Life Over Law

“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.” (Matthew 5:17)

God gave Israel the Law of Moses, knowing they would not and could not fulfill it. That is because the Law was not the end of the conversation, but the beginning. The Law and the prophets

 pointed toward something and someone better than works and religious observances — they pointed to Jesus and His Gospel. Israel pursued the law of God through works but did not come to God by faith. 

 

Yet, there is good news. Jesus fulfilled the righteous requirements of the law by pleasing the Father in every way — submitting Himself, even to the tragedy of the Cross. Thus, He is the Savior of Israel, and yes, of the entire world. 

 

This is why Jesus came some 2000 years ago — to fulfill God’s requirement for those who could not — for those who simply believe. Therefore, God is pleased and satisfied in Him; and He is pleased and satisfied in those of us who are found in Him. I hope and pray that includes you.

 

Let’s Pray — Precious Lord, thank You for considering me, forgiving me, and saving me. When I consider Your great love for me, I am humbled and grateful. I will worship You in spirit and in truth. Amen. 

Learning to be Trustworthy

. . . for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. (James 1:6-8)

God’s ways and our ways are never the same, and His thoughts are always superior to ours. It is good for us to agree with this truth, because it is the basis for understanding the things He wants to do for us and through us. Thus, each of us will be challenged with opportunities to believe God — to walk in the spirit, and to walk by faith. The choices we make in those moments will determine how we play our role in the work God does. Can He work through us and with us? Or does He have to work around and despite us? 

Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. (Luke 1:38)

The angel Gabriel has spoken to Zacharias about the miracle of bringing a son into the world through him and his wife Elizabeth, who were far past their childbearing years. He doubted, and the angel humbled him for his unbelief, silencing him until the child was born. Gabriel did not have to humble Mary, and she will ever be remembered as a willing vessel of honor, called, chosen, willing, and faithful to God. Mary received her calling with humility and gratitude, and so must we. 

If you are God’s child, He will call your name and reveal Himself to you. So, be prepared to receive Him, and embrace His encouragement and instruction with faith. That is what pleases God. That is what it means to trustworthy.

Let’s Pray — Father, I am determined to take You at Your word when You speak. I desire to be a trustworthy steward of revelation. My hands and my heart are open to everything You have for me. In Jesus alone, Amen.

When God Speaks

And Zacharias said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.” And the angel answered and said to him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings. But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time.” (Luke 1:18-20)

 

Some things are easy to believe, while other things are harder. That is because when God speaks to us, He is never speaking to our intellect, our feelings, or our will. He is speaking to our spirit. He does not expect us to always understand, but to always trust and obey Him. That is where Zacharias fell short.

 

Zacharias was a religious man, perfect in all things pertaining to the Law of Moses. But Gabriel was preparing the way for one greater than Moses, and he was looking for faith. He silenced Zacharias — not to punish him, but because the season ahead needed a man speaking words of encouragement, not words of doubt and fear. 

 

Can God trust you with revelation and with answers to prayer? Will you believe Him when He speaks? Will you take God at His Word, believing nothing is impossible with Him? Zacharias failed the test, at least in the beginning, so God humbled him. Does He have to humble you and me, or will we just believe?

 

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6)

Let’s Pray — Father, I thank You for the gift of faith that keeps me believing in You and following You everywhere You lead. May I be a trustworthy steward of truth and revelation. Speak, Lord. I am listening. Amen.

Joy and the Overcomer

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

The world and its mindset are under the sway of Satan, and they are fiercely hostile to the Person, message, and church of Jesus Christ. That is why Jesus continually encourages His disciples to follow Him closely, lest the difficulties and cares of life draw us away from the victorious life He ordains for us — those who overcome.

 

The overcomer is full of "good cheer," because the love of God is the assurance of victory and good success. The present hardships draw us to God, and there we find peace that defeats our fears, and our faith grows with each victorious experience. Our lives are the proof that we can live for God amid a wicked and perverse generation, and we can do so joyfully. 

 

Where there is overcoming life and love, there is joy. We absolutely refuse to lose our joy, because the joy of the Lord is our strength — our life.

 

Let’s Pray — Dear Father, You are my strength and my joy. I release every care and concern, and I make the choice to trust and obey Your Word. Jesus has overcome the world, and I have overcome in Him. In Christ alone, Amen.

My God and My Experience

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1-2)

The Kingdom of Heaven is not a matter of things around us, but the things God is doing within us. The work we are given to do is to focus on the kingdom within and heaven above. That is what this passage reveals.

 

Jesus kept a spiritual mindset, and His heart was set on His Father’s will, so He walked humbly and gave Himself to a life of obedience. An obedient life may be difficult at times, but it is the only life that produces the fruits of the Spirit that please God. Jesus pleased God, and so should we.

 

So, be encouraged and strengthened, even in this difficult hour. When we learn to see our trials as necessary preparation for all we are becoming in Christ, we will endure, praise Him, and thank Him for His love and grace.

 

Your kingdom come.

Your will be done

On earth as it is in heaven.

(Matthew 6:10)

 

Let’s Pray —Dear Lord, thank You for Your patience and strength that bring me through every difficulty with a song of praise and victory. Be glorified in me today. Amen.

My God and My Character

But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble. The (2 Peter 1:5-10)

Christian character is not something we are born with. It is developed through time and experience with God, and no other way. Character is the reward added to us as we pursue our relationship with the Lord with focus and energy. It is the evidence of an ever-deepening dependence on Him and His grace. It is Christ living, speaking, and serving through us in real time and tangible ways. 

 

Peter shows us what character development looks like, and we simply cannot afford to take his instruction lightly. Our Lord is coming back for a church without wrinkle or spot, and her members must be holy and prepared for His return. This is the work we must do to be presentable to God, and no one can do the work for us — it is our reasonable service. 

 

You and I are to pursue Christian character through,

• virtue (moral excellence, integrity, chastity, uprightness)
• knowledge (intimacy, familiarity, closeness, certainty)
• self-control (sobriety, discipline, maturity)
• perseverance (determination, patience)
• godliness (Christlikeness),
• brotherly kindness (gentleness, winsomeness, helpfulness)
• love (possessing and reflecting God’s heart for all).

May the Lord bless and help you mightily on your journey to Christian character. 

 

. . . being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;

(Philippians 1:6)

 

Let’s Pray — Dear Father, thank You for Your patience and mercy on me as I grow into the image of Your Son. May Christ be glorified along the way. Amen.

Stand Your Watch

I will stand my watch
And set myself on the rampart,
And watch to see what He will say to me, and what I will answer when I am corrected. Then the LORD answered me and said:
"Write the vision
And make it plain on tablets,
That he may run who reads it.
For the vision is yet for an appointed time;
But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie.
Though it tarries, wait for it;
Because it will surely come,
It will not tarry.” (Habakkuk 2:1-3)

 

If we allow, God will pepper our lives with blank spaces, seasons of stillness and quiet, times where we feel passed by and forgotten, overlooked and excluded, and left out. But for God’s man or woman, these are precious and opportune seasons where we learn to be small and humble in His sight, knowing He never leaves or forgets us or His promises.

 

What spirit will you harken to in those times? Will you serve Him, seek Him, wait on Him with patience and perseverance? Or will you take things in your own hands and make a way for yourself?

 

Be sure to wait on God in these times, and be careful not to fill in God’s blanks. 

Be still and know that I am God . . .

(Psalms 46:10a)

 

Let’s Pray — Father, thank You for the patience and faith to be still, quiet, and satisfied while I wait on You. I have learned that You are good, and Your timing is perfect. Amen.

A New Heart

Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning. Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining. He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes. (1 John 2:7-11)  

The Christian life is the progressive life, and we are to grow from faith to faith. In other words, God intends that we never stop growing in grace and love as long as we are on this earth — and that is a good thing. John is not contradicting himself as he writes of the “old” and “new” commandments being both the same and different. God’s commandment has always been to love our neighbor as ourselves, yet before the baptism of the Holy Spirit, we had little chance of successfully obeying that command. John is telling us that the new commandment is the same as the old, only made more real and accessible to us in Jesus Christ, through the power given us by the in-dwelling Spirit. So, while the commandment is not new, we are new creatures able to approach the original standard with the vigor of Spirit-filled, born-again believers! 

 

Love is the litmus test for any authentic relationship with Jesus Christ, and where there is hatred, the Holy Spirit does not and will not abide. No spiritual work can be done in an atmosphere of darkness and sin, and there is no circumstance under which hatred and contempt for fellow believers is acceptable, because the Lord has given us His Holy Spirit and we cannot hate others any longer. Therefore, the Lord holds us accountable for walking in the light of His countenance — in forgiveness, in freedom, in purity, in peace with one another, and in love.

 

Let's Pray - Father, let us make every effort to be found in true fellowship with every believer. Thank You for Your unrelenting standard of love and Christ-likeness. Amen.

The Only Thing

God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son . . .  (Hebrews 1:1-2a)

Mature Christians have grown from simply hearing about God to hearing from God, and God is only speaking to us about one thing — His Son. In times past, He spoke through prophets and preachers, but now He speaks through Jesus, and Jesus is God’s final Word. He is the center of every worthy discussion among saints, and if Jesus is not the answer, we need to ask a better question. 

 

God’s true messengers communicate what they have heard from the Lord and nothing more. Just as John the Baptist rejoiced in the Jesus, we rejoice in Him, His Word, and His coming. Nothing and no one else truly matter to God but Jesus, and He is all that should matter to us.

 

Our attention and conversation must rest and remain on Christ, lest the world and all its temptations draw us away. Remember, Jesus is the only thing the Father cares about and the only one He talks about. 

 

And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!” (Luke 9:35)

 

Let’s Pray — Dear Father, above all I do and all I am, may I be found at the feet of Jesus. Your Word, Your wisdom, and Your Son are all that matter to me. In Jesus alone, Amen.

The Appointed Day

“For my husband is not at home;
He has gone on a long journey;
He has taken a bag of money with him,
And will come home on the appointed day.”  (Proverbs 7:19-20)

 

A wayward church flirts with an endless array of lovers — pop-culture, politics and politicians, nationalism, teachers and teachings that tickle the ears, enterprises and entrepreneurs, influencers and motivators, false prophets, false doctrine, and the like. She opens her doors and embraces all the ways and means of the world around her, while squandering her heavenly riches on earthly matters. She treats natural things like spiritual things, and temporary things like they are eternal, because she can no longer distinguish between them. She prays little and loves less. She prefers to be noticed and accepted by the world than be hidden and complete in Christ.

 

Help us, Lord!

 

Some have supposed Jesus is not coming back, and certainly not anytime soon — that He has gone on a “long journey.” They do not realize He is already here, and He sees and knows everything and everyone clearly. Wise saints understand this, and we choose to behave like those who will give an account for our lives — every word and every moment. 

 

Do not be fooled or lulled into sin or complacency but offer God a sacrifice of praise and worship from a clean hearts and clean hands. May He find His children watching and waiting — not just waiting for Him but waiting with Him.

 

Therefore, we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. (Hebrews 2:1)

 

Let’s Pray — Father, I recognize Your presence every moment, and I am determined to honor that presence with my words, thoughts, and deeds. I will not forget you are here with me always. In Jesus, Amen.

 

 

Let This Mind

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus . . . (Philippians 2:5)

If we are not mindful, we will become an obstacle to those our Savior wants to reach. We can become a hindrance and grief to the Holy Spirit with our religious agenda and proclamations, and we will make demands that sinners cannot meet — that we ourselves cannot meet. Jesus never had this attitude. He never expected anyone to please God, but He prayed that we would see God in Him and believe. 

Once we see God in Christ and believe in Him, we are on the path to heaven; and as we continue to look to Jesus and trust Him, we are changed into His image. Then, God gives us a heavenly perspective, and we can worship God in spirit and in truth. That is the mindset that pleases God. That is the mindset we need.

Let’s Pray — Precious Lord, thank You for the Mind of Jesus Christ. May my reality be based on the knowledge of Christ and nothing else. Jesus is enough. Amen.

Your Sanctification

Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more,  just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God; for you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus.  For this is the will of God, your sanctification.” (1 Thessalonians 4:1-3a)

Every believer has a desire to know the will of God for his or her life. The Holy Spirit places the longing to know and be close to the Father deep within us, and as we grow in Christ, that longing only increases. God has made His will for us plain and simple; that we love and obey Him and receive His Son Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. Then, the will of God becomes clearer to us as we walk in the simplicity of childlike faith. As we realize that God wants us to know Him as He knows us, we will find the clear path to understanding He offers us in Jesus. Things only become complicated as we lean to our own understanding; but the moment we turn to the Christ, truth and light burst forth like the morning sun. 

 

If we are His, we now have God Himself within our hearts, and the Holy Spirit is here to reveal and verify the will of God. When we yield to His instructions and promptings, we walk in the divine will of the Father without fail. So, if people want to know and understand more about the will of God, they should be able to see it clearly by looking at us!

 

We are the will of God on display for the world to see. Let each of us take the responsibility of living for King Jesus seriously. Remember, this is the will of God – your sanctification!

 

Let's Pray - Dear Lord, thank You for choosing me and setting me apart for Your divine purpose. I yield to the Holy Spirit, and I ask that You reveal Jesus to and through me daily. In Jesus alone, Amen.

I Am Persuaded

Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:37-39)

God can trust a faithful saint with less, with little, or with nothing. He can trust him or her with disappointment, disillusionment, and failure. He can expose the overcomer to impossible situations and challenges because nothing is impossible with God, and with God, impossible is nothing. 

The only true enemy for the overcomer is that which separates us from Christ. So, we put on the full armor of God and do pitched battle against anyone or anything that might move us from the holy ground on which we stand — and Lord is able to make us stand. This is our confidence. We have all we need in Him, and we give Him all He wants from us — and all He wants from us is faith.

Let’s Pray — Father, Your Word teaches me that nothing can or will separate me from the You. As long as You are with me, I will not falter or fear. You are my confidence, and my life is found wrapped up in the fullness of Christ. Thank You for this understanding — for this unfathomable gift. Amen.

In That Hour

In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said, "I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight. All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him." Then He turned to His disciples and said privately, "Blessed are the eyes which see the things you see; for I tell you that many prophets and kings have desired to see what you see, and have not seen it, and to hear what you hear, and have not heard it." (Luke 10:21-23)

 

Coming into the knowledge of God is not an intellectual achievement, nor is it a matter of merit, but one of privilege — the sovereign choice of God to reveal Himself as He sees fit and to whom He wills. No amount of effort or study can prepare you for this gift, no amount of money can buy it, nor can pedigree or degrees fetch it. In fact, God uses what we consider foolish to confound worldly wisdom, and He prefers the lowly and humble to the exalted. He values the meek and gentle over the forceful, and He reserves His best for those who approach Him as paupers rather than princes — “Blessed are the poor in spirit . . .”

 

We rise to the highest estate when we fall to our knees, and we know the most when we forsake all we have learned and simply hear Him. It is God’s good pleasure to give us the Holy Spirit when we simply ask, seek and knock. And when we seek Him first, all we would work for is ours. This is the peace beyond understanding only the children of the King enjoy.

 

Are you simple and small enough to be blessed? Are you humble enough to be great? Hungry enough to be filled? This is what God needs before He reveals Himself to you . . . “for they will be filled.”

 

Let's Pray - Lord, I simply humble and quiet myself in Your sight. Thank You for touching me and lifting me up. In Christ alone, Amen.

Communion Before Community

And when Jesus was in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, a woman came to Him having an alabaster flask of very costly fragrant oil, and she poured it on His head as He sat at the table. But when His disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? For this fragrant oil might have been sold for much and given to the poor.” But when Jesus was aware of it, He said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a good work for Me. For you have the poor with you always, but Me you do not have always. For in pouring this fragrant oil on My body, she did it for My burial. Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.” (Matthew 26:6-13)

The Church is not a community organization, a cultural awareness club, a relief organization, or a group of activists doing good. The true Church has no agenda but worship and obedience to God through Jesus Christ and by the power of the Holy Spirit. Only a Church living in communion with Christ can rightly serve others in God's estimation. All our efforts to do good are woefully inadequate and a waste of grace, unless we are connected to the vine and led by the Holy Spirit. He is the only true minister in the Church!

 

Our primary focus must always be communion with Jesus Christ. No one cares for the poor, lost, and unfortunate like He does — and He will equip and send us out to be a witness and a blessing, if we will wait on Him. Our Lord's approach is not emotional, political, economic, or social, but spiritual; and we are best prepared to help others when we are closest to Jesus and identified with His ways and means.

 

Let us refuse the pre-occupation with serving people, their needs, and their interests. There is a proper time and venue for meeting those needs, but this is not the primary focus or mission of a Bible-believing church. We must trust God with the world and keep our focus on Him! This is a difficult but essential point in our quest for spiritual maturity.

 

But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:23)

 

Let's Pray - Dear Lord, please forgive us for seeking to serve men out of any goodness of our own. Jesus Christ and Him crucified is the only answer for men and their needs. May we preach no other message. Amen.