Following in His footsteps!

Now they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was going before them; and they were amazed. And as they followed they were afraid. Then He took the twelve aside again and began to tell them the things that would happen to Him:  "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death and deliver Him to the Gentiles; and they will mock Him, and scourge Him, and spit on Him, and kill Him.  And the third day He will rise again.”

Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him, saying, "Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask." And He said to them, "What do you want Me to do for you?" They said to Him, "Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory." But Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?"  They said to Him, "We are able." So Jesus said to them, "You will indeed drink the cup that I drink, and with the baptism I am baptized with you will be baptized; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared."     Mark 10:32-40

James and John walked with Jesus. They saw His marvelous works and experienced His power (Matthew 10:1). They were close to Jesus. Jesus would often take them, along with Peter, apart from the other disciples. It was James, John and Peter who were with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration. They were apart of His inner circle.  And according to this passage James and John wanted to continue to be apart of Jesus’ inner circle.  They wanted to enjoy the fellowship of His glory throughout eternity.  But as Jesus explained, they didn’t understand what they were asking. They didn’t understand what it cost Jesus to walk power and authority and they didn’t understand the further price that was to be paid (His cup) for the redemption of mankind.  They didn’t understand that to share in His glory, is to also share in His sufferings!  They didn’t count the cost.  I believe it’s a common mistake made today…to want what we see without realizing the cost to have and keep what we desire. 

Paul understood the cost of following in the footsteps of Christ.  As one who preached the gospel, Paul’s sufferings were greater than most will ever experience.  In 2 Cor 11, he describes his trials in detail, ‘Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep….’ Today, most of us experience difficulties that stem simply from dying to our will and following Jesus.  Sometimes we’ll experience trials that come from being ‘set apart’ from family and friends who don’t understand or agree with our decision to follow Christ.  Other times we’ll suffer for the sake of the gospel.  We’ll bare the consequences of proclaiming the ‘good news’ of Christ Jesus.  And it is Paul who encourages us to have hope in the midst of difficulties, trials, and sufferings.  For even though there’s a price to pay for following Jesus, Paul says, ‘I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.’ (Romans 8:18).  He reminds us of the power of the Holy Spirit working in us, our Helper who enables us to get through the challenges and difficulties of being called Christian.  He reminds us that through difficulties, trials and sufferings we’re being conformed into the image of Christ. We are being made perfect.  And He reminds us that as we bare the cost of following Jesus, that our Lord is able to make ‘all things work together for good’.

James and John did ‘drink the cup’ which Jesus drank.  Scripture tells us of their sufferings. But as Paul goes on to say in Romans 8, the Lord who called us is able to keep us.  Nothing shall separate us from Him. No trial or difficulty is beyond His ability to comfort and strengthen us!  We will share of His cup and He will make us to overcome... just as He did!  So be encouraged.  As we share in His sufferings, we shall share in His glory!

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

Be blessed.

He's Still Speaking

Then He said, "Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord." And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. 1 Kings 19:11-13

Elijah was a man familiar with the voice of God.  He knew the difference between the glory of His presence versus the intimacy of His fellowship.  For us today it’s the difference between being in a church service, experiencing His presence versus entering into a depth of worship by which you experience the intimacy of His fellowship.  It’s the difference between experiencing church versus the experience of communion with Him.

Our Lord is a master communicator.  Throughout scripture He is pictured as One who stands with His arms outstretched beckoning us to come and commune with Him.  And He still speaks today!

To all mankind He speaks through His creation.  Paul let’s us know that the beauty and majesty of our world is a reflection of His beauty and majesty.  Creation speaks of an order that is beyond our imaginations or abilities.  Creation testifies of a God who is able to manipulate masses beyond what we can fathom while at the same time He strategically aligns the smallest of matter.  Creation reassures us that if God can handle the vastness of the universe as well as the specifics of an atom, He certainly can resolve the issues of our lives.

For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,   Romans 1:20

To those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, God speaks by His Spirit through His Word and through His Spirit who dwells within all who believe.  His still small voice whispers, "This is the way, walk in it”.  Isaiah 30:21

When Elijah stood before the Lord that day, he exchanged his frustration and depression for God’s purpose, encouragement and direction.  One conversation with the Lord set Elijah’s world aright and the same is available to us today!  Beloved, listen for His voice.  He desires to commune with you!

Be blessed.

Having your own way……

I heard a preacher many years ago speak about the ‘Un-generation’.  He was speaking from Romans 1: 18-32 about those who refuse to follow God’s way and are determined to live according to their own standards.  In these passages, the apostle Paul speaks on man’s unrighteousness apart from God.

Firstly, Paul lays the foundation that God’s existence has been made evident to all mankind.

…since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.  Romans 1:19 – 20 (NIV)

This passage always reminds me of a season in my life when I believed God existed but I did not have relationship with Him. I had not acknowledged Jesus as my Lord and Savior and I did not know His word.   I remember being out in nature, looking at the magnificent colors, textures, shapes, heights and depths.  I remember learning some of nature’s life cycles and thinking how great God must be to create such wonders.  I was and am still today in awe of Him.  As David said,

‘I will praise You…..Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.’               Psalms 139:14 (NKJV)

As each of us can clearly see God’s existence, being apart of His creation, we have much to be thankful for.  But Paul states that those who refuse God’s way do not see His worth and are therefore unthankful.

For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools.   Romans 1: 22 -23 (NIV)

To give God glory is to honor and esteem Him.  To give Him glory is recognize His greatness and submit to His holiness.  Submission is a bad word for many in our present day, but Paul states that refusing to submit to God is foolish and carries with it severe consequences.  A determination to live life according to your ways and standards and not according to His way and standard is foolish because our ways are never good enough apart from Him.  Scripture calls this determination evil or wicked and our souls suffer the consequences.

The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness.  Romans 1:18 (NIV)

Because of the greatness of God’s love, mercy and grace available to all who believe, we don’t often hear much today about His wrath.  In these passages, Paul isn’t speaking of God’s wrath breaking forth against a stubborn people as in times past when flames, earthquake or plagues consumed a rebellious people, but what we see here is the Lord no longer wrestling with the stubborn will of man.  He lets stubborn man have his way.  And because of their determination or as the bible states, ‘their stubbornness’, God ‘gave them over’ to their own way.  And look at the consequences. 

Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done.  They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents;                       Romans 1:28 -30 (NIV)

Without the protective hand of God, willful man is, firstly, given over to the lusts of the flesh. It’s amazing to me that out of all the sins a man could commit; he is firstly given over to sexual sin.  No wonder that today many consider sexual sin to be a birthright.  It comes from a determination to live life our way, and not His way.  But the consequences don’t stop there.  Willful man's ability to reason and discern is impaired.  And worst of all, as the consequences of their stubbornness reveal the error of their ways, they refuse to repent and encourage others to follow their wicked path.

Hence, the creation of the ‘Un-generation’.

Undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful. 

                                                                                                            Romans 1:31 (NKJV)

Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.              Romans 1:32 (NKJV)

Loved ones, let us not fall short of His goodness through a stubborn determination to live life according to our own understanding.  Let us not be of the ‘Un-generation’, speaking as one who knows Him but carrying darkness and rebellion in our heart.  Let us not fall short in giving God the glory He deserves and let us be thankful in all things.  Let us live as ‘salt’ and ‘light’ in the world.  God has graciously given us the bible, His ‘manual for life’ and He has mercifully given us His Spirit enabling us to live life more abundantly.  He fills us with joy, love and hope and we have much to be thankful for.  His way is great!

Be blessed,

Are you determined to have your way?

Are you determined to have your way?

"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," says the Lord.  "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.    Isaiah 55:8-9 (NKJV)  

Can you understand?

"Yet you say, 'The way of the Lord is not fair.' Hear now, O house of Israel, is it not My way which is fair, and your ways which are not fair? When a righteous man turns away from his righteousness, commits iniquity, and dies in it, it is because of the iniquity which he has done that he dies. Again, when a wicked man turns away from the wickedness which he committed, and does what is lawful and right, he preserves himself alive. Because he considers and turns away from all the transgressions which he committed, he shall surely live; he shall not die. Yet the house of Israel says, 'The way of the Lord is not fair.' O house of Israel, is it not My ways which are fair, and your ways which are not fair? "Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways," says the Lord God. "Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin.                                     Ezekiel 18:25-30 (NKJV)

 

Can you repent?

Therefore I was angry with that generation, And said, 'They always go astray in their heart, And they have not known My ways.'   Hebrews 3:10 (NKJV)

Can you follow Him?

If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.  2 Chronicles 7:14 (NKJV)

Can you declare?

For I have kept the ways of the Lord, And have not wickedly departed from my God. For all His judgments were before me; And as for His statutes, I did not depart from them. I was also blameless before Him, And I kept myself from my iniquity.  Therefore the Lord has recompensed me according to my righteousness, According to my cleanness in His eyes. "With the merciful You will show Yourself merciful; With a blameless man You will show Yourself blameless;  With the pure You will show Yourself pure; And with the devious You will show Yourself shrewd. You will save the humble people; But Your eyes are on the haughty, that You may bring them down. "For You are my lamp, O Lord; The Lord shall enlighten my darkness.  For by You I can run against a troop; By my God I can leap over a wall.  As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.  "For who is God, except the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God? God is my strength and power, And He makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of deer, And sets me on my high places.   2 Samuel 22:22-34 (NKJV)

I thought about my ways, And turned my feet to Your testimonies.  Psalms 119:59

(NKJV)

Can be you walk in obedience?

Yet the Lord testified against Israel and against Judah, by all of His prophets, every seer, saying, "Turn from your evil ways, and keep My commandments and My statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by My servants the prophets."  2 Kings 17:13 (NKJV)

But this is what I commanded them, saying, 'Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people. And walk in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well with you.'  Jeremiah 7:23 (NKJV)

Can you walk in convenant with Him?

So if you walk in My ways, to keep My statutes and My commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days."  1 Kings 3:14  (NKJV)

Then it shall be, if you heed all that I command you, walk in My ways, and do what is right in My sight, to keep My statutes and My commandments, as My servant David did, then I will be with you and build for you an enduring house, as I built for David, and will give Israel to you. 1 Kings 11:38 (NKJV)

"Now therefore, listen to me, my children, For blessed are those who keep my ways. Proverbs 8:32 (NKJV)

Can you receive the promise?

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God. Revelation 2:7 (NKJV)

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death. Revelation 2:11 (NKJV)

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.  Revelation 2:17 (NKJV)

And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations-- 'He shall rule them with a rod of iron; They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter's vessels'-- as I also have received from My Father; and I will give him the morning star.  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.  Revelation 2:26-29 (NKJV)

He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.  Revelation 3:5-6 (NKJV)

He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. And I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.  Revelation 3:12-13 (NKJV)

To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.  Revelation 3:21-22 (NKJV)

Oh Come let us Adore Him!

The magnificent One has come, our Ruler who will bring justice and order to our lives.

For every warrior's sandal from the noisy battle, and garments rolled in blood, will be used for burning and fuel of fire. For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.   Isaiah 9:5-7

The promised Messiah has come, the One who will restore righteousness to our land and righteousness to our lives.

 'Behold, the days are coming,' says the Lord, 'that I will perform that good thing which I have promised to the house of Israel and to the house of Judah: 'In those days and at that time I will cause to grow up to David A Branch of righteousness; He shall execute judgment and righteousness in the earth.  In those days Judah will be saved, And Jerusalem will dwell safely. And this is the name by which it will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.'      Jeremiah 33:14-17

Our mighty Shepherd has come out of Bethlehem, and He will bring peace to our land.

"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting." Therefore He shall give them up, Until the time that she who is in labor has given birth; Then the remnant of His brethren shall return to the children of Israel. And He shall stand and feed His flock in the strength of the Lord, In the majesty of the name of the Lord His God; And they shall abide, For now He shall be great To the ends of the earth; And this One shall be peace.                           Micah 5:2-5

The prophets declared His coming.  And Messiah has come, but wait, ‘He’s just a babe.  How can this babe born in poverty become Ruler of Israel?’  And others would say, ‘But wait, what qualifies this teenage girl and carpenter to raise a king?’ (Answer hint – OBEDIENCE!!!)  And many others would question the circumstances of His birth, the method of His ministry, and the truth of His death and resurrection.  And even today, many still question.  It’s seems that without faith, full reliance upon His word and the mighty workings of His Holy Spirit, we’re just a people full of questions, full of misinterpretations and full of misunderstandings. 

Oh, how He longs for the day when we stop struggling and striving and simply rest in His care.  He longs for the beauty of a life submitted to His justice, order, righteousness and peace!   He longs for that wondrous day when we submit our lives to His plan and His direction.  Remember, He established the plan of our salvation ‘before the foundation of the world’ (Eph 1:4).   And don’t forget that He has also already established the plan of your life (Jer 29:11).  There is rest and peace available to you! (Hebrews 4)

The Prince of Peace has come and the angels have declared, ‘Glory to God in the highest and on earth,  peace….to men on whom His favors rests’ (Luke 2:14). 

This Christmas season, May you rest in His care and may His peace rest upon you!  And together, let our response to His peace be..... praise, obedience and adoration!

Oh, come let us adore Him……….

The Power of a Thankful Heart

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the

will of God in Christ Jesus for you.                             1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

It’s amazing to me how quickly we are to complain.  From the weather to rising food and gas prices, long bank lines and slow internet systems, it seems fashionable to express our displeasure.  And the idiosyncrasies of people are frequently points of irritation stimulating much conversation about the imperfections of others.   It’s as if we’re somehow elevated in stature because there was something or someone who did not meet our standard. And because these expressions of displeasure are so prevalent in our society today, the opportunities to discover more and more dissatisfaction run rampant.  So the complaints flow….on and on.    

If Matthew 12:34 is true, 'For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks', what does all of this complaining say about our heart condition.  Psalms 107: 8, 15, 21 and 31 all say the same thing,

            Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, And for His

wonderful works to the children of men!    

                            

Could this wave of discontent be a trick and a trap from the Prince of the Power of the Air, the Adversary, drawing our attention away from the goodness of God?  Are we blinded by circumstances, completely forgetting God’s ability to transcend circumstance?  Are we forgetting that His ways are not our ways.  When we complain about not having our way, we are in essence complaining about His way.

Even in the midst of the challenges and difficulties of life, there’s no room for complaint.  Scripture states,

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.    James 1:2-3

and,

…..we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.      Romans 5:3-4

What makes God so good is that He takes the trials and challenges of our life and turns everything around for our good.  Only our God can amazingly turn something difficult into something wonderful!  When you see goodness in the midst of a hard situation, you see Him!

This Thanksgiving season I’m reminded of a song we sang often.  The lyrics are -

            Give thanks, with a grateful heart, Give thanks unto the holy One

            Give thanks because He’s given Jesus Christ, His Son!

*Repeat*

Now let the weak say I am strong

Let the poor say I am rich

Because of what the Lord has done for us

            *Repeat*

Give thanks!

A thankful heart binds you to a great God!  When you are rightly connected to Him the cares of this life pale in comparison.

I pray your Thanksgiving celebration is full of joy and thankfulness.  May this season refresh and strengthen you to walk boldly and gratefully in God’s goodness!  And never forget,

Jesus said to him, "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes." Mark 9:23 and ,

But Jesus looked at them and said, "With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible."  Mark 10:27

We have much to be thankful for.

Be blessed!

Are you standing on the firm foundation of Christ Jesus?

On Christ the Solid Rock, I stand.  All other ground in sinking sand………

Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend

 earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.  Jude 1:3

Jude’s passion and concern for the welfare of the church prevented him from writing of the joys and benefits of the common salvation he shared with those to whom he was writing.  Instead he wrote with deep concern, exhorting his readers to follow Jesus and Him alone.

Others, you see, had entered the church perverting the gospel and were leading many astray. Jude issued the following plea,

But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.            Jude 1:20-21

The challenges addressed by Jude still exist in the church today.  Scripture clearly indicates that scoffers who follow their own ungodly desires will enter the church, cause divisions and lead others astray.  But just as the problem remains, so does the solution.  As believers, we have the responsibility to ‘build ourselves up’ on the firm foundation of Christ Jesus.  We are to live Spirit-filled lives, following the disciplines of Jesus with discipleship as the pathway.  Humble submission is the Lord’s way.  A life of serving others is the Lord’s way.  Constant communion with the Father is the Lord’s way.  Love for the fellowship is the Lord’s way. 

Does your walk resemble His?

Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.   Psalms 139:23-24

Is it your deepest heart’s desire to be filled with His Spirit?

Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Psalm 51:11

Are you a ‘hearer and a doer’ of the Word? 

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.  James 1:22

I believe these are the questions we must ask ourselves daily, always striving to live as He commands.  Between our own sinful natures, the cares of this world and the adversary of our souls, there’s much to lead us astray.  And there are those who would either intentionally or unintentionally try to have us follow their agenda and not Jesus’.  But Christ is greater than all these diversions combined. And He is able to keep and sustain us, in the midst thereof.  He is ever faithful to do His part.  And we must fulfill ours…..standing on the firm foundation of Jesus Christ!

Be blessed.