Godly Reasoning

Judges 17:13 - "Then Micah said, 'Now I know that the Lord will prosper me, seeing I have a Levite as priest.'”

This is symptomatic of the calamitous thinking of people who do whatever is right in their own eyes (Judges 17:6). Micah considered that since he now had a religious person living with him that God would bless him. This is so typical of those who do not understand the God of grace. We can never do anymore to get God to like us or love us anymore this side of eternity. He did all He will ever do in this wise through redemption in Jesus Christ His Son. True prosperity will only come in recognizing that we are not God, nor can we orchestrate our situations by religiosity in order to gain God's favor. This is an impossibility, beloved.

Once we understand that works will not save us, then we can trust in God for our salvation and sanctification. God's holiness does not come by aligning our circumstances, but by positioning our hearts to receive from God. May we look to Him and accept His prosperity. Not on our works, but by His grace.

Judgment That Kills

Exodus 2:14 - "But he said, 'Who made you a prince or a judge over us? Are you intending to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?' Then Moses was afraid and said, 'Surely the matter has become known.'”

When we take God’s judgment into our own hands, the world goes into an uproar! Jesus told us "Judge not lest you also be judged" (John 7:1). However, He also told us not to judge by appearance but to judge righteously (John 7:24). Whenever we judge a person, place, or situation outside of God, we show the world we have nothing other than judgment to offer. Then, like Moses, we run away or retreat to our own frustration of trying to "right the world." It will often take time in the desert (40 years for Moses) to understand that judgment outside of God's bidding creates nothing but fear in us and anger in the world.

The beauty of God's judgment is that while men breathe it is always coupled with mercy. This, my friends, is the character of God. As ambassadors for Him, He never wants us to judge someone without giving them His alternate character attribute of mercy. Otherwise, like Moses, we will kill unsuspecting opportunities and cause a worse dilemma than before our feeble attempt.

The Lone Fig Tree

Matthew 21:19 - "Seeing a lone fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it except leaves only; and He said to it, 'No longer shall there ever be any fruit from you.' And at once the fig tree withered."

Did Jesus know this fig tree had no fruit? It seems obvious that He chose not to use His divinity to ascertain this particular instance. This, in a way, was added grace for this tree which was soon to be cursed and withered under His divine power. In the same respect, God gives us much grace until the time He comes looking for fruit on us. He allows us to grow wherever we are planted and appear to be "green" and useful for the kingdom. However, when He comes looking, we had best have produced more than spiritual leaves.

Are we a lone fig tree in our walk with God? We have far less chance of producing fruit if we are. The main benefit of fig tree groves rather than solitary fig trees is fertilization. A lone fig tree has far more likelihood to not be fertilized than a grove of trees. (A random insect or bird may cause fertilization to a lone tree, but don't count on it!)

May we all look to the Lord and then to other believers for our strength. Then, may we produce fruit as we serve both for God's glory!

Godly Sustenance

Psalm 54:4 - "Behold, God is my helper; The Lord is the sustainer of my soul."

Our souls are the gateway to our entire person, supporting our body and spirit. Whatever we allow to sustain us in our mind, emotion, and will (soul) will affect every part of us. That is why the Apostle John stated that he desired those he ministered to would prosper even as their souls prospered (III John 1:2). Whatever we allow our minds to dwell on will nurture our entire being. Likewise, what we allow our eyes to fasten on will feed us. Our emotional response to these things will be food for the entire living being which God has created.

What sustains us today? Are we drawing pure life from the Vine and the Vinedresser? (John 15) Or, have we elected to munch on the soulish "processed foods" of this world? It will become evident to all which we choose, especially ourselves and the Lord. May we please Him by looking to Him for our sustenance.

Power to Bend

Psalm 52:8 - "But as for me, I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in the lovingkindness of God forever and ever."

A green olive tree is obvious to most of us as a metaphor for life. To David, it must have implied great hope. However, just because an olive tree is green does not mean it is bearing fruit. Nevertheless, there is the hope of fruit as long as the tree stays green. This means rooted in God, the very tabernacle of His presence, which allows the life of God to flow through every branch and leaf.

Are we a green olive tree planted in the house of God? Or, have we isolated ourselves outside of God's will only to wither without producing fruit in season? The lesson of abiding in our Lord is paramount to staying green and "bendable" without breaking under the winds of adversity that will surely come.

Holy Spirit, allow us to bow to your gentle winds so we can withstand the winds of this world which seek to destroy our fruit. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Original Sin

Psalm 51:5 - "Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me."

King David's understanding of original sin afforded him a depth of repentance that would have been inconceivable without this knowledge. If he believed that there was the slightest hint of something good in him, this would have undoubtedly given him hope for self-redemption from his sin of adultery. Instead, he understood with his heart how he was lost and separated forever from God unless He intervened on his behalf. As the Scripture tells us, David found God's forgiveness -- not on his merit but through the God’s grace.

The depth of our revelation of Adam's original sin as the great spiritual cancer of our world will equal the extent of our deliverance. When we know all our attempts at redemption are futile and as "filthy rags" (Isaiah 64:6), then we can experience gratitude, knowing we have become the righteousness of God in Christ (II Corinthians 5:21).

Beloved of God, there is salvation in no other way than accepting Jesus Christ’s redemption. He is the Great Redeemer.

Joy Forever!

Psalm 16:11 - "You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever."

There are few greater joys a believer can experience than experiencing the presence of God. The closeness of the Holy Spirit when we are free of guilt and shame is a most extraordinary thing! When we come before God with uplifted faces and open arms to His life, then we experience his embrace a bit more fully each day. The walk with Him becomes sweeter and sweeter as we trust in Him to lead us—not caring where we go, only that He is with us.

How much different will it be for those who continue to turn from Him until the bitter end! Those who instead choose to gaze at themselves or to other things as their "gods" will experience something quite different when they come into His presence. We have the choice of receiving His mercy in this lifetime and experiencing His joy both now and forever, or waiting for judgment on that final day only to be driven from His glorious presence forever (II Thessalonians 1:9). It is our choice ... learn to walk in His joy and pleasures now, or experience the lack thereof for all time and eternity. May we today choose life, beloved!