He is the I AM!

Hebrews 11:6 - But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (KJV)

Many profess to be seekers after truth. Many come to God with a willingness to know Him, yet there are sometimes those certain doubts. Some might say, "Yes, I believe in God, but ... He didn't answer me in the way I thought He would regarding that promotion, or He didn't heal Aunt Helen like I was sure He would." Statements such as these are the difference of someone coming to God in supposed faith and someone coming to God in faith, believing that "He is."

When we finally quit trying to create a god in our image, and believe in a God who created us in His image, then we can begin believing "He is." God is the Great I AM, not the magical benefactor many believe He should be. These are silly notions best left to those who believe in Santa or the Tooth Fairy. Sentimentality and carnal, wishful thinking of who we believe God should be will be replaced once and for all when we really understand who "He is" and who we are in that relation.

"You have made us for thyself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in Thee." - Augustine of Hippo.

Stimulating Love

Hebrews 10:24 - And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: (KJV)

Merriam-Webster defines the word stimulate as "to excite to activity or growth or to greater activity." In context with the Book of Hebrews, the only way this is possible is if we are excited and passionate about Jesus Christ. It is one thing to desire to be more like Jesus. It is quite another to desire others to be like him. The former smacks of desiring holiness and sanctification for ourselves -- to be in God's display window. The latter implies we see beyond ourselves and want to see Christ formed in others.

Paul said that he travailed with birth pangs until Christ was formed in the Galatian church (Galatians 4:19). While it is of utmost importance we love the Lord and are formed into His image, it is equally if not more important we provoke one another to holiness.

Beloved, we are only as strong as our weakest link. May we encourage one another to show forth God's great love to those all around us.

Desirable Wounds

Proverbs 27:6 - Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. (KJV)

Solomon uses paradoxical reasoning to make a profound point. What we might believe is sound advice can often be our own justification for our wants or desires. Jesus Christ is the greatest friend we will ever have, yet He does not hold back in telling us the truth. If His words wound and offend, it's because we are still fleshly and carnal and do not yet possess the mind of Christ. He only desires to give us life abundantly (John 10:10).

Insecurity will always seek a common denominator to reinforce its position. A fleshly mind not surrendered to Christ will seek the approval of men rather than the heart of God. When we are seeking to do the right thing and have ventured off the path of truth, we should not despise the wounding of a true friend that would come alongside to correct us. May we all possess the humility to yield to faithful wounding rather than the deceitfulness of what our flesh wants to hear.

Soul Food

Proverbs 26:22 - The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. (KJV)

As with most human traits, whispering is not a bad thing in and of itself. Whispering can serve a very important function as it protects secrets and creates a decorum of civility rather than open brashness toward others. Solomon tells us how whisperings "are like dainty morsels." What does this mean? The implication of the wise king suggests these are words with sheltered meaning that should not be taken lightly. They are rich with flavor and sustenance to the soul and should be protected by all means. However, there are many "whisperers" out there that would seek to whisper to our souls and captivate "the innermost parts of the body." In a very real sense, what we eat is what we become. Similarly, what we listen to and take into the deep parts of our soul is what will eventually control our lives.

God will always be the Great Whisperer to our souls. So, it only makes sense to learn from Him. The Holy Spirit continually whispers to our inner man the things of the Son and the Father. If we are intently listening, we will begin to think as He does. In so doing, we will begin to speak as He does, allowing our words to become "caviar to our soul" and the souls of others. We will find that we no longer have to shout out our opinions. Instead we will be lead and guided by the Holy Spirit who will make our speech, as it were, quiet and respectful and seasoned with salt (Colossians 4:6). Our conversations will be characteristic of whispering the things of God, because this is the nature of how God speaks to us.

God's Counselors

Proverbs 25:5 - Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness. (KJV)

Paul tells us in I Timothy 2:2 that we should pray "for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity." Many would say that this verse applies to our president and I would heartily agree. However, how often do we pray for his cabinet? Not only should we be praying for wisdom and knowledge for our commander-in-chief, but we should also pray for those who influence him the most.

In II Samuel 15 we read just how God can frustrate the wisdom of a ruler's counselor, determining the outcome of an entire nation. In the story of Hushai and Ahithophel we read how the former's wisdom was accepted and the latter's was thwarted (II Samuel 15:34). Ahithophel's rebellion toward David cost him dearly, while Hushai became the king's catalyst to restore David's kingdom.

Beloved, know that your prayers matter. Pray that the wicked would be removed from the presence of our rulers and their counsel would be thwarted. Beseech the Lord to give sound wisdom to those who counsel our president, governors, and legislators.

Unlimited Strength

Proverbs 24:10 - If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small. (KJV)

Jesus was the greatest example of manhood that ever walked this planet. His strength was never limited because he never trusted in Himself. Philippians 2:7 tells us that He emptied Himself of His God-nature and took on human flesh, entrusting Himself to the Father. There was never a day, an hour, or a minute of His life on earth that He was slack in any regard. His strength never failed because He trusted in the One who gave Him unlimited strength to overcome.

Where do we draw our strength from today? If we are relying on ourselves and our brainpower to solve life's problems, we will come up slack. However, if we trust in God Almighty, emptying ourselves of self, then we will find unlimited power for things that used to baffle and defeat us.

Motivated Through Love

Luke 6:19-20 - And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all. And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. (KJV)

Many people try to touch Jesus through wrong motives. The masses will always see Jesus as a "good man" and a teacher of high principle. These will desire to touch Jesus' power in their attempt to ascend to godlikeness. They will seek to draw upon all of His virtue without receiving Him for who He really is, the Son of God.

There is redemption in no one else except Jesus. Until we have become "poor in spirit," then we will never understand God's intent through redemption. Jesus' true power is only reserved for His disciples. While some may experience glimpses of His virtue, they will never understand His intent to free us from ourselves until we come to Him with right motives. He is to be loved and desired, not because of what He can do for us, but instead for who He is -- the Lover and Creator of our souls.