Don't Drink Dirty Milk!

Drink Pure Milk.  Touch Nothing Unclean.

Jesus was the most joyful person on earth because He loved righteousness and hated lawlessness, according to Hebrews 1:9.  Because of the fall of man, evil has entered the world, and now life is filled with choices such as good or evil, right or wrong, life or death.  God reminds us that life and death are before us, so He clearly instructs us to choose life.  We are called to love good and hate evil.  Scripture is filled with promises and blessings on those who fear Him, which is defined in Proverbs 8:13 as hatred of evil.  It pleases God when His children reject evil.  

In the New Testament this contrast between good and evil and the need to choose good is further explained to ensure obedience.  2 Corinthians 6:14 states, "Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers.  For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness?  And what communion has light with darkness?  And what accord has Christ with Belial (the devil)?"  God then shares His Father-heart desire to walk with us as His sons and daughters and literally be in us.  What could be stronger or more important that His next statement, "Therefore, come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord.  Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you."

With this foundational understanding, let's consider the coming holiday of Halloween.  It's origin was the 2000-year ago Celtic feast of Samhain, where ghosts of the dead were believed to come back to haunt the living.  Scripture is extremely clear in Deuteronomy 18:10-12 that "There must never be anyone among you who...consults ghosts or spirits, or calls up the dead."  As you recall King Saul's final condemnation came when he asked the witch of Endor to call up Samuel from the dead.  In the New Testament, Paul openly states, "I do not want you to be participants with demons.  You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too." (1 Corinthians 10:20-21)

The Celts were afraid of the demon spirits from the dead, so at the feast of Samhain  there were large bonfires, animal sacrifices, and people even wore the heads and skins of the sacrificed animals to scare away and hide from the evil spirits, which is where the custom of dressing up in costumes comes from.  Some people offered fruit, candy, of gifts to appease the evil spirit world to avoid their "tricks."   

An honest look at the character of what Halloween celebrates also shows the nature of Satan, not God,  Fear, evil spirits, witches, death, torment, twisted and ugly creatures, deception and openness to the demonic supernatural demonstrate the exact opposite of the beauty and love of God.  Jesus said Satan was out to steal, kill, and destroy.  He call him the father of lies.  Paul points out what a deceiver he is because "Satan, himself transforms himself as an angel of light."  All the excuses or rationalizations do not cover the truth that this holiday does not honor or glorify God, but rather is the work of darkness.  God is not mocked.   

Children are open to the supernatural because they are close to God.  Woe to those who lead them astray!  What we can excuse as innocent fun is not right in God's eyes if it opens children to demonic darkness.  Lead children to taste and see the goodness of God, His healing power, His victory over fear, death, and sin.  Jesus is so good, so beautiful, so loving, so wonderful.  Let them enjoy His presence in worship.  Give them the pure milk of the Word.  Don't drink dirty milk.

          

Crowns Are Not Always Comfortable

 Well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Father.  Nothing compares to the crown that God has for those who faithfully serve Him. 

There is a standing joke about the response of the person whom the dentist informed that she needed a crown.  Her reply was, "it is about time somebody recognized that!"  Just so happens that this week I did get a crown from the dentist and my overall reaction is that crowns are not always comfortable. 

The analogy to receiving a crown from men is likewise true.  Jesus warns in Luke 6:26 "Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for so did their fathers to the false prophets."  Our flesh always wants men's approval and to feel like our efforts are noticed and appreciated.  This leads to a dangerous pattern.  We may do or say things just to please men rather than seek to please God by being obedient to the truth of God's Word.  The difference is life or death.  Choose life. 

Have you noticed in the sermon on the mount how many times Jesus says to pray in secret, fast in secret, give in secret, so God the Father can reward you openly.  He calls us to "perform" for an audience of One, not to show off to others.  God looks at the heart, not the outward physical display.

1 Peter 2:14 points out that the role of authorities is to punish evil and praise good.  Therefore, there certainly is nothing wrong with commending good behavior or choices. These comments help motivate people to continue in godly actions. 

However, there are also some negative things that can tempt us.  First, we can become arrogant and think we are better than we are. We may even think we are better than others when Scripture in Philippians 2 reminds us to "esteem others better than ourselves."    Second, we can begin to compromise our standards just to get men's approval, rather than be true to the godly convictions God has planted in our hearts.   We want to stand before God in our greatest appointment with no regrets.   

What is the answer?  Let the peace of God be the umpire in your heart.  Do things and choose attitudes which please Him rather than looking for fleshly affirmation.  We know according to Romans 8 that flesh is enmity against the spirit and cannot please God.  Be gracious to receive thanks when people give you credit or recognize your efforts, but let your rejoicing rest in the comforting witness of the Holy Spirit.  T. L. Osborn, a seasoned evangelist who carried the Gospel to India, said it this way, "If you aren't affected by people's cheers, you won't be distracted by their jeers."  Corrie Ten Boom accurately described this situation as receiving the "roses" people give her, but before going to bed she would say, "Jesus, these really belong to You."   

Crowns, except the one God gives, are temporary and not always comfortable. 

     

Look in the Mirror

This morning I looked in the mirror and wasn't very excited or pleased with what I saw.  However, God quickly reminded me that it was the wrong mirror!  The real me can only be discerned by looking in His mirror.  James 1:25 says, "But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does." 

When we look into God's mirror, which is His Word, all darkness is removed and we see the light of completeness in Christ.  Darkness is only in the natural world, and comes into us when we let the natural replace the divine.  We have been made a new creation, a temple of the Holy Spirit, filled with the very righteousness and life of God.  In Him we live and move and have our being. 

However, it is possible to forget who we are in Christ.  Looking into the mirror of our thoughts and feelings only magnifies attention to the flesh and tends to make us ignore or forget the truth.  The above stated verse in James 1:25 exhorts us to "continue in it."  Likewise, Jesus, in John 15, declares "If My Word abides in you."  This serious admonition to keep our minds and hearts renewed rather than be conformed to the world is reinforced by Paul in Romans 12:2.  The blessings proclaimed in Psalm 1 flow from keeping this Word in our minds and hearts day and night.  

Death and life are set before us each day. Which mirror will you observe and believe? Choose the mirror of life.  Choose to dwell on the life-giving truth of who you really are through the mirror of divine revelation. The main role of our recreated spirit is to be in continuous fellowship with God.  David prayed, "I set the Lord always before me."  We are instructed to stand fast in the peace and freedom that Jesus Christ purchased and continues to provide when our heart and mind are stayed on Him.  

It all depends upon which mirror you look into and which reflection you continue to believe.  We are blessed beyond what we can think or imagine as we reflect on the image God's mirror presents.  Not only to maintain our position, but also to be further changed.  "We all with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord." 2 Corinthians 3:18 

Our life today is meant to be filled with giving praise and thanksgiving, rejoicing in His goodness, and walking in the divine power and overflowing joy.  It all depends upon which mirror we consult, and whether we hold fast the picture reflected from God's mirror!  Every time you look into the physical mirror, deliberately choose to also look into the eternal mirror and remember who you are by the finished work of Jesus Christ. 

 

Alert and on Guard, We Overcome!

 The words of Paul to the Ephesians in Acts 20 resonate with the spiritual battle we currently are involved in, whether we are aware of it or not.  Even though he had gone through incredible attacks, even being stoned, shipwrecked, and knew that imprisonment and suffering was ahead, Paul states "None of these things move me."  Oh, that we all had our hearts steadfast like his.  

Our overcoming abundant life depends upon living by the Word of God rather than the happenings of the world around us.  It may be a challenge to fight the good fight of faith and to know God is working all things for our good when things around us are falling apart., However, the truth is that His way is perfect, even in the midst of the storm.  The good news is He is always a very present help in times of trouble and He simply wants us to call on Him.  Jesus has already won the victory, so stand in faith to quench all the fiery darts of the enemy.    

  

Paul's instructions to the Ephesian leaders was to "take care and be on guard for yourselves and the whole flock" and to "be alert and on your guard."  October tends to be a season when the spiritual forces of evil get stirred up with the Halloween emphasis.  The Spirit of God reminds us to be vigilant in our taking authority and declaring victory over the demonic forces.by "the blood of the Lamb, the word of our testimony, and with total commitment where we love not our lives even unto death." (Rev 12:11).  

Paul's warning goes even further, stating that ferocious wolves will get in and even within our ranks people will rise up and say perverse things leading others astray.  Rather than let this warning discourage us believers, Paul calls on us to stand strong in the Word of God which is able to build us up to receive the full inheritance.. However, the battle is real, and both Paul and Jesus tell us to be alert.  Jesus shows much more concern about us being deceived in the last days than He does about us being persecuted.  All those who refuse to love the truth (2 Thessalonians 2:10) will be subject to deception. 

It is not a time to be passive or defeated in spirit, but rather to rise up in the authority and name of Jesus, declaring the victorious Word of God, and trusting the Holy Spirit to equip us with all we need to overcome.  .  According to 1 John 5:4 all those born again are united "in Christ" and destined to overcome the world and the work of the enemy. By faith we unite in HIs victorious death and resurrection, and now live by faith in the power of God.  Jesus warned His followers, in John 14 shortly before His arrest, to "not let your hearts be troubled.",  What God commands He also enables.  Ask the Holy Spirit to help you keep your heart in Him and His promises instead of rehearsing what the enemy is doing.  Daily put on the armor of God and use the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God,  The anointing of God will break the yoke and give us discernment to stand against the enemy's traps.  .   

Thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph!

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Very Present Help

Have you ever felt like God wasn't there when you needed Him?  It is not true, of course, but our feelings may still go that direction.  Psalm 46:1 declares that "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

However, many times we don't realize the next step depends upon us.  Let examine this truth in a couple of Scriptures.  In Exodus 3 Moses saw a burning bush and decided to "turn aside and see this great sight."  The next verse states, "when God saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the midst of the bush."  God waited to see if Moses chose to respond before communicating with him.

A similar characteristic of God appeared in Mark 6 when the disciples were in the middle of a storm on the sea of Galilee.  Mark 6:48 states that Jesus "saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them.  Now about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking of the sea, and He would have passed them by."  Clearly Jesus was aware of their struggle and came out on the sea, but notice that He would have passed them by.  It was only when they cried out to Him that He intervened by calming the storm and getting them safely to the other side.

One more example is after the resurrection when Jesus approached the two disciples on the way to Emmaus, and amazed them by opening the Scriptures about the Messiah.  Luke 24:28-29 explains "Then they drew near to the village where they were gong, and He indicated that He would have gone farther. But they constrained Him, saying, 'Abide with us, for it is toward evening and the day is far spent.' And He went in to stay with them."  He would have continued on if they had not asked Him to stay with them. 

The point of these Scriptures is this, just as Isaiah 30:18 points out, God waits to be gracious to us.  He is a very present help in trouble, but He won't intervene unless we call on Him.  God desires us to ask, seek, and knock.  He delights in showing mercy.  Yet He waits for us to ask, to invite Him in, because God honors man's authority and freedom.    

Psalm 115:16 states this amazing truth.  "The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord's; but the earth He has given to the children of men."  God's plan and purpose for man was to have dominion and rule the earth.  Even though Adam and Eve sold out to the devil and fell into disobedience, the man Jesus defeated the devil and completely paid the price for sin. thus restoring all authority back into the hands of man. God respects our authority and won't do things without our permission.  

We overcome through faith in what Jesus has accomplished on our behalf.  1 John 5:1-5 declares whatever is born of God overcomes the world, through our faith.   All of Jesus' power and help are available, since we are joint-heirs of the inheritance Jesus earned through His death and resurrection.  God commands us to pray always, to ask in faith, and He will respond.  So even though Jesus is with us in every situation, He waits for us to turn to Him and call for His help.  The Lord is always with us, but we need to deliberately have an attitude like David, "I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken." Then we will realize His very present help and not be shaken.  

Realize that this very present help is as close as a simple prayer.  "Thank you, Lord Jesus, for being here with me right now in what I am going through.  I call on You, Lord Jesus, to be that very present help to deliver me and cause me to overcome.  I trust Your mercy and praise You for your faithfulness and goodness to rescue me.  In the name of Jesus, let it be so. "        

Feel Close to God?

Are you feeling close to God?  That actually is Not the question.  Our relationship with God flows from our spirit to affect our thinking and feelings, not the other way around.  If you have accepted Jesus' death and resurrection for your sins, you are close to God.

Everyone knows that feelings are fickle. We can be high and excited one moment and depressed the next.  Feelings change in a heartbeat, but reality always remains the same and does not change.  True reality is found in the Word of God, which even though heaven and earth may pass away, Jesus assures us His truth endures forever. 

The primary question of every person who has ever lived on the planet is "how do I stand in God's eyes?"  In other words, am I right with God and will I go to heaven?  There are many religions that give a set of rules to live by, but the problem is that in the heart of every man we know that we have missed the mark and done things wrong.  We have all broken the rules to live by.  Scripture says it this way, all men have sinned and come short of the glory of God.  There is only one way to get free of sin, and that is to have someone pay for them who is able to do so.  Jesus as the Son of God not only qualifies as able, but He willingly as a man took the punishment that all of our sins deserved, death.  There is only one faith that has a God who paid the price for sin so we can stand right with God.

Many people think that they are trying to live pretty good lives and therefore, God will surely accept them.  Others know about God's mercy but still feel that their efforts to do what is right AND God's mercy will grant them eternal life.  Both are wrong.  All our righteousness, our attempts to do right, are still as dirty rags according to Isaiah 54:6  This is actually good news because it takes away our fear of am I good enough.  Instead, all we have to do is say yes, I am not good enough but I receive the gift of Your righteousness.  Thank You for paying completely for my offences and for the rebellious sin nature of my flesh.  It has nothing to do with our performance, but rather realizing Jesus has said, "you are righteous because I AM."

The principle that Jesus taught is that the humble will be exalted and those who exalt themselves will be humbled.  God honors those humble enough to be like the publican in the parable of the Pharisee and the publican going to pray, "Have mercy on me, a sinner."  

What about doing good?  Everyone knows that love is stronger than fear, and perfect love casts out all fear.  We do good because we seek to please Him.  We keep His commandments because we love Him and all He has done for us, not because we fear rejection from heaven.  As being born from death to life and given the righteousness of God, we can set our minds on the Spirit and actually delight to do His will.  We may still blow it, but the Spirit checks us and we quickly repent, knowing He loves and forgives.  Nothing can separate us from the wonderful love of God. 

So the point is, we are more than close to God, we are actually a temple for God to live in.  He makes His home in us, not because we feel like we have been good, but because He is good and and has done it all to make it possible.  So we know we are "close to God" because of the revelation of our relationship in His Word and the witness of the Spirit, whether or not we feel our performance has been great today.  God desires us to know we are "His beloved in whom He is well pleased," now and forever.  

Work

We should be regarded, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God, according to 1 Corinthians 4:1.  Our true respnse to Christ's infinite love is to choose to willingly serve Him and obey Him.  Servants work.    

Very few things in life challenge our flesh like choosing to work.  In the spirit, we know the truth expressed in Ephesians 2:10, that "we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."   On the other hand, our flesh tends to be lazy and we don't feel like doing anything.  Our flesh isn't just the body, it is the fallen nature of the rebellious soul, simply defined as the "I think, I feel, and I want."  Flesh seeks the easiest path.  The flesh is opposed to the spirit and hates anything God or our spirit desires.  Therefore, when we let our spirit rule and override the fleshly resistance, we show who is master and please God.

In the spirit and according to the Word, which is spirit and life, work is an opportunity to share in the creative power of God to produce fruit.  We are told in Colossians 3:23, "Whatever you do, do it heartily as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance, for you serve the Lord Christ."  

A friend of mine, worked on the assembly line of a car manufacturing plant, and his job was to put on the right front door of the vehicle.  He had 22 seconds to pick up the door, place the piece on its hinges, and put the pins in so the door could shut properly.  It just so happened that he was a worship leader in our fellowship, so one day he was seeking God on how to grow in worship.  The Lord said to him, "If you put the door on the car with the same carefulness and thoroughness that you would if you were putting it on My car, that is worship.  He saw his work as a new opportunity to worship God.

The Holy Spirit shows us our call, our assignment of what we are to do, then He enables us "to willl and to work" for His pleasure. .It is our spirit that must rule over the soul, just as the soul rules over the body.  I delight to do the will of God is the truth on which the spirit operates.  The spirit then overrides the desires of the flesh, and our soul must submit.  The soul directs our bodies to get to work.  The result is we are able to produce some fruit, maybe a job done, a chore accomplished, or a "to do" list item completed.  We can enjoy the satisfaction and peace of "Well done, good and a faithful servant" from the Lord.

Today may be Labor Day for a variety of reaons, but it is also an opportunity to praise God for the work He has given you and for the enabling power He has provided to do it.  Our work, everything from giving a glass of water to a little one to helping a neighbor do something, glorifies God and has His promise of a  reward.  All things, even work, are from Him, through Him, and for Him. Praise God forever! for His perfect ways.