Are We Real?

Tuesday, May 08, 2012, 6:11 a.m. – The Lord woke me this morning with the song “Now Abiding” playing in my mind. Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening. I read Matthew 6:1, 5-15 (NIV 1984):

“Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven...

“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

“This, then, is how you should pray:

“‘Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come,

your will be done

    on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our debts,

    as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from the evil one.’

For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

My Understanding: Prayer is a very private matter between us and God Almighty; between us and Jesus Christ, our Lord God and Savior. We are not to enter into prayer with God to impress men, because then it really isn’t prayer to God anyway. This is not intended to be an indictment against public prayer, as the New Testament speaks of prayer in corporate times of worship, and of agreeing with one another in prayer, but this is speaking against hypocritical performances of what is supposed to appear as prayer to God, when it is nothing more than show for the approval and honor of men. Basically, this is a heart issue and goes to the core matter of the attitude and motivation behind the public prayer. Are we truly praying to God without concern for what man thinks of our words? - And, without looking for man’s approval? And, are we truly seeking God with our hearts in all humility, repentance, faith, love, and with a desire to hear from him and to obey what he says?

Jesus said we are not to be like the hypocrites who pray publicly for show, or who just repeat rehearsed or memorized phrases over and over again to sound good, but we are to go to him in private where no one can see how we pray or hear what we say. It is just between us and God. We all need this kind of private prayer time with the Lord each day. This is where the phrase “Prayer Closet,” comes from, I believe. We need to have a place and a time each day when we can get alone with God free from the cares and distractions of this world, where we can pour out our hearts to God, share with him what is going on in our lives, bring our requests before him, be ourselves and not perform for others and not be concerned about what others think about us, where we can enjoy our fellowship and companionship with our Lord, and where we can truly worship him in spirit and in truth.

It is in these times of private prayer in our “Prayer Closet” that we can truly meet with God on a personal level, where we can experience the closeness of his love and care for us, and where we truly grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is where he can really speak to our hearts, because we are still before him, and we are listening to hear from him. It is during these times of prayer, coupled with time spent in his word listening to him speak to our hearts, that he speaks words of conviction, inspiration and instruction in right living. This is when he gives us words of comfort and encouragement, hope and healing, and where he reveals his will for our lives to us and calls us to his service. This is our time of intimacy with our Lord in his arms when he lets us know how very much he loves us, even enough to correct us when we are wrong. And, it is during these times that we make our heart-felt commitments to him in obedience to what he teaches us, where we ask for direction, counsel, leading and guiding, as well as we call upon him for strength and the power of his Spirit within us just to make it through each day. These are special times!

How we Should Pray

Jesus gave us a model prayer, not so we just repeat this prayer as a matter of reciting a memorized prayer in a public service as part of the liturgy of the service, but as an example to us as to HOW we should pray. He didn’t say, “This is WHAT you should pray (these exact words), but that this is HOW we should pray, meaning in like manner.

For instance, we should pray “Our Father…” Now some people say that means we should always pray to the Father only. Yet, Jesus is our mediator, i.e. our high priest between us and God, and the book of Hebrews, in particular, speaks much about how we can go boldly to the throne of grace because of what Jesus Christ did for us in dying on the cross for our sins, and how we have a high priest who is able to sympathize with us in our weaknesses. Obviously we are coming before Jesus Christ where we find such mercy and grace. Because Jesus suffered when he was tempted (yet without sin), he is able to help those who are being tempted. So, we do talk with Jesus. He is our Lord and Savior! Yet, we talk with the Father, too. Jesus is God and the Father is God, so whether we say “Dear Father,” “Dear Jesus,” or “Dear Lord,” we are still talking with Almighty God, our Lord and our Savior. The important thing is to approach God with love, honor and respect. He knows the difference.

We are to pray: “Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Honestly, I pray those exact words many times. It is good to pray scripture, and there is certainly nothing wrong with regularly praying this exact prayer. Again, it goes back to the heart. Are we just saying a set of words? Or do we really understand what we are praying, and are we really voicing that as our prayer to God?

The kingdom of God began with Jesus Christ’s earthly ministry and will culminate in his millennial reign on the earth, I believe. Jesus Christ is the embodiment of the kingdom, and we, as his church, are the body of Christ, so we make up that kingdom. The kingdom of God is everything that Jesus/God is and what he did in his earthly ministry and continues to do in and through his followers, and it will be fully realized when Jesus Christ comes back to earth to judge and to deliver his people for eternity. So, when we pray “your kingdom come and your will be done on earth as it is in heaven,” this is not merely a prayer for the soon return of our Lord Jesus Christ, but this is a prayer for revival of the church and the salvation of souls. It is a prayer seeking God’s holiness and righteousness to be realized and lived out in the life of the church so that they can impact this world for Jesus Christ. It is praying for God’s righteous character, his morals, his commands and his word to so infiltrate our society that there will be a radical transformation of God’s Spirit in the lives of human beings. And, it could be a prayer calling upon God to bring divine discipline and correction to his church, so that they will return to him in full surrender and obedience.

We are to pray and ask God to provide us with life’s necessities (not necessarily wants) one day at a time, as needed. So, this is a prayer of faith to trust God for those daily provisions, even when we can’t see ahead and we don’t know what waits us around the corner.

We are to ask God for forgiveness, as we forgive others. Jesus said that he will forgive us if we forgive others, but if we don’t forgive others, he won’t forgive us. This sounds pretty harsh. Yet, it goes to the principle of repentance. John the Baptist’s main message was “Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand” (or is near). Jesus began his ministry with the same message, and the first time the gospel was preached at Pentecost, Peter gave a similar message. The Bible says that we must repent (turn away from our sins and turn to faithful obedience to Christ) if we want to have eternal life with God. It says this over and over again in many different ways. If we claim to have fellowship with God but we still walk in the darkness of sin’s deceitfulness, then we are liars. If we say we love God and yet we continue in a lifestyle of willful sin and rebellion against God, we are liars. If we hate our brothers, we don’t love God. If we don’t obey his commands, we don’t love God and we are not part of his family. Don’t believe me? Read 1 John. He makes it quite clear! We can’t hold on to willful sin in our hearts and expect to have an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ.

Jesus said that we are to pray that God will not lead us into temptation, but that he will deliver us from the evil one. Jesus was led into the desert by God to be tempted of Satan. Now God the Father did not tempt him nor can God tempt anyone toward evil. It is against his divine character to do so. Yet, he may allow us to be tempted of Satan to test our faith. So, perhaps this is a prayer seeking compassion, or perhaps it is a prayer asking God to lead us away from temptation, which is more likely. 1 Co. 10:13 says this:

“No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” (NIV 1984)

That goes along with “deliver us from the evil one.” God/Jesus will not allow us to go through temptation beyond what we can bear up under in his strength and power within us. This does not mean, however, that he will keep us from willfully leading ourselves into temptation, and/or that he will provide a way out for us if we are decisively and rebelliously ignoring his word, his teachings, his counsel, and the conviction of his Spirit in our lives, etc. If we are willfully and knowingly taking into our minds or eyes or lives what we know is harmful and sinful, and/or if we allow ourselves to be desensitized by today’s filth passed off as entertainment because we fail to exercise God-given wisdom and discernment, then we can’t expect God to “provide a way out.” So many Christians struggle with sins of lust and adultery (unfaithfulness to God and/or spouse) and/or fornication, and yet they rationalize their way through allowing things into their lives that they know lead them to sin. We can’t have pure minds and hearts if we are filling our minds and hearts with filth on TV or in movies, no matter how subtle it may be, or how seemingly harmless it may appear.

Abiding in His Presence

If we want to have a close and intimate relationship with Jesus Christ, we must spend time with him in sincere and honest prayer, and time in his word in listening to what he wants to teach us, and then in obedience to whatever he has taught us. We must desire God’s will and his righteousness and purity in our lives, and long for it in the life of the church, and grieve over the sins of our brothers and sisters in Christ, and those of the world. We must trust him to meet our needs one day at a time, even when we are not sure where the next meal will come from or how we will pay the next bill. We must forgive others who have sinned against us. How can we, mere humans, refuse to forgive others of so little when God Almighty poured out his life blood for us so we could be forgiven of all our sins, and they are many and grievous? And, we must avoid and shake off any hindrances to our walk with Christ that might lead us into temptation and pray for deliverance from the evil one, as we willingly cooperate with God in freeing our lives of any other “gods” in our lives. This is truly what this prayer is all about. May its truths sink into our minds and hearts so that we truly grasp the truths being taught, and so we live lives of obedience and faithful love to our God.

Now Abiding / An Original Work / January 31, 2012

Walking with Him; have Him near me,

Brings me comfort, joy and healing.

Now abiding in His presence;

His words speaking, oh, how gently:

Speak conviction, inspiration,

And instruction in right living.

Hope and comfort Jesus brings you,

When you’re walking with Him daily.

Be His servant; share the gospel;

Be His witness of salvation.

Love your brothers and your sisters.

Share with them that Jesus loves them.

Talking daily with my Savior;

List’ning to Him while He teaches,

Draws me closer; get to know Him,

So that I can now obey Him.

Follow Him where’er He leads me.

Worship only Jesus, Savior.

http://youtu.be/27fKCFSK-oc

http://www.godcares.tv/video/1471/Now-Abiding

Go the Extra Mile

Monday, May 7, 2012, 7:12 a.m. – The Lord woke me this morning with the song “Jesus, Rescue Me” playing in my mind. I prayed through the words to the song, especially in relation to the following passage of scripture and how, in all practicality, it was to be applied to my life. Parts of this Sermon on the Mount are difficult to understand, and to interpret, especially as compared to the rest of the teachings of the New Testament as a whole. I do so want to make sure that I am obeying the teachings of scripture in all things, and that, above all, I am demonstrating the love of Christ in all ways to all people. So, this is the prayer of my heart as I go into this time of teaching from God’s word this morning:

Jesus, Rescue Me / An Original Work / September 18, 2011

Based off of Romans 7:7-8:39

Jesus, rescue me today.

Listen while I bow and pray.

I need Your help to obey You;

Live for You always.

Meet me in my hour of need, Lord,

As I pray to You.

Help me walk in fellowship, Lord,

Living in Your truth.

Jesus, how I long for You to

Change my heart anew.

Father, God, my heart’s desire

Is to live for You this hour

In Your Holy Spirit’s power

Living in me now.

Teach me to walk in Your love, Lord,

Guiding me each day.

Help me to show love and kindness

To the lost, I pray.

Father, teach me to love others

As You love always.

Holy Spirit come in pow’r.

Revive our hearts in this hour.

Change our hearts to be like You, Lord;

Live for You each day.

Help us to forsake our sins, Lord,

As we humbly pray.

Teach us how to live for You, Lord,

Obey You always.

Holy Spirit come in power,

Revive us today.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSILqpD-WJA

Then, the Lord put another song in my mind, “In Truth.” Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening. I read Matthew 5:38-42 (NIV 1984):

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

My Understanding: When it comes to matters of Old Testament Law, I have to yield to the wisdom of those who have studied such matters, and who have a greater understanding of OT law than I do. One commentary stated that the OT law, “Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth,” was “not given to foster vengeance,” but was “given to provide a nation’s judicial system with a ready formula of punishment, not least because it would decisively terminate vendettas.” [Ref: Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary] Another commentary said this: “This law was given to protect the innocent and to make sure retaliation did not occur beyond the offense.” [Ref: The Bible knowledge commentary]

Yet, it appears that some of the people used the law as an excuse for getting even with people. Thus, Jesus said, “But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person.” From what I have read in these commentaries, that statement of Jesus has to do with not desiring or plotting retaliation, and not claiming one’s personal rights. And, it has more to do with demonstrating humility and selflessness, Christian love and concern, and a godly attitude.

Four Examples

Then, Jesus gave four examples of what he was talking about, so that we understand what he means by “Do not resist an evil person.” The first example has to do with someone striking you on the cheek, and with your correct response. The strike on the cheek was an insult, or it could have been, in some cultures, an invitation to a duel. From this passage in Matthew has come a common phrase, “Turn the other cheek.” It means to not seek revenge, and to turn from responding in like manner. As well, it means that, by not getting even and not responding aggressively (resisting), you open yourself up to the possibility of more bad treatment. Jesus said that we would be persecuted for righteousness’ sake. And, we are to rejoice when we are mistreated because of our testimony and witness for Christ.

The second example has to do with people suing us. My Zondervan NIV commentary suggested that this was a hyperbole (an exaggeration to make a point). In other words, for a Jew to give up his tunic and his cloak, it would mean for him to go home in his underwear (a loin cloth), which “no first century Jew” would do. The underlying truth, thus, to Jesus’ words here is that we should not sue back (seek satisfaction), but we are to willingly surrender our possessions, even to the point of going over and above what is required. God will take care of us, and he will make sure we have what we need to survive, so we need to trust him to take care of us, and not try to fight our own battles with aggressive, or with vindictive behavior.

The third example said: “If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.” The word “force” suggests that the person (or people) have some authority to do the forcing, such as military and/or police. We are not to resist authority, even if we think the demands are unfair or unjust. The Bible only allows for three ways in which we are permitted to resist (peacefully) authority: 1) If we are asked to do something sinful, 2) If we are being asked to bow to (obey; honor) another god, and 3) If we are being commanded to stop speaking in the name of Jesus and/or to renounce our faith and testimony for Jesus Christ. Unless we are being commanded to do something clearly in contradiction to the teachings of the New Testament, then we should submit ourselves to the rules of government placed over us.

On a more personal level, though, I also saw this as love for others engendering us toward a willingness to go that extra mile in showing love, compassion, tenderness, and mercy toward those who persecute, misuse and mistreat us. That is the phrase that is really jumping out at me this morning: “Be willing to go the extra mile to show love.” It has to do with doing more than is required, i.e. which can merely mean seeing things that need to be done that may not be your responsibility, or that may not even be fair for you to have to do, but doing them anyway with the right attitude and with a loving and helpful spirit. Or it has to do certainly with not retaliating, not giving up on the offending party, and not just ignoring or bringing to a halt working on relationships, but deliberately working toward doing things to show love to those who have hurt us, and those who have not hurt us, too.

The fourth example has to do with giving to those who ask of us and lending freely to those who want to borrow. Certainly this must be coupled with much wisdom and discernment, while not ignoring true needs. In other words, not all homeless people are drug addicts and alcoholics, but many are, and they do seek financial help from others sometimes to support bad (harmful) habits. As good ministers for Jesus Christ and the gospel, and as good stewards of all God has entrusted to us, and as those who truly love people, and are genuinely concerned about loving others and doing no harm to our neighbor, we must use discretion with our giving. We should not be selfish and unwilling to help others, but we must also try to determine what true needs are, and what are just wants, especially if those wants can be harmful to the individual, or if giving in to the wants can encourage sin habits.

If we discern that someone might be asking for money for drugs or alcohol while stating that he or she is hungry, the wise thing to do is not to ignore the person, if at all possible, but to go the extra mile in offering to get the person something to eat, or to buy him or her some groceries. That is where the “rubber meets the road” in many cases in showing the other person’s true intentions. If the person is truly hungry, he or she will accept your offer of food. We should not assist others to sin or to do what is harmful to themselves. We should not neglect our own family’s legitimate needs (not wants), and we should not cease to pay our own financial obligations (our monthly bills), i.e. we should not cease to provide for our own family’s needs in order to give to others. This does not negate sacrificial giving. We can certainly do without much we call “needs” in order to help meet legitimate needs of others, but the Bible teaches that we should take care of the needs of our own families first.

Heart Attitude

Sin begins in the heart before it ever is acted out in our behavior. The same applies to righteousness. If Christ’s righteousness (holiness) is not well rooted in our hearts, and we have allowed wrong attitudes to take a foothold, wrong attitudes will come out in our words and actions when pressure is applied. Yet, if we have right attitudes deeply rooted in our hearts through changed lives, through confession and turning from sin, through drinking in the word of God, and through habitual right responses to wrong situations, then right heart attitudes should produce right behavior. So, at the root of right responses in these types of situations is right heart attitude. We must be loving, self-less, and have a servant heart. If we have the correct heart attitude, then it should engender the correct response.

Teach me to Love

“Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity” (Col. 3:13-14 NIV ’84).

Another key element in all of this, besides heart attitude, is to ask oneself, “What is the loving thing to do in this situation?” The best example I know for how to love others is to look at how Jesus Christ loved people in his life on the earth, in his death and resurrection, in dying on the cross for our sins so we could go free, and in his coming back one day to receive us to himself, and to reign and rule on the earth.

Jesus Christ gave up his position and rights as God in heaven, humbled himself, took on human flesh, suffered as we suffer, was tempted as we are tempted, yet without sin, was despised, rejected, ridiculed, mocked, beaten and hung on a cross to die. He died for our sins so that we could go free from the judgment of sin against us (eternity in hell) and so we could go free from daily bondage to (and control of) sin over our lives. He did this because he loves us, he doesn’t want us to go to hell, he doesn’t want us bound in sin, and because he wants us to have a loving and pure relationship with him and his Father. And, we need to be willing to give up our rights, and to give of ourselves to meet the legitimate needs of others, too (though not necessarily their wants).

Jesus spoke the truth in love. He had the advantage of knowing people’s hearts, which we do not possess, though to some extent we can discern (carefully), without judging falsely, the attitudes of others. He was willing to have others hate him in order to tell them the truth about themselves, and to tell them the truth about their future without God, and to call them to repentance. The prophets before him were hated for this, Jesus was hated by the religious people (leaders, mainly) of his day for this reason - the disciples, too - and Jesus said we would be hated for righteousness’ sake, as well. If a fellow believer is clearly sinning without repentance, or is sinning against us in some way, we have a responsibility to the unrepentant sinner to turn the sinner back to God in repentance, and to help restore him back to a right relationship with God. So, love sometimes means “tough love.”

Jesus did not placate sin, especially in his followers. He did not enable his followers to sin. Evil people are going to do evil things to us, and we are not to retaliate (get even) or run away from confrontation in hopes that we won’t get hit again. We are to go the extra mile in showing love, kindness, compassion and mercy. Yet, we must balance this, especially in relation to those who profess to be our brothers and sisters in Christ, with godly standards for how to address sin issues in sinful man, particularly within the body of Christ. We do not want to be guilty of leading others to sin, and we want to make sure we are teaching the right Biblical principles in everything that we do, because we have the responsibility to set the right example in life, love and purity to our fellow believers, and to the people of the world. So, go the extra mile in showing love and kindness, but always balance this with wisdom, discernment, a correct understanding of true love, and with truth (in love).

In Truth / An Original Work / January 10, 2012

Fellowshipping with my Lord, Savior, King.

He is Lord of all; Lord of ev’rything.

He is with me through ev’ry hour of day,

List’ning to me speak, as I humbly pray.

He cares for my needs,

and He intercedes for me,

‘cause He loves me in ev’ry way.

Obey His commands, and do all He says.

Sitting at His feet, daily in His word,

Let His word speak to me in ev’ry way,

Giving comfort and healing through each day.

Oh, how Jesus loves,

And He cares for you,

Which is why He died for our sins, in truth.

Love our Lord God, Savior, and King of kings.

Worship Him in truth, for He reigns supreme.

He created us with a plan in mind

For us to be His servants, and Him mind.

Follow Him in truth;

Go where’er He leads.

Share His love with others, and their needs meet.

Others: their needs meet.

http://youtu.be/7wrSHlJxgl4

http://www.godcares.tv/video/1469/In-Truth

You Have Heard

Sunday, May 06, 2012, 6:00 a.m. – The Lord woke me this morning with the song “Listen, Listen!” playing in my mind. Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening. I read Matthew 5:27-30 (NIV 1984):

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.”

My Understanding: Jesus had just finished talking about how he was the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets. The Law was put in place to lead us to Christ, and the Prophets prophesied concerning his coming, his earthly ministry, his death and resurrection, his atonement for our sins, his coming again one day as judge and as deliverer of his people, his kingdom reign on the earth, and our eternity with Him in heaven. Since Jesus was/is the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets, we who are in Christ Jesus by faith are no longer under law, but we are under grace. So, what does that mean in all practicality?

The Commandments

Jesus stated: “Anyone who breaks the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.”

The Pharisees “righteousness” was based upon external adherence to a set of rules, rituals and religious practices. They were righteous in their own eyes, and they were hypocritical because, in holding to the letter of the law, they actually broke the law, because they did not realize that the law found its fulfillment in love.

Many today, who try to combat this legalistic approach to Christianity, go to the opposite extreme in teaching that turning from our sins and obeying Christ’s commandments are not required for salvation. They add to that the idea that God is pleased with us no matter what we do, meaning God is pleased with evil, which is a lie of Satan. In this opposite extreme to legalism, there are no rules by which we must abide. This is called a libertine (as opposed to legalism) approach to Christianity, which is also false. God has set moral standards by which we must live, and the remainder of Matthew 5 touches on a few of those, as well as the remainder of the New Testament teaches obedience to Christ’s commandments.

Jesus did not come to abolish the law. In other words, he did not come to remove all standards for holy living just because we are now under grace. He came to fulfill the law and we are to uphold the law – not the Jewish ceremonial laws and requirements, but the law of God summarized in and fulfilled in the law of love for God and others.

You have Heard

Jesus began each of his statements concerning the law with “You have heard that it was said,” followed by “But I tell you…” Jesus was not disputing the law itself, i.e. he was not contradicting the law, but rather he was giving a more complete understanding of what the law was really stating, i.e. he covered not just the letter of the law, but the spirit of the law, i.e. its true intended purpose and its underlying truths and principles. He was/is God, and he was the fulfillment of the Law, so he had the authority, the knowledge, insight and understanding to interpret the Law and to show the true direction the law actually pointed.

Murder – Jesus expanded the subject of murder to include anger against and subsequent insult toward another human being. John wrote that anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, “and you know no murderer has eternal life in him” (1 Jn. 3:15). He also said that if anyone says he loves God, yet he hates his brother, he is a liar (see 1 Jn. 4:20). Jesus was saying, basically, in most all of these laws, that the sin actually begins in the heart before it is ever carried out, and even if it is never carried out to the extreme. Sin is, above all else, a heart issue. If we hold anger against and/or hate other human beings and we wish or plot or do evil against them, then Jesus said that is the same as murder. Ouch!

Adultery – If you were to look up this word in a dictionary, you would learn that this has to do with extra-marital sexual relationships. Yet, God’s definition of adultery is much broader than that, according to the teachings of scripture. God, in both the Old and New Testaments, used the marriage relationship between a man and a woman to define his relationship between him and his people. In both the Old and New Testaments God initiated a covenant relationship with his people, not unlike a marriage covenant between a man and a woman to promise to love, cherish, and to practice fidelity and marital faithfulness.

When we enter into a covenant relationship with our spouse, or with God, we agree to the terms of that covenant relationship. God’s terms for us now are that we believe in his Son, Jesus Christ, via turning from our sin (repentance) and turning to walk in faithful obedience to Jesus Christ, and that we prove our faith by our works - fruit in keeping with repentance - and by our obedience to him and to his commands, in his power and strength within us. This is not unlike a marriage covenant where we vow to leave our life of singleness behind us, we promise commitment to the marriage relationship in love, honor, and faithfulness, and we prove our commitment by continuing to live as though we are no longer single, but that we are now committed to becoming one flesh with the person we married.

So, we break covenant with God when our affections, loyalties and devotions, that should go to God and to God alone, go to another, especially when they go to another that is false and that stands in direct opposition to God and to his commands for our lives. When other things, activities and/or people serve to replace and/or take priority over and above our covenant relationship with God, in love, affection, loyalty and/or devotion, then God sees that as adultery.

The same applies to the marriage relationship between man and woman. Adultery is not merely sexual in nature nor is lust. When we desire another that is not ours to have, and we exchange our affections and/or loyalties from the one with whom we have entered into a covenant relationship with affections and/or loyalties and devotion toward another, that is adultery. As well, the term “lust” is not confined merely to sexual lust and desire, but encompasses the idea of a yearning, craving or desire for something that belongs to someone else, or something that is wrong and/or sinful for one to obtain.

So, with that Biblical understanding of the term “adultery” in mind, when we look “lustfully” (desire, crave, yearn for) at another human being, we have already committed adultery in our hearts. This applies to single people, too, because the adultery, in this case, would be against God and God alone. A married person would commit adultery against God and his or her spouse, because the person would be breaking faith with both God and his/her spouse. So, the sin of adultery is thus a heart issue, whether it is ever carried to the extreme or not.

Throw it Off

Then Jesus said something that I believe, Biblically, applies to all sin. Jesus frequently used hyperboles in his illustrations to make a point. A hyperbole is “a deliberate and obvious exaggeration used for effect” (Encarta). And, in this case, he stated that if a part of our bodies caused or led us into sin, such as our eyes or hands, we were to gouge them out (the eye) or cut them off (the hand) and throw them away. He argued that it was better to lose one part of one’s body, rather than the whole body to be thrown into hell because of a sinful lifestyle. This has its counterpart in these passages of scripture:

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us” (Heb. 12:1).

“Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you” (Jms. 1:21; cf. Eph. 4:31; Col. 3:8; 1 Pet. 2:1).

We are not only to get rid of the sin, but we are to throw off everything (burden or hindrance) that hinders our walk with Christ, i.e. that leads us into sin. To me, if the sin problem is looking at pornography, for instance, then the person should get rid of his personal and private computer access that is free of accountability, i.e. either he or she must get rid of access to the internet altogether, or he or she must have very strong controls in place that monitor his or her internet use (voluntarily). As well, if your sin problem is lusting after people of the opposite sex (or same sex), then don’t put yourself in places where that is more apt to happen, such as public places where you know you are more likely to be drawn toward people of the opposite (or same) sex.

If the adultery is more on an emotional level, then one should not put himself or herself in positions where adultery of the heart (emotions) is more likely to take place, i.e. I believe married people should not have close and/or private friendships with people of the opposite sex, i.e. they should not go out to lunches, email, talk on the phone, exchange text messages, etc., with the possible exception of family or business relationships, and/or for strictly business purposes. They especially should not talk with people of the opposite sex about their marriage difficulties, private matters between the man and his wife, or anything of a personal or heart nature, i.e. personal feelings and emotions. This is how many affairs (emotional that can lead to sexual) are begun, and the internet and the social networks on the internet just open the door wide for this type of stuff to take place.

If a person has a drawing toward others of the same or opposite sex in a manner that is sinful, i.e. that breaks faith and covenant with God and/or with spouse, he or she should avoid all potential triggers. So many people complain that they just can’t control their problems with lust and yet they are not willing to take the necessary steps to alleviate all “hindrances” and “burdens” that contribute to the sin problem. If we watch TV shows or movies, play music or games, have friendships, or we participate in groups or social networks, or we involves ourselves in any relationships or activities that promote or make light of adultery, sexual sin of any kind, lust, greed, malice, insulting others, holding grudges, marriage fidelity, divorce, lying, cheating, stealing, hatred, homosexuality, etc., then we need to rid ourselves of those hindrances to our faithful walks of obedience to Christ Jesus and to our faithfulness in love and purity to our spouses. And, we need to run with perseverance the race marked out for us to run, in repentance, faithfulness and obedience to Christ, and in love, honor, respect and faithfulness to our marriage partners.

Listen! Listen! / An Original Work / December 20, 2011

Weep and wail o’er your sins, children.

God is calling out to you:

Be ye honest; tell the truth,

And it will set you free.

Harken to Him calling you to

Bow on bended knee today.

Don’t delay to let Him in,

And He’ll cleanse your hearts;

Pure within.

Sinners, won’t you listen to Him

Calling out to you today?

He died so that you would be free

Of your sins always.

Turn from your sin. Turn to Jesus.

Obey Him in ev’ry way.

He wants to set you free of

All your guilt,

For which He did pay.

Listen! Listen!

Don’t close your hearts

To His voice speaking to you.

He will give you all of His peace,

If your hearts be true.

He longs for you to come to Him

Humbly now and repentant.

Obey all of His commandments.

Live with Him eternally.

http://youtu.be/OWdvnBm2U-k

The Law and the Prophets

Friday, May 04, 2012, 7:13 a.m. – The Lord woke me this morning with the song “Praise the ‘I AM’” playing in my mind. Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening. I read Matthew 5:17-20 (NIV 1984):

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.”

My Understanding: This is a difficult passage to interpret, i.e. to understand. We know from reading the epistles that now that we are under grace, we are no longer under the law. Yet, at the time Jesus spoke those words, they were still under the law, i.e. they were still under the Old Covenant relationship between God and his people. That did not really change until Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins, and thus he initiated the New Covenant relationship between God and his people based upon Jesus’ sacrifice of blood for our sins. Jesus’ teachings, thus, served as a transition from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant.

Love and the Law

Jesus taught the spirit of the law over and above the letter of the law, i.e. he taught the underlying godly principles for daily living contained within the law. The Pharisees were so concerned with keeping the letter of the law that they actually broke the law, because they failed to understand that love is the fulfillment of the law.

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. ~ Matt. 7:12 (NIV ’84)

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” ~ Matt. 22:37-40 (NIV ’84)

Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. ~ Rom. 13:10 (NIV ’84)

Jesus and the Law

Jesus said that he did not come to abolish the Law or the Prophets, but he came to fulfill them. The Law and the Prophets testified to Jesus Christ and to the righteousness that was to be ours through him and his blood shed on the cross for our sins. So, he literally is the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets. He is love and love is the fulfillment of the Law. The Law was to prepare the way for Christ Jesus, and the Prophets prophesied to the coming of Jesus and to New Covenant relationship between God and his people. I just finished reading the OT prophets, so I know this is true. The law was put in place until Jesus had come. The law’s purpose was to lead us to Jesus Christ so we might be justified by faith, not by law.

Brothers, let me take an example from everyday life. Just as no one can set aside or add to a human covenant that has been duly established, so it is in this case. The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say “and to seeds,” meaning many people, but “and to your seed,” meaning one person, who is Christ. What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise. For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on a promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise.

What, then, was the purpose of the law? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come. The law was put into effect through angels by a mediator. A mediator, however, does not represent just one party; but God is one.

Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law. But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.

Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law. ~ Gal. 3:15-25 (NIV ’84)

Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus… For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law… Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law. ~ Rom. 3:20-24, 28, 31 (NIV ’84)

Death to the Law

Because Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of the law, and we are saved by grace, we are no longer required to follow all the OT rules and regulations and ceremonial requirements.

So, my brothers, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit to God. For when we were controlled by the sinful nature, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in our bodies, so that we bore fruit for death. But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code. ~ Rom. 7:4-6 (NIV ’84)

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit. Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. ~ Rom. 8:1-5 (NIV ’84)

These Commandments

So, how does that mesh with Jesus Christ stating that he did not come to abolish the law, and that every stroke of the pen of written scripture must remain until everything is accomplished (including the time of judgment on the earth, Jesus Christ’s return, his Millennial kingdom reign, and the final judgment on mankind and the earth)? How does what we have just read from Romans and Galatians fit with Jesus’ words where he said that if anyone breaks the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same, he will be called the least in the kingdom of heaven? Either we are still under the law or we are not under the law. So, how do we reconcile this teaching of Jesus?

Clearly Jesus taught that he was the fulfillment of the law, so that would mean that his teachings were also the fulfillment of the law. As well, we learned that love is the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets. Certainly we can ascertain that we are to follow the spirit of the law, which is love. Maybe the understanding of this passage has more to do with interpretation of the Law and the commandments. If Jesus is the fulfillment of the Law, perhaps the rest of this paragraph is to be understood in that context. In that case, this would be saying that all prophecy of scripture related to Jesus Christ must happen, and not a single component of what was written that looked forward to Jesus Christ would disappear until all things have reached their fulfillment. In other words, everything in scripture has its purpose, and those purposes which were realized in Jesus Christ will continue to be realized until all things have reached their fulfillment.

So, what are these commandments we must obey and we must teach others to obey? If Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of the Law, and the Law’s purpose was to point to Jesus Christ until he came, then the commandments must be those of Jesus Christ. And, we obey them when we obey Christ’s teachings and those of his disciples and apostles who carried on his work on the earth in the power and strength of the Holy Spirit of God within them. We know these teachings as the New Testament Scriptures, although the Bible also teaches that “All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (1 Ti. 3:16-17 NIV ’84). Yet, the teachings of the OT must always be taught in the context of the New Testament and our New Covenant relationship with God by faith in Jesus Christ.

The Real Issue

Jesus’ conclusion or summary statement to what he had just stated about the Law and the Prophets and him being the fulfillment of them, as well as his teaching on keeping the commandments, dealt with the true underlying issue: Unless our righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees, we will not enter into the kingdom of heaven. In other words, we are not saved by observing the law. Even Abraham was not made righteous before God by observing the law, but by faith in the promise. The promise is realized in Jesus Christ, and we are saved by faith in that promise. No amount of good works or self-righteous efforts on our part will get us into heaven. That does not mean, however, that true faith is absent of works. True faith will be realized by what we do that demonstrates that true faith exists. For instance, if we say we believe Jesus Christ died to save us from our sins, yet we continue in willful sin, where is our faith? The Bible teaches that faith absent of works (spiritual fruit in keeping with repentance) is dead (see James), and that if we say we have faith and yet continue to live a life of sin, we are liars (see 1 John). What Jesus Christ is looking for is true holiness and righteousness in our lives, which come through faith in Christ Jesus, and then as lived out in our daily lives in obedience to Christ and to his commands.

Praise the “I AM!” / An Original Work / February 24, 2012

Jesus, my Savior, full of compassion,

Glorious in power, mighty in strength;

Gracious Redeemer, mighty deliv’rer,

My heart adores Him. Praise to His name!

Perfect salvation my Lord provided

When He died for my sins on a tree;

Crucified my sins; conquered in vict’ry,

When He arose, so I could be free!

I am so thankful for His forgiveness;

Grateful that He chose to pardon me,

Giving me new life full in His Spirit,

So I can serve Him; His servant be!

Walking in daily fellowship with Him,

Obeying Him whate’er He commands;

Forsaking my sins, living in freedom,

I will endure with Him to the end!

He gives me peace and calm reassurance

In times of sorrow, or in distress.

His grace is sure, and oh, how sufficient

To meet me in my need for sweet rest.

Oh, how I love You, Jesus, my Savior.

My heart longs for You where’er I am.

Your word is precious; speaks to my spirit;

Brings comfort, healing. Praise the “I AM!”

http://youtu.be/lJpj-TVfQek

http://www.godcares.tv/video/1474/Praise-the-I-AM

Does Your Light Shine?

Thursday, May 03, 2012, 7:11 a.m. – The Lord woke me this morning with the song, “I’m Not Ashamed,” playing in my mind. Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening. I read Matthew 5:13-16 (NIV 1984):

  “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.

    “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”

My Understanding: We, as followers of Christ, are the salt of the earth. Salt is used for a variety of uses: It is a food seasoning and a food preservative. Salt is also used to melt ice or to prevent ice from forming. If you are “worth your salt,” you are efficient and doing the job well. Salt can also sting in an open wound, but is also used as a healing agent in water, such as for sore throats. Salt water can prevent bacteria from going to your wound. It is also perfect for healing cuts. As well, it is used to soften hard water. Salt also kills slugs. A person who is a sluggard is habitually idle, lazy, slothful, and indolent (lethargic; apathetic).

Salt of the Earth

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. ~ Hebrews 4:12-13

The word of God is salt to the (sin) wound. It can sting (convict) when applied, but it also brings much healing to the soul, mind and body. Salt also preserves food (the word). God/Jesus preserves our lives, as well as his word serves to preserve our lives (see Ps. 119), so God and his word are salt. And, as we know, Jesus is the Word. As well, if we try to hold on to our old lives of sin, we will lose our lives for eternity, but if we lose our old lives of sin (die to sin), we (as salt) will preserve our lives for eternity (see Lk. 17:33).

So, in spiritual terms, if we are the “salt of the earth,” we bring out the flavor in spiritual food, i.e. we help people to see the truth, richness, sweet aroma, the essence, the character, discernment, and judgment of God’s word. We help people to know how to apply God’s word in all practicality to their daily lives. We preserve (uphold; continue in; sustain; protect; safeguard and defend) God’s word (not in an argumentative way, though). We die to our old lives of sin, thus preserving our own lives for eternity, as well as we teach this truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ to others in order to help preserve their lives for eternity. We are to be Jesus to the world, and Jesus is the Word, and the Word is truth, and thus it is salt, so to be salt to the earth also means to be living representatives of Jesus Christ and his word to the world around us.

In being salt to the world we thus can help prevent a “freeze” in the spiritual lives of Christ’s followers to take place, i.e. we can help prevent spiritual immobilization. It kills “slugs”, in other words. It encourages, strengthens, counsels, guides, edifies, corrects error, etc. in order to help others from falling into the trap of the devil and to fall back into a state of spiritual complacency and apathy. Salt (truth; the word) can soften hard hearts, as well.

Losing Saltiness

So, if we have lost our saltiness that means, first of all, that we have lost connection with Jesus Christ due to unconfessed sin or spiritual apathy or spiritual laziness in our own lives. We have allowed the world and its desires to slowly and subtly creep their way into our hearts and lives, and to replace our intimacy with and passion for Jesus Christ as our only Lord. It also means that the word of God is not being preserved in our hearts and lives through time spent in studying and applying its truths to our lives, and time spent sharing those truths with others in a practical and applicable way to their lives. We are not daily dying to our sins, and we are not following Jesus Christ in full surrender and obedience to his will for our lives and to his commands. We cease to be living representatives of Jesus and his word to the world around us, and thus we can no longer serve as encouragers, counselors and edifiers of the body of Christ, to help prevent spiritual apathy in the church. That is why we are no longer good for anything in God’s kingdom, if we lose our saltiness.

Light of the World

Not only are we the salt of the earth, but we are the light of the world. Jesus is the Light just like he is the Word, so again this is speaking about being Jesus Christ’s living representatives in the world around us. Light is also truth and divine revelation, in opposition to darkness, which is evil. And light is purity, in opposition to moral filth. So, if we are to be light, and the Word is also light, then we are to live the truth of God’s word in our lives, and we are to live lives of moral purity, truth, integrity, and love, etc. There is no place for waywardness and worldliness in the life of one who is to be light and salt to the earth/world. It does not mean we will live perfect lives, but we also will not use that as an excuse to continue in willful sin and rebellion against God. We are to live exemplary lives.

As well, we are to shine this light to the world around us and not keep it hidden. We, as the body of Christ, are a city on a hill that cannot be hidden. Things on hills are raised up to where all can see. This city is a spiritual city – a city without walls (Ezek. 38:11; Zech. 2:4) – our heavenly and spiritual Jerusalem (Heb. 12:22), the city of the living God.

We are not to hide our light under a bowl, but we are to put it on a stand, so that it gives light to everyone. In other words, we have the light of Christ in our lives, and we have the light (truth) of his word; the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Not only is this light to be lived out in our daily lives as representatives of Jesus Christ to the world, but we are also to be deliberate (put it on a stand) about letting our light shine. We are to make it our practice to share the truths of God’s word, and the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ with the world and with the church, too, for many in the church are not receiving the truth of the word. We need to warn the church of the danger of compromise and conformity to the world, as well as we are to warn them against hiding the light that speaks hope to a sin-darkened world.

We cannot be lights to the world if we are conforming our lives to the world and the standards of the world. So many professing followers of Christ today are just like the people of the world. It is hardly distinguishable between the church and the world these days. Not only are believers becoming like the world, but the world has engulfed the life of the church and public worship, too. We are to stand out from the world and be different. We are not to compromise with the world and to take pleasure in worldly things if we want to have a testimony for Jesus Christ that makes a difference in other people’s lives – that brings conviction to sin, that heals wounds, that delivers those still bound in darkness out of their prisons of sin, and that brings about spiritual freedom in Christ Jesus, our Lord. So, we need to live and teach the word deliberately so that others can come to know Jesus Christ, too.

I’m Not Ashamed / An Original Work / February 15, 2012

Based off Matt. 28:19-20; Acts 1:8; Rom. 1:16-17

Go into all the world,

And tell them the Good News,

Making disciples of all the nations,

Baptizing them in the name of the Father

And of the Holy Spirit,

And of the Son,

Teaching them to obey

Ev’rything I have commanded you,

And surely I am with you,

E’en to the end of the age.

You will receive power

When the Holy Spirit

Comes on you;

My witnesses you will be

In Samaria, Judea, and Jerusalem,

And to the ends of the earth, amen!

You will receive power

When the Holy Spirit comes on you,

My witnesses you will be

Unto the ends of the earth.

I’m not ashamed of the

Gospel of my Jesus.

For salvation, it’s the power of God.

For in the gospel a righteousness

From God is made known,

A righteousness that is by faith.

I’m not ashamed of the

Gospel of my Jesus.

For salvation, it’s the power of God.

The righteous will live by faith.

http://youtu.be/HwLRP5rCJ5s

http://www.godcares.tv/video/1472/Im-Not-Ashamed

Pure in Heart

Wednesday, May 02, 2012, 6:47 a.m. – The Lord woke me this morning with the song, “Your Servant Witness,” playing in my mind. That was followed by the song, “Not by Might.”

Your Servant Witness / An Original Work / March 13, 2012

Humbly I bow, Lord, before You,

Bringing my requests to You.

May I listen; hear You speaking.

May I follow You in truth.

Gently lead me in Your service.

Guide my steps and strengthen me.

Fill me with Your love and mercy.

May I live for Thee!

Let me be Your servant witness,

Telling others of Your grace.

May I always share the gospel

With those I meet face to face.

May I show the love of Jesus,

Caring for the needs of men;

Be Your servant witness always

For my Lord, Amen!

My desire to be like Jesus,

Living for Him ev’ry day.

May I obey all His teachings

Given me, so I’ll not stray.

Love You, Jesus, Lord, my master.

You are the King of my heart;

Follow You where’er You lead me;

Not from You depart!

http://youtu.be/RYb4VXestQc

Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening. I read Matthew 5:1-12 (NIV 1984):

Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them, saying:

    “Blessed are the poor in spirit,

   for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn,

   for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek,

   for they will inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

   for they will be filled.

Blessed are the merciful,

   for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart,

   for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,

   for they will be called sons of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,

   for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

    “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

My Understanding: The song, “Your Servant Witness,” expresses the prayer of my heart. The Lord put both of these songs in my mind upon waking this morning, because they both go along with this passage of scripture, and because he wanted to encourage my heart.

I am definitely relying upon the Lord’s strength this morning. I have been under the weather the past few days, and I have no strength or energy of my own to muster up, in order to write what he has given me to write this morning. I just pray for him to lead me to his truth, that I would hear him correctly, and that I would follow him wherever he leads me today. I pray that he will fill me with his love and mercy in all that I do and say, and that I would truly be his servant witness in word and in deed. Amen!

On a Mountainside

Jesus taught his disciples from a mountainside. A disciple is one who follows the teachings, practices and leadership of another. As believers in Jesus Christ we should also be his disciples (his students and followers). So, this message is for all of Christ’s followers.

“Blessed” carries with it a sense of those who are chosen by God as his favored people. Yet, there is also a sense in which it denotes singular approval (God is pleased) over specific attitudes, actions and behaviors of his beloved children. The New Testament speaks much of how we cannot please God if we are being controlled by our sinful nature, but that we should make it our goal to please our Lord in every way. “The one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life” (Gal. 6:8). We are to find out what pleases the Lord (Eph. 5:10), so that we can please him in every way (Col. 1:10). We, thus, have been instructed (in scripture) how to live in order to please God (1 Thess. 4:1).

When we live to please God, we reap spiritual blessings, i.e. a harvest of righteousness in our own lives and in the lives of others. Having the blessing of God/Jesus brings much joy to our hearts – a joy not based on external circumstances, but on inward peace. This inward joy comes from knowing that we are in relationship with Jesus Christ, that we are walking in obedience to him, that we are not holding on to sin in our lives, and that we are doing what pleases the Lord and what ministers his love, joy and true peace into the lives of others.

Poor in Spirit

“Poor” means to be deprived of something; humble; and/or lowly. An individual’s human spirit is “the vital force that characterizes a human being as being alive” (Encarta); his/her emotion; will; personality; attitude; essence; temperament; nature; character, etc. Since we are born with sinful natures, and our humanity is also equated with the flesh or the cravings of sinful man, then we must understand that this spirit is sinful in nature. So to have poverty of spirit is to be deprived of this human spirit in some way.

The only way in which we can become “poor in spirit,” in being deprived of our sin natures, is to have come to faith in Jesus Christ, having been cleansed within by God’s grace, via his blood sacrifice for our sins, and to have been given new lives in Christ Jesus. Included in this is an acknowledgement of one’s own sinful condition, of his own inability to live righteously or to achieve righteousness, to accept that he cannot save himself, and that the only way of being set free from the power of sin over his life is to turn away from his sin and to surrender his life to Jesus Christ to be his Lord (boss; master) and Savior.

The blessing provided is eternity with God in his eternal and heavenly kingdom, which begins at the moment we receive Christ as Lord and Savior. This kingdom is future, in that it represents our eternity with our Lord in the after-life, yet it is also present, as God’s kingdom is in our Lord Jesus, who is in us, so we, the followers of Christ, make up his kingdom. So, the kingdom of heaven is both a promise of eternal life after we die, yet it is promise of life in the Spirit while we still live on the face of this earth – abundant life!

Those who Mourn

We understand the meanings of each of these “blessed” statements when we look at the specific blessings corresponding to the specific state of being, actions, attitudes and/or behaviors. Certainly we could make a case and point that this applies to when followers of Christ are saddened by life’s difficulties, and thus we have the promise of God’s loving comfort during those times of distress. This is Biblical teaching. Yet, I see another meaning here, as well, which goes right along with these other “blessings,” and that is that to mourn means to weep and to wail over our sins, i.e. to grieve over our sins to the point of genuine repentance (turning from sin). Thus, the comfort that would be provided would be forgiveness, acceptance into God’s eternal kingdom, relationship with God/Jesus, freedom from the control of sin, and freedom from the ultimate penalty of sin (eternity in hell).

The Meek

To be meek means to be humble, submissive, gentle, and to exercise self-control, i.e. it means to display the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23). It is the polar opposite of malice, a vengeful spirit, harshness, and/or a tyrannical spirit. True meekness comes from God through his Spirit, and not from ourselves. So, one must be in a relationship with God/Jesus through faith, must depend upon the Spirit of God to live a holy life, and must produce fruit (outgrowth; harvest; result) in keeping with repentance (turning from sin).

Hunger and Thirst

Other words for hunger are desire, need, passion, yearning, longing and/or thirst. If we are truly hungry, which I think most Americans truly have never experienced, our whole being feels the need and longing to have sustenance for our bodies and for our health. The Psalmist (Psalm 42) expressed it like this: “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.” This is how we are supposed to feel about God/Jesus. Oh, how I believe this is so missing from today’s teaching and practice in the church. We have lost the awe of God; the longing for his presence; the desire to be with him and to hear his voice speaking to our hearts, as well as the strong need, passion and yearning for the truths of his words made practical and realized in our daily lives.

This hunger and thirst (passion; longing; desire) is to be for God’s righteousness imputed to and lived out through our lives. We are made righteous in God’s sight through faith (repentance and obedience) in Jesus Christ as our Lord (master) and Savior. Yet, as followers of Christ we are to long for and desire his righteousness to be lived out in our daily lives in all his purity, honesty, decency, high moral fiber, uprightness, etc. The promise is that if we yearn for righteousness, that we will be filled. Amen! I love that promise!!

Yet, the sad truth is that so many professing Christians daily hunger and thirst for unrighteousness through worldly and sinful desires, to which they yield (give themselves to) on a daily basis. This should not be! We need to rid ourselves of all such things (Col. 3:8; 1 Pet. 2:1), and like newborn babies, we should crave the pure spiritual milk of God’s holy word, so that by it we may grow up in our salvation. We are then to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, and put on our “new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Eph. 4:24). Someone who truly seeks after righteousness will also be someone who grieves over all unrighteousness, both in his own life, as well as in the lives of others, and in the life of the church (believers).

The Merciful

Someone gave me this definition of grace and mercy one day: “Grace is getting what you don’t deserve, and mercy is not getting what you do deserve.” That has always stuck with me. So, when we show mercy to someone, it means we don’t pay them back evil for evil. We don’t try to get even. We don’t seek revenge. Instead we seek reconciliation and we choose to forgive and to let the sinner go free of our sense of justice. Yet, mercy also encompasses compassion, kindness, sympathy, understanding and benevolence for the hurting and the needy. You have heard it said, “What goes around comes around,” or “You reap what you sow.” If we are merciful to others, God’s mercy will be shown to us.

The Pure in Heart

If something is pure, it is “not mixed with any other substance; free from contamination; and clean and free from impurities” (Encarta). Wow! Does that ever paint a vivid picture of what our lives are supposed to be like! God spoke to his children about this all the time in the Old Testament times, and the same message is repeated over and over again in the New Testament. One of the terms for this multiplicity of heart and devotion is “double-mindedness” (see Jms. 1, 4). Another is “divided heart” – “give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name,” prayed David. [See also Ezek. 11:19]  

This pure, undivided and single-mindedness of heart is obtained through removing all articles and objects of affection and devotion from our lives that are contrary to the teachings of scripture, and/or that rob us of our pure and unadulterated devotion to Almighty God. We have to remove all the vile (evil; depraved; shameful and sinful) images, attitudes, behaviors and detestable idols out of our lives if we want to have pure hearts towards God. Even church can be an idol if we are following the ways and teachings of men over and above the ways of God, and if we are followers of men instead of being followers of Christ, or if our Christian service is a replacement for our intimacy with Jesus Christ and obedience to him and his commands.

Once these idols are removed from our lives, then we can pray with the Psalmist for God to teach us his way so that we may walk in his truth, and for him to give us undivided hearts so that we may fear (honor, value, obey, serve, revere and respect) his name (his character, personality, righteousness and holiness). The pure in heart will see God.

The Peacemakers

I heard a great definition a while back on what it means to be a peacemaker in contrast to being a peacekeeper, but I don’t know where I filed it, so I will try to reconstruct it. A peacekeeper is one who keeps things calm and quiet, even at the sacrifice of morals, values, integrity, godly standards, and even allowing abuse of individuals just to keep peace. This is not the kind of peace the Bible speaks about. On the flip side of that, a peacemaker is one who tells others of the only way to true peace through faith in Jesus Christ via turning from sin and turning to walk in obedience to our Lord’s commands. Jesus made peace for us with God when he died on the cross for our sins, and this is the peace that Jesus leaves with us – internal, not external. As well this kind of peace seeks reconciliation with God and with others, and it chooses to forgive instead of get even. Peacemakers are called sons of God, because Jesus made peace with God for them, and thus they are his children, and because they become ministers of reconciliation, too.

The Persecuted

The persecuted are those who are hated, insulted, rejected, mistreated and have false and evil things said against them because of Christ’s righteousness in them and because of their faith in and their testimony for and faithfulness to Jesus Christ and to his holiness. If we are true peacemakers (not peacekeepers), in that we are sharing the truth of the gospel, and we are sharing how people can be reconciled with Christ/God, and it is evidenced in our lives and testimony how Jesus Christ has transformed our hearts, and how his righteousness is being applied to and lived out through our lives, the world, including the worldly church, will stand in opposition to us and they will not welcome us. We may even be invited to leave some churches because of our stand for Christ and for the truth of his word. This is how they treated Jesus, and this is how the prophets were treated before that. So, we are in good company! Yet, we can rejoice, because great is our reward in heaven!

Not By Might / An Original Work / March 29, 2012

Based off Zechariah 4

“Not by might, and not by power,

But by My Spirit,” says our Lord, God.

“Mighty mountain, O what are you?

Before Christ you will become level ground.”

The hands of our Lord, Savior God,

Formed the foundation of His church.

He alone will complete the work

He began in His servants’ hearts and minds.

Who despises small beginnings?

Much can be done in Christ’s strength within.

Be of courage, and trust your Lord.

All sufficient He is for all your needs.

Opposition and apathy:

Holy Spirit will set us free!

We can be overcomers in our faith

In our Lord, and our Savior, King.

Don’t be troubled by God’s timing.

He has ev’rything in His command.

Hasten to obey His commands fully,

Trusting Him to work all for good.

Not by might nor by human strength,

But by God’s power; strength within;

My dependency now on His working

His will in me in righteousness.

http://youtu.be/bX2houWB_HE