Thought for Tuesday, July 9th

July 9, 2013                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

All Or Nothing

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

2 Timothy 3:16-17

“If you believe what you like in the gospels, and reject what you don’t like, it is not the gospel you believe, but yourself.”

-          St. Augustine

The Bible ends with this warning: “And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” – Revelation 22:19

Yet, how many times, in our current society, do we try to water down or selectively ignore certain parts of God’s words to codify and satisfy the itching ears of those who are around us so that they can feel good about themselves and so that we don’t have to feel convicted or responsible for our words and deeds.  Even many who profess to believe that the gospel is the unerring words of God for the souls of men selectively teach and preach a soft gospel of love and tolerance so that the pews will stay filled and the coffers will be full.

God does love us but He does not love our sin and calling it anything other than sin, does not change what it is or the consequences it will bring.  Society and modern philosophy tells us we need to feel good about ourselves and we need to surround ourselves with positive energies: yet God says we need to humble ourselves and repent of our wicked ways and seek His face, while on our knees calling out for His grace and mercy to sustain us and His Spirit to empower us.

Lying is no longer a sin: it is a justified manipulation of the manner in which we present the reality so that it is more palatable and less offensive.  We can no longer call sinners heathens, vipers and snakes, as Jesus did:  we feel we must label them as troubled souls seeking their place in the world.  We are in fear of calling Hell hot and real because it has a negative connotation: so we must propagate a theology that says everyone one is good and there is no absolute evil or consequence for sin.

I often wonder if modern pastors preached the gospel and spoke with the same boldness that Jesus did, if they would hold their jobs for very long.

We need to get back to the basics of the gospel and take it all for what it really is: God’s truth for our lives and the guidelines by which we need to live.

It’s an all or nothing proposition, when you stop and think about it.  You either believe it all or you don’t really believe any of it.

Prayer:

Father, it is far to easy to water down the gospel to justify our lives: but that is not what you require of your children: help me to embrace to total truth of your Word, even when it hurts and requires me to change who I am or what it is I do.

Thought for Saturday, July 6th

July 6, 2013                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

The Heart of Being An Artist

And it shall come to pass, if ye shall hearken diligently unto my commandments which I command you this day, to love the Lord your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul,

Deuteronomy  11:13

And Samuel said unto the people, Fear not: ye have done all this wickedness: yet turn not aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart;

1 Samuel 12:20

“He who works with his hands is a laborer.

He who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman.

He who works with his hands, his head and his heart is an artist.”

-          St. Francis of Assisi

Art takes many forms and what is valued and appreciated as art varies from person to person.  However true art does not come from intellect and it is not produced by physical effort alone: to truly be art there must be something of the artists heart invested in the creation.

This is true of God in creation and especially in the creation of mankind.

Art is in affect anything of beauty that we see that elicits a positive or affirmative reaction from us.  It is something that we would value or cherish.

For some art is a painting or a sculpture; for others it is a song or a poem or some other literary work, and yet for others it could be a smile or an act of kindness.

I believe God sees anything we do with love for Him and others as a work of art.  Any creation with word or deed or act or product that reflects a passion of heart that is connected to God is somehow a reflection of Him and this, as my nephew would say makes it ‘Facebook Worthy’, which translated would make it a thing of beauty in the eyes of God.

We all have the potential to be artists on the canvas of life that God has given us.  Are we going through the motions creating without heart or are we investing the very depths of who we are and who God is in us in all we do: thus creating masterpieces of artistic beauty everywhere we go?

You may be the next prize winning, invaluable work of art to touch someone’s life within your sphere of influence: so be sure to put your whole heart into it: so that their experience will be life altering and or a cherishable experience that will effect them with the love of God in you. 

Prayer:

Father, help me to be a work of art each day by loving you with my whole heart and allowing that love to flow out of me to touch those around me with the masterpiece of You.

Thought for Friday, July 12th

July12, 2013                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

The Evidences of Courage

 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Psalm  23:4-6

“Having courage does not mean that we are unafraid.  Having courage and showing courage means we face our fears. We are able to say, ‘I have fallen, but I will get up.’”

-          Maya Angelou

The evidence of courage is the presence of determination and the awareness that regardless of how things appear – greater things and total victory are on the horizon and within our view, by faith, through Christ.

Very little courage is needed if ones resolves are never challenged.  It is the proverbial monster in the closet or under the bed, so to speak, that challenges us to put our faith to the test and to put our feet on the floor or take hold of the handle and open the door, to face whatever lies beneath or in front of us, knowing we are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus.

We don’t overcome by the blood of the lamb and the word of our testimonies and the lack of love for this life, if there is nothing to defeat.

It is the trials, the tribulations and the testing of our faith that proves who God is in us and confirms to us how much He loves us and how dependent on Him we really are.

True courage requires us to walk out in the midst of the storm, without umbrella or rain coat or galoshes and know that wind, rain, sleet or snow, figuratively speaking, can not defeat or detour us from accomplishing what God has placed us here to do and that is to praise and glorify Him.

The most pure evidence of courage is that awareness that we must let go of all that we are for all that God is: relinquishing control over our decision and allowing God to make them for us; all the while knowing what ever He brings us to; He will take us through.

Ironically the greatest evidence of courage is not in the conquering or defeating it is in the surrendering to Him.   

Prayer:

Father, one of the hardest things to face is the feeling of not being in control: but in order to serve you fully that is what I need to do, so help me to let go and know that everything will be all right.

Thought for Thursday, July 4th

July 4, 2013                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

Let Freedom Ring

If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

John  8:36

“A man is either free or he is not.  There cannot be any apprenticeship for freedom.”

-          Imamu Amiri Baraka

Kris Kristofferson wrote the following lines in a song entitled, ‘Me and Bobby McGee:’  “Freedom is just another word for nothing left to loose.”

I can not with any definite certainty attest to Mr. Kristofferson’s intent that motivated this lyric, but from a strictly spiritual perspective I can take these words and draw the following conclusions:

Spiritual freedom by receiving God’s gift of salvation through His Son, Christ Jesus is absolute and once embraced, guarantees that there truly is a freedom by which there is nothing that we could loose that would have any consequence or merit.  Once we have life in Christ there is nothing of this world that we can loose that will have any significance or meaning to us, from an eternal point of view.

We loose death and its penalty.

We loose eternal damnation and the torment of Hell’s fires to infinity and beyond.

We loose a singularity of existence because now we have life in Christ and the presence of God, in the form of the Holy Spirit is living within us.

We loose a lack of purpose for we are alive in Christ and vessels for His service to accomplish His work and His good will.

And none of these are losses which we would mourn.

Yet we have gained life, liberty, the pursuit of righteousness; freedom, victory, peace, hope, joy and the list could go on and on.

Today we celebrate as citizens in a land where many have died so that we could have and can exercise freedom and liberty: as Christians we celebrate daily because one (God’s Son) died that we could have liberty and freedom beyond this world and for all eternity.

Even if tomorrow all our freedoms were gone and we could no longer live as we do in this land: nothing can separate us or take away from us the freedom we have In Christ and this freedom will last for eternity.

So, I guess it is fair to say that ‘Freedom’ in Christ is truly another word for nothing left to loose.   

Prayer:

Father, thank you for my forever freedom!

Thought for Saturday, July 13th

July 13, 2013                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

Always Means Always

Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

Joshua  1:9

“He does not believe, that does not live according to his Belief.”

-          Thomas Fuller

Always is often a very difficult concept for a society that is so fluid to grasp.  In a world where nothing ever seems to stay the same and change is a matter of fact; the idea of committing to something or someone forever or always and at all times can seem to be daunting and overwhelming.

Yet God has committed to us for eternity, which is about as always as it gets: yet we have trouble committing to Him from one Sunday to the next.

The idea of always believing, never doubting; always trusting in something we say we believe is possible; can be done: yet the evidences of our implementing this as an approach to living often are missing.

We say we are totally sold out to God; fully committed and completely surrendered yet if we are asked to serve in some capacity that interferes with our social plans; our former declaration of unwavering commitment lapses into excuses and rationalizations.  While it is understandable that we can not do everything, all the time, that we may be asked to do: we need to be willing to honestly access our priorities and see how many times does commitment and service take first place over the possibly more enjoyable elements of social gratification that we indulge in.

Do we take vacations that leave no time or place for God and fellowship with others of like faith?  Do we put our praise and worship on standby until we return to a routine in our lives?  Or, do we always find a place for Him and what He wants and needs for us to do, regardless of the situation or circumstance we may find ourselves in.

He always is there for us – are we always there for Him?

His love is always – is ours?

He is always reaching out to us – are we always reaching out to Him?

He always wants to be a part of everything we do, even the social stuff,- do we always allow Him to be included?

Always is a very intense commitment – but does He deserve anything less?

Prayer:

Father, I am not as good at my always as you are: help me to improve.

Thought for Thursday, July 11th

July11, 2013                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

The Call to Faithfulness

And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?  Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy. And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

Matthew  26:40-45

“God has not called us to be successful.  He has called us to be faithful.”

-          Mother Teresa

I often wonder if the greatest measure of success in the life of a Christian is not more determined by his/her degree of faithfulness: rather than by what we tend to surmise is the measure of success from a human perspective.

For us, often, success is evidenced by the accomplishment of a task or deed in a manner or means that produces a desired outcome or result that is both tangible and measureable.  Yet from a spiritual point of view, is this really a good measure for the validation of success?  While results are important and a means to quantify effectiveness seems imperative to us: what does God want and what does He measure as His litmus for achieving success?

I believe faithfulness is a key to achieving true spiritual success in our lives.  Remember we often reap what others have sown and conversely we sometimes sow what others will reap: while many if not most of the time we are not fully aware or cognoscente of the total process that has lead to the results we may see.  So much of what we do and what takes place in the realm of God’s kingdom is by His Spirit, because of faith and neither of these are seeable or measurable in a concrete means: yet the evidence of their effectiveness is undeniable.

So, maybe the greater call is not to see success from our perspective; but to remain faithful to Him in all things; knowing that all true success is for Him, by Him and without Him it just wouldn’t be so.

Our commitment to remain steadfast and faithful may result in greater success than we may ever see or know of – but ultimately God knows. 

Prayer:

Father, often discouragement sets in when we don’t see the results of what we feel are our genuine efforts: yet we do not have the capacity to know or see what You do and we never know how successful we may be if we will only remain faithful.  Help me to always answer your call to be faithful to do all you bring me to – regardless of what I may see as the outcome or whether or not I may think it is successful.

Thought for Tuesday, July 23rd

July 23, 2013                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

The Need to Heed

 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.

Hebrews  12:6-10

“Sometimes God has to break us to make us.  It’s just a bend, it’s not the end.  We’re all like glow sticks, no matter how much we’re bent and broken, our light still shines.”

-          DeAndre Carswell

As much as it may pain us to admit it – there is not one among us who does not find themselves in the need of Godly discipline from time to time: if not almost daily.  Among humans – there are none of us that are perfect.  We all need to heed God’s sometimes subtle, while other times a little more direct methods of meeting out His discipline: so that He won’t have the need to become more severe in His methods in order to garner our attention and attain the desired result.

Yet amazingly, even in our imperfection: considering our infractions and our disobediences: God still works through us – often in spite of us.

His love and light can shine in this world, through us, even when we are not one hundred percent in alignment with His Word and His plan.   It would be better and we could do much greater things for Him, if we could achieve that level of total perfection on a continuing basis: but the reality is we can’t. 

What we need to understand, accept and realize is that we are not all that we should be: but His grace, mercy and love can go beyond what we are and use us in spite of what we may be.   Our major part in this process is to be willing; to be yielded and to be open to allowing Him to manifest His power; His righteousness; and His presence through us and in so doing we will be able to draw closer to realizing what He wants us to be and we will find it easier to live lives less needful of those perpetuated disciplining sessions: though the need for them will never completely disappear until we see Him face to face.

We must recognize the need to heed His Spirits working in us and then we need to allow His Spirit freedom to do whatever it takes to accomplish His will.

Prayer:

Father, to often stubbornness and pride interfere with submission and surrender:  May the former decrease and the latter increase in my life.