“O Come All Ye Faithful…”
John Fischer
…And not so faithful, too.
There is a saying that was popular in the early days of the church. Paul called it a “trustworthy saying” in a letter to Timothy: “If we died with Him, we will also live with Him; if we endure, we will also reign with Him. If we disown Him, He will disown us; if we are faithless, He will remain faithful, for He cannot disown Himself” (2 Timothy 2:11-13 NIV).
Have you ever come to Christmas season, caught yourself singing, “O Come All Ye Faithful,” and wondered: “Who’s that? Who can say they have been totally faithful to Christ?” If we were honest, could anyone say they were entirely faithful in their walk with God? I would want to add, “Compared to what?” because “faithful” would have to be a relative thing. We all fail Him from time to time. We all struggle with faith. We all prove to be unfaithful partners with God.
In other words, if our security with God depended on our faithfulness to Him, I’m afraid we would all be in bad shape; but the good news is: our security with God depends on His faithfulness to us.
Jesus chided his disciples for having “little faith,” but He did not kick them off the team for it. He called His followers an “unbelieving generation,” but He did not abandon them. And in spite of the saying above about disowning those who disown Him, Jesus apparently made an exception to that rule for Peter, who on three occasions disowned having any part of Christ. He later forgave Peter and accepted him back.
As we come to the end of another year, I’m sure we can all recall times when we struggled with faith, had a hard time finding it, or perhaps found ourselves unfaithful to God. Some may be in such a place right now. This is a time to worship God for His faithfulness to us. We may have let go of Him, but He will never let go of us, because we are His, and He cannot disown what belongs to Him.
So for us, faith is a relative thing. We all struggle with our own demons. Maybe for you, “faithful” means you’re ready to get yourself back in the fold. Can’t think of a better time to do it with a New Year coming up.
“O come all ye faithful…” and not so faithful, too! The most important thing is to come!
PDL
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Saturday, June 24, 2006
Around the Tree
John Fischer
A friend’s letter this year was full of poignant meaning especially for those who have experienced the recent loss of a loved one. I can only imagine how that loss stings at this time of the season. This is the second Christmas my friend has spent without his wife of twenty-five years. The emptiness was especially hard this year because not all of his adult children were able to come home. He writes:
“I almost didn’t do it. I thought what is the point of putting the tree up primarily for me? Yet sometimes in the quiet, God speaks. As I unwrapped ornaments we have collected over the span of a quarter of a century, memories unfolded. Our very first ornament was a Norman Rockwell ball dated 1979. Ornaments for the kids with the year written on each one including who gave them to us spilled out. Handmade ornaments from friends and even our own family creations begged to be hung on the tree for one more year. The more I unwrapped, the more I remembered, and the more I began to praise God for the joy He has brought in the lives of our family. So much of that joy has been you, our family and friends. In the quiet, the Lord spoke and reminded me of the joy of relationships and what it is to truly love and be loved.”
It’s always a choice we all have. You can curse God for the bad memories or praise Him for the good ones. I’m sure we all have plenty to fill each category. This is a time of memories. Remember the good ones and know that God can redeem the worst of the bad. He’s in the redemption business, buying back our very souls from the clutch of death and despair.
And here’s the greatest part: One day we will be gathered again with all those we love around not a Christmas tree, but around the Christ of Christmas who died on a tree so we could all be there. And imagine the singing and celebration and good times that are waiting to be had on that glad occasion! This is not wishful thinking. This is not fantasy. This is reality, promised by God and secured by His Son through His victory over the grave. These good memories will never fade. They are woven into the network of God’s will and stand forever as a testimony to God’s faithfulness.
Praise His name forever!
PDL
John Fischer
A friend’s letter this year was full of poignant meaning especially for those who have experienced the recent loss of a loved one. I can only imagine how that loss stings at this time of the season. This is the second Christmas my friend has spent without his wife of twenty-five years. The emptiness was especially hard this year because not all of his adult children were able to come home. He writes:
“I almost didn’t do it. I thought what is the point of putting the tree up primarily for me? Yet sometimes in the quiet, God speaks. As I unwrapped ornaments we have collected over the span of a quarter of a century, memories unfolded. Our very first ornament was a Norman Rockwell ball dated 1979. Ornaments for the kids with the year written on each one including who gave them to us spilled out. Handmade ornaments from friends and even our own family creations begged to be hung on the tree for one more year. The more I unwrapped, the more I remembered, and the more I began to praise God for the joy He has brought in the lives of our family. So much of that joy has been you, our family and friends. In the quiet, the Lord spoke and reminded me of the joy of relationships and what it is to truly love and be loved.”
It’s always a choice we all have. You can curse God for the bad memories or praise Him for the good ones. I’m sure we all have plenty to fill each category. This is a time of memories. Remember the good ones and know that God can redeem the worst of the bad. He’s in the redemption business, buying back our very souls from the clutch of death and despair.
And here’s the greatest part: One day we will be gathered again with all those we love around not a Christmas tree, but around the Christ of Christmas who died on a tree so we could all be there. And imagine the singing and celebration and good times that are waiting to be had on that glad occasion! This is not wishful thinking. This is not fantasy. This is reality, promised by God and secured by His Son through His victory over the grave. These good memories will never fade. They are woven into the network of God’s will and stand forever as a testimony to God’s faithfulness.
Praise His name forever!
PDL
Thursday, June 22, 2006
cherished sin
8 For even if I made you grieve with my letter, I do not regret it—though I did regret it, for I see that that letter grieved you, though only for a while. 9 As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us. 10 For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. 11 For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, but also what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what punishment! At every point you have proved yourselves innocent in the matter. 2 Corinthians 7:8-11
During my college years I experienced ongoing feelings of guilt over a sin for which I had asked forgiveness many times. I couldn't understand why the burden of it never lifted.
Years later the Lord showed me 2 Corinthians 7:10, “Godly grief produces a repentance.” I realized that I had never developed a godly grief over that sin. I regretted it because I knew it wasn't God's will for my life—but I had no real sorrow over it. In fact, I had “cherished” sin in my heart (Psalm 66:18), hanging on to it emotionally, though I had let go of it physically. I had done the right things, but I still felt the wrong things.
God's will was for me to act in obedience immediately rather than waiting until I felt like it. However, I would not enjoy full freedom from the sin-burden until I let him change my heart as well. I wept before the Lord and said, “I want to have godly grief for this sin so I can be free, but I don't have it, Lord! What can I do?” His tender response was, “Pray for it, child.” I began to pray for godly sorrow over that cherished sin. It came at first like a gentle morning shower, but ultimately it hit me like a downpour.
You may say, “But I can't change the way I feel.” That's why it's called “godly grief.” It's a work of God. The change in our feelings will come from a change in our hearts. “God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything” (1 John 3:19-20).
God is waiting for us to ask him to change our hearts and bring about the supernatural work of true repentance. He's looking for our willingness to let go of sin, both physically and emotionally. God will not let the issue rest until repentance takes up full residency in the heart. Why?
Because until the heart changes, we will continue to be at an overwhelming risk of returning to sinful actions. —Beth Moore bethmoore.org
seeking: Father, what have you revealed to me about my lack of repentance? What godly sorrow am I experiencing at this moment?
responding: Have I ever turned from a sin and ceased the activity, yet continued to cherish it to some degree in my heart? Did I eventually return to that sin? Why or why not?
Dear Father, please help me discern between false guilt and the conviction the Holy Spirit brings because of cherished sin. I desire your forgiveness and am willing to let go of my sin. Please change my heart and mind and let my attitude bring honor to you. In the strong name of Jesus, amen.
following: True repentance is the result of godly grief.
our journey
8 For even if I made you grieve with my letter, I do not regret it—though I did regret it, for I see that that letter grieved you, though only for a while. 9 As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us. 10 For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. 11 For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, but also what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what punishment! At every point you have proved yourselves innocent in the matter. 2 Corinthians 7:8-11
During my college years I experienced ongoing feelings of guilt over a sin for which I had asked forgiveness many times. I couldn't understand why the burden of it never lifted.
Years later the Lord showed me 2 Corinthians 7:10, “Godly grief produces a repentance.” I realized that I had never developed a godly grief over that sin. I regretted it because I knew it wasn't God's will for my life—but I had no real sorrow over it. In fact, I had “cherished” sin in my heart (Psalm 66:18), hanging on to it emotionally, though I had let go of it physically. I had done the right things, but I still felt the wrong things.
God's will was for me to act in obedience immediately rather than waiting until I felt like it. However, I would not enjoy full freedom from the sin-burden until I let him change my heart as well. I wept before the Lord and said, “I want to have godly grief for this sin so I can be free, but I don't have it, Lord! What can I do?” His tender response was, “Pray for it, child.” I began to pray for godly sorrow over that cherished sin. It came at first like a gentle morning shower, but ultimately it hit me like a downpour.
You may say, “But I can't change the way I feel.” That's why it's called “godly grief.” It's a work of God. The change in our feelings will come from a change in our hearts. “God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything” (1 John 3:19-20).
God is waiting for us to ask him to change our hearts and bring about the supernatural work of true repentance. He's looking for our willingness to let go of sin, both physically and emotionally. God will not let the issue rest until repentance takes up full residency in the heart. Why?
Because until the heart changes, we will continue to be at an overwhelming risk of returning to sinful actions. —Beth Moore bethmoore.org
seeking: Father, what have you revealed to me about my lack of repentance? What godly sorrow am I experiencing at this moment?
responding: Have I ever turned from a sin and ceased the activity, yet continued to cherish it to some degree in my heart? Did I eventually return to that sin? Why or why not?
Dear Father, please help me discern between false guilt and the conviction the Holy Spirit brings because of cherished sin. I desire your forgiveness and am willing to let go of my sin. Please change my heart and mind and let my attitude bring honor to you. In the strong name of Jesus, amen.
following: True repentance is the result of godly grief.
our journey
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Still “Making A List…”
John Fischer
My wife is a list person. She loves making lists; it gives her a sense of organization. Over the holidays with gift lists, dinner lists, and event lists, she is in list heaven.
As far as gift lists are concerned, we’ve made ours, checked it at least twice, and found out again how it’s more blessed to give than to receive. Not only more blessed, but more fun as well. Think of the favorite gift you gave this year versus the favorite gift you received and which brought you greater joy?
Whenever we give, we are partaking in the nature of God. It is not naturally human to give; it is entirely God-like. If there were any value in the commercialism of Christmas, it would be this. It gets us thinking about what someone else might like for a change, and it gets us giving. We spend our money on someone else. We enter into someone else’s life; we make someone else important. And since giving is one of the things that lends purpose to our lives, it would be wise to carry over some of what we experienced this holiday season and see how we can incorporate more of this sensitivity into our daily lives—keeping in mind that giving is an attitude and an action based on it. It doesn’t have to be a material gift. It can be the gift of our time or talents—even our thoughts.
Our family loves the Christmas Carol story by Charles Dickens that we see every year in so many different forms. The contrast between being a miser and a giver is the theme of this story, and it is a part of the value of this season for me because I am a miser at heart. Being reminded every year of the joy and value of lavish giving is part of the Christmas season well worth carrying on into the next year. Satan’s lie is that the more we hold onto, the more we will have, when the opposite is the truth. The more we give away, the fuller and richer life will be. Hopefully it won’t take the visits of three ghosts to get this.
Whenever we give we are tapping into the life of God. It would be good to think about the joy of giving we experienced this Christmas and look for what of this we can carry on into the New Year. Maybe we shouldn’t stop making lists. Keep those lists going. Keep thinking along the lines of what others need. Keep thinking about how we can surprise the people we love. My wife—the list person—would like that.
PDL
John Fischer
My wife is a list person. She loves making lists; it gives her a sense of organization. Over the holidays with gift lists, dinner lists, and event lists, she is in list heaven.
As far as gift lists are concerned, we’ve made ours, checked it at least twice, and found out again how it’s more blessed to give than to receive. Not only more blessed, but more fun as well. Think of the favorite gift you gave this year versus the favorite gift you received and which brought you greater joy?
Whenever we give, we are partaking in the nature of God. It is not naturally human to give; it is entirely God-like. If there were any value in the commercialism of Christmas, it would be this. It gets us thinking about what someone else might like for a change, and it gets us giving. We spend our money on someone else. We enter into someone else’s life; we make someone else important. And since giving is one of the things that lends purpose to our lives, it would be wise to carry over some of what we experienced this holiday season and see how we can incorporate more of this sensitivity into our daily lives—keeping in mind that giving is an attitude and an action based on it. It doesn’t have to be a material gift. It can be the gift of our time or talents—even our thoughts.
Our family loves the Christmas Carol story by Charles Dickens that we see every year in so many different forms. The contrast between being a miser and a giver is the theme of this story, and it is a part of the value of this season for me because I am a miser at heart. Being reminded every year of the joy and value of lavish giving is part of the Christmas season well worth carrying on into the next year. Satan’s lie is that the more we hold onto, the more we will have, when the opposite is the truth. The more we give away, the fuller and richer life will be. Hopefully it won’t take the visits of three ghosts to get this.
Whenever we give we are tapping into the life of God. It would be good to think about the joy of giving we experienced this Christmas and look for what of this we can carry on into the New Year. Maybe we shouldn’t stop making lists. Keep those lists going. Keep thinking along the lines of what others need. Keep thinking about how we can surprise the people we love. My wife—the list person—would like that.
PDL
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
God Goes Where You Go
Martha Noebel
Have not I commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
—Joshua 1:9, NIV
How comforting it is to know that wherever we go God is there with us. Sometimes we find ourselves in situations and we wonder if God is paying attention. We may feel so alone and even depressed. We can't feel God's presence, and we need His guidance and help.
Sometimes friends, spouses, and parents don't really understand what we are going through. But God does and He cares. God told Joshua to be strong and to have courage. Then He told him a wonderful truth: "The Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Yes, that's right… wherever! We don't have to feel all alone. God is with us. He is working out the problems, and we don't even realize it.
But now...the Lord who created you says: "Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.... From eternity to eternity I am God. No one can oppose what I do. No one can reverse my actions.
—Isaiah 43:1-3, 13, New Living Translation
God is with us, leading us, guiding us, loving us, providing for us -- all with His unlimited resources. What do we need? Do we need strength, peace, love, joy, or hope? He has it all. He is longing to pour out His favor and blessing upon us. We need to be open to Him and to trust Him. We need, by faith, to receive what He has for us. It is essential that we realize how much He loves us and that He has a good purpose and plan for us.
When I think of the wisdom and scope of God's plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit.
—Ephesians 3:14-16, New Living Translation
This Scripture is awesome. There is nothing that God doesn't know and can't do for us. He walks with us every moment of every day. We need to speak these Scriptures to our hearts. The devil can't stand it when we, in confidence, speak God's Word. It builds faith in us and gives us the strength to stand.
O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand-up. You know my every thought when far away. You chart the path ahead of me and tell me where to stop and rest. Every moment you know where I am. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord. You both precede and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to know!
—Psalms 139:1-6, New Living Translation
Like David let us declare:
Show me the path where I should walk, O Lord; point out the right road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you.
—Psalms 25:4, 5, New Living Translation
You can trust God. No matter what is going on in your life, He is there! God goes where you go.
Do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord, no matter what happens. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so you will continue to do God's will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.
—Hebrews 10:35, 36, New Living Translation
cbn
Martha Noebel
Have not I commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
—Joshua 1:9, NIV
How comforting it is to know that wherever we go God is there with us. Sometimes we find ourselves in situations and we wonder if God is paying attention. We may feel so alone and even depressed. We can't feel God's presence, and we need His guidance and help.
Sometimes friends, spouses, and parents don't really understand what we are going through. But God does and He cares. God told Joshua to be strong and to have courage. Then He told him a wonderful truth: "The Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Yes, that's right… wherever! We don't have to feel all alone. God is with us. He is working out the problems, and we don't even realize it.
But now...the Lord who created you says: "Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.... From eternity to eternity I am God. No one can oppose what I do. No one can reverse my actions.
—Isaiah 43:1-3, 13, New Living Translation
God is with us, leading us, guiding us, loving us, providing for us -- all with His unlimited resources. What do we need? Do we need strength, peace, love, joy, or hope? He has it all. He is longing to pour out His favor and blessing upon us. We need to be open to Him and to trust Him. We need, by faith, to receive what He has for us. It is essential that we realize how much He loves us and that He has a good purpose and plan for us.
When I think of the wisdom and scope of God's plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit.
—Ephesians 3:14-16, New Living Translation
This Scripture is awesome. There is nothing that God doesn't know and can't do for us. He walks with us every moment of every day. We need to speak these Scriptures to our hearts. The devil can't stand it when we, in confidence, speak God's Word. It builds faith in us and gives us the strength to stand.
O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand-up. You know my every thought when far away. You chart the path ahead of me and tell me where to stop and rest. Every moment you know where I am. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord. You both precede and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to know!
—Psalms 139:1-6, New Living Translation
Like David let us declare:
Show me the path where I should walk, O Lord; point out the right road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you.
—Psalms 25:4, 5, New Living Translation
You can trust God. No matter what is going on in your life, He is there! God goes where you go.
Do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord, no matter what happens. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so you will continue to do God's will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.
—Hebrews 10:35, 36, New Living Translation
cbn
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
known by the scars
1 Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” 3 And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, 4 and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. 5 And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.” 6 And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain. Revelation 5:1-6
One of the mysteries of the resurrection is that no one recognized Jesus after he was raised from the dead. Mary thought he was the gardener (John 20:15). The disciples on the road to Emmaus walked and talked with Jesus for hours, yet they didn't know him (Luke 24:13). As the disciples were gathered around Jesus at the second miraculous catch of fish, John 21:12 says, “None of the disciples dared ask him, 'Who are you?' They knew it was the Lord.”
They knew it was Jesus, and yet something was different about his appearance. One thing is clear, however. When Jesus wanted to be recognized, what did he do? When he first appeared to the disciples he showed them his scars (John 20:20). Jesus is recognized by his woundedness. It has always been and will always be that way.
Zechariah records what some people call a “pre-incarnate” appearance of Jesus: “If one asks him, 'What are these wounds on your back?' he will say, 'The wounds I received in the house of my friends'” (Zechariah 13:6).
John refers to the Lamb that was slain from the foundations of the world (Revelation 13:8). When he is standing in the middle of the multitude and one of the elders shouts, “Behold, the Lion . . .” John, expecting to see a lion, looks up, only to find a lamb. And how does he know who that Lamb is? By his wounds (5:1-6).
It's no wonder, then, that God allowed the scars to remain on Jesus' otherwise perfect resurrection body. He would be recognized by them. They had become his identifying mark, not his eyes or a freckle on his cheek. Jesus was recognized by the scars left by the wounds he suffered on the cross, and those brutal scars are a part of his glory.
As you take up your cross and follow Jesus, you will also be scarred. Perhaps the followers of Jesus are supposed to be recognized by their scars as well. —Crawford W. Loritts livingalegacy.org
seeking: Jesus, how has the reality of your scars challenged my heart today? What praise will I bring you for your unparalleled sacrifice?
responding: What promise did Jesus make to his “sheep” about their ability to recognize his voice? • How do I respond to Christians who say that believers are not supposed to suffer?
Lord Jesus, you who lived a wounded life for us, who became familiar with all our suffering, who invited your disciples to recognize you by your scars—please give me the eyes to recognize you today. Give me the ears to know your voice and hear you calling me by name. Make my small wounds be identifying marks that let others see you in me.
following: Jesus is identified by his scars.
our journey
1 Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” 3 And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, 4 and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. 5 And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.” 6 And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain. Revelation 5:1-6
One of the mysteries of the resurrection is that no one recognized Jesus after he was raised from the dead. Mary thought he was the gardener (John 20:15). The disciples on the road to Emmaus walked and talked with Jesus for hours, yet they didn't know him (Luke 24:13). As the disciples were gathered around Jesus at the second miraculous catch of fish, John 21:12 says, “None of the disciples dared ask him, 'Who are you?' They knew it was the Lord.”
They knew it was Jesus, and yet something was different about his appearance. One thing is clear, however. When Jesus wanted to be recognized, what did he do? When he first appeared to the disciples he showed them his scars (John 20:20). Jesus is recognized by his woundedness. It has always been and will always be that way.
Zechariah records what some people call a “pre-incarnate” appearance of Jesus: “If one asks him, 'What are these wounds on your back?' he will say, 'The wounds I received in the house of my friends'” (Zechariah 13:6).
John refers to the Lamb that was slain from the foundations of the world (Revelation 13:8). When he is standing in the middle of the multitude and one of the elders shouts, “Behold, the Lion . . .” John, expecting to see a lion, looks up, only to find a lamb. And how does he know who that Lamb is? By his wounds (5:1-6).
It's no wonder, then, that God allowed the scars to remain on Jesus' otherwise perfect resurrection body. He would be recognized by them. They had become his identifying mark, not his eyes or a freckle on his cheek. Jesus was recognized by the scars left by the wounds he suffered on the cross, and those brutal scars are a part of his glory.
As you take up your cross and follow Jesus, you will also be scarred. Perhaps the followers of Jesus are supposed to be recognized by their scars as well. —Crawford W. Loritts livingalegacy.org
seeking: Jesus, how has the reality of your scars challenged my heart today? What praise will I bring you for your unparalleled sacrifice?
responding: What promise did Jesus make to his “sheep” about their ability to recognize his voice? • How do I respond to Christians who say that believers are not supposed to suffer?
Lord Jesus, you who lived a wounded life for us, who became familiar with all our suffering, who invited your disciples to recognize you by your scars—please give me the eyes to recognize you today. Give me the ears to know your voice and hear you calling me by name. Make my small wounds be identifying marks that let others see you in me.
following: Jesus is identified by his scars.
our journey
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
stay on course
1 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
In the movie Cast Away, Tom Hanks plays a FedEx employee who, along with his colleagues, is flying in a jet during a raging storm. The violent storm causes them to be swept way off course. The plane gives in to the elements and they crash somewhere far out in the Pacific Ocean. Hanks, the only survivor, ends up stranded on a remote, uninhabited island.
This story reminds me of what can happen to those of us who believe in Jesus. The storms of life come, we lose our bearings, and before we know it we are swept away. It's then that we choose to put secondary issues of the Christian life in first place—instead of the gospel.
This can lead to heresy, rejecting what the Bible teaches and accepting a lie. The path of that heresy is sometimes unintentional. I don't think people wake up and say, “I'm going to be a heretic today and willfully reject the truth of Jesus.”
I think it's a more subtle thing. It's like that FedEx plane flying in the storm—we're gradually swept off course. We place a wrong emphasis on something or pull it out of context and place it above other essential truths found in the Bible. The path to heresy usually doesn't start by believing a lie, but by minimizing what is most important.
I believe Paul had that in mind when he penned the words of 1 Corinthians 15:1-2. In effect, he said, “This gospel I preached to you is the source of your salvation. That's the core. Don't get off course. Don't let your passion about doctrinal or theological issues cloud and obscure the cross of Jesus.”
I believe that when we minimize the gospel we end up in error. Don't replace the gospel with another emphasis—stay on course. —Crawford W. Loritts livingalegacy.org
seeking: Heavenly Father, what have I just realized about a drift in my relationship with you? How have you challenged me?
responding: In what way have I been easily distracted by things other than the things of Jesus? • Do I put more emphasis on secondary issues rather than seeking to share the gospel message? • What can I do to stay on his course and not mine?
Father, help me to stay on your course and seek to share your gospel with those around me. In Jesus' name, amen.
following: There is no Christianity apart from the gospel.
soul journey
1 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
In the movie Cast Away, Tom Hanks plays a FedEx employee who, along with his colleagues, is flying in a jet during a raging storm. The violent storm causes them to be swept way off course. The plane gives in to the elements and they crash somewhere far out in the Pacific Ocean. Hanks, the only survivor, ends up stranded on a remote, uninhabited island.
This story reminds me of what can happen to those of us who believe in Jesus. The storms of life come, we lose our bearings, and before we know it we are swept away. It's then that we choose to put secondary issues of the Christian life in first place—instead of the gospel.
This can lead to heresy, rejecting what the Bible teaches and accepting a lie. The path of that heresy is sometimes unintentional. I don't think people wake up and say, “I'm going to be a heretic today and willfully reject the truth of Jesus.”
I think it's a more subtle thing. It's like that FedEx plane flying in the storm—we're gradually swept off course. We place a wrong emphasis on something or pull it out of context and place it above other essential truths found in the Bible. The path to heresy usually doesn't start by believing a lie, but by minimizing what is most important.
I believe Paul had that in mind when he penned the words of 1 Corinthians 15:1-2. In effect, he said, “This gospel I preached to you is the source of your salvation. That's the core. Don't get off course. Don't let your passion about doctrinal or theological issues cloud and obscure the cross of Jesus.”
I believe that when we minimize the gospel we end up in error. Don't replace the gospel with another emphasis—stay on course. —Crawford W. Loritts livingalegacy.org
seeking: Heavenly Father, what have I just realized about a drift in my relationship with you? How have you challenged me?
responding: In what way have I been easily distracted by things other than the things of Jesus? • Do I put more emphasis on secondary issues rather than seeking to share the gospel message? • What can I do to stay on his course and not mine?
Father, help me to stay on your course and seek to share your gospel with those around me. In Jesus' name, amen.
following: There is no Christianity apart from the gospel.
soul journey
Saturday, June 10, 2006
Graduation Day
John Fischer
My daughter ended up being a December college graduate. Graduating from the University of Colorado on one of the coldest, snowiest Decembers on record will make this memory stand out even more than it would have on a sunny spring day. It was held literally in the press area of Buffalo Stadium with snow covering the end zones. Someone had already celebrated by carving their initials in the snow under the goal posts.
Graduations are proud times for parents, but the older our kids get, the less we feel we had anything to do with this.
When our kids are just children, it’s easy to think they are little extensions of ourselves. We are led to believe, by their size, that we are in more control of their lives than we really are. As they grow older, the truth of the matter becomes more obvious: they belong to themselves and their choices. They belong to us in name and tradition, (and we hope in lots of personal visits), but they are also striking out on their own course. We hope and pray they will ultimately belong to God, but that is out of our hands as well. At some point, we give up trying to control them and just sit back and take it in. That’s what I did at this service. Pride wasn’t even appropriate. I was proud for her, but not proud for me because I had so little to do with this. So I relegated myself to being the photographer snapping memories for us all.
At least that’s what this graduation experience was to me -- a chance to stand back and wonder “Who is this person?” and thrill in the knowledge that the world is waiting to discover the answer to that.
Don’t you know that God gets a similar joy out of us? Of course He’s in control, but in some strange way known only to Him, He is not, because there is plenty of biblical evidence of His surprising give-and-take with His own creation. Soon, God will be like a proud Dad presiding over the graduation of His children into eternity, and somehow He will share with us the credit for what He has done. It’s the way He has chosen to allow us to partake in His work and His kingdom. He will say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
That’s a moment worth our attention now as we seek to follow His will day by day and on into the New Year.
PDL
John Fischer
My daughter ended up being a December college graduate. Graduating from the University of Colorado on one of the coldest, snowiest Decembers on record will make this memory stand out even more than it would have on a sunny spring day. It was held literally in the press area of Buffalo Stadium with snow covering the end zones. Someone had already celebrated by carving their initials in the snow under the goal posts.
Graduations are proud times for parents, but the older our kids get, the less we feel we had anything to do with this.
When our kids are just children, it’s easy to think they are little extensions of ourselves. We are led to believe, by their size, that we are in more control of their lives than we really are. As they grow older, the truth of the matter becomes more obvious: they belong to themselves and their choices. They belong to us in name and tradition, (and we hope in lots of personal visits), but they are also striking out on their own course. We hope and pray they will ultimately belong to God, but that is out of our hands as well. At some point, we give up trying to control them and just sit back and take it in. That’s what I did at this service. Pride wasn’t even appropriate. I was proud for her, but not proud for me because I had so little to do with this. So I relegated myself to being the photographer snapping memories for us all.
At least that’s what this graduation experience was to me -- a chance to stand back and wonder “Who is this person?” and thrill in the knowledge that the world is waiting to discover the answer to that.
Don’t you know that God gets a similar joy out of us? Of course He’s in control, but in some strange way known only to Him, He is not, because there is plenty of biblical evidence of His surprising give-and-take with His own creation. Soon, God will be like a proud Dad presiding over the graduation of His children into eternity, and somehow He will share with us the credit for what He has done. It’s the way He has chosen to allow us to partake in His work and His kingdom. He will say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
That’s a moment worth our attention now as we seek to follow His will day by day and on into the New Year.
PDL
Friday, June 09, 2006
Our Help and Our Hope
John Fischer
O God our help in ages past—
Our hope for years to come…
This is the time of year when we focus on God and thank Him for getting us through another year. Remember Y2K? We were wondering if we’d survive the turnover to a new century. Hard to believe that was six years ago.
As the hymn writer has reminded us, God is both our help and our hope—two four-letter words that pretty much sum up what we need to move into 2006. First, we look back on how He has helped us in the past.
The greatest thing about this is you can go back as far as you want into the ages past and still find God there, thinking about you. "Long ago, even before He made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in His eyes" (Ephesians 1:4). (By the way, we are so thankful it says without fault "in His eyes," because we have plenty of faults in other people’s eyes, including our own.) The point being, you can never go too far back to not have anyone to worship. ("In the beginning, God…")
But right now, it would be good to focus on just this last year and think about how God has specifically helped us. What do you have now that you didn’t have a year ago? Think in terms of personal growth, experiences, and people God has blessed you with. How do you know God better than you did at this time a year ago? What more do you know about Him? What more do you know about yourself that He has revealed to you? What struggle has He helped you overcome? Is there anyone in your life who wasn’t there a year ago that you can honestly thank God for? What has He helped you to accomplish? How has He been faithful to you even when you have been faithless?
Now think about this next year and how God is our only true hope. Think of specifically where you need to apply some of that hope. What are you afraid of? Where are you feeling inadequate? What do you want to change, and how can God help you? How about your plans? How big do you want to make them? How far are you willing to stretch? For all of this, He is our hope. And for all that we will face this next year that we don’t know anything about right now, He is our hope. He will be enough.
"Our fears for today, our worries for tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can’t keep God’s love away" (Romans 8:38).
PDL
John Fischer
O God our help in ages past—
Our hope for years to come…
This is the time of year when we focus on God and thank Him for getting us through another year. Remember Y2K? We were wondering if we’d survive the turnover to a new century. Hard to believe that was six years ago.
As the hymn writer has reminded us, God is both our help and our hope—two four-letter words that pretty much sum up what we need to move into 2006. First, we look back on how He has helped us in the past.
The greatest thing about this is you can go back as far as you want into the ages past and still find God there, thinking about you. "Long ago, even before He made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in His eyes" (Ephesians 1:4). (By the way, we are so thankful it says without fault "in His eyes," because we have plenty of faults in other people’s eyes, including our own.) The point being, you can never go too far back to not have anyone to worship. ("In the beginning, God…")
But right now, it would be good to focus on just this last year and think about how God has specifically helped us. What do you have now that you didn’t have a year ago? Think in terms of personal growth, experiences, and people God has blessed you with. How do you know God better than you did at this time a year ago? What more do you know about Him? What more do you know about yourself that He has revealed to you? What struggle has He helped you overcome? Is there anyone in your life who wasn’t there a year ago that you can honestly thank God for? What has He helped you to accomplish? How has He been faithful to you even when you have been faithless?
Now think about this next year and how God is our only true hope. Think of specifically where you need to apply some of that hope. What are you afraid of? Where are you feeling inadequate? What do you want to change, and how can God help you? How about your plans? How big do you want to make them? How far are you willing to stretch? For all of this, He is our hope. And for all that we will face this next year that we don’t know anything about right now, He is our hope. He will be enough.
"Our fears for today, our worries for tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can’t keep God’s love away" (Romans 8:38).
PDL
Monday, June 05, 2006
On Parade
John Fischer
Did you know that one of the most significant aspects of our mission in the world is simply being there? Paul talks about this in 2 Corinthians 2:14-16.
But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. (NIV)
Part of our mission is consciously telling people about Christ. Another part of it is unconsciously telling people about Christ. This is the unconscious part Paul is talking about here. This is the part of our mission that goes on all the time, and it is one of the reasons God wants us out in the world and not isolated or only associating with believers.
God has us on parade.
That’s what is meant by this “triumphal procession.” The Corinthian believers would have had an immediate picture in their minds of Roman soldiers marching through the streets of Corinth returning from a military engagement somewhere in the empire. It was a public display, and Paul says we are always being lead in one of these things.
Now some of you are already saying, “Wait a minute… I’m not returning from battle, I don’t think I’ve been very victorious lately, and what’s more, I don’t like parades, much less being in one!”
Well hold your horses because this is not that kind of parade. This is not you marching through your office leading the worship band. This is a thing between you and God, with Christ being the source. It’s Christ in you carrying on a relationship with God through your life and affecting everyone around you as a result. It’s you and I living our lives of faith out in the world where it will have an effect on those who come into contact with us. This is not putting on airs: this is being who we are as people of faith.
Did you know that living your life out in the world, loving God and following Christ as best as you can is a very powerful thing? It is. That’s why you can have a sense of mission about what you do in the world. You are not just getting by. You are, at whatever stage of faith that you find yourself, putting Christ on display, and people will react to you based on what they see of Him.
So whatever you’re about to do today, be conscious about your relationship with God, and you will unconsciously leave a mark on others.
PDL
John Fischer
Did you know that one of the most significant aspects of our mission in the world is simply being there? Paul talks about this in 2 Corinthians 2:14-16.
But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. (NIV)
Part of our mission is consciously telling people about Christ. Another part of it is unconsciously telling people about Christ. This is the unconscious part Paul is talking about here. This is the part of our mission that goes on all the time, and it is one of the reasons God wants us out in the world and not isolated or only associating with believers.
God has us on parade.
That’s what is meant by this “triumphal procession.” The Corinthian believers would have had an immediate picture in their minds of Roman soldiers marching through the streets of Corinth returning from a military engagement somewhere in the empire. It was a public display, and Paul says we are always being lead in one of these things.
Now some of you are already saying, “Wait a minute… I’m not returning from battle, I don’t think I’ve been very victorious lately, and what’s more, I don’t like parades, much less being in one!”
Well hold your horses because this is not that kind of parade. This is not you marching through your office leading the worship band. This is a thing between you and God, with Christ being the source. It’s Christ in you carrying on a relationship with God through your life and affecting everyone around you as a result. It’s you and I living our lives of faith out in the world where it will have an effect on those who come into contact with us. This is not putting on airs: this is being who we are as people of faith.
Did you know that living your life out in the world, loving God and following Christ as best as you can is a very powerful thing? It is. That’s why you can have a sense of mission about what you do in the world. You are not just getting by. You are, at whatever stage of faith that you find yourself, putting Christ on display, and people will react to you based on what they see of Him.
So whatever you’re about to do today, be conscious about your relationship with God, and you will unconsciously leave a mark on others.
PDL
Saturday, June 03, 2006
When It’s Okay to Pass the Buck
John Fischer
There is a time for the buck to stop here and a time for it not to. The buck stops here when it relates to responsibility, but it stops somewhere else when it relates to gifts. With spiritual gifts, the buck just keeps on going. Things that are given are meant to be passed on. “Freely you have received,” said Jesus, “freely give” Matthew 10:8). This is the one time it’s okay to “pass the buck.”
What does that mean except that what God gives us is ultimately for someone else. This is certainly true of all of His spiritual gifts, which are for the common good of us all. God’s gifts by their very nature are designed to help others. For instance, if I have received the gift of wisdom, the purpose of the gift is not to make me wise, but to aid me in helping someone else who needs wisdom or insight for a particular decision or a situation over which they are confused. Or if I have received the gift of knowledge, it is not to fill my head with information, but to be useful in helping others to understand the vastness of God’s truth and increase their faith as a result.
Actually, when it comes to spiritual gifts, most people are very poor at applying their gift to their own lives. I have a friend who has the gift of discernment and can nail the truth about someone else’s life but be completely blind to her own. I also know someone who is always encouraging others but often privately discouraged, and in need of encouragement herself. I think God does this purposely so we don’t get arrogant about our gifts, and so we are, ourselves, in need of the very thing we give out.
It’s a great way to begin to figure out how God wants you to serve the Body of Christ. Think of what you are gifted in, and then think of who needs it, and what you can do for them. This way you can be more deliberate about serving those around you. What do you have in your hand and what can you do with it? Who might it be for?
And in light of what we just discussed regarding using your gifts on yourself, it might be good to realize you may need help from others in the very areas you are strong. You might even want to ask for it. If God’s gifts are always for someone else, then God has someone uniquely prepared to serve you as well. Remember: The buck stops there.
PDL
John Fischer
There is a time for the buck to stop here and a time for it not to. The buck stops here when it relates to responsibility, but it stops somewhere else when it relates to gifts. With spiritual gifts, the buck just keeps on going. Things that are given are meant to be passed on. “Freely you have received,” said Jesus, “freely give” Matthew 10:8). This is the one time it’s okay to “pass the buck.”
What does that mean except that what God gives us is ultimately for someone else. This is certainly true of all of His spiritual gifts, which are for the common good of us all. God’s gifts by their very nature are designed to help others. For instance, if I have received the gift of wisdom, the purpose of the gift is not to make me wise, but to aid me in helping someone else who needs wisdom or insight for a particular decision or a situation over which they are confused. Or if I have received the gift of knowledge, it is not to fill my head with information, but to be useful in helping others to understand the vastness of God’s truth and increase their faith as a result.
Actually, when it comes to spiritual gifts, most people are very poor at applying their gift to their own lives. I have a friend who has the gift of discernment and can nail the truth about someone else’s life but be completely blind to her own. I also know someone who is always encouraging others but often privately discouraged, and in need of encouragement herself. I think God does this purposely so we don’t get arrogant about our gifts, and so we are, ourselves, in need of the very thing we give out.
It’s a great way to begin to figure out how God wants you to serve the Body of Christ. Think of what you are gifted in, and then think of who needs it, and what you can do for them. This way you can be more deliberate about serving those around you. What do you have in your hand and what can you do with it? Who might it be for?
And in light of what we just discussed regarding using your gifts on yourself, it might be good to realize you may need help from others in the very areas you are strong. You might even want to ask for it. If God’s gifts are always for someone else, then God has someone uniquely prepared to serve you as well. Remember: The buck stops there.
PDL
Friday, June 02, 2006
Those Nasty Loan Sharks
John Fischer
Those of you who have been with us for a while might remember the middle-aged woman who was a self-confessed closet wrestling fan and how she was surprised to find God's presence in the lives of some people in that somewhat dubious profession. Well, now she's got another chapter out of the same book. You know those check-cashing, loan-making, “we'll give you an advance off your next paycheck” places? Well, she happens to know someone who is regional manager for a chain of those outlets. In fact, she shared the wrestling devotional with him and his heart was lifted.
“People call us legalized loan sharks and think that it is really nasty for me to be working in this profession, especially when they find out I am a Christian. We are a legal business with the means to help a lot of people with limited options. I have many Christians who work for me. It is not unusual for us to pray with people and especially with our older customers, to spend a little time and help relieve their loneliness.”
Well I have to admit, I am one of those, as well, who was surprised to find this out. I would have made all those other assumptions as well. It's just one more illustration of how we cannot rush to judgment. One of Christ's disciples and the author of the first book of the New Testament was Matthew, the tax collector -- not a very respected profession in his day.
There are two lessons here I can think of, maybe more. One: resist the temptation to jump to conclusions about people. Jesus simplified this greatly by simply telling us not to judge at all (Matthew 7:1). (Isn't it interesting that Matthew was the one who represented this part of Christ's message? He was probably especially sensitive to being judged because of his profession.) If you know for a fact that someone is doing something wrong, that's one thing, but usually we deal more with assumptions than with accurate knowledge.
Two: God has got his people everywhere. As my friend who brought this to my attention wrote, “Is this a place where God has people that we would never have thought of?” Yes, I think it is. And doesn't that just make you love God more?
Lord, keep me from jumping to conclusions about anyone, and if you have people in the most unlikely places serving you, then open my eyes to my own opportunities to serve you at what I do.
PDL
John Fischer
Those of you who have been with us for a while might remember the middle-aged woman who was a self-confessed closet wrestling fan and how she was surprised to find God's presence in the lives of some people in that somewhat dubious profession. Well, now she's got another chapter out of the same book. You know those check-cashing, loan-making, “we'll give you an advance off your next paycheck” places? Well, she happens to know someone who is regional manager for a chain of those outlets. In fact, she shared the wrestling devotional with him and his heart was lifted.
“People call us legalized loan sharks and think that it is really nasty for me to be working in this profession, especially when they find out I am a Christian. We are a legal business with the means to help a lot of people with limited options. I have many Christians who work for me. It is not unusual for us to pray with people and especially with our older customers, to spend a little time and help relieve their loneliness.”
Well I have to admit, I am one of those, as well, who was surprised to find this out. I would have made all those other assumptions as well. It's just one more illustration of how we cannot rush to judgment. One of Christ's disciples and the author of the first book of the New Testament was Matthew, the tax collector -- not a very respected profession in his day.
There are two lessons here I can think of, maybe more. One: resist the temptation to jump to conclusions about people. Jesus simplified this greatly by simply telling us not to judge at all (Matthew 7:1). (Isn't it interesting that Matthew was the one who represented this part of Christ's message? He was probably especially sensitive to being judged because of his profession.) If you know for a fact that someone is doing something wrong, that's one thing, but usually we deal more with assumptions than with accurate knowledge.
Two: God has got his people everywhere. As my friend who brought this to my attention wrote, “Is this a place where God has people that we would never have thought of?” Yes, I think it is. And doesn't that just make you love God more?
Lord, keep me from jumping to conclusions about anyone, and if you have people in the most unlikely places serving you, then open my eyes to my own opportunities to serve you at what I do.
PDL
Thursday, June 01, 2006
because i belong to god
14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15 What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, 18 and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.” 2 Corinthians 6:14-18
Have you ever drawn a line around your life and said, “I will go no further. I belong to God and I'm going to live God's way”?
That's what it means to be holy. Second Corinthians 6:16-17 describes holiness as being “separate.” The apostle Paul wrote, “We are the temple of the living God; as God said, 'I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them,' says the Lord.”
"Go out . . . and be separate.” The word means “to mark off a boundary.” Separation is holiness in action. “I won't go there; I don't look at that. Because I belong to God, I won't tolerate that in my life. I've made my choice and by God's grace I'm not going back.”
Living a holy life begins by building convictions and living within the lines you've drawn around them. If you haven't established your own boundaries based on God's Word, you're going to struggle for sure. You might do okay for a season, but if you don't heed God's call to act differently, you'll eventually waffle right back into that old pattern of failure.
Some might say, “Well, I just let my conscience be my guide.” But your conscience can only sound the alarm about a conviction that you've established. Unless you're regularly in God's Word, forming convictions and drawing boundaries about what you believe to be right and wrong, your conscience can't speak. It's only useful as a reminder system for what you've already ascertained based on God's Word.
Are you ready to gain victory in a particular area of persistent sin? Listen to God's tender call to come out: “Be done with that. It doesn't belong in the life of my child."
And hear God's command: “You shall be holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16). There's joy and blessing and life to the fullest when you respond to God's holy call on your life. —James MacDonald walkintheword.com
seeking: Father, what has your holiness just revealed in my heart and mind? How have I seen you in a new and glorious light?
responding: What lines have I drawn around my life? What is off limits? What won't I tolerate in my speech, vision, and habits from this day forward?
God, you have revealed yourself in your Word as a holy and righteous God. Forgive me for my glib rationalizations and indifference to the holy call that you have placed on my life. Give me a fresh, vital view of your exalted holy nature. In Jesus' name, amen.
following: Make the choice to live God's holy way.
soul journey
14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15 What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, 18 and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.” 2 Corinthians 6:14-18
Have you ever drawn a line around your life and said, “I will go no further. I belong to God and I'm going to live God's way”?
That's what it means to be holy. Second Corinthians 6:16-17 describes holiness as being “separate.” The apostle Paul wrote, “We are the temple of the living God; as God said, 'I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them,' says the Lord.”
"Go out . . . and be separate.” The word means “to mark off a boundary.” Separation is holiness in action. “I won't go there; I don't look at that. Because I belong to God, I won't tolerate that in my life. I've made my choice and by God's grace I'm not going back.”
Living a holy life begins by building convictions and living within the lines you've drawn around them. If you haven't established your own boundaries based on God's Word, you're going to struggle for sure. You might do okay for a season, but if you don't heed God's call to act differently, you'll eventually waffle right back into that old pattern of failure.
Some might say, “Well, I just let my conscience be my guide.” But your conscience can only sound the alarm about a conviction that you've established. Unless you're regularly in God's Word, forming convictions and drawing boundaries about what you believe to be right and wrong, your conscience can't speak. It's only useful as a reminder system for what you've already ascertained based on God's Word.
Are you ready to gain victory in a particular area of persistent sin? Listen to God's tender call to come out: “Be done with that. It doesn't belong in the life of my child."
And hear God's command: “You shall be holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16). There's joy and blessing and life to the fullest when you respond to God's holy call on your life. —James MacDonald walkintheword.com
seeking: Father, what has your holiness just revealed in my heart and mind? How have I seen you in a new and glorious light?
responding: What lines have I drawn around my life? What is off limits? What won't I tolerate in my speech, vision, and habits from this day forward?
God, you have revealed yourself in your Word as a holy and righteous God. Forgive me for my glib rationalizations and indifference to the holy call that you have placed on my life. Give me a fresh, vital view of your exalted holy nature. In Jesus' name, amen.
following: Make the choice to live God's holy way.
soul journey