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Victorious Living

Have a Heart!

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Have a Heart!

Here’s how it all began

A businessman was called away to attend a critical meeting in a neighboring city. Because it was not very far away, he decided to drive versus fly.  As often is the case in car travel, he decided to stop at a familiar rest area along the way.  Unfortunately, during that stop, he was robbed and brutally beaten while exiting his car.

As he laid on the concrete, two travelers like himself stopped, but when they noticed him bleeding on the ground, retreated back into their cars and quickly drove away.  Finally, a traveler pulled alongside him and seeing his situation, came to his aid.  This last traveler loaded the businessman into his car and took him to the nearest hospital.

Does this story sound familiar? This is my 21st century version of the Good Samaritan found in Luke 10:25-37.  The context for Jesus’ teaching was the question posed to Him concerning loving others and defining who is one’s neighbor?   Who are we to love or have a heart for?

I will use this familiar text to begin our discussion on compassion.  What is compassion and why is it important for us to express it to others?

What’s it all about?

Dr. Luke’s story, sad to say, is not unfamiliar in our society today.  We’ve heard stories about crowds who witnessed harm to another person right in front of them but chose to turn their head or back on the situation.

On a broader scope, we see social injustices and human needs accelerate in our cities.  Homelessness, food insecurities, and economic disparities, are all too familiar examples of where society has figuratively, turned their back.  Why?  What are we missing?  Do we have a heart? Where is our compassion?

Compassion by any other name

There is much confusion as to the difference between pity, empathy, sympathy, and compassion. Perhaps because we tend to use these nouns to describe our reaction to pain and suffering.  While these words are close cousins, they are not, however, synonymous with one another.

While there are broader details around the meaning of these emotions, I will try to be as simple as I can, for the purpose of this teaching.

    • Pity. We acknowledge a person’s suffering.  “I really feel sorry for those who loss their life in the earthquake.”
    • Empathy. We understand what the person is feeling. “I felt the same way when I loss my job.”
    • Sympathy. We feel what a person is feeling. “I was also harassed during high school.”
    • Compassion. We are willing to relieve the suffering of another. “I will help you end your pain.”

Authors studying these emotions, find that placing them on a continuum helps us better understand their differences including the key factors that affect our response to human suffering and pain, i.e., effort, understanding, and engagement.

Compassion is the feeling of sorrow or pity excited by the suffering or misfortunes of another.

Compassion is made up of two words: “com” which means with or together; “pati” which means to suffer.  Together one suffers with another.

What’s our response?

When we view the misfortune of others on social media, are we moved to sorrow or pity?  As we look at famines and wars in countries thousands of miles from us, what is our emotional response?  Sympathy?  Does your response change, based on the specific situation or person?  What moves us from pity to compassion?

I close with a few quotes on compassion to help us understand it is needed more than ever for what afflicts us in the 21st century. What does it take for us to have a heart?

True compassion is more than flinging a coin to a beggar; it comes to see that an edifice which produces beggars needs restructuring.  Martin Luther King, Jr.

I would rather make mistakes in kindness and compassion than work miracles in unkindness and hardness. Mother Teresa

When we focus on ourselves, our world contracts as our problems and preoccupations loom large. But when we focus on others, our world expands. Our own problems drift to the periphery of the mind and so seem smaller, and we increase our capacity for connection or compassionate action.  Daniel Goleman

Compassion is an action word with no boundaries. Prince

The LORD is gracious and full of compassion. Psalm 111:4

Spiritual Endurance

The Spirit of Truth for the 21st Century

 

Truth’s Beginning

In our family, the truth was highly valued.  It was critical to raising children and instilling one of  the most important measurement of one’s character.

We were told to tell the truth even if it meant punishment.  Why?  Because we truly believed that a lie, which would ultimately be discovered,  carried grave consequences.   Guess what?  Lies still carry grave consequences especially in the 21st century when truth is not valued.

Truth Warning

John F. Kennedy, the thirty-fifth President of the USA, shared the following observation about truth.

The great enemy of the truth is very often not the lie — deliberate, contrived, and dishonest — but the myth — persistent, persuasive, and unrealistic.  

What are the myths we are embracing today?   In our personal lives, in our families, in our nation.   What are the persistent, persuasive, and unrealistic myths we are “choosing” to include in our belief systems and personal views?

The Apostle Paul warned his young minister Timothy of the dangers that await him as new converts would “turn away their ears from the truth, and be turned unto fables” (2 Timothy 4:4).

Truth today is often packaged in many forms.  Many are more speculation and creative editorializing, than substantive truth.  Because of this trend, it is important that believers have a “real-time” reliable and trustworthy compass by which to navigate in this world.  While our primary guide is the Word of God, as we discussed last week, God has also provided another source—the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth.

The Source of Truth

Earlier we defined truth as that which agrees with reality. For the believer, our reality has been defined by what God has placed in His written Word.

For Jesus’ disciples, however, there was no written Word as they faced a hostile world without the presence of their Beloved Jesus (John 15:18-20).  It was Jesus’ presence that gave them the courage to challenge the spiritual tyranny of the religious leaders.  They would need God’s truth as they turned their focus to witnessing (Acts 1:8), baptizing and teaching (Matt. 28:19-20).

In John 14:16-16, Jesus promises to send the Spirit of Truth that would abide with them forever.  It was the Holy Spirit Who would now come to live within them.  We generally think of the Holy Spirit in terms of gifting or empowering believers to accomplish the purposes and ministries of Christ.  However, the attribute Jesus chose to share with His disciples in John’s text focused on “truth”.  It would be the Spirit of Truth that would assist the disciples as they were persecuted for their belief in Jesus Christ.

The Spirit of Truth-Yesterday, Today, and Forever

The Spirit of Truth would assist the disciples in accomplishing the “greater works” promised by Jesus (John 14:12).   Jesus was indeed “the Way, the Truth, and the Life”.  After Jesus’ departure, the ministry of truth would continue because the Spirit of Truth.

Like the disciples of the first century, believers in the 21st century have the assistance of the Spirit of Truth to assist them especially in exposing the spirit of error.  The spirit of error is seen in the morays and life styles of the world.  For unbelievers, it leads them to be deceived and disobedient to the purposes of God in their life (Ep. 2:2).

For the believer, the spirit of error tempts them to doubt God truth and draw them away from the leading of the Holy Spirit (2 Thess. 2:15).  The Spirit of Truth stands ready to silence the lies, myths and fables of the 21st century.  Our confidence lies in the promise, power, and presence of the Spirit of Truth.  He is our True Compass as we search for truth.

Spiritual Endurance

Can We Handle 21st Century Truth?

“…and you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.”

John 8: 31-32 (NRSV)

Can we handle the truth?

Especially when that truth is measured against the authority of Scripture and the lordship of Jesus Christ.   To walk in biblical truth while living in a postmodern world will be a major challenge for believers as we attempt to navigate 21st century living.

But can we handle it?  Behind the news bytes and sound bits, there is a deliberate movement underway to redefine what truth is and what it isn’t.  This is nothing new.  This inclination to “repackage” the truth comes directly from the father of lies, Satan himself (John 8:44).   We must be careful how we define truth, or we too may fall prey to the subtlety of deception.  “Did God really say you must not eat any of the fruit in the garden?” (Genesis 3:1)

What is truth?

Truth is defined as that which agrees with reality.    It is typically ascribed to things that aim to represent reality or otherwise correspond to it, such as beliefs, propositions, and declarative sentences.

True statements are usually held to be the opposite of false statements. The concept of truth is discussed and debated in various contexts, including philosophy, art, theology, law, and science. Most human activities depend upon the concept, where its nature as a concept is assumed rather than being a subject of discussion, including journalism and everyday life. In metaphysics and philosophy of language, the correspondence theory of truth states that the truth or falsity of a statement is determined only by how it relates to the world and whether it accurately describes (i.e., corresponds with) that world.[1]

Truth redefined

In the 21st century there is little understanding or agreement as to what truth really is.  As defined in the postmodern world, absolute truth does not exist. Supporters of this worldview deny long-held beliefs and conventions.  They maintain that all viewpoints are equally valid.  Other factors also have affected our view of truth.

Political posturing and social jockeying have taken the pursuit of truth to new levels.  Individuals and organizations utilize misinformation (the unintended sharing of false information) and disinformation (the deliberate creation and sharing of information known to be false) to influence advocacy and individual agendas.   Even institutions once deemed guardians of truth—media, government, business, and non-governmental organizations—are now viewed suspiciously.[2]

In decades past, we depended on the media to communicate the “truth” regarding specific issues of the day.  Newspapers, magazine publications and newscasters were committed to operating at the highest ethical standards.  Truth is now shaped by social media and image consultants—by the number of “likes”, “retweets” and “followers” one can amass.

We once trusted our leaders, civic or religious, to offer truth.  But over time confidence has eroded.  Truth is shaped or “redesigned” along political lines, personal agendas, and social bias.  This leaves us still “in search for truth”.

 The Believer’s Truth

For we believers, our truth and reality are grounded in God.  That reality began in the Garden of Eden.  Created in God’s image, our purpose and destiny are tied to our identity in Him through Christ (Colossians 3:3).  This reality was sidetracked by sin and replaced with Satan’s counterfeit that placed self on the throne where only Christ was to be seated and exalted.

Because of Jesus’ atoning work on the Cross, we affirm our faith and acknowledge that we have died to our old sin nature (Galatians 5:24) and walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4).  We no longer follow the worldview.  Its influence was negated by the Blood.  Our meaning and reality are now realigned with God (2 Corinthians 5:15).   “For in Him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28).

More than ever before, believers must connect with the only True Source of Truth, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior (John 14:6).  God’s Word and the Spirit of Truth stand ready to silence the lies, myths and fables we might hear (2 Timothy 4:3-4).  God is the only source of truth for 21st century living.  Can we handle that truth?

[1] Wikipedia

[2]  The  2020 Edelman Trust Barometer Global Report

Spiritual Maturity

Livin’ my Best Life: Best Life Recapitulated

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Best Life Recapitulated

Recapitulated—What have we learned?

Recapitulate means to summarize and state again the main point.

These past few weeks we’ve been attempting to define what “best life” looks like. We began by evaluating best life from a worldview.  In fairness to this overall process, we also considered the biblical perspective.  Before moving forward, a decision was needed as to which view believers were to follow.

It was at this point that a decision was needed.  Believers must draw a spiritual dividing line in order to insure that the influence of the flesh and the world cannot remove our distinctive difference.

Using the Bible as the final authority on what we embrace and follow in our lives, believers are to follow God’s definition of best life based on our new life and new allegiance to God  (2 Cor. 5:15-17).  We are also to focus on eternal things and “life outcomes” that are god-honoring.

Time to Decide

Based on what we have learned, there are two questions that may help us finalize our description of best life.

The first question was asked and answered last week: “What does God say about best life?”

The second question is this.  Of the two views (worldview and biblical view), which one is more likely to satisfy the longing that we may have? Self-directed or Christ-directed?

If we reach self-actualization in Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, are we guaranteed that we will be content and fulfilled?  Those we see as “having it all” still deal with dissatisfaction in their life.  Self-actualization may not give all it promises as evidenced by the incidents of depression, substance abuse, and suicide among great artists, celebrities, and business moguls.

For those of us who identified with the things people wanted in life, the question is the same.  Does possession of any or all those items on the “wish list” guarantee contentment?  Remember there was only one tangible item on the list—money.  The rest were intangibles—unable to be touched or grasped but understood or felt in the heart.

Let’s find a Best Life SME (Subject Matter Expert)

At this point, what might be helpful would be to interview someone who had not only pursued best life but also attained it.  They had reached self-actualization and the one tangible (money) on the “10 Most Wanted” list.

In addition, this person should be familiar with “spiritual” options.  Let me introduce our special SME, King Solomon, the king of the United Kingdom of Israel.

Solomon was a fabulously wealthy and sensible king of the United Kingdom of Israel who succeeded his father, King David. Solomon was the biblical king most famous for his wisdom. God granted Solomon not only wisdom but also great wealth and fame because he did not ask for self-serving rewards. (1 Kings 3:7-14).

Solomon authored the book of Ecclesiastes, in which, he built the case to show that the pursuits of this world are vanity.  “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity” (Ecc. 1:2).  Vanity in this context is the quality of being worthless or futile.  Ecclesiastes is located with the other wisdom literature of the Old Testament.

Chapter after chapter, Solomon (“The Preacher” as he identifies himself) presents the case that the vanities of this world are insufficient to make us happy.  He contrasts the vileness of sin, and its certain tendency to make us miserable, with the wisdom of being religious (godly and god-honoring).  Our well-being and satisfaction are only possible through our allegiance to God and our love for man.

In closing, Solomon, by way of exhortation, directs his readers (and us 21st century believers) to remember our Creator, to fear Him, and to keep His commandments.  Solomon gives no recommendation to pursue best life.

Conclusion

God alone can satisfy our hierarchy of needs—basic, psychological, and self-fulfilling.  God is our Jehovah-Jireh (Gen. 22:14).   Our intangible desires are readily available through God’s Spirit (Gal. 5: 22-23).

King Solomon, the Apostle Paul, and more importantly, Jesus have given us the essence of what best life looks like.  It is not a list of “dos and don’ts” but a standard of life.

Livin’ our best life is…

    • a life style that acknowledges the reality of God. God is the Creator and Source of all life who has been uniquely made known to us through His Son Jesus Christ.  We live confidently in the reality of His presence, His power, and His provision.   (Acts 17:28)
    • a life choice that recognizes the authority of God in our life. God’s will and purpose for our lives is revealed in His Word and through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.  We choose to trust in the goodness and greatness of God to direct our life’s journey. (Gal. 2:20)
    • a life vocation that commits to the purpose God has chosen for us. We are persuaded that the Kingdom of God has arrived in the coming of Jesus Christ and is imminent in Jesus’ return.  We, therefore, focus our energies on doing those things that honors and glorifies God.  (Phil. 3:12-14)

Livin’ our best life can only be realized through a relationship with God and in Christ Jesus.  Through this relationship, we have all things that pertain to life and godliness (2 Pet. 1:3-4) and blessings that exceed our expectations (Ep. 1: 3-14).  Therefore, in Christ, we are livin’ our best life.

Spiritual Maturity

Livin’ my Best Life: The Answer for Best Life

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The Answer for Best Life Options for best life

The 21st century offers many options for our lives.  That is why it is important that we, as believers, discern what voice we “actively” listen to.  This is especially true when it comes to determining what living our best life should look like.

In our series, we determined that some individuals make their choice based on who they are and what’s important to them.  Last week we attempted to identify what best life looks like.  We determined that the essence of best life can be based on our human needs and things we most desire.

So, what is the answer for best life!  I concluded last week’s teaching with a statement that will help to set the context for best life for believers in the 21st century.  Which choice most accurately represents “best life for us”?  For believers, we are to go to The Source, Who is to be the final authority on everything we do (or it should be).  That authority is God and His Word.  It is now time to consider the number one question, “what does God say about best life.”

The Dividing Line

The believer’s life is to look vastly different from the world we live in.  We are to seriously demonstrate and witness to our new life in Christ.  That being the case, our best life should reflect a life lived for Christ.

The Barna Institute reports the increasing difficulty in distinguishing believers from the unsaved world.  Unfortunately, we are not seen as living any differently than our unsaved family, friends, and acquaintances.  We have basically lost our saltiness and our light (Matt. 5:13-16).

This lack of distinction could be attributed to a number of factors including fear of abuse, lack of spiritual discipling, or spiritual immaturity. Some believers have even walked away from the traditional Church because of personal wounding or disillusionment with leadership.  What the future Church looks like, especially after COVID-19, is yet to be determined.

However, the imperfect nature of the Church does not negate the expectation that God has for His people.  We are to continually examine ourselves to insure we are living a life of faith under the direction of Jesus’ Holy Spirit (2 Pet. 1:10).  What does best life look like for believers?

Caution

Jesus shared what best life “was not” in the Sermon on the Mount Discourse.  He gives a command that will provide us a framework for identifying what best life looks like.  Jesus begins with his first instruction (Matt. 6:19-21).

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Jesus closes with this requirement (Matt. 6:33).  

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

The verb “seek” is an imperative in the Greek language.  An imperative expresses a command to the hearer to perform a certain action by the order and authority of the one commanding.  What Jesus gives is not a casual invitation but an absolute command requiring full obedience.  “All these things” lovingly includes not only our needs but also the desires of our heart (Ps. 37:4).

Jesus knows we have needs.  It is His desire that we not worry nor become preoccupied with possession of things.  By faith we know that we will be cared for.  Focusing on Christ lessens our anxieties as we attempt to live during these uncertain times (Phil. 4:6-7).

Moving to best life

The Apostle Paul further clarified Jesus’ teaching to the church at Colosse.  He pointed them to how to find best life (Col. 3:1-2).

If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.  Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.   

Seek and set are also verbs that are in the imperative.  As with Jesus’ use in Matthew, it expresses a command to the hearer to perform a certain action.  It is not an invitation.  Both verbs are in the present tense which means it is a fact or reality occurring in actual time.  Therefore, we are commanded to keep seeking and keep setting our attention.  Where?

Notice the place where the “things and the affections” are found.  They are not on this earth but in heaven.  This directs our attention to those things that have eternal value and heavenly consequences.  Unfortunately, 21st century technology has created vehicles to capture the lusts of our flesh, our eye, and the pride of life (1 John 2:15-17).  We are continually bombarded with marketing messages and media that focus our attention on what we don’t have versus what is of greater value to the kingdom of God.

In the remainder of Colossians 3, Paul maps out the essence of best life for Christians.  Best life for Christians is life lived in Coram Deo.  Coram Deo summarizes the idea that Christian living is lived in the presence of, under the authority of, to the honor and glory of God.

We will conclude this study next week as we decide what best life looks like for each of us.

Eastertide

Our Faith Declaration

The power of our words

Every Sunday our church recites in unison our affirmation of faith.  It consists of a series of declarations as to who God is and the mission of our church as part of His kingdom. Many congregations share in this tradition by reading The Apostle’s or Nicene Creed.

The intent of this practice is to express collective agreement and commitment to the basic tenets of Christian faith.  As I recited our church’s affirmation, I was not fully aware of its significance for me personally.

However, as I studied the Apostles’ writings during this Eastertide season, I have discovered its application for me in my spiritual formation. It is this meaning and reality I’d like to share today.

The importance of our declaration

After the Damascus Road (Acts 9:15), Jesus shared with the Apostle Paul the importance of knowing the source of one’s meaning.  This would serve to guide him through many trials and difficulties as he prepared for his day at the court of Rome.

The philosophers of Rome fancied themselves as great thinkers and orators, spending their day debating over the latest doctrines, beliefs, and suppositions. They were unimpressed with Paul’s credentials, describing him as a “babbler” (Acts 17:18).

Despite their intellect, they didn’t know the name of THE UNKNOWN GOD on whose altar they inscribed this title.  However, Paul personally knew THE UNKNOWN GOD. It was HIS GOD , who “made the world and all things therein” (Acts 17:23, 24).

The reality of God

Paul introduced the scoffers to the reality of God as the Sovereign Creator of the universe. God created everything they were familiar with, both living and inanimate. Paul knew that Creator God was “the source of life and not and idol god made of “gold, or silver, or stone” (Acts 17:29).

The men of Athens foolishly erected altars to dead gods, but the God of Heaven and Earth resurrected the Living Savior. Paul closes his oration to the Athenians by calling them to repentance (Acts 17:30) in realization that they would ultimately face a time of righteous judgment by “that man” whom God has ordained (Jesus). This final reality was authenticated by Jesus Christ’s resurrection (Acts 17:31).

What is our reality?

How does Paul’s teaching to Athenians speak to believers today? Believer’s reality and meaning must be grounded in God. That reality began in the Garden of Eden. Created in God’s image, our purpose and destiny are tied to our identity in Him through Christ (Colossians 3:3).

This reality was sidetracked by sin and replaced with Satan’s counterfeit that placed self on the throne where only Christ was to be seated and exalted. Because of Jesus’ atoning work on the Cross, our sins were forgiven, and we are now reconciled back to God (2 Corinthians 5:18, 19).

When we affirm our faith, we acknowledge that we have died to our old sin nature (Galatians 5:24) and walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4). We no longer follow the world’s view of reality.  Our view is patterned after Jesus and is now being reshaped by His Blood. Our meaning and reality are realigned with God (2 Corinthians 5:15). “For in Him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28a).

My personal declaration of faith can be found in my church’s affirmation. “We believe in God, Who is the absolute source of life from whom all creation derives its meaning and reality.”   That meaning and reality includes me.  This is my faith declaration!

Victorious Living

Living the Beatitude Life: Meekness and Kingdom Living

Living the Beatitude Life: Meekness and Kingdom Living

Counterculture thinking.

The Beatitudes illustrate the behaviors and resulting “blessedness” that belongs to believers living by kingdom rules.  These behaviors were “counterculture”, not only in the first century, but even more so today.

Last week we explored the blessedness in “mourning and comforting”.  Mourning is the “sincere sorrow” we experience when we realize the impact of sin in our life.  Comfort is the result of knowing that Jesus Christ has delivered us not only from the penalty of sin (death) but also provided the means for ongoing cleansing (1 John 1:9).

We continue our exploration into the Beatitudes with the third proclamation by Jesus from his Sermon on the Mount.  “Blessed are the meek; for they shall inherit the earth.”  (Matthew 5:5)

What is meekness?

Meekness (praus) is typically used to describe one whose disposition is gentle or mild. It has also been described as “power under control”.

Jesus described Himself as “gentle and lowly” (Matthew 11:29) yet He was the Creator of the universe.  John Killinger in his classic, Letting God Bless You, describes how Jesus’ life truly depicted “power under control”.

When folks got the idea of starting a movement that would make Him an earthly king, Jesus slipped away to be alone and to pray. While he commended the use of riches to help the poor, he himself never had much in the way of earthly goods-apparently not even a home to call his own or an extra change of raiment.

When he was preparing to leave his closest friends, he took a bowl of water and a towel and got down on his knees to wash their feet, insisting that they learn to live through serving one another, not by sitting in the places of honor. Betrayed by a follower who led the police to his prayer spot in Gethsemane, he kissed the follower and bade his friends not to raise their swords.

Brought before Pilate and Caiaphas, he saw the uselessness of protest and fell into creative silence. Crucified between two criminals, he spoke kindly to the one with an open heart and forgave the soldiers who had followed orders in carrying out his execution. He didn’t have to be this way. He didn’t have to submit to such mistreatment.

Meekness rewarded.

Jesus stated that meekness would result in inheriting the earth.  “A land” was promised to the people of Israel.  What earth or land was to be inherited? Some scholars believe the land refers to the Promised Land originally pledged to the patriarchs of the Old Testament (Genesis 12:7; 24:7; 26:3; 28:13). Others say it is the future Millennial Kingdom described in Revelations 20:1-10.

But acquiring a land signified much more than a possession.  It implied a sense of place, security, and an inheritance from God.  These promises will be realized with the second coming of the Messiah, when there will be a new heaven and a new earth (Revelations 21:1).  The new earth will not be possessed by the powerful despots, the ruthless tyrants, or the manipulative schemers. It will be possessed by the meek.

This promise of a land is also for us believers who are benefiting from the New Covenant.  It will be fulfilled in a far more glorious way than anyone could imagine.  This is our living hope for today (1 Timothy 4:10; Titus 2:13).

How does one become meek?

Meekness and gentleness and goodness are part of the fruit of the Spirit.  They are produced in the Christian by the Holy Spirit.

To cultivate a spirit of meekness, we are encouraged to walk by the Spirit (Galatians 5:24-25).  That means we are controlled by the Spirit of God.  This will result in our being conformed to the image of Christ including His meekness.

The Gospel narratives of Jesus’ life shared what meekness in action looks like. Jesus could have called down angels to take his side in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:53). But, for all of this, he was a meek man, a man after the heart of God, a man from the heart of God. Let us follow Jesus’ glorious example. Let us seek meekness.

Spiritual Endurance

Throwback Wednesday: Is God in Control? The God Who Sees.

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Throwback: Is God in Control?

Throwback is back

At the beginning of 2024, we kicked off Throwback Wednesday with, “Living in the Resurrection Power”.  It focused on the importance of remembering that we, as believers, have resurrection power as a result of being in Christ.  Very appropriate for beginning a new year.  The Holy Spirit is the source of resurrection power.  It is through His presence that we are empowered for service to the Lord (John 16:13-15).

Resurrection power is the supernatural power God used to raise Jesus from the grave (Ephesians 1:19-20). It is this same power that has delivered us from sin’s power and penalty (Romans 6:14).  Unfortunately, we are still left to navigate sin’s presence until Christ’s return, or our transition to heaven.

Living in a fallen world

We are now three months away from celebrating 2025. This year has flown by.  Now is a great time to assess how we are doing, considering we live in such tumultuous and perilous times.  My question to you is, “How do you feel?”  Does God’s presence (through His Holy Spirit) provide the peace and joy promised in His Word? (Romans 15:13)

Remember this, we are navigating our lives in a fallen world which is “sin-bent”.  By this I mean, the behavior of those living under the world’s sway are self-directed versus Christ-directed (1 John 2:16, 17).  We can neither forget nor ignore that reality.  The world’s influence can impact all aspects of our lives especially our spiritual and emotional well-being.

Remember!

Four things I want us to remember.  Let us drill them deep into our mind, heart, and soul.

  • Number 1. We are never alone.  We have the Holy Spirit dwelling within us.   (1 John 4:4)
  • Number 2. Remember our position in Christ.  We have everything we need. (2 Peter1:2-3)
  • Number 3. Keep your eyes on God.  Focus on His power versus the object of our fear.  (Deuteronomy 31:8)
  • Number 4. God is ALWAYS in control.   Our God still reigns in all His power (Psalm 125:2)

It is with this fourth faith belief in mind that I introduce our October Throwback Wednesday: “Is God really in control? Knowing the God who Sees.”   May this reading bring to our remembrance that regardless of the world around us, we are safe in God, Who sees.

Spiritual Maturity

Practicing Watchfulness: Be Vigilant

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Be Vigilant

Watchfulness and vigilance

In 1 Corinthians 16:13, Paul gives us his view of what watchfulness looks like in our daily life.  The Amplified version reads:

Be on guard; stand firm in your faith [in God, respecting His precepts and keeping your doctrine sound].  Act like [mature] men and be courageous; be strong.   

This reads more like a recruitment post for the armed services.  However, we as believers, must always remember that we are in a spiritual battle.  We are required to be prepared and alert, as we learned in Jesus’ parable of the 10 Virgins (Matt. 25:1-13). We are also required to be vigilant!

Vigilance defined

Vigilance is synonymous with watchfulness in that it deals with being prepared and keeping careful watch for possible danger and difficulties.

In our earlier lessons on watchfulness (Be aware and Be prepared), we focused on our preparation for the Lord’s return. We used the parable of the 10 virgins to better understand the first area of watchfulness in our personal Christian walk.  “We are to prepare for the imminent return of Christ.”

Our text today deals with the second watchfulness emphasis in the New Testament: “Being on guard against temptation.”    Temptation occurs when we identify with this fallen world and are drawn away from God: away from His service, His purpose, and His plans.

Vigilance and temptation

Vigilant watchfulness for the Lord’s return enabled the disciples to battle temptation. The synoptic gospels picture Jesus struggled in Gethsemane is similar to what the church would struggle with during end times.  Jesus serves as a model of how to stand against temptation as illustrated in Matthew 4:1-11 in His battle in the wilderness.  The petition in the Lord’s prayer to be able to stand against temptation points not only to end times in the future but to the daily enablement needed by believers.[1]

In today’s scripture, the apostle Paul is giving us both a command and an imperative. There are 4 imperatives in this one verse: (1) watch, (2) stand fast in the faith, (3) be courageous, and finally, (4) be strong.

To be vigilant means keeping an eye on the world around us. More importantly, it’s paying attention to our spiritual condition and our spiritual life. Vigilance requires us to stand fast in the faith, persevering, and committed to our beliefs. It requires that we daily engage in activities that renew our mind, strengthen our spirit, and boldly proclaim our faith.

Paul’s view

In 1 Corinthians 16:13, Paul gives this general advice on watchfulness and vigilance.

  • Christians are always in danger, and therefore should always be on the watch (1 Peter 5:8). Danger is greater at some times and under certain circumstances.  The Corinthians were in manifest danger.  Arguments ran high, with major differences of opinion.  There were deceivers among them who endeavor to corrupt the faith. For a Christian to be secure, we must be vigilant and on guard.
  • We are to stand fast in our faith. We do that by adhering to God’s Word and through the revelations shared with us through His Holy Spirit.  As Christians, we are to be fixed on the faith of the gospel, and never desert nor renounce it.  It is by this faith alone that we will be able to stand our ground during moments of temptation. By stand firm in the faith of the gospel, we can overcome the world (1 John 5:4).
  • Paul advises us to act like men and be strong. Christians should be firm when challenged by our enemies, defending our faith, and maintaining our integrity. We can, confidently, point to the One in whom we place our faith: Jesus the Christ (2 Tim. 1:14).
What does it mean to us?
  1. What are the areas of our life which hold the greatest danger to our faith walk?
  2. Do we need to draw closer to the revelation of God: the Bible and the Holy Spirit?
  3. Where are we drawing our influence and wisdom from?
  4. Are we comfortable defending our faith?

[1] Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology, Elwell.

The Holy Spirit

Meeting the Holy Spirit: Rediscovering the Spirit of God

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Rediscovering the Holy Spirit

Knowledge is power but experience is better!

In a world that has marginalized the need for church and things of God, it may seem like a waste of time to learn more about the Holy Spirit.  If information “is needed”, one may choose to go to the web or AI and answer any questions they might have.

But knowledge of something (intellectual or cognitive knowledge) is quite different from experiencing something for yourself.  Imagine, your knowledge of a famous entertainer or sports figure such as Patrick Mahomes or Stevie Wonder (I’m dating myself and it’s ok).  It is one thing to know all of Stevie Wonder’s songs and his personal rise to fame, however, it is quite another to experience time with him as his personal guest in New York (I like New York).

The value of our knowledge of God—His ways and works—is more than a “head exercise”.  It is all about “relationship’’.  It is important to know as much as possible about the One we want to be in relationship with.  Do we want that connection with God?  If our answer is yes, then, time spent learning about Him is valuable and rewarding.

How can we grow in the knowledge of God?

First and foremost, the only way we can know God is through Jesus Christ (John 14:6).  It is the Son of God and His finished work on Calvary, that makes it possible to be united (or reunited) with God since man’s fall in the Garden (Genesis 3).

During Christ’s ministry, it was His goal to not only redeem man from sin but to also reveal the heart and nature of God.  During the Old Testament dispensations, God’s ways were not generally shared with Israel.  Mediators, such as judges, priest, and prophets, were how God shared His thoughts and purposes.

After Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, He provided access to Himself and the Father.  That access would be possible, not through the Internet nor through AI, but through the Holy Spirit, Who indwells each of us who have accepted the offer of Jesus’ salvation (John 14:17).

Why is this important and relevant for today?

Our view of God is key to our reality.  It determines our worldview—what we think and how we behave.  “Thinking right” about the Holy Spirit needs to be included in that reality.

The church today desperately needs to rediscover the true person and work of the Holy Spirit. The third member of the Trinity has been grossly misrepresented, insulted, and grieved by a counterfeit movement that is being propagated in his name.

It is high time for those who love the Holy Spirit to take a bold stand and confront any error that blatantly and blasphemously dishonors the spirit of God. If we are to honor the Holy Spirit, treating Him with the reverence and respect that is His royal due, we must rightly discern His true ministry—aligning our hearts, mind, and wills with His wonderous work[1]

What’s next?

For the next few weeks, we will focus on “thinking right” (correct doctrine) about the Holy Spirit.  As important, we will identify ways we can better experience the Holy Spirit in our daily life.

The Holy Spirit is always with us.  He is a gift to us from our heavenly Father (Acts 2:38).  I close with this teaching by Charles Spurgeon on the importance of developing a personal relationship with the Holy Spirit.

Do not ignore the presence of the Holy Spirit in your soul. I beseech you, do not live as if you had not heard whether there were any Holy Spirit.  To Him period pay your constant adorations. Reverence the august Guest Who has been pleased to make your body His sacred abode. Love Him, obey Him, worship Him.[2]

[1] The True Work of the Holy Spirit, John MacArthur.

[2]  “The Paraclete”, Charles Spurgeon.