November28, 2015                                    THAT  YOUR  JOY  MAY  BE  MADE  FULL

John 15:11: “These things have I spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full made.”

If there is one thing the world is short of, it is joy. One may ask how can there be joy with all of the turmoil and strife that is present throughout the world. In addition to the turmoil and strife, there is sickness, disease, addictions, broken relationships, crime, moral decay, and the list goes on.  There is no doubt that we live in difficult times; however, the people that Jesus was speaking to in this verse also faced difficulties of daily living and also suffered great persecution because of their faith. Jesus was, and is, well aware of the fact that life on earth has its difficulties, and He warned His followers of this in John 16:33. In spite of the trials they faced, Jesus told his followers, and he tells us, that our joy can be full no matter what we face in life.  I would suspect that some in the crowd chuckled when they heard those words-thinking: “He does not know what I am facing.” When we hear the word joy, we think of being happy, experiencing pleasure, delight, jubilation, etc. Is the Christian life to be one of continual happiness, pleasure, and jubilation? If not, then how do we to experience joy in the midst of troubles? I certainly don’t presume to have all the answers to these valid questions, but I do know that Jesus meant what He said. I also know that how one defines joy is important. To begin with, we must understand that God is a God of joy and that God takes pleasure. In our first view of God in the book of Genesis, we see that when God created the world, He said: “it is good.” As you read the account of God creating the world, and man, you sense that He fully enjoyed what He was doing. No matter what we see taking place around us at the present, we know that at the heart of God there is joy. However, because man sinned, man was separated from God and joy was lost-so it seemed. Even before man sinned, God had a plan of restoration, but it would mean the sacrifice of His Son. In Hebrews 12:2 we learn of a key perspective that Jesus had concerning trials and joy: “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Jesus had total trust in His Father and He knew that the plan of God for man’s restoration meant that He would have to endure the cross. However, Jesus could see beyond the cross-He could see Satan being bound; He could see God’s plan of redemption being completed; He could see His followers being restored to the Father; He could see Himself being seated at the Fathers right hand; and He could envision the marriage supper of the Lamb taking place. Yes, the cross was cruel; but because Jesus could see the joy that was set before Him, He could and would endure the cross. For us, if our joy is based on our present circumstances, then our joy will come and go with the circumstances. If our joy is based on what God has already done on our behalf, and on what His plans are concerning our full redemption, then joy will be our constant companion. Just as Jesus had to endure, why should we think that we would not have to endure-just by living on planet earth means that there will be things we must endure. There are some today who believe that anything “bad” is from the devil, and they imply that trials and difficulties come because we lack faith. This sounds good and it sounds “spiritual”, but this view is contrary to scripture. In James 1:2-3 we read: “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.” Yes, we are to live by faith, and without faith it is impossible to please God; but our faith must be grounded in scripture. It is indeed a miracle, a work of God, to be able to experience a sense of joy even in difficult situations-something that the world does not comprehend. God does not expect us to enjoy trials and difficulties, but He has made His joy available to us and the joy He gives is based on what He has done in the past and all that He has for us in the future. So, we can look back and find reason for joy, and we can look forward to the joy that is set before us, and by doing so, we will find the strength to endure with joy.

Romans 15:13: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”

Proverbs 17:22: “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries the bones.”

Blessings,

Buddy

November 25, 2015                                      BY  THIS  WE KNOW

1 John 4:7-8, 16-18: “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love. And we have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this, love is perfected with us, that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love cast our fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.”

These verses speak volumes and they give clear insight as to the nature of the love of God. Also, there are some truths presented within these verses that are quite shocking-such as: if we don’t love, we don’t know God; and if we love, we do know God; and if we fear, we do not understand love; and if we love, we are like God! The obvious is that there is a definite, dynamic, and unalterable relationship between knowing God and loving God, and knowing God and loving others. As you read these verses, you see that everything is “wrapped up” and centers around the love of God. The love that is presented here is not the “eros” love that is a selfish type of love; nor is it the “philos” love which is a love between friends or companions; but rather is an “agape” love which is a divine love that comes from God. All believers are recipients of this agape love and they are also able to be conduits of this love to others. Agape love is not based on feelings and emotions, nor is it based on behavior or on circumstances. We need to be alert to the fact that perhaps all too often, our love is based on the behavior of others-if they do something we don’t like-we react or pout. The greatest blessing to come to believers is that they can experience the love that comes only from God-a love unlike any other. It is awesome to see that whoever has this agape love, is born of God AND knows God! Many blessings or associated with experiencing the love of God; one being that His love brings confidence. When we know the love of God, we have no dread or fear of the judgement of God. The one who abides in God’s love has no fear, because perfect love cast our fear. Another blessing is that we can love one another with a perfect love-not a love based on how they may act or what their personality may be, nor whether they love us in return or not. The prevailing truth of these scriptures challenge us at our core; and in fact reveal whether or not we do indeed know the love of God. The overriding message of the word of God is that “God so loved the world that He gave”, and the love that He gives transcends everything, and radically transforms our lives. If by chance we have somehow forgotten our own transformation, or if we have never been transformed by His love, let us be quick to realize that we stand in need of being renewed in His love, or we stand in need of experiencing His love for the first time. Jesus said that if we seek Him, He will let us find Him. God is ready to flood us with His great love-a love that will change everything about us. His love is a love that brings hope, confidence, peace and joy, it dispels fear, and it causes us to love others unconditionally. As we live in His love, we are like Him in this world! Let us no longer live in mere selfish love; but let us be lifted to the highest heights by the love of God.

1 John 4:12-13: “No one has beheld God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.”

1 John 4:19: “We love, because He first loved us.”

Blessings,

Buddy

November 22, 2015                                   RANDOM  ACTS  OF KINDNESS

Acts 10:38: “And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.”

Colossians 3:12: “So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;”

I heard about a fourth grade teacher who challenged her students to do “acts of kindness”, and when they did an act of kindness, they were to pin a red heart on the classroom wall. This idea quickly spread to other classes, and even the other teachers and school administrators got in on the action. The result was astounding; the entire school was changed-all because of one fourth grade teacher challenged her students to show kindness! Jesus demonstrated kindness, and throughout scripture believers are called to do the same. Our God is a God who is good and kind, and we have now taken on a new nature that comes from God, enabling us to “go about doing good” just as Jesus did. The idea of doing acts of kindness sounds so simple, but yet it is so powerful because expressing kindness is a concrete, sure-fire way of demonstrating the kingdom of God. You might say that acts of kindness are “boots on the ground” or “tires on the pavement” when it comes to demonstrating the kingdom of God.  Kindness expressed has a way of dispelling anger, distrust, conflict, and disagreement. One act of kindness can have more affect than ten thousand words. The doing, or not doing acts of kindness is so critical, because if kindness is in our heart, it will be expressed; and if it not, it will not be expressed. Another great aspect of showing kindness is that there are always ample opportunities to do acts of kindness-if we are alive, then we have occasions to show kindness. Writing a card, opening the door for a stranger, expressing a word of appreciation, looking out for our neighbor’s house while they are away, taking a meal to a shut-in, praying for someone who is sick, being quick to forgive, and etc. are practical ways of expressing kindness. One major benefit of expressing kindness is that it gets our focus off of self; and when our life is focused on ourselves, then we will are most miserable.  For the one who does not know God, his motivation in life is that of self-fulfillment and self-preservation. Whereas the one who knows God and understands his new nature, has as his motivation a desire to bless others. Again, our motivation for doing acts of kindness is not to gain God’s approval, but by so doing, we are expressing what is in our heart-the nature of God. When we are expressing who we are in Christ, we find what the heart yearns for, and that is a sense of fulfillment that comes only from God. Man’s nature is to think that he must “get”, while it is God’s nature-and now ours-to “give.” God so loved the world, that He gave; now, because we have been made new-with a new nature, we can also give; and by showing kindness we are giving-just as our Father gives. This season of Thanksgiving is a great time to “ramp” up our acts of kindness-a great time to express gratitude, and a great time to express what is in our heart-the love and kindness of our Father.

Galatians 5:22: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,”

Acts 9:36: “Now in Joppa, there was a certain disciple named Tabitha (which translated in Greek is called Dorcas); this woman was abounding with deeds of kindness and charity, which she continually did.”    (Read the rest of this chapter to see the details of her dying and of her being raised from the dead. Evidently her “abounding with deeds of kindness” had an impact on her community.)

May each of us “abound with deeds of kindness and charity” just as Dorcas did.

Blessings,

Buddy

November 19, 2015                              RUN  THAT  YOU  MAY  WIN

1 Corinthians 9:24-27: “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. And everyone who competes in the game exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore I run in such a way, not as without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I buffet my body and make it my slave, lest possibly, after I have preached to others, I myself should be disqualified.”      

I recently heard a message that was “spot on” for our culture and I wanted to share the gist of what the message was about; and that is; we must run in a way that we win. Today, in many events where children are in competition, or even in a class room setting, everyone gets a “participation trophy” for just “being there.” I know that several events that I have attended where my grandchildren were involved, it seemed that every child got some award or trophy-the time taken to give out trophies took almost as long as the competition did. Studies are showing that “participation trophies” are doing the kids a dis-service. As kids reach adulthood, they expect a trophy for just showing up-and that just does not happen in real life.  This idea of a “participation trophy” is also realized in the church and among Christians and is evidenced by some Christians feeling that just because they “show up” at church, they should get a blessing form God. The participation trophy mindset fuels the entitlement attitude that plagues our nation today. Also, the idea of being awarded just for “showing up” greatly hampers productivity at the job and in life. In the above scriptures, Paul addresses this issue of “participation trophies” and he gives the antidote for this erroneous mindset. There is no room for passivity in the Christian life as we have a race to run. The race set before us is that of getting to know Christ, and living our lives in such a way that we reflect our heavenly Father.  Running the race well calls for discipline in all that we do-even in our physical bodies. It is noteworthy to see that Paul made his body a slave! Our thoughts, our actions, our motives, and our physical bodies must be disciplined if we are to win the race and not be disqualified. In our family, at the job, and in the church, we are to be engaged-making a difference, not just showing up. We should be asking ourselves if we are running well-and if our life is making a difference in the lives of others. Concerning discipline, we need to take personal inventory regularly and determine what we should stop doing and what we should start doing. Let us be proactive in rooting out anything that hinders us from running well. As believers, even as we get older, with God’s help, we can make any changes that we need to make-let us avoid getting “stuck in our ways.” We know that Paul’s strongest motivation and commitment was that of knowing Christ and being faithful in what God called him to be and to do. In Hebrews 12:1 we read: “Therefore since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”  We do not run the race as a way as a way of earning God’s approval; we run the race because we are in Him, because we are complete in Him, because have been made new, and because our new heart has a desire to please Him in all we do. So, let us be counter-culture; let us dispel any though of getting a trophy just for showing up; let us run the race well; let us be disciplined for the race that is set before us; and let us make any changes in our life that need to be made.

2 Timothy 4:7-8: I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which is the Lord, the righteousness judge, will award to me on that day; and not only me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.”

Blessings,

Buddy

November 16, 2015                                       ALL  FROM  ONE  FATHER

Hebrews 2:11: “For both He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one Father; for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren.”

When the truth of this scripture becomes revelation in our spirit and in our minds, we cannot remain the same. This truth cannot be understood or believed except the Holy Spirit reveals it to us. I think that perhaps one of the greatest desires Jesus had was that we would come to know that He and ourselves have the same Father. Can we-do we- know deep within that we are from God-that God is our real Father? It is astounding to know that Jesus is our brother! Here is what I believe about God being our Father. Long before we were born physically, God knew us-we were in His heart. He knew when and where we would be born physically; He even “weaved us in our mother’s womb” (Psalm 139:13); and He knew who our earthly parents would be. Before we were born, God knew the number of days we would live on earth; He knew the color of our hair; He knew, and He knows every detail of our physical being. No matter who our earthly father or mother may be, or no matter the circumstances surrounding our birth, our birth was no accident whatsoever, and it was no “surprise” to our real Father. It is awesome to know that we were “fathered” by God! Since the beginning, God knew that Adam and Eve would sin against God, and God knew that man would be in need of a Savior. Jesus’ coming to earth was not by accident, nor was it just a random act of God. Jesus’ coming to earth was for a specific purpose, and that was too redeem His brothers and sisters that God knew from the beginning. Jesus was not coming to earth for someone He did not know-He came for those that the Father had given to Him. The specific purpose of Jesus’ coming included revealing the fact that He and we have the same Father. In John 20:17 Jesus said: “I ascend to My Father and your Father, and My God and your God.” Knowing, understanding, and believing in the core of our being that God is our Father has tremendous implications for us. Our Father is totally trustworthy. Our Father loves us, and anything that happens to us must be allowed by our Father. Since God is sovereign and since God is our Father; what have we to fear? What is there that we have to worry about? What is there that would bring us to a state of depression? What or who can separate us from the love of our Father-can sickness or even death separate us? It is key for us to know that God has not promised us a life free from difficulty and trials, but He has promised that all things work together for our good when we walk in His ways. If our Father allows sickness, difficulty, suffering, trials, or unpleasant circumstances, we can rest in the fact that God has a purpose in whatever we are experiencing. There is total freedom in trusting our Father for every detail of life. Does all of this mean that we are naive or oblivious or insensitive to the difficulties that life presents? Of course not. We do face battles; we are called to fight the good fight; but we do so knowing that our sovereign Father is ruling and reigning and He has our good in mind all of the time. Whatever difficulties we face, as unpleasant as they may be, God is using them to transform us to His image. The implications of God being our Father may sound too good to be true-but they are true-and it all reveals just how great our Father is, and how much love He has for us. It may sound strange, but coming to know God as Father in some way causes us to have a child-like faith and trust in Him. Knowing God as Father simplifies life, it eliminates unnecessary stress, it gives confidence, it takes away fear, and it brings peace. Let us ask God to give us the revelation we need to know Him as Father. We were born with a destiny-a destiny to know God as Father.

1 John 3:1: “See how great a love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called the children of God, and such we are.”

Luke 12:29-32: “And do not seek what you shall eat, and what you shall drink, and do not keep worrying. For all these things the nations of the world eagerly seek; but your Father knows that you need these things. But seek for His kingdom, and these things shall be added to you. Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom.”

Blessings,

Buddy

November 12, 2015                                     MEMBERS  ONE  OF  ANOTHER

Romans 12:4-5: “For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.”

1 Corinthians 12:12-13: “For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.”

We tend to think and live independently, and as a result, we may find it difficult to think in terms of being connected to others, or being one with others. God made each of us unique and gifted us with certain gifts and different manifestations of the Spirit “for the common good.” (Romans 12:7). God has designed it in such a way that together we more accurately reflect Him than we do acting as single individuals. It helps us to realize that God has gifted each of us differently and that we need what others have to offer. Jesus talked a lot about the unity that He and the Father enjoyed and He taught that we can now experience unity with Him as well as with other members of His body-the church. What the Holy Spirit does in each of us is for the common good-it is to be shared. We each have some measure of the expression of the Spirit, but we also need the expression of the Spirit that others contribute to the body. As good and valuable as friendships are, when we begin to see the dynamics of the body and how God designed it to function, we discover that our relating to the body carries us beyond relating only to our close friends-the body is much bigger than friendship. In Romans 12:11 we read: “But one and the same Spirit works all things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.” Acknowledging our need for each other does not rob us of our individuality; it actually helps us discover who we are and how and where we fit in-bringing purpose to life. The point being, God has gifted us and designed us in a certain way and we are to be about discovering what our part is in the building up of the body of Christ. Because of this, and in light of this truth, we are not excused from body life-we don’t have permission to “check out” and not fulfill out part. God made this point clear as we see in Hebrews 10:24-25: “and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near.” To be honest, we must acknowledge that some churches, perhaps many, do not function in such a way that is conducive to body life that is in keeping with the scriptures. Nonetheless, we need to find ways and opportunities to be a part of body life where together we experience the gifting’s of various members; where each is aware of their need for the other members; and where unity with each other and with the Lord are enjoyed. For certain, we will not always agree with the opinions and actions of other members of the body; however any differences we have do not have to cause any division. In the body of Christ, there is room for diversity and uniqueness. Also, there is room in the body for those who may be new in the faith-a place to grow. In the body we are one; age, race, employment, education, income, etc. does not matter. God designed the church, and Jesus died for the church-His bride, and God is working out His purposes through the church. There is nothing higher or greater for us to achieve than fulfilling our place in the body of Christ. A lot of the things we do are temporal; but what is done in and through the body, the church, has eternal consequences. Whether you have a good experience in the church, or a not-so-good experience, the church remains the primary institution that God has ordained to demonstrate and carry out His purposes on the earth, and in the spiritual realms as well. May we be awakened; may we be reminded of what Jesus said in Matthew 16:18: “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades shall not overpower it.”

Ephesians 4:15-16: “but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him, who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by that which every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.”

Blessings,

Buddy

November 8, 2015                                       CHASING  AWAY  THE  NIGHT

Romans 13:12: “The night is almost gone, and the day is at hand. Let us therefore lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.”                                                                                                                Where I live, we have had many days with no sunshine, and the ten day forecast gives no promise of any change. I find myself longing for sunshine. As is often the case, the “natural” has applications in the “spiritual”-and so it is with the weather. In scripture, we are called to “walk in the light as He is in the light” (1 John 1:7); meaning that our life should resemble the life that Jesus demonstrated when He lived on earth. It is evident that many, including believers, often succumb to the darkness that is so prevalent. The ever increasing number of people who are addicted to, or dependent on drugs or alcohol, or who suffer with depression, is sufficient evidence that living in darkness is not limited to a small segment of the population. The good news of the gospel is that to live and walk in the light-in the midst of a dark world-is our heritage as a child of God, as promised in Colossians 1:13: “For He delivered us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son,”. 1 John 1:5-7 gives more insight into walking in the light: “And this is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.” There is a line in a song that speaks volumes: “I’m coming out of darkness-gonna chase the night away.”  When I hear this, I have the picture in my mind of a dog running off the porch, barking and growling at the sight of a stray dog in the yard-chasing it away. As the people of God, just as the dog chases off the stray dog, we can chase the darkness away! The idea of chasing away the night, the darkness, is a powerful idea and it is something that we as believers have the ability to do. To realize, to know that we do not have to live with, or put up with the darkness, is indeed liberating. This in no way implies that we as believers will not encounter trials, or that we are immune to difficulty, or that we never experience some darkness. But it does mean that we do not have to live with, or walk in darkness as a way of life because God has given us the power to “chase the darkness away.” Chasing the darkness away calls for action on our part; we are to be aggressive when it comes to dispelling darkness. Rejecting, or repelling darkness is a spiritual battle, and the battleground is normally the mind and the heart.  2 Corinthians 10:5 instructs us to take “every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.” In other words, we or to think like Christ if we are to live in the light. The scripture is abundantly clear that we have been given a new heart and a new mind; but we must make the choice to live out of our new heart and new mind. The battle is practically won when we realize deep within that we have been made new; that we are in Christ; that we now have the mind of Christ; that we are in the light as He is in the light; that we have been fully equipped to live life as an overcomer. So, let us not allow darkness of any degree rule in our lives; but let us be the children of light that we are. And, don’t forget the barking, growling dog-be quick to chase away any darkness that tries to set one foot in your yard!

Ephesians 5:8-10: “for you were formally darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light (for the fruit of light consist in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.”

John 8:12: “Again therefore Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world; he who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life.’”

Blessings,  Buddy