Faith Rewarded

Is this blessedness only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? We have been saying that Abraham's faith was credited to him as righteousness. Under what circumstances was it credited? Was it after he was circumcised, or before? It was not after, but before!... It was not through law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith.

Romans 4:9-10,13

Righteousness has nothing to do with us. Doesn't matter how well we follow the laws or how holy we think we are. What matters is faith. Faith isn't based on anything we see but in the One who cannot be seen. The scriptures are making a point about who God's promises apply to, the circumcised or uncircumcised. The point is made that the promise was given before Abraham was circumcised and so not relevant to following those traditions. It was about having faith.

In our world today we are just as guilty trying to live for Jesus. We make up rules like, "you have to do daily devotions" or "you need to speak in tongues" in order to be in God's presence. No, this is not right. Those things will allow you to grow in discipleship according to your calling in ministry but faith is something beyond our deeds or service. It's present at the very beginning before we even start the journey, before we become equipped with the basic tools to go into battle. Knowing this, we cannot discourage people for where they are but encourage then where they're headed.

Heavenly Father, thank You for teaching me again and again about faith. Today, this morning, I was convincing myself that I'm too busy to do my devotions and was very close to choosing against our quiet time. The devil knew You had a great message for me and tried hard to silence my ears. Thank You Father for revealing faith once again to me. I thought my service to You was sufficient but my relationship time is what's important. You are so amazingly faithful! Love you, Father God. Amen!

Accidents Aren't Choices

Someone might argue, "If my falsehood enhances God's truthfulness and so increases his glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner?" Why not say—as we are being slanderously reported as saying and as some claim that we say—"Let us do evil that good may result"? Their condemnation is deserved.

Romans 3:7-8

Even thought God can and will do everything for the collective good of all creation, doesn't mean that that's where He delights. In this passage people are saying, "look, good came out of this so I don't feel bad and will encourage it." I immediately think of divorce and how some people have a transformation and their lives are richly serving God. To everyone it seems like this is the preferable path because so much good came out of it. True, God will redeem us. But how much more powerful is a saved marriage in the kingdom of God? Also, when we look at divorce as an choice/option that glorifies Him, then we missed the heart of it. Mistakes like divorce are paths we take when we fall and stumble, not a considered premeditated choice. these are accidents that were never part of the equation but we fell into it. We don't plan on hurting ourselves, becoming bankrupt or hurting others but they do... as an accident. Some thing goes for sin, we shouldn't even factor that into the equation.

I'm reflecting on my own life and trying to think if I ever make sin part of the equation. Do I ever consider it as one of my choices when I'm in a situation? I know I have in the past and I'm sure I do that today. I try to live my life without sin as an option but the thing that sticks out in my mind right now is about being passive in the world, not being bold in faith, conforming to the evil patterns of the flesh. I must take a stand to make it a point to show Jesus to every person I meet. God will handle all these situations in perfection; He even does this through sinful accidents.

Heavenly Father, thank You for my struggles. I say this because it's evidence of the Holy Spirit within me trying to break through my flesh and do what's pleasing to You, God. I pray for sternness and boldness to seize every opportunity to display Your wonderful heart to everyone I meet. In the beautiful name of Jesus I pray, Amen!

Transformation by Knowledge

All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God's sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous.

Romans 2:12-13

It's always interesting to hear people quote scriptures and give you their comments about what's biblical.  But what about their walks, their obedience to the words they speak?  At what point do the two sides/areas meet?  And then I think of that person who doesn't know any scripture but God captured their heart; they  continue to sin out of ignorance or weakness, not disobedience.  Which is worse?  Neither.  It matters which direction the person is headed.  Are they facing Jesus or away from Him?  Where they are today isn't as important as where they're headed.  It's not how much you know but how your heart is transformed by what you know that matters.

Am I still growing in Christ or am I idle?  Idle means I'm falling away because once we stop, the flesh takes over its natural sinful course.  I need to be closer to Jesus today than I was yesterday, last month or even last year.  The pace of progress is according to God's individual will but we're all called to grow, become disciples and not just followers who only receive.  Each and every one of us are leaders and influencers in some way, to some person.  We need to embrace growth and discipleship.  My calling is my wife, family, friends, work, church and other areas of ministry.  What kind of grades am I getting?  Probably C's in most areas but a D at home and family & friends.  I have an expectation of my wife to be on fire for God; to pray, to serve, to shard, to disciple... all these things and more.  But what am I doing to encourage4 that?  What am I doing to lead her into a full relationship with Christ Jesus?  I need to continue to pray, encourage daily devotions and be a dream releaser for her.  I need to be active in encouraging  her obedience to God. 

LORD God and Father, last night You gave me a dream, a message that bothered me.  You told me  I don't do things with love as much as You wanted me too.  I don't want that, please forgive Your servant for making about the task instead of the heart.  I rely on You, not my calendar or notes to remind me when to use my heart properly.  I pray that my mind is free from structure and planning where it is disobedient.  Help me to understand the heart of the matter and not the "laws" or "rules" of the situation.  In the all-loving name of Jesus I pray, Amen!

We Are All Wicked

Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.

Romans 1:32

For the most part, we as Christians know right from wrong; good from evil. We know through conviction the things that displease our God but sometimes turn away, pretend we don't hear God's cries to stop sinning. Why do we do this; why is it so hard to stop our sinful ways? If we read this entire passage (v18-32) we could suggest that it's not talking about us, it's speaking of really wicked people. For the most part I agree but what about for a short season? What I mean is what if we're being taught this because of that short season we enter where we are these people; we are wicked. I'm sure we can all point to some point in our lives where we become like this. It might be only in a short moment and nothing external was produced from it but the potential was there brewing waiting to jump out. The sooner we realize how wicked the flesh is the easier God can work through us.

Where is my heart as I'm sinning? What's my foundation and am I still in the presence of God? Is it possible to sin when I'm dwelling in the LORD Most High? I don't think it is. We sin in the dark, concealed, when we think nobody is watching. Other times we sin because we don't have the things of God in mind. We're thinking about ourselves or not thinking at all, allowing the flesh to react as it wishes. Bottom line, sin results from the absence of God. I need to repeatedly invite Him into every situation to equip and prepare instead of always asking to bail us out of a mess.

Heavenly Father, as much as we don't like to admit it, You were talking about all of us in today's reading. We are all that wicked person because the flesh is very capable of all those evil acts. The flesh can be overcome by the power of the Holy Spirit, given through Your Son Jesus' mighty sacrifice. I pray LORD for a covering over each of Your children today as we continue to minister to others by living a godly life. Prepare our minds & hearts for battle as You work in and through us. In the most wonderful name of Christ Jesus I pray, Amen!

Tired Busybodies

We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat. And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right.

2 Thessalonians 3:11-13

In this world of so many distractions it's so easy to fill our lives with stuff. These are things we don't need all the time like TV, video games & possessions; they may have a role somehow but we abuse them. Stuff like these fill our lives to where we don't have time and energy to invest in what's important. We become busybodies jumping from one task to another without actually being busy with what's important. For those who are investing in kingdom treasures, it's easy to get discouraged too because so much is poured into God's kingdom works but others only seem to take and take. We cannot tire, as scriptures sway, because eternity is the goal here. There's a joy in doing what's good and right in the presence of the LORD; let that sustain us. We need to stop and reflect back on what we do for our King. This is not about "me" really... but it is about me. It's about how I recalibrate my thoughts and joy back to Him. We as Christians forget to think about ourselves because that's not what we're supposed to do... but for these purposes we have to think of ourselves as it applies to His plan.

When I read today's readings I already had psalms 101 marked to journal on but as I came to this reading it hit me like a truck. There are two parts that spoke to me; the part about busybodies and not to tire. I'm so guilty of both. I need to purge my life of the things which steal from my devotion to God and Michelle. Things like TV, unproductive Internet use & laziness has to go. I know as I steward my time better that God will open blessings upon blessings. Having the right attitude and cleanliness of mind and heart will strenthen me, allowing me to never tire for doing what is right. God's word says this to be true so I will obey.

Peaceful and Glorious Father, who reigns from heaven and in our hearts, thank You for being the Omnipresent Encourager! You are always there to pick Your fallen child up from our knees. You help all who call on You and I'm so grateful. I pray LORD that You guide me in helping others in the same way, most especially my own wife. Enable me to care for her in the ways You've planned and I know You will use us together. Help me remember it's all about relationships... that is my task. In the wonderful name of Christ Jesus I pray, Amen!

Stand Firm in Faith and Obedience

...because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.

2 Thessalonians 2:13-15

We all go through some sort of discouragement and frustration. At one point or another we are just fed up and want to throw in the towel; we want to give it all up. God knows this and gave us the Sabbath for one just to rest from all these things. We hardly ever obey this and all kinds of frustrations sink in. This affects all areas of life; we may try to separate it but it's impossible because we're the common denominator. We're being taught and encouraged here to stand firm in our faith but it needs to be done obeying God's commands to allow a day of rest with the right perspective and heart.

I feel like I've been a a whirlwind the last month. I haven't taken a Sabbath and I'm feeling drained because, although I feel energized and full of the Spirit serving in ministry and at work, my home isn't strong. God is telling me not to give up and stand firm in my faith, don't allow the devil to inject discouragement. But, I need to do this according to God's commands. I'm disobeying two obvious commands: serving my wife and the Sabbath. I'm not spending enough time with her as she would like; I feel like it's enough but that's not the right heart. It's her perception that needs encouragement and not facts. Along with this is my time of rest. Being productive is great but I need to be productive on my own vessel, my heart and body. As I serve more and more in ministry I understand what rest is all about.

Father God, my Almighty Creator; thank You for crafting me. I sometimes wished that I wasn't so sensitive and analytical all the time; I wish that I could allow painful situations and words to just bounce off me like others. But that's not who I am, that's not who You want me to be. I need to learn how to steward this wonderful gift to be used in kingdom works instead of personal destruction. I know You have a handle, You are in control and I stand firm. In Your precious name Lord Jesus, Amen!