God Wants More Than A Tweet

Psa 1:1-3 How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers. (nasb)

We are living in such a tag line society these days. What I mean by that is that the average attention span seems to be a matter of minutes or even seconds. Capture me instantly or I will move onto something else.

While having dinner with a friend the other night, we were discussing what we believed could be some serious consequences of this new generational thought. Even in the Christian world we are getting caught up in the one-minute Bible studies, short snippets of messages sent to your cell phone, and very "culture relevant" devotionals that seem to leave God out and pop culture has become the main topic. Please don't get me wrong, I am a huge technology guy and I love the way God can be glorified in numerous ways through this media. But it concerns me that we are falling into the trap of the world and simplifying the message of the gospel to fit our hectic lifestyles. There is a place in our Christian walk for reading a quick tweet or a short message from a Facebook status update. I subscribe to a few myself and get snippets of God's word numerous times throughout the day and enjoy it very much.

So how does all this fit into what the Bible says about our responsibility to seek Him? Psalm 1:2 tells us that a man's delight is in the law of the Lord and he meditates on it day and night. When I read a verse like this a couple things come to mind for me. First, what does it mean for me to delight in the law of the Lord? And second, define meditate.

Psa 37:4 Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart. (nasb)

To delight in something means to find extreme satisfaction in a certain person or thing. Imagine if you will for a moment a place that you have been in your life that was beyond words. I can remember a time when I was around 16 years old and I went to Hawaii. As we were flying high over the little island of Maui I remember the vivid colors of the ocean and the amazing hills that seemed to be never ending. The sky was crystal clear and I really thought as I gazed upon His glory that I could see forever. I was in total amazement of God's creation and was completely delighted to be there at that moment. Shear delight in fact!

God tells us that when we delight in Him he will give us the desires of our heart. When we find our complete satisfaction in Jesus rather than a football game on TV or a mystery novel, He will fill us more than we could ever imagine. But in order to delight in Christ we need to change how we live. Put the remote on the shelf, slow down our hectic lives filled with movies, and entertainment, and a whole lot of nothing and begin taking time to meditate on His law.

Psa 119:97 O how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day. (nasb)

Time after time the Bible tells us to meditate day and night on the Word of God. This means to focus our complete attention on Him and study and contemplate over the truths we hear and learn. We meditate on this great Book so we can can be careful to do all that is written in it. When we live by the power of the Holy Spirit and meditate on the Word of God we will be fulfilled. It is a simple equation really. Delight in the Lord, meditate on His word day and night, do all that is written in it, and our way will be prosperous and we will have success... (That is an entire writing in and of itself...)

Jos 1:8 "This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. (nasb)

Col 3:16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

So, where are you at today? Are you finding the Word of God a delight to your soul? Do you meditate on it day and night or are you satisfied with a little tweet here and there in you life? I encourage you today to develop a plan to dive into the Word of God. When you open up and discover the amazing truths that He affords us, I promise you, it will delight your heart and your soul...

Lord, help me to find all of my pleasure in you. Give me the commitment and desire to seek you before I turn on the television or fill my time with many of the other distractions that I have placed around me. I want my delight to be in you and your Word.

This Is The Day That The Lord Has Made

Psa 118:24 This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Today is another day that has been given to me by the Lord. Therefore, I will rejoice. Often I fill my days with so many things that I forget to take time to rejoice.

Lord, please help me to remember to look to you every day and to rejoice and be glad. In spite of the many trials that may occur, I will look up to you and lift my hands in thanksgiving and praise. You made the heavens and the earth. You have saved me from eternal separation from you. You have called me to a greater purpose outside of my own selfish desires. You are a loving and caring God who sent your son to die for my sin. You show me grace and mercy and love each day... I will rejoice.

Till Death Do Us Part... Part Four - Forgiveness

In my last post regarding marriage, Till Death Do Us Part... Part Three, I highlighted what I felt were the five key elements to keeping a marriage in tact and fruitful.

Forgive - Love - Trust - Endure Hardship - Submit

Forgiveness is the first key to unlocking a healthy and happy marriage. One of the problems I discovered shortly after writing Part Three was that all five keys to a healthy and happy marriage involved doing something. Bearing fruit so to speak. Forgiving one another, loving one another, trusting each others motives, enduring, and submitting to the needs of each other. Action, action, action. So my conflict came when I asked myself the question, "what happens when we don't feel like springing into action in our marriage and it takes too darn much effort to keep on doing?"

In this posting I want to work on tackling this question and deal with the first key; forgiveness. Jesus tells us in the book of John to abide in him. A branch can not bear fruit unless it abides in the vine.

Joh 15:4-5 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. (esv)

Bearing the fruit of forgiveness in a marriage can only be accomplished when we abide in Jesus. There is no amount of willpower that can sustain us while we are going through difficult times in our marriage like being in Christ can. The New Believer's Bible Glossary defines it this way. "Abide - To remain consistently in fellowship with God by maintaining a close relationship with Jesus Christ." Therefore, for us to "do" all the things we need to do to keep our marriage healthy and happy, we need to first be one who abides. To abide in Jesus means that we need to know him. We need to spend time in His Word daily learning what it means to be like Him. A disciple is one who follows the ways of his teacher and since Jesus is our teacher we need to know everything we can about His character. In order to forgive like Jesus we need to be like Jesus.

Php 4:13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

But sometimes forgiveness is quite difficult. What happens when a spouse has done something so terrible that forgiveness doesn't seem possible? Philippians 4:13 tells us we can do all things through Him who strengthens us. Not some, or a few, but all things...even forgiveness. As challenging as it may be, forgiveness is more for the forgiver than the receiver. One of the things we should remember is that we too have offended and need to be forgiven. All too often we get caught up in the fact that our spouse has done something to hurt us all the while we may be doing things to hurt them as well.

Luke states it so well, Luke 6:36-38 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. "Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you."

Forgiveness can be kind of tricky however. It doesn't mean that a person subjects themselves to neglect or abuse, nor does it mean that we are a door mat and allow our spouse to take advantage of our forgiving heart by walking all over us. What it does mean is that we lead like Jesus in our marriage and take the first step towards reconciliation when there has been offenses one to another. And a special message to men... Be the first one to reconcile in your marriage! If Jesus came down to your house and wanted to have a conversation with you and your wife regarding your marriage, I believe it would start somewhat like when God came to Adam and Eve in the garden. Remember what he said? It was something like this, "Adam, where are you?" (Gen 3:9)

So here it is in a nutshell. Abide in Christ daily so we can learn to be like Him so that we can forgive our spouse and when we are offended try to be the first to reconcile... whew!

Lord please forgive me when I offend my spouse. Forgiveness is about changing my heart so I pray Lord that I will be quick to forgive and that you will give me the time, energy, and wisdom to seek you daily. I want to be more like you.

For further reading:

Till Death Do Us Part... Part One

Till Death Do Us Part... Part Two

Till Death Do Us Part... Part Three

When Does One+One = One

Are You Prepared?

Have you ever rushed into a public restroom only to find that every stall was missing an essential item? Yep, that's right... toilet paper! I remember being in a small group back some 25 years ago and a silver haired widow shared wisdom as to how to avoid this unfortunate situation. As she opened her purse and began pulling out a small pack of tissue she informed the group, "I always carry around this small package of tissue so I never have to worry if there will be the necessary items in the bathroom stalls."

There is a lot to be said about being prepared. But can we really be prepared for everything? Sometimes life deals us a hand that we just weren't expecting. How do you deal with it when you lose a small child to cancer, or a spouse to a tragic accident? How does one prepare for corporate downsizing, losing your ability to provide for your family, or finding out your son or daughter has an addiction to drugs? There are some things in life that are out of our control and no amount of planning and preparation will keep us from experiencing the pain associated with difficulties.

1Pet 1:6-9 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith--more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire--may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Peter instructs us that our faith will be tested through various trials we encounter and to rejoice over them. In fact, they should result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. And eventually the outcome of our tested faith, being refined like gold in the fire, is the salvation of our souls. Rejoice? How are we supposed to rejoice during our trials? Well, that is another devotional (see trials for more). What I want to talk about here is being prepared...

There are two things in life I know we can be certain of. (No, not death and taxes) We can be certain that life is filled with uncertainties, and we can be certain where we will spend eternity. I know that we can not prepare for every uncertainty that comes our way, but I do know that we can prepare for where we will spend eternity.

Jesus wants to be in a relationship with us for all of eternity. Our relationship doesn't start when we die, it begins right here on earth. Right now. So how do I prepare for eternal living with God?

Joh 14:23 Jesus answered him, "If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.

Many people understand being right with God and preparing for eternity to be about doing good things. If I do enough good, and God is pleased with my good, then I will go to Heaven and be with Him in all eternity. Unfortunately there is a problem with this type of thinking. Paul tells us in Romans 3 "as it is written: "None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one." So we can't prepare for eternity by "doing" good. Keeping His word is important and doing good does display evidence of our faith, but the good we do doesn't save us.

Being prepared for our eternity is about being in relationship with Christ and not about doing good things. Confessing and repenting from our sins, believing in Jesus as the only way to God, and walking daily in the instruction of His word.

Are you prepared for eternity? I have written many articles regarding our eternal salvation with Jesus. I encourage you to read through some of them and ask yourself if you have been called by God to serve Him for all eternity?

What is your plan for eternity... To walk through this life oblivious to the end or to prepare for a magnificent homecoming on the day of your death, running into the arms of a loving savior?

Regardless of your plan, you will spend eternity somewhere...

Till Death Do Us Part... Part Three

As with most married couples, my wife and I have our share of disagreements from time to time. Well, ok... She talks and I disagree. Whatever the case, there are times when the intimacy just isn't there. Not long ago was one of those times. It didn't last very long and as usual the make up process was quite rewarding.

Shortly after we were back in sync she shot me an email that read something like this,

": ) what can we do to get along all the time?"

It really got me thinking. My first thought was that it is impossible to get along all of the time so why try. I quickly dismissed that negativity and prayed over the question and asked the Lord how to faithfully answer her question. My thoughts, prayers, and Bible reading led to this:

Forgive - Love - Trust - Endure Hardship - Submit

I think the first step for a husband and wife to keep their relationship in the best standing is mutual forgiveness of past, current, and future offenses that we commit against God and each other. Forgiveness is critical to our well being and right standing with God and with each other.

Mat 6:14-15 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Luk 6:36-38 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. "Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you."

Forgiveness is like surgery that removes the disease that keeps our spiritual organs from working properly. I know when I am willing to forgive my spouse, my heart changes and I am able to relate more fruitfully than when I harbor bitterness and resentment.

Secondly, love one another. Love is essential in times of difficulty. Love covers a multitude of sins (1Pet 4:8)

Joh 15:12-14 "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you.

Without the foundation of love, we will not be willing to lay down our lives for each other. Our point, our side, and our pride become more important than the other person's well being.

Third on the list is trust. Trust plays a huge part in any relationship. Not only trusting in the Lord to make our path straight (Proverbs 3:5-6), but in the honesty and integrity of each others motives.

Fourth point would be to expect and endure hardships and difficulties, even if they come from one another. Being from the seed of Adam we are sinful from birth. It isn't something we do, it is who we are by nature. Ephesians tells us that we are born children of wrath, sons of disobedience. Knowing this helps me not get so worked up when I am offended... what should I expect being carnal? Also, when we are at odds I think we forget that the battle is not against each other but against the principalities of darkness (Eph 6). Rather than spending time debating sides, try praying together. We will endure difficulties and prayer will bring back the peace.

James 1:1-4 "James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings. Count it all joy, my brethren, when you meet various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

And last but not least is submission. (Eph 5:21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.) As I submit my desires and will to the Lord (husbands) and display servant leadership then Ephesians 5 & 6 will more easily be established in my family. I submit and love, as Christ does for the church. You submit and respect, as the body does unto Christ.

Forgive - Love - Trust - Endure Hardship - Submit

Lord, I thank you again for the gift of marriage. Please help me to be the spouse you created me to be; forgiving, loving, trusting, enduring, and submitting.

Till Death Do Us Part... Part One

Till Death Do Us Part... Part Two

More Joyous than Wine

Psa 4:7 You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.

It has been said that Christ in your heart is better than corn in the barn or wine in the vat. Oh how we strive to keep our belly's full and our life filled with drink in order to acquire peace and joy. Eat, drink, and be merry they say. As a culture we focus so much of our attention on being comfortable, happy, and filled with many worldly things that we sometimes forget about our time with God and the joy He brings us.

The psalmist declares that there is more joy that comes from having God in our heart than any material thing such as food and drink. Even when we have an abundance, the joy of the Lord is far more fulfilling.

So where is your joy coming from today? Here is a little test... Let's just say for a moment that a man came up to you and told you that one of your distant relatives died today and left you an inheritance of 10 million dollars. The only thing about it is that you are unable to get the check for two weeks. How would this change your life for the next two weeks? Would you act differently, respond to people in a different way, or even be filled with an abundance of joy? Well of course we would. Having an inheritance like that would bring me joy. It would solve many of my struggles, give me the freedom to do things I had never imagined were possible, and I know, that if managed properly, I would no longer have need in my life for material things. During that two week period of time I would probably think and dream about all the things I could do now that I was empowered with this kind of resource.

Ten million dollars is a great amount of money and with it many amazing things could be accomplished. What would life be like for you if you were told not only were you getting this sizable amount of money, but that you were inheriting the entire earth? Would your perspective change? Would you walk differently, talk differently, and do things without reservation? After all, you are gaining the entire world.

Gal 3:29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's descendants, heirs according to promise.

That's what happens when we give our life to Christ... we gain the entire inheritance promised to the descendants of Abraham. Abraham was promised by God that he would inherit the world. Is not the same promise assured to his heirs? As follower's of Christ we have an inheritance that is far greater than 10 million dollars and it comes from the Almighty God who has resources that stretch from one side of the universe to the other. So, with that kind of inheritance, how should we walk differently, talk differently, and what shall we do without reservation?

Is your joy in God greater than the joy that comes from earthy things. Knowing that we have all the resources God has promised through His word to get us through each day should bring out the fullness of joy described in psalms 4:7.

Lord, help me find my truest joy in you and not the things you have provided for me.

Faith and Works... Which comes first?

Eph 2:8-10 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

Faith and works. What a concept. Many people believe that in order to be right with God they need to be good, do good, and act good. Which in part is true. But our salvation, the foundation on which we build must be based on faith alone. For by grace we have been saved by faith alone.

We are saved through the blood of Jesus Christ through faith. If we tried hard to earn our way to heaven we would either fizzle out and quit, resulting in eternal death, or we would get to the top of our spiritual mountain and boast about how much we have accomplished on our own. And of course, should the latter occur, God would probably just flick us off the mountain with his finger and we would die. Either way, without salvation through faith alone we die.

There is a place for works in our Christian faith. Works are a manifestation of the validity of our faith, not a means to our salvation. James states in the book of James 2:21-24

Jas 2:21-24 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness"--and he was called a friend of God. You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. (esv)

If we try to work our way into salvation God will not honor our works. He wants us to turn to him in faith in Jesus as our atonement rather than our own efforts. Our works are the fruit that comes from having a renewed heart within us.

Faith and works... They are both a vital part of our Christian walk. Faith is the foundation and works is the building we build on that foundation.