God thinks about us more than we think about Him! Psalm 137-139

How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I should count them they would outnumber the sand. When I awake I am still with you. (139:17,18)

Though I walk in the midst of trouble you will revive me .. the Lord will accomplish what concerns me; Your lovingkindness, O Lord, is everlasting. Do not forsake the works of your hands (138:7,8)

In these verses we find some of the greatest words of comfort in the entire cannon of Scripture. The thought that God thinks about us is more than we can fathom. The fact that those thoughts are more than the numbers of sand is amazing. The second set of verses tells us that those thoughts have a purpose and a plan in our lives. Even in the midst of our trouble God's thoughts are still with us and still their to protect and guide us. When we awake from our slumber God has not left us to go work with someone else. He is still there to protect and watch over us and accomplish what He has in store for us. Spend some time today thinking of Him. He spent eternity, before we were even made flesh, thinking of us.

How many "MONTHS" do you pray? Nehemiah 1-4

In Nehemiah 1:1 we read that Nehemiah was in the capital city of his during the captivity in Babylon in the month of "Chislev." That month corresponds to November-December in our calender. He received news about Jerusalem being in poor shape and it caused him to fall to his knees. Nehemiah prays a wonderful prayer that has many lessons for us, but only takes a few minutes to read ... if that. We tend to think, as we read chapter two, that Nehemiah heard the news of Jerusalem, fell on his knees for a quick "ask-and-ye-shall-receive-prayer" and then in chapter two he was given that request. However, note the time line. In chapter two, as he goes before the King to ask permission to return to Jerusalem, it says it was the month of Nissen. That corresponds to our March-April. What we see here is that Nehemiah spent the entire "winter" praying and asking God for His favor before he went before King Artexerxes. He fasted and prayer for four to five months. This was not a quick prayer stated in a matter of moments. It was a season of prayer and it yielded the fruit of planting on you knees. We tend to say our prayers and when God does not answer we consider it done. Nehemiah put himself in a position to see results because he prayed and conversed with God overtime. The length of prayers is not the point. The depth of time spent in prayer and talking to God is. Daniel would do this as well and was told that Satan hindered God's response. Learn this lesson: God rewards persistent prayer.

Don't be afraid of all their horses! Deuteronomy 20-22

I actually read Proverbs 21 today before I read this section of Deuteronomy. The last verse of Proverbs 21 and the first verse of this section are on the same line of thought. Proverbs 21:31 reads, "The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the LORD." The first verse of this section tells us that when we go to war against our enemy and we see them full of horses and weapons and a large army we are not to worry because the battle belongs to the LORD because He is with us. Our fears and trusts are captured in these verses. God wants us to remember that no matter the battle and no matter the force of the army God is in charge. God is sovereign. He is the one who controls the results no matter the size of the army. Don't trust in your own skill or strength or size. God is the one who controls the outcome. These verses point us to whom we should trust and to what we should trust. Let's not give up hope when faced with incredible odds. Let's not have too much hope when sitting on a large horse. Let's trust in God for the battle. He, alone, controls the outcome.

Do you choregraph your Christian maturity? 2 Peter

2 Peter 1:3-5 "... seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust. Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge ..."

This is a long piece to restate in a short blog, but note the words Peter gives us about our own faith and our walk in faith. He tells us in these verses that we have been given all the necessary means to produce in our lives the results God is going to achieve. If we could read on we would see that his argument doesn't really end until verse eleven. But, the piece I want you to see is that while God supplies the power and the material to create in us a great life, Peter instructs us to "supply" to our life the necessary elements, as well. However, the word supply as translated here is misleading. The word, in the original, actually means to choreograph our Christian growth. We are to take the elements, made available by the power of the Lamb, and make sure we are adding them in correct order and with the diligence we are employed to enact. God will then (v. 11) supply us abundantly with the life and future we had hoped. We have a part in the choreograph piece. We don't supply the dancers but we have some responsibility in the organization and application of them by yielding to God's Spirit as He works in us. What did you choreograph yesterday? What will it look like by the end of the day?

Different Methods - Great Message - Acts 17-18

In regard to methodology of church planting or church growth there are many books you can read. But, you would be hard pressed to read anything more fitting or more important than these two chapters. In these two chapters we have Paul's methods for reaching the lost and proclaiming the gospel. Paul, like clockwork, would enter a city, then enter the local worship center of the Jews. Once there he would open the scriptures and use them to explain to them the reality of Christ. Once they heard from him and about Him, they would either believe or run him out of town. Yet, once in a new town Paul would repeat the same method. Paul had a good method and he used it. However, when he went to a town with no Jewish worship center like Athens, he changed his method. He meet the Athenians on their turf. He would use the scripture but they would not understand the Old Testament Scriptures. They would understand if he began where they were ... with their own literature. He quoted their own scholars to make his points. He showed them via another method the same Message of the Cross. The Message was always the same ... Jesus Christ and Him crucified and risen and coming again. The Method changed. We don't need the same method but we do need the consistent Message of the Cross. It is tempting to change the method as well as the message. But, we don't change the message. We should always adapt our method to our audience. We should never change our message; no matter the method.

Transformation (Change) is from God alone - Zechariah 8-14

It will come about that just as you were a curse among the nations, O house of Judah and house of Israel, so I will save you that you may become a blessing. Do not fear; let your hands be strong. (8:13)

For countless years man has been trying to do what the above verse states: Transform themselves. They have been trying to "change" their behavior, or their way of life to better fit the image in their minds. They have tried religion, psychology, activity, pursuit, and various other methods to "change their ways." The ideal in their mind (the reason for their desire to change) is placed their by God. We were created in His image. And, even though we are always bent on sinning we have a unique hunger to be like God. We can't on our own and don't actually choose to be (Romans 8) but we do have that proverbial "hole" in our heart only filled by God. Yet, we try numerous ways to fill it. In 8:13 above we read that it is only God who can create in us a new heart and a new life. He alone can provide a "transformation" of life that we no longer are a curse but have become a blessing. We tend to think we can do it through our psychological gymnastics. In reality the only way to transform is to conform to the image of the Son, through the power of the Spirit, via an act of the Father. Allow God to 8:13 you today.

Wisdom coming from a fool? Ecclesiastes 10-11

The book of Ecclesiastes was written during a very foolish time in Solomon's life. He had already disobeyed God by marrying many women and he had already accumulated many horses ... both of these were forbidden in scripture by Moses (Deuteronomy 17:16-17). So, how does Solomon, in a sinful condition, compose such great "words of wisdom?" It should be noted that the observations he makes are often from "man's point-of-view." He sometimes puts himself in the pedestrian sit and speaks from that voice. But, sometimes he offers, as in the book of Proverbs a piece of wisdom that we should note. Take for instance 10:4. Here is what it reads:

"If the ruler's temper rises against you, do not abandon your position, because composure allays great offenses."

Here is some great wisdom, even if it is spoken from a foolish King. Solomon knew his very temper and raised voice would cause many to "back down" from their position ... because of his position. But, the wisdom is that when we keep our own composure, respect the king, but also respect our own position we will eventually be heard. Let's make sure we follow this wise advice from a foolish king. Keep your composure and your position can be heard.

Just in case you didn't get it ... GOD'S LOVINGKINDNESS IS EVERLASTING - Psalm 134-136

Psalm 136:24 "And has rescued us from our adversaries, For His lovingkindness is everlasting." There are 26 verses in Psalm 136. Each one of them states some great act of God which is then followed by this refrain: For His Lovingkindness is everlasting. If you didn't get it, God's love is everlasting. When you sin, it is everlasting. When He has to destroy a wicked king and give His people the kings land, His love is everlasting (18-22). When He redeemed us from our Egypt He did so in love (10-11). When God created the heavens and the earth He did so in His great love (1-9). God's love is "everlasting." We know nothing of "everlasting." We only know temporary. How many times have we purchased some urgent material good we couldn't live without only to see it disregarded within years, if not months. Our "stuff" wears out. We only see things last for awhile. We don't know everlasting. We only know earthly and conditional love. Those who love us "fall out of love" with us. Those who say they love us mistreat us and lie to us. Those who say they love us stop loving us. God's love is "everlasting" - it is eternal - no beginning or end. NO MATTER WHAT WE DO! We are loved by a God who will "rescue" us from our adversaries ... Satan himself ... as we trust in His great and EVERLASTING love.

God can change your unbelieving boss' heart - Ezra 6-10

In Proverbs 21:1 we read, "The kings heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord, He turns it wherever He wishes." There perhaps isn't a better example in Scripture of the truth of this verse and action of this verse than the story we have here in Ezra. King Artaxerxes (along with his predecessors, King Cyrus and King Darius) had his heart turned by God. The evil kings of the captives had plunder, destroyed and tried to end the nation of Israel. Then, exactly at 70 years, God not only released the captives as He said He would, He turned the evil kings heart to provide money, worship tools, sacrifice animals and a "no tax" decree for all clergy in the land. We fret and worry about our boss giving us time off for church on Sunday morning. We worry about the immediate authority in our lives letting us do something at work that would magnify God. Ezra is not only leaving his captivity, he is doing so with the Kings blessing and the Kings help. This happened when Moses brought the people out of Egypt, as well. God has the heart of the "king" (the authority) in His hand. He can turn it, like a young boy might turn the river he is making in the backyard. We should quit fretting and start "faithing" our way into doing something for God. Quit worrying about what the authority might do ... start asking God to fulfill Proverbs 21:1 in your own world. Just make sure God is doing something for Himself in your life.

What does "holiness" really look like? Deuteronomy 16-19

These four chapters are parts of the "law" that give us a deeper understanding of God's character and our responsibility to it. In the beginning God established a "covenant of works" with Adam and Eve. If they "performed" they would be "blessed". If they did not "perform" they would be dead. Obviously they did not perform and death passed upon them and all men (Romans 5). In this portion of the "law" we see more of the requirements to "perform" and to "keep the whole law." After they failed to "perform" God than gave Adam and Even the "covenant of promise" by saying He would send someone to save them from this covenant of "works." Christ came and kept all the aspects of the "law" (He performed). He fulfilled the very words we read in this section about being blameless and about keeping holy. By keeping the covenant of works Christ fulfilled the law for us. He "performed" and did what we could not do. So, when we read this passage we see that holiness is living a blameless life. It is keeping the complete law of God. If you and I leave our house we are to keep the law as we drive. There are thousands of laws on the books we are supposed to keep. We don't keep them however. But, Christ kept all the law. So, He was able to satisfy the covenant of works and provide for us the covenant of promise.

Arm you mind? 1 Peter 4-5

1 Peter 4:1 reads, "Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourself also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin." The context of Peter's argument is to embrace the suffering you are going through because of your commitment to Christ because, like Christ, your suffering is the death that leads to life. True life is the end of the pain and suffering we are going through. Like Christ we should look forward to the end ... the hope of our true eternal life and not view the current suffering as something to slow us down in our pursuit of the righteousness we should and will attain. The key in 4:1 is that we are to "arm yourself also with the same purpose" in our minds. The words mean to cock your mind so that it is set to hit only that purpose. It means to think of suffering and difficulty in our lives in the same manner that Christ did. He saw suffering as the way of the cross that would lead to salvation. We need to arm ourselves in the same manner. All the suffering on this earth is aimed at hindering our relationship with Christ. Satan tried to make Christ suffer to the point He would not fulfill God's will for Him ... our salvation through His suffering on the cross. We need for embrace our suffering as God's will to see the real beauty of what God is trying to accomplish in our lives.

Do you have the time or the stomach for a John Mark, or a Timothy? Acts 15-16

At the end of Acts 15 and the beginning of Acts 16 we have the most unusual story for the growth of the church. If you were trying to write a marketing strategy you would not incorporate this story. Young and very ambitious Paul was ready to go on a new missionary journey. Barnabas was ready to go along. However, Barnabas wanted to take a younger John Mark, who previously had deserted the two on the first missionary journey. Paul did not want to take him, thinking John Mark was a weak addition to the "team." As a result of their "disagreement" Paul takes off on his own, apparently as the "chosen" team by the church. Barnabas stays with John Mark and makes him his project. Paul walks to a few other cities over the next weeks and months and finds himself in Troas. Apparently during his journey Paul realized that there was something in the truth of Barnabas' arguments. He realized that he, too, needed a John Mark in his life. He was willing to take time to find a young man, named Timothy, to mentor. Paul didn't think he had the energy or time to mentor. But, that is God's way. In fact, he would later tell Timothy to do the same thing (2 Timothy 2:2). Paul learned a lesson, though he lost a team member. Paul had to take time to "walk it out" until he reached a place to "work it out." Do you have time to put up with a John Mark or a young Timothy? Do you have the time not to?

Where does the power come from? Zechariah 1-7

In Zechariah 4 we have an elaborate picture of a some candle sticks, flames and olive branches. I imagine that Zechariah's vision was something beautiful to behold. The vision is a picture of the church (the candles) being illuminated and sustained in that illumination by the olive oil from the olive trees. Since the oil is flowing from the trees directly it means the oil will never run out. The olive trees are a picture of the Spirit of God. He supplies the power to the church to keep the light going. It is not by our power or by our might (4:14) it is by the oil of the Spirit. It is not until the believer learns and embraces the power of the Spirit in his/her lift that we will fully comprehend the real power of God. We will stumble and fumble our faith until we can say with Zechariah, "not by my power or my might but by the Spirit of the God." It is His power that sustains our walk and our work. Do you rest under the shadow of that Olive Tree?

A hundred evil deeds saved by one fear - Ecclesiastes 7-8

"Altough a sinner does evil a hundred times and may lengthen his life; still I know that it will be well for those who fear God, who fear Him openly. But it will not be well for the evil man and he will not lengthen his days like a shadow, because he does not fear God." (8:13-14)

The Fear of the Lord, as we know from Proverbs, is the beginning of wisdom. It should be noted in these two verses that is is also the gateway to eternal life despite the sin we do each day. Those who fear the Lord are nothing more than those who don't in regard to sin. Those who fear the Lord are also sinners and they sin hundreds of times (7:20). But, it is the fear of the Lord that allows us to be resecued from that sin because the fear of the Lord is to put trust in God and not ourselves for our salvation. The fear of the Lord, according to this verse is tied directly to forgiveness of sin. We can rejoice in the forgiveness of sin. We should rejoice in the forgiveness of sin since we all need it. That forgiveness is expressed and demonstrated in our open Fear of the Lord.

No sleep to the eyes - An all nighter for God? - Pslam 131-133

In Psalm 132 David states to God that he will not allow his eyes to sleep or his eye-lids to slumber until he has built the temple for God in Jerusalem. David is so dedicated to God he is willing to put aside his own comforts for God's plan and God's will. There are many students who will pull an all night study session to make sure they are prepared for test in school, but will any be willing to put aside their own needs to build something for God? Men get up early and deny themselves sleep to go fishing, but would they deny themselves any comfort to do something for God? Women get up on Black Friday to go shopping to get the best deals for Christmas, but would they deny themselves sleep to do something mighty for God? We seem to know what it is like to deny our body the comfort of sleep. We know the way to pull an all nighter. But, are we willing to put aside those comforts for God and for some act of pleasure to God? Would we pull an all nighter to give Him a gift from our love?

In Order to fulfill His Word - Ezra 1-5

The material in Ezra is written by the priest, Ezra, giving us an account of what happened when the people were allowed to return from captivity to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. Although there are many nuancies to the story it should be noted that the entire account should be summed up in the first first of the book: "Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus King of Persia ...". Here we see God's rule taking shape in the heart and conduct of an unbeliever. We see here that God will fulfill His Word!! We may not believe it and we may not trust it, but God's Word will be fulfilled in our day just as it was fulfilled in Ezra's day. The rest of the book is the outworking of this first verse. In order to fulfill the word of the Lord ... God stirred ... ! God stirred the spirit in side a heathen King. God stirred the heart of people to give gold and silver (1:5); God stirred the heart of people to return (chapter tw0); God stirred the heart of worship to fulfill what was written (chapter three); and, God even stirred the heart of the opposition (chapter four and five). God's word is being fulfilled. It will be fulfilled in His time and in His way. He can even stirr the heart of the unbeliever to make His Word come to pass.

Family first? Really? Deuteronomy 13-15

We have a lot of talk in our society about the big three: God, Family, Country.   Everyone seems to want to put those in some particular order.   Some may even add "Career" but I doubt it.   I don't feel comfortable attacking anyones particular order but we do here from a lot that family trumps a lot of things.   That is what makes this passage in Deut. 13 so remarkable.   The nation of Israel was told by God that if a family member steps away from God and attempts to lead you and others in the family away to serve other gods then the family, first and foremost, was to kill them (13:6-11). That is a remarkable instruction from God.   Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of this is not the killing part but the reason.   In 13:10 we see that the reason for this "cleaning of house" is because the nation had been "redeemed from Egypt" and were to be "different" from the other nations.   That is the overall theme of this entire three chapters.  Our redemption and God's claim on our lives as a result trumps everything.   We see people not attend worship for "family" events.  We see God constantly taking second place behind "family."  We truly have a "family first" concept in our country and particularly in our Christian culture.   I don't think God wants us to "kill" family members physically today if those family members step away from God.  But, if family attempts to draw you away from God you and I are obligated to separate ourselves from that influence and we are not to attempt to put family first when it comes to our relationship with God.   Christ told those around Him that His "family" was those who were with Him in a personal relationship.   Put the big three in any oder you want.   But, God has already established Himself as First.

Holiness is not an option - 1 Peter 1-3

"You shall be holy, for I am holy." (1 Peter 1:16).     In this one verse Peter sums up our entire life existence.   In the verses just before this he tells us "do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior."   So, our pursuit of holiness is the center of our motivation after we have been justified by Christ.   God wants us to pursue that holiness in our ALL our Behavior.  This is not "positional" perfection he wants us to pursue.  This is "practical" holiness.   We are to pursue it because the One who pursued us and purchased us is Holy.   Holiness is not an option.  Holiness is not an option for a particular time of the week.  Holiness is not an option for a particular time of the week when we feel like it.   God demands holiness in "all" our behavior.   Let's not view it as an option.   Let's embrace it as a life style for the one who redeemed us.

It is still God's Work via our hands - Acts 13-14

Paul and his associates had the great priviledge of going on the first reported missionary journey. God had set them apart for the task (13:2). This was a "task" that the Spirit of God called "work." And, "work" it was. There was nothing easy about it. If you simply read the logistics of the travel you can get a headache. When we travel today we have modern assitance and we STILL get a headache. They walked and carried their own bags. Do you see why young John Mark left them? (13:13) When they arrived at places they were met with angry mobs. They were run out with stones and even came to the edge of death (14:19-20). Yet, God did a great work among them. God did the work. In 14:3 we read it was God who did the testifying of the power of His Word and the beauty of His grace. In 13:52 it was God who encouraged them and strengthened them. In 14:27 it was God who is reported having done the "work." Man wanted to give praise to the men delivering the message (14:8-18). Some men wanted to grab the power from the people. But, it was God who did the work through the men He called. It was genuine work. There was nothing easy in the schedule they kept or the logistics of it. The audience didn't sit back and soak it in, but rather opposed it more often than not. They didn't know at the end of the "worship service" if they would be smiled upon or stoned. Don't think that our work today is any different. We love it when people leave a service and "like" it. But, in reality work that God does via those He calls is not for fun and for like or dislikes. It is to attack the evilness of this world. God calls us to "work."

God is pleased at our work for Him - Haggai

If you have ever employeed anyone to do a task you know what it is like to have them complete with energy, spirit and hard work. You want to reward them. You also know what it is like when someone just sits around and tries to "get by" with doing as little as possible. We don't want to reward them! Haggai is a story like that. God has a job for us to do and when we do it He likes to reward us. When we don't He feels the same way we do with those just-get-by-people. Now, we know that salvation is not a "earn-it" approach. It is by free grace and we don't have to work for it and couldn't earn it if we tried. But, after faith, we are to "work" out that faith for God. This is where the lessons of Haggai come in. In 1:7 God tells the people, through Haggai, to go up to the moutain, get wood, and rebuild the temple that "I may be pleased with it and glorified by it." God wants us to work for Him for His glorification because of what He has done for us in our creation and our salvation. He has chosen us and we ought to "go to the mountain to get wood and build ..." for Him. We are not here to enjoy the creation for our pleasure. We are here to enjoy the creation for His pleasure. Let's build something for Him that He may be glorified.

Who can tell what's ahead (or, behind) - Ecclesiastes 5-6

Eccl. 6:12 - For who knows what is good for amn during his lifetime, during the few years of his futile life? He will spend them like a shadow. For who can tell a man what will be after him under the sun?

We spend a lot of time in this life, planning. We plan our days, weeks and months. We plan our weekends. We plan our vacations that are meant to get us away from planning. We plan our retirements. We even plan our funerals. We want them to go exactly as we would have liked had we been there. We even plan where we will be laid to rest. Solomon, the preacher of this text, tells just how futile that planning is. Our lives are but vapor and we plan them as though they are stone. We plan like we are statues but God allows life to force us to be dancers. But, perhaps the most foolish thing we do is plan for the future. Yet, only God knows the future. The only plan we should make for the future is where we will spend enternity after our futile lives are over. We must relax in God's plan for that. The question asked in this verse of Ecclesiates is answered by God. He can tell us what will be after us. We must trust His plans for this life and the life after that. Man spends much time plannning this life when he should realize God is the conductor. Man spends little time planning for the next life when he should realize God is the judger.

My hope is in His Word - Psalm 128-130

Psalm 130:5 - "I wait for the Lord, my soul does wait, and in His word I do hope."

That is perhaps the best summary verse for God's Word. You and I have nothing in our lives that we can trust or be assured of more than God's Word. We can't trust ourselves as we continually fail and fall. We certainly can't trust in the word of our friends, who, although want to be faithful, don't or can't. We certainly can't trust in the world's system as it is both controlled and directed by evil. But, to wait for God to act, to trust in His Word to come to furition is certainly something to rejoice over and to have great "hope" in. He goes on to say that he hopes in the Lord more than the "watchmen who hopes for morning." Nothing is more sure for the night watchmen than the sun will come up and he will be relieved of his duty for some much deserved and needed rest. So too those who hope in the fulfillment of God's Word. He cannot and will not deny His Word. He is faithful to fulfill ever nuance of it. Wait for the Lord - wait for His Word to come to pass.

Can we change a culture bent on sinning? 2 Chronicles 33-35

If you have ever been in a sinful environment and wondered where God was and how to turn the environment around, this section is the formula. We have in these three chapters both the formula for how to turn a culture onto sinning and how to turn it back to God. It is obvious even to the casual reader that God is angered by those who reject His Word and His Ordinances. We cannot reject Him and continue on a path of ease - chapter 33. However, if we repent after hearing God's Word and we begin to obey it we can see God's hand of mercy and grace in our lives (chapter 33b-35). The theme of these chapters is the obedience and/or disobedience to God's Word. It is hard to imagine how simply this is, but peace and safety are found in our response to God's Word. Those who obey it are blessed - those who don't are cursed. Too simple? Read the chapters again and you will see that is God's formula for success - Joshua 1:8,9

God's Word is our Guide in every age - Deuteronomy 10-12

Moses is still in the process of telling the "new" generation (those who were under 21 years of age when those over 21 began to die in the wilderness) about the Glory of God and the blessings of God.   In this section the theme of that "exposition" is their relationship with God's Word.   God has established His Word for them and they are to obey it ... every aspect of it ... and will thereby receive a blessing for that obedience.  We may think this is true only in Old Testament times.   However, obeying God's Word is true in ever generation or dispensation.   God is working with His people (those who express faith in Him) through His Word.  Obeying it is never optional.  We tend to want to obey it on Sunday and to use the Word for our salvation.  However, when we are in Monday - Saturday circumstance we don't look to the Word for guidance.   When we are in the sanctification process we tend to read the latest literature before we read God's Litany.   Let us realize the power and reality of His Word in our lives.   It is by keeping this word that we walk with Him.  It is by ignoring it that we fail to fellowship properly with Him.

There a war inside - James 4-5

James 4:1&2 - "What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members?"  

Make no mistake about it, there is a war going on every day and without Christ we will lose every time - EVERY TIME!   If you are in a conflict with someone it is because of this war.  If you are in a quarrel with someone it it because of this war.   What is the source of the fighting and difficulty?  James is pretty clear about it.  It is not some psychological gibberish that he is pouring out.   This is God's Holy Word.   James, the brother of Jesus, tell us that the source of all fighting and quarrels among us (believers) is a war that is going on inside of us where we are trying to satisfy the "pleasures" of our "members."   By "members" James means the same thing Paul is talking about in Romans 6.   They both mean our tongue, our ears, our sexual organs, our desire for ego gratification, our pride, our sight.   Those are members.  In and of themselves these members are neutral parties in the fight against evil and sin.  However, sin, as our slave master, uses these members to inflict harm inside us and toward others.   We desire to please our own members (desires given to the members by God) in ways that God didn't intend.   So, we attempt to please a natural desire in a wrong way and that causes harm with others.   There is a war going on inside of us.  We need to recognize and submit to the one who can give us strength and set us free from meeting those desires in the wrong way.   God is in the process of doing that through His Son.  Both Paul (Romans 6:23) and James (4:7-8) give us the solution by coming to God through Christ for that freedom.

Look at life through the lens of God's Word - Acts 11-12

In Acts eleven we have the reaction of the "church" to Peter going to the Gentiles in chapter ten. In that chapter Peter had been directed by the Spirit to a Gentile's house, Cornelius, who was seeking God. The "church" objected to his "mission" trip according to 11:3. Failing to see God's mission in the world or remember Christ's final words, or not realizing the prophets prophecy that salvation would come to the "world" the members of the new "church" failed to accept Peter's actions. There is a lesson there for us all. We often jump to judgement before we search God's Word. God's Word is clear from the very beginning of it. God is in the porcess of saving the world. He sent His son to do so. However, the "Jewish" Christians were attempting to hijack God's plan based upon ethnicity. God was clear throughout Scripture of what His plan was. The first part of chpater eleve is a clear example of what happens when we don't view the events of this world through the lens of God's plans and God's Word. At the end of this section (11:18) we see them accept Peter's explanation, but more importantly God's overall plan. Their willingness to submit to God's Word and God's plan is imperative for the growth of the church. When looking at the events of this world we need to make sure we always see them through the lens of God's Word.

God wants to rejoice over us - Zephaniah

3:17 - "The Lord your God is in your midst, A victorious warrior. He will exalt over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy."

Zephaniah was a member of the royal family (1:1) and was well connected with the ins and outs of the Judah establishment. That didn't prevent him from speaking out when God told him to speak and when he saw the sin of his nation. Priviledge does not exempt from responsibility - it brodens it. Zephaniah had jus told the nation that judgment was coming because of their sin against God, their pride and their failure to trust and seek refuge in God (1:6; 1:17; 2:3; 3:1). In this verse (17) we read that God, having become the "victorious warrior" now wants to rejoice over them. How is God the "victorious warrior?" We have here an Old Testement picture of the risen Savior. Christ becomes the victorious warrior over sin and even over God's wrath, as He pleases God's wrath and meets its demands. He is the victorious warrior. As a result God wants to and does "rejoice over us with that." He is "quiet" with His love (as opposed to loud with His wrath). HE is the victory but he WANTS to share the fruits of victory with us. Let's praise HIM for HIS victory; but let us also rejoice in His willingness and love to share those fruits of victory with us.

Laziness, Industry, Balance and Greed - Ecclesiastes 3-4

Solomon was a business man, an entrepreneur, a king and an observer of life.   In chapter four of this section he gives us great insight into the world of business and industry in regard to our balance for life.  Read the following again from 4:4-6 ...

(4) "I have seen that every labor and every skill which is done is the result of rivalry between a man and his neighbor.  This too is vanity and staving after wind.  (5) The fool folds his hands and consumes his own flesh.  (6) One hand full of rest is better than two fists full of labor and striving after wind."


In simple Hebrew poetry Solomon gives us some great truths for life in regard to labor.  He talks of those who work out of:  1) Envy (v. 4)   2) Laziness (v. 5)  and, 3) Greed (v. 6).    He gives us a reality check by observing that those in verse four who work out of envy (Proverbs 24:7) do more damage to themselves by having this "rivalry" with their neighbors.   We ought to avoid trying to have what the neighbor has and simply relax and find contentment in our own lives.   In verse five above he tells us about those, who instead of envying their neighbor and striving for what their neighbor has, instead simply fold their arms, do nothing and have only their own flesh to eat.   We see this with a lot of lazy people.  They refuse to work and then end of selling what they have to live on (that is what it looks like to eat your flesh).   Finally, in verse six we see the insight in regard to those who are using both fists to grab the wind (greed) and instead don't realize that one fist can get you want you need and the other ought to balance you for life with rest.   Envy, laziness and greed seem to be earmarks of today's society.   We ought to be careful to make sure that doesn't become our outline for life.   We are to find the balance with work and allow our work to become something we can offer to God.   Let's not try to grab so much to keep up with others or try to rest so much that we fail to work.   The moderation found in Christ is the solution for Greed, Envy and Slothfulness.

Mountains on every side - Psalm 125-127

Unless you lived in Jerusalem it is tough for you to see and understand the power of Psalm 125:1-2.    Mount Zion in verse one and Jerusalem in verse two are the same place; one place - two names.   The writer is drawing attention to the safety and security that is found within the city of Jerusalem because of the geographical position and makeup.  But, he is really drawing us to the theological implications of this. Just like mountains provide a measure of safety for Jerusalem, so too does God provide safety for His people.  The mountains are not going anywhere - neither is God.   The mountains are unmovable - so too is God.  The mountains are always there - so to is God.  The mountains are the a symbol of power and might - God is power and might.   The only area where the two don't fit in the writers use of them as a metaphor is in the fact that the mountains are seen every time  you look up.  God is not always seen.  We sometimes think we are in a desert place where the wind, the beasts, the armies of this world and the storms of life can attack us.   But, in reality we are surrounded by God's powerful presence, like unseen mountains of protection.   We might not see Him, but like Mt. Everest, He stands towering over us and protects us from the elements of life.   We don't see physically see Him so we don't practically feel Him.   But, He is there.  No storm can break through the mountain to affect the people in the village when the mountain of God keeps us safe in the valley.   Rejoice in the unseen mountains that surround you.   They are there whether you see them or not.

God is testing the hearts of His people - 2 Chronicles 29-32

God wants to know what is in our hearts.  He wants to measure it and see if He fills our hearts or if we have something else taking His place.   In this section we see the reforms of Hezekiah.   As a King, he brought reforms and restored proper reforms to Judah.   Others mocked him (30:10) and some of the priest didn't prepare themselves for the worship (29:34)   Just because you have a heart for worship that doesn't mean others are prepared or desirous of it.   And, just because you do seek God with all your heart (31:20-21) that doesn't mean that you won't have difficulty.   In chapter thirty-two we read that the King of Assyria came up against Hezekiah, despite is willingness to worship and consecrate God in his life and in the life of his nation.   We might wonder why the pain and suffering of the siege was brought upon a man of God but in 32:30-33 we see why:  "Even in the matter of the envoys of the rulers of Babylon, who sent to him to inquire of the wonder that had happened in the land, God left him (Hezekiah) alone only to test him, that He might know all that was in his heart."  God is in the process of testing our hearts.  He wants to know where our aligence is.   He wants to know who we are loyal to.  Hezekiah, it is mentioned earlier, was actually "unfaithful" at one point (32:24-26).  Hezekiah let his riches pump up his heart in pride.    God is concerned about how we start AND finish the course of our life.  He wants to be completely on the throne of our lives.   Is He completely enthroned on yours? On mine?