Maybe not everyone will agree with me on this, but in some way, shape, or form, I believe we are all broken. I have never met one person who, for the entirety of their life, has never met opposition, abuse, depression, pain, long suffering, tragedy, emotional distress, and/or grief. Maybe there are some who cannot think of one time in their life when they wondered about the meaning of life, where they fit in, what they’re doing wrong, or why they are even alive. But as for me, I cannot imagine that this one person exists. Even my Lord, Jesus the Christ, was broken. I have often pictured his broken body as they nailed him to the cross. When I feel down, or in the deepest bowel of my struggle, I see the mental image of Him. I know that there is nothing that I am enduring that can begin to compare to the pain and suffering He endured. And yet, He overcame death. He is the Lilly that blooms every day. From the withered tree, a tree mal-nourished, dry, leafless, a flower blooms. Even from our own pitiful situations, we can shine like the North Star. Even in the pit of despair, we can light the way of another’s path. We wallow in our own sorrow, feeling so sorry for ourselves, missing the pain and suffering of others. I am so glad that my God uses broken people. I am so glad that in the midst of great sorrow, I can still have joy. The joy that comes from knowing I am not forgotten, I am not alone, and I am nowhere near as bad off as I believe I am. I see broken every day, or at least almost every day. I hear of burn out and the professional life expectancy of a person who deals with other broken people. But praise God, I have a counselor who hears my cries, who lifts me up when I need to be lifted, who has put the right people in my life who don’t mind if I call them and vent, and who are always willing to love and care for me. Maybe most people who read this think I am crazy, and maybe you do not believe in what I believe in, I am okay with that because it is your choice. But I have to tell you that I cannot imagine being burnt out; I cannot imagine having a life span in any field that is any shorter than the life span that God has intended for me to even walk the face of this earth. I cannot imagine it because He is where my strength comes from. If I burn out, I have lost my faith. I am not so foolish as to believe that I am in charge of anything; I do not believe that I have control over anything other than the choices I make. When I chose to have faith in my Lord, when I chose to drop all of my woes at the foot of the cross and walk away, I come away refreshed, more so than any man can refresh me, more so than any medication can refresh me, more so than any drink or drug can falsely refresh me. We are all withered trees. We all have endured, some of us continue to endure, and wonder why. Where are you getting your nourishment? We should understand that even in our brokenness, we can bloom, we have something to offer, and God has a purpose for us. Instead of asking why me, ask for the Lord to show you the next step. Let the flower bloom and let everybody see it. Lift your head, open your eyes, take that step, reach out that hand, shoulders back, back straight, and carry on. These are the flowers. Let them bloom! Move forward in spite of the withered tree that you are. That is the flower. Let it bloom! The perseverance, the determination, the endurance, the plowing through, these are the flowers. Let them bloom! The experience that just taught you a lesson, the new knowledge you have, the new friends who found you in your time of despair, these are the flowers. Let them bloom! The testimony you now have to share with others, the compassion you have for other withered trees just like you, the journey that brought you through, these are the flowers. Let them bloom! Just when you think nothing good can come from where you are, a flower will bloom. That’s the Lilly, that’s the Lord. Let Him bloom in you! Just when you think you cannot take anymore, you carry on. That’s the Lilly, that’s the Lord, let Him bloom in you! I praise God this morning for all that He has carried me through. I praise God for the lessons, and the strength. I praise God because I know that today, I am going to rely on Him, and I will see a flower come from a withered tree. May the peace of God be with you all today!
Even In Our Work, We Bring Glory To His Throne!
What is the definition of work?
Webster’s says,
- activity in which one exerts strength or faculties to do or perform something:
- sustained physical or mental effort to overcome obstacles and achieve an objective or result
- the labor, task, or duty that is one’s accustomed means of livelihood
- a specific task, duty, function, or assignment often being a part or phase of some larger activity
- energy expended by natural phenomena
- the result of such energy <sand dunes are the work of sea and wind>
- the transference of energy that is produced by the motion of the point of application of a force and is measured by multiplying the force and the displacement of its point of application in the line of action
Now that we have a general idea of what work is, let’s take a look at the “Attitude” that we SHOULD have towards it. What better place to learn a lesson on proper attitude than the bible, it really is the only authority on it so, let’s see what it says.
Proverbs 18:9
9 He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.
Matthew Henry says, “Omissions of duty, and in duty, are fatal to the soul, as well as commissions of sin.”
Proverbs 12:11
He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.
John Gill says (I am paraphrasing but encourage you all to read Gill on this, as his remarks are quite lengthy but to the heart of the matter), that we are all give land to till, that is, work to do. God is saying that it becomes a man to do his work, and he will be fed for it. For those who spend their time in the presence of the lazy, the empty and unprofitable, he is void of understanding. This person finds themselves starving. In the spiritual sense, as well as the physical sense, he who works will be fed and he who seeks the wisdom of the LORD will be filled. The lazy will starve, and in a spiritual sense he who does not seek the LORD will starve the soul and live in darkness.
Titus 3:1
3 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,
We need to first understand that this is telling Christian to be obedient if the commands are godly. God is not giving Christians permission to sin stating that we can blame it on the president. We are not to obey laws that violate Gods laws. The leadership here is expected to be Godly leadership and we are to be prepared to God’s good work.
This verse certainly does talk about government. I would like to expound on that and give this verse as a reason why godly children are to obey godly parents. The parents are the government of the home. They are the magistrates, and the children are to obey, and be ready to do every good work for the LORD. It is never okay for a child professing to be of Christ to be disobedient to the parent who is acting inside the will of god. Whether this good work is to help feed the homeless, or to do the dishes of the home, you still serve the LORD in doing it. Any work done for the LORD is a good work, and as we just learned above, we all have work to do, so we must do it.
I will end with this.
Colossians 3:23
23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
Charles Spurgeon says, “If you do all your work in that spirit, how noble it becomes, and how cheerfully you will get through it! You may have a master who is unworthy of your service; yet, if you “do it heartily, as to the Lord,” you will have rest of heart even in serving those who are froward and perverse, and the Lord will reward your service in due time.”
Gill says, “not by mere force and necessity, grudgingly, and with murmurings, but from the heart, and with good will, having a true, real, and hearty affection for their masters, having their good and interest at heart, and a delight in their service; like the Hebrew servant, that loved his master, as also his wife and children, and therefore would not depart from him.”
The bible contains so much about work. From the very beginning, before the fall when everything was perfect, God’s first command to man was to tend to the garden, in other words work. God gives us work, and we are told over and over that we are to do it. God takes it further and says that we are to work, no matter the manner, for him. We are to be obedient to God in our work, and to take great joy in even being able to work for god. Husbands, wives, and children, all aspects of the family doing work. Each one serving god first, then each other.
We should always be aware of laziness, and selfishness. The two contributing factors to self-service, which could be called idolatry. I have a saying, work first, play later. I am certain we have all listened to elders, in the church or in the home, tell us of how hard they had to work when they were kids. We should take care to look at the work that needs to be done and say I want to serve myself first and be lazy.
I praise God for work to do, and the health to do it. I ask the LORD to make me mindful of the things needing done. I know there are things that I need to do around the home, give me mind to do them LORD. Let my hands and feet be at your service. Open the children’s eyes and let them see the need to be obedient to parents, and to serve you by serving them. There are so many distractions in this world.
AMEN!!
Sacrafice Your Desires; Be Of Service To God
As I spoke with the LORD, I was blessed to be led to read a couple of verses from this chapter. I am not one who likes to pick out on liners to prove a point because I believe if I am truly representing a point that is actually God’s point, which is what we are to do, then I like to read a few verses before and after the chosen verse. As I did that here, I kept saying wait, that’s good, let me go up a couple more, and let me read on a couple more. Finally I said, “I hear you LORD” and I just post the whole chapter this morning. How powerful is this chapter!!!!!
The Epistle to the Romans Chapter 12
12 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
First we see Paul almost begging his brothers in Christ, whom he loves, to remember that we are to give our bodies over to Christ. We are to hold onto nothing for ourselves. We are to sacrifice the sins of our flesh that we loved and that we enjoyed. We are to give that up by not belonging to the worldly activities that promote and celebrate these activities. We are to be transformed in our mind, thinking of God and the things that are His and not the worldly lies satan tells us. Our minds are to be focused on God (Sober). We are to prove that the Holy Ghost is in us by doing these things. We cannot prove that the Holy Ghost is in us if we are not separate from the world; we cannot prove that we are different if we are the same.
We see Paul talking, and expounding on the fact that we, believers in Christ, are all members of the same body, when we believe in Jesus. There is one church, no matter how many names we put on the denominations. There is the church of God and we are all members who believe in God. Now that last part is very important. I know there are groups of people who have taken the bible away, and who do not follow the LORD’s commands and are calling themselves a church. Often I am asked, “What should I look for in a church?” My personal answer to that is that you are looking for a church where the message that is being delivered matches the words you read in your bible. If you don’t talk about sin, and the blood, and redemption through that blood, and if you don’t love people and want to see people saved from the consequences of sin, then I would find another church.
Paul talks about not hating or cursing those who persecute you, but rather you bless them, you pray for them. We did not accept the beautiful gift of salvation without the understanding that we were going to be persecuted for being different. We knew that was coming. He tells us that we cannot let this stop us from using the gifts that we have. Some are given the beautiful gift of service. For some reason doing the work of helping, the labor of giving, is a gift that is heaped upon some people. Meanwhile others are called to preach, to teach. Some are called to work with children, and others are called to help organize the church. We tell our members all the time that the job of the pastor is no more or less important than the member who cuts the grass, cleans the sanctuary, pays the church bills, sends in the news articles, organizes the extracurricular ministries, and even offers the wisdom of experience. In our church we love our elders for the wisdom that blesses us all whenever they speak. He tells us here to do what we are led to do. But he also tells us to remember that we do not do it to bring people to us, but to bless God with our service. Everything we do should be for the Glory of our God!!
This whole chapter is just beautiful in its instruction. I feel that in this chapter Paul is not preaching but rather teaching. I feel like this these words are more of a lesson, and we are the student who should hear and then apply. Application is so important in the life of a Christian. We do not need to lean to our own understanding when we look at this as a lesson. Nothing here needs interpreted. Of course, as a Sunday School Teacher, my favorite verse is verse number 9. Our love should not be hidden but exposed, not camouflage but clearly identified, not suppressed but it should be freely given to all. In the process of giving that love we are to hate that which is evil. We are not to like sin. This is another example of love the sinner, but hate the sin. It does seem like we forget that second part these days. We want to love the sinner, and that’s it. We are to do both.
Finally we are to overcome evil. We cannot do that on our own. We can only overcome by way of the truth. That is the only power that is strong enough to overcome evil. That is why we have to be filled with it, in order that we will not succumb to it.
I love you so much that I will not lie to you. I love you so much that I will not withhold from you the truth that set me free, because I want you to be free from the consequence of sin too. I will love you so much that I will not quit or give in just because you say God’s truthful love is hateful. Because I know that no one really wants to endure correction, even me. I will love you so much that I will not hoard salvation all to myself, but rather share with you the truths you need to know so you can make the best choice in your life, to receive Christ into your mind and share His greatest gift of all, the cleansing love of the blood of Christ.
May the love of Christ be with you all day!!
If You Love HIM, Follow His Teachings!
Because the LORD Jesus loved us, he ordained the disciples to go out into the world and preach his gospel. They did that, and they rose up churches and created more disciples. The churches have followed that line up until this very day. God is still calling his children to preach and teach his gospel, all because he loves you. If you love HIM, you will follow his teachings.
1 Peter 1
12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:
18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,
21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.
22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away
25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
I like verse 14. Notice, sin and lust are of your ignorance, meaning what you did not know. Once you have been told the truth, once you have the knowledge, Christ does expect you to turn from those ways and be mindful of him, not your own thoughts, wants, and addictions.
Notice that Jesus tells us, in verses 24 and 25, that relying on ourselves results in death. This is not a reference to the earthly death. This is an illustration of eternal death. A blade of grass and the flower, they wither away and never return. To live according to your ways, your thoughts, your flesh is to live for a season, and then to wither away and never return. Eternal death is not just an empty space; it is a consequence for not being obedient. Think about this, if there is such a thing as eternal life, well then there must be an experience that you will be able to comprehend for all eternity, right? Well what then, I ask, is eternal death? Do you think that you will not know you are dead eternally. With this understanding of eternal life, is it a fair assumption that you will have an experience that lets you know, constantly, that you are dead and you are absent from our God? I don’t think Heaven is a never never land that I won’t be able to touch, nor do I think hell will be a never never land that after death you just fade away into some darkness unaware of where you are. I think you will know you are not in heaven, and that this knowledge will not be pleasant.
I pray the word of God touches you this morning. I pray it stirs up the Holy Spirit in you.
I love you so much that I will not lie to you. I love you so much that I will not withhold from you the truth that set me free, because I want you to be free from the consequence of sin too. I will love you so much that I will not quit or give in just because you say God’s truthful love is hateful. Because I know that no one really wants to endure correction, even me. I will love you so much that I will not hoard salvation all to myself, but rather share with you the truths you need to know so you can make the best choice in your life, to receive Christ into your mind and share His greatest gift of all, the cleansing love of the blood of Christ.
May HIS divine peace be with you today!!
Because You Follow, You Will Be Persecuted
I love you so much that I will not lie to you. I love you so much that I will not withhold from you the truth that set me free, because I want you to be free from the consequence of sin too. I will love you so much that I will not quit or give in just because you say God’s truthful love is hateful. Because I know that no one really wants to endure correction, even me. I will love you so much that I will not hoard salvation all to myself, but rather share with you the truths you need to know so you can make the best choice in your life, to receive Christ into your mind and share His greatest gift of all, the cleansing love of the blood of Christ.
2 Timothy 3:12 12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
I start off with just this one verse because it is as to the point as you can get. There are more, and I will share them with you later, where Jesus talks to us about what to expect as we go through life. But I wanted to start with this because we need to be clear. Living as a Christian, proclaiming the truth known as the word of God, these fruits will bring you persecution. Don’t look at others who are being persecuted in God’s name and claim that for your own. That’s a mistake because that’s not your psersecution. Don’t agree? What happens when that person is martyred? You seek another and then another and then another to make their persecutions your own. I say this because if you are not suffering for the LORD, I need to challenge you with this verse. It says ALL, and that means you and me, who live Godly lives will suffer. Are you suffering? Why do I ask?
1 Peter 2 11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; 12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. 13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; 14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. 15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: 16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. 17 Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king. 18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. 19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. 20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. 21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: 24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
These verses talk about living as Christians and for God in a sinful world. God has an expectation of the behavior of his children. No more different than a parent has for their children. I don’t know about you, but there have been times I have to remind my children that we were in public and that there is indeed a behavior that is expected, manners that are expected, kindness that is expected. God is no different; HE has expectations of us. In these verses we look at Jesus, and how he suffered at the hands of those who did not believe him, who hated him. These remind us just how violent the people were towards him, yet he continue to tell the truth, and did not retaliate against those who caused him great suffering. As Christians there is nothing more ugly to God and more beautiful to satan than a disobedient Christian. One who rails against authority. We are to never forsake our faith, but for the Christian who has a fish on his car, a personalized license plate that says something about God, perhaps pro-life bumper stickers and so on, and is blowing away the speed limit. A person who talks about God and love at the water cooler and then throws the boss under the bus at meetings, or talks about the way Suzie and Steve dress. God expects us to lead by example. How can you talk to someone about being obedient to God when you cannot even be obedient to man? In this way we also suffer because there will be much we will disagree with. But hey, we have to pay the taxes. Acts of service are a wonderful thing, but what about the rest of your life? What does those loving acts of service profit you if you are disobedient in the other areas of life. Are you then doing those acts so you can feel good about yourself? I do not presume to know the answer that is between you and our Father. I do know this, I see people doing acts of service all the while they let the person live in sin. I have to ask myself, what is the act of service for if no one is talking to the person about the sin. The way I see it, behaviors like that make the sinner even more comfortable in their sin. So, I have no idea what gifts you have been given, but if it be so, may this cause you to have a conference call with you, God and the person in the mirror.
2 Corinthians 4 3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. 5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. 8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; 10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.
These verses in Corinthians bring it to light that we should never speak our gospel, but the gospel of Christ. It is man’s own gospel or the doctrines of other gods that has man’s mind confounded in the first place. Because they are lost, they must have the light of Christ put on them. In doing that, verses 8 and 9 tell us we will suffer, but also that we will not lose. Every boxer has gotten punch. There were some matches that Mike Tyson fought and it was over in seconds, but there were others where he got hammered.
But look at verse 10. We are to dye in our flesh daily so that Christ may be manifest in our body. Why do I do what I do? Because I believe that it is a follower of Christ’s duty to spread the truth, I do what I do. I know I will suffer. I already have. I know there are people in my own family who would rather not talk to me about this. I had to find a new set of friends because the people who the old Mike use to hang with did not want to walk away from the sinful world with me. I know that there are people that make fun of me, and laugh. I know that it is very possible that I have people who said, “Take that Mike and your God” when the supreme court ruled. Preachers were being assaulted in the streets of New York during the parades. But I cannot let that stop me from doing what I have been called to do.
I want to caution people who believe in God and fail to tell the truth because they do not want to suffer, they are afraid, they value friendship more than the word of God. I want to share with you these words of love and encouragement. Jesus suffered much more than we. The disciples suffered and died, much more than we. Do not put yourself first. Do not value anything in this life more than your relationship with God. We are going to suffer.
James 1 2My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. 5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
James, the half-brother of Christ, tells us so clearly. Do not be afraid of the suffering; do not worry about what anyone else thinks. When you suffer, rejoice. When the chips are down, rejoice. When satan is pulling at you from 10 different directions, rejoice. All of these are clear indicators that you are the right path. Rejoice because you know you have a Father that has been there, He has been through this. He is the expert in this matter and you can go to Him for comfort. REJOICE in CHRIST and you will want for nothing, AMEN!!!
May the peace of God be with you!!! I love you today and everyday
Believers of Biblical Truth 