Month: September 2024

Many times, throughout our Christian Walk we will feel very unqualified to be used of God. But if we just take a look across the Bible’s landscape, we will see people chosen of God for mighty works that were down in a pit, not up on a pedestal. These people were oppressed & marginalized by society. They were outcasts, poor, and forgotten…except by God. In John 12:26, Jesus made it plain, “My Father will honor the one who serves Me.” And that means you…no matter if you’re an overwhelmed widow who feels like your life has ended also…or someone devastated by the ravages of drugs & alcohol…or an orphan lost in the Foster Care System…your current position in the pit is not an impossibility for God. In fact, He tends to recruit from the pit. That’s because, if we’re up on a pedestal, we’re highly regarded by others and ourselves…and sadly many a man has taken a fall off his pedestal through sin & scandals. Besides, pedestal perching is usually prideful self-seeking and self-serving “Look at me!”, or as we see in Matthew 6:5, the religious leaders loved to stand and pray on the street corners simply to be seen by others…performing only for the sake of public recognition and not worshipping God. And unfortunately, that was their only reward.

When doubt and discouragement erode away at your confidence…remember. When pain and suffering overwhelm your day…remember. Remember what God has done in the past…remember what He has already brought you through…and remember how He has blessed your life. Reflect on the deeds of the Lord, (Psalm 77:11) in order to put today’s problems into perspective. Resolve then to focus on God’s blessings and not despair. (Psalm 17:3) Finally, rejoice in God’s unchanging covenant promises that are yours forever.

One of Charles Spurgeon’s great quotes is – “Study the Word, so that your faith may not stand on the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.” This is so true! If we listen to others speaking “about” God’s Word, while never delving between the pages of the Bible for ourselves…we are only putting our faith & trust in what they say…and we all know where that could lead us. So, it’s essential that quality time be spent studying the Word. Proverbs 23:23 tells us to get wisdom, disciple and understanding, and this can only be found by getting into God’s Word. In Romans 11:33 and Colossians 2:3, Paul writes of the hidden treasures & depth of riches of Godly wisdom & understanding…again, only obtained by reading & studying God’s Word for ourselves. For when we diligently strive to make Bible study a priority in our lives, God is faithful to give wisdom (James 1:5) and cause the Word to come alive.

The truth be told…the battles we go through rarely need our active participation (other than praying). Over and over God tells us to, “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10) and “Stand in awe of God’s deeds.” (Habakkuk 3:2) God is more than capable to intervene and deliver on behalf of His people. We just need to watch…trusting in His promises, (Psalm 106:12) …having confidence in His Divine Will for our life, (I Thessalonians 5:18) …and having faith that God is good and only does good. (Psalm 119:68)

This quote from the English Writer, Puritan Preacher, and Author of “Pilgrim’s Progress” got me thinking about all the times in my life that I’ve spent “wandering in the wilderness”. Many times, it’s unfortunately the consequences of my straying from the right path…or as Ecclesiastes 6:9 calls it- man’s wandering appetites. I roam from the truth, meandering into sinful patterns & behaviors, and find myself “wandering from the path of good sense.” (Proverbs 21:16) But there are also times when my wilderness wanderings are God’s sovereign plan for my good. Just as Jesus spent 40 days wandering in the wilderness overcoming temptation, (Matthew 4:1-11) I’ve found there is much that can be learned and gained during those wilderness times…but not like afterwards, when God finally illuminates His plan & purpose for it.

As a Follower of Jesus, can you confidently say, “I am not who I once was?” In Colossians 3:9-10 we are instructed to take off our old selves and put on the new self. So as Believers, we are to “change clothing” from old to new…from old man to our new identity in Christ. And how does this happen? Ezekial 18:31 says we are to rid ourselves of all offenses and get a new heart and new spirit. and this can only be done through true repentance and transformation…called the redemptive process. So, as we “change clothes” spiritually, we become a new person…transformed and renewed after His image.

When we have come to the end of ourselves…when we have done everything we know to do… the most humbling prayer we can say is -“I am nothing without You, God.” In Genesis 18:27, Abraham used the proverbial phrase “dust & ashes” in expressing the lowliness & fragility of mankind. And this is so true, for we are nothing before God but dust. (Psalm 103:14) But on the other hand, the most powerful prayer we can ever pray is – “I can do everything through Him Who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13) That’s because God’s unlimited & almighty power is made perfect in our weakness. (II Corinthians 12:9)

The King of Syria was warring against Israel when the prophet Elisha was sent by God to intervene for His people. When Elisha’s servant rose early in the morning, the small town where they were staying was completely surrounded by enemy horses & chariots. When he anxiously told Elisha about this, Elisha’s response was, “Don’t be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” (II Kings 6:16) He then asked the Lord to open his servant’s spiritual eyes that he might see something that didn’t appear to the naked eye…it was God’s heavenly armies with chariots of fire waiting to do battle with the Syrians. Sometimes we need to employe that same prayer when life has blinded us by grief, depression, and anxiety. Psalm 119:18 asks God to, “Open my eyes that I may see the wonderful things in Your Law.” While Jesus taught the disciples in John 4:35 that they should, “Open your eyes and look at the fields.”…comparing evangelism with the harvest of crops. For when God unveils & opens our eyes, we will understand & be able to perceive His plan, purpose, and Divine Will for our life so much easier.

If you really think about it, God’s list of things He requires of us is simple & short. He wants an undivided heart, mind, and soul. He wants our praise and thanksgiving, and to give Him glory in all situations. Finally, He wants our burdens, our sins, and our transgressions. But what do we usually give Him? We give God our opinions & preconceived notions of how we see things should go…especially if we’ve already determined in our minds what we’re going to do…and just want Him to bless it. We give God lip service and feign devotion when it well serves our purposes. Lastly, we give God help when we think it’s taking Him too long to answer our prayers…plunging ahead instead with what we think should happen. But God isn’t asking for nor needing any of this from us…He just wants a relationship.

In Mark 7:6-8, Jesus is quoting Isaiah’s prophecy in order to condemn the Church Leaders on their practices contrary to God’s Word. What God desires from all of us is a sincere expression from an undivided heart. For He abhors empty words and insincere rituals that are more for show than substance. And the more disconnect there is between our hollow words and real worship of our Lord & Savior…the more likelihood of hypocrisy. In verse eight, Jesus was very candid when He said, “You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men.” In other words, you have neglected & abandoned God’s Word in favor of man-made traditions & rituals that God had no part in.