365 Days

One year. 365 days. Seems like a long time, doesn’t it? I’m still trying to figure out what happened to 2012. Many plans accomplished, some still in progress, some never begun. In the next few days, many of us will pull out our new calendars to fill them in. Others will make resolutions in many different areas, particularly health and fitness goals. I would like to challenge you to consider making some spiritual goals.

One of the questions that has stuck with me the most over the years is: are you closer to the Lord now than you were a year ago? It is a convicting question. Regardless of where we are in our Christian journey, there is room for improvement.

Below are suggestions to consider as spiritual goals. Remember, it takes 3 to 4 weeks for a habit to be established. Choose one or more, but, instead of trying to accomplish multiple goals at the same time, spread them out over months. When one goal becomes a habit, add the next. Don’t be discouraged if you slip up, Satan likes to use that to defeat you. Just pick up where you left off. Most of all, ask the Lord to help you accomplish the goal for Him.

Daily devotional reading. If you are just beginning, don’t try to do too much at first. You will become discouraged. Read a Proverbs a day to get you going. Choose a verse to dwell on for the day. (Often the verse “chooses” you.) If you are experienced in this area, change up your devotional routine; do something different. Try a word study. Choose a passage of Scripture to go through word by word. Thoroughly study a Bible principle or doctrine.

Read through the Bible. This goal is great for establishing discipline in our lives as well as familiarizing us with God’s Word. However, if you are like me, you may find yourself struggling once you reach the genealogies. There are numerous plans available for reading the Bible. Most Bible reading plans are for a year, but there are those set up for as long as 3 years to as little as 90 days. Some plans provide variety by reading a little from the Old Testament and New Testament each day. One plan in particular that I find helpful, especially for beginners or those project oriented, is the Read through the Bible Plan for Shirkers and Slackers. Although not calendar based, it does have specific sections of the Bible to read each day.

Shake up your prayer life. Our prayer life is very important. Prayer is our way of communicating with our Lord and Savior. There are several aspects and areas you may want to consider improving through the year.

• Conversational prayer. The Bible says to pray without ceasing. To do this we in essence have a running conversation with the Lord all day. As you are cleaning, driving, or working simple talk to the Lord about what you are doing. If someone comes to mind, pray for them. Believe it or not, you do not need to know details of a person's situation to effectively pray for them. The Lord already knows; ask Him to help and encourage them even though you don't know the reason.
• Corporate prayer. Are you terrified of being called on to pray in a social setting? Ask the Lord to help you step out of your comfort zone this year to pray when asked in a group.
• Closet prayer. This type of prayer is specific time set aside to pray for others as well as needs. Establish an organized way in which to pray for requests whether a journal, note cards, or prayer list. Date entries when added and when answered. This tool will encourage you when you are discouraged.
• Prayer and fasting. Many people are afraid of this area of prayer. Typically, fasting does mean going without food for a period of time with the mindset of setting that time aside to get hold of God for a specific need. It requires sacrifice on our part. Fasting does not necessarily mean you need to go a day or more without sustenance. You may choose to go without one meal each day for a few days or longer setting aside the time you would have had for the meal for prayer. Some choose to go without a specific type of food for a period of time and also set aside a specific amount of time dedicated to pray for the request. If you have a health concern that may prevent you from a food fast, you could choose to fast from television, the internet, or other activity using that time instead to pray.

Commit to do. Each year thousands upon thousands of people commit to beginning a physical fitness goal. This can also be done with a spiritual goal. Commit to serve faithfully in a specific area for the Lord in your local church. If your church already has pre-scheduled weekly areas of service available to the church body such as church visitation, a letter writing ministry to missionaries or shut-ins, or any number of other ministries, start by becoming a faithful servant in one of these areas. If you are already faithful in one or more of these areas go to your pastor, explain your goal for the year, and ask if there is anything additional you can do at your church.

Change of diet. This is a case of the “garbage in, garbage out” rule. Re-evaluate your entertainment choices. Examine your relationships. What are your feeding your mind and soul? What goes in will eventually come out. In our physical diet, we are healthiest when we fill our bodies with good food; many diet gurus will also tell us to be careful of our relationships as some people tend to sabotage our diet and fitness goals. The same is true for our spiritual diet. We often wonder why we struggle with worry, anger, jealousy, among other things. A change in diet will do wonders.

Change your thinking. This is a bit more than a change of diet. This challenge will cause you to dig deep for what you truly believe. It will reveal worldly philosophies that have crept into your thinking and belief system polluting the absolute truth of God’s Word you thought you knew. To change your thinking you will need to start asking two new questions and remove one.

• Remove the question: what is wrong with that? All too often, when this question is asked it is with a rebellious attitude, however subtle it may be. (I should know, I’ve said it many times myself.) However, even if asked with an attitude of truly wanting the truth, the question leaves open the ability to rationalize the answer instead of providing absolute truth.
• Add the question: what is right with that? By changing your mindset to finding what is right with a situation you begin to train your heart, mind, and soul to accept only absolute truth as the answer. In other words, the Bible will become the final authority for each situation you face.
• Add the question: why? This question works in tandem with “what is right with that?” in that you must determine a few things. Every aspect of your life needs to have an answer to the question “why?” Why do you do what you do? Do you have a verse for your actions? Do you have a Bible principle that you stand on? Does your principle or action violate any other principle in the Bible? Why do you believe what you believe?  

These are only a few goals you may want to consider. But don't think you need to wait for January 1st. Choose any day: a birthday, anniversary or any random day. The day you begin doesn't really matter. What does matter is the answer a year later to this question: are you closer to the Lord now than you were a year ago?

Feel free to share spiritual goals you have done in the past or ones you may be considering now to encourage others. For a list of Bible reading plans, online devotionals, and other Bible study resources go to churchhelps.org Bible study page.

Did It Make You or Break You?

This morning I filled out an alumni information form for the Christian school where I graduated. They will be celebrating 40 years in a few weeks - a great accomplishment! Of course, these things tend to cause a great deal of retrospection and introspection. And, as I thought about those days, I was reminded of many who grew up during the same decades and what has taken place since.

If you ask many who attended Christian schools in the 70's, 80's, and early 90's you may hear a consensus of anger and, in some cases, that has turned to bitterness regarding their time in school. At the very least, there are tinges of derision, resentment, or scoffing. This also can be said of IFB churches during that same time. How do I know this? I see it on FaceBook and message boards. I hear it in conversations. Why?

The argument will be "that church" or "that school" did X.Y.Z. to me. Who did/do they think they were/are telling us how to dress, live, conduct ourselves? They let this group get away with ____ but when we did it they lowered the boom. (Yes, it did happen. No, you didn't imagine it. Inconsistency is possible by anyone... just ask your own kids.) Some will say that they (authority) did not follow God's Word; they twisted God's Word to make us do what they wanted.

I graduated from high school... well, ahem... in 1985. I graduated from a Christian college in 1989. I grew up in an IFB church and in the years since I have remained in and served in IFB churches. I have been accused over the years of "drinking the Kool-Aid." However, if those accusers would have spent a little time talking to me instead of accusing me they would have seen that I poured out the "Kool-Aid" long ago.

In our ministry, we see the worst of the worst in people... monthly, weekly, sometimes daily... often when things are at their darkest. We have dealt with pastors and their families who were utterly devastated by "their people", usually deacons, sometimes other staff, occasionally a group of disgruntled members. We've heard what these "godly" people have said to the pastor's kids and wives. We've seen how these men and, yes, sometimes those "sweet Christian" women, have gossiped, gone house to house and business to business as talebearers, and out right lied about pastors, their wives, and their kids. We have counseled with PK's (and their parents) who have said, "The CHURCH hurt me. I don't want anything else to do with it." Hmm....

We've also dealt with those who feel they have been bound and chained by the do's and don'ts of a "dictatorial pastor", a "tyrannical administrator", etc. We've heard every story under the sun of "all the financial problems a pastor has caused a church"; how these pastors have "hog-tied them and won't let them serve." We've heard these people say that they need to get rid of the pastor (authority) because they are hurting me. We've heard these people say that they will be in control; the "next" pastor just needs to "preach". Or, we've seen some simply leave (quietly or not) to go to churches where there are no rules, no standards, no responsibility, no confrontation of sin, or where "we just don't see interpret those passages the same way as you". Hmmm...

I have had a LONG time to think about this, to examine it, to pray and seek God's face on the matter. The "church" or the "school" didn't hurt you. Those are simply institutions... made up of people... made up with you included. The problem wasn't the schools; it wasn't the churches. It was people, individuals, the imperfect. And doesn't that describe ALL of us. Imperfect.

Here are a few things I've learned over the years that have helped me when others have hurt me or when I think I disagree with leadership. Maybe they will help you too.

• GOD'S WORD is the final authority to anything and everything that I do. It is my ABSOLUTE. Many say that they see certain scriptures differently than someone else does. Know this: that thinking is called "relativism" (a philosophy that conceptions of truth and moral values are not absolute but are relative to the persons or groups holding them). Relativism in the church has mixed God's Word with our opinions or thoughts in an attempt to compromise so that everyone can "get along" in "Christian love and fellowship." It is a worldly philosophy that slithered into Christian thinking; it is destroying churches, families, and individuals. 2 Peter 1:19-21, We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

• PEOPLE are imperfect which means they may do something that will hurt me at some point. Sometimes those who teach and guide us will hurt us. Sometimes a co-laborer, a fellow Christian may hurt us. Many times they are unaware of what they have done. Psalm 55:12-14, For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him: But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance. We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company.

• FORGIVENESS is essential. We may never confront those that have hurt us, but we must forgive them. In the parable of the king and servant in Matthew 18, the servant owed a debt that the king expected paid right away. The king granted leniency. The servant then went to those who owed him and showed no leniency. The king was appalled when he heard and delivered the servant to the "tormenters" until the debt was paid. When we continue to live in bondage, anger, and bitterness for those things done and said to us, we trample on the blood of Christ Who forgave us. Matthew 18:33-35, Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

• FORGIVENESS is not a one time thing. Peter asked Jesus how many times he should forgive his brother when he sinned against him. Seven times? Matthew 18:22, Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

• FORGETTING isn't easy, but it is necessary to move on. The saying "forgive and forget" is nice, but the two do not come hand in hand. It has been said that forgiveness requires remembering graciously. In other words, remember the hurt without added anger and bitterness. Learn the lesson, use the lesson to help others, but don't dwell. Don't allow Satan to use past hurts as a tool to halt your walk with the Lord. Philippians 3:13-14, Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

• AUTHORITY isn't always right, but submitting to that authority is protection in God's plan. 

1. As a parent, I have not always made the best decisions, but when it came to my son, I expected him to obey whether I was right or wrong; it was his God-given protection. Ephesians 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
2. As a wife, I have not always agreed with my husband, but regardless of that, I am protected through obedience to my husband. He is the one who will answer to God for what happens with our family. My responsibility is to submit graciously whether I understand the decisions he makes or not. My submission is an example as to how we as Christians are to submit to the Lord. Ephesians 5:22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
3. As an employee, I don't always agree with the policies of the boss or company. But, they are the authority. If I'm going to keep my job, I will follow those policies and do what I am asked to do. Why? Because I am serving my Lord not man, and am a witness for Him. Ephesians 6:5-8, Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.   
4. As a church member, I may not always agree with how things are handled in the church - finances, policies, standards, etc. At these times, I ask myself if it is something from which to separate. If so, then I leave, move on - quietly. If not, then I keep my mouth shut and happily serve my Lord. I also pray for either understanding on my part or a change in the heart and actions of the pastor. How can I do that? I know that I am not going to be the one to stand before the Lord for the happenings of the church. The pastor is. Hebrews 13:7, 17 (7)Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation. (17)Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you

The cause of Christ has suffered enough at our own divisiveness. We have much to do in these last days and it cannot be done when brother fights against brother, when hurts are harbored, when accusations and judgments are flung. The testimony of the church as a whole has been harmed. We no longer are salt and light to this world. It is time to forget those things which are behind, and reach forth unto those things which are before, by pressing toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

The fault for much of what took place during those "extreme" days was lack of teaching of one generation to the next, and it has persisted ever since. As we say in our ministry, the lack of teaching "the WHY." Yes, there were many do's and don'ts. They were the practical ways to deal with the Biblical principles. Could there have been different "practicals"? Sure. Each of us probably could come up with a number of different "practicals" that would have honored the principles.

But there were and are Biblical reasons for the "practicals" whether we understood them or not then or now. Whether they were taught to us or not, the "WHY" has always been there. There are Biblical principles for every aspect of life. 

"But, what are the chapter and verses?"

That would be so much easier, wouldn't it? But that isn't the case. One thing I've found over the years is that wisdom sought out for myself tends to "stick" better than when someone simply "tells me".

I am including a link to a PDF entitled "What To Do When There Isn't a Chapter and Verse." It includes seven basic Bible principles with verses that will help you discern what is right and wrong for any situation. 

In every aspect of life, first seek out what the whole counsel of God has to say about it. There is clear teaching for some areas. Be willing to change should the Lord convict you that your thoughts are wrong on the matter. Giving up long held traditions, thoughts, opinions, and, yes, assumptions is not easy. I've been there myself. For those "grey" areas, where there isn't a "chapter and verse" apply the seven Biblical principles to help discern what would be the BEST decision to make on the matter. Paul addressed just these things in Romans 14: 

³ Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.

⁴ Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.

⁵ One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.

¹⁰ But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

¹² So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

¹³ Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.

Some will be persuaded toward higher standards, others will not. We must not judge either as "right" or as "wrong". We must, as brothers and sisters in Christ, stop spouting our own "liberty" to do what we want and start considering if we are a stumbling block to another Christian. It isn't hard for me to submit myself to a higher (aka: stricter) standard that I personally do not hold when I keep in mind that I am trying to be a blessing instead of a stumbling block. How about you?

Now back to the original question. Did it make you or break you? Do you still live in bondage to past hurts?

"Well, no, I gave up all those 'standards' years ago."

Then, why do you still hold a grudge? It broke you.

"I won't go back to that place. They hurt me. I can't stand to see those people. They didn't care about me when I was there. I hope they fail."

Why are you unloving and unkind toward them? It broke you.

"I think that they should change their rules. Don't they know they are hurting others?"

Why are you critical because they do not change? It broke you.

"You know, it really doesn't matter what happened back then. All of it was a part of molding me to what I am today. Yes, people hurt me. I've forgiven them.... frankly, it wasn't easy, but with God's help... No, I didn't understand some of the rules, but now I see what they were trying to do. They were human; they did the best that they knew how at the time. If anything, I learned to dig into the Word for myself to see what the Lord would have me to do."

Those extreme days didn't define me... they helped make me.

Repeating History

Isn't it interesting to see in the following verses how we could compare the children of Israel with the church of today? We flutter about with our programs, good deeds, small groups, "relationships"... yet, lives remain unchanged. Families are divided. Communities are not impacted. Revivals of yesteryear seem to be a thing of the past. But, earth-shattering revival CAN take place today. Stay in the Word. Seek His knowledge, His wisdom, His truth, His mercy. Then, take heed, repent, and follow Him unashamedly.

Hosea 4:1 Hear the word of the Lord, ye children of Israel: for the Lord hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land.

2 By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and blood toucheth blood.

4 Yet let no man strive, nor reprove another: for thy people are as they that strive with the priest.

6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.

9 And there shall be, like people, like priest: and I will punish them for their ways, and reward them their doings.

10 For they shall eat, and not have enough: they shall commit whoredom, and shall not increase: because they have left off to take heed to the Lord.

Right and Almost Right

"Discernment is not a matter of simply telling the difference between right and wrong; rather it is telling the difference between right and almost right." ~ C.H. Spurgeon. 

God's Word is absolute. We need to know it so well that we can pick out even the smallest lie. Beware of mixing traditions, philosophy, opinion, and preferences with God's Word.

2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

Godly Counsel

Thankful for the counsel of God's Word and those He places in my life to give godly counsel. Times of trial serve to bring me closer to Him... not to drive me away. And, yes, at times my flesh and heart fails just as the Psalmist David's did, but God is my strength. The trial simply provides me another opportunity to proclaim His working in my life.

Psalm 73:24-26, 28 - Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. 25 Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. 26 My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. 28 But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all thy works.

Know the Word...

Spiritual discernment is a powerful resource to keep you from falling into the clutches of a false teacher. Bible study and memorization are the tools that will increase your spiritual discernment. You must know Scripture; it must become a part of you. 

Weigh the words of those that teach and preach to you from God's Word. This would include Sunday school teachers, Bible study leaders, small group leaders, mentors, counselors, radio and television "preachers" not just pastors and evangelists standing in the pulpit.

1. Do they add opinions or preferences? 
2. Do they add traditions? 
3. Do they add popular worldly thoughts, beliefs, or ideas? 
4. Do they twist God's Word to make it say something it does not?
5. Do they fail to teach the "whole counsel" by leaving things out?

If so, you may have discovered a false teacher... a wolf in sheep's clothing.

1 John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

More than Book Learnin'

Wisdom is more than book learnin' although that is part of it. A good education is not to be discounted. But wisdom also includes the ability to discern inner qualities and relationships. It is the ability to perceive right from wrong, true and untrue. It is the ability to make good decisions. That is where Bible study comes in. Wisdom is the combination of knowledge (education), insight (Bible study) and judgment (good sense). Don't neglect Bible study; it is a vital part in gaining wisdom.

Proverbs 4:5 Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. 7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. 13 Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.

WHY?  Proverbs 4:

6 Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. 

 

8 Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her. 

 

9 She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee. 

 

12 When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble. 

 

22 For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.

Looking at the Flip Side: Love and Hate

In reading our Bible we often read simply to check off an item on our "to do" list for the day. We don't allow God's holy Word to penetrate our mind or our heart. We don't mull over, digest, or discern a larger meaning. Take 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 for example. It is a familiar passage, but I imagine you have never read it in the manner I'm about to show you. (As a reminder, "charity" is another word for "love".)

⁴ Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

Hate is impatient, is hurtful and harsh; hate resents others success; hate boasts and brags, is prideful.
 
⁵ Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

Hate behaves indecently, looks out for himself, is easily provoked to anger, thinks evil of everyone before thinking any good.

⁶ Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

 Hate exults at wickedness, but deplores truth;

⁷ Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

Hate gives up, discredits all things, distrusts all things, despairs in all things. 

⁸ Charity never faileth: 

Hate fails.

When you look at the qualities of love from the "flip side" it brings a whole new understanding to the passage. Instead of saying, "Sure, I'm long suffering. I'm kind. I don't envy and am not prideful," we must think to ourselves, "Ooh, I was impatient with the kids this morning. Ouch, I spoke harshly to my husband last night. I did think I should have gotten a 'Good job!' on the project instead of my co-worker; after all, I work longer than she does and I have more experience." And so the new conversation could go throughout the rest of the passage.

Next time you are reading your Bible, think about the "flip side". Don't allow yourself to be deceived into thinking you "have arrived" in your spiritual walk. 

Galatians 6:3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.

Galatians 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

The Other Realm

Most of us study Scripture with the physical realm in mind. However, God is more interested in the spiritual realm. For example, we read passages on parenting or marriage then focus our attention on the do's and don'ts involved and whether we agree with it for "these days". We neglect the greater picture... that these lessons are there to teach us from the physical realm what our relationship with God should be in the spiritual realm. Pondering much today...

Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Standing Up

 The true follower of Christ will not ask, "If I embrace this truth, what will it cost me?" Rather he will say, "This is truth. God help me to walk in it, let come what may!" ~ A. W. Tozer

Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are often stiffened. ~ Billy Graham

Will you stand in the gap? Are you willing to stand for the truth of God's Word? Are you willing to stand against opposition... whether friend or family? Will you stand on God's Word, the Sword He has given to us to fight against false teaching and practices in the church?

Ezekiel 22:28 And her prophets have daubed them with untempered morter, seeing vanity, and divining lies unto them, saying, Thus saith the Lord God, when the Lord hath not spoken.

Ezekiel 22:30 And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.

No man was found in this passage of Ezekiel and the Lord destroyed the land... it doesn't have to be that way today.

Buckler

Thank you, LORD for protection through Your Word and Your way!

buckler ~ 1: a small round shield held by a handle at arm's length b : a shield worn on the left arm 2: one that shields and protects

2 Samuel 22:31 As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him.

Is It Sheep or Is It a Wolf?

To determine if currency is counterfeit or not, the best tip is to look for differences NOT similarities. The same holds true for determining "counterfeit Christians"... those wolves in sheep clothing, those false teachers in the church. If they don't match up with the Word of God in every area through teaching or their actions... beware!

Psalm 15:1-5 Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? 2 He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. 3 He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour. 4 In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the Lord. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not. 5 He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.

Lines and Precepts

God's Word is ever new... no matter how many times I have read it. Often I've wondered "why" that is. It is because we must learn "line upon line, precept upon precept". As we learn one truth, then another we then are able to put 2+2 together to learn an even greater truth. Oh, that we may build our faith on His Word and His Word alone.

Psalm 119:18 Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.

What's Your Opinion?

Horatius Bonar, "Man: His Religion and His World", 1851 ~ "This thinking for one’s self independently of God and His revelation is not merely an evil, but a sin. Nay, it is a sin of more than common darkness – it is so audacious, so contemptuous towards God. It places man on a level with God or at least sets Divine truth and human opinion on the same footing. It strips the former of all innate authority, while it gives to the latter an authority to which it has no claim!... There can be no authority save that which is infallible and Divine, that is, God speaking to us directly in His Word."

We must be so very, very careful not to mishandle God's Word to suit our own wants and desires. While many of us would not dream of adding to or taking away from God's Word, picking and choosing verses out of context is just as wrong. We must study and obey the "whole counsel" of God - not just what makes us happy.

2 Peter 1:20 ~ Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

How Well Do You Use Your Mirror?

One day in high school I remember one of my teachers bemoaning the fact that she learned over the weekend that she was going to need to purchase a 10x magnification lighted travel mirror.  I also remember that I and the rest of the girls in class laughed because we thought it was funny that she was fussing over this “problem”.

It’s not funny. No. Really. It is not funny.

I now find myself looking for the same item as I’m getting ready for several weeks of travel in the next few months.  Everyone knows that hotel mirrors and lighting are the absolute worst!

James 1:22-25 - But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:

For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

Not long ago our pastor preached from James 1. As I read the verses, I kept going back to the “glass,” or mirror.  We look in mirrors every day as we prepare for our day; it’s our routine. We look in mirrors throughout the day to make sure that we still look good; we make sure hair is in place, that there’s no food in our teeth, or that our make up is fresh looking. We look in the mirror at the end of the day as we prepare to go to bed. Some spend an inordinate amount of time making sure everything is right on the outside, some just a cursory glance. Still others break out the magnifying mirror to tweeze those errant hairs, check those blemishes, or make sure that the fine lines aren’t holding more make up than they should.

How many times do we use the mirror of God’s Word in the same way? James says that to look in the Word of God and only hear (or read) what it says and not to do it, is just the same as someone who looks in a mirror, sees a problem, but moves on without doing anything about it. I realize this may be an “elementary” spiritual thought but I do not believe that we are truly looking at this as deeply as we should be.

Many times I have read my Bible to be sure that I “read my Bible for the day;” I must have my devotions every day.  So, I read the Bible plan or the devotional book without really paying attention, just as would look in the mirror every morning getting ready. But there are other days that the Lord would use His words that day much like a lighted mirror.  A problem would be shown to me that I needed to deal with. I have two choices: 1) deal with the superficial problem, clean up what is seen, or 2) turn the mirror around to the magnified side, increase the lighting and really deal with the root of the problem, not just the fruit. I think that all too often we do not want to use God’s Word as a magnifying mirror that can see all the nooks and crannies holding grudges, the blemishes of sin, the errant hairs of wrong teachings or philosophies, the age spots of past hurts. Rather, we prefer to see a little bit of dirt, clean it up and move on believing that all is well. We look great on the outside, while on the inside our soul remains filthy.

Oh that we will use God’s Word as a magnifying mirror into our soul to clean out the roots of sin instead of simply dealing with the fruit.