God Honors Faith

 Jesus deliberately took time to show Thomas His hands and His side, saying "Because you have seen Me, have you believed?"  However, His next statement reveals what really pleases God.  "Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed."

"Without faith it is impossible to please God," according to the admonition in Hebrews 11:6.  The obvious challenge of faith is to walk in the Spirit, to set the mind on the spirit (or Spirit) rather than live in the flesh (according to the thoughts and feelings that our fallen human nature dictates).  On one hand, Jesus states that the Word is spirit and life, and on the other hand, Romans 8 points out that to set the mind on the flesh is death.  Furthermore, Jeremiah 17:9 declares that the heart is deceitful above all things, desperately corrupt.  God has clearly given us the truth needed to reject the deceitful, misguided fleshly understanding, and instead to choose to see things from His truthful perspective.  As Isaiah 55 clearly states that God's thoughts and ways are not our thoughts and ways, as the heavens are higher than the earth. 

Two facts to consider in order to establish a good foundation for life.  One, in Romans 12 we are encouraged to think soberly or seriously, that God has given to each of us a measure of faith.  Each of us has faith, just as each of us has muscles; it is up to us to use what has been given to develop it.  Secondly, the Word of God is truth that is directed to our will.  Consider several Scriptural instructions, "I set before you life and death, choose life."  Or Jesus, telling the father of the dying child, "do not be afraid, only believe."  Therefore, we can choose to believe.  Jesus admonishes us to receive His kingdom like a little child.  Does a child have trouble receiving a present?  A good start to learn to simply receive is to say "thank you."  The more we read and hear the truth of God's Word, the easier it is to receive what it says in our hearts and declare it gratefully with our lips.

Man, in his pride, always thinks his thoughts are right.  So God is pleased and blesses each one who deliberately chooses God's thoughts over what the natural fleshly way of thinking would suggest.  Was not Jesus amazed at the woman who put in her last two coins when that was all she had to live on? Or the woman who refused to be discouraged by the disciples and kept crying out for Jesus to give her even the crumbs from the table?  The point is, God is pleased when we receive the Word with meekness.  He blesses us when we choose to dwell on His thoughts and live by His Word rather than our own selfish desires and understanding.   

Therefore, my word and suggestion today is to choose to stand in faith in whatever the challenges before you.  Give thanks and hold on to the Word of God, even stating what God says out loud to establish and maintain your faithful position.  Don't doubt in the dark what you have received in the Light.  God honors those who honor Him and His Word.  

Enter into the Joy of My Father

"You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of joy above your fellows."  Psalm 46:7   This verse provides the key to a joy-filled life, which is our attitude toward obeying God (Be faithful in little) and completely rejecting anything that causes us to compromise what we know is right.  When this verse is quoted again in Hebrews 1, it is a description of Jesus' life, but it clearly also speaks of what the presence of the Lord desires to accomplish in us. Jesus asked why we say "Lord, Lord" and not do what He says.  Becoming a new creation means our life thoughts, emotions, and choices have also become new and are changed.     

Poor God!  He has to depend upon us to show the world what He is really like.  "He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake."  We choose righteousness to represent His name.  We are His light to the world.  Needless to say, we often fail, but that doesn't change the responsibility and that doesn't mean that we should quit desiring to be like Him.  It follows that we need His help to be a witness. Jesus promised, "You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me."   Notice we have been given the power and we shall "be" witnesses.  

Jesus endured the cross, according to Hebrews 12, because of the joy set before Him.  I always suggest that the joy set before Him was you, being set free and made holy so you can share His glory forever.  We know Jesus was motivated to choose the Father's will over His own with the help of the Holy Spirit.  Hebrews 9:14 states "who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself with spot to God"   We have been given that same Holy Spirit, the same power that raised Christ from the dead gives life to our mortal body, which also leads us and guides into all truth.  Romans 8:13 further declares that by the power of the Holy Spirit we can put to death the deeds of the body.

You and I have our most important appointment of our existence yet to come.  Psalm 42 asks "when will I come and appear before God?"  What an incredible joy it will be to lay our crowns before Him and to hear "Well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your master."  He promises that we will not lose our reward for every action and choice, even something as simple as giving a child a glass of water.  Yes, each one of us will stand before God and give an account for every word, for every deed done in the body.  What a person sows he will surely reap. Therefore, be wise not foolish, and lay up your treasures in heaven by letting the Word of God and the power of the Holy Spirit direct your steps and the choices you make.  The time will most surely come, when you stand before God, and with joy overflowing, have every iota of your life reviewed and rewarded.

What an awesome and beyond imagination experience to stand pure and holy before God!  Let that joy motivate you to make wise choices, to love and do what is right and hate evil.  Ask the Holy Spirit to give you the same attitude and commitment toward doing what pleases God that Jesus demonstrated, and hating, completely despising, the evil deeds of the flesh.  God promises fullness of joy in His presence as you agree with Him and do His will.  You reflect the true light of the world, and He invites you to "enter into the joy of My Father."  

Take Refuge, Know His Goodness

You are under attack!  What would you do if you heard that someone was making plans to hurt you, to steal from you and kill you?  Would you be more alert?  Would you lock doors faithfully and make sure you had plans to escape if something happened?  Where would you run? The truth is someone is after you.  As an example of what to do, David declares in Psalm 31:1 "In You, O Lord, I have taken refuge, let me never be ashamed, in Your righteousness deliver me."  

In spite of some general challenges, most of us live pretty comfortably in our daily routines, rather than feel like David who seemed to be in life and death circumstances all the time.  However, the same threat is real; even though we are like the two-year old who runs out in the street or the driver who speeds in the midst of total fog, oblivious to the imminent danger.  Our finite minds are darkened and limited, so we don't see reality.  Paul points out in 1 Corinthians that the natural mind and man's thinking is foolishness to God.  Without God's Word to enlighten our understanding, we cannot know truth.  

On the large scale of the world or society in general, it is clear that Satan is causing massive suffering, killing, destruction and rejection of God's standards and purpose for life.  However, do we also understand he is also working overtime to undermine our thoughts and feelings to walk in defeat, discouragement, and rejection?  It is not a mistake that Jesus, in the very same sentence, declares the enemy is out to steal, kill and destroy in contrast to his giving abundant life. Choose life. For this same good reason that David, In the same psalm 31, proclaims "Lord, You are my rock and my fortress; for Your name's sake You will lead me and guide me."  When we choose to walk in the Spirit, we allow the life of God to refocus our feelings to realize His joy and peace, to transform our thoughts to thankfully know how blessed we are and to redirect our choices to live to please Him.  David says it this way, "But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord, I say, 'You are my God.'  My times are in Your hand." (Ps 31:14) 

A good conclusion to remember is verse 19, "How great is Your goodness, which You have stored up for those who fear You, which You have wrought for those who take refuge in You, before the sons of men."  Jesus is so good and has provided awesome security in what He has done.  Deliberately choose to take refuge in Him today and enjoy His protection and guidance as you walk in His goodness.

O taste and see that the Lord is good; how blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! (Psalm 34:8)

 

To Will and To Work for His Pleasure

"For it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure (Phil 2:13)" is one of the most awesome declarations of the Christian life.  When we get home from this life and our eyes are opened, we will see how much and how many times God influenced our decisions and them provided the power to complete the task.  It always reminds me of when I flip on a light switch and the electric company provides the power which makes the light shine.  I turned on the lights but depended on the power to make it happen. 

The interesting thing is that the beginning of that verse is the call to "work out your salvation with fear and trembling."  When we hit verses that don't seem consistent with what we usually think, (in this case that salvation rests on the fact that Jesus has paid it all), it is an opportunity to ask the Holy Spirit to give understanding.  

The theme of Phil 2 is to have the mind of Christ, which is to "Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves."  Then Paul further suggests that we "have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, namely to humble ourselves by obedience even if it costs us everything.  The obvious question is how can we do that?  

As a born-again Christian, the Holy Spirit gives life to our spirit, and He literally dwells in us.  John 14 would suggest that the Father and Jesus also make their home in us.  So, since God Himself dwells in us, we have the same power that raised Christ from the dead giving life to our mortal bodies.  Ephesians 1 describes this as "the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe." It is by this power of the Holy Spirit, we are able to submit to Jesus as Lord, or owner and boss of our lives. 

However, we are also made in the image and likeness of God which means that we have free will.  There is a reason why Scripture has statements like "Choose this day whom you will serve," or "whosoever will," or "I set before you, life and death, choose life."   God can do in and through us only what we choose.  

Therefore, going back to our Philippians 2:12 verse, we need an attitude of "fear and trembling" or fear of the Lord that we willingly choose to obey the promptings of the Spirit.  When we submit to what He wills, He gives the power to do it, which, of course, give God pleasure.  Jesus clearly paid for it all, and His words "It is finished" establishes His total redemption forever.  However, to let this salvation have its complete work in us, we need to agree with His thoughts and ways by obeying His will. 

Start fresh today in His mercies which are new this morning, and simply obey the Spirit's leadings.  As you yield your will to His will, God's power is released to work and you will accomplish your purpose, which is to give Him pleasure.  All things were created according to Revelation 4 for His pleasure.  It follows that when God wills and works in us, we will "shine as lights in the world" (Phil 2:15). 

Love to vs Have to

The question is why do we obey God?  Love to or have to?  Wanting to please God, rather than having to keep a list of laws in order to satisfy God's demands, sets one free.  Our motivation is that we, as receivers of His grace, aim to be well-pleasing to Him, according to 2 Corinthians 5:9. 

 A teen-age boy may not listen to his mother to clean up. dress neat, or practice certain manners.  However, when he falls in love and wishes to please a certain girl those seemingly impossible chores instantly are automatically done out of love and desire to please the object of his affections.  The point is the new motivation. 

This is the essential difference between the law and grace, or more specifically religion and relationship.  Most religions are similar to the Law with a list of "things" that one has to do in order to be in God's favor.  The Gospel is exactly the opposite.  Jesus loves us even when we are sinners, enough to die for us.  One simply has to admit that he has failed or sinned and accepts that Jesus loves him so much that He willingly paid for all our sin consequences through His death and resurrection.  

Accepting this infinite love transforms the human heart, allows the Holy Spirit to make one a new creation, and plants a fresh desire, a "I delight to do thy will" in the believer.  This love relationship motivates more out of wanting to respond to God's infinite love than having to obey a set of rules ever could. Paul explains that the love of Christ constrains us.  

The challenge, according to Romans, is whether this grace allows us to keep sinning.  No, the difference is that now we want to obey out of love, not out of fear of rejection.  

How can one walk with God unless he agrees with Him?  Man's thoughts and ways are totally opposite of God's thoughts and ways.  Therefore, as the believer presents his body as a living sacrifice and chooses to let God's thoughts and ways (expressed in His Word) dwell in him richly, he is transformed and demonstrates the perfect will of God (Romans 12:1-2).  When man's heart is to please God, he freely chooses to lay down his old fleshly ways and to grow in walking according to the characteristics of the new man God has recreated him to be.  

Jesus stated in John 14:15, "if you love me, you will keep my commandments." The indwelling presence of God in the new man produces joy and strength to obey His commands.  And then, the very act of obeying God, produces newness of life, (Romans 6) which encourages more love and obedience.  The more we know Him, the more we want to love Him by obeying.  This new loving way of life continues until man is transformed into the image of Jesus Christ. 

God is not interested in a group of robots who are forced to submit and have to do what He wants.  Rather man is created in God's own image and likeness so he can freely choose to respond to the Father's love expressed in Jesus Christ.  Being a cheerful giver, even a giver of our very life, pleases God.  Believers who are born again into this new creation, are empowered with the Spirit to love and actually delight in serving God and pleasing Him.   God shows his pleasure with the infinite rewarding words, "Well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of Your Father.'   

     

 

Let

  Let.  This implies something that we do.  It is a participation of agreement to some action.  In Psalm 31, the word "let" precedes the desired end several times.  It is first addressed to God as a prayer for His participation.  For example, v.1 'Let me never be put to shame," and v.16  "Let Your face shine on Your servant."  In these verses we are inviting the Lord, actually agreeing with His Word and giving Him permission, to perform His desires.  What a marked contrast to the concept that we are waiting on God to move, rather than God is waiting on us to let Him do it.  

The dictionary definition of "let" is to allow, permit, give permission to, give leave to, choose to execute what is right or should be done.  In short, "let" requires your agreement and obedience to an order.  "Let" is the switch on the flashlight, God is the battery.  

The conclusion of Psalm 31 calls on us to choose an action God commands, "Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for and hope in the Lord."  Likewise, Jesus often directed His followers with commands like "Let your light shine among men."  In John 14, as He was explaining to His disciples that He was going to die and go to the Father, His instruction was "Let not your hearts be troubled."  A choice like this requires a deliberate focus on His truth and rejecting the natural thoughts and feelings that our fallen nature pumps into our consciousness.  

God is so good.  Surely goodness and mercy will follow us all the days of our life.  His mercy is fresh every morning.  No good thing does He withhold from those who fear Him.  God makes all things work together for good for those who love Him and are called for His purpose.  There are so many of these promises which show His goodness and give us a future and a hope. We can focus on His goodness and mercy and "let" this truth flood our soul, or we can focus on the negative emotions that scream at us.  However, know that this decision is life or death; choose life.  It is up to us to take every thought captive to obey Christ.  The question is what thoughts and feelings will you allow to dwell in your mind.  No one can do this for you, you have free will and are king of your life. The choice is yours.  

Paul instructs the Colossians, "Let the peace of God rule in our hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.  Let the Word of Christ dwell in your richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord."  In Philippians, he further states the necessity to refuse to be anxious by turning things over to the Lord in prayer with thanksgiving, so the peace of Christ can fill our hearts and minds. Then he shows us how to "change the channel" by deliberately thinking about what is lovely, pure, just, and worthy of praise.  We can allow Christ's peace to enter by obeying His simple command "think about these things."  

Clearly the gate keeper is our mind and heart.  Proverbs 23:7 reveals as a man thinks in his heart, so is he.  2 Corinthians 10:4 points out the divine weapons for the spiritual battle empower us to take every thought captive and put down every imagination that opposes Christ.  On the amazing positive side, the Spirit has reveals to us the mind of Christ and we are instructed to "let" this mind be in you, which leads us to know God's thoughts and ways.  We let His thoughts and ways dominate and replace our thoughts and ways.  God's way of rewarding us for choosing to keep His Word in your mind and heart, thus speaking His truth, is to lead us "always in triumph."  

Finally, Jesus said to those who would be His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.  Matthew 16:24  Therefore, we let Him and His life rule in us by laying down our selfish ways, thus letting His joy and peace be our strength.  God is waiting for us and calling to us to allow Him to live in us forever.  Let Him.   

Don't lie; Tell the Whole Truth

What do you do if the physical pain is still there and you have prayed and believed for healing? Can you say, “I am healed by Jesus’ stripes” and not feel like you are lying? Obviously the same dilemma happens when you say “My needs are met according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” and there is not money to pay the bills.
There is an answer. Tell the whole truth. The whole truth includes the fact that there is a spiritual realm that also exists and is greater than the physical realm. Don’t deny the physical pain and pretend like it doesn’t exist, but deny that the physical realm is the only source of truth. My words can be based on whichever realm I hold as greater. So the truth is “I have physical pain, but in the spiritual realm the resurrected Christ dwells in me, and His healing stripes have already healed me. My needs are met because I am in eternal covenant with the infinite, almighty God which easily handles the present physical challenges. I choose faith, choose to believe “It is finished,” and declare with my mouth what I hold as true.
Mark 11:24 confirms this principle. When we believe and declare the spiritual truth over the physical realm, then there will also be a manifestation in the physical realm in due time.