Contentment

Contentment.

Where are you, where am I, with this? This world passes away like a vapor, and is nothing – with eternity stretching out before us.

Yet we are bombarded with ads and endless info every day that is designed to set its hook wherever there may be a “wandering eye” (See James 4:4) inside of us – whether it’s for more “stuff,” or simply “life enhancement products” – whether pills, powders, procedures, and promises – or some bogus “best life now” baloney about “manifesting” your dreams.

But where will all of that be when “that day” comes? And come it will for all of us. The advertisers want us to buy into the lie that we’re never going to die, quite bluntly, if we just get onboard with this or that. (Personally I’m convinced that this is a MAJOR source of stress and anxiety.)

This reveals that there are 2 ways to live as if there’s no tomorrow: one with a view of the passing away of this life and being in it to prepare and prioritize for eternity; or to live for this life because we do not believe there’s anything beyond it – in denial that we grow old and pass away with all that we have known of this world.

What has become odd to me is how much we worship public and entertainment figures who adhere to the latter, and then try to emulate them. Look how youthful so and so is and all he’s accomplishing… And so forth. Who knows if a “deal” has been struck for that? Yet, there will come a day of reckoning.

If we say we belong to Christ, our thoughts, words, and deeds should reflect that we do not belong to this world and its values which are passing away.

1 Timothy 6:6. But godliness with contentment is great gain.

Hebrews 13:5. Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Proverbs 16:8. Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice.

Matthew 6:33. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Philippians 4:11. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.

James 4:4. You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

(All Scripture quotes from English Standard Version)

Might it be time to hear and heed what our Creator Father knows is best for us? He speaks from the broad expanse of Eternity; we are finite here in time, space, and physicality. We do not grasp the big picture of infiniteness in our finiteness! We have to take His Word for it!

Words from an old song I love: “Dance in the darkness; slow be the pace; SURRENDER to the rhythm of redeeming grace…?

Yes, SURRENDER.

Thy will be done, not mine.

Might it be a good idea to reflect on these things? How seriously do we take Jesus? Or are we just “nice people” who really have nothing different going for us, as we embrace humanistic values and the world’s ideas about what’s good and right for us, and wind up living for that? Let us remember that the whole “world” lies under the power of the evil one. (1 John 5:19)

Food for thought and prayer.

Peace and Good on you in Christ.

Unobstructed View

A word for the redeemed:

Tabloid hype – mainstream or “alt”? Do we just pick our poison, the lesser of the evils? Could it be time to change the mental and spiritual “dwelling place?”

… IF….

“Therefore, IF you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.” Colossians 3:1-4.

Keep on asking, seeking, knocking. You have not because you ask not.

Please grant us the “Vision” – eyes of faith that perceive past the darkness and the fear.

“You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.” Isaiah 26:3.

The view of the Savior, the Sun of Righteousness, need not be eclipsed by any earthbound concern or perspective, or for that matter events in the cosmos.

Whom the Son has set free is free indeed.

Soli Deo Gloria!

Believer or Receiver?

It’s one thing to KNOW ABOUT Jesus, the Bible, etc.

It’s another thing to KNOW Jesus.

There are 4 references in the book of Acts where there were believers who needed to become receivers. The Apostles saw to it that this was to be granted to them. Some had been taught well, others not so completely.

Acts 2:1-4. Acts 5:14-17. Acts 10:44-48. Acts 19:1-6.

Few can be as forthright about this subject as was the late David Wilkerson.

John 17:3 NKJV. “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” It is vital! We may know about God, but we cannot know Him without the Holy Spirit.

That’s the dynamo of Christian living. But He is hardly mentioned in many churches, and He is taken for granted – based upon a “conversion” experience or some ceremony at the beginning of one’s entry into an institutional church. People think that being in a church makes one a Christian. But being in a church will not bring this about any more than putting your Chevy into a garage will turn it into a Rolls Royce! There has to be a deep heart desire first of all!

Paul also prays, according to Ephesians 1:15-23 NKJV. “Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.”

And he prays more! Ephesians 3:14-19.  “For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height —  to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”

What says the Lord Jesus? He tells us to keep on asking, seeking, and knocking! Luke 11:1-13 NKJV. The reader can look up the whole chapter. I will quote only verses 9-13. “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”

Clearly this is a very important thing, to receive the Holy Spirit. We cannot make the “blessed assumption” that we are in Christ and Christ in us. All of our self righteousness is as filthy rags before God, and our religious practices which someone has told us are how we are saved are equally as useless. These provide false security. We must have the Holy Spirit!

The time is late. Let us go to God’s word, not the doctrines, commandments, and the teachings of men! The importance of Christ’s teaching on the necessity of the Holy Spirit, as Jesus nears His final journey to the cross, found in His “last will and testament” in John 13 through 17. I would direct the reader to pray over and ponder these words and His great high priestly prayer.

May the fellowship, peace, and power of the Lord be with you, as you walk according to His Way and as you seek Him with your whole heart. He will not disappoint!

Soli Deo Gloria!

Return!

Some people promote the idea that not all people are God’s children. (Here’s why I’ll never be a Calvinist: double predestination).

The foregoing is true up to a point. However, when we’re “born again” of water and the Spirit, God is reclaiming what He created who belong to Him, which is all people, who have been held captive by Satan and sin.

Here’s a little, lowly, imperfect “parable” of how that works. If someone is kidnapped, is he or she any less a child of his or her original parents, even if he has spiritual Stockholm syndrome and supports and advances the views of his captors? He may be lost or doomed because of his lostness, born in captivity, but that does not change the Father’s love for him.

The Father comes seeking to save that which is lost!

The evil one has no natural right to those he has taken and holds in bondage, as he is a liar and a thief from the beginning. That is how he maintains control, by repeated lies and illusions – which people buy into.

Additionally, our natural state is one of rebellion against God and “fallenness” from His Grace, because all fell when Adam fell, but that does not mean that we are not – by His rights – God’s children. In the original sense. We have to be redeemed, restored, reconciled. He would have all to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the Truth – because all are technically His.

What parent whose child has been kidnapped will not do everything in His power to bring that child back to him? Thus –

“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:4-10 NKJV)

Thursday Thought

On prayer…

If we are in Christ, and Christ in us through the Holy Spirit, we are conduits for the Divine Authority to be unleashed in the midst of impossible challenges.

God does not dwell in temples made with hands! We – our very bodies – are His tabernacles, moving through the wilderness of life, living houses of prayer.

That is what Jesus did. He showed us the Way. The Apostle said, As He was in this world, so are we.

Many sons are being brought to glory!

Re-harmonizing Perspectives

Perhaps the times are not so discordant as we perceive them to be. Could it be that the orchestra and the choir destined for celestial things are only tuning up? The concert hasn’t even begun! The Conductor is nonetheless present and directing!

Nothing of eternal value and beauty happens overnight. If something seems instantaneous, it is only because there likely has been much work going on within us and outside of us, to which we have not been conscious or privy. Glory to God for all things!

What if the discord is really a miracle in progress, where the upset is the sifting of chaff to be blown away by the Wind?

Take heart; take courage. Things are not always what they seem. As it has been said, this too shall pass. Darkness is being swept away by the Light of Christ Who brings His new day. Take note. A new song replaces the discord!

“Arise, shine;
For your light has come!
And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.
For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth,
And deep darkness the people;
But the Lord will arise over you,
And His glory will be seen upon you.” Isaiah 60:1,2. NKJV

“Pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17-19. NKJV

Aiming toward, and wishing for you, a brighter and more harmonious view…

Soli Deo Gloria!

Eyes Of Faith

Friends in High Places? Yes!

Sometimes we see with the “surface eyes” of fear of circumstance, and need to see beyond that by faith. Some things can make me mad. Some things make me sad. Some things can make me frankly scared. Especially in these times. But as they say, there may be more here than meets the eye.

That’s when I love to go to this “clip” from 2 Kings 6. It’s a great reminder that there is more to it than meets the eye. I’d encourage you to read the whole chapter for its context… when surrounded and hounded, like Elisha and his servant. What do you see?

2 Kings 6:14-17 NKJV. “Therefore he sent horses and chariots and a great army there, and they came by night and surrounded the city. And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, ‘Alas, my master! What shall we do?’ So he answered, ‘Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.’ And Elisha prayed, and said, ‘Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.’ Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.”

Sweet victory in Jesus! Name above every name. The only name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved.

Pray to see with eyes of faith!

Soli Deo Gloria!

Deconstruction

Thoughts on Deconstructing with a View to Reconstructing

Could it be that some are “deconstructing” not Christianity, but “churchianity” because, just maybe, the Holy Spirit is deconstructing churchianity within them, with a view to reconstructing a true and living Spirit of Christ to replace it?

There’s no denying a movement – especially since “AC” (after coronavirus) – where people have left institutional religion in droves, after churches caved to state demands, and cannot settle into one particular denominational (or non-de) perspective. It provided time and space for a lot of us to think and to pray. To ask, what’s really going on here on earth for heaven’s sake?

A lot of folks tend to put a dark view on this, which is partly legitimate. Their concerns are understandable. But I’m not so sure that – in all cases – this is just “so I can do my own thing”, but is a sincere seeking on the part of those looking to go further out and further on with Jesus, in the wide open spaces outside any given sheepfold and out into the pasture where the Shepherd is taking them.

Processes: “A time to break down, And a time to build up… A time to keep, And a time to throw away; A time to tear, And a time to sew.” From Ecclesiastes 3 NKJV. A surgeon may need to remove a diseased, dysfunctional part of the body, in order for healing of the whole to follow.

Sometimes things must be torn down so that something better may be built to stand in its place. The deconstruction part can be a terrifying thing, to both the participant and those observing.

Think 70 AD. That which served its purpose, even when given by God, was taken away. Could that be the case now? Could “old normal” be passing away, as we have known it? Things and times temporal serve their purpose and pass away, to be replace by what is eternal. The interim process is never easy, often instead grueling. Growing up is hard to do. God is making sons and daughters, as He brings them more fully into the likeness of His Firstborn, Jesus Christ.

Kids leave home to do their growing up. Birds leave the nest. The foal must be weaned at some point to run out into the open pasture.

Could that be happening on a cosmic scale?

Let’s pray for one another, that we may be healed, find our way, and become whole.

Love According To Jesus Christ

Here’s What I think He would say:

“Love one another as I have loved you. This is not a suggestion; it is My commandment. This means to love not only those who will reciprocate in kind, but bless those who curse, revile, and hate you. Their minds, hearts, and lives are in a great prison of darkness where you must shine My light. If you have no other resources or strength, unchain them by devoting yourself to prayer for them. Never pay back evil for evil, but rather bless and do not curse. You will be blessed as you reap the harvest of the seeds of love and blessing you have sown. To love and to bless is the most ‘creative’ work there is in thought, word, and deed. Abundant will be the fruit of such seeds planted, and rich the heavenly reward.”

It’s That Time Again!

It’s Christmas time again. Some say Jesus was born December 25; others say not. I prefer to not get into that. I’ve heard convincing “proofs” both ways. Honestly, does it matter?

Here’s why I ask that. I think the symbology of nature works well, however, this time of year. It’s a time when darkness is driven away by the light, and the days get longer, the nights shorter. Gradually we head toward more light and warmth and new life in spring, as nature comes to life again, so to speak!

The whole cosmos tells of Jesus! “… The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.” Psalm 19:1,2. And, “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse.” Romans 1:20.

Likewise, the more Jesus takes over the heart and life surrendered in full to Him, the brighter He shines, and the darkness in us is driven out by the Holy Spirit. He works in our hearts to make us “look more like Him”, spiritually speaking. And the more people are experiencing this, the more greatly His light will shine everywhere.

He redeemed us, by shedding His blood for us on the cross, to bring us fully into His loving purpose for us, to save us from the power of the evil one, and bring us into eternal life forever with Him in Heaven. The story of Jesus is about a rescue operation offered to all mankind. This is what Christmas is heralding. It’s worth celebrating.

This is the reason for the season, as they say. it was the beginning when, “… God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive our adoption as sons.” Galatians 4:4,5. When He came to be, by the power of the Holy Spirit, conceived and born of the holy Virgin Mary, then – “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14.

This was foretold by all the prophets, for example, by Isaiah 9:6,7 – “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He 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…” He governs from within hearts and lives surrendered to Him. One at a time. So this Christmas season is the celebration of His arrival here on earth so long ago, to unfold this plan for us, which is to also be worked within us by the Holy Spirit.

The important thing is to begin to have a “Christmas” in the heart that overtakes the whole of our life and transforms it, gives it meaning, and takes us loved and whole – by His sovereign grace – into eternity.

He invites everyone to this! “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30.

Are you ready to surrender the wearisome load, take His yoke in exchange, and learn of Him?