Have you ever considered that you are a caretaker, steward over... you! You and all that defines and describes who you are (and are becoming); what you do, and how you go about being and doing you. Do you understand this? It's true and you need to realize just how important you are to you. And no I wasn't talking about arrogance or a feeling of entitlement but as complete as possible an assessment of your strengths and weaknesses and how you relate to the world you live in and the people who populate it.
What is sometimes forgotten is that we all have a calling on our lives that is based on who we are and the gifting the Lord has placed in us. I really don't believe that He calls us to something that is so difficult and undesirable (to us) so that whatever honor occurs goes to the Lord only. Quite honestly, I don't think that His 'ego' is so fragile that there can never be any 'well done' that comes from our contribution. We just have to remember that apart from Him, we can do nothing (John 15:5)
Remember, that from the outset, God chose to work through us and gave His creation for us to steward. Genesis 1:26-28:
"Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.
And let them have dominion ... over all the earth... And God blessed
them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth
and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the
birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
Sadly, we haven't done a good job of exercising our dominion. In fact, the first thing we did was to give control to the devil in the fall by Adam and Eve.
However, we still do have 'control' over our own attitudes, emotions, thoughts, actions, etc. We choose. God gave man free will so that we could exercise it in proactive ways... even if we don't always accomplish this. He always stands ready to welcome us into His family, but it is our choice. And also remember that one thing we always take with us wherever we go is - us. Can't avoid it. But we can seek the Lord to help us become the best we can. We are our caretaker.
Wednesday, September 25, 2019
Sunday, September 22, 2019
Deserved, Earned, or Blessed?
Which of those possibilities would You want to characterize your life? And if your response is, 'does it matter'... yes. Each one of those words has attitudes and behaviors associated with them, so yes, it is important. How one reacts when we feel we 'deserve' (fill in the blank) will quickly manifest itself in our behavior - whether or not we receive whatever we are seeking. The same holds for the word, 'earned', because then we typically feel that we should experience success. However, our attitude and behavior when we are blessed is totally different.
Webster's third definition is: "bringing pleasure, contentment, or good fortune..." Is this how you feel when you realize you are blessed? Scripture listed over 20 verses that discuss 'blessed' and another source lists over 70 verses:
"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down,
shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap.
For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Luke 6:38)
"And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of
His glory in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19)
"The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face
shine on you and be gracious to you;" (Numbers 6:24-25)
"...do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer
and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made
known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all
understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ
Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7)
"But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence
is in him. 8 They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends
out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its
leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and
never fails to bear fruit.” (Jeremiah (17:7-8)
Those are only a few examples of the Lord blessing His people. However, in each of these verses, we have our part to play. It is also what we do to discover our involvement. Again, example: In the first scripture (Luke) it talks about our action and attitude in giving. How we do what we do is dependent upon how we do it.
In the other verses it talks meeting our needs (Philippians), the blessing and keeping (Numbers), not to be anxious but make known so that we experience peace (Philippians), and trust (Jeremiah). We are involved in order to receive the fullness we are seeking. And none of the 'conditions' are beyond what we can do. We need to view 'blessed' as a result of our relationship with the Lord. Earned or deserved are not the conditions because they don't involve the Lord in the process. He blesses us when we act on His principles. Remember, He only wants the best for us.
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love
God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
Webster's third definition is: "bringing pleasure, contentment, or good fortune..." Is this how you feel when you realize you are blessed? Scripture listed over 20 verses that discuss 'blessed' and another source lists over 70 verses:
"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down,
shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap.
For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Luke 6:38)
"And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of
His glory in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19)
"The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face
shine on you and be gracious to you;" (Numbers 6:24-25)
"...do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer
and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made
known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all
understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ
Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7)
"But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence
is in him. 8 They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends
out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its
leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and
never fails to bear fruit.” (Jeremiah (17:7-8)
Those are only a few examples of the Lord blessing His people. However, in each of these verses, we have our part to play. It is also what we do to discover our involvement. Again, example: In the first scripture (Luke) it talks about our action and attitude in giving. How we do what we do is dependent upon how we do it.
In the other verses it talks meeting our needs (Philippians), the blessing and keeping (Numbers), not to be anxious but make known so that we experience peace (Philippians), and trust (Jeremiah). We are involved in order to receive the fullness we are seeking. And none of the 'conditions' are beyond what we can do. We need to view 'blessed' as a result of our relationship with the Lord. Earned or deserved are not the conditions because they don't involve the Lord in the process. He blesses us when we act on His principles. Remember, He only wants the best for us.
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love
God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
Thursday, September 19, 2019
A Joy filled Life
Is this what you're living? Is your life filled with joy? Perhaps I should ask if you have defined what 'joy filled' means for you. For me, it would be defined in terms of fruitful, meaning, purposed... and then I would have to define those words. Is a joy filled life a choice? Does every situation have the potential to be positive or negative? What actually is 'joy'?
According to www.biblestudytools.com there are a number of definitions related to the word joy:
"On the spiritual level it refers to the extreme happiness with which
the believer contemplates salvation and the bliss of the afterlife.
Unexpected benefits from God are expressed in terms of common
experiences."
Does that help? My problem is that I believe that's too narrow a definition. I believe joy is also a 'here and now'. Let me share my example:
"His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You
have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into
the joy of your master.’" (Matthew 25:23, ESV)
Granted this joy is in reference to the earthly 'master' commending the faithful servant. But I believe it can be translated into our joy because of our relationship with our Lord. "The Lord is my strength and my shield; in Him my heart trusts, and I am helped;" (Psalm 28:7, ESV) And you can see the relationship with trust and joy - they are inseparable. That defines 'joy' in my life.
Perhaps too fine a line but I believe joy is one step up from happiness. Yes, happiness is important and is part of joy. I believe that joy is more ethereal and deeper than happiness, which is more expressive. I suspect I would argue that happiness is the expression of joy.
The point in this discussion, however you define the words, is whether or not your life is marked by joy. Does joy fill your life. Is it a pillar on which to stand? And if joy doesn't define your life... what does? Maybe the question should be... do you want a life that is joy filled, that identifies your days? And do you know how to attain and sustain this?
According to www.biblestudytools.com there are a number of definitions related to the word joy:
"On the spiritual level it refers to the extreme happiness with which
the believer contemplates salvation and the bliss of the afterlife.
Unexpected benefits from God are expressed in terms of common
experiences."
Does that help? My problem is that I believe that's too narrow a definition. I believe joy is also a 'here and now'. Let me share my example:
"His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You
have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into
the joy of your master.’" (Matthew 25:23, ESV)
Granted this joy is in reference to the earthly 'master' commending the faithful servant. But I believe it can be translated into our joy because of our relationship with our Lord. "The Lord is my strength and my shield; in Him my heart trusts, and I am helped;" (Psalm 28:7, ESV) And you can see the relationship with trust and joy - they are inseparable. That defines 'joy' in my life.
Perhaps too fine a line but I believe joy is one step up from happiness. Yes, happiness is important and is part of joy. I believe that joy is more ethereal and deeper than happiness, which is more expressive. I suspect I would argue that happiness is the expression of joy.
The point in this discussion, however you define the words, is whether or not your life is marked by joy. Does joy fill your life. Is it a pillar on which to stand? And if joy doesn't define your life... what does? Maybe the question should be... do you want a life that is joy filled, that identifies your days? And do you know how to attain and sustain this?
Monday, September 16, 2019
Spoon fed
Spoon fed answers are never as effective or long-lasting until they are owned. And someone else's answers rarely provide the ownership. After a certain point, many of us don't like to be spoon fed - we want to know for ourselves, to make our own decisions, to come to our own answers. It's really not a 'throw the baby out with the bathwater' issue, we will consider others' opinions, if we trust them, but we need to know OUR answers.
Ownership, in my opinion, is one of the most critical factors in learning and applying what we know. If our knowledge is only based on what someone else (hopefully an expert) then how do we incorporate this into our frame of reference? Some answers have to come through our own experience, our own 'knowing'. Granted, we don't have to reinvent the wheel, but once faced with the existence of the wheel, our issue is applying that understanding. And, to me, understanding has a stronger root in ownership - regardless of the focus of the learning, the method of the learning, and the expert knowledge of the 'teacher'.
With that as my frame of reference, this is why I tend to teach through the method of asking questions. If I can point people to the source of answers and provide the impetus of the question(s) then when they find their answer and can articulate it - it becomes part of their knowledge library. The refining part comes when we all bring our understandings and share them so that we can come to a fuller understanding. That's the 'iron sharpening iron' basis of learning.
Dialogue is an exciting method of presenting, sharing our learnings. The point is never to 'win' the discussion but to grow in understanding and then to apply this. If all that's done is spoon feeding then ownership is more difficult to attain. Besides, regardless of our 'level' of learning, we can always refine. My students have always taught me in the process. All this points to critical thinking and discovering what and how we can expand on what we think we know.
Ownership, in my opinion, is one of the most critical factors in learning and applying what we know. If our knowledge is only based on what someone else (hopefully an expert) then how do we incorporate this into our frame of reference? Some answers have to come through our own experience, our own 'knowing'. Granted, we don't have to reinvent the wheel, but once faced with the existence of the wheel, our issue is applying that understanding. And, to me, understanding has a stronger root in ownership - regardless of the focus of the learning, the method of the learning, and the expert knowledge of the 'teacher'.
With that as my frame of reference, this is why I tend to teach through the method of asking questions. If I can point people to the source of answers and provide the impetus of the question(s) then when they find their answer and can articulate it - it becomes part of their knowledge library. The refining part comes when we all bring our understandings and share them so that we can come to a fuller understanding. That's the 'iron sharpening iron' basis of learning.
Dialogue is an exciting method of presenting, sharing our learnings. The point is never to 'win' the discussion but to grow in understanding and then to apply this. If all that's done is spoon feeding then ownership is more difficult to attain. Besides, regardless of our 'level' of learning, we can always refine. My students have always taught me in the process. All this points to critical thinking and discovering what and how we can expand on what we think we know.
Friday, September 13, 2019
Traditions
In the hurrying of living, traditions sometimes get loss in the 'new' or 'important' other things. In our grandparents' times, traditions were followed and imparted to the younger generations. I wonder when this practice stopped? And why? Not modern enough, the old things and thus not relevant? Wrong answers.
Exactly what is 'tradition'? Webster says:
"the handing down of information, beliefs, and customs by word of
mouth or by example from one generation to another without written
instruction; cultural continuity in social attitudes, customs, and institutions"
And yes, these are good, bad, and indifferent pieces. But they give a sense of continuity, whether or not you follow them. You know what your parents, grands, and great grands believed and acted upon. It provides a foundation from which to discover, grow, change. If you are over the age of 30, have you passed this on to your younger family and friends? Do they know what traditions marked your life - again, whether or not you continue to follow them? And... if you do follow them, are they relevant? And if you don't follow them, do you know 'why'?
Do you, your family honor any old traditions - for example, how special holidays are celebrated? Does it make any difference for you? Are you basically a 'that was then, this is now' type? Or do you think no one will really care... even if you do say something? There are actually over 31 scriptures that speak about tradition:
"But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good;"
(1Thessalonians 5:21)
"Now I praise you because you remember me in everything and hold
firmly to the traditions, just as I delivered them to you." (1Corinthians 11:2)
"Only give heed to yourself and keep your soul diligently, so that you
do not forget the things which your eyes have seen and they do not
depart from your heart all the days of your life; but make them known
to your sons and your grandsons (Deuteronomy 4:9)
"So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you
were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us."
(2Thessalonians 2:15)
Obviously, from these selections, it is obvious that we should never use a 'throw the baby out with the bathwater' frame of reference when it comes to traditions and following them. There are traditions that should be revered and taught to subsequent generations. When we don't then we chip away at their foundations and only because they don't know. Our action should be based in Colossians 2:8
"See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty
deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary
principles of the world, rather than according to Christ."
Traditions do have their place and an important one. So what traditions are you demonstrating and teaching the next generation?
Exactly what is 'tradition'? Webster says:
"the handing down of information, beliefs, and customs by word of
mouth or by example from one generation to another without written
instruction; cultural continuity in social attitudes, customs, and institutions"
And yes, these are good, bad, and indifferent pieces. But they give a sense of continuity, whether or not you follow them. You know what your parents, grands, and great grands believed and acted upon. It provides a foundation from which to discover, grow, change. If you are over the age of 30, have you passed this on to your younger family and friends? Do they know what traditions marked your life - again, whether or not you continue to follow them? And... if you do follow them, are they relevant? And if you don't follow them, do you know 'why'?
Do you, your family honor any old traditions - for example, how special holidays are celebrated? Does it make any difference for you? Are you basically a 'that was then, this is now' type? Or do you think no one will really care... even if you do say something? There are actually over 31 scriptures that speak about tradition:
"But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good;"
(1Thessalonians 5:21)
"Now I praise you because you remember me in everything and hold
firmly to the traditions, just as I delivered them to you." (1Corinthians 11:2)
"Only give heed to yourself and keep your soul diligently, so that you
do not forget the things which your eyes have seen and they do not
depart from your heart all the days of your life; but make them known
to your sons and your grandsons (Deuteronomy 4:9)
"So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you
were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us."
(2Thessalonians 2:15)
Obviously, from these selections, it is obvious that we should never use a 'throw the baby out with the bathwater' frame of reference when it comes to traditions and following them. There are traditions that should be revered and taught to subsequent generations. When we don't then we chip away at their foundations and only because they don't know. Our action should be based in Colossians 2:8
"See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty
deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary
principles of the world, rather than according to Christ."
Traditions do have their place and an important one. So what traditions are you demonstrating and teaching the next generation?
Tuesday, September 10, 2019
Standing on one foot?
Tell me... how's that working for you? Comfortable? Stable? If you have or are trying this, you quickly discover that this is incredibly difficult as you constantly are focusing on maintaining your balance. Is this how you want to live? Is this what defines who and what you are and do? More important, is this the behavior that characterizes the church at Sardis in Revelation 3:1-6, MSG and defines the future?
"Write this to Sardis, to the Angel of the church. The One holding the
Seven Spirits of God in one hand, a firm grip on the Seven Stars with
the other, speaks: I see right through your work. You have a reputation
for vigor and zest, but you’re dead, stone-dead. “Up on your feet! Take
a deep breath! Maybe there’s life in you yet. But I wouldn’t know it by
looking at your busywork; nothing of God’s work has been completed.
Your condition is desperate. Think of the gift you once had in your
hands, the Message you heard with your ears—grasp it again and turn
back to God. If you pull the covers back over your head and sleep on,
oblivious to God, I’ll return when you least expect it, break into your
life like a thief in the night. You still have a few followers of Jesus in
Sardis who haven’t ruined themselves wallowing in the muck of the
world’s ways. They’ll walk with me on parade! They’ve proved their
worth! Conquerors will march in the victory parade, their names
indelible in the Book of Life. I’ll lead them up and present them by
name to my Father and his Angels. Are your ears awake? Listen.
Listen to the Wind Words, the Spirit blowing through the churches.”
Rather scathing... isn't it? And let's be honest. If we are seemingly to be standing on one foot and then the other, it probably is because we are trying to live with the world's standard (carnal) and hoping that God's (spiritual) isn't in conflict. We never can succeed to make God's standards compatible with the world's - never will work.
"Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the
world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world,
the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, comes
not from the Father but from the world." (1John 2:15-16)
"They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They
are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good." (Titus 1:16 )
James 4 is also a warning about trying to live in both 'camps'. Romans 8:7 tells us:
"For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not
submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot." (ESV)
All of these scriptures reinforce the reason for renewing our minds. We should never be standing on shifting sand (Matthew 7:24-27) and when we equivocate what we believe and Who we believe then that is a good image of what standing on one foot and then the other. Can you imagine the spectacle you present when you do?
"Write this to Sardis, to the Angel of the church. The One holding the
Seven Spirits of God in one hand, a firm grip on the Seven Stars with
the other, speaks: I see right through your work. You have a reputation
for vigor and zest, but you’re dead, stone-dead. “Up on your feet! Take
a deep breath! Maybe there’s life in you yet. But I wouldn’t know it by
looking at your busywork; nothing of God’s work has been completed.
Your condition is desperate. Think of the gift you once had in your
hands, the Message you heard with your ears—grasp it again and turn
back to God. If you pull the covers back over your head and sleep on,
oblivious to God, I’ll return when you least expect it, break into your
life like a thief in the night. You still have a few followers of Jesus in
Sardis who haven’t ruined themselves wallowing in the muck of the
world’s ways. They’ll walk with me on parade! They’ve proved their
worth! Conquerors will march in the victory parade, their names
indelible in the Book of Life. I’ll lead them up and present them by
name to my Father and his Angels. Are your ears awake? Listen.
Listen to the Wind Words, the Spirit blowing through the churches.”
Rather scathing... isn't it? And let's be honest. If we are seemingly to be standing on one foot and then the other, it probably is because we are trying to live with the world's standard (carnal) and hoping that God's (spiritual) isn't in conflict. We never can succeed to make God's standards compatible with the world's - never will work.
"Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the
world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world,
the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, comes
not from the Father but from the world." (1John 2:15-16)
"They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They
are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good." (Titus 1:16 )
James 4 is also a warning about trying to live in both 'camps'. Romans 8:7 tells us:
"For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not
submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot." (ESV)
All of these scriptures reinforce the reason for renewing our minds. We should never be standing on shifting sand (Matthew 7:24-27) and when we equivocate what we believe and Who we believe then that is a good image of what standing on one foot and then the other. Can you imagine the spectacle you present when you do?
Saturday, September 7, 2019
Find your purpose
Yes I know... sometimes it seems like this is the most incredibly difficult thing to accomplish. But those times of being completely confident are worth the search. When you do then everything seems to fall into place. The things that aren’t part tend to evaporate of their own accord. Finding your purpose centers you and everything you do and say is evaluated against this standard.
Does your purpose 'change'? Do you experience success? If you do then I believe your purpose, not the essence, but the expression or depth of understanding does increase. If this is the definition of 'change' then yes - your purpose changes. My caveat on this is that it is dependent upon whether you've accomplished what you need to. You can never move on with danglings (my word for unfinished 'business'). Mostly I believe that rather than a change it is more of a refining, a deeper revelation that then spurs the search.
However, I also believe that this starts from a foundation of belief that You aren’t here by mistake. You are not a mistake. And you are where you are supposed to be. If you don't believe this then life takes on a shifting sand basis of understanding. Simultaneously, I believe we all need to know and accept that there are certain aspects of our walk that do not change. All this begins in our relationship with the Lord.
Scripture gives us countless verses that declare that God doesn't change. That when He says something, it always happens (Isaiah 55:11). The point is - we NEED stability, we need to know what never changes. "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." (Hebrews 13:8). When we know and believe this then we can act confidently.
Does your purpose 'change'? Do you experience success? If you do then I believe your purpose, not the essence, but the expression or depth of understanding does increase. If this is the definition of 'change' then yes - your purpose changes. My caveat on this is that it is dependent upon whether you've accomplished what you need to. You can never move on with danglings (my word for unfinished 'business'). Mostly I believe that rather than a change it is more of a refining, a deeper revelation that then spurs the search.
However, I also believe that this starts from a foundation of belief that You aren’t here by mistake. You are not a mistake. And you are where you are supposed to be. If you don't believe this then life takes on a shifting sand basis of understanding. Simultaneously, I believe we all need to know and accept that there are certain aspects of our walk that do not change. All this begins in our relationship with the Lord.
Scripture gives us countless verses that declare that God doesn't change. That when He says something, it always happens (Isaiah 55:11). The point is - we NEED stability, we need to know what never changes. "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." (Hebrews 13:8). When we know and believe this then we can act confidently.
To be fruitful and fulfilled you have to find your purpose. So how do you go about actually doing this? 1. Discover what's at your hand that needs doing and act because you are equipped and enabled. 2. Discover what YOU like to do, what brings meaning to your days. Examples: for me, it's writing - this brings meaning and purpose, for some it's working with their hands to create (fill in the blank), for others it may be doing those acts that bring comfort or joy to someone else. Actually, if you do those 2 'Discover' things, you'll probably be acting according to your purpose. The question might be: When you finish doing whatever you are - can you stand and feel 'good' about it? If so, then that is further confirmation. You may not always see the fruit, but knowing you did what you could ... priceless.
Wednesday, September 4, 2019
Protection
Do you need protecting? And is it you need someone/thing to do the protecting? or add to your protection?Why do you need protecting? Most important, protection from....? Identifying who/what you need protecting from is critical. And, what is it you can do to enhance your own protection?
There are many scriptures, over 30, that relate to protection, examples (AMP):
"Put on the full armor of God [for His precepts are like the splendid
armor of a heavily-armed soldier], so that you may be able to
[successfully] stand up against all the schemes and the strategies
and the deceits of the devil" (Ephesians 6:11)
Though it's God's armor, it is we who have to put it on. The enemy is identifies, the reason for the armor is explained, and our responsibility is indicated.
"So we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently say, 'The
Lord is my Helper [in time of need], I will not be afraid. What will
man do to me?'” (Hebrews 13:6)
Comfort, encouraged, confidently, not afraid - and the reason is the Lord.
"Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble in dread before
them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not fail
you or abandon you.” (Deuteronomy 31.6)
What we do (be strong and courageous), what we don't do (be afraid or tremble), and the promise that the Lord will not fail or abandon us.
“No weapon that is formed against you will succeed; And every
tongue that rises against you in judgment you will condemn.
This [peace, righteousness, security, and triumph over opposition]
is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, And this is their vindication
from Me,” says the Lord." (Isaiah 54:17)
This protection is summed up in the words... "No weapon...will succeed..."
These are only a few of the verses in scripture that demonstrate how protection is provided for us in every aspect of our lives. Why would we fear? We have nothing to fear - we are overcomers!
"For [a]everyone born of God is victorious and overcomes the world;
and this is the victory that has conquered and overcome the world—
our [continuing, persistent] faith [in Jesus the Son of God]." (1John 5:4)
There are many scriptures, over 30, that relate to protection, examples (AMP):
"Put on the full armor of God [for His precepts are like the splendid
armor of a heavily-armed soldier], so that you may be able to
[successfully] stand up against all the schemes and the strategies
and the deceits of the devil" (Ephesians 6:11)
Though it's God's armor, it is we who have to put it on. The enemy is identifies, the reason for the armor is explained, and our responsibility is indicated.
"So we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently say, 'The
Lord is my Helper [in time of need], I will not be afraid. What will
man do to me?'” (Hebrews 13:6)
Comfort, encouraged, confidently, not afraid - and the reason is the Lord.
"Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble in dread before
them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not fail
you or abandon you.” (Deuteronomy 31.6)
What we do (be strong and courageous), what we don't do (be afraid or tremble), and the promise that the Lord will not fail or abandon us.
“No weapon that is formed against you will succeed; And every
tongue that rises against you in judgment you will condemn.
This [peace, righteousness, security, and triumph over opposition]
is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, And this is their vindication
from Me,” says the Lord." (Isaiah 54:17)
This protection is summed up in the words... "No weapon...will succeed..."
These are only a few of the verses in scripture that demonstrate how protection is provided for us in every aspect of our lives. Why would we fear? We have nothing to fear - we are overcomers!
"For [a]everyone born of God is victorious and overcomes the world;
and this is the victory that has conquered and overcome the world—
our [continuing, persistent] faith [in Jesus the Son of God]." (1John 5:4)
Sunday, September 1, 2019
Saviour
Simple definition? Is it? What does this word mean to you? Rescuer? From what? To... something? If 'to'... What? On a scale of 1 to 10, how important is this? What's the value? And now ... what do you do about your Saviour? Is it only a momentary 'relief' or is your life forever changed?
Perhaps what we need to do, often, is to remember, review, refine Our basics. And the first is - saviour, because that is the foundation/source from which everything starts and proceeds.
[As an aside... it's interesting to note that in the secular world, the word is spelled - savior (though it is acknowledged as a variant spelling). However, in scripture it is spelled - saviour.]
Webster:
"someone who saves something or someone from danger, harm, failure,
etc. —used by Christians to refer to Jesus Christ."
Synonyms: deliverer, redeemer, rescuer, saver
The site, biblestudytools.com provides this definition:
"Saviour: one who saves from any form or degree of evil. In its highest
sense the word indicates the relation sustained by our Lord to His
redeemed ones, He is their Saviour. The great message of the gospel
is about salvation and the Saviour. It is the "gospel of salvation." Faith
in the Lord Jesus Christ secures to the sinner a personal interest in the
work of redemption. Salvation is redemption made effectual to the
individual by the power of the Holy Spirit."
However, the important point is how YOU define the word. Does (how) the word impact your life... what you do, what you say, how you do both of them? Are you conscious that your Saviour is actively involved in you life? Bottom line: who is your Saviour and what is your relationship! This is what's important. Jesus didn't come, do all He did, suffer, die, and rise again to be only an addendum to your life.
He is the ONLY way to abundant life here and a home to return to when you die. If you've studied any of the other 'religions' - which, how many of them have as their foundation a Saviour who has done all that He has, especially to take on our sins ((2Corinthians 5:17-20) so we can live a new life. Right! No one. No one could because:
"And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name
under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)
"Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No
one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6)
"I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." (John 10:10)
This is what Jesus did for us... Who He is, What He did, and Why. Your response...
Perhaps what we need to do, often, is to remember, review, refine Our basics. And the first is - saviour, because that is the foundation/source from which everything starts and proceeds.
[As an aside... it's interesting to note that in the secular world, the word is spelled - savior (though it is acknowledged as a variant spelling). However, in scripture it is spelled - saviour.]
Webster:
"someone who saves something or someone from danger, harm, failure,
etc. —used by Christians to refer to Jesus Christ."
Synonyms: deliverer, redeemer, rescuer, saver
The site, biblestudytools.com provides this definition:
"Saviour: one who saves from any form or degree of evil. In its highest
sense the word indicates the relation sustained by our Lord to His
redeemed ones, He is their Saviour. The great message of the gospel
is about salvation and the Saviour. It is the "gospel of salvation." Faith
in the Lord Jesus Christ secures to the sinner a personal interest in the
work of redemption. Salvation is redemption made effectual to the
individual by the power of the Holy Spirit."
However, the important point is how YOU define the word. Does (how) the word impact your life... what you do, what you say, how you do both of them? Are you conscious that your Saviour is actively involved in you life? Bottom line: who is your Saviour and what is your relationship! This is what's important. Jesus didn't come, do all He did, suffer, die, and rise again to be only an addendum to your life.
He is the ONLY way to abundant life here and a home to return to when you die. If you've studied any of the other 'religions' - which, how many of them have as their foundation a Saviour who has done all that He has, especially to take on our sins ((2Corinthians 5:17-20) so we can live a new life. Right! No one. No one could because:
"And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name
under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)
"Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No
one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6)
"I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." (John 10:10)
This is what Jesus did for us... Who He is, What He did, and Why. Your response...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)