JACKS DAILY DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS
(James 4:1), ““Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your “desires for pleasure” that war in your members?”
When analyzing or studying how to walk in “The Way of Peace”…there are several things that we must do, in order to see the reality of it become an attribute that automatically flows out… or emanates from the believers life.
Yesterday we talked about being obedient to “the way of love”.
If you truly want to walk in peace, then you have to walk in love.
Not just any love, but radical selfless love, “Gods Agape love”, even to the point of being willing to give up your own life.
The second step to walking in “the way of peace”… is to desire, long for, and to seek after wisdom!
(Proverbs 4:5-7) puts it this way.
“Get wisdom, get understanding, do not forget my words or turn away from them.
Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you.
The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom… though it cost all you have.
If we are going to walk in the way of peace, we need to grow in Godly wisdom.
Now let me be clear so that you understand the context of what James is referring to using the word wisdom.
He is not talking about education.
As (James 4:1) says… “What causes conflicts and quarrels among you?
Don’t they come from the passions at war within you?
You crave what you do not have; you kill and covet, but are unable to obtain it.
You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask.
Just before asking the question where do wars, strife, animosity, anger, come from”?
James gave some instruction about living in the “the way of peace”.
(James 3:17-18) “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.
Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace”
James used eight Greek words here to describe “wisdom that comes from above”… and they each counteract the type of worldly wisdom that is “full of bitter envy and self-seeking” that leads to confusion, fights and war. (James 3:14)
The word “peaceable”, the second word in the list, basically means “right relationships” or unity.
So then, what James is saying is, “We are all trying to reap the good harvest promised by God which a good life brings”.
But the seeds which bring the rich harvest, will never flourish in any atmosphere, other than in that of unity or “right relationships between man and man”.
And the only people who can sow these seeds and reap the reward of sowing them, are those whose life work it is to produce such right relationships.
That is to say, nothing good can ever grow in an atmosphere where men are at variance with one another.
In a group where there is bitterness and strife, the soil is barren and seeds of peace can never grow.
Thus the need for forgiveness, mercy, forbearance, compassion… which are all attributes of love.
These are “relational seeds” that will produce a harvest of peace.
So then it is crucial that we grow in Gods love and His wisdom!
(James 3:17) encourages His followers in the early church “to seek wisdom”, not just any wisdom… but the wisdom that comes from above.
James goes on saying that the truly wise and understanding person, is one whose faith in God leads to selfless good works.
Wise people live in humility… setting themselves aside to serve others.
This is totally opposite from the worlds concept which says man is responsible to serve him - or herself first.
The result is self centeredness that brings about disorder and conflict instead of the peace, gentleness, and mercy that follows from living by heaven's wisdom.
The opposite of the worlds wisdom… is found in the wisdom of those who trust God to provide all they need and who continues to give His children every good gift (James 1:17), and to fulfill every desire of their heart for eternity with Him in Heaven.
As a result, believers striving to walk in heavenly wisdom willingly sacrifice opportunities for "more and more" ie money, pleasure, and power.
Those who truly want to follow after God know that they need to make themselves available, “to serve” the needs of others.
The result of submission to God is very different than selfish, worldly ambition.
Godly wisdom is refined and focused on mainly one thing… and that is being obedient to whatever God has called us to do.
What is it that God called us to do?
(Matthew 5:9) it is to be “peacemakers”.
Godly wisdom is “peaceable” or “peace-loving”, putting a high value on easing conflict.
His wisdom is gentle and considerate, not ready to fight, but ready to serve.
This kind of wisdom is reasonable or submissive… ready to see things from another point of view and do it someone else's way.
True wisdom is full of mercy it is impartial, not showing favoritism or self willfulness.
It is sincere, with no need to manipulate others to get what it wants.
It's amazing how much easier and more pleasant life becomes when a true follower of Christ “gives up” the drive, the all-consuming passion, the selfish need of getting what he or she wants at any cost.
Without that agenda, there's less and less need for conflict.
And yet, the only way to give up that agenda… is to believe that our good God is providing all we need in every moment.
That is Godly wisdom… that is the way of peace!
Good Day!
James used eight Greek words here to describe “wisdom that comes from above”… and they each counteract the type of worldly wisdom that is “full of bitter envy and self-seeking” that leads to confusion, fights and war. (James 3:14)
The word “peaceable”, the second word in the list, basically means “right relationships” or unity.
So then, what James is saying is, “We are all trying to reap the good harvest promised by God which a good life brings”.
But the seeds which bring the rich harvest, will never flourish in any atmosphere, other than in that of unity or “right relationships between man and man”.
And the only people who can sow these seeds and reap the reward of sowing them, are those whose life work it is to produce such right relationships.
That is to say, nothing good can ever grow in an atmosphere where men are at variance with one another.
In a group where there is bitterness and strife, the soil is barren and seeds of peace can never grow.
Thus the need for forgiveness, mercy, forbearance, compassion… which are all attributes of love.
These are “relational seeds” that will produce a harvest of peace.
So then it is crucial that we grow in Gods love and His wisdom!
(James 3:17) encourages His followers in the early church “to seek wisdom”, not just any wisdom… but the wisdom that comes from above.
James goes on saying that the truly wise and understanding person, is one whose faith in God leads to selfless good works.
Wise people live in humility… setting themselves aside to serve others.
This is totally opposite from the worlds concept which says man is responsible to serve him - or herself first.
The result is self centeredness that brings about disorder and conflict instead of the peace, gentleness, and mercy that follows from living by heaven's wisdom.
The opposite of the worlds wisdom… is found in the wisdom of those who trust God to provide all they need and who continues to give His children every good gift (James 1:17), and to fulfill every desire of their heart for eternity with Him in Heaven.
As a result, believers striving to walk in heavenly wisdom willingly sacrifice opportunities for "more and more" ie money, pleasure, and power.
Those who truly want to follow after God know that they need to make themselves available, “to serve” the needs of others.
The result of submission to God is very different than selfish, worldly ambition.
Godly wisdom is refined and focused on mainly one thing… and that is being obedient to whatever God has called us to do.
What is it that God called us to do?
(Matthew 5:9) it is to be “peacemakers”.
Godly wisdom is “peaceable” or “peace-loving”, putting a high value on easing conflict.
His wisdom is gentle and considerate, not ready to fight, but ready to serve.
This kind of wisdom is reasonable or submissive… ready to see things from another point of view and do it someone else's way.
True wisdom is full of mercy it is impartial, not showing favoritism or self willfulness.
It is sincere, with no need to manipulate others to get what it wants.
It's amazing how much easier and more pleasant life becomes when a true follower of Christ “gives up” the drive, the all-consuming passion, the selfish need of getting what he or she wants at any cost.
Without that agenda, there's less and less need for conflict.
And yet, the only way to give up that agenda… is to believe that our good God is providing all we need in every moment.
That is Godly wisdom… that is the way of peace!
Good Day!
(Romans 3:17) “The way of peace they have not known." As I watch world events play, I am so very conscious of this verse of scripture from the Apostle Paul, “The way of peace they have not known.”
The Bible accurately described this human condition some 2000 years ago.
In fact it has been a problem since Adam and Eve were banished from the Garden of Eden because of their disobedience to God, and in the after math, their two sons Cain and Able fell into a rage and Cain slew Able his brother.
All thru time humans have yearned for and struggled for peace, but still it has eluded us.
What does the Bible reveal about the way of peace, and how can we live that way?
Well I think it goes to what Jesus said in (John 14:6) when He said “I am the way”.
So in that case we have to ask our selves what is the way of Christ?
The way of Christ is the way of Love!
And love begins not as some sappy emotion that we have no control over, but real love is a commitment.
Commitments are kept through acts of self-discipline and obedience.
Here are some thoughts how to have, know or develop “the way of peace”.
#1) we need to obey God’s law of love.
“Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble” (Psalm 119:165).
First of all we need to realize that it begins with you, and it begins with me.
God’s law is the basis of all right relationships—showing us how to love God and love our fellow humans (Matthew 22:37-40).
Being a peacemaker requires not just thinking... but acting.
And Jesus gave us some very radical ways of acting when the potential for strife rises up before us in (Matthew 5:21- 48).
Paul described some of the elements of this “way of peace” in his letter to the Romans:
“Be of the same mind toward one another.
Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble.
Do not be wise in your own opinion.
Repay no one evil for evil.
Here are some thoughts how to have, know or develop “the way of peace”.
#1) we need to obey God’s law of love.
“Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble” (Psalm 119:165).
First of all we need to realize that it begins with you, and it begins with me.
God’s law is the basis of all right relationships—showing us how to love God and love our fellow humans (Matthew 22:37-40).
Being a peacemaker requires not just thinking... but acting.
And Jesus gave us some very radical ways of acting when the potential for strife rises up before us in (Matthew 5:21- 48).
Paul described some of the elements of this “way of peace” in his letter to the Romans:
“Be of the same mind toward one another.
Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble.
Do not be wise in your own opinion.
Repay no one evil for evil.
Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.
If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.
If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.
Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord.
Therefore, If your enemy is hungry, feed him... if he is thirsty, give him a drink for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good" (Romans 12:16-21).
Striving to live in harmony, not allowing pride to stir up conflicts, leaving revenge to God, serving our enemies—these are challenging assignments, but they are essential to the way of peace. I believe there are 4 ways to develop our love for one another and to begin to experience the way of peace.
Over the next couple of days I am going to look at several more of them.
In the mean time chew on this thought this day, and let it start you on “the way of peace”.
Good day!
Striving to live in harmony, not allowing pride to stir up conflicts, leaving revenge to God, serving our enemies—these are challenging assignments, but they are essential to the way of peace. I believe there are 4 ways to develop our love for one another and to begin to experience the way of peace.
Over the next couple of days I am going to look at several more of them.
In the mean time chew on this thought this day, and let it start you on “the way of peace”.
Good day!
(1st Corinthians 10:31) “Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God”
From our earliest years as a young child we are taught that we must obey or be obedient.
Children are taught to obey their parents, their teachers, employees in the marketplace and the authorities,
During that journey, however many have developed the illness of “people pleasing”.
Now obedience is a good attribute for all of us to develop… but if we are not careful we can fall into the trap of becoming people pleasers.
That is, we fall into the trap of “doing things” that others expect or demand so that we will be liked or feel valued.
It’s true that we all want other people to like us and to approve of what we do.
But the trouble with “people pleasing” is that we begin to “measure our value”, by the approval and recognition we receive.
And if we don’t get that approval we can feel like we’re not worth anything.
But we need to understand that our true worth, our value comes from God, not anyone else.
In (Matthew 10:29-31) Jesus said “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?
Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.
And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
So don’t be afraid… you are worth more than many sparrows”
God doesn’t want us to live trapped by other people’s opinions.
When we live by other people’s expectations of us, we give them control over our lives.
God wants us to live for Him.
In (Galatians 1:10) Paul said…
God doesn’t want us to live trapped by other people’s opinions.
When we live by other people’s expectations of us, we give them control over our lives.
God wants us to live for Him.
In (Galatians 1:10) Paul said…
“Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God?
Am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ”
We need to think about our motive for why we do things.
Are we trying to please people, or are we living for Christ and His approval.
Are we serving to gain recognition in the world, or to follow the call of God?
Paul wrote, “whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God”
When we feel hurt because our work and serving is going unnoticed, we need to remember that God sees everything we do.
(Hebrews 6:10) tells us… “God is not unjust. He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them”
In (Ephesians 4:1-2) the Apostle Paul writes… “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love (Ephesians 4:1-2)
Paul is encouraging us to have the right attitude about serving one another.
This is not to “please people” around us to earn their love and respect… wut to walk in a manner that pleases God and returns to Him our love and our appreciation for what He has done… not to earn His respect or love.
Here are four attitudes that take the attention off of our selves and restores the focus to God.
The first thing we must consider or purpose to do is…
#1) Walk in “lowliness”…
To the Greeks of Paul’s day “lowliness” or “humility” was not a virtue.
Nor is it a virtue “valued” in our society as well.
The opposite of lowliness is “pride-fullness”.
Pride-full people want, demand and need the attention of others.
But in Christ “lowliness” and “humility” becomes a virtue.
His life and death were service and sacrifice without thought of reputation (Philippians. 2:6–7)
Because the Christian is called to follow in His steps, the footsteps of Christ… humility has an irreplaceable part in the Christian character (Acts 20:19),
Humility causes us to see the greatness and the glory and the holiness of God, so that we ourselves cannot but be overwhelmed by the realization of His great love toward us.
We need to think about our motive for why we do things.
Are we trying to please people, or are we living for Christ and His approval.
Are we serving to gain recognition in the world, or to follow the call of God?
Paul wrote, “whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God”
When we feel hurt because our work and serving is going unnoticed, we need to remember that God sees everything we do.
(Hebrews 6:10) tells us… “God is not unjust. He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them”
In (Ephesians 4:1-2) the Apostle Paul writes… “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love (Ephesians 4:1-2)
Paul is encouraging us to have the right attitude about serving one another.
This is not to “please people” around us to earn their love and respect… wut to walk in a manner that pleases God and returns to Him our love and our appreciation for what He has done… not to earn His respect or love.
Here are four attitudes that take the attention off of our selves and restores the focus to God.
The first thing we must consider or purpose to do is…
#1) Walk in “lowliness”…
To the Greeks of Paul’s day “lowliness” or “humility” was not a virtue.
Nor is it a virtue “valued” in our society as well.
The opposite of lowliness is “pride-fullness”.
Pride-full people want, demand and need the attention of others.
But in Christ “lowliness” and “humility” becomes a virtue.
His life and death were service and sacrifice without thought of reputation (Philippians. 2:6–7)
Because the Christian is called to follow in His steps, the footsteps of Christ… humility has an irreplaceable part in the Christian character (Acts 20:19),
Humility causes us to see the greatness and the glory and the holiness of God, so that we ourselves cannot but be overwhelmed by the realization of His great love toward us.
#2) “To walk in “meekness”…
The word meekness was used in classical Greek in the good sense of being “mild-mannered” or having “gentleness of character”.
Meekness describes that of an animal completely disciplined and under control.
Meekness in the New Testament is used to describe a person’s attitude to the Word of God (James 1:21) but more often of one’s attitude to each other (1st Corinthians 4:21) (2nd Timothy 2:25) and
(Titus 3:2)
It is closely connected with “the spirit of submissiveness”, which becomes the keynote of his letter in (Ephesians 5:21), when the Apostle Paul speaks of human relationships.
Moses is aptly described in (Numbers 12:3) as “very meek”.
Meekness is described “as the spirit of one who is so absorbed in seeking some worthy goal for the common good… that he refuses to be deflected from it by slights, injuries or insults directed at himself personally, or indeed by personal considerations of any kind”.
#3) Thirdly, we are to walk in “patience”…
We are to walk patiently and with patience, a word sometimes used to describe steadfast endurance thru suffering or misfortune.
Patience is used to describe God’s patience with humanity and is a corresponding and consequent quality that the Christian should show towards others.
#4) Finally there is “forbearance”
A divine quality that practices the art of longsuffering.
It involves “bearing with” one another’s weaknesses… not ceasing to love one’s neighbors or friends because of the faults we see in them which perhaps offend or displease us.
Forbearance is that “mutual tolerance” without which no group of human beings can live together in peace.
Such forbearance, and indeed all these four qualities are possible only when we choose to love.
For love is the basic attitude of seeking the highest good of others, and it will therefore lead to all these four qualities.
Paul has prayed that his readers may be “rooted and grounded in love” (Ephesians 3:17), and now he exhorts them to do their part, and to go on to possess all these virtues in love.
Love for others, is why we try “to do good”… not for vain glory or to win the respect or attention of others around us… or to be loved in return… not so that we can be elevated, appreciated, spoken good of or liked.
Love is not “people pleasing” it is “God pleasing”… not for my benefit, but for His kingdom.
Understanding your value and your unique purpose in life… will eliminate or take away the need to be a “people pleaser”.
You already have great value in the eyes of God.
So lets “walk worthy” of that value and that love!
Good Day!
(Psalm 26:3 ) ‘Your loving kindness is before my eyes.’
The story’s told of a little boy who was asked, “Do you say your prayers every night”?
He replied, ‘No… some nights I don’t need anything!’
We smile, but the point is painfully obvious.
If the only time your husband or wife communicated with you was when they were in trouble or had a need they couldn’t meet on their own… how long do you think your relationship would last?
There must be a balance between your praise and your petitions.
Now you might be thinking, “If the Lord is big enough to create and run the universe, I doubt He’s bothered when somebody as insignificant as me fails to say thanks.”
Oh but not so!
When Jesus healed ten lepers and only one returned to give thanks, He asked… “Where are the other nine?” (Luke 17:17)
If God dealt with you solely on the basis of His righteousness and your proclivity for unrighteousness, you’d be sunk!
But He doesn’t.
He says, “I have loved you with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself” (Jeremiah 31:3)
I love David’s assurance to us from (Psalm 103:10-14) “He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear him… as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.”
As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him… for He knows how we are formed, He remembers that we are dust.
Realizing this, the Psalmist wrote in (Psalm 63:3-4) “Because Your loving kindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You. Thus, I will bless You while I live”
Again the Psalmist writes: ‘I will…praise Your name for Your loving kindness and Your truth… for You have magnified Your word above all Your name.
In the day when I cried out… You answered me, and made me bold with strength in my soul” (Psalm 138:2-3)
Someone quipped, “God doesn’t mind getting invoiced as long as He gets thanked”!
The amazing thing is that His love is steadfast and unmovable.
“I have loved thee with an everlasting love”, (Jeremiah 31:3)
Nothing warms a fathers heart more than when his children, (and wife included) draws close and tells them, “I love you daddy… Thanks for all you do”!
So, take a moment and recall God’s loving kindness to you… and then take some time praising Him and thanking Him.
You’ll be amazed at what it does for your soul and spirit!
Good Day!
(Psalm 119:11) “I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”
When it comes to wisdom and knowledge, a lot of people like to express their opinion despite how much they think they know about whatever matter or topic at hand.
I’ve been asked many questions in my life time/ministry about a myriad of subjects and what my opinion might be.
But I have to be frank and say that I really hesitate giving my thoughts on any subject except that pertaining to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
And the reason for that is that we are living in a society that has rejected sound counsel and advice, simply because it seems every one has a better idea, with nothing or no support, or truth or evidence to argue their ideas or philosophies.
We live in a society where “absolutes” have been tossed out the window… and every man and or woman is living and acting out according to (Judges 21:25), “and the people did what seems right, in their own eyes”…
“In their own eyes…”
Found in the pages of the Book of Wisdom called Proverbs, twice the writer states “There is a way that seems right unto a man but it’s the way of death”! (Proverbs 14:12) and (Proverbs 16:25)
Listen to me when I say… “the wisdom of men”… does not hold the answers many are looking for in life.
Why can’t I quit smoking?
Why can’t I quit drinking!
Why can’t I get ahead financially?
Why can’t I seem to find any joy in life?
Why can’t I experience one day with out any anxiety or stress in my life?
Why, why, why?
For many Christians there is the question, “why can’t I stop sinning”, committing the same sins over and over again?
My answer?
It’s the only the ones without any “absolutes” that cannot change.
Here’s your answer… “soak your mind in God’s Word”!
Just like you soak a sponge in water and it comes out filled to capacity, and dripping… we must soak our mind in scripture until we are filled to the max, leaking out with God’s Word.
Then, when you’re facing temptation, your first recourse will be a ‘Spirit and Word’ empowered response.
Not your “opinion”, which wavers and is influenced by the many philosophies and carnal influences and attitudes of this world.
If you keep doing what you’ve always done, you’ll keep getting the same results.
So if you are sick and tired of living in defeat, if you are sick and tired of being sick and tired… here’s a time-tested prescription from God’s Word for making you whole…
(Psalms 119: 9 - 11) “How can a young person or an older one stay pure?” “By obeying the word of God”!
Jesus told His disciples ‘You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you’ (John 15:3)
(Ephesians 5:26) tells us “That He might sanctify and cleanse you with the washing of water by the word”
(Hebrews 4:12), “The word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit…joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart”
(Jeremiah 15:16) ‘Your words were found, and I ate them, and Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart… for I am called by Your name’.
Folks, there is only one source of counsel that stands true and does not change.
That is the Word of God!
These scriptures all lead to one conclusion… if you’re serious about wanting to walk in victory, you must get into God’s Word and get God’s Word into you.
Jesus said “man shall not live by bread alone but by every Word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Luke 4:4)
There was a time in my life when I wondered about my future and my eternity.
Though I was a believer in Christ I really did not know His plan or His will for my life.
I was like the little ball in a pin-ball machine ricocheting off of every situation, bouncing out of control from one thing to another… often laying in bed at night unable to sleep as I cried asking God why, why, why?
But there came a time when the reality of my “out of control” life began to cause me to come to my senses, and I began to realize there had to be something more than the pain, the stress, and the anxiety of not being sure or where I was heading in life.
There had to be some answers.
There had to be some “absolutes” that could set my feet on the solid path of life.
And it was then that I started to surrender to Gods Word, rather than letting my thoughts or my opinions that were formed upon here-say and heresy, run my life.
(Psalm 119:105) says, ‘Your Word O Lord is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path’.
Friend there is no other way to find pure counsel and to find your way thru this life of dark corridors, confusing directions and an uncertain future.
(Psalms 119:105) gives us a question that is asked and answered.
“How can a young person stay on the path of purity”?
The psalmist answers in the same phrase… “By living according to your word”.
Believe me folks there is no better way…. His Word never changes and His Word never lies!
It is yes and amen.
It is absolute!
And it has stood the test of time thru many changes in culture, history, and attacks on it by the Kingdom of Darkness that has tried to discredit it.
Yet still, it is the top selling book of all time.
That’s because it is more than a book!
It is Gods Word, His love letter to you and I.
His instruction manual!
To help us circumvent and find our way thru the ungodly philosophies of this world, that cause us so much heartache and pain.
Listen folks, with our leaders lying to us, with our professors and teachers of higher learning waffling on subjects they claim to be authorities on,
With the wicked and evil philosophies that have been unleashed on our world… as the wisdom of men… there is only one place to go for answers that are solid and unchanging.
It’s the Word of God.
(Colossians 3:16) encourages us to “let the Word of God dwell in you richly”.
The question was asked in (Psalm 119:11), “How can a man find his way”?
The answer… let the bible be your instruction manual, let the Word of God be your guide.
It is “a lamp unto our feet” and “a light unto my path”!
Good Day!
(Proverbs 13:20) ‘Spend time with the wise and you will become wise.’
God’s plan for our lives requires us to “connect with people” and be a light of hope and examples of faith in their lives.
But we must be wise or careful whom we allow to be an influence in our lives.
Sitting beside Jesus at the Last Supper were John, who loved Him, and Judas, who betrayed Him.
We can have people around us who love and support us, but also people who bring us down and go behind our backs.
We need to be aware of who is influencing us and who is speaking into our lives.
The Bible says, “Spend time with the wise and you will become wise”.
(Psalm 1:1) says “Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take, or sit in the company of mockers”.
The relationships we choose to invest in, have a direct effect on how we live and how we develop or grow in our faith.
Having said that, we need to be very careful whom we allow into the inner sanctum of our lives.
We need to be careful that those we yoke our selves to (be they friends, business partners or future mates)… are people that we can walk together with in unity .
People whom will strengthen faith… not tear it down!
Now on the other hand we are not supposed to separate our selves from having relationships that are in the world.
Our main purpose or goal in life should be an attitude or intent of infecting the lost with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
We are to be lights, and an influence in this world!
How many friends do you have that don’t know Christ?
Better put, how many people who are not Christians would call you their friend?
The statistics are clear.
Once the average person becomes a believer in Christ, he or she loses contact with all unbelieving friends within two years.
Some shed themselves of their former relationships with unbelievers on purpose and some as a consequence of their new life.
True, Paul’s encouragement to the Church in (2nd Corinthians 6:14) is something we need to consider as we live out our lives rubbing shoulders with the world around us… “do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?”
Therefore, many believe that to be Christian… means that we must lose all association with unbelievers.
But this is a wrong interpretation.
Paul is not telling us not to have unbelieving friends, but not to “join” together with unbelievers in their practices and worldview.
Yoking together means pulling together… to join with them in their lifestyle and belief system, therefore, becoming like them.
But we are called to do the opposite!
And that is to influence them by our love for them and our life of faith in their midst.
If we don’t, how else are they to know the truth that will set them free as you have experienced.
You might be the only bible they will ever read.
Christians should be building relationships outside of the household of faith!
Let me give you four reasons why Christians should be intentional about having friends that do not know Christ.
#1) They are sick and in need of hope.
Today more than ever we live in a world of hopelessness.
People today are searching for something to believe, they just don’t know what and they don’t know where to go. That’s where you and I come in.
The “religious leaders” of Christ’s day had this philosophy of “pagan friend shedding.”
Seeing Christ eating and drinking with unbelievers (befriending them), they began to look down upon him.
Christ responded by saying that “it is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick (Matthew 9:12).
#2) They keep you real.
Many of us have been in Christian circles so long that we don’t know what it is like in the world outside of Christianity.
Our terminology and thought patterns can quickly turn into “folk theology.”
“Folk theology” is having a belief or practice and not knowing why we have it or what it means.
In exclusive Christian circles, you may be able to get away with saying, “the Spirit moved,” but an unbeliever would challenge you saying,
“What do you mean that the Spirit moved?
Having unbelieving friends keeps you real authentic.
Believers sometimes feel that it is “unchristian” to ask tough questions or challenge the world on their terms or turf.
This should not be the case.
Believers should always be the first to ask the tough questions.
“How is this, or how is that working for you” should be the challenge we place for the many in our world whom are looking for answers… but you can usually only ask that question in the midst of an authentic relationship with another.
Unbelievers struggle and have real tough questions that believers should pay attention to, and be ready with answers of faith built upon the bible… not personal opinion!
#3) Because Christ had unbelieving friends.
Christ was on a mission to reconcile the world to Himself.
He had both unbelieving friends and believing friends.
He sought to win the lost and to disciple the won.
If you want to follow Christ’s example, then we must “associate” with those in need.
I said associate… not join, or yoke ourselves to them.
We must associate with them… and be a light and a positive influence, not the opposite!
The Kingdom of God is coming… it will be here soon.
Let us keep our focus straight.
The one thing we won’t be able to do in heaven is bring an unbeliever to Christ.
So lets start today!
Here’s a great prayer to pray… ‘Lord, I pray for the people You’ve brought into my life and placed on my heart. Please bless the healthy relationships, and give me wisdom to handle the difficult ones, in a way that pleases and honors You.
If there are friendships I need to walk away from, show me what to do and give me the grace and courage to do it.
If there are relationships that are draining and distracting me from Your plan and purpose, I trust You to bring them to an end or change them for the better.
And when I’m the one who needs to change, show me, and work in my life by Your amazing power.
I need Your wisdom to recognize the friends I should choose.
Help me to avoid relationships that lead me away from the path You’ve laid out for me.
Send people into my life who are godly and wise, and help us to bless and encourage each other… in Jesus’ name I pray.
Good Day!
(Psalm 51:17) “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and contrite heart… these O God, You will not despise”
As we talked about yesterday, God is looking for a people… you and I, His children, His Bride, His followers, to have “a different attitude” than the world around us.
As I have pointed out in the past, God wants to conform us to the “image of His Son Jesus Christ”
(Romans 8:29) “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be “conformed to the image of his Son”, that He might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters
To understand more about why God wants us to have “a contrite heart”… in contrast, notice the kinds of hearts God is not happy with.
These are all symptoms of deadly “spiritual heart disease” or a bad attitude!
1) A hard heart.
Start with Pharaoh of Egypt who enslaved the Israelites and wouldn’t let God’s people go.
Even in the face of God’s great power through the 10 plagues… again and again Pharaoh’s “heart grew hard”.
(Exodus 7:13) highlights the continuing resistance of Pharaoh despite witnessing God’s miraculous signs.
It demonstrates the sovereignty of God, the consequences of pride and stubbornness, and sets the narrative for the plagues that God sent against Pharaoh, illustrating the unfolding of God’s plan to deliver the Israelites from Egypt
2) A stony heart.
(Ezekiel 11:19) tells us that God wants to remove our stony hearts
3) A heart that’s lifted up.
(Deuteronomy 8:1-2) Moses warned of the dangers we can face when we have been blessed materially.
He explained that it becomes easy to forget that “blessings come from God”, and to be careful in believing we have achieved success through our own efforts and self righteousness, self-sufficiency, and pride, which are all hallmarks of the heart that’s “lifted up”
(Daniel 5:20) Nebuchadnezzar serves as a powerful example of someone whose “heart was lifted up, and his spirit was hardened in pride”
Other hearts God does not want include… A perverse heart, a proud heart, a wicked heart, a defiant and rebellious heart, a sinful heart, deceitful heart, an adulterous heart, an impenitent heart, a veiled heart, an evil heart, and an unbelieving heart ,
What can be done about all these symptoms of deadly spiritual heart disease?
God wants us to experience “a change of heart”.
God said in (Deuteronomy 5:29), “Oh, that they had such a heart in them that they would fear Me and always keep all My commandments, that it might be well with them and with their children forever!”
That “change of heart” starts with repentance.
Repentance is an action inspired and motivated by sorrow over and for sin, and its ugly hold on our lives.
God desires for each of us to humbly repent with a broken, contrite, crushed and sorrowing heart.
When we recognize our inability to fix ourselves to overcome sin and we see the filth it produce in our hearts…
Then we can pray, as David did, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10).
(Acts 2:37) we read where early believers were “cut to the heart” by the realization of their sins, and asked what to do about them.
Peter gave “a call to repentance” and the steps needed for becoming a wholehearted follower of Christ…
“Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins… and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38).
God promises to change our hearts, if we will let him, if we will respond to Him.
He promises to give us a new heart and a joyous future.
As God said in Ezekiel: “Then I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within them, and take the stony heart out of their flesh, and give them a heart of flesh” (Ezekiel 11:19)
Our hard and stony heart must be replaced by a “broken contrite heart” so God can create in us a clean, pure, healthy heart that is wholly devoted to God.
The beauty of this as well, is that we don’t have to do it on our own.
According to (Isaiah 28:10)… God sends the Holy Spirit to lead us, quicken us, remind us and strengthen us to cleanse our hearts and starts a process of changing them spiritually… little by little, line up on line, precept upon precept.
All we have to do is be a willing and obedient recipient.
Paul says that God wants to write “His beneficial laws” on our hearts.
(2nd Corinthians 3:3)… says, that He will (through the Holy Spirit) “write on tablets of flesh”, that is, “of the heart”.
This healing, this heart transplant, is only possible because of God’s love and Christ’s sacrifice.
Jesus said, “He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted” (Luke 4:18).
By doing this, He fulfills the wonderful promise of (Psalm 147:3) “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”
Broken, bruised, repentant hearts are necessary for the transformation and healing God has in mind for each of us.
If we approach Him “contritely”, (when we approach Him with the right attitude), ”He can create in us pure, sound, living, “peaceful hearts” that will rejoice forevermore”.
Jesus said “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8).
(Psalm 105:3) tells us that In the end, “our hearts will rejoice”.
(Philippians 4:7) says that we will experience “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding”
While (Psalm 16:11) says that we will and find “fullness of joy” and “pleasures forevermore”
In my travels, I meet many whom are searching for answers continually.
Maybe your one of them today reading this blog/devotional, and your wondering what it is that is “eluding you”, keeping you, from experiencing all the that Heaven will allow?
As Paul talked about in His encouragement to the Corinthian Church, (1st Corinthians 2:9) “the eyes has not seen and the ear has not heard nor has it entered into the heart of man all the things that God has prepared for those that love Him”.
Perhaps your like King Solomon who wrote the Book of Proverbs and the Book of Ecclesiastes… and you have come to the realization that “life is folly” or meaningless, there’s something missing!
(Ecclesiastes 2:23) “So my heart began to despair over all my toilsome labor under the sun.
For a person may labor with wisdom, knowledge and skill, and then they must leave all they own to another who has not toiled for it.
This too is meaningless and a great misfortune.
What do people get for all the toil and anxious striving with which they labor under the sun?
All their days their work is grief and pain… even at night their minds do not rest… this too is meaningless”.
John wrote, “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!” (1st John 3:1)
Jesus said His followers don’t need to “be troubled in heart”, because He is going “to prepare a place for you” (John 14:1-2)
The God who inhabits eternity and dwells in the high and holy place, wants to live with us and in us!
(Psalm 51:17) “a broken and contrite heart… these O God, You will not despise”.
What about you… have you had “a change of heart”?
Do you need a “spiritual heart transplant”.
Do you consider yourself a “Christian” or a “child of God”?
Then you must have a heart like God, not a heart filled with the nature of the world.
(2nd Corinthians 5:17) “if any man is in Christ He is a new creation, old things pass away and behold all things become new”!
God wants to change your heart…
Will you let Him?
Good day!