Blog Archives - TheNewU

GIVE PREFERENCE

1/31/2023

January 31, 2022 GIVE PREFERENCE
Philippians 2:3-4 “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not merely look out for your own personal interest, but also for the interest of others.”
Romans 12:10 “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor;”
Ephesians 4:32 “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”
These verses, and other similar passages, are a sure receipt for unity and harmonious relationships. The unredeemed nature of man is to look out for himself-number one. When we are born again, when we are reconciled to God, we get a new nature AND it’s a nature that is in the image of God. Ephesians 4:24. We have been set free from who we use to be. Living in and expressing this new nature does not happen automatically; we must choose to walk in our new self; the verse in Ephesians 4:24 instructs us to “put on the new self.” Sad to say, all too often there is division and strife among those who profess to be followers of Christ. Some sure signs that one is not walking in their new self is that they become self-centered, argumentative, not sensitive to the needs of others, insistent on their way, and in general, not preferring others above themselves. The good news for us is that we can live in a way that reflects the very nature of God; we can walk in brotherly love, preferring and honoring others. We can dethrone self! More good news is that living according to the ways of God fulfills our deepest longings; God has designed us in such a way that we find more joy in giving of ourselves than we do insisting on our ways. May we take God at His word; let us adopt the mind set of preferring others as more important than ourselves; let us look out not for our interest alone, but for the interest of others as well; let us honor others; let us be given to brotherly love; and let us “do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit.” We can live in such a way ONLY because God has redeemed us and made us new creations and has given us the Holy Spirit to equip us and empower us to live in a way that pleases Him-----and it will bless others as well!
1 Peter 3:8-9 “To sum up, let all be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; not returning evil for evil, or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing.”
Ephesians 4:31-32 “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ Jesus also has forgiven you.”
Blessings,
Buddy

AN ANCHOR FOR THE SOUL

1/29/2023

January 29, 2023 AN ANCHOR FOR THE SOUL
Hebrews 6:17-19 “In the same way God, desiring even more to show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of His purpose, interposed with an oath, in order that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we may have strong encouragement, we who have fled for refuge in laying hold of the hope set before us. This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil,”
James 1:17 “Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is not variation, or shifting shadows.”
Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, yes and forever.”
If we ever needed an anchor for the soul, it is the day in which we live. The world as a whole is in continual chaos; and in our personal lives, we must continually deal with changing circumstances which are so often difficult and challenging. In addition to our outward circumstances, we also face inward challenges; in particular, our thought life. Because we live in a fallen world that has lost its way, we are blessed beyond measure to have a God ‘in whom there is no variation.’ No matter how severe the storm may be, if our anchor is in God, our anchor holds in the most violent storms. Our hope must not be in the things of the world but in the promises and the purposes of God. We find ‘strong encouragement’ in what God has promised for His people, even though we may be experiencing temporary difficulties. No matter what happens in the world, or what happens in our personal lives, and no matter that whatever-God never changes and He always invites us to take refuge in Him. There is a hope set before us-and we must lay hold of that hope; embracing the hope that is set before us brings stability and peace no matter our circumstances. Let us rejoice in the fact that our God is ruling and reigning and He has called us to Himself and He has plans and purposes for His people that will be completed just as He desires, in His own time. We can find strong encouragement and a sure hope in what God is doing now, and what He has in store for those who love Him.
1 Peter 1:3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to His great mercy, He Has called us to be born again to a living hope though the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”
Blessings,
Buddy

LET THE PEACE OF CHRIST RULE

1/27/2023

January 27, 2023 LET THE PEACE OF CHRIST RULE
Colossians 3:15 “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.”
Philippians 4:6-7 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be make known to God. And the peace of God which passes all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Isaiah 26:3 “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You.”
The scriptures are miraculous-they are of God; and they are both profound, stretching the mind; and yet they are simple, easily understood, and the message of the scripture immediately penetrates the heart. And amazingly, many times a particular verse speaks directly to us about a particular issue or circumstance we are confronted with. Such is the case with Colossians 3:15. Is it possible to simply let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts? Yes, it is possible. Some may say that if we knew the conflicts and trials they were facing, we would understand why they are not at peace. The core issue of letting the peace of Christ rule in our hearts is that of trusting God. No one likes trials and conflicts, and we are not to deny the pain of trials; but, if our trust is in God, we can rest in the fact that God is at work in the midst of the trial, that He will not forsake us, that He will give us strength to endure, and that He will in some way use it for good. To have that posture in the midst of the trial is possible only by having an unshakeable trust in God our Father. In our culture, many may not be in a great trial, but nonetheless, they are anxious and are not at peace, and thus, they try to find peace and fulfillment in places and in things other than in God. This trust in God that is essential in this life is more than mental; true trust in God is rooted in our spirit-in the core of our being. Our having a genuine trust in God is a work of the Holy Spirt revealing to us the faithfulness of God and His absolute power to work all things for good for those who love Him. We have many opportunities to become anxious and there are many things that could rob us of the peace of Christ. It is refreshing to know that we can simply let go and let His peace rule in our hearts. God is pleased when we have a child like faith in Him even when life is difficult and we don’t understand the how or why. So, let us let go of all that would defeat us and discourage us, and simply let His peace rule in our hearts and minds-He is in control-and He loves us.
John 16:33 “I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
Philippians 4:9 “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from Me, or seen in Me-put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”
Blessings,
Buddy

IN HIM

1/25/2023

January 25, 2023 IN HIM
From Ephesians 1 “blessed with every spiritual blessing” “He chose us in Him” “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace, which He lavished upon us” “He made known to us the mystery of His will” “predestined according to His purpose” “sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise” “that God---may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so 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 surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe.”
Several times in the first chapter of Ephesians, you find the words ‘in Him.’ Everything hinges on whether or not one is ‘in Him;’ the blessings, and the promises of God are reserved for those who are in Christ; one can spend a life time discovering just what those promises and blessing are. Paul begins this letter by saying that believers have been “Blessed with every spiritual blessing;” whatever spiritual blessing there are, we have them! As we think about spiritual blessings, we may be guilty of seeing the spiritual as somewhat mystical, or untouchable, or something that is not practical, or even reserved for heaven. However, the scriptures tell us that what is unseen, the spiritual, is eternal, while what we see with our eyes is temporal. 2 Corinthians 4:18. The blessings that come as a result of being in Him impacts every aspect of our lives; we must not compartmentalize our lives into spiritual and secular; all we do is to flow from the life of Christ in us. As we read and meditate on the above scriptures and the blessing that come to those who are in Him, we may find ourselves asking if it all is too good to be true and if the blessings are for us personally. Only because we are ‘in Him,’ we have been redeemed and forgiven of all of our trespasses, we now understand the mysteries of God that He has revealed to us, He has predestined us to be conformed to the image of His Son, we are sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, and God gives us a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him! We cannot in our own wisdom and knowledge come to understand or experience the blessings that come by being in Him; that is why Paul prayed for you and I, that the eyes of our heart would be enlightened-that we might come to know the abundant riches we have in Him. May we turn our hearts fully to Him and seek to know Him, depending on the Holy Spirit to reveal to us the blessings of being in Christ.
Ephesians 1:19-21 “and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him form the dead, and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in the one to come.”
Blessings,
Buddy

MIND SET

1/22/2023

January 22, 2023 MIND SET
Romans 8:5-8,12-13 “For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh id death, but the life set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the Law of God, for it is not even able to do so; and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” “So then, brethren, we are under obligation not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh-for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live.”
One clear truth that we find in Romans chapters seven and eight, as well as in many other scriptures, is that a believer can choose to live according to the flesh; but it is also clear that if they make that choice, it is just that-their choice, since the power of sin over us has been broken and we have been made new. It is a fact that the flesh battles against the Spirit, but the flesh is always defeated when we live according to the Spirit. Our mind-set is critical; our mind can be set on the flesh, or on the Spirit. If you are employed, it’s likely your mind set is to go to work and do a good job. If your goal is to be a professional athlete, then your mind is set on practicing your chosen sport. Like so, if we are followers of Christ, then our mind should be set on growing in the faith, learning of Him, following His commands and teachings, and listening to and obeying the promptings of the Holy Spirit. If our mind is set on acquiring riches and material gain, popularity, looks, or whatever, then our mind is set on the flesh. The key is, where is our heart and what is our main pursuit in life. There is nothing wrong with having material possessions or being in good physical condition and good health, etc; it’s a problem when things other than knowing God and walking in His ways become our priorities in life. These verses call for a self-evaluation; let us look within and determine if our mind set is on the Spirit of God who is working in us, or if our mind set is on doing what pleases self-the flesh. If we find that our mind is set on the flesh, then we are called to die to self if we are to experience God. The good news is that the mind set on the Spirit, and we are saying no to the flesh, then we will live!
Colossians 3:1-3 “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.”
Blessings,
Buddy

CONTENMENT

1/19/2023

January 19, 2023 CONTENTMENT
Philippians 4:6-7, 11-12, 19 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” “Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” “And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
Paul had an amazing testimony; the good news is that all believers can have the same testimony. In the day in which we live, there is much that we could be anxious about, but I suppose that is the way it has always been. Paul begins with saying to ‘be anxious for nothing;’ some might say that surely he did not mean that in a literal way; and others might say that Paul was special or unique-what he said is not for all believers. Let us embrace ‘being anxious for nothing’ as a word for us and discover that it can be true of us. Being anxious for nothing does not mean that we live in denial or that we ‘bury our heads in the sand.’ We do experience trials and difficulties, but our response can be such that we deal the difficulties is such a way that we are not anxious about them. When things come into our life that has the potential to make us anxious, we are to make our request known to God-through prayer and supplication with thanksgiving. Supplication means to ‘plead humbly.’ When we make our request to God in this way, His peace will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Another important aspect of not being anxious is to learn how to be content in all circumstances-wow! Paul experienced extremely difficult circumstances, yet he lived in contentment; he knew how to get along with humble means, AND he knew how to live in prosperity with contentment. (Prosperity has its own way of making one anxious.) Paul goes on to say that he had ‘learned the secret’ of being filled and going hungry and of having abundance and having need. That is amazing. Note that Paul learned to be content-it was not automatic; and he learned the secret of being content in all circumstances. How do we learn, and what is the secret? I’m sure I cannot answer those questions fully, but I do believe that the answer revolves around the issue of knowing and trusting God in the deepest part of our being-more than with a head knowledge. I must believe that God is all powerful, all knowing, and that He alone reigns over all; whatever comes my way, God has allowed it. By our own action or inaction, we can bring about certain circumstances, but even so, God has allowed it and He can use the circumstances for our own good and for His glory. Finally, we can find contentment because God has promised to strengthen us and to supply all of our needs. He may not supply all our wants, but He will supply what we need, and with that, let us be content.
1 Timothy 6:6-8 “But godliness and contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into this world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.”
Blessings,
Buddy

A SURE FOUNDATION IS LAID

1/17/2023

January 17, 2023 A SURE FOUNDATION IS LAID
1 Corinthians 3:11-15 “For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Christ Jesus. Now if any man builds upon the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it, because it is to be revealed with fire; and then fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. If any man’s work which he has built upon it remains, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work is burned up, he shall suffer loss, but he himself shall be saved, yet so as through fire.”
There is hardly anything worse than discovering that the building that was built is faulty-after the building is complete. In life, whether we are conscience of it or not, we are building; our routines, the things we spend time doing, what we have as priorities, how we relate to others, are all a part of the building process that each of us are about. (Our life is the building.) The truth that we must not miss is that the foundation has already been laid-and that is Christ Jesus. As we see above, we have many options of what materials we can use in what we are building-gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, and straw. The sobering reality is that one day our building, our work, will be tested by fire and it will become evident what materials we used in our building. Should our building survive the fire, then we will receive a reward from God! Jesus is the foundation and it is a foundation of forgiveness of sin, restoration to our Father, a new identity (new creations), being made a part of the body of Christ, and given the gift of the Holy Spirit. The eternal truths of the scriptures are the sure foundation. Jesus came and demonstrated and taught the gospel of the kingdom-as He did, He was laying the foundation. Foundations are to be built upon-that’s where we come in. We are to be building with gold, silver, and precious stones-and we find those materials in His word. We can build with love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance, patience, prayer, hope, encouragement, edification, bearing burdens, giving, serving-and the list goes on. What we build with these materials will last-it will stand the test of fire. We must resist living according to the wisdom and the ways of this world; instead we are to live according to the ways of God, and we learn of His ways as we read His word. It is futile and totally wasteful and unfulfilling to build with anything other than the materials that God has given to us to build with. Today, let us be about building from a kingdom prospective, knowing that what we are building will survive the fire and that we will be rewarded as a faithful builder.
Mathew 6:19-21 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasuries in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Blessings,
Buddy

A CHEERFUL GIVER

1/15/2023

January 15, 2023 A CHEERFUL GIVER
2 Corinthians 9:6-8,10-11 “Now this I say, he who sows sparingly shall also reap sparingly; and he who sows bountifully shall also reap bountifully. Let each one do just as he has purposed in his heart; not grudgingly or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that always having all sufficiency in everything you may have an abundance for every good deed.” “Now He who supplies seeds to the sower and bread for food, will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness; you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God.”
The truths presented in this passage of scripture are counter-culture; the culture promotes getting while the kingdom of God promotes giving. God is a giving God and it only stands to reason that His followers would be givers as well. The fact that God loves a cheerful giver should serve as a motivation for us the be ones who have a giving nature. The simple truth that is so powerful and life-changing is the law of sowing and reaping. The awesome good news for us is that if we sow bountifully we shall also reap bountifully; and the opposite is also true; if we sow sparingly, we will reap sparingly. This principle of sowing and reaping has a way of exposing our hearts; and it also exposes whether one is living for self or living according to the ways of God. Our sowing must not be done to bring attention to ourselves and we must not take credit for the good works we might do. It is God who enables us to sow good seed-and He gives us seeds to sow, AND He multiplies our seed for sowing-we will never run out of seed! Because God’s grace abounds to us, we are sufficient for every good deed. As we are about sowing good seeds, God supplies all of our needs. There are limitless numbers of ways to sow good seeds; it may be giving in some material way; we can give words that would bless and encourage; we may meet a physical need that someone has; we may visit the sick; we may pray for someone; prepare a meal; we can sow seeds of forgiveness….and the possibilities go on. If we truly know God and we know our true identity as believers, it will be our nature to sow good seeds-we are not to give or sow under compulsion. This principle of sowing and reaping does not mean that we must meet every single need we see; but it does mean that we must be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading in prompting us as to how and when we can sow good seeds; we should have the attitude of looking for ways be givers-not looking for excuses to withhold. God says that He will increase the harvest of our righteousness and that we will be enriched in everything for all liberality! We can give out of the abundance that God supplies. The end result is that sowing good seeds produces thanksgiving to God.
Proverbs 11:24-25 “One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessings will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.”
Hebrews 13:16 “Do not neglect to do good and share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”
Blessings,
Buddy

GRACE AND PEACE MULTIPLIED

1/13/2023

January 13, 2023 GRACE AND PEACE BE MULTIPLIED
2 Peter 1:2-4 “Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, in order that by them you might become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.”
It seems that many are desiring a simpler life style-and that is understandable as we live in a complex culture that constantly demands much of us. Families sharing meals together, enjoying conversation without getting a text message, playing a game in the back yard, or just taking a leisurely walk and enjoying God’s creation is so often illusive. The awesome good news is that God knows the deepest longings of our hearts, and He has made provision that we might live life as He designed and that we could be truly fulfilled. Peter begins this chapter with the prayer that “Grace and peace be multiplied to you;” and it is just that-the grace and peace of God has been extended to us. By His grace, through His divine power, He has given us everything pertaining to life and godliness. It is not by our effort, but by His divine power that we have been given everything pertaining to life and godliness-what a blessing. Peter tells us that these things come to us through the true knowledge of Him. It is critical that we learn of God according to His word and not according to our own definition of God; there are many false concepts, false religions, and false teachings of who God is and what He is like. We must be constantly forming our beliefs around the truth of God’s word. We may not completely understand what it means that we ‘have been given everything pertaining to life and godliness.’ We have to work, we have to pay bills, we have to maintain what we own, we sometimes endure sickness and loss, and we may at times feel discouraged. BUT, God enables us to overcome what we face; we have all we need in Him; in Him we have peace, patience, hope, joy, courage, steadfastness, wisdom-and the list goes on. God makes us new, and in our newness, we discover that we are indeed complete in Him, lacking nothing. Sure, we face difficulties, but He has made us sufficient to meet and to overcome the challenges we face in life. And hear this-God has given us precious and magnificent promises in order that WE might BECOME PARTAKERS OF HIS DIVINE NATURE!! Yes! We can live life in this fallen world with His divine nature empowering us and guiding us every step of the way. We are not God, but we can think like God and we can act like God and we can respond like God-and that is what God is desiring for us.
1 Corinthians 2:16 “For who has understood the mind of the Lord as to instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ.”
Ephesians 4:24 “and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.”
2 Corinthians 11:3 “But I am afraid, lest as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds should be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.”
Blessings,
Buddy

NOT OF THIS WORLD

1/11/2023

January 11, 2023 NOT OF THIS WORLD
John 18:36 “Jesus answered, ‘My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting, that I might not be delivered up to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm.”
1 Thessalonians 2:12 “We exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.” We spend a lot of time in this world working, shopping, taking care of the house, perhaps being involved in sports or hobby, social activities, attending church, etc. We tend to live as though this world is our home. On several occasions Jesus said that His followers, even though they lived in the world, they were not of the world, but belonged to His kingdom-which was not of this world, or realm as we read in the above verse. It’s a major deal for us to get this point; we have been transferred to the kingdom of God; we no longer belong to this world system. This reality may seem a bit confusing; how do we live 24/7 in this world, but yet not belong to it. The kingdom of this world is physical and it will pass away; the kingdom of God is spiritual in nature and is eternal. Even thought the kingdom of God is spiritual, it has great impact on how we live in the physical world. We must be settled in the fact that the spiritual is far more important than the physical, and because it is, we must be focused on our spiritual relationship with God. The life we live in this world is to flow from our relationship with our heavenly Father. (Our marching orders for life on this earth are to be from God.) As believers, we are spiritual beings who impact the world around us. We are not a body with a spirit, we are a spirit with a body. The emphasis of the above verses, and many other verses, is that we are to walk or live in such a manner that is worthy of God, that honors God, and that reflects His nature to those around us-that must be our over-riding desire. Once we learn of our true identity as His sons and daughters, once we discover that we have been transferred to His kingdom, and once we learn that we are first spiritual beings who are joined to God, we will not live according to this fallen world system-there is so much more. As we read the scriptures, we learn of the ways of the kingdom of God and how we can be expressions of life in the kingdom of God here on the earth. We have been sent into the world, but we are not of the world.
Colossians 3:17 “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”
Blessings,
Buddy