July 10, 2012

"You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,"and he was called God's friend. You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone. In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead." James 2: 20-26

James uses two very disparate examples to illustrate the same truth and then summarizes with a significant statement that "deeds are the spirit of faith".

Let's examine the two examples: Abraham, the hero and patriarch of all Jews. The words "Abraham" and "faith" are almost interchangeable! Every Jew wanted their boys to grow up and be like Abraham. No problem there!

But Rahab? A prostitute? What is she doing in the same sentence with an icon like Abraham?

There is one huge common denominator! FAITH! Each of them acted in a way that proved their faith in God. Each of them put something at risk. Abraham risk the very future of the legacy God had promised him and Rahab risked her life!

In addition, I think James is communicating the vital truth that faith is a growing and ongoing experience. Abraham had been on a long faith journey with God. He had walked with God and followed God for decades. He had demonstrated his faith time after time. The crowning achievement of his faith was his son, Isaac. It had taken a series of faith decisions to receive this son of promise. Now God tested his faith once more by asking him to sacrifice this precious son. This was no entry level faith! This is faith 501 or 601! But Abraham passed the test!

In contrast, there was Rahab. While there is some dispute over the exact nature of her profession, some say prostitute, some say innkeeper, and some say she ran a restaurant. But of no dispute is her kindness to the Israelite spies that preserved their lives and allowed them to complete their crucial mission into Jericho. She would have been dragged into the street and publicly executed had she been discovered hiding the spies. It was risky what she did but she understood it was her chance at salvation and she took it.

As far as we can tell, this was her intial act of faith. This was Faith 101 and she passed with flying colors. You can be sure their were many other tests to follow.

So in Rahab we have demonstrated that we enter into salvation by an act of faith. And in Abraham we learn that faith is always being tested. Our faith grows as the tests grow because the spirit of faith is our obedient actions!

Whether you are at the Rahab level or the Abraham level there will never be a time when faith is easy or unnecessary! You please God because He has become pleasing to you!

July 9, 2012

"You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. " James 2:19

This is a chilling thought. Think about what James is saying here - you could have a "devil" of a faith!

 

 

Obviously, faith is much more than just believing! Faith is acting on what you believe, which is how the devils got to be devils! They knew Who God was and what God wanted and disobeyed Him. That is why they are "shuddering" now! They are fully aware of the terror that awaits them.

 

 

James is making the point that faith is ultimately revealed by what you do not by what you say! Your works reveal the quality and the validity of your faith. If you really understand Who God is then you will obey Him and honor him in your actions and decisions. If you, like the devils, know Who He is and still disobey Him that is the worst sort of sin!

 

 

This revelation underscores the absolute necessity of repentance and trusting God to transform your heart and mind. The easiest way to have genuine faith is to get real with God and receive His Spirit into your life. If you could believe yourself into faith you would not need God. You can't! Don't try!

 

 

Faith arises out of the work of grace that God wants to do in your heart and mind. Faith grows from the intial act of faith - trusting Christ for your salvation. That is precisely what Paul means when he declares, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast."Ephesians 2:8-9

Real faith is displayed in real godliness! That is the power of faith. That is why faith matters so much. You either trust - or you tremble.....

July 8, 2012

^"12 But who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults. ¹³ Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression. ¹⁴ May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer."  Psalm 19:12-14

 

Praise should arise out of the thrill of what He is creating through you!

When God’s Word gets welcomed and becomes active in your life, it convicts you of sin and leads you into His will. When He uses His Word to work His will in your life, look what thrilling things happen through you.

Verse 12 – "FREEDOM FROM FALSE GUILT" – That’s thrilling! False guilt is from the Enemy of your soul. He is the "accuser". He will dig up things from your past that God has already forgiven and remind you of them to discourage you and defeat you. But through the Word, God's Spirit will remind you that you have been forgiven and He will make you aware of any unconfessed sins so you can find forgiveness for those as well.

 

Guilt is a good thing that the Holy Spirit uses to point out a sin that you have committed. But false guilt is not good and is used by the devil to defeat you.

Verse 13 – "FREEDOM FROM WILLFUL SIN" – “blameless” – pure in thoughts and motives. Sin is what happens when you exercise your will against God. For instance, you know that something is wrong. The Word of God says it is wrong and the Holy Spirit tells you it is wrong but you willfully decide to do it anyway. That is willful sin and it is dangerous because it is rebellion against God by after you have committed to follow Him.

Followers of Christ will sin occasionally, but they should not willfully sin. They may get caught up in a moment of anger or a careless moment of thoughtlessness and sin against God - but to deliberately sin against Him is something Christians should not and need not do.

When the Word is active in your life and you are aligned with His will you can be blameless - free from intentional sin! That’s Thrilling!

Verse 14 – "PLEASING TO GOD" – If there is anyone that you would want to please it would be God! And if there is someone you don't want to displease it would also be God! To know that you are obeying God's Word and to know His will is being accomplished in your life and that He is pleased with you - that’s thrilling! When you see God using you to bless someone else or to inspire them and you are aware that it is His power at work in your - that is praiseworthy!

What positive changes do you see around you because of the changes God is making in you?

What lives are different because they have come into contact with you?

What will be your spiritual legacy?

I AM AFRAID WE DON’T PRAISE GOD NEARLY AS OFTEN AS WE SHOULD. WE USE PRAISE LIKE A REWARD FOR GOD WHEN HE DOES SOMETHING THAT WE LIKE – “Good God, Here’s Some Praise, God!”

PRAISE SHOULD NOT BE A REWARD TO GOD – IT IS THE RESPONSE HE DESERVES IN HIS GREATNESS AND GLORY!

PRAISE IS A THREE DIMENSIONAL EXPERIENCE WITH GOD THROUGH HIS WORLD AND HIS WORD AND HIS WILL!

ARE YOU THRILLED ABOUT WHAT GOD HAS DONE AROUND YOU?

ARE YOU THRILLED ABOUT WHAT GOD IS DOING IN YOU?

ARE YOU THRILLED BY WHAT GOD IS DOING THROUGH YOUR LIFE?

WHAT MUST YOU DO TO MAKE PRAISE A MORE POWERFUL PART OF YOUR LIFE?

July 7, 2012

"The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,   making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right,  giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous. They are more precious than gold,  than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb.  By them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward." Psalm 19:7-11

Cross references:

1. Psalm 19:7 : S Ps 1:2
2. Psalm 19:7 : Ps 119:142; Jas 1:25
3. Psalm 19:7 : Ps 23:3
4. Psalm 19:7 : Ps 93:5; 111:7; 119:138, 144
5. Psalm 19:7 : S Dt 4:6; Ps 119:130
6. Psalm 19:8 : Ps 33:4; 119:128
7. Psalm 19:8 : Ps 119:14
8. Psalm 19:8 : S Ezr 9:8; Ps 38:10
9. Psalm 19:9 : Ps 34:11; 111:10; Pr 1:7; Ecc 12:13; Isa 33:6
10. Psalm 19:9 : Ps 119:138, 142
11. Psalm 19:10 : S Job 22:24; Ps 119:72; Pr 8:10
12. Psalm 19:10 : Ps 119:103; SS 4:11; Eze 3:3
13. Psalm 19:10 : S 1Sa 14:27

Cross references:

1. Psalm 19:7 : S Ps 1:2
2. Psalm 19:7 : Ps 119:142; Jas 1:25
3. Psalm 19:7 : Ps 23:3
4. Psalm 19:7 : Ps 93:5; 111:7; 119:138, 144
5. Psalm 19:7 : S Dt 4:6; Ps 119:130
6. Psalm 19:8 : Ps 33:4; 119:128
7. Psalm 19:8 : Ps 119:14
8. Psalm 19:8 : S Ezr 9:8; Ps 38:10
9. Psalm 19:9 : Ps 34:11; 111:10; Pr 1:7; Ecc 12:13; Isa 33:6
10. Psalm 19:9 : Ps 119:138, 142
11. Psalm 19:10 : S Job 22:24; Ps 119:72; Pr 8:10
12. Psalm 19:10 : Ps 119:103; SS 4:11; Eze 3:3
13. Psalm 19:10 : S 1Sa 14:27

Praise is a three dimensional experience. It should arise from Praise should arise from the thrill of what He is creating in you by His Word

George Barna wrote The State of the Church in 2002. Barna conducted a survey of self-pronounced Christians and here’s what he found about their knowledge of the Bible.

Now, remember these are Christians..

• 48% could not name the four Gospels.
• 52% cannot identify more than two or three of Jesus’ disciples.
• 60% of American Christians can’t name even five of the 10 Commandments.
• When asking graduating high school “born again Christians” over 50% of them thought Sodom and Gomorrah were husband and wife.
• 61% of American Christians think the Sermon on the Mount was preached by Billy Graham.
• 71% of American Christians think “God helps those who help themselves” is a Bible verse.
No wonder George Barna said, “Americans revere the Bible but, by and large they don’t know what it says. And because they don’t know it, they have become a nation of Biblical illiterates.”

The Psalmist viewed God’s Word as something that gives LIFE not something that imposes LIMITS. What do you think?

Here is what the Psalmist that about God's Word:

V. 7a – “LIFE FOR THE SOUL” – Get out of the Word and your soul begins to die….

V. 7b – “WISDOM FOR THE SIMPLE” – Could you use a little wisdom?

V. 8a – “JOY FOR THE HEART” - What brings you more joy than God's Word?

Sam was a great bird dog. If he pointed to a clump of bushes, there surely was a bird in there. He was much more than just a bird dog. Often we’d share together lazy lunches in an abandoned apple orchard, and the snooze that followed.

Late one afternoon, Sam and I became separated. Neither of us was familiar with the area. I called and whistled. No sign of Sam. I had to get back to town for an important appointment. But how could I leave Sam? If he finally came back and I wasn’t there, would I lose him for good?

Then I remembered a trick an old dog trainer had passed on. I unbuttoned my jacket, and laid it on the ground under the branches of a small bush. I worried all night. But when I returned the next morning there was Sam curled up with his nose under the sleeve of my jacket. He looked up and wagged his tail. His eyes seemed to say, "Where’ve you been friend? I’ve been waiting for you all night. But I knew you’d come back."

Later I wondered. When I get lost, do I have the trust to look for some part of God’s word and curl up in it? To wait patiently, knowing that my Friend will find me if I just have faith in him?

God's Word is:

V. 8b – “WARNING SIGNS FOR THE EYES”

V. 9a – “STABILITY”

V. 9b – “SECURE”

V. 10 – “PRECIOUS AND SWEET”

V. 11 – “REWARDING”

A man in Kansas City was severely injured in an explosion. Evangelist Robert L. Sumner tells about him in his book The Wonders of the Word of God. The victim’s face was badly disfigured, and he lost his eyesight as well as both hands. He was just a new Christian, and one of his greatest disappointments was that he could no longer read the Bible.

Then he heard about a lady in England who read Braille with her lips. Hoping to do the same, he sent for some books of the Bible in Braille. Much to his dismay, however, he discovered that the nerve endings in his lips had been destroyed by the explosion. One day, as he brought one of the Braille pages to his lips, his tongue happened to touch a few of the raised characters and he could feel them. Like a flash he thought, I can read the Bible using my tongue. At the time Robert Sumner wrote his book, the man had "read" through the entire Bible four times.

Can you say you’ve read through the Bible four times—with two good eyes? This man had a craving—and even losing his eyesight wouldn’t prevent him from reading God’s Word.

What keeps you from reading God's Word? What keeps you from drawing praise out of God's Word?

July 6, 2012

"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. ² Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. ³ They have no speech, they use no words;
no sound is heard from them.⁴ Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun. ⁵ It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, like a champion rejoicing to run his course.⁶ It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is deprived of its warmth. ⁷ The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. ⁸ The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. ⁹ The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous. ¹⁰ They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb. ¹¹ By them your servant is warned in keeping them there is great reward ¹² But who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults. ¹³ Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression. ¹⁴ May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer."  Psalm 19

Would you rather look at a photo of the Grand Canyon or would you rather SEE the Grand Canyon?

Would you prefer to see a documentary about Lake Tahoe or would rather stand on its shore?

That's the difference between a two-dimensional view and a 3-D experience.

Places as majestic as the Grand Canyon and Lake Tahoe are meant to be experienced in person.

I remember standing near a crystal clear lake high in the Sierras with snow capped peaks in the background, a clear blue sky stretched out above me and Lake Tahoe spread out several thousand feet below me. So overwhelming was the experience that I could hardly speak. My spirit broke out in praise and the predominant thought was, "God! You are just showing off!" And I loved it! I love Him!

Even as I reflect on that awesome memory I identify with the Psalmist when he declares, "The heavens declare the glory of God". On that day in that place creation literally shouted His glory no matter which direction I looked!

God intends for praise and worship to be a three dimensional experience! This Psalm makes that abundantly clear. He wants you to get caught up in the wonder of His world that He created for you. He didn't have to make it as beautiful and amazing as He did - BUT HE DID! All the marvelous varieties of flowers and trees and insects and birds and wildlife so intricately crafted were probably not necessary - EXCEPT TO REFLECT HIS MAJESTY!

If you want to discover how to praise God in another dimension, learn to lose yourself in amazement over this wonderful world He created for your enjoyment!

Gaze on the incredible beauty that surrounds you each day and praise Him for every flower, bird, creature, tree, gentle breeze, and fluffy white cloud you see! Marvel over the detail and the color and the precision built into them. Observe the joy of a squirrel leaping from branch to branch. Or  get caught up in the pure pleasure of a bird soaring high above lifted by the heat rising from the earth.

God provides you countless chances each day to praise Him through the wonder of this world He created! Don't miss those precious opportunities. He puts them there just for you!

Creation shouts the glory of God! Listen with your soul and shout back!

When you are done remember that is just ONE dimension of praise. God has given you two more!

July 5, 2012

"1The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. 2 Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. 3 They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them.4 Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun. 5 It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, like a champion rejoicing to run his course. 6 It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is deprived of its warmth. 7 The law of the Lord is perfect,  refreshing the soul. 8The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.  The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.  9The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous.  ¹⁰ They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb. ¹¹ By them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward. ¹² But who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults. ¹³ Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me.  Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression. ¹⁴ May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer."  Psalm 19 

What causes you to praise?

That's a pretty good question to consider, isn't it?

Do you know how to answer it?

Let me offer a suggestion how you should answer it. This answer is not original to me, I am taking it from the Psalmist. Who knew how to praise better than he did?

What should inspire you to praise? Here's what caused King David to praise:

The first six verses make it clear that he was thrilled by the creation he saw around him.

Dozens of times during a typical day you are confronted by the amazing beauty of nature. Whether it is a dazzling sunrise, a clear blue sky, the songs of birds serenading you in the morning, the power of a thunderstorm, or a huge harvest moon at night, God's handiwork is hard to ignore.

Will you vow to take notice of how inspiring nature is from now on? Will you begin with your waking moments tomorrow and then consciously enjoy His interacting with your world through out they rest of the day? See how that affects your spirit.

That is reason for praise!

In the next verses, 7 through 11, the Psalmist was thrilled by what God was creating in him.

Unlike many who seem to thing the Bible is restrictive and negative in its tone, the Psalmist felt exactly the opposite. Look at the sense of excitement he expresses for the Word of God. Consider these phrases:

"Life for the soul", wisdom for the simple", "joy for the heart", "giving light to the eyes", "pure", "more precious than gold", and "sweeter than honey".

The stories, the truths, the wisdom, and the practical teachings of the Word of God give deeper insights into the heart and mind of God. Though His Word you can get to know Him intimately and not just from a distance. It is good to know nature but it is far better to get to know His nature!

That is reason for praise!

Finally, verses 12-14 give one more reason to praise, he was thrilled not only by what God had created and what God was creating in him through His Word, but he was also praising God for what He was creating through him. II Corinthians 5:17 declares he is a "new creation".

The Word of God is pure and powerful and active in the life of one who receives it gladly with obedience. As it recreates the person from the inside out, that person begins to have a positive impact on the world around him.

That is reason for praise!

Why do you praise?

You praise Him for what He has created! You praise Him for what He is creating in you! You praise Him for what He is creating through you!

July 4, 2012

"Righteousness exalts a nation but sin is a reproach to its people." Proverbs 14:34

There is no doubt that our Founders recognized the importance of the Christian faith in the formation of this new Republic. It is also clear they embraced that faith and recommended to all.

Those who say otherwise are simply uninformed or deliberately unwilling to admit it. Consider these several quotes chosen from an impressively large collection of Quotes of the Founding Fathers.


“I rejoice that the religion of Jesus prevails in your parts; I can tell you the same agreeable news from this quarter. Yesterday I returned from Piscataway in East Jersey, where was held a Baptist annual meeting (I think the largest I ever saw) but much more remarkable still for the Divine influences which God was pleased to grant. Fifteen were baptized; a number during the three days professed to experience a change of heart. Christians were remarkably quickened; multitudes appeared.”   James Manning - MEMBER OF THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS; PRESIDENT OF BROWN UNIVERSITY

“[Governments] could not give the rights essential to happiness… We claim them from a higher source: from the King of kings, and Lord of all the earth.”- John Dickinson - SIGNER OF THE CONSTITUTION; GOVERNOR OF PENNSYLVANIA; GOVERNOR OF DELAWARE; GENERAL IN THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

“I have sometimes thought there could not be a stronger testimony in favor of religion or against temporal enjoyments, even the most rational and manly, than for men who occupy the most honorable and gainful departments and [who] are rising in reputation and wealth, publicly to declare their unsatisfactoriness by becoming fervent advocates in the cause of Christ; and I wish you may give in your evidence in this way.” - James Madison -  SIGNER OF THE CONSTITUTION; AUTHOR OF THE FEDERALIST PAPERS; FRAMER OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS; SECRETARY OF STATE; FOURTH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED

“Our citizens should early understand that the genuine source of correct republican principles is the Bible, particularly the New Testament, or the Christian religion.” -  Noah Webster -  REVOLUTIONARY SOLDIER; JUDGE; LEGISLATOR; EDUCATOR; “SCHOOLMASTER TO AMERICA”

“The Christian religion is the most important and one of the first things in which all children under a free government ought to be instructed. No truth is more evident than that the Christian religion must be the basis of any government intended to secure the rights and privileges of a free people.” -  Noah Webster - REVOLUTIONARY SOLDIER; JUDGE; LEGISLATOR; EDUCATOR; “SCHOOLMASTER TO AMERICA

“The doctrines of Jesus are simple, and tend all to the happiness of man.” – Thomas Jefferson

“As to Jesus of Nazareth, my opinion of whom you particularly desire, I think the system of morals and His religion as He left them to us, the best the world ever saw or is likely to see.” – Benjamin Franklin

I find it an incredible blessing that we had such wise and godly men involved in the establishment of our great nations.

This is something I will celebrate on this 236th Independence Day!

But here is a more important question, "What are you doing to live a godly life?"

Are you exalting your God and your nation by how you behave?

Is yours a life that exalts God?

Do you live in a way that would please God and make your nation a better land?