respond to your needs,

He will absolutely and reasonably help you,

He will absolutely and reasonably strengthen you.

He will absolutely change your dead situation to life and celebration!

Today ….

In this point of uncompromising fact, in this exact and exacting moment ….

In these coming days and weeks ahead, challenge yourself and someone else …

How has God, in Savior Christ Jesus, been reasonably compassionate with you?

How have you been a reasonably ‘reasonable’ compassionate Christian today?

Where have you been a reasonably ‘reasonable’ compassionate Christian today?

Were you a reasonably ‘reasonable’ compassionate Christian yesterday? Why Not?

Why were you a reasonably ‘reasonable’ compassionate Christian today?

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Let us gather as reasonable Christians and Let us together Pray ….

God of the Helpless, I know that You want Your children to show compassion for those less fortunate. I know this, but I have failed to help others as You would like me to. I know there are so many in need of kindness, Lord. Please open my heart and fill it with Your compassion for Your creation. Please guide me on how I should reach out to each of my neighbors, as Jesus did for the widow and that grieving and mourning community at that funeral and live love for the less fortunate for Your glory. Amen.

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Do We Ponder or even Recognize our own Desire for HIS Vastly Better Life? Genesis 50:22-25.

Genesis 50:22-25Amplified Bible

Death of Joseph

22 Now Joseph lived [remained] in Egypt, he and his father’s household, and Joseph lived a hundred and ten years. 23 Joseph saw the third generation of Ephraim’s children; also the children of Machir, the son of Manasseh, were born and raised on Joseph’s knees. 24 Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die, but God will surely take care of you and bring you up out of this land to the land which He promised to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob [to give you].” 25 Then Joseph made the sons of Israel (Jacob) swear [an oath], saying, “God will surely visit you and take care of you [returning you to Canaan], and [when that happens] you shall carry my bones up from here.”

The Word of God for the Children of God. Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Amen.

As near as I can calculate, roughly 65 years of Joseph’s later life are summarized by Genesis 50 verse 22: “Joseph lived [remained] in Egypt…..”

Presumably, these were quieter times than the recorded drama of his early days.

But these 65 “remaining” years are definitely not to be considered pointless.

Considering these “remaining” years in the life of Joseph causes us to reflect:

Whatever age we are in this exact moment, we must ask ourselves; “What, Who, are we living for? What are we planning to do with the time God has given us?”

It’s far too easy to spend our lives chasing earthbound horizons such as career success, financial stability, or comfortable luxuries.

The myths of these things is seductive: life is about slaving at your job as long as you can in order to build, edify, add on to the nest in which you plan to settle down—that the most essential purpose of life is to prepare for our retirements.

Just at the point when believers are often in a position—financially, physically, emotionally, socially—to free up that incredibly elusive amount of time to serve God’s kingdom, they start to talk “just wanting a period of rest, hibernation.”

As devoted, obedient and steadfast followers of our Lord, Savior and King Jesus, we must ‘minimize our footprint’, to not live as though this world is all there is.

John 3:28-30 admonishes and teaches us we have a humble, limited role in life.

“28 You yourselves are my witnesses that I stated, ‘I am not the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed),’ but, ‘I have [only] been sent ahead of Him [as His appointed forerunner and messenger to announce and proclaim His coming].’  29 He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands by and listens to him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. So this pleasure and joy of mine is now complete. 30 He must increase [in prominence], but I must decrease.“

Yet some of us cannot, will not say with integrity, “There is more than just this life,” because everything we are doing with our time, talents, and money seems to be saying, “This is it! Done! That’s why I am working up to 60 hours a week.”

“That’s why I don’t come home or take a vacation.”

“That’s why I missed church again last Sunday.”

“That’s why I don’t make time and take risks to serve and to share the gospel with my neighbors.”

“Because this is it.”

Being “my working myself into the grave for a lifetime of rust worthy material things which I can never hope to ‘stuff into my coffin’ to take with me anyway.”

It is wonderful thing to have a dynamic, hard core, faith-filled, vibrant and unwavering faith when we are in the center of a whirlwind of a battle; it’s a whole new challenge to live a life of steady obedience through daily routine.

For a life to be well spent—especially as it relates to our resources and legacy—we must consider not just what we want in life but what we ought to do with life.

We need a vision of the heavenly horizon.

Joseph had a purpose for his life and for those final, quieter years.

His vision was set for a time and place and ‘life’ beyond the borders of Egypt.

He was neither centered or focused on himself; he was responsible for ensuring his children and his children’s children did not settle down too comfortably in Egypt but instead remained unsettled enough so they would be more desirous of a significantly better life and might truly settle one day in the promised land.

24 Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die, but God will surely take care of you and bring you up out of this land to the land which He promised to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob [to give you].” 25 Then Joseph made the sons of Israel (Jacob) swear [an oath], saying, “God will surely visit you and take care of you [returning you to Canaan], and [when that happens] you shall carry my bones up from here.”

Joseph said to his brothers:

“but God will surely take care of you and bring you up out of this land which He promised to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob [to give you.]”

then Joseph made the sons of Israel (Jacob) to swear [an oath] saying to future generations – God will surely visit you and God will surely take care of you and surely be returning you to Canaan – the promised land – God WILL do all this!

God turned an early life of great life threatening negativity, given him peace, prestige, and prosperity in Egypt—everything that so many of us chase today.

Yet he had always kept his eyes and his soul and heart, looking beyond Egypt.

He truly knew Egypt was not where he, or any of God’s people, truly belonged.

The man, Master Rabbi Jesus, communicated this, his “last will and testament” to His disciples in the Upper Room during those fateful final hours of his life:

John 14:1-3Amplified Bible

Jesus Comforts His Disciples

14 “Do not let your heart be troubled (afraid, cowardly). Believe [confidently] in God and trust in Him, [have faith, hold on to it, rely on it, keep going and] believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many dwelling places. If it were not so, I would have told you, because I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and I will take you to Myself, so that where I am you may be also.

Apostle Paul would, just several years later, would echo the very same thought:

Philippians 3:12-14Amplified Bible

12 Not that I have already obtained it [this goal of being Christlike] or have already been made perfect, but I actively press on [a]so that I may take hold of that [perfection] for which Christ Jesus took hold of me and made me His own. 13 [b]Brothers and sisters, I do not consider that I have made it my own yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the [heavenly] prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Joseph knew by his steadfast and immovable faith that he was not yet home!

The man, Master Rabbi Jesus knew we were not yet home – Just believe on Him!

Apostle Paul knew, communicated – we can live with eternity deep in our souls.

We too must live in such a prophetic way that we help our loved ones and our own hearts to “desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one” (Hebrews 11:16).

Whatever you have or do not have ‘rusting away’ today, you are not yet home.

John 10:9-10Amplified Bible

9 I am the Door; anyone who enters through Me will be saved [and will live forever], and will go in and out [freely], and find pasture (spiritual security). 10 The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows].

There is absolutely abundantly more, absolutely, abundantly better, than this.

Be sure that your abundance of time, talents, and money reflect that knowledge.

This place called planet earth is not, was never meant to be, our forever home!

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Let us Pray,

Lord, my teacher, I’m often confused when I need to make important decisions about my work, my relationships, my health, or finances. Show me the way I should go when I don’t know which way to turn. Help me remember to come to you, rather than trying to figure everything out on my own. Guide me along the best pathway for my life. Advise me and watch over me. Help me to listen to your guidance and not resist it. I thank you that your unfailing love surrounds those who trust you. Amen

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God’s Most Eager Desire for Me: To Most Eagerly Pray, To Most Eagerly Preach, To Most Eagerly Proclaim, HIS Gospel. Romans 1:8-15

Romans 1:8-15Amplified Bible

8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith [your trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness] is being proclaimed in all the world. 9 For God, whom I serve with my spirit by preaching the gospel of His Son, is my witness as to how continuously I mention you 10 in my prayers; always pleading that somehow, by God’s will, I may now at last come to you. 11 For I long to see you so that I may share with you some spiritual gift, to strengthen and establish you; 12 that is, that we may be mutually encouraged and comforted by each other’s faith, both yours and mine. 13 I do not want you to be unaware, [a] brothers and sisters, that many times I have planned to come to you, (and have been prevented so far) so that I may have some fruit [of my labors] among you, even as I have among the rest of the Gentiles. 14 I have a duty to perform and a debt to pay both to Greeks and to barbarians [the cultured and the uncultured], both to the wise and to the foolish. 15 So, for my part, I am ready and eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome.

The Word of God for the Children of God. Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Amen.

In my brief experience as a pastor, and now as a writer of these devotions, I would never try to describe preaching as either easy or boast as simply fun.

But it can be incredibly meaningful when you sense that something in your message of God’s love connects with your listeners.

So, I can appreciate that the Apostle Paul is indescribably ­eager to preach the gospel to the people he most adamantly cares about in Rome.

The Apostle Paul is eager not because he thinks he’s so good at what he does or because he desperately desires to become the headliner for a few perfor­mances before tens of thousands of Roman citizens in the empire’s great colosseum.

The reason for his eagerness comes from the fact the gospel is the power of God.

And it is power for a specific purpose – Salvation.

The gospel is not power to get a new bill of health, to gain a reputation, or to sell a specific bill of goods or services or to gain the friend or spouse you desire.

It’s not power for financial success or fault-free parenting. It’s not power to get into heaven when you die.

It is God’s power for salvation.

And salvation has absolutely everything to do with getting to where we most desperately desire to be in our connection, Koinonia, relationship with God.

Paul’s eagerness in all this is a reflection of God’s desire.

God wants me to belong to him as fully and as completely and as maximally as I can in the life I am now trying to live.

That’s the point of the gospel, and that is its power.

The challenge for me is to have the same eagerness for God that God has for me.

The same eagerness which Apostle Paul expresses in His Epistle to the Romans.

Introducing himself, Paul gives us concise statements of the Gospel of God.

• The good news has absolutely everything to do with Lord Jesus Christ, the descendant of David by birth and declared the Son of God by His resurrection.

• Jesus’ death and resurrection brought us into a new relationship with God.

In these few lines, Paul laid out the thrust of his letter – the message of the Gospel.

This letter of Romans is different from the other letters he wrote, which concern the churches and their problems and needs.

• Romans focuses on God and His plan of salvation for man, both Jews and Gentiles.

Why Romans?

• Paul wrote the letter while he was in Corinth during his 3rd missionary journey.

• He was on his way back to Jerusalem with the collections from the Gentiles churches.

• So, the practical reason for the Letter was to communicate to the Roman Christians that he was planning to visit them after this trip to Jerusalem.

More importantly, he writes to present a clear explanation of the Gospel, the message that he has been entrusted with and proclaiming all this while.

• This was called for because of the differences in understanding between the Jewish and Gentile believers, with regards to their salvation in Christ Jesus.

Is there not now, in these times and seasons of 2022 great differences and even greater divides and chasms among Christians with regards to their salvation?

Are there not, even today, great expressions among “the believers” of ……

“You take your ‘theology’ and go your way towards your salvation!” and

“I will take my ‘theology’ and go my way towards my salvation!” and

“In the end we will see who is right, know who’s wrong, by who is in Heaven!”

Paul set forth the Gospel to unite us theologically and present Christianity fully.

• Romans turn out to be the longest of Paul’s letters that we have and the most in-depth, comprehensive exposition of the Gospel of Salvation in Jesus Christ.

That explains the introduction. He set the tone right.

• It is not about Paul’s message, or Peter’s message but the message of God; a message that is built upon the foundation of God’s revelation in the Scriptures.

• Salvation through Christ ALONE!

It is not any mere or meager afterthought but the plan of God all along and fulfilled in the Person and work of Jesus Christ – his death and resurrection.

• To bring lost humanity back to an eternally living relationship with Christ!

Romans 1:8-10Amplified Bible

8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith [your trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness] is being proclaimed in all the world. 9 For God, whom I serve with my spirit by preaching the gospel of His Son, is my witness as to how continuously I mention you 10 in my prayers; always pleading that somehow, by God’s will, I may now at last come to you.

A deep and abiding concern for the believers in Rome was reflected in Paul’s opening message of thankful praise for each of them.

Indeed, their faith in the Lord Jesus had been made known throughout the Roman Empire.

What a wonderful, inspiring testimony of these dear saints of God, and what an awesome message of encouragement to all of us to boldly proclaim the glorious gospel of Christ, which is the power of God unto salvation for all who believe.

Paul desperately did not want any single part of this important epistle to be lightly received, or lightly taken for granted and so he laid emphasis on his calling, his apostleship, and his bond service for the Lord Jesus Christ alone.

But infinitely more than this Paul called upon the eternal God of the universe, Creator of heaven and earth, as witness to his own deep and loving concern for their planted by God, blossoming, growing and maturing spiritual wellbeing.

Like all who trust in Jesus Christ, Paul had been given a new nature – a new life in Christ which delighted to spread the good news of the glorious gospel of Christ in spirit and truth, which loved these believers with a Christ-like love.

Paul’s love for these believers was reflected in his deep and earnest concern for them, as he constantly made mention of them to the Lord Jesus in daily prayer.

Let us seek to develop the same eagerness to preach and proclaim the Gospel.

The most eager and deep and loving concern for ALL our brothers and sisters in Christ, as we, like Paul, lift them up in earnest prayer to our Father in heaven.

Imagine yourself being a part of a faith community that was famous around the world because of its active faith.

When I meditate and ponder upon this Epistle to the Romans, it’s interesting the Roman believers did not have a previous visit from one of the Apostles.

After the persecution broke out in Jerusalem and the true believers fanned out, they spread the gospel everywhere. They made it as far as Rome and their church was thriving, and soon reports of their faith made it back to Paul.

One of Paul’s main goals in life was to visit Rome for mutual encouragement (Romans 1:11-12).

Paul was actively praying for an opportunity to go, but later in this letter he explains why he hadn’t been able to come (Romans 15:20-22).

He was hindered because there were many places in between that needed the gospel, which delayed his trip.

Amazingly, Paul reveals a bit of his passionate nature in midst of his waiting, “I remember you in my prayers at all times.”

Paul is simply reminding the Romans that, in the same way he serves the Lord wholeheartedly, this is the same way he remembers them in prayer. He thanks God for them and their faith and asks that the way be opened for him to come.

We can learn much from Paul.

Today, if you and I genuinely want to pray for people and do not know where to start, then start thanking God for their faith and what He is doing in their lives.

When we can recognize the way, He is working in others, we will see how He’s working in us and then find mutual encouragement through the Gospel of God.

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Let us Pray,

O Lord my God, you are my shield and my strength. Help me to trust you with my decisions and my future. Let me lean on you and the message of your Gospel, with all my heart instead of relying on my own frail, faulty, failed understanding. Give me clear guidance in my life Lord. As I submit myself to your Gospel, I know that you will direct my paths and I can have confidence that your direction is always the best way to go. Lord, bless me and keep me, make your face shine upon me. Turn your face towards me and give me peace. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Alleluia! Amen.

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Striving to Remember the Righteous. That Difference between our “Roots and our Fruits.” Proverbs 11:3-11

Proverbs 11:3-11Authorized (King James) Version

3 The integrity of the upright shall guide them:
    but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.

4 Riches profit not in the day of wrath:
    but righteousness delivereth from death.

5 The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way:
    but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.

6 The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them:
    but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness.

7 When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish:
    and the hope of unjust men perisheth.

8 The righteous is delivered out of trouble,
    and the wicked cometh in his stead.

9 An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour:
    but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.

10 When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth:
    and when the wicked perish, there is shouting.

11 By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted:
    but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.

The Word of God for the Children of God. Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Amen.

Practical wisdom for righteous living comes to us through the length and the breadth of the Bible, especially in Jesus’ example, and also by way of the people around us—wise leaders and mentors of all kinds in our family and community.

Our memories of good, helpful people and their ways of modeling moral living, dealing with life, can be an indescribably great blessing. Righteous people often easily share wisdom by word and example in ways that make an impact on us.

Remembering how a friend modeled calm, dealt wisely with difficulties in his or her life can be highly inspirational and instructive. Remembering how someone walked with and trusted God in their easiest, hardest days is deeply motivating.

We are truly blessed when we can easily remember righteous people who have imparted wisdom to us.

Among those coming to my mind is a dear friend who in their last days held tightly to the words of Scripture in Matthew 5:8 Amplified ……

“Blessed [anticipating God’s presence, spiritually mature] are the pure in heart [those with integrity, moral courage, and godly character], for they will see God.

He challenged me to preach them to others upon his death — at his funeral!

People’s words accompanied by righteous living make for blessed memories.

Rabbi Jesus’ example of model living by teaching the way of wisdom through his Beatitudes—and the good examples of the people who have followed him since those ancient days —make all the difference for us, in life and in death.

In Proverbs 11, God says He is calling for His people to be men and women of legend.

He is calling us to be people known for our integrity.

People who can’t be bought, “living by unbalanced weights and scales.”

People who stand and live by what is moral and correct – for righteousness in a land that is filled, overwhelmed by imbalanced scales, with evil and corruption.

In Micah 6:8 God declares:

“He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

So, what God says He expects from us is…

• Righteousness

• Mercy

• And a Humble Spirit

All that and being a man and a woman who walks “a balanced” life with God

He calls us to be legends in our world.

And so here in Proverbs 11 God tells us what a righteous person looks like.

As God often did in the book Proverbs God draws a contrast between the righteous and the wicked.

Verse 3 says “The integrity of the UPRIGHT guides them, but the UNFAITHFUL are destroyed by their duplicity.

Verse 5 says “The righteousness of the BLAMELESS makes a straight way for them, but the WICKED are brought down by their own wickedness.”

In verse 6 “The RIGHTEOUSNESS of the upright delivers them, but the UNFAITHFUL are trapped by evil desires.”

Verse 8 declares: “The RIGHTEOUS man is rescued from trouble, and it comes on the WICKED instead.

Verse 9 says: “With his mouth the GODLESS destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the RIGHTEOUS escape.

In verse 10 it says “When the RIGHTEOUS prosper, the city rejoices; when the WICKED perish, there are shouts of joy.

And in verse 11 God says: Through the blessing of the UPRIGHT a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the WICKED it is destroyed.

Are you and I catching the compare and contrast pattern being taught here?

God is saying:

• These people are the righteous… those aren’t.

• These folks have integrity… those folks don’t.

• God loves the good guys… He despises those other guys.

• The upright He protects and honors… but the wicked will be trapped and destroyed.

God is making a comparison. And He’s telling us: MAKE A CHOICE.

MAKE A CHOICE:

Live upright for God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit or ‘upright’ for the WORLD.

His message is crystal clear: DECIDE what kind of person we are going to be!

What I believe God said to me was this:

Those who respected the God of the Bible were more likely to embrace balance and the righteousness only found through Jesus Christ than those who didn’t.

To paraphrase the great writer Dostoyevsky, once you remove the God of Scripture from your life… “everything is permissible”.

Those who reject God’s righteousness do so because it interferes “too much” with “the adrenaline rushes” they themselves want to risk doing in their lives.

It’s kind of like a conversation I had with a homeless man seeking “recovery.”

He complained, “I’ve been doing some very risky things in my life, and I know it, Tom, my conscience is always troubling me, it just won’t leave me alone.”

I asked him, “And you want something that will strengthen your will power?”

The man replied, “Well, no, I was actually thinking of doing some things even more risky than before – an impulse to risk weakening my conscience more.”

Ask yourself, your neighbor, how many people don’t want God’s righteousness?

How many members of our family, how any friends and neighbors simply want something that will make them feel better about their own unrighteousness?

How many churches desire or “prefer” or want that ‘something’ that will make them feel better about what they perceive is the “other guys” unrighteousness?

The Religious Leaders of Jesus time repeatedly tried to trap Jesus so they could discredit him and discredit his message and greatly weaken his moral integrity.

Never did they succeed.

They only ended up embarrassing themselves in front of the people witnessing the exchange. In the eyes of these beholders, they all weakened their credibility.

As a Lay Pastor, I have been repeatedly asked if I would preach against certain “hotter than the sun” hot button topics?

I told them I preach God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit!

I preach the Gospel based upon my own ability to interpret God’s Scriptures.

The rest I leave unto God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit!

Because God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit is going to do what God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit is going to do.

Maybe God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit uses what I said and perhaps they will not. God knows what change I want to see in their hearts.

We bring our own biases and prejudices into our own witness and testimonies.

Without fail, we consciously, sub-consciously, will always bring our biases, and prejudices to church every Sunday and we will “righteously” settle in our pews.

Maybe we are inspired, maybe we are not.

Maybe our conscience is “tickled,” “poked, stabbed, with a really sharp sword.”

Maybe we will ‘change’ our biases and prejudices – but just as likely we won’t.

But what change I desperately want to see in their hearts is most definitely not the same change God, Father, Son, Holy Spirit KNOWS is needed in their hearts.

My words will only go “skin deep,” have no power to go any deeper than that.

God, the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit filters out all the minutiae.

Only the power of God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit – possesses that power.

There is nothing we can ever do to stop God from being God. (Hebrews 13:8)

Hebrews 4:12Amplified Bible

12 For the word of God is living and active and full of power [making it operative, energizing, and effective]. It is sharper than any two-edged [a]sword, penetrating as far as the division of the [b]soul and spirit [the completeness of a person], and of both joints and marrow [the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and judging the very thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Isaiah 55:10-11Amplified Bible

10 
“For as the rain and snow come down from heaven,
And do not return there without watering the earth,
Making it bear and sprout,
And providing seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
11 
So will My word be which goes out of My mouth;
It will not return to Me void (useless, without result),
Without accomplishing what I desire,
And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.

People are always going to do whatever is “right in their own minds.”

However, the Word of God for His Children has a different standard for us:

Exodus 23:2 says, “Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong.”

Wrong is wrong, even if you do not follow the crowd, and don’t get caught!

Proverbs 15:3 warns “the eyes of the Lord are in every place beholding the evil and the good”.

We cannot possibly do anything that God does not know “everything” about!

Wrong is wrong, even if it doesn’t bother your Conscience!

The conscience can be trained to accept wrongdoing.

You can build up a callous over your heart. 

Ephesians 4:18 tells us what happens to people who live in sin long enough:

“They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.”

WRONG IS WRONG.

And God does not accept excuses.

God calls for… no, He DEMANDS righteousness from His people.

He demands an upright heart –

Psalm 51:4-6Authorized (King James) Version

4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned,
and done this evil in thy sight:
that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest,
and be clear when thou judgest.
5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity;
and in sin did my mother conceive me.
6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts:
and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.

To those who would choose wickedness, God says:

• The LORD’s curse will be on your house. Proverbs 3:33

• You’ll be brought down by your own wickedness. Proverbs 11:5

• You’ll be trapped by your evil desires.” Proverbs 11:6

• And, when you die… people will rejoice. Proverbs 11:10

But if you choose righteousness… that’s a whole different ball game.

God will bless you.

• God will hear your prayers. Proverbs 15:29

• You’ll sing and you’re glad – you’ll be a happy person. Proverbs 29:6

• You won’t go hungry. Proverbs 10:3

• You might get knocked down 7 times but each time you will get back up again. Proverbs 24:16

So… God calls His people to righteousness.

But there’s a fly in the ointment.

There’s a problem we run into when we strive to be righteous.

Does anybody know what that problem is???

Romans 3:10 says “There is NO ONE righteous, not even one”

Job 9:2 agrees: “… how can a mortal be righteous before God?”

The fly in the ointment is

– NO ONE is righteous before God.

We’ve all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.

So, let me see if I’ve got this right:

1. God wants me to be righteous

2. I want to be righteous

3. But I cannot be righteous, because NO ONE ever is righteous.

Did I understand that correctly???

(Pause) Yes I did.

So, if I cannot be righteous, why would God demand it of me?

Why? Because God sets the bar too high.

He says – that “too high a standard” – this is what we are aiming for.

He’s not saying we are always going to reach it, but that is our objective.

Philippians 3:7-16Authorized (King James) Version

7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9 and be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10 that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 11 if by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. 12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also, I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in anything ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. 16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.

We are going to touch the bar now and again, but there’s no way we will consistently, constantly, continuously be able attain that goal in our life.

The Bible is telling us we’re not in the same league with God.

You and I will never come close to being as righteous as God.

As Job 9:2 says: “… how can a mortal be righteous before God?”

We are not on the same playing field as God is.

We do not have any bragging rights to say we have been righteous enough to DESERVE to be on His team.

That’s why Ephesians 2 tells us

“Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions— it is by grace you have been saved… not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:3-5, 8-10

So, not righteous enough to be saved.

But if that’s true, how could I possibly make it into heaven?

Well, that’s what 2 Corinthians 5:21 explains to us:

“God made him who had no sin (Jesus) to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

Philippians 3:9 says You and I do not have

“a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ— the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.”

Or as 2 Corinthians 5:21 put it “God made him who had no sin (Jesus) to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

So, how do You and I get “INTO Jesus so I lay hold of His righteousness?”

Galatians 3:26-27 says,

“You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.”

You see, when you and I believed and were baptized into Christ, we suited up for His team.

When that happened, God called us to live lives dedicated to righteousness.

But in the righteous life we strive for, we need to realize that we will not get into heaven by any measure or degree our own righteousness… but ONLY by His.

The Difference Between our “Roots and our Fruits?”

Ephesians 2:1-10Amplified Bible

Made Alive in Christ

2 And you [He made alive when you] were [spiritually] dead and separated from Him because of your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you once walked. You were following the ways of this world [influenced by this present age], in accordance with the prince of the power of the air (Satan), the spirit who is now at work in the disobedient [the unbelieving, who fight against the purposes of God]. 3 Among these [unbelievers] we all once lived in the passions of our flesh [our behavior governed by the sinful self-], indulging the desires of [a]human nature [without the Holy Spirit] and [the impulses] of the [sinful] mind. We were, by nature, children [under the sentence] of [God’s] wrath, just like the rest [of mankind]. 4 But God, being [so very] rich in mercy, because of His great and wonderful love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were [spiritually] dead and separated from Him because of our sins, He made us [spiritually] alive together with Christ (for by His grace—His undeserved favor and mercy—you have been saved from God’s judgment). 6 And He raised us up together with Him [when we believed], and seated us with Him in the heavenly places, [because we are] in Christ Jesus, 7 [and He did this] so that in the ages to come He might [clearly] show the immeasurable and unsurpassed riches of His grace in [His] kindness toward us in Christ Jesus [by providing for our redemption]. 8 For it is by grace [God’s remarkable compassion and favor drawing you to Christ] that you have been saved [actually delivered from judgment and given eternal life] through faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [not through your own effort], but it is the [undeserved, gracious] gift of God; 9 not as a result of [your] works [nor your attempts to keep the Law], so that no one will [be able to] boast or take credit in any way [for his salvation]. 10 For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set], so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us].

The English politician William Wilberforce is best known for his efforts to end slavery in the British Empire.

It was a decades-long struggle, but abolition was finally accomplished.

Wilberforce not only had great determination; he was able to discern spiritual truth.

He was perplexed that many who considered themselves Christian supported the slave trade, which he believed was in opposition to Christian faith.

In response he wrote A Practical View of Christianity to show the danger of making good behavior the basis for salvation.

Can we imagine any politician today calling for social reform by making direct appeals to Christian doctrine? That’s what Wilberforce did. He rightly pointed out that good works do not create new life in Jesus; they only demonstrate it.

The “Root” – People who consider themselves “good” but do not abide in Jesus Christ are risking placing more of their trust in their own work than in God’s.

But the only possible result is nominal Christianity—surface-level goodness without internal renewal. That’s why Jesus called the Pharisees, who were undoubtedly very good people, “whitewashed tombs” (Matthew 23:27).

Obedience is the fruit, not the root, of being accepted by God.

Work hard and labor much with God at integrity.

Work hard and labor much at being good, but always remember that your good works and your labors only the “show the incomparable riches of God’s grace.”

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Let us Pray,

Lord, Savior, Jesus Christ, thank you that you are the resurrection and the life, death holds no power over you. In your name, you have gathered your people to form the church. Your life and love are seen in the life and love of Christians within that church. May your church be like a city on a hill, shining your light into the darkness of the world. Neither death or life, angels or rulers, things present or future, height or depth, or anything else in all creation, will be able to separate your people from your love. Through your mighty name, Gloria! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Amen.

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Our One Exclusive Focus: Our Worship of the Lamb who sits upon the Throne. Revelation 4:1-11, Revelation 5:13-14.

Revelation 4Amplified Bible

Scene in Heaven

4 After this I looked, and behold, [a]a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice which I had heard, like the sound of a [war] trumpet speaking with me, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after these things.” 2 At once I was in [special communication with] the Spirit; and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with One seated on the throne. 3 And He who sat there appeared like [the crystalline sparkle of] [b]a jasper stone and [the fiery redness of] a sardius stone, and encircling the throne there was a rainbow that looked like [the color of an] emerald. 4 Twenty-four [other] thrones surrounded the throne; and seated on these thrones were [c]twenty-four elders dressed in white clothing, with crowns of gold on their heads.

The Throne and Worship of the Creator

5 From the throne came flashes of lightning and [rumbling] sounds and peals of thunder. Seven lamps of fire were burning in front of the throne, which are [d] the seven Spirits of God; 6 and in front of the throne there was something like a sea or large expanse of glass, like [the clearest] crystal. In the center and around the throne were four living [e]creatures who were full of eyes in front and behind [seeing everything and knowing everything that is around them]. 7 [f] The first living creature was like a lion, the second creature like a calf (ox), the third creature had the face of a man, and the fourth creature was like a flying eagle. 8 And the four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes all over and within [underneath their wings]; and day and night they never stop saying,

“Holy, holy, holy [is the] Lord God, the Almighty [the Omnipotent, the Ruler of all], who was and who is and who is to come [the unchanging, eternal God].”

9 Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanksgiving to Him who sits on the throne, to Him who lives forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and they worship Him who lives forever and ever; and they throw down their crowns before the throne, saying,

11 
“Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive the glory and the honor and the power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they exist, and were created and brought into being.”

Revelation 5:13-14Amplified Bible

13 And I heard every created thing that is in heaven or on earth or under the earth [in Hades, the realm of the dead] or on the sea, and everything that is in them, saying [together],

“To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb (Christ), be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever.”

14 And the four living creatures kept saying, “Amen.” And the elders fell down and worshiped [Him who lives forever and ever].

The Word of God for the Children of God. Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Amen.

The very first time I went whitewater rafting was one early spring day with a friend of mine. It was early in the winter to spring runoffs and the river water promised to be fast and furious and according to the pamphlet – ‘serious fun.’

We arrived, made our introductions and divided into two rafts. We got our wet gear, we put on life jackets and helmets, and we got our oars, some instructions on the bank before setting out, had a lengthy discussion about safety equipment and procedures, and some rigorous practice in basic techniques along the shore.

I was made very clear of my role – and tried very hard to be very focused on exactly what I was supposed to do as the rafts new “Right-Front” paddler.

Our river guide explained that the way we kept ourselves in the boat (which is a bit of a priority, I’ll admit), was by wedging our feet into the bottom of the boat.

Unfortunately, I was more focused on my paddling responsibility than on keeping myself in the boat, and so the very first rapid we hit I went tumbling back into the middle of the boat, almost began whitewater rafting from there!

Quite simply, my focus was wrong, and I paid the consequence. Luckily, we had been instructed in what to do should we fall out of our positions on the raft, and so as soon as the guide took over the raft, we all took the time to focus on safety.

I adjusted my focus and did what I needed to do to remain safe and get placed back into my spot. And I can assure you that once back in my place, my focus was adjusted, I spent much more time concentrating on staying in my place.

The point is, I had to adjust my focus. Sometimes we need to adjust the focus of our lives as well. Often our tendency as human beings are to take our eyes off of our God and look only at the situation life finds us in, and we get overwhelmed.

My main point this morning is that our focus must be on God – we must always be focused on God.

We are going to again examine chapter 4 of the book of Revelation, and from this find three areas that need to be our constant focus, in the midst of difficult times and during those rare times when life is running along smoothly:

first, we need to Focus on God’s position;

second, we need to Focus on God’s power;

and third, we need to focus on God’s perfection.

I want you to again turn in your Bibles focusing upon Revelation chapter 4.

As you are finding it, let me give you just a bit of background on the book of Revelation before diving into this chapter, because I know that there is a great diversity in how people feel about this particular book of the Bible

– some people are really scared by it, some are intrigued and some curious, still others find great encouragement and discover comfort, while lots and lots of us people will just decide to ignore it because they can’t focus, figure any of it out!

The purpose of the book of Revelation is very clear – it was written to encourage Christians. It’s main, number one purpose, is encouragement.

Now, some of us who have read the book and remember quite visually all the plagues and death and war and strife and terrible pain, which is described, as God pours out His Judgement and wrath on the world; Like me at first, you may be wondering exactly how all this could possibly be a book of encouragement.

Well, the answer I believe is found in the broad perspective of the entire book.

I can try to over-simplify it by saying this:

There is a huge eternal struggle between God and Satan, between good and evil, and its heavenly panoramic view is ugly and painful and difficult, and God wins.

Satan is chained.

Satan is crushed.

Satan is defeated.

Romans 16:20Amplified Bible

20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.

The [wonderful] grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

There is where the encouragement lies – God wins!

Satan can do his worst, can throw everything in his arsenal at us as God’s children, but it is never ever going to be enough to ever overcome God.

God will be victorious, and Satan will be crushed and rendered powerless for eternity.

The encouragement is found in the immovable, unshakeable security that we who have confessed Christ as Savior know the end of the story! We know who wins – who is more powerful – who is more worthy of our love and our service.

A short distance off the coast of present-day Turkey lies a tiny island called Patmos, where just over 1,900 years ago, the Lord Jesus Christ appeared to John the Beloved and instructed him to write down an account of the visions and the revelations he was about to be given (see Revelation 1:10–16, 19).

In Revelation 1–3, John introduced essential themes that run throughout the book. Revelation 1 describes a vision of the Lord Jesus Christ, unveiling aspects of the Savior’s power and our Alpha and Omega’s eternal mission, including the reassuring truth that the Lord labors among and with His faithful servants.

In Revelation 2–3, John’s letters focus on seven branches of the Church, convey observations and messages of blessings, criticism, counsel and correction from the Lord to help His followers refocus and to receive the blessings of exaltation.

The messages in these chapters showed the Saints in John’s Day that Savior Jesus Christ will help His followers overcome even as He overcame, and these messages will teach the same thing to us today pulling our focus off the world.

The first three chapters of Revelation are a series of visions for very specific churches which existed at the time of the writing of this book, with specific, focused observations, criticisms, instructions for each one of them to focus on.

Revelation chapter 4 begins a new section, where John’s visions of the cosmic struggle between God and Satan, and the eventual outcome, begins.

It is fascinating and instructive that the entire revelation begins in the throne room of heaven, with the focus

(1) on God’s position – in the center, on the throne,

(2) a focus on God’s power and

(3) a focus on God’s perfection.

This chapter sets the tone for the focus rest of the book.

I. Focus on God’s Position – In the EXACT CENTER, on the throne

We need to constantly have our focus tweaked so that we are centered on God.

The very first thing I want us to focus in on from Revelation chapter 4 is the Focus on God’s position.

John, the recipient and recorder of these visions, is ushered into the very throne room of heaven (verses 1 and 2 describe his invitation and response).

He writes (vs. 2-3)

“At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian (these were precious stones, jasper likely a clear stone, and carnelian a Firey red stone). A rainbow, resembling an emerald, encircled the throne. Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. ”

So, we see, from this vision of the throne room of heaven, God is in the exact center of it all.

Everything else – the emerald rainbow, the thrones of the 24 elders, even the 4 living creatures mentioned a little later on, are described as around the throne of God – focused exclusively on God’s position in the exact center of heaven.

John sees God on His throne in the exact center of everything else.

God exalted above everything else.

God in absolute control of everything – period.

This is the first Focus – on God’s position.

I want to pause here to ask you this question:

when you look at the central focus of your life, is God at the exact center?

Have you granted him exclusive permission to come in and take exclusive control your life – only focus of your soul, occupy the throne in your heart?

What position does He hold in your life – supreme ruler, or is He more like an advisor that you, as supreme ruler, which we occasionally focus upon, turn to for “advice” when the “wisdom of our own wisdom” runs out of “clever?”

I know it is probably taboo to say this, but I so plead with you to take an honest look at your heart – your motivations and your actions – demand from yourself whether or not God is at the center of your life, or you are. Where is your focus?

It’s an important question to answer, because the rest of the book of Revelation details what happens to those who do not acknowledge Christ as their king –

those who do not focus on God and make Him the center of their lives – and it’s not a pretty sight! On the other hand, for those that do acknowledge Jesus as Lord and King the rewards are great and guaranteed – eternity in paradise!

If you’ve never made Jesus the center of your life – asked Him to be your king – then listen carefully, because your eternity is in jeopardy.

2000 years ago, Jesus left the scene we’ve just read in Revelation 4 to come to earth and live among us.

He lived among us and taught us many things about God’s character and His love for mankind.

And then He was crucified – hung on a cross like the worst kind of criminal.

But here is the important part: He rose from the dead. Jesus defeated the power of death! Death was not strong enough to hold Him!

So, what does that have to do with you and the center of your life?

This.

When you make Jesus your king, death’s hold over you are broken as well.

When you make Jesus your king, death’s hold over you are broken as well.

The Bible says this: (Romans6:5) “If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection.”

Today, will you choose to make Jesus the exact, exacting center of your life?

Maybe you have asked Jesus to be the exact center of your life in the past but have since taken back control.

When I asked you to take an honest look at yourself,

if we had to answer that we were back on the throne instead of God, or that we have again and again placed something else at the exact center of our life (like money, old rusty destinies, success or pride), then we have some work to do.

You and I definitely need to refocus on what matters the most to us, repent of that sin and strive to again accept God’s promise of forgiveness and restoration.

I’ve tried to state these things very strongly this morning on purpose.

The length and breadth and height and depths of the Bible takes the issue of “who is the center (or Lord, if you prefer) of your life very (eternally) seriously.

My purpose is not to discourage or frighten you, but rather to communicate the truth that God must be at the very center of our lives – we must make Him our Lord, and give all of our allegiance to Him, and focus on Him and on Him alone.

Now, how does a Focus on God’s position help you and I as we go about our daily lives?

Well, when we are focused on God’s position – at the center of our universe and at the center of our lives, our foundation will be secure.

The fundamental ideas of who we are and how we fit into our universe will be answered in a convincing and powerful way.

When Jesus is truly our Lord, we know for certain who we serve – we know that we are servants of the one and only God – and we know that He has accepted us and welcomed us into His very own family.

That perspective will give us strength to face whatever challenges we face in this world.

We know who we are and who we serve.

Focusing on God’s position allows us to retain a “big picture” perspective which will definitely, and directly, and decisively, help keep each and every single one of us becoming overwhelmed by the diversity of situations we find ourselves in.

II. Focus on God’s Power

The second Focus I find in Revelation 4 is a focus on the power of God.

There are at least two images of the power of God demonstrated in this chapter, and the first is the one we have just finished discussion – God on the throne.

The throne is the seat of power and authority, and the place from which God exercises His power and dominion.

Look at verse 5 – here we get the second image of the power of God.

“From the throne came flashes of lightening, rumblings, and peals of thunder”.

These flashes of lightening, and rumblings, and peals of thunder are pictures of God’s awesome power – they are images designed to focus, to communicate to the reader something of the maximum scope, magnitude, of the power of God.

We often hear reports on the news of the power of the forces of nature – whether it is from flooding or hurricanes, or tsunamis or earthquakes.

Those pictures always vividly remind me how frail all of our civilization is in comparison to the power of God.

We have wonderful technologies and highly trained and rehearsed response teams to deploy into emergency situations – but ultimately, there is really very little they can do when the very ground begins to shake, and roads and airport runways fold up like paper, when whole houses collapse from rushing water!

May God bless and watch over, vigilantly protect our Armies of First Responders!!!

This verse in Revelation 4 provides us with a wonderful image that reminds us of the power of God.

I found it a wonderful encouragement as I studied this passage that God is still on the throne of the universe, ruling it in power.

He has not left us alone down here to fumble around by ourselves in the dark.

He has not abandoned us nor forsaken us to suffer alone through this life without any offer of unfailing guidance or thoroughly accurate directions.

He has not planned for us to have a miserable existence in this life.

No, He is very active, and the power is still flowing from His throne, just like the picture in Revelation 4 shows us.

And the power is flowing for the benefit and assistance of those who call Jesus their Lord and king. He is still in 100% control; He is still working powerfully in our world. Please Remember that. Focus on that. And be encouraged by that.

It is important to note as we focus on God’s power that we control how much it flows in our lives.

God’s power to work in and through us is dependent upon our cooperation.

It works a lot like a tap.

By turning the tap on just a small bit, you get just a few drops of water.

By opening it up more, you allow more water to flow.

It is possible for us to limit the ability of God to work in our lives.

As we focus on the power of God, and open ourselves to Him, we allow God to work on us – molding us deeper into His image – and through us – to spread His desperately needed message of maximum hope and salvation to all mankind.

Once again, how does this focus help you and I in our daily lives?

Well, when we are focused on God’s power (by which He created everything out of nothing and through which he continues to uphold and sustain the laws of nature and by which He manages to meet all of our concerns and needs)

– when we are focused on God’s power, flowing from His throne, what problem that we face is going to seem overwhelming?

What situation would leave us feeling hopeless?

What mountain will seem insurmountable?

When we are focused on the power of God that flows from His throne, we can face every situation in our lives with boldness, courage, and confidence in how God will work things together for His glory.

What a living hope – what a secure anchor – what an undeniably worthy focus.

III. Focus on God’s perfection

The third and final focus that I find in Revelation chapter 4 is a focus on God’s perfection.

He is a Holy God, perfect in every way, completely and totally morally pure.

Verse 6: “Before the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal”.

Although some scholars disagree on the symbolism here, the most likely and convincing interpretation is of this is an image of God’s holiness – his purity.

We find the same emphasis in the worship offered by the four living creatures, halfway through verse 8: “Day and night they never stop saying: ’Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come.’”

The focus in the worship of those creatures surrounding the throne is on the holiness of God’s character.

So how does focusing on God’s perfection help us?

As I thought about the three focuses, I’ve talked about today,

focus on God’s position, focus on God’s power, and focus on God’s perfection,

and as I considered how these help us in our daily lives, I came to the conclusion that this one helps the most.

Let me try to explain my two reasons why:

First, as we focus on the holiness of God, we are immediately confronted with our own sin in comparison.

When Isaiah was ushered into this same throne room, he fell to the ground and his heart, and his soul and his voice immediately cried out:

“Woe to me! I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips and I live among a people of unclean lips, and (now) my eyes have seen the king, the Lord Almighty.” (Is. 6:5).

Focusing on God’s holiness makes us realize our sinfulness.

How does that help?

Often, not always, our problems are partially of our own making.

Isn’t that, right?

Do not we often get ourselves into a problem as a result of an act of sin.

That’s our human nature!

Focusing on God’s holiness reveals our sinfulness, which we can then identify as contributing to the problem in the first place.

And that hopefully, faithfully, lovingly, prayerfully changes our whole attitude regarding how we approach the sinful situation – we are willing to accept our responsibility, and we can then work to correct the wrong we did.

Most of the time, gracefully, the other people involved will respond positively in that kind of environment and admit their part, and resolution can be found.

The second reason why this focus is the most helpful is that our focus on the holiness of God keeps us from sinning in the midst of the problem.

If our own sin is often part of the cause of the problem, our sinful actions are often what make the problem larger.

This is a great help to us!

Focusing on the holiness of God in the midst of a difficult situation in our lives will greatly decrease our propensity to sin in the midst of the problem.

Instead of our completely having a fit and storming into the boss’s office to yell and scream (and maybe cuss a time or two or three?) demanding an apology for the mistreatment we have suffered (which is more likely to make the problem bigger), a focus on the complete holiness of God gives an opportunity to pause and then to consider our actions and the morality of what we would like to do.

We can then moderate our actions and maintain our integrity while working hard towards a resolution of the problem.

We were made to praise God. As the Reformed tradition confesses, our chief purpose is “to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever” (Westminster Shorter Catechism). To glorify God means to enter into the joy of our salvation. It means that all that God has done for us in Christ directs our living and thanksgiving.

The verses from Revelation 5 shows that the grace poured out on us by the Lamb, who was slain, is at the exact center of our praise.

An old favorite hymn says it well:

“Come, thou Fount of every blessing, tune my heart to sing thy grace; streams of mercy, never ceasing, call for songs of loudest praise.”

Just as an instrument needs to be rightly tuned, so do our hearts.

It’s so tempting to want praise directed at our own accomplishments.

But the Bible is clear that we are unworthy of the blessings we receive.

We are all called to declare the praise of the God who spoke us into being and rescued us from the power of sin and death by the self-sacrifice of the worthy Lamb, Jesus Christ, who had no sin. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

All else that we do well in life—all we accomplish and all we contribute to God’s kingdom of peace—flows from God’s saving grace.

Revelation chapter 4 is a beautiful picture of our God.

We need to take from this chapter the overall importance of focusing on God –

Focus on God’s position – acknowledge God at the center of the universe and make Him the center of your life.

Second, Focus on God’s Power – what problem in our lives will seem insurmountable when our focus is on the power of God!?!

Finally, Focus on God’s perfection – on His holiness – and allow that focus to first purge us of sinful actions and attitudes and second, prayerfully, keep us from falling back into sinful ways.

Let’s take this focus into the future. Let’s agree together that we are going to focus exclusively on God and live in obedience to His every command.

Can we imagine where God is going to take us as a body with this kind of focus?

What an undeniably exciting prospect!

What an indescribable and inspired message of encouragement!

And what an insurmountable strength of joy and Shalom we will find together as we seek first and foremost, His kingdom alone and His righteousness first.

So, in our maximum expression of “full throated” gratitude we raise high our hands, our thanks to the Lamb on the throne.

His grace covers all our sins and shame, and his grace will lead us home.

Is your heart centralized and maximally focused, tuned for gratitude today?

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Let us Pray,

Living and faithful Spirit, the pre-existent, ever-living God in whom we live and move and have our being, the God who is made known in Christ Jesus,

bless us one and all as we wait on you this day. Please remove from our minds and hearts whatever impediments which hinder worship or dampen our joy. Increase within us that holy longing for closeness which can open our lives to fuller delight and to a deeper, “full throated” commitment.

May our hymns and prayers, our searching thoughts, and our hearing of the Scriptures, be an exercise in maximum accountability, maximum obedience.

By you, with you and for you, may our lives focus upon, publish your praise.

In the name of our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus Christ. Alleluia! Amen!

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When “Church” Seems Bigger Than God. Much like the Grasshopper is as to Man. Numbers 13:30-33, Isaiah 40:21-22.

Moses sent twelve men of Israel, one from each tribe, to explore the land of Canaan.

Only two of the explorers, Joshua and Caleb, came back with a good report (see Numbers 14:6-9).

They said, “The land is good, and God will lead us into it.”

They trusted God to give Israel the land he had promised. The other ten explorers were gripped with fear because the people of the land seemed too big.

They said, “We seemed like grasshoppers to ourselves and to them.”

When fear takes over, our perspectives on many things can get distorted.

For example, our view of God may become skewed.

God may seem small in light of our problems, or God’s Word may seem empty in the face of our difficulties.

Even our view of ourselves may get cloudy when our faith is weak.

Israel said they felt like grasshoppers when in fact they were the chosen and cherished people of God.

It’s important to remember who we are in Christ.

We are the body of Christ. We are sons and daughters of the King.

We are called “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession” (1 Peter 2:9).

When fear creeps in, remember the God you serve.

Remember who you are and whose you are.

Then step forward in faith, leaning on God’s promises and power.

Numbers 13:30-33Amplified Bible

30 Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, “Let us go up at once and take possession of it; for we will certainly conquer it.” 31 But the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up against the people [of Canaan], for they are too strong for us.” 32 So they gave the Israelites a bad report about the land which they had spied out, saying, “The land through which we went, in spying it out, is a land that devours its inhabitants. And all of the people that we saw in it are men of great stature. 33 There we saw the Nephilim (the sons of Anak are part of the Nephilim); and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.”

The Word of God for the Children of God. Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Amen.

In Numbers 13, the Israelites came near to the Promised Land.

God instructed Moses to send 12 men to spy out the land He was giving them.

They passed through a fertile land filled with grape clusters so large it took two men to carry one bunch. They walked through an area blessed with sweeping grasslands, abundant fresh water, and almost perfect weather.

But it was also a land inhabited by strong, giant people. And 10 of the 12 men couldn’t see past that perceived threat. They had an unrealistic view of the problem, thinking they were so large that they were impossible to overcome.

Many people have called this way of looking at life as “grasshopper thinking.” It is a manner of thinking which leaves God completely out of the equation.

Such Grasshopper thinking has prevented many people, down through the ages, from expanding their perceptions of selves, becoming everything God intended them to become and has robbed them of things He intended for them to enjoy.

It keeps believers from ever even attempting any great thing for God, defeating and preventing them from faithfully bringing the Kingdom of God unto others.

Grasshopper thinking is leaving God out of His plan for our lives. When God shows me His plan for the next step in my life, it is not my job to begin to evaluate His plan. It is my job simply to trust Him, believe that He will provide everything necessary for it to succeed, and then to start walking forth into it.

Caleb, the spy from the tribe of Judah, encouraged Israel to go forth anyway and possess the land (Numbers 13:30). But ten of the other spies threw cold water on that suggestion, emphasizing the strength of the adversaries, considering themselves as grasshoppers in comparison (Numbers 13:31-33).

Israel went the way of the ten spies; they went so far as to express the desire to return to Egypt and slavery (Numbers 14:1-4).

Caleb, along with Joshua, the spy from Ephraim, begged Israel to reconsider, affirming the goodness of the land and that YHWH would give it to them, confident that if YHWH was with them, it would not matter how strong their foes might seem (Numbers 14:5-9).

But it was too late; Israelites sought to stone Joshua and Caleb (Numbers 14:10).

Before we unnecessarily Judge, let us consider Israel’s perspective. The reality “on the ground” is never in doubt: the ten spies recognize that the land is of excellent quality with great produce; Caleb and Joshua recognize that the inhabitants of the land are numerous, strong, living in well-fortified cities.

The Israelites have just left slavery in Egypt; they did not have the resources and strength among themselves to overcome their enemies’ advantages.

They, as with the ten spies, assess the situation as it looks on the ground; their response is entirely natural according to such a perspective.

If it is their strength versus their opponents’ strength, they will die in battle.

Such thinking and reasoning seem to be quite realistic in that historical context.

And then there was the faith motivating Caleb and Joshua.

If all Israel could rely on was its own resources and strength, then Caleb and Joshua would agree that any invasion was a fool’s errand.

But Caleb and Joshua remembered that YHWH had just redeemed them from Egyptian slavery, from the very Egypt which dominated Canaan and boasted the strongest empire of the day.

If YHWH could rescue Israel from Egypt, then YHWH could dispossess the strong Canaanite nations from before Israel (Numbers 14:9).

No, Israel would not obtain Canaan because of their own abilities.

They could only obtain it if they trusted in YHWH.

But Israel was not trusting in YHWH. They were rebelling against Him!

He promised He would bring them into the land flowing with Milk and Honey.

However, instead all they wanted to go back to Egypt, to give up on YHWH’s mission halfway through (Exodus 3:7-9, Numbers 14:1-4).

To return to Egypt would be to forsake YHWH and everything which He had done for Israel.

They even wished they had died in Egypt or the wilderness; such is how little they trusted in YHWH or thought of the efficacy of His power in this situation.

Rejoice in God’s Power

Have you heard the story by Max Lucado about a man who prayed that God would show his power and collapse a wall like that of Jericho (Joshua 6) and stop a storm the way he did in Galilee (Luke 8:22-25)?

God answered the man by bringing down a wall–not of brick, but of sin.

And he stilled a storm–not of a sea, but of a soul.

Tragically, because the man was looking for the wrong things, he complained that God had done nothing.

He asked God, “Have you lost your power?”

And God answered, “Have you lost your hearing?”

Sometimes we wonder if God has lost power in these 2022 times and seasons.

We wonder if God really is in max control in these 2022 times and seasons.

Isaiah 40:21-22Amplified Bible

21 
Do you [who worship idols] not know? Have you not heard?
Has it not been told to you from the beginning?
Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth [the omnipotence of God and the stupidity of bowing to idols]?
22 
It is He who sits above the circle of the earth,
And its inhabitants are like grasshoppers.
[It is He] who stretches out the heavens like a veil
And spreads them out like a tent to dwell in.

According to Isaiah 40:21-22, God has not lost so much as one ounce of his power, but we all have diminished listening skills and have lost our hearing and our ability to comprehend the spoken word has been sacrificed to “itchy ears.”

“Do you not know? Have you not heard? … He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers… The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.”

Still, we look at the verses from Isaiah and say to ourselves – those words are two thousand eight hundred years old, and these are New Testament times.

It is the year of our Lord and Savior 2022 …. The context is radically different.

To this day there is a place for assessment of the situation “on the ground.”

In general, there is consensus about the situation of the faith “on the ground.”

Its influence, however strong it may have been in the past, seems to be waning.

Church membership, ministry, mission and participation is definitely declining.

More and more people are just as likely to identify as “spiritual, not religious.”

Strong secular and spiritual forces attempt to subvert the faith and marginalize those who proclaim it.

Following Jesus seems to be a quaint relic of the past, a historical legacy many feels are better to discard.

Likewise, there is general agreement that by our own resources and strength it will prove nearly impossible for the church to turn the tide on these trends.

“Realistically” we have definite reasons for much lamentation and mourning.

Brothers, Sisters, For the whole of the Body of Christ, God’s Church in God’s ever more complex Neighborhood, there are many Calebs and Joshua’s and so many more than those “10 spies” who have forceful opinions counter to theirs.

In the face of such enormous “giants” “Sober assessments” recognize the seeming futility of our endeavors. “On the ground,” it would seem that we should make sure to ask the first person to enter to turn on all of the lights and we should also make sure to ask the last person to leave to turn off the lights.

Yet such assessments, however “realistic” or “sober” they seem to be, do not take into complete account the existence of God and all He has done for us.

They do not take into complete account that “realistically” Christianity should never have existed, and even if it had been started, by all “realistic” scenarios would have died out a long time ago if there was not the infinite power of God.

Jesus has won the victory; Jesus has overcome the world (John 16:31-33).

The forces of darkness in this world are arrayed far and wide, far as the east is from the west, north from south against us and are strong (Ephesians 6:12).

Nevertheless, He who is in us is greater than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4).

Many Christians have fallen into the trap of cynicism and pessimism dressed up as being, or needing to be more “politically, culturally correct” “honest” or “realistic” about the manifold problems facing Christianity and the church.

We do well to remember the spies and Israel were the people of God, and they were being quite “realistic” and “honest” about the situations they were facing.

They “made their assessment.” Yet God punished that generation for rebelling against Him; they ironically got their wish, for they all but Caleb and Joshua would die in the wilderness and would not inherit the land (Numbers 14:10-35).

The ten spies died by plague (Numbers 14:36-37).

It would be the next generation who would trust in YHWH and obtain the promised land, and Caleb and Joshua would lead them to victory (Joshua 1:1-24:33).

We must remember this because what the Israelites thought was “honesty” and “realism” betrayed a lack of faith and rebelliousness (1 Corinthians 10:1-12)!

YHWH had already proven Himself by delivering them from Egyptian slavery and providing for them to that moment.

Likewise, God has proven Himself to us through the life, death, resurrection, and lordship of Jesus His Son (Romans 1:4, Romans 5:6-11, 8:17-25).

He is able to do more than we can ask or think (Ephesians 3:20-21).

The only reason we have ever had the opportunity to hear the Gospel ourselves is on account of His great power working through successive generations of His servants (Hebrews 12:1) and His Son Jesus, the Author and finisher of our faith who for the joy set before Him; endured the cross; despising all of the shame and is NOW set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2)

Praise God from whom all blessings flow because if it were only ever based on the resources and strength of the faithful the message would not get very far!

The world gives many reasons for cynicism, despair, doubt, and pessimism.

It always has; and it always will. Christians are called to put their trust in God, recognizing the victory comes through Jesus even in difficult circumstances, and the ways of the world are folly to God (1 Corinthians 1:19-25, 1 Peter 1:3-9).

The decision is up to us.

It always was, is and forever shall be ….

The Body of Christ, the Church in God’s ever more complex Neighborhood …

Are we going to so (too) easily surrender to our version, our vision, of our so called allegedly “correct” “honest” “realistic” “Grasshopper” assessment and be driven far and wide to cynicism and despair and division as the ten spies and Israel, proving to have more faith in our perception and the ways of the world than in our own Creator and Redeemer, and be judged to be in “max” rebellion?

Or return to the Word of God to find our God’s answers to our souls “wisdom?”

Psalm 25Amplified Bible

Prayer for Protection, Guidance and Pardon.

A Psalm of David.

25 To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
2 
O my God, in You I [have unwavering] trust [and I rely on You with steadfast confidence],
Do not let me be ashamed or my hope in You be disappointed;
Do not let my enemies triumph over me.
3 
Indeed, none of those who [expectantly] wait for You will be ashamed;
Those who turn away from what is right and deal treacherously without cause will be ashamed (humiliated, embarrassed).

4 
Let me know Your ways, O Lord;
Teach me Your paths.
5 
Guide me in Your truth and teach me,
For You are the God of my salvation;
For You [and only You] I wait [expectantly] all the day long.
6 
Remember, O Lord, Your [tender] compassion and Your loving kindnesses,
For they have been from of old.
7 
Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions;
According to Your lovingkindness remember me,
For Your goodness’ sake, O Lord.

8 
Good and upright is the Lord;
Therefore, He instructs sinners in the way.
9 
He leads the humble in justice,
And He teaches the humble His way.
10 
All the paths of the Lord are lovingkindness and goodness and truth and faithfulness
To those who keep His covenant and His testimonies.
11 
For Your name’s sake, O Lord,
Pardon my wickedness and my guilt, for they are great.

12 
Who is the man who fears the Lord [with awe-inspired reverence and worships Him with submissive wonder]?
He will teach him [through His word] in the way he should choose.
13 
His soul will dwell in prosperity and goodness,
And his descendants will inherit the land.
14 
The secret [of the wise counsel] of the Lord is for those who fear Him,
And He will let them know His covenant and reveal to them [through His word] its [deep, inner] meaning.
15 
My eyes are continually toward the Lord,
For He will bring my feet out of the net.

16 
Turn to me [Lord] and be gracious to me,
For I am alone and afflicted.
17 
The troubles of my heart are multiplied;
Bring me out of my distresses.
18 
Look upon my affliction and my trouble,
And forgive all my sins.
19 
Look upon my enemies, for they are many;
They hate me with cruel and violent hatred.
20 
Guard my soul and rescue me;
Do not let me be ashamed or disappointed,
For I have taken refuge in You.
21 
Let integrity and uprightness protect me,
For I wait [expectantly] for You.
22 
O God, redeem Israel,
Out of all his troubles.

Or will we prove willing to put our maximum measure of trust in God in Christ, aware of the long odds and impossibility of our mission in worldly terms, but be ever mindful of God’s strength and faithfulness, and to put our maximum hope in God and His strength, as Caleb and Joshua did? May we maintain faith and hope and not give in to cynicism and despair and obtain the victory in Jesus!

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Let us Pray,

Heavenly Father, there are days—even long stretches, when people gain more influence over our hearts than they deserve. As Moses wrote in one of today’s passages. some people can make us feel like grasshoppers in the presence of giants. When this happens, any of a number of broken relational styles results.

When people seem bigger than you, they impact how we see ourselves and spend our days, and how we sleep, eat, and stress.

Through the truth and grace of the gospel, help us take back the power we’ve given mere people to shape, shame, or shut us down.

No one deserves that much sway.

If we’re going to feel “grasshopper-sized” anywhere in life, it should only be before you; for you are God, and people are not.

The good news is, in Christ, we are your “beloved grasshoppers”—safe, not threatened; cared for, not used; held, not harmed. (Matthew 6:28)

Indeed, Father, free us from looking to anybody to fill us up or “complete us”; or functionally to replace You.

Whether it’s our spouse or children, parents or friends, employer or employees—mere men make lousy idols, wannabe gods, and salvation-less saviors.

And free us from patterns of unforgiveness, resentment, and bitterness.

When fear of man morphs into wishing others harm, dreaming of their demise, or calling down fire, or vast darkening plagues of Locusts, they win, we all lose.

Bitterness defiles, envy rots, and revenge belongs to you.

Father, you’ve placed a Jesus-shaped void in our hearts only Jesus can fill. Keep us restless until we rest in him; peace-less, until he is our peace; and longing, until he is our life. So very Amen we pray, in his glorious and grace-full name.

All Glory be unto God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit!

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When our Work Becomes our Real Identity: Was the Apostle Paul the “Original Energy Bunny Christian?” Philippians 3:7-11

Your resume is a valuable tool, whether you are a high school student looking for that first part-time job, a seasoned employee hoping to secure a prestigious promotion high pay position with a leading company, or something in between.

On your resume, you will definitely boast about the degrees you have earned, the awards you have been given, or the success you have enjoyed on the job. It will include a “diverse array” of “relevant” on the job hands-on experiences.

But what happens when we make these “relevant hands-on” qualities into the very central piece of who we are in the context of the new role we want to fulfil?

It’s ever so easy to get so wrapped up in our identity as employees, employers, students, or parents that we can feel as if our worth depends on the work we do.

Leaving our “original” or “former” work behind—whether it is temporarily or permanently—causes us to lose that particular sense of identity from that job.

If we experienced failure in our work, it probably leaves us feeling worthless, and looking for “self-redemption” while success creates a sense of arrogance and superiority. Our work is distorted by sin when we make it into our identity.

The Apostle Paul’s resume was most definitely unmatched by most others.

In our reading for today from Philippians 3:7-11, Paul lists every quality that could have formed his identity: a top-notch education, professional success, religious devotion, moral excellence, and more.

Yet he is unhesitatingly, unashamed in the least to add that he would gladly throw it all away in exchange for a better identity as a child of God in Christ.

Your resume is not your identity; God has made you someone far greater than the sum of your accomplishments and failures.

What to do with that possibility?

“Rest” in the joy that your identity is found in Jesus!

Get “Energized for God” and “Keep going and going and going and going.”

Going and going and going into all of the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the Good News of the Kingdom. Matthew 9:35

Going and going and going …. Walking, Running, the Hard Road before us …. “Listen carefully: I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; so be wise as serpents, and innocent as doves [have no self-serving agenda]. Matthew 10:16

Going and Going and Going and Going ….

Motivated ONLY by the FIRST Love of our Resurrected Savior Jesus Christ, Tend the Lambs and Feed the Sheep of God’s Kingdom on Earth …. John 21:15-17

Spread the Gospel as Jesus Commanded: Matthew 28:16-20

Witnessing unto the Lord Jesus Christ unto the “ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8

“Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification” (Romans 14:19)

Always ready to testify unto our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as to the eternal hope that is within us, and which surrounds our every single step. 1 Peter 3:15

So, prepare your minds for action, be completely sober [in spirit—steadfast, self-disciplined, spiritually and morally alert], fix your hope completely on the grace [of God] that is coming to you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 1Peter 1:13

Philippians 3:7-11Amplified Bible

7 But whatever former things were gains to me [as I thought then], these things [once regarded as advancements in merit] I have come to consider as loss [absolutely worthless] for the sake of Christ [and the purpose which He has given my life]. 8 But more than that, I count everything as loss compared to the priceless privilege and supreme advantage of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord [and of growing more deeply and thoroughly acquainted with Him—a joy unequaled]. For His sake I have lost everything, and I consider it all garbage, so that I may gain Christ, 9 and may be found in Him [believing and relying on Him], not having any righteousness of my own derived from [my obedience to] the Law and its rituals, but [possessing] that [genuine righteousness] which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith. 10 And this, so that I may know Him [experientially, becoming more thoroughly acquainted with Him, understanding the remarkable wonders of His Person more completely] and [in that same way experience] the power of His resurrection [which overflows and is active in believers], and [that I may share] the fellowship of His sufferings, by being continually conformed [inwardly into His likeness even] to His death [dying as He did]; 11 [a]so that I may attain to the resurrection [that will raise me] from the dead.

The Word of God for the Children of God. Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Amen.

Several years ago. I heard, was inspired by a testimony given by a Lay Person on a 3-day Spiritual Retreat. The title of the Witness Talk was “Christian Action.”

He testified to us that as he read, and studied the New Testament Epistles, he became thoroughly convinced Apostle Paul was the original Energizer Bunny.

I guess, maybe just a little, you remember those battery commercials where a mechanical pink bunny would zoom across the screen beating a bass drum and it would just keep on going and going and going never stopping for anything.

The implication was it was using the power of Energizer batteries, which were long lasting.

The Testifiers implication about Apostle Paul was nothing stopped him; things like being blinded, walking long hard roads, great distances between cities and villages, being wrongfully arrested, 39 lashes, being beaten, being stoned with rocks, great storms upon the high seas, panicked crew members, shipwrecked, snake bit, robbers, assassins, sleepless nights, hunger, thirst and in cold and exposure, great physical and Spiritual weakness, and those thorns in his side …

You get the picture. I get it.

This guy did not know how or why or when or where to give up living for his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; he simply kept on going like the Energizer Bunny.

Energizer-Bunny (Christian) definition: (slang) A person who seems to have limitless energy and endurance (for the sake of God, Jesus and Holy Spirit).

Luke 9:23-24 Amplified Bible

23 And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to follow Me [as My disciple], he must deny himself [set aside selfish interests] and take up his cross DAILY [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me]. 24 For whoever wishes to save his life [in this world] will [eventually] lose it [through death], but whoever loses his life [in this world] for My sake, he is the one who will save it [from the consequences of sin and separation from God].

This is a most laudable endeavor for any of our Brothers and Sisters in Christ.

We are called to Love God, our Neighbor and ourselves with everything we are.

You may be that Brother and Sister in Christ with that drive – God Bless You!

But in this time and in this season, I am not him, nor am I the Energizer Bunny.

I become fatigued. I want to quit. I want to not have to face any harder things than I am right now. “I simply have far, far too much on my ‘Christian Plate!’

The thing of it is, is that there is no time when this life is not being tough, and sometimes we need to face it head-on and keep doing good no matter the cost.

As my dad would frequently tell me when I was a boy, and as my Leading Petty Officer in Navy Basic, “Son, sometimes you just need to keep on keeping on.”

“Gut it out!”

“Get back up and on your Bike and just keep pedaling ….!”

“Never, ever look back ….!”

I got to be frank with you all.

Fatigue really gets me really tired sometimes.

It hits me hard, and I want to quit.

This is difficult for me because I’ve been daily working on and writing these blog entries now for nine (9) straight months without one single day missed.

Through my daily preparation of these blog entries, the Word of God, my Bible readings, my studies, my prayers, my hours of research through Commentaries and so much more efforts at being “curious,” I simply cannot remember it all.

God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit has revealed unto me:

I found out that there’s this push in me to not be a quitter.

The reason for this is many, but one thing is for sure is that when I was a young boy, I had too many someone’s tell me I give up too easy and that I am a quitter.

Navy Basic Training as an 18-year-old, everyone was telling me: “never quit!” because you have the “rest of your life” to live out from what you learn here.”

In Army Officer Basic Training in Fort Sam Houston Texas, as a 29-year-old newly minted Nurse Corps Officer, everyone was in my face, commanding me –

“You are an Officer Now – You are Grown Up Now, Never Quit on yourself!”

“You are an Officer Now – You are in Charge Now, Never Quit on your men!”

“You are an Officer now and Quitting is NEVER an option on the Battlefield!”

“If you never quit – you will never die …!”

“If you never quit moving- you will never give the other guy a “good” target!”

And the marching orders and the cadence of the beating drums – kept going!

And I was as eager, if not trying to be more eager, to do my part and far more.

What I didn’t know at the time is that quitting some things is okay – like calling a halt to my military career when my father became terminally ill with COPD.

Then there is “every single day living into and out from” the “Christian Life” which Paul speaks these very poignant and yet deeply inspiring words to:

Philippians 3:7-11The Message

7-9 The very credentials these people are waving around as something special, I’m tearing up and throwing out with the trash—along with everything else I used to take credit for. And why? Because of Christ. Yes, all the things I once thought were so important are gone from my life. Compared to the high privilege of knowing Christ Jesus as my Master, firsthand, everything I once thought I had going for me is insignificant—dog dung. I’ve dumped it all in the trash so that I could embrace Christ and be embraced by him. I didn’t want some petty, inferior brand of righteousness that comes from keeping a list of rules when I could get the robust kind that comes from trusting Christ—God’s righteousness.

10-11 I gave up all that inferior stuff so I could know Christ personally, experience his resurrection power, be a partner in his suffering, and go all the way with him to death itself. If there was any way to get in on the resurrection from the dead, I wanted to do it.

but now most things, require our re-prioritization of our values, like not ever giving up on doing good is something you and I do not ever want to quit doing.

Matthew 6:19-26The Message

A Life of God-Worship

19-21 “Don’t hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or—worse! —stolen by burglars. Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it’s safe from moth and rust and burglars. It’s obvious, isn’t it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being.

22-23 “Your eyes are windows into your body. If you open your eyes wide in wonder and belief, your body fills up with light. If you live squinty eyed in greed and distrust, your body is a musty cellar. If you pull the blinds on your windows, what a dark life you will have!

24 “You can’t worship two gods at once. Loving one god, you’ll end up hating the other. Adoration of one feeds contempt for the other. You can’t worship God and Money both.

25-26 “If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don’t fuss about what’s on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds.

Giving up completely – relying on our past as the best guide towards our future.

Giving up completely not relying solely upon those “rusty worldly resources.”

Never giving up on God, the Father!

Never quitting on God, the Father!

Never giving up on God, the Son!

Never quitting on God, the Son!

Never giving up on God, the Holy Spirit!

Never quitting on God, the Holy Spirit!

Never giving up doing GOD things that are good and noble and loving and true!

Never quit doing GOD things that are 100% good and noble and loving and true!

ONLY AND FOREVER AND EVER, ALLELUIA! AMEN, BECAUSE ….

Philippians 3:9-11 Easy-to-Read Version

9 I want to belong to him. In Christ I am right with God, but my being right does not come from following the law. It comes from God through faith. God uses my faith in[a] Christ to make me right with him. 10 All I want is to know Christ and the power that raised him from death. I want to share in his sufferings and be like him even in his death. 11 Then there is hope that I myself will somehow be raised from death.

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Let us Pray,

God my Father, God, Author of my Life, all wisdom and understanding is found in you. Your word brings wisdom and instruction, giving me insight. Your word teaches me knowledge and discernment. Your word helps me understand the confusion in this world. Your word instructs me in what is right, just and fair. You say that fools despise knowledge and instruction but that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Lord, may I come before you in reverence and find that you are faithful to fulfill all your promises. Your word always achieves your purposes, it never fails. Through our Savior Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

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Our Personal Accountability to God: Biblical Guidance. Hebrews 4:10-13

Hebrews 4:10-13Amplified Bible

10 For the one who has once entered His rest has also rested from [the weariness and pain of] his [human] labors, just as God rested from [those labors uniquely] His own. 11 Let us therefore make every effort to enter that rest [of God, to know and experience it for ourselves], so that no one will fall by following the same example of disobedience [as those who died in the wilderness]. 12 For the word of God is living and active and full of power [making it operative, energizing, and effective]. It is sharper than any two-edged [a]sword, penetrating as far as the division of the [b]soul and spirit [the completeness of a person], and of both joints and marrow [the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and judging the very thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And not a creature exists that is concealed from His sight, but all things are open and exposed, and revealed to the eyes of Him with whom we have to give account.

The Word of God for the Children of God. Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Amen.

Accountability is a big topic.

Does Integrity count for anything anymore?

Does Honesty count when, in this age of social media and the internet, we try so very hard to hide everything about us, who we are, every single thing we can in mindless minutiae, and cyber-cookies – just trying to get away with so much?

There are a whole lot of places to “hide stuff” on the internet in “cyberspace.”

Does Accountability matter?

Do we try too hard to let too much just slip into a state of cyber-anonymity?

“Who is going to know what to look for anyway?”

“Who has the time to look anyway?”

“Who has the energy to look anyway?”

“What are the chances of ever our “being discovered or found out?”

“Isn’t everybody too busy “minding their own business” anyway?

Do a quick google search!

You will find a whole lot of people are asking things like:

What is personal accountability?

What is the difference between responsibility and accountability? 

What does the Bible say about accountability?

Why is personal accountability important?

And searching things like: How to hold people accountable, how to hold yourself accountable, and how to be accountable to others.

But around here, our primary interest is in what the Bible has to say on any matter, so the main question we want to answer today is, what does the Bible say about accountability?

We will strive to faithfully, hopefully, lovingly, prayerfully learn that personal accountability is a major key to living a life of victory, so of course, we want to strive to give practical application advice for how to hold yourself accountable.

What does the Bible Say about our Personal Accountability?

It’s hard to narrow the answer to this question down to just one verse, because there are so many facets to personal accountability. Of course, we will try to cover some of these facets and verses below, but if I had to choose one verse that kind of sums it all up, I think it would be this one from Hebrews 4:12-13

12 For the word of God is living and active and full of power [making it operative, energizing, and effective]. It is sharper than any two-edged [a]sword, penetrating as far as the division of the [b]soul and spirit [the completeness of a person], and of both joints and marrow [the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and judging the very thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And not a creature exists that is concealed from His sight, but all things are open and exposed, and revealed to the eyes of Him with whom we have to give account.

Nothing whatsoever is hidden from the Lord our God, the Word of the Lord our God, the POWER behind the Word of the Lord our God and there’s not one single creature exists that is concealed from HIS sight, but ALL things are open and exposed, AND revealed to the EYES of HIM with whom we have to give account.

Psalm 139:1-12 Amplified Bible

God’s Omnipresence and Omniscience.

To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.

139 O Lord, you have searched me [thoroughly] and have known me.
2 
You know when I sit down and when I rise up [my entire life, everything I do];
You understand my thought from afar.
3 
You scrutinize my path and my lying down,
And You are intimately acquainted with all my ways.
4 
Even before there is a word on my tongue [still unspoken],
Behold, O Lord, You know it all.
5 
You have enclosed me behind and before,
And [You have] placed Your hand upon me.
6 
Such [infinite] knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is too high [above me], I cannot reach it.

7 
Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence?
8 
If I ascend to heaven, You are there;
If I make my bed in Sheol (the nether world, the place of the dead), behold, You are there.
9 
If I take the wings of the dawn,
If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea,
10 
Even there Your hand will lead me,
And Your right hand will take hold of me.
11 
If I say, “Surely the darkness will cover me,
And the night will be the only light around me,”
12 
Even the darkness is not dark to You and conceals nothing from You,
But the night shines as bright as the day;
Darkness and light are alike to You.

What an incredibly stunning revelation spoken, penned, then sung by David!

The question that always seems to linger in my mind when I read these verses is what David’s emotional state was when he wrote and then sung these words.

Was he singing them from a place of hiding -from man, from God, or both?

Was he singing them from a place of intrigue?

Was he singing them from a place of joy?

Was he singing them from a place of gratitude?

Was he singing them from a place of thanksgiving?

Was he singing them from a place of fear and trembling?

Was he singing them from a place of anger?

Was he singing them from a place of anxiety?

Was he singing them from a place of depression?

Was he singing them from a place of deceit?

Was he singing them from a place of subterfuge?

Was he singing them from a place – “secure” in his knowledge he just pulled the wool over everyone’s eye – including God’s – In essence – committing criminal acts, conspiring to commit criminal acts, Mocking man and God?

Was he singing them from a place – secure in his absolute authority as King and anointed by God, being a child of God – “now I will get away with everything secure in the knowledge, belief, “because I know God will forgive me anyway?”

Was he singing them from a place of a soul needing to be humbled before God?

Was he singing them from a place of kneeling on his way towards repentance?

Any one of these starting places is fully and equally valid – even for us in 2022.

Whether trying to be honest or trying to be deceitful or somewhere in between,

Whether we accept it or not, the Bible is clear that we are all accountable to God, and since no one and nothing is ever hidden from Him, we WILL have to give an accurate account of ourselves. The excuses, manipulations we are all tempted to employ in this life simply just will not work when we’re standing before Him.

Since that’s true, let’s dig a little deeper to discover how to hold yourself accountable now so that when you stand before Him, you will be prepared.

What is Personal Accountability?

Before we go too much further into answering the question, “What does the Bible say about accountability,” let’s take some time to define exactly what personal accountability is and why it’s important.

To understand personal accountability, we really just have to break the word down and find some definitions.

The root of the word is account, and the definition of account, in this case, is a report or description of an event or experience (Oxford).

So, to be accountable for something is to be “able to give an account,” or to have the capacity to report or describe that thing.

To be accountable to someone is to have the responsibility of offering an account to that person.

Most of us are accountable to someone (a boss, partner, board members, or shareholders) in our jobs, but that’s not personal accountability, that is corporate accountability.

So, what is personal accountability?

Romans 14:11-12Amplified Bible

11 For it is written [in Scripture],

“As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me,
And every tongue shall give praise to God.”

12 So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.

As we’ve already discovered,

GOD SEES IT ALL!

GOD KNOWS IT ALL!

GOD HAS HEARD IT ALL!

We are all going to have to give a personal account to God.

That means, we are all going to have to answer to Him for our own lives. Not anyone else’s. That is what personal accountability is, and whether we choose to accept it or not, none of us will be able to escape from our God’s Judgement.

If you and I want to take that even .01% seriously, you and I will have to learn how to hold ourselves accountable to someone here. And just as no one will have to answer for you or me before God, no one can do it for us here either.

Accountability vs. Responsibility

Many people will think and believe that accountability and responsibility are the same thing. In fact, many sources will even use one of these words to define the other. But in reality, there is a very important difference between the two.

The word responsibility carries with it culpability or fault, while accountability simply necessitates giving an answer.

In the corporate world we can see this easily demonstrated in the relationship between boss and employee. The boss is not responsible to do the job of each employee but is accountable for whether or not the job gets done and the job gets done according to established manufacturers’ specifications correctly.

In our personal lives too, we’re not responsible for each and every detail.

Much of it is out of our control.

We don’t have any say in whether or not people treat us well, how certain events play out, or a thousand other little incontrollable details.

But according to the Bible,

We are still, will remain, 100% accountable to God for every detail of our lives.

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Let us Pray,

Generous God, you are my soul’s provider, you give me everything I need. Our prosperity is only found in you. Give me clarity of mind and thought as I face difficulties and confusion in my life. Help me make choices that are obedient to your word and your will for my life. Help me to walk in your ways, obey your commands and trust in the name of Jesus. Help me to do this and prosper in everything I do, wherever I go. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

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God’s Really Surprising Truth about our Spiritual Laziness and What We Can Genuinely Do About it. Jeremiah 17:5-8.

Jeremiah 17:5-8 Amplified Bible

5 
Thus says the Lord,
“Cursed is the man who trusts in and relies on mankind,
Making [weak, faulty human] flesh his strength,
And whose mind and heart turn away from the Lord.
6 
“For he will be like a shrub in the [parched] desert;
And shall not see prosperity when it comes,
But shall live in the rocky places of the wilderness,
In an uninhabited salt land.
7 
“Blessed [with spiritual security] is the man who believes and trusts in and relies on the Lord
And whose hope and confident expectation is the Lord.
8 
“For he will be [nourished] like a tree planted by the waters,
That spreads out its roots by the river;
And will not fear the heat when it comes;
But its leaves will be green and moist.
And it will not be anxious and concerned in a year of drought
Nor stop bearing fruit.

The Word of God for the Children of God. Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Amen.

On the surface, spiritual laziness looks like not getting up early enough to pray and read your Bible, but it really goes much, much deeper than that.

When I searched the Internet on this topic, the vast majority of articles and blog posts focused on the necessary disciplines of bible study, Scripture Reading and Prayer time, busy at “work” versus quiet time, going to church, serving others.

And all of those things are critically important in the life in God’s backyard.

However, from personal experience, those disciplines and commitments are almost impossible to stick with unless the root of spiritual laziness is dug up and destroyed.

Not praying regularly, reading the Bible daily, and committing to regular fellowship with other believers are usually symptoms of something buried much deeper in our souls.

It’s kind of like trying to be losing weight. You won’t stick with a diet until your heart, mind, and soul are aligned and motivated to do so. You may persevere for a brief while based on sheer willpower and stubbornness, but it won’t become a lifestyle until the spiritual battle is won within the deepest parts of your being.

So, what is spiritual laziness if it’s not the failure to regularly implementing the classic Christian activities and routines?

To discover this answer, we can turn to the Biblical analogy of trees and fruit, which is used more than a hundred times throughout scripture. 

Jeremiah 17:7-8 says, “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.”

In these verses, we discover that trust in God — a deep, abiding, unwavering, uncompromising trust — is the key to a fruitful life.

That means that not trusting in God for anything and everything — i.e., being worrying, trying to control outcomes, not submitting to God’s sovereignty — is at its core true spiritual laziness.

Therefore, all of those wonderful and incredibly vital habits I mentioned earlier are the fruit of being spiritually active, but they are not the tree itself.

The tree described in Jeremiah is fruitful because it’s rooted in the trust of the Lord, day and night, season after season, storm after storm.  

If you and I are feeling mightily slapped in the face right now, please know that I and uncountable numbers of other “Christians” are right there with you.

If I were to reveal my list of weaknesses, laziness has never been in my top 10.

If anything, I am at times too energetic and too driven.

A former supervisor of mine once said to me, “Your level of energy and dedication and devotion to your work makes your co-workers nervous.”

And he did not entirely mean it as any kind of high and glorious complement, and now many years later I have come to understand why – “its unheard of.”

I’ve also realized that what shows up in my work habits is just as spiritually connected as what comes out in my sacred disciplines for the Lord.

Outwardly I appear to have it all together. 

My actions indicate a preponderance of fruitful behaviors and activities, but truthfully, they only mask a deep, soul-level weakness — an overwhelming need to outperform, to overdo, to achieve — all because I have unrecognized or unacknowledged or unconfessed, unrepented trust issues with our God. 

This is why being busy with the tasks of proper spirituality or duties of religion has in the past left me feeling drained, empty, and disconnected from God. But until recently I never genuinely realized “laziness” had anything to do with it.

If this still doesn’t make sense to you, bear with me for a few moments more.

The connection between laziness and mistrust is simply this: striving to trust God for everything takes great effort, put forth on a continual, consistent basis.

And not just for a few weeks or months. 

Trust grows in layers throughout your lifetime.

One decision or trial at a time. 

That means trusting Him even when we walk through long seasons of waiting, difficulties, or disappointments.

When we do not trust the Lord, it bubbles out into our lives in the form of busyness, trying to control situations or others, legalism, worrying, anxiety, escapism, the pursuit of accolades, or wealth, grumbling and complaining, and a whole host of other manifestations. 

Eugene Peterson, the editor of The Message version of the Bible puts it this way:

“Sloth is most often evidenced in busyness … in frantic running around, trying to be everything to everyone, and then having no time to listen or pray, no time to become the person who is doing these things.” 

An August 11, 2012, mental health article in the New York Times titled “The Anxious Idiot” illustrates Peterson’s point beautifully.

“Laziness: it isn’t a characteristic usually associated with the anxious. If anything, people tend to view the anxious as more active and motivated than normal, because they are more haunted by the specter of failure. And yet long experience has taught me that it is laziness … that is the foremost enemy of the anxiety sufferer, for laziness prevents him from countering the very patterns of thought that make him anxious in the first place.” 

You may or may not be much of a worrier.

Anxiety may be the last thing you resort to when times get tough.

if we struggle with anger or a need for control, then we also likely struggle with trusting God when difficult people or disturbing situations come into our life.

While the article in the NY Times was written without any spiritual connotations or recommendations, it definitely gets to the heart of the matter: every person has a decisive choice to make when confronted with the daily decisions of life.

We can make the genuine effort to trust in God, genuinely let go of our own desires, and genuinely implement His divine recommendations for a healthy, fruitful life, or we can genuinely slide down the path of least mental resistance into our comfortable, but usually very genuinely detrimental, very bad habits.

This is why Paul says our faith is like running a race.

He doesn’t say it’s like sitting in a meadow on a sunny day having a picnic.

Our participation and consistent effort are required. 

Hebrews 12:1-2a says, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder, and perfecter of our faith.”

One of the best parables of the Bible encourages us to risk everything we hold dear in order to walk closely with God. 

Matthew 25:14-30 Amplified Bible

Parable of the Talents

14 “For it is just like a man who was about to take a journey, and he called his servants together and entrusted them with his possessions. 15 To one he gave five [a]talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and then he went on his journey. 16 The one who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he [made a profit and] gained five more. 17 Likewise the one who had two [made a profit and] gained two more.  18 But the one who had received the one went and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.

19 “Now after a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 And the one who had received the five talents came and brought him five more, saying, ‘Master, you entrusted to me five talents. See, I have [made a profit and] gained five more talents.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful and trustworthy over a little, I will put you in charge of many things; share in the joy of your master.’

22 “Also the one who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you entrusted two talents to me. See, I have [made a profit and] gained two more talents.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful and trustworthy over a little, I will put you in charge of many things; share in the joy of your master.’

24 “The one who had received one talent also came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a harsh and demanding man, reaping [the harvest] where you did not sow and gathering where you did not scatter seed. 25 So I was afraid [to lose the talent], and I went and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is your own.’

26 “But his master answered him, ‘You wicked, lazy servant, you knew that I reap [the harvest] where I did not sow and gather where I did not scatter seed. 27 Then you ought to have put my money with the bankers, and at my return I would have received my money back with interest. 28 So take the talent away from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents.’

29 “For to everyone who has [and values his blessings and gifts from God, and has used them wisely], more will be given, and [he will be richly supplied so that] he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have [because he has ignored or disregarded his blessings and gifts from God], even what he does have will be taken away. 30 And throw out the worthless servant into the outer darkness; in that place [of grief and torment] there will be weeping [over sorrow and pain] and grinding of teeth [over distress and anger].

We read here about the parable of the talents, which tells the story of a wealthy business owner who gives three employees each a sum of money and asks them to take care of it for him while he is away on a trip.

Two of them immediately invested the money so that it would earn interest.

The third one was fearful of what would happen if he made a mistake, so he simply buried the money for safekeeping.

When the owner returned, this is what happened:

“But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed?” And then the passage closes with this warning: “For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.” 

In commenting on this parable, Oswald Chambers said,

“The person who is lazy naturally is always captious (i.e., sully or a whining). ‘I haven’t had a decent chance,’ and the one who is lazy spiritually is captious with God. Lazy people always strike out on an independent line.” 

Of course, our definition of independence is different today than it was back then (circa 1900).

Today we typically use the word independence in a much more positive fashion than Chambers intended.

His implication is that lazy believers chart their course separately from God’s recommended path.

Therefore, when it comes to “spiritual matters,” they can all too easily use the excuse of independence — or what they believe to be our unique situation — to justify laziness, rebellion, or fear and so very much more.

Jesus, on the other hand, calls us to be utterly dependent on Him.

As Oswald Chambers further says in his writings, we should never forget that our ability to trust in God and to serve Him with boldness — despite the risks to ourselves — isn’t measured by what we are capable of or what we desire to do.

Instead, our abilities should be grounded in the promises of God never to fail us, leave us, or ask us to do something that He cannot achieve through the power of the Holy Spirit at work in us.

In fact, the greatest miracles of life come when we are at our weakest and trust God to perform His work within us for the benefit of others and His glory. 

2 Corinthians 4:7-11 NLT says, “We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.”

So, these verses imply that the weaker or more fearful you and I may be of what God has asked you and I to do, the greater becomes the opportunity for Him to work miracles and display His genuine glory.

Theologically, all of this may sound like solid truth to you, but if you are still wondering what it all means for the day-to-day living and walking with Jesus, perhaps the following words of wisdom from the Book of Proverbs will help you turn these spiritual implications into daily actions.

As with most Biblical truth, there is great irony in God’s command to trust Him in Proverbs 3:5-6, which says simply:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

These verses contain two actions for us to follow: trust and submit.

We must genuinely participate in the process.

To bear fruit like the tree, we must remain planted by streams of living water.

Yet to keep ourselves out of spiritual laziness and make the efforts required of this command, we must simultaneously learn to simply rest.

Yes, you and I absolutely read that right.

To overcome laziness, we have to learn to be still. 

When we build Sabbath margin into our daily lives — not just on Sunday — we will have the time to breathe, think clearly, and engage our complete being — mind, body, and soul — in genuine pursuit of Rabbi Jesus and Savior Christ. 

The tree grows because it is beside the river of life.

We will only grow in Christ when we take the time to drink of His strength and learn of His wisdom.

So, while I said at the beginning of this devotional message that prayer, Bible study, meditation, and worship are the first fruits of trust, they also become the essential building blocks of greater, greatest, trust as we faithfully apply them.

But we will never see them appear, nor be able to taste them as long as we allow busyness to proliferate in our lives, numb us to the real laziness of our hearts.

When we allow laziness to dominate our decisions and motivations, we only end up serving a false god, and not the true King of Glory.

Laziness, or not trusting God, like any other sin feels good for a season.

Other than busyness, it often shows up in forms of escapism, like mindless TV watching, endless smartphone use, endless devotion to video games, endless social media surfing, or a myriad of physical indulgences, coping mechanisms.

But when we look it square in the eye and call it for what it is, we realize it’s all about our trusting or not trusting the unseen God to do what He says He will do.

Today, I would ask you, fellow traveler, where are you and I planted? 

Are we putting “a few roots down” near the river of life, while allowing others to seek their comfort in the tainted soils of self-reliance or personal comfort?

 If so, ask God to help you find them again, dig them up, and transplant them into His unending goodness and strength.

It won’t happen overnight, but when you wake each morning, His mercies will be new, and God’s miracles will be waiting to sustain us through this “process.”

For Further Reflection and Daily Spiritual Journaling

The questions and readings below can be used for a single-day study or for our re-organization, re-prioritization of our daily quiet time throughout the week.

Day 1 – Describe in your own the words the difference between striving to perform for God (i.e., doing something out of duty or to achieve) and participating in God’s work in your life.

Read Ephesians 2:8-9 and James 2:14-26.

Why do you think you are sometimes motivated toward busyness or performance?

What is God leading us to change? How? Write them out as a prayer to Him.

Day 2 – Read Lamentations 3:22-23. In what ways are you experiencing God’s mercies today or have in the past? How are they new or different to you now than they were yesterday? If you’re in a place of struggle right now, ask God to help you recognize and receive His mercies.

Day 3 – Read, re-read the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30. How are you and I similar to the good servants? In what ways are you and I being like the fearful servant? Journal about why you think that is, and what the Holy Spirit is revealing in your heart.

Day 4 – Take some time to be still before the Lord today.

Begin by reading Proverbs 3:5-6 and then meditating on it.

Ask God to interrupt you and I at any moment with what He wants to whisper to yours and my heart.

For more about “being busy” and practicing stillness and what it means,

check out: https://todaydevotional.com/devotions/be-still-2013-07-01

Day 5 – Spend some time reflecting on our schedules and our commitments at work, home, church, in your community, and other volunteering roles.

Read Luke 10:38-42.

Luke 10:38-42Amplified Bible

Martha and Mary

38 Now while they were on their way, Jesus entered a village [called Bethany], and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. 39 She had a sister named Mary, who seated herself at the Lord’s feet and was continually listening to His teaching. 40 But Martha was very busy and distracted with all of her serving responsibilities; and she approached Him and said, “Lord, is it of no concern to You that my sister has left me to do the serving alone? Tell her to help me and do her part.” 41 But the Lord replied to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered and anxious about so many things; 42 but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part [that which is to her advantage], which will not be taken away from her.”

Go to God in prayer and ask Him to reveal areas where you, I, are too busy like Martha and where you and I need to be more studious and quieter like Mary. 

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Let us Pray,

All-Knowing Father, you authored my life, you know and direct my future. You make all things work together for my good. Pray! Help me to trust you as I think about my future. Give me peace of mind. Whatever happens, I know that you are working for my good and your glory. Help me to live with freedom, knowing that my future is in your mighty hand. I do not know what is around the corner, but nothing can take you by surprise. I face uncertainty but I can be certain that you are in control and that you are good. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

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