Time

The basic nature of time

Time is the context for a person’s existence. It personally begins at the moment of one’s conception in a female’s womb, and then it goes on and on and on through various stages of life’s processes for living. Particular moments of time are commonly marked for one’s birth, the annual anniversary of that event, and other important events in one’s life, such as school graduations and one’s marriage, and in the process other historic and cultural events are noted and celebrated in accord with personal and family traditions.

The calculation of time

Most people recognize that time is commonly calculated by the rotation of the earth on its axis and its orbit around the sun. These events mark the days and the years that enable individuals to keep an account of the passing of time. But think for a minute how difficult it would be for an individual to keep track of time without the common tools of clocks and calendars. The form of these modern tools, that many of us probably take for granted, did not just suddenly appear on our walls when we woke up one morning. They have been developed by various individuals who have given their thoughtful attention and creative skills to this matter of the calculation of the passing of time. So we have progressed from circles of stones, as seen at Stonehenge, to sundials to water clocks to gear-driven clocks that were driven by falling weights to electric clocks to tiny watches that are driven by batteries and other forms of clocks and their power sources all to keep track of the passing of the seconds, minutes, and hours of time and various types of calendars to keep track of the passing of days and years. Time marches on, often faster than some of us would like, and its effects tend to get noticed without the aid of clocks and calendars.

The gift of time

Time is God’s gift to you with your conception and birth. You did not do anything to create or to generate it. You do not have any direct control over its operations. You did not choose when it would start for you, and you may not realize it, but it will go on forever for you. Its coming and going are the only factors that all human beings have in common. Everything else in every person’s life throughout all the days of history are different for each individual. As you grow day by day, you may have some choices in how you spend your time, but in a real sense many of these choices are limited or otherwise conditioned by the timing and placement of your initial existence over which you had no control. And the choices that you are able to make in your use of this gift are all made in the now moment of time! That is the only moment in which you can make any personal use of this gift of time.

Past, present, and future factors of time

The events and choices and things that you have done or have happened to you in the past are past. They are parts of your personal history and life story, but there is nothing that you can do in the present to change them. You cannot relive any moment in your past. And the effects of any moment may go on for days and years throughout your life. There is seldom many positive benefits to be received from hanging onto or carrying around a heavy load of bad experiences or poor choices from one’s past, except as they provide positive lessons for new learnings in the present moments of the now.
How you respond to those past events and choices and situations is part of the challenge of living your life in the dynamic of now. All of the work that you will ever accomplish in life will be accomplished in how you use each now moment. All that you will ever experience, remember, learn, receive, gain, achieve, share, loose, love, hate, regret, seek, celebrate, and worship will be encountered in these now moments.
And while you are living in the now, you will have no direct control over any future moments that will come your way. That does not mean that what you do or think or say or believe in the present now moments of your life do not have any effects on your future moments; they do affect your future. That is why one’s wise use of one’s present now moments can produce good benefits for one’s future. The wisdom of this process is commonly seen in the practice of good habits for healthy living and secure saving and investment accounts and careful building projects and loving relationships with family and friends and the faithful care of what one has received, which includes time and money.

A valuable lesson regarding one’s use of time

I am writing this statement at a time when the personal life and career of Tiger Woods is in the spotlight of public attention. The accident that he had on November 27, 2009 at 2:25 A.M. when he drove his car into a fireplug and a tree in his neighborhood in Florida was a now moment that will probably change his life forever. He has a recognized history of trying to keep his private moments of life private while he is willing to share the glories of his golf victories publicly with his fans and sponsors. But this accident tore down the wall that separates some of his private moments from those that are public.
Everyone has secret things that they have done or thought that are very private. Most of these are probably best kept as private personal matters. But they are always known by at least two individuals, that is the individual and God. And they always have some effect on one’s present now moments as well as one’s future moments. Tiger has publicly apologized for letting his “family down”, and he is in the process of trying to repair his marriage and his career. In this process he has probably learned some valuable lessons about how he spends his time, particularly those now moments when he is not on some public golf course but rather is in some lounge with an attractive female fan who is not his wife. Temptations come to everyone, famous and not so famous, successful and not successful, wealthy and not wealthy, attractive and not attractive, married and not married, and they must all be handled in the now moments of one’s life. Tiger Woods is learning this valuable lesson now.

What are you doing with God’s gift of time?

How are you using the now moments of each day as God gives them to you? Each day is a brand new day as the cycle of the earth’s rotation is repeated, but it gives you some fresh new opportunities in your life. Everyday may seem to be the same thing over and over again, but there are significant differences in the details. The seasons of the year change. The days of the week change. Daily chores and responsibilities and schedules change. Contacts and messages change. And the pressures of one’s culture, political situation, and holidays impose their changes on one’s moments of now.

Somewhere between here and there...

     Life is a journey taken however you choose.  The end of each of our journeys is standing before the throne of God and having the Father find our names written in the Book of Life.  Why is there no book of death?  Since Eve sinned and then Adam sinned, we have become a fallen people and without life.  The life that is offered us is through Jesus Christ and the New Covenant of his blood covering our sins.  We begin the journey when we encounter Jesus and let the old man go and have Jesus live his life through us.  That's the here.  The there I've already discussed as being before the Father.  ALL will stand before the Father and your name will be found or it will not.  Jesus used the parable of the sheep and the goats which comes into play.  The goats were sent to the left while the sheep were sent to the right.  Before the Father there will be that same designation.  All whose names are found in the Book of Life will enter into his presence for eternity.  Those whose names are not found will enter into hell for eternity.  This is all about choice.  We have the choice in choosing whether we enter heaven or hell.  That bein said, we need to take a close look at ourselves and see if we have a living and vibrant life in Christ or not.  No one is without excuse according to the Bible.  No one is without a choice as well. 
     Today, this hour, this minute is all you and I have.  We don't have yesterday so we can do a redo.  We don't have a tomorrow when we can do better.  We have now.  What is our now filled with?  Why is it important to take care of the "now" moments of your life.  Think about it.  How long would it take to say the following to your loved ones:  "I'm praying for you and hope you are looking to Jesus to live through you."  How long?  Seconds!  Yet, we let our children go off to school where they are taught whatever that particular school teaches.  We take our children to daycare and do the same.  We send out wife, husband or roommates off to work without uttering a word.  Without uttering THE Word.  Everyone talks about the big one and are usually talking about earthquakes.  Here on the west coast it's more like the chicken little tale.  Everyone has heard the warnings and nothing has happened to suggest the "big one" has struck.  So, we become lackadaisical and throw concern out with the garbage.  We become unconcerned and apathy fill our world.  Then we joke about the "big one" and even have mocking parties to make fun of that future event.  Does this sound like your Christian life?  Do you treat the Gospel with the same way you treat the "big one".  The big one is when we stand before the Father and find out if our name is written or not.  At that point, it's to late. 
      Many ignore the call of the Christian to be a disciple of Jesus and instead ignore the very message that brought us to Jesus and salvation.  Let me ask you this.  How are you going to answer the Father when asked if you have carried the Gospel to your world?  What are you going to say?  Remember He knows everything.  He may have erased your sin.  But has he erased the sins of your wife, friend, children, co-worker, and the rest of your realm of influence?  Was it because you didn't do anything when you could have done everything?  When that person appears before the Father and his or her name isn't found in the Book of Life, can you envision the feelings you will be having?  Would you even consider the fact that your not sharing the Gospel was the reason they are departing to hell?  I know this sounds very heavy.  The reality of being our brother's keeper are heavy.  What we do and don't do make a difference in the lives we touch.  What's your touch?  You can't make cookies and give them away expecting them to receive eternal life from the cookies.  Why do you think that they will "some how" come to know about Jesus unless you tell them?  You have a choice and that choice is always your choice.  The buck stops with you and I.

Come just as you are...really?!

     I've seen a number of signs that reflect this attitude on churches marques and even one town that has it on it's welcome to our city sign when you enter from either direction.  The real question is whether they really mean it or not.  Similarly, many see their homes in the same manner.  You may always be welcome here but call and let me clean the house first.  Maybe you fit in one of the categories?  I grew up in a time and place where you could drop in on neighbors and neighbors did the same with you.  Life has changed.  While we want to "come as we are" to the church; often we are met with a list of what you need to do and who you need to be in order to worship with them.  Likewise, many people are shocked at the idea of just dropping in to say hi.  The question that comes to my mind is whether those around me would really like me to come as I am.  I'm sitting here with pajamas on and not showered or saved with coffee in hand.  The only thing I can see that would be accepted would be the coffee.  In fact the "dress code" of most churches alone are enough to keep me away.  But that's only a small problem.  The bigger problem is formed by the world which intends to keep alienation in place for all those who do not fit and can't really come as they are. 
     I'd like to think that people would love like Jesus.  There are some who do and there are many who don't.  Would you feel comfortable standing up in your church at prayer request time and ask your church to pray for your sexual addiction, for your gambling addiction, for you to keep yourself in line for your probation or parole?  Would you as for prayer to control your urges to binge eat or your throwing up after every meal?  See what I mean?  We certainly can say that we can come as we are but really?  So, what do the signs really mean?  Would I be welcome in a city when they know I am an active burglar?  Would you be welcome if they knew you beat your wife, cheated the government or preyed on the unfortunate?  Would cities, churches and YOU really say, come as you are?  I'd like to say that was the case but we must be cautious about who an what we let into our home, our churches, and our cities.  God has told us to beware of the wolves coming in sheep clothing and to not be unwise in our  choices.  That goes for most anything.  Those cities, churches and other organizations that tell you and I to come as we are for the most part really saying that we want you to come as we want you to be.
     Jesus said that he wanted to come to him just as we are.  Now that's something we absolutely need to do.  Pretending we don't have a past or current problem isn't wise when approaching God who knows everything.  We don't need to worry about coming to Jesus as sinners because that's why he created us, lived amongst us and died for us.  He rose so that we could also rise.  Just as I've said so many times before; when we acknowledge who we are before Christ and confess our need for Him to forgive us our sin, we then have come as we are.  Notice that we have a sinful life that has been forgiven.  God, in the Bible, states that "he remembers our sins no more."  William James said, "We may have a God in heaven that forgives us our sins, but mankind does not."  There in lies the problem.  True we aren't God.  True we have been saved.  True we have had our sins forgiven.  True we are changed and as Paul says, "it's no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me."  True we need to renew our relationship with Christ daily and keep from sin.  True, many will enter the kingdom of God without the approval of any church.  Christ calls us to come as we are and you can count on that to happen when you and I choose to end our miserable life of sin and death.  Now if we could only be transformed that we could meet people like Jesus met people.  For in him is the only place one can truly come as you are...really!  It's always your choice.

Try looking at things from God's point of view!

     I've thought of myself and others have described me as an eternal optimist.  Trying to always look on the positive instead of the negative.  Doesn't always work though.  No, there have been times and even years when I didn't feel or act like God was in charge of my world for good.  I knew all along that that was what the Bible said.  So did you probably.  Knowing that the God of all knowledge knew everything that was going on and could still say that what we were going through was for his good and subsequently our good.  His desire to work out his will in our lives meets stiff competition with our wills.  Which, by the way, he created as well for his glory.  I've lived with and around negative people all my life.  Yet, when Christ came into my life they didn't go away!  Why was that?  I know!  Because God was using them to bring about his will for my life and working for good to overcome evil.  I didn't like it though.  However, again when Christ came into my life a spark of optimism was birthed that hasn't been quelled.  Having gone through much, I can speak with authority about the struggle of seeing life from God's view instead of my view.  Though I continually have to lay my life down, God never has to put aside his will to bless me and others through me if I will only do so. 
     On June 13, 2009 I awoke from surgery and discovered that I was paralyzed from the waist down.  Now, what could possibly be good about that.  It's hard to stay positive and look at moments like this when you are panicking over not being able to use your legs when all you came in for was shoulder surgery.  The good news was that I was able to regain the use of my legs though some residual damage limits my body.  Why did it happen?  For the glory of God!  I didn't say that for 2 1/2 years.  I bottled up, let my PTSD run rampant and refused to be positive about the whole incident.  I was so angry and depressed that I couldn't even imagine why God had allowed this to happen in my life.  I still don't have all the answers but I do know that the incident and recovery has been a testimony to God of his graciousness and power.  He changed my point of view to his point of view.  Many have had similar things happen to them.  Some have recovered and some have not.  Many have remained steadfast believing that the will of the Lord was taking place for His good and eventually were able to see the good for them.  We don't embrace the negative looking for the positive as a general rule.  That's when we are seeing things from our view.
     My career has been varied.  I spent many years as a mental health therapist.  I've also had 17 other vocations God has taken me through for his glory.  It sounds funny but when I talk about my past I see the view from God's point of view.  Looking back I can see his hand in each position I took and the transition to the next position.  When His work was done in one place he brought me to another place for His work.  I embraced this point of view while being derided by friends, relatives and even employers.  That's because they looked at my life through the lenses of their own making.  Through out my life I've been able to focus through His point of view and help others to do the same.  One of my favorite saying is: "What's the worst that could happen...that I die and go to Heaven?  That's not so bad."  THAT is the eventual goal in my life.  He isn't done with me yet.  There are things to do and places to go and people to see and tell the Story.  There will be many unknowns until that time and I have the choice to either look at my life and it's goings on from my point of view or I can look at each day as it's unveiled seeing it from God's point of view.  I'll choose the latter.  Remember that it's always your choice.

Living By the Spirit

Living By the Spirit

God is first; God comes before everything else that is! Everything that is, the entire cosmos and all of its material elements and living creatures, were brought into existence by God through the voice of his Spirit (Genesis 1:1-2, 3, 6, 9, 11, 14, 20, 24, and 26). So everything that is exists within God and its source is his Spirit. The essence of everything is spiritual, not physical.
And when God “saw everything that he had made”, he recognized that “it was very good” (Genesis 1:31). Everything was working as God had designed it to work. All the non-human creatures were alive and reproducing as God had intended them to do, and the provisions for their needs as well as those for God’s human creatures were all in place. Everything had a spiritual order to it that was in accord with God’s “good” will and design.

And when God made “man” (Genesis 1:26), that is “male and female” (1:27) he gave them “dominion” (1:26) over its creatures and provisions (See Genesis 1:26, 28-30). In the midst of all of God’s created “good” spiritual order and provisions, God gave “the man” one commandment: “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat” (Genesis 2:17). In order to live in a harmonious relationship with God in his creation, these human beings would have to trust God through his Spirit to always provide them with “the knowledge of good and evil” rather than depending upon the wisdom of their own spirits to provide them with this basic spiritual blessing. And the penalty for disobeying this commandment was very severe; “in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die” (2:17). This means that the only way to live in this world in a peaceful and comfortable relationship with God, is to trust him by faith through his Spirit to provide you with all that is “good” for your daily needs and to protect you from all that is “evil”! Human history through all of the eras of time has demonstrated within faithful individuals and generations the blessings of human beings who are living in accord with the goodness of God’s Spirit and the deadly sufferings of those who are attempting to live in rebellious refusal to trust his Spirit.

It is to be done in Jesus

During the brief time between Jesus’ last supper with his disciples and his arrest and crucifixion, Jesus shared some very important words of instruction with them (See John 14:1:1-16:33). He told them “‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me’“ (John 14:6). And he indicated that although he was going to be leaving them that God, “the Father” would give them “another Helper” “the Spirit of truth” who would be with them “forever” and who would “be in” them (14:16-17). And Jesus described his new relationship with his disciples and all who would seek to follow him as that of a “vine” and a “branch” (15:1-2). And he instructed them to “Abide in me, and I in you”, because “the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me” (15:4). And he clarified the point of his instruction with these words: “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” (15:5). And he gave them and others who would also become his disciples this great promise: “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples” (15:7-8). It is clear from these words of instruction from Jesus to his disciples that they could continue to “Abide in” his “love” (15:9) if they would keep his “commandments” (15:10). In his very personal prayer to the “Father” (John 17:1-26), Jesus prayed for these disciples and all who would join them in personal living relationships with Jesus and God the Father “that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me” (17:21). This indwelling intimate personal union between Jesus and his disciples and God, the Father, through the Spirit was and is absolutely essential to the transforming and glory of the work that God was and is doing to redeem his corrupted creation back to himself.

Its details are very specific and practical

In order to live by the Spirit in Jesus you must set your mind “on the things of the Spirit” (Romans 8:5). Paul makes this very clear in a subsequent statement when he explains: “For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot” (Rom. 8:6-7). And he further clarifies this basic principle for living by the Spirit in this statement: “You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him” (Rom. 8:9). And we can be assured of this because, as Paul indicates: “The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him” (Rom. 8:16-17). And Paul even indicates that “the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but The Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words” (Rom. 8:26).
And the blessings of living by the Spirit in Jesus are also very specific and practical. Paul indicates that “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law” (Galatians 5:22). And they each are eternally good.

Conclusion

In this brief statement I have just sought to make it clear that the Christian life can only be lived in cooperative surrender to the indwelling Spirit of Jesus in the daily effort of the individual who is seeking to follow and to serve Jesus in this world. The process is not theological and theoretical. It is very intimately personal and practical, and it is very basic to one’s daily life.

I caught myself worrying yesterday.

     But that's not what the Christian is supposed to do!  The Sermon on the Mount clearly states that the Christian is to not worry about tomorrow and certainly not today either.  The cares of the world may press in on us but we are able to know that God has taken care of (yes, already) of all of our needs.  Period.  Since he has taken care of all of our needs we are released from worry to attend to his will in our lives.  So, I stopped worrying.  That wasn't working for me anyway.  There is nothing I can do about yesterday, tomorrow hasn't arrived and today has enough to deal with on it's own.  Do not be concerned about the cares of the world.  Travelling on the freeway the car in front of you is slower than molasses.  So you get irritated.  It's your choice.  However, as soon as you choose irritation over peace, your peace goes away.  Getting the kids out the door so that you can get out the door to work yourself on time?  The world will go on with or without you.  If you are in a rush, the kids are being rushed, and the time isn't taken to love them like Jesus would love them; there's something wrong with your relationship with time and Jesus.  Everyone else's emergency doesn't dictate an emergency on your part.  The world is unfolding as it's supposed to and there is little you can do about it.  You can retain your peace which God has given you.  Someone else's choice shouldn't take you out of your relationship with Jesus.
     Found that I hadn't put any time in with Jesus to take care of the orphan and the widow.  Didn't lay hands on anyone and let Jesus heal them or deliver them.  You and I do just that.  I could just say that everyone else does this.  But that wouldn't be true.  I could say that there were other things to be done.  That wouldn't be true either.  How much time and energy does it take to buy two lunches (one to go) and then drop it off for that homeless and destitute person near your work?  But we don't do that either.  You may think your kind words of greeting are wasted on THAT person.  It isn't.  We do tend to stop when we receive nothing back.  Then we are greeting for the wrong motive.  We aren't to consume anything for our own purpose.  Getting greetings from the grouchy isn't our concern.  Jesus wants us to be real with all people.  Not just the ones we know are Christian.  Not just those who are in charge of your pay raise.  Not just your friends and family.  Everyone.  Your words to others spoken in the love of Christ are solicited by God.  When you let the love of God flow through your "Hey!  How are you?" you have unleashed the power of God to reach into that person's life.  Maybe that's why you became a Christian.
     Jesus was tempted in every way the Bible tells us.  So, he can associate with your circumstances.  I am tempted all the time.  Sometimes the temptation wins and more often than not the urge is quelled by the focus on Jesus.  Yet, there are times when I am tempted and make excuses for that stance.  Have you ever heard the phrase "Well, I'm only human!"  I should tell you now that you and I are aliens if we have accepted Jesus.  We aren't home.  We are sojourners traversing this world in our quest to be with Jesus in heaven.  That's the focus we should have.  We aren't to be focused on the cares and worries of this world.  When we have the focus that we are sojourners and seeking to see Jesus, we realize that the cares and worries of the world are only distractions we choose when we take our eyes off Jesus.  I'm sure that I will again worry and succumb to the cares of the world.  Hopefully less and less as I mature in Christ.  I, like you, need to remember that it's always our choice.

Hey! Did you get the message?

     That's what a friend yelled to me at one of the places I've worked in the past.  The message was not important.  That my friend yelled at me to let me know was what was important.  The messenger is extremely important.  Should we choose to not be a messenger we endanger lives and souls of those whom we come in contact with.  That doesn't mean we need to be chicken little's and hype up the situation either.  There are both in the Christian church and we deal with them as they come and go.  I've tried to be the type of messenger that shares what God has shared with me.  Sometimes that message from God is hard to write because I've not taken myself out of a sinful pattern that God wants me to address as well.  When that happens I tend to be resistant to being the messenger that he wants me to be.  Maybe you have found yourself in this predicament as well. This choice doesn't cancel out my ticket to Heaven.  My salvation is secure in that Christ died for me and he died for you as well.  Yelling "FIRE!" in a crowded building is only constructive when there is a fire.  Otherwise we only desensitize people to the message and soon no one cares what you yell.  The end question is not so much that we live the message (though we should) as much as we pass the message on.  Did you get the message?
     The Sermon on the Mount has the Beatitudes at it's very beginning.  They are there for a very specific purpose.  They are the foundation for the rest of the Sermon.  There are 10 of them.  The first 6 pertain to the commandment that we love one another.  The last 4 pertain to our love for God.  Just the opposite of the list of the 10 Commandments of the Old Testament where the first 4 are about our love of God and the second set of 6 are all about our love for each other.  Why the reversal? Hey!  Did you get the message?  If not, keep reading the Sermon.  What follows is based upon a very important fact.  That fact is that the Sermon on the Mount is based on our having made a commitment to love Jesus.  Because we love Jesus, we love the Triune God.  The believer thus has surrendered their lives to Jesus and it is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me.  Don't believe that?  Red on. The Sermon on the Mount clearly tells us what Jesus has come to do with his birth, life and most importantly, his death.  He has come to fulfill the law for us because we can't do that ourselves.  Every "I" has been dotted (even if my computer refuses to leave it a dotted i) and every "t" has been crossed by his going the distance for you and I.  Hey! Did you get the message?
     The Sermon on the Mount then gives us the details of how we should live as surrendered lives to Jesus.  Not feeling the peace?  You are not there.  Not feeling the relaxation that comes from knowing God's plan is working out even if we don't know how?  You are not there.  Not living in the present?  You are not there.  Our daily sole focus should be Christ and him risen from the dead!  The Gospel message!  Yet, you and I make this a difficult decision as we get wrapped up in the cares of the world and the deception of the devil.  The message is that we shouldn't mix up our lives with one foot in the world and the other in heaven.  The message is that we have more than enough for today because God cares for us. The message is that there are dire circumstances for those who are perishing.  The message is that YOU and I need to get the message out as if getting people out of a burning building.  That requires boldness that can only come from the Holy Spirit as you become the messenger God wants you and I to be.  Hey!  Did you get the message?  It's always your choice.

Your sermon on the mount

     We write our sermon on the mount everyday thinking we can do better than Jesus as written in Matthew.  It's in vain but we do it anyway.  By that I mean we take what we have learned and experienced and think that's the way life has to be.  The Sermon on the Mount encompasses any contingency that may come up in your or my life. 
     I know this is long but please read it today and perhaps every day.

Matthew 5-7New International Version (NIV)

Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount

5 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, ² and he began to teach them.

The Beatitudes

He said:

³ “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
⁴ Blessed are those who mourn,
    for they will be comforted.
⁵ Blessed are the meek,
    for they will inherit the earth.
⁶ Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
    for they will be filled.
⁷ Blessed are the merciful,
    for they will be shown mercy.
⁸ Blessed are the pure in heart,
    for they will see God.
⁹ Blessed are the peacemakers,
    for they will be called children of God.
¹⁰ Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

¹¹ “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. ¹² Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Salt and Light

¹³ “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

The Fulfillment of the Law

¹⁷ “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. ¹⁸ For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. ¹⁹ Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. ²⁰ For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.

Murder

²¹ “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder,^[a] and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ ²² But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister^[b][c] will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’^[d] is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.
²³ “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, ²⁴ leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.
²⁵ “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. ²⁶ Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.

Adultery

²⁷ “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’^{[e] 28} But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. ²⁹ If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. ³⁰ And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.

Divorce

³¹ “It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’^{[f] 32} But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

Oaths

³³ “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ ³⁴ But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; ³⁵ or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. ³⁶ And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. ³⁷ All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.^[g]

Eye for Eye

³⁸ “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’^{[h] 39} But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. ⁴⁰ And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. ⁴¹ If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. ⁴² Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

Love for Enemies

⁴³ “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor^[i] and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵ that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. ⁴⁶ If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? ⁴⁷ And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? ⁴⁸ Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Giving to the Needy

6 “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

² “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. ³ But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, ⁴ so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Prayer

⁵ “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. ⁶ But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. ⁷ And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. ⁸ Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
⁹ “This, then, is how you should pray:

“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
¹⁰ your kingdom come,
your will be done,
    on earth as it is in heaven.
¹¹ Give us today our daily bread.
¹² And forgive us our debts,
    as we also have forgiven our debtors.
¹³ And lead us not into temptation,^[j]
    but deliver us from the evil one.^[k]’

¹⁴ For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. ¹⁵ But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Fasting

¹⁶ “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. ¹⁷ But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, ¹⁸ so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Treasures in Heaven

¹⁹ “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. ²⁰ But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
²² “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy,^[l] your whole body will be full of light. ²³ But if your eyes are unhealthy,^[m] your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
²⁴ “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

Do Not Worry

²⁵ “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? ²⁶ Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? ²⁷ Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life^[n]?
²⁸ “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. ²⁹ Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. ³⁰ If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? ³¹ So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³² For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. ³³ But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ³⁴ Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Judging Others

7 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. ² For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

³ “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? ⁴ How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? ⁵ You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
⁶ “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.

Ask, Seek, Knock

⁷ “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. ⁸ For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
⁹ “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? ¹⁰ Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? ¹¹ If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! ¹² So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

The Narrow and Wide Gates

¹³ “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. ¹⁴ But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

True and False Prophets

¹⁵ “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. ¹⁶ By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? ¹⁷ Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. ¹⁸ A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. ¹⁹ Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. ²⁰ Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

True and False Disciples

²¹ “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. ²² Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ ²³ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

The Wise and Foolish Builders

²⁴ “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. ²⁵ The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. ²⁶ But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. ²⁷ The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

²⁸ When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, ²⁹ because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.

It's simply amazing!

     Today I turn 64.  Never in my life did I think I would ever be this age.  I don't feel old and certainly don't act that way either.  My life has been one intense ride!  I'm not going to die any day soon unless the Lord desires me to come home.  It's amazing all the places I've gone, things I have done and things I have participated in.  It's amazing all the changes my life has gone through, the increase in my experiences and learning and the times when I've been humbled at just how much I don't know, haven't learned and haven't experienced.  No, I won't be jumping out of a perfectly good airplane anytime soon.  Through all of this God has been with me.  He has reaffirmed to me that he will neither leave me nor forsake me...ever.  I am his.  That's amazing as well scoundrel that I am.  The 139th Psalm tells me that he knew me before I was formed in my mother's womb.  He knew and knows every thought I will have, every action and inaction that will come through my life and what I will do in hardship as well as good times.  His love overflowed towards me when he sent his Son to die in my place so that I could have life and that life abundantly.  To that end, I have pledged my life to Him and His glory.  And, I've fallen more than I like.  He's always been there to pick me up, forgive me and continue his love for me.  Wow!
     When I think of the number of people who have passed through, stayed for a while or just visited my life I am amazed!  There are no coincidences in the Christians life.  There have been more people than I can imagine who have impacted my life for good or naught.  Both have been there to bring glory to God.  There have been many who have loved me, continue to love me and always love me.  It may not exactly be my definition of love.  However, it's love none the less and I won't look down on any part of it.  There have been co-workers and bosses who have been part of my life along with pastors and congregations.  There have been enemies who sought my ruin and reminded me that not everyone loves with the love of God.  I'm amazed at how much patience people and God have had for me over the years.  I'm also thankful for that patience and tolerance.  I'm not perfect and not always easy to live with. 
     I'm thankful that I can sit here this morning and write to you what I feel God would have me write.  I'm sitting in my recliner and looking out at the sunrise on the back of this beautiful setting.  It's quiet except for the chickens who occasionally cackle to announce another egg being laid.  The hummingbirds flirting by at the speed of light and the flowers vibrant all around me.  With my being able to enjoy another wonderful day there shouldn't be a complaint.  Moles are digging up my lawn somewhere as I write these words.  I'm amazed that there is such complicated simplicity in the complexity of the natural world around me.  Sometimes I get overwhelmed with all that God has created and then am brought to the realization that he has done so for me!  You and I can enjoy all that the world has put around us.  There is beauty in most things when we see them in relationship to God.  I wonder about dandelions but...moles too!  I'm going to do the same things I do every day and enjoy his presence in it all.  I don't live a mundane life and don't think for a minute that will change anytime in the near or distant future.  These are all choices that I have made.  Remember, it's always your choice.  Have a great day!

5 Great Bible Lessons on Obedience

November 26, 2014 by Michael Krauszer 

One of the hardest things of the Christian life is obedience. By nature, most of us like to rebel; we don’t want to be told what to do, because we always know what is best. Besides, why should anyone else other than me dictate what I should or should not be doing? And, even if you sincerely do want to be obedient, you still find yourself struggling in succeeding at it. To help with obedience, let’s look at 5 great Bible lessons on obedience. Of course, there are many more out there, so do some digging for yourself, too!

“And Samuel said, ‘Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.’” 1 Samuel 15:22

The context in this passage deals with Saul’s inability to follow the Lord’s commands. Although made king, Saul was supposed to destroy everything in the lands he conquered. However, he decided to take matters into his own hands. Instead of destroying the cattle of the land, he had the brilliant idea of sacrificing them for God. But, was it really for God? Obviously not! In doing this, he deliberately rebelled against what God told him to do.

“But Peter and the apostles answered, ‘We must obey God rather than men.’” Acts 5:29

The early church certainly had many opportunities to please man. They could have accepted gifts, worship, etc. At other times, they could have simply told men what they wanted to hear to avoid getting beaten. But, they were firm in their resolve; they knew they ought to obey God rather than men.

“Only be very careful to observe the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, to love the Lord your God, and to walk in all his ways and to keep his commandments and to cling to him and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.” Joshua 22:5

God specifically commanded this of Joshua, the leaders, and the Israelites as a whole. If they had listened and obeyed, things would have gone very well for them. Unfortunately, they rebelled and forgot about God, which lead to many misfortunes later on. Although the book of Joshua is full of conquests and victory, the book of Judges show how far they had fallen.

“By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.” Hebrews 11:7

Stop for a moment and think of the story of Noah. He did everything that God commanded him to do, even if it seemed bizarre to everyone else. After all, it hadn’t even rained before—but he was predicting a worldwide flood that would destroy everything! Then, he builds a massive ship and collects animals—all because God told him to. Now, if that’s not firm obedience than I don’t know what is!

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 7:21

This passage should teach us to examine our motives carefully. Who are we really serving? What do we really treasure? There are many people out there who seem to “serve the Lord,” but are really serving for ulterior motives. Perhaps is gains them money, notoriety, or simply fills some kind of void within their lives. Those people, Jesus says, might seem to serve Him, but really are not; it is those people who Jesus will tell to depart because He never knew them. Let’s search our hearts carefully regarding this one! Who are we really serving?

Conclusion

Obedience is difficult. You may have to be obedient to a boss, a parent, a pastor, and definitely to God, but they are all very hard to do. Our natural instinct is to do what we feel and think is right (just like the Israelites in the book of Judges!). When something doesn’t make sense to us or is difficult to comprehend, we immediately put it away as something that we should not do. The Bible has many passages about obedience, and they can all be used as lessons for obedience. Although five are given above, there are so many more. So, take some time to search them out!

What Does Godly Friendship Look Like?

by Mary Fairchild

Updated January 13, 2017

Friends come,
Friends go,
But a true friend is there to watch you grow.
A woman named Florence posted this short poem on a forum I visited. I thought it conveyed the idea of enduring friendship with perfect simplicity. It reminded me of a teaching I heard years ago at a singles retreat.
At the retreat, Nancy Honeytree, a singer/songwriter who was one of the pioneers of contemporary Christian music, taught lessons on three types of Christian friends.

Her simple yet valuable teaching stuck with me, helping me over the years to cultivate a few treasured, godly friendships.

3 Types of Godly Friendship

Mentor Friendship

The first form of Christian friendship Honeytree talked about was a mentor friendship. In a mentoring relationship we teach, counsel or disciple other Christian friends. This is a relationship based on ministry, similar to the kind Jesus had with his disciples.

Mentee Friendship

In a mentee friendship, we are the one being taught, counseled, or discipled. We are on the receiving end of ministry, being served by a mentor. This is similar to the way the disciples received from Jesus.

Mutual Friendship

Mutual friendships are not based on mentoring. Rather, in these situations the two individuals are usually more closely aligned on a spiritual level, balancing the natural flow of giving and receiving between genuine Christian friends.

We'll explore mutual friendships more closely, but first, it's important to have a clear understanding of mentoring relationships, so we don't get the two confused.

Mentoring friendships can easily become draining if both parties don't recognize the nature of the relationship and construct appropriate boundaries. 

The mentor may need to pull back and take time for spiritual renewal. He may even have to say no at times, setting limits on his commitment to the mentee.

Likewise, a mentee who expects too much from his mentor is probably seeking a mutual bond with the wrong person. Mentees must respect boundaries and look for close friendship with someone other than a mentor.
We can be both mentor and mentee, but not with the same friend. We may know a mature believer who mentors us in God's Word, while in turn, we take time to mentor a brand new follower of Christ.
Mutual friendships are quite different than mentoring friendships. These relationships don't usually happen overnight. Typically, they develop over time as both friends progress in wisdom and spiritual maturity. A strong Christian friendship blossoms naturally when two friends grow together in faith, goodness, knowledge, and other godly graces.

5 Traits of True Christian Friends

So, what does a true Christian friendship look like? Let's break it down into traits that are easy to identify.

Loves Sacrificially

John 15:13
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. (NIV)
Jesus is the finest example of a true Christian friend.

His love for us is sacrificial, never selfish. He demonstrated it not only through his miracles of healing, but more fully through the humble service of washing the disciples' feet, and then ultimately, when he laid down his life on the cross.

If we choose our friends based only on what they have to offer, we'll rarely discover the blessings of a genuine godly friendship. Philippians 2:3 says, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves." By valuing your friend's needs above your own, you'll be on your way to loving like Jesus. In the process, you'll likely gain a true friend.

Accepts Unconditionally

Proverbs 17:17
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. (NIV)
We discover the best of friendships with brothers and sisters who know and accept our weaknesses and imperfections.
If we're easily offended or hold on to bitterness, we'll have a hard time making friends. No one is perfect. We all make mistakes now and then. If we take a truthful look at ourselves, we'll admit that we bear some of the blame when things go wrong in a friendship. A good friend is quick to ask forgiveness and ready to be forgiving.

Trusts Completely

Proverbs 18:24
A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. (NIV)
This proverb reveals that a true Christian friend is trustworthy, indeed, but emphasizes a second important truth as well. We should only expect to share complete trust with a few loyal friends. Trusting too easily can lead to ruin, so be careful about putting your confidence in a mere companion. Over time our true Christian friends will prove their trustworthiness by sticking closer than a brother or sister.

Keeps Healthy Boundaries

1 Corinthians 13:4
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy ... (NIV)
If you feel smothered in a friendship, something is wrong. Likewise, if you feel used or abused, something is amiss. Recognizing what's best for someone and giving that person space are signs of a healthy relationship. We should never let a friend come between us and our spouse. A true Christian friend will wisely avoid intruding and recognize your need to maintain other relationships.

Gives Mutual Edification

Proverbs 27:6
Wounds from a friend can be trusted ... (NIV)
True Christian friends will build each other up emotionally, spiritually, and physically. Friends like to be together simply because it feels good. We receive strength, encouragement, and love. We talk, we cry, we listen. But at times we also have to say the difficult things our dearest friend needs to hear. Yet, because of the shared trust and acceptance, we are the one person who can impact our friend's heart, for we know how to deliver the hard message with truth and grace. I believe this is what Proverbs 27:17 means when it says, "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
As we've reviewed these traits of godly friendships, we've probably recognized areas that need a little work in our efforts to build stronger bonds. But if you don't have lots of close friends, don't be too hard on yourself. Remember, true Christian friendships are rare treasures. They take time to nurture, but in the process we grow more Christlike.