Tuesday, October 4, 2022

"Spooky" Kind of Love

I remember decades ago when I was a young believer, how a biblical physics theory had been adopted by the science community as a way to explain the relationship with molecules within an atom and how they are held together. Scientists have been baffled for centuries how know neurons, protons, and electrons swirled around each other at break-neck speeds and never collide. Bible met science when I first heard the term, "Colassae Theory." This term became the explanation of the verse in Colossians 1:17 which tells us “He is before all things, and by Him all things are held together.” I am not sure whether I heard a teacher of the Word or read this theory explained in a book, however the summation is as follows: The only way to explain that atomic particles do not implode on one another is because Christ holds all things together and is the power behind the universe having distinct order.

This idea has always intrigued me. That the Universe is nothing more than innumerable particles separate yet very much a part of one another. My fascination with an all-powerful God jolted me today when I heard on the radio the Nobel Peace Prize for Science went to three scientists and their study of Quantum Physics. More precisely, it went to three men who have for decades studied "Quantum Entanglement," the theory and idea "where two particles are linked regardless of the space between them, a field that unsettled Albert Einstein himself, who once referred to it in a letter as 'spooky action at a distance'."

The Nobel winners, Scientists Alain Aspect, John Clauser and Anton Zeilinger, all conducted experiments into quantum entanglement. Clauser, a Frenchman, when asked to explain his work in layman's terms, joked he does not understand it himself but added that the interactions it describes permeate almost everything. "Probably every particle in the universe is entangled with every other particle," Clauser said, chuckling.

Considering Dr. Clauser's comments, I can understand why he might find this a bit humorous. Oftentimes, we as humans we “chuckle” nervously when we can’t explain something. The very building-blocks of the Universe continue to defy understanding, yet today they are explainable if one considers that Quantum Physics is merely understanding that the all-powerful God holds all things seen and unseen together. Things begin to make sense when one understands that there is order in Creation and without it there would be no order whatsoever. The very definition of quantum is "a discrete quantity of energy proportional in magnitude to the frequency of the radiation it represents." A general way to explain this might be to say that a drop of gasoline with the same octane will burn and distribute the same power time after time.

God loves order. He is the God of order and not confusion as He tells us in I Corinthians 14:33. While scientists do not understand how things are held together, we as believers can take great solace in the fact that God holds all things together as stated in Colossians 1:17. While we may not understand the mechanics of Quantum Entanglement, we can know that God has shown us in Scripture how Christ does hold all things together by his very being. While Albert Einstein might suggest that this is "spooky" and a bit unnerving from a scientific view, we as children of the King know He explains it so well in his Holy Word. We know it as not "spooky," but a spiritual mystery that shows God's great love in holding all things together for His beloved.

May we all rest on the Everlasting Arms that holds everything together, both seen and unseen, for His eternal glory.

Quotes from Reuters

Saturday, April 2, 2022

Children of God's Inheritance

Luke 12:32 - "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom."

God is not reluctant to give us everything pertaining to life and godliness. He has called us sons and daughters of the Most High. Why then would he hold back and defraud His heirs of anything according to His will in this life or the one to come? The only reason is our inability to believe through lack of faith. Often, this comes by not understanding His great love for us.

His kingdom has come on earth as it has in heaven if we will but embrace it. While the devil runs amuck and continues to reign as a counterfeit ruler, Jesus said that all power and authority had been handed back to Him at the defeat of His adversary (Matthew 28:18). It is our rightful inheritance as children of God.

May we choose gladly to receive Christ's kingdom which the Father has gladly given.

Saturday, March 26, 2022

Man's Foolish Wisdom

Corinthians 1:27 - "But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong."

Shame might be defined as "the painful feeling arising from the consciousness of something dishonorable, improper, or ridiculous done by oneself or another." Shame is often meant to bring forth pain which may ultimately result in change. However, God's wisdom is often hid from those who pride themselves in the strength of their knowledge.

Often, Christian apologetics will not include any other evidence then that of the Holy Spirit working to confound the wisdom of this world in those hostile to the Gospel. Often, it is not our job to debate or refute, but to allow God to reverse what the supposed wise of this world have erroneously believed. Arguments may work to a point, but then God through His Spirit must bring a person to their senses.

Friday, March 18, 2022

Our Only Hope

Luke 8:43-44 - "And a woman who had a hemorrhage for twelve years, and could not be healed by anyone, came up behind Him and touched the fringe of His cloak, and immediately her hemorrhage stopped."

Have we exhausted all our options regarding health, wealth, and security? Have we finally accepted that there is salvation in no other than Jesus Christ? Just as the woman bled out for years before her desperation led her to Jesus, many of us have hemorrhaged unbelief for years without any reasonable hope for a different outcome. However, once we understand that we cannot be "healed by anyone" except Jesus, then our desperation turns into answered prayer. The unsaved loved one comes to the Lord, or the impossible financial situation turns around, or the incurable illness is suddenly curable.

Beloved, it will often take pursuing Jesus with an abandonment that shows there is no other solution unless the power flows from Him to our situation. May we all touch but the fringe of His garment, for He will help us in our desperate moments.

Thursday, March 17, 2022

Halting Death

Luke 7:14 - "And He came up and touched the coffin; and the bearers came to a halt. And He said, 'Young man, I say to you, arise!'”

Jesus has always been in the life-giving business. When the Lord suddenly appears and touches our lives, death cannot resist as life irresistibly permeates our being. In that moment, when God arrests death, the world will "halt" in wonder at the significance of this supernatural happening.

The world will always be stupified when men choose to live according to His will. However, we cannot worry about what they will say or do, but we must climb out of our coffins of despair and unbelief and give glory to God. That is why resurrection is fundamental to the Christian faith and diametric to the teachings of this world. The former instills resurrection hope while the best the latter can do is give us a false hope of humanistic betterment.

Even if the world seems to have nailed our coffin shut, beloved of God, know that He can always raise us up through His Holy Spirit.

Wednesday, March 16, 2022

Mutual Adoration

Luke 6:20 - "And turning His gaze toward His disciples, He began to say, 'Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.'"

God's gaze is always turned toward His beloved. However, the depths of His truth often come when we have fixed our gaze upon Him ... then we are able to hear the epiphanies from His nature which change us forever. As a result, we understand it is not what we possess which proves our nearness to God, but what we dispossess of this world.

Beware of judging others by prosperity of body, soul, or spirit. Material wealth or bodily health are not necessarily indicators of closeness to God. However, poverty of self and our rights to what we think best will result in the fruit of the Spirit manifesting in our lives. May we fix our gaze upon His gaze upon us. For as we do, He will speak great and wondrous things that will make us like His Son.

Tuesday, March 15, 2022

Favored Faith

Psalm 147:11 - "The Lord favors those who fear Him, those who wait for His lovingkindness."

There are generally two reasons why it might seem as if the Lord is withholding His favor from a believer's life. While we may fear the Lord and are obedient in what He has shown us, we can often abort His goodness by not waiting in faith for Him to move. Paul says that when we have done everything, to stand firm and not allow our resolve to be shaken (Ephesians 6:13).

Never quit until the answer manifests. Beloved, obedience must be married to faith if we will indeed experience all that Christ has done for us. May we look to Him, knowing through our surrendered lives of obedient faith we will experience all He desires to do in our lives, families, and homes. Our intended gaze will always result in His intended love and how we experience it.

Monday, March 14, 2022

Proper Fear

Psalm 56:4 - "In God, whose word I praise, in God I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid. What can mere man do to me?"

One day, when time is swallowed up by eternity, we will understand the foolishness regarding the times we feared what man thought about our faith. Or, how we worried about finances or insignificant things that matter not in the light of heaven!

Often, the way we react to others publicly is according to the way we act privately in our devotion to Jesus. When we are in love, we care little who knows or who cares.

Lord, may we understand how transitory we are and seek to understand how to fear and reverence you above all!

Sunday, March 13, 2022

What Are You Looking At?

Galatians 5:13 - "For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another."

Selfishness will always cause our gaze to turn into morbid introspection. It is our responsibility in Christ to remove our attention from ourselves and fix it upon Jesus. When we do, the love of God is once again shed abroad in our hearts. As the eyes of a servant looks toward their master, so our eyes look to the Lord until he is gracious to us (Psalm 123:2). This is fundamental regarding our love for Jesus Christ.

Beware of serving God with human sentimentality. It only reinforces the power of self. Abandonment toward God is not meant to focus us on a cause, but on Jesus. A fixed gaze upon His Person will ensure our love will grow for Him and ultimately for others, providing no “opportunity for the flesh.”

Saturday, March 12, 2022

Privilege of the Lowly

Psalm 138:6 - "For though the Lord is exalted, yet He regards the lowly, but the haughty He knows from afar."

In another psalm it states how the Lord humbles Himself even to look at heaven (Psalm 113:6). How much more mortal flesh? Yet, He loves and adores us, seeking our companionship in all things. He sees those who have trusted in His Son as robed with His righteousness.

Shall we know the Lord intimately through humility and obedience in all things? Or, shall we know Him as an acquaintance from a far off? It is possible to be saved and going to heaven with this nominal relationship. However, may we all desire to stand before the Great King on that wonderful day when time surrenders to eternity, knowing Him in our lowly state as He exalts us in the presence of all.

Friday, March 11, 2022

A God Who is Near

Jeremiah 23:23 - “'Am I a God who is near,' declares the Lord, 'And not a God far off?'"

God's rhetorical questioning is meant as soft interrogation, allowing the nation of Israel to come to their senses regarding God's ability to save. Throughout scripture, we see a pleading Father addressing His children with a sorrowful heart. His one and only desire is for reconciliation through the redemption of His Son, Jesus Christ.

There are many today who have similar deist beliefs. They see God as way out there in the Universe somewhere with little concern about the affairs of mankind. However, either God is a liar or He speaks words of sober truth when He states His desire is to come to our aid. The greatest expression of love–putting His action to words–was sending the Son to earth to redeem us. How much more could a loving God do to show us His nearness?

Thursday, March 10, 2022

Dominion Authority

Psalm 119:133 – “Establish my footsteps in Your word, and do not let any iniquity have dominion over me."

Dominion is a legal term that implies ownership. The Psalmist understood that how we walk and where we allow our footsteps to take us will inevitably determine who owns us. Only the naive believe they are their own lord and master. The prudent know that God's word empowers Christ's dominion to rule where the flesh and the devil would otherwise be enthroned.

Jesus told us to pray that we would not be lead into temptation, but to be delivered from evil (Matthew 6:13). The only way this will happen is to give ourselves to what God's word says about us. We are overcomers and victorious if we are in Christ, whether we believe it or not. However, believing what God says will inevitably allow Him to rule with power and dominion through those who would but trust.

Wednesday, March 9, 2022

Test Yourselves

II Corinthians 13:5 - "Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you— unless indeed you fail the test?"


I trust that none of us would fail the test. However, it would be foolish not to check ourselves from time to time. We do many self-exams on things such as cancers or strokes. Why would it seem strange to check whether we are in the faith?

Some might say, "I don't need to check because by faith I am saved, now and forever more in Christ!" That may be true, but John and Jesus told us to bring forth fruits with our repentance. If the fruit is there (Galatians 5:22-23), then we have correctly judged ourselves. The word will always accurately reveal our thoughts and intentions if we will hold ourselves to its scrutiny.

Tuesday, March 8, 2022

My High Places

II Samuel 22:34 - “He maketh my feet like hinds' feet: and setteth me upon my high places." (KJV)

God will always lead us to higher ground. In so doing, He will always equip us to be there and to overcome the heights. The sure-footedness of the Ibex is certainly a sight to behold as they effortlessly ascend and descend sheer mountainsides in the Judean Wilderness. Similarly, God has given those He leads higher the necessary gifts and the callings to succeed. He will never lead us beyond what we are able (I Corinthians 10:13).

Know this, beloved, that God will only lead us to "my high places." We should not look with envy or disdain at another's high place where God is leading them. When we do, we put ourselves in jeopardy of falling from the height He has brought us to.

Monday, March 7, 2022

Holy Spirit Fire

Jeremiah 20:9 - "But if I say, 'I will not remember Him or speak anymore in His name,' then in my heart it becomes like a burning fire shut up in my bones; and I am weary of holding it in, and I cannot endure it."

Once God puts His hand on a man or woman, it is impossible to successfully run from God. Jeremiah understood this and most assuredly Jonah knew it was futile to forsake God's calling. The Holy Spirit will certainly be that "Hound of Heaven" who will not compromise His position within all who are chosen by the Lord.

Even during my backslidden years, I often felt a fiery burning within my chest, full of sorrow and remorse. I knew then as now that it was the Holy Spirit grieved within me, desiring my reconciliation with God.

God's burning will always manifest itself as holiness and uncompromising devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ. If we are experiencing God's burning within ... Rejoice! For some of us it may mean a need to repent and turn back to God. For others, it may mean God is about to take us to a higher place of intercession for others.

Sunday, March 6, 2022

A Simple Salvation

Psalm 116:6 - "The Lord preserves the simple; I was brought low, and He saved me."

How low can we go? How simple can we become? The mighty paradox of the Kingdom of God is the weak are made strong by His grace. As Paul states, not many of us who are wise by the world's standards have found the wisdom of God in salvation (I Corinthians 1:26-27).

While God's redemption is utterly simple in that we must embrace the seeming foolishness of the cross, it is often not easy (I Corinthians 1:18). We all have this mental beast on our shoulders that wants to be king instead of allowing God His proper place in our lives. When we finally do experience the simplicity of the Gospel, then we can say with the psalmist: "Return to your rest, O my soul, for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you." (Psalm 116:7)

Saturday, March 5, 2022

God Amongst Us

Exodus 25:8 - "Let them construct a sanctuary for Me, that I may dwell among them."

God has never been in the business of building places for His presence. Just as the Hebrews were instructed to construct God's dwelling place according to His desire, so we too must continue to prepare that place for His glory to rest within us. Those of us who know Christ will always be justified and cleansed by Christ's blood. That is Jesus' completed work in us. However, it is our responsibility to manifest Christ's presence within us through sanctification.

Just as the Israelites were obedient to the smallest detail of the construction of God's dwelling place, so must we be concerned with obeying God in all things. As we do and we no longer quench the Holy Spirit within, He will rise up and take possession of our entire life for His glory sake.

Friday, March 4, 2022

Our Lives in Perspective

Psalm 39:4 - “LORD, make me to know my end and what is the extent of my days; Let me know how transient I am."

Youth creates an illusion regarding our respective mortality. As we grow older, we understand more fully how we are but a mere breath and significant only in how we treat others, especially God.

Wisdom is our greatest asset which leads us to choose how we should live towards God and man.

Throughout God's word we are reminded how the fear of the Lord is the way we obtain this great treasure. When one truly understands they are merely passing through this life as a vapor, then eternity--and the things we do in view of it--become paramount and the only thing which really matter.

Thursday, March 3, 2022

Giving Our Children a Hand

Jeremiah 47:3 - “Because of the noise of the galloping hoofs of his stallions, the tumult of his chariots, and the rumbling of his wheels, the fathers have not turned back for their children, because of the limpness of their hands."

Fear can be paralyzing. However, it is unconscionable for fathers to allow the world to consume our children while we are afraid to stand up to those who would seek their lives. For too long, the church has sat idly by and allowed our offspring the misfortune of "finding themselves." This has only resulted in more hedonistic narcissism. Many of us who failed to raise our children and grandchildren on God's word have seen the result -- children given over to the enemy because of the "limpness of our hands."

However, as long as we draw breath, there is time to lift up the banner of Jesus and let the younger generation know whom we have believed. We must speak up, act up, and show up for Christ's sake. This witness will strengthen our hands and bring light to an increasingly dark world for our children’s sake.

Wednesday, March 2, 2022

Delighting in God's Word

Jeremiah 15:16 - "Your words were found and I ate them, and Your words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart; For I have been called by Your name, O LORD God of hosts."

We have all known picky eaters. Maybe we are one. Proverbs 27:7 tells us "A sated man loathes honey, but to a famished man any bitter thing is sweet." When hunger is the driving force, it doesn't matter how something tastes. The only concern is to quell the hunger pains.

Are we famished for God's word? Are we daily in the Holy Bible, digging out its treasures? The only way to get hungry for God's word is by getting into it. Then, we will long for it when we miss a day. The Word of God is not a drudgery, beloved. It is "a joy and the delight" of our hearts if we will but discipline ourselves to seek God there daily.⁵

Tuesday, March 1, 2022

Light Out of Darkness

II Corinthians 4:6 - "For God, who said, 'Light shall shine out of darkness,' is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ."

It is an extraordinary thing when we gaze into the face of Jesus. It is remarkable, when we do so, how the darkness in our lives suddenly becomes light! It is as though God flips a switch when we come to Him in surrender and our souls are flooded with understanding. Though we grope in the darkness, we will not find true illumination until we submit to God. Remember, human knowledge is no substitute for God's wisdom.

Never underestimate God's ability to bring light to what seems like a hopelessly dark situation. Does the darkness seem impenetrable, beloved? Gaze upon Christ and God will call light out of your darkness.

Monday, February 28, 2022

Only One Way

John 8:24 - "Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.”

This is one of the most profoundly sad declarations of the Lord Jesus in the Gospels. His requirements have always been simple, yet not easy as those opposed to Him encountered. This was especially true for those steeped in the pride of life and self-determination. If we were able to interview the Pharisees that Jesus spoke with that day, I am certain they have mourned the tragic loss of their souls for nearly two thousand years.

Pharisees are still common today, yet not necessarily by that name. The root definition is "to become separate." The choice to not believe the Gospel is in itself a form of Phariseeism or separating oneself for selfish pursuits. However, when one becomes set apart for Jesus and believes in Him, then this verse juxtaposes hope and joy eternal rather than a somber warning.

Sunday, February 27, 2022

Overflowing Hope

Romans 15:13 - "Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

The fruit of an obedient life is love and peace. However, these are not to be wasted on ourselves. Neither is hope when it is "abounding". These expressions of God's goodness are to be lavishly and graciously bestowed on all those who are feeling hopeless. Life becomes a romance when we lovingly wait for Him to fill us with His presence every day. We would see much more abounding hope and the power of the Holy Spirit if there was such expectancy every day when we arise to meet a new day.

Do we believe Christ is the hope of salvation? Then may we stop at nothing to ensure others can draw from this treasure within us.

Saturday, February 26, 2022

Staying Awake

Revelation 16:15 - “Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who stays awake and keeps his clothes, so that he will not walk about naked and men will not see his shame.”

Are we fully awake spiritually  Have we cried out for wisdom and the fear of the Lord so that the day of the Lord will not take us unawares? While this speaks of the second coming of the Lord within context, we can certainly understand how the Lord is telling us to seek Him now while He may be found. There is a day coming in which it will be too late. 

We must clothe ourselves with His righteousness and reject the rags of sin and folly. His coming is as certain as the words of John's prophecy. Whether the Lord tarries and we pass from this life to the next through death, or we see Him in the clouds, we must be ready. When He comes for us, either way, eternity will not give us a pass for further preparation.

Friday, February 25, 2022

The Cure for Self-destruction

Psalm 107:20 - "He sent His word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions."

When God sends His word, there is always life in it. Even when God tells us to be still and to wait on Him for the answer we can be assured that He will eventually be the bearer of life in our regard. If God tells us in the Proverbs that death and life are in the power of our tongues, how much more so when God speaks (Proverbs 18:21)?

The bottom line is this, beloved. We are either being delivered into destruction or out of it. We are either experiencing continual healing or we are not. Do we love the word of the Lord, or are we satisfied with our own attempts to deliver ourselves by our own knowledge? The latter is born out of pride where the former is birthed out of a surrendered, humble heart.

Tuesday, February 22, 2022

Godly Provisions

Romans 13:14 - "But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts."

Making provision for our respective bodies is only natural. We provide it food, water, warmth, and the things needed for general health. However, spiritual conflict results when we make provision to selfishly overindulge in those things meant to give us life. Food is good when we use it to sustain a healthy life. When we abuse it, it becomes gluttony. Sex is a God-given joy given to mankind. However, outside of marriage between a man and a woman, it becomes perverse.

The Christian life is fundamentally simple. If we spend our time doing the "do's" then we won't have time to do the "don'ts". God is not trying to be mean and withhold any good thing from us. He merely wants us to be like Him, the Creator of His creation. Turning to Him will always starve the flesh and deny its provision.

Monday, February 21, 2022

God's Fullness

John 1:16 - "For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace."

If we know Jesus Christ and are saved by His blood, we will never receive more of Him than we presently possess. God's Spirit was given to us at the time of our believing in His salvation. We cannot receive the Spirit minus any part of Him. It is fundamentally unsound to believe otherwise.

However, the key to possessing the Spirit is allowing Him access to our entire being. Have we opened every room of our heart, allowing Him to fill us to overflowing? When we allow Jesus Christ to truly be Lord of our lives, then we are filled and immersed (baptized) in the Holy Spirit. Never settle for a mere "sprinkling" of the Holy Spirit. Tell God to take you under the streams of His delight and to be drowned in His love.

Sunday, February 20, 2022

Posterity's Promise

Psalm 102:28 - “The children of Your servants will continue, and their descendants will be established before You.”

Never relinquish hope that our children or children's children will come to the Lord. It is the promise of God in more than one scripture. Sometimes, our children might disappoint us in the things of God and not live up to their potential. However, their children may begin to recreate the familial fervor for God as in previous generations.

When God establishes our posterity for His namesake, we can be assured He has desired it far more and longer than any mortal. Even now, He is looking through our future generations and He is establishing them for His purposes. May we agree with God for this grand endeavor that will continue to bring His kingdom to this earth.

Saturday, February 19, 2022

God's Glorious Gifts

Romans 11:29 - "For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable."

What God gives, he does not take back. God's gifts and callings are beyond the possibility of revocation. Other versions say they are without repentance. God is never sorry for what He has given and will continue to watch over us until the things He has started come to a glorious conclusion (Philippians 1:6).

Our duty to God for what He has lavishly given us is to help others. The tragedy is when we take His gifts and talents and "re-gift" them on ourselves, wasting them from any use in the Kingdom of God. No matter how many years we have wasted on ourselves, He can turn these gifts and callings outwardly once again to bring Him glory. Never believe the lie of the enemy, telling us that God disqualifies us from His service. Often, the glory of latter house will be greater than that of the former if we will but only surrender to His will (Haggai 2:9).

Friday, February 18, 2022

Desirable Fear

Exodus 20:20 - "Moses said to the people, 'Do not be afraid; for God has come in order to test you, and in order that the fear of Him may remain with you, so that you may not sin.'”

The carnal or fleshly mind might read this and see blatant contradiction regarding our fear factor. The fear of man devours faith. However, the fear and reverence of the Lord is possibly the greatest gift given to mankind outside of Christ's redemption. We are told in Proverbs the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Moses likewise understood this fundamental truth as he tells us from this verse in Exodus that it keeps us from sin.

Do we welcome the testing of the Lord? Tests will always be part of the believer's heritage. However, Jesus also told us to pray that we would not be lead into temptation which is also understanding the fear of the Lord for not sinning against Him (Matthew 6:13).

May we pray daily for the fear of the Lord, for from it we will be able to gain all of Jesus' redemption which cost Him dearly.

Thursday, February 17, 2022

Fruit With Purpose

Romans 7:4 - "Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God."

The angst of youth is often misunderstanding our purpose on earth. This is often carried over into adulthood with many living futile, nihilistic existences until the day of their death. If we are not living for a greater purpose, life is absurd at best without any meaning. Therefore, the logic of Paul's simple statement regarding bearing fruit for God as the main premise of life is simple yet profound.

Bearing fruit – not for ourselves but for God and others is the only thing that will truly satisfy the vacuum in our hearts. Giving is fundamental to man's nature because it is fundamental to God's. Once we understand that living for the Lord is the key to peace and happiness, then we will be finally able to let go of anger and embrace the peace of Christ.

Wednesday, February 16, 2022

Trembling With Love

Isaiah 66:2 - “'For My hand made all these things, thus all these things came into being,' declares the Lord. 'But to this one I will look, to him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word.'"

One might say, "I obey the Ten Commandments and am a good citizen." But is this all God wants? Does He not desire those who obeys not only His written word but also His voice as He speaks throughout the day? If we are not hearing God, then we have grieved Him so often that we no longer recognize His voice.

When God says, "Go" we must go. When He says "Stop," we must immediately cease and desist whatever we are doing. A good rule of thumb is if there is any doubt, don't do it! Wait and listen. God will make it clear if we do not grieve Him away. This is what is meant by trembling at His word.

Tuesday, February 15, 2022

Children of Fire

Psalm 97:3 - "Fire goes before Him and burns up His adversaries round about."

It is impossible to determine how God will appear in our lives. However, fire always goes before and with Him (Isaiah 66:15). It may be a soft glowing presence that we experience. But be sure that if He does come as the "Light of the World" in our respective lives, He has first burned up any adversary that might challenge His holiness.

When we get too close to fire, it can be uncomfortable and sometimes painful. Often, what lingers in the darkness can see us better than we can see it as we are silhouetted in the flame's light. However, God's adversaries dare not approach. Nothing will remain, only what God puts in us that is of Him.

May we all come to the Light of the World. But know this … God will certainly deal with us as sons and daughters, allowing the fire to burn up in us everything not of Him.

Monday, February 14, 2022

What Do We Deserve?

Romans 5:19 - "For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous."

God is not a respecter of persons when it comes to salvation. As Adam doomed the entire human race, Jesus Christ redeemed it. This was more than collective bargaining. It was the judgment of a holy God's requirement for disfellowshiping mankind, and then His satisfaction concerning restored fellowship with Him.

Never listen to the lie that salvation was for those who "deserve" it. Simply put, we all deserve hell yet Jesus Christ saved sinners (of whom I am foremost). If He can take a "scuzball" like myself and free me from sin, He can do it for anyone. As I tell those with whom I counsel, there is nothing you can tell me that will shock me. (If I have not done it, I have thought about doing it.) Jesus Christ came to set the likes of "dirtbags" like you and me totally free!

Sunday, February 13, 2022

Reasonable Involvement

Isaiah 64:4 - "For from days of old they have not heard or perceived by ear, nor has the eye seen a God besides You, Who acts in behalf of the one who waits for Him."

During the so-called "Age of Reason," notables such as Voltaire considered God, at best, to be a God detached from intimate concern over His creation. American counterparts during this time included Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Paine, and Thomas Jefferson. Their human intellect reasoned if there truly was a God, then why did He not intervene more demonstrably in the cause of mankind?

What they failed to "reason" was how God's nature is always to intervene on behalf of those who seek and wait for Him. It was His nature to intervene by sending His Son on our behalf. Why would He not likewise intercede for us in every detail of our lives if it is clearly in His nature to move heaven and earth on our behalf? This, my friends, is only reasonable.

Saturday, February 12, 2022

Credit to Whom Credit is Due

Romans 4:5 - "But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness."

What do we have in our spiritual bank accounts? Do we have a list of "good works" that we have done for Jesus? Or, is our spiritual debit card flush with the heavenly gold of faith? We must first understand we are ungodly and need justifying. When this revelation really sinks in, we will realize we can never do anything to commend ourselves to God.

It is a humbling thing to know we can do nothing to save ourselves. It is equally as humbling to know that God still wants a relationship with us in our sinful state. "Can't I just clean myself up a bit before I come to God?" The Lord says emphatically, "NO!" We must come as we are and walk with Him as we are in honesty in humility. This fills our spiritual accounts to overflowing.

Friday, February 11, 2022

The Irresistible Call of God

Mark 3:13 - "And He went up on the mountain and summoned those whom He Himself wanted, and they came to Him."

God's call to those whom He has chosen is irresistible. That is, He calls everyone but knows which ones will respond. While it is tragic how most will not heed the irresistibility of God's beckoning, those of us who embrace His wooing can take great comfort in knowing He will never stop telling us to "come."

He who began a good work in you will complete it, beloved. There is no stopping God once we have become magnetized by His attraction. He will never leave us, nor forsake us, until we become totally His. What He promises, He fulfills.