Wrestling Before God

And he arose that night and took his two wives, his two female servants, and his eleven sons, and crossed over the ford of Jabbok. He took them, sent them over the brook, and sent over what he had. Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day. (Genesis 32:22-23)

Jacob wrestled with God, just as he had been wrestling with every person and situation life had ever presented to him. He was a “born fighter,” even struggling with his twin brother Esau in the womb of his mother, striving to be born first. Then, He wrestled with Esau for the family birthright and Isaac’s blessing. He wrestled with Laban for Rachel and a living for 21 years, 

in this season, Jacob was anticipating yet another struggle with Esau.

 

Fighting is all Jacob had ever done, but he did not realize he was only fighting himself. It would be quite a few more years before he learned the only

battles that matter are the Lord’s.

 

At some point, we are all like Jacob — fighting and arguing with flesh and blood, moving from controversy to controversy, all the while forgetting to let the Lord choose our battles and fight them for us. Jacob plotted and lied for the things God would have given him if he waited and worshiped. 

We, like Jacob, must learn to wait and worship.

 

One day, we will fight the good fight, where the only cause is Christ and the only enemy is sin. That is where we wrestle before God, not with Him and not with men. Perhaps today is that day. 

Help us, Father!

 

Let's Pray - Lord, teach me to agree with you at every turn. I must learn to wrestle before You, not against You or Your will for me. In Jesus, Amen.

Love and Revenge

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:21)

No other power can compete with love, so it never has to get even. Love will not allow us to act in kind with those who wrong us, or the world, or those who do not know the Lord. Our example is Jesus, and He never avenged Himself, vindicated Himself, or felt the necessity of explaining Himself. His love spoke for Him, and He ever lives as the Lover and Savior of all men. Remember, love is the best revenge. 

“But I say to you who hear: love your enemies, do good to those who hate you . . . (Luke 6:27)

 

These are among the most powerful words ever spoken, and we must be careful not to miss what is most important. The central point is not, "Love your enemies . . ." The most important words here are, "But I say to you . . ."  The fact that Jesus is the One speaking is what matters most, and His commands are only possible to obey in His strength. We cannot love our enemies on our own, even if we desire to do so. But when we begin to see things as Jesus reveals them, even impossible things become possible.

 

Everything around us changes when we make the decision to follow Him, and He gives us the Holy Spirit, so we can successfully do what He commands. Our lives are a sweet fragrance to Christ when we learn to see and pray for others like He does — even our enemies. Help us, Lord!

 

Let's Pray - Father God, teach me to love. Then I will know that You truly dwell in me. In Jesus I pray, Amen.

The Anointed Teacher

But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things. I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and that no lie is of the truth. (1 John 2:20-21)

 

. . . for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. (John 15:15)

 

Revelation is the means whereby a teacher accurately sees and conveys the things of God, and that teacher must first wait for God to reveal Himself. The true teacher of righteousness waits patiently on the Lord, and he or she is careful to speak only what is heard from the Father. Herein is the point of separation between the teacher who walks in the anointing of the Holy Spirit and all others. The anointed ones speak what they have heard from God, and they speak from His authority and no other. Christ alone builds the Church. Christ alone understands the Church. Anointed teachers hear Christ alone and share what they hear.  

 

Let's Pray - Precious Father, may I teach only by the anointing of the Holy Spirit. He is the only authority on earth who can rightly divide Your word. Thank You for giving me Your Spirit to teach Your children. Amen.

On This Rock

And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. (Matthew 16:18)

Nicodemus answered and said to Him, “How can these things be?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things?” (John 3:9-10)

The Bible is the only explainer/expositor with the authority to speak correctly and truthfully on the church. Only the Holy Spirit can lead us to an accurate assessment of what we witness as it pertains to Christ's Body. We must only repeat what we have been told in the Word, not what we have concluded or reasoned in our minds. The cross is the only basis for understanding the church born out of its stark reality, and no man fully understands these things but the Son of Man, Jesus Christ. 

 

There are legions of expert teachers on the church of Jesus Christ, yet our thoughts about such things mean absolutely nothing. No matter how noble or well-conceived, they amount to nothing. No man can bring anything of value, material or immaterial, into the House of God. The Church is not standing on, defined by, or bound to a single human thought or action— it is the Body of Christ, and Christ is her head. She is the singular thought and work of God alone. He needs no help from us in defining or directing her. 

 

The Scriptures tell us it is our Lord's job to build the Church, and it is our job to be the church He builds. May He give us understanding and humility in these things.

Let's Pray - Lord, may we take our direction from You alone, and not from men. Reveal Yourself to those who wait on You. We will wait and listen. In Jesus alone, Amen.

 

Take Off Your Shoes

Then the Commander of the Lord's army said to Joshua, “Take your sandal off your foot, for the place where you stand is holy.” And Joshua did so. (Joshua 5:15)

This is a picture of the simple and uncomplicated relationship God desires with His children. The Lord was telling Joshua to come out from behind any covering, any agenda, or anything of himself — to stand before Him on His holiness alone. This is the supernatural preparation the Lord requires for all those He commissions to serve. Everything God’s minister does must rest on His sovereignty, and nothing else. From this point forward, Joshua’s authority and success would be founded on holy ground — on Almighty God Himself.

“Take your sandal off your foot, for the place where you stand is holy.”

God will unmask every one of us He calls, and we must lay down any sense of self-righteousness and the worldly knowledge some mistakenly call wisdom. As Joshua found out, God was not on His side, nor was He on the side of Israel and their armies. God is never on our side, but we are to be identified with Him, doing His will. Oneness with Christ is all that matters. 

God chose Israel, and He chose Joshua — not the other way around. Then, He reminded Joshua who Israel’s true Commander really was. He never had to remind Him again.

Let's Pray - Dear Lord, may there be nothing between me and You. I remove everything in my life that might hinder our relationship. I will remove my shoes. Amen.

Cover Your Mouth

Then Job answered the Lord and said:
“Behold, I am vile;
What shall I answer You?
I lay my hand over my mouth.
Once I have spoken, but I will not answer;
Yes, twice, but I will proceed no further.” (Job 40:3-5)

 

Be careful not to speak hastily about the things of God, because those things are spiritually discerned, and God may be working on a level we have not considered. There are times when we must lay our hand on our mouth like Job did, and not speak until the Spirit gives utterance.

 

When Job saw God, he realized his error. He had reduced the Lord to a god of his own understanding, and that is no God at all! Like Job, we must come to see the Lord as He is, not how we imagine Him. When we do, He calls us friends, and then He can trust us with His Word and witness.

 

When Job finally saw God, all his complaints and self-justification melted away. When the Lord spoke to Job, He did not offer an explanation, apology, or any other words of clarification, except, "I AM!" Right then, Job realized the Lord is sovereign and holy, and He has the right to do whatever He pleases, even when it means pain and suffering. He is God, and He will make all things work together for good for those He calls and loves.

 

Job could never have seen God so clearly apart from what he had suffered; and, as a reward, he received peace beyond understanding, two times the blessings he had before, and a testimony second to none. What an awesome God we serve!

Let's Pray - Lord, please help me to look to You and trust in Your sovereignty in every situation, especially in times of difficulty and testing. All my answers are in Jesus Christ. Amen.

Sowing and Reaping

So it came to pass in the morning, that behold, it was Leah. And he said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? Was it not for Rachel that I served you? Why then have you deceived me?” And Laban said, “It must not be done so in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn. Fulfill her week, and we will give you this one also for the service which you will serve with me still another seven years.” (Genesis 29:25-27)

Sowing and reaping is an unbreakable spiritual law, and Laban’s act of deceiving Jacob was a classic example of that law working itself out in real time. By deception, Jacob wrestled the blessing and birthright from his brother Esau, and now he was deceived when he married Leah thinking he was marrying her younger sister Rachel.

 

Remember, God is not mocked. His Word is true, and it applies directly to the lives of men and women, particularly His children. The promises and blessings spoken over us do not remove us from the consequences of our sinful acts and we will reap what we sow! Take heed to yourself, my friend.

 

Let's Pray - Lord, may I acknowledge the lesson taught in this Scripture passage, and may I sow good seeds, so I may reap a good harvest in all I do. In Jesus, Amen.

The Yoke of Manhood

Now Samson went to Gaza and saw a harlot there, and went in to her. (Judges 16:1)   

Somewhere in Samson’s spiritual development, there was an interruption, and his maturity was the fatality. The result was an extended adolescence and careless behavior that complicated every effort God made to use him for His glory. Samson’s manhood was subverted by seduction, the archenemy of every man’s soul. Seduction is the tool Satan most often uses to derail men of God, and he is too often successful. Every man needs to heed God's call to wisdom, and men who sense that God wants to use them need to take heed even more intently. Let every man be sure to accept the challenge of manhood bestowed on us by Jesus Christ.

 

Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. (James 1:13-15)

 

We know the story of Samson’s life and death, and some see him as a tragic hero. But truly, God does not look for heroism, He looks for faith. Samson experienced some extraordinary victories, but he proved untrustworthy in spiritual things, and that would work out poorly for him. He constantly gave in to his fleshly desires, and the lack of discipline led to his demise. Even though he killed many of Israel’s enemies, his ministry cannot be seen as successful or exemplary. God was victorious despite Samson, not because of him, and that was not as the Lord would have it. Every saint should pay close attention to the lessons Samson’s life teaches and may we all respond well to God’s call to obedience, wisdom, and maturity.

Let's Pray - Father, may I never be careless in my speech or behavior, and may I keep my body holy and separated unto You for Your use. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Everyone Who Loves

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. (1 John 4:7)

It is impossible to express true love apart from God, and that may be an difficult statement to accept for  some. But John presents a definition of love unlike any other; that love is strictly a God-thing, and anything that is not from God is something less than love. 

Our feelings may be passionate, sincere, deeply felt, and lavishly expressed, but if they are not of God, it is not love. John says, everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. This statement takes love out of the realm of human thought and expression, and places it in the realm of the spirit. In other words, God is love, and only those born of God truly express love according to His Person and His measure.

. . . because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. (Romans 5:5)

If we can satisfy God’s command to love without the Holy Spirit, why did the Father send the Him? Obviously, we need the Him in order to love as God loves. Our Lord will never be satisfied with love that doesn’t meet His standard, and that standard is only satisfied in Jesus Christ. God's love is holy and divine, and it alone is without agenda or compromise. 

The Lord wants to bring us to the higher ground of holy love, far past emotion and passion, and He will, if we allow. 

Only God’s love is true love.

"For God so love the world . . . " (John 3:16)

Let's Pray - Dear Lord, teach me to love as Jesus loves me. May my love be from the Holy Spirit Who dwells in me, and from no other source. Thank You, Amen.

Women of Wisdom

Then Jael, Heber's wife, took a tent peg and took a hammer in her hand, and went softly to him and drove the peg into his temple, and it went down into the ground; for he was fast asleep and weary. So he died. (Judges 4:21)

So the woman said to Joab, “Watch, his head will be thrown to you over the wall.” Then the woman in her wisdom went to all the people. And they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri, and threw it out to Joab. Then he blew a trumpet, and they withdrew from the city, every man to his tent. So Joab returned to the king at Jerusalem. (2 Samuel 20:21b-22)

These two women showed the shrewdness we must note and emulate in our dealings with Satan and sin. They were not fearful, but bold and decisive. They were wise and calculating in the most forthright and effective manner. They were not willing to abide the danger Sisera and Sheba represented to them and their people, so they took it upon themselves to do what must be done — and the Lord was with them!

God has no use for heroes or heroines, but He can do incredible things with those who are faithful, wise, and shrewd. Our duty is to be prepared when the fateful moment arrives. Any day can be the day when the Lord trusts us with a demanding situation; but we will succeed mightily in that moment, because God is with us, and we are with Him. That is why Paul encourages us to be ready in season and out, prepared for every opportunity to glorify His name. 

Do not look to be a hero but look to be faithful. That way, God gets the glory, and that is the way it should be. All glory to God!

Let's Pray - Father, give us the wisdom, shrewdness, and courage it takes to be victorious in our battles. May we believe Your word and act accordingly in every situation. In Jesus, Amen.

Jesus is My Sabbath

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)

In the Law of Moses, the Sabbath Day was not only an observance, but a message God was communicating to His children; they were to find their sustenance in Him, and not from the labor of their hands. God was their Provider, and He Himself was their Rest. All the promises of God were theirs as they believed, obeyed, and "entered in" to the fullness of His lovingkindness toward them. Sadly, they never came to understand what the Sabbath represented, because they did not hear or walk by faith. They preferred their ways over God's way, and we know where that led — death.

 

The same choice is before believers today. Have you chosen to surrender all to God in Jesus Christ, or are you still trying to earn God's love and favor? Truly, the Father has placed everything He cares for in the hands of His Son, and He is the only way to receive anything at all from heaven. All our striving is an offense to the Lord, no matter how sincere. Jesus finished the work God gave Him to do, so our work is finished in Him. To believe God is to have the assurance of knowing that everything God requires has been satisfied in Christ, and therefore, He is satisfied with all those who trust in Him. So, let your anxieties go, and enter God's rest in Jesus Christ. He is the true Sabbath, the Rest of God.

Let's Pray - Father I find my rest and refreshment in Jesus today. He is my Sabbath rest every day of the week. Amen.

To Kill a Spider

The spider skillfully grasps with its hands, and it is in kings’ palaces. (Proverbs 30:28)

Our lives are to be a testament to the saving and sanctifying power of our God and Savior, and our bodies are rightly called the temple of the Holy Spirit. We are the dwelling place of the Most High, and He expects us to do all He instructs to keep our hearts clean and suitable for His habitation. Yet, even in the most pristine, finely appointed and decorated rooms (hearts), one may find a spider on the ceiling or the wall. The spider is there without invitation, unwelcome, and dreaded indeed! But, there it is, and we are wise and prudent to put away our dread and rid the room of the spider, whatever it takes. This is a picture of the life and work of even the loveliest Christian. We must have a fierce and deadly attitude when it comes to dealing with the sin that seems insignificant and seeks to go unnoticed, while dwelling comfortably among the beautiful furnishings appointed by God.

 

Our enemy is ruthless and willing to take whatever ground we allow. Like a spider, he will silently weave his web. If we are not more determined than he is, Satan will make himself comfortable, and he will eventually be a nuisance and a snare to us. May the Lord give us understanding and determination in these matters.

 

Let's Pray - Lord, teach me and give me the courage to do everything necessary to live a holy life. May I offer You a clean heart to live in each day. In Jesus, Amen.

 

Last and First

Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? But you have dishonored the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you and drag you into the courts? Do they not blaspheme that noble name by which you are called? If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well; but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors. (James 2:5-10)

James is not saying it is a sin to be rich, but saints must first be rich toward God. Material wealth must never be our focal point or primary goal, nor does having earthly riches commend us to God. Our Father always looks at the heart, and our hearts must be filled with His Spirit of grace and kindness toward all — especially toward the poor and needy. 

Understand clearly that the last will be first in the Kingdom. The forgotten will be remembered, those who weep will laugh, the poor will be provided for, the hungry fed, and the Lord will give beauty for ashes. We who are blessed and favored in the present  are not called to debase ourselves, but to humble ourselves and take every opportunity to share the love and blessings we have received without pride or prejudice. God does not play favorites and neither should we. 

Let's Pray - Father, may we treat every man and woman as we desire to be treated. May prejudice not be found in our hearts or in your church. In Jesus, Amen.

Pride and Prejudice

My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, “You sit here in a good place,” and say to the poor man, “You stand there,” or, “Sit here at my footstool,” have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts? (James 2:1-4)

Pride will always manifest in our treatment of those we deem "other." You can tell the truth about a man by how he treats those who are not like him and can do nothing tangible for him. Our treatment of those who may have or know less than us is a deadly accurate test of Christian character, and God will judge us if we judge others. The attitude that pleases God manifests itself in thinking well of "the least of these," and in doing well by serving their needs and honoring their persons. The beauty of the Church of Jesus Christ is that she is not obsessed with herself, her beauty, or her prosperity, but that she is determined to be a blessing to those all around her. 

But He will say, ‘I tell you I do not know you, where you are from. Depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity.’ (Luke 13:27) 

It is to our shame that there is rampant pride and prejudice in the Church of Jesus Christ, and there is often no difference from the world in this matter. But God cannot and will not tolerate partiality, and we are foolish to think otherwise. Rest assured, the Lord knows those who belong to Him and those who pretend. Our religion is to be pure and undefiled, and our love for one another, particularly the least of these, is the clearest sign that God is among us. True fellowship among believers must be impartial and free from judgment. That is what pleases the Lord, and that is when He dwells in our midst.

Let's Pray - Father, prejudice and pride should not have a place in my heart or the heart of the church. Forgive us, and give us the heart of Jesus for others, no matter who they are or what their status. Amen.

Standing with Him

And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused Him. Then Herod, with his men of war, treated Him with contempt and mocked Him, arrayed Him in a gorgeous robe, and sent Him back to Pilate. That very day Pilate and Herod became friends with each other, for previously they had been at enmity with each other. (Luke 23:10-12)

The voices of evil seek to shape the context of every conversation and to bring about their own version of reality. The voices of envy, jealousy, greed, ridicule, and hypocrisy still seek to drown out the sweet sound of the Good News of Jesus Christ. Yet the answer is the same, "I Am." 

Jesus came into the world to save sinners, and to do so, He paid the cost for our sins — and those of us who believe receive everlasting life in return for our faith.

 

So, we must stand with Him, even in our most difficult moments — for if we suffer with Him, we will also be glorified together with Him (Romans 8:17). Let the voices shout, but they are only for a moment. We must pick up our own cross and follow Him. Surely, He lives, and because He lives, so do we!

 

Though they join forces, the wicked will not go unpunished; but the posterity of the righteous will be delivered. (Proverbs 11:21)

 

All the evil forces of the world may combine their efforts against the Lord's saints, but if we stand firm, no weapon formed against us will ever prosper. We must learn to consider it a privilege to be accused and spoken evil of because of our faithful witness of Jesus Christ. If friendship with the world is enmity against God, let us welcome their scorn. The Lord has promised us abundant life, and that without sorrow or regret. Let us walk more boldly in that promise day by day. The battle that matters is the Lord's, and His victory in every battle is sure.

 

Let's Pray - Dear King, I will stand with Jesus, because He has stood with me through every storm and difficulty. Help me to walk by faith in Him, and I will be victorious in every season and through every trial. Amen.

Yes, I Am

Immediately, in the morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council; and they bound Jesus, led Him away, and delivered Him to Pilate. Then Pilate asked Him, "Are You the King of the Jews?" He answered and said to him, “It is as you say.” And the chief priests accused Him of many things, but He answered nothing. Then Pilate asked Him again, saying, “Do You answer nothing? See how many things they testify against You!” But Jesus still answered nothing, so that Pilate marveled. (Mark 15:1-5)

Jesus committed Himself to the will of the Father, and He had no interest in defending or shielding Himself from the slanderous accusations of the Jews. He was fully reconciled to the plan of redemption and determined to take His place as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. There was no need to plead His case or promote His cause, and He did not open His mouth even once to tell His side of the story. There was only one question He took the time to respond to, and one point He found worth making. "I Am!" 

"Yes, I Am the Son of God." 

"Yes, I Am the Savior of the world."

"Yes, I Am the King of Glory."

To this very day, there are only two types of people in the world; those who acknowledge and receive the truth about Jesus and those who do not. What we believe about Christ is the only thing that matters to the Father, and faith in Him is the lone criteria for those He receives versus those He rejects. We fool ourselves if we believe there is any other way to the Father, any other truth, or life in anyone else but Jesus. Worldly people may marvel, but we believe, and believing in Christ is all that matters to God.

Yes, He is.

Let's Pray - Dear Lord, we receive Jesus for who You say He is. He is our everything! Thank You for this life-giving revelation. Lord, we believe! Amen.

Be Still and Know

Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth! (Psalms 46:10)

 

Stillness is a powerful tool in the hands of a believer. It is the temper of mind that allows God to perfect us in the wisdom that comes to those who wait on Him. While activities and busy-ness may gratify our souls for a moment, we are never truly satisfied until we are standing on the Rock of Ages, quiet and still in His presence.

 

The Psalmist says we are like trees planted by rivers of living water (Psalm 1). There we find the blessed assurance of His care for us and His sovereignty over all things concerning us. There at the feet of Jesus we find confidence and strength.

 

We must get to the point where we are sick and tired of ourselves and our own devices because God will not move until we are. He will only partner with a believer surrendered to His will. The instant we are, the heavens are open to us.

 

Let us exalt God, not men, not ourselves. Let us cease from our activities (no matter how noble), yield to Jesus, and follow Him. It takes longer than it should for us to learn this lesson.

Let's Pray - Father, I am firmly planted, and I have set my mind and heart on heavenly things. May I be in agreement with You, receiving Your guidance, wisdom, and counsel; refusing to be worried or afraid, and following You closely each day. Amen.