A Spiritual Workout

 " …work out your salvation with fear and trembling" ( Phil 2:12)

I don't know about you, but sometimes I want God to just hit a divine " Easy Button" up in heaven and get this sanctification process complete! Some days I get the sense that I am growing and walking in victory! The sun is shining and I am all smiles!  I am awake and  aware of my enemies: the world , the flesh, the devil . I'm battling as a warrior! I am on my game ! Resisting the Devil ( James 4:7) Walking by faith not sight. ( 2 Co 5: 7)  Making no provision for the flesh ( Rom 13: 14)  Fighting the spiritual battle on my knees , armored up with the Word of God as my sword( Eph 6: 10- 18)

Then it happens. I'm tired. Maybe just came off the mountain of a spiritual victory ( like Elijah on Mount Carmel, 1 Kings 18) and now I'm running sacred in a valley of despair. Crying out to God as if I've never seen Him do miracles in my life! What gives? I thought I had conquered that enemy. I thought that I was beyond that flesh bomb getting the best of me....

I am reminded of the words of the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Philippians. In Chapter 2 he reminds those saints at Philippi the exact truth that I need to hear: WORK out YOUR salvation. Now if you are thinking that a physical work out is fun, that's great. However, just by the term "WORK" implies that it takes energy. It takes time. It takes dedication.  So whether its yard work, gym work, office work, the term work  indicates energy, time and braincells will be used! Working out our salvation ( Not working FOR) requires effort on  our part.

So if you're having " one of those days" ( weeks, months, years?) just remember, make sure you're physically rested up. That you have been feeding your spirit with the Word of God, then resign yourself that the Christian walk is a process. Our conversion is a once and done deal. Jesus did it. I believe it. That settles it. But our Christian walk (our salvation )is also an ongoing reality that is changing, moving and growing.  That's why Paul often likens it to a race. In this marathon we have our part. God has His. Do your part and let God do His. Just the "mere" surrender to let God do what only God can do requires work on our part! Surrender is not passive. It requires great energy and is an intentional release. It is a pouring out of self as an offering to God! It is a workout in the prayer closet! 

I'm thankful that Philippians 1:6 tells me that " He who began a good work in me will complete it in the day of Christ Jesus". Until then, I'll get back up and keep working out my salvation  assured that He will indeed finish up what He began! 

 Walking on Water

Many times as believers we desire those mountain top experiences. We long to "walk on the water" like Peter did. We want the miraculous. We want the "Wow! Look what Jesus did in my life" times. Have you ever thought, "Gee, I'd love to "walk on water with Jesus"?

In Matthew 14: 22-33 we find the account of that famous " walk on water" passage. If you will read this text  you will see that the context here is not a beautiful sunny day out on the lake. It is not the disciples and Jesus taking a Sunday afternoon ride out. Let's go for a relaxing boat ride, enjoying the scenery and fresh air. No, the timeframe is somewhere between 3-6 AM. You know, the time when we should be in a warm comfy bed!  It is dark. It is stormy. A stormy dark night paints the scene.  

Verse 26 tells us , " And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were  frightened, saying " It is a ghost!" and they cried out for fear." This scary, eerie, heart-pounding moment in time is  the context in which Peter calls out to Jesus and says, " Lord, if it is You command me to come to You on the water". 

As I am reminded of this miracle that has come to mean a" triumphant miracle moment in the Christian faith" I am also reminded of when it occurs. God doesn't allow us to " walk on water" with Him on the laid back easy sunny days. The water walking times come during the storms of life. They come when in the midst of our storm, we see Jesus out there on the turbulent waves, coming toward us despite the strong winds. The water walking times happen when we like Peter, call out to Jesus and ask Him to bid us to come.  

Let us note one other important facet of this account. Only Peter asked Jesus to " bid him to come out". Peter walked on the stormy sea because He believed and obeyed, therefore  he asked Jesus. In the storm we will walk on water if we will listen and obey these words, " Take courage, It is I; do not be afraid." ( Mt 14:27)

The others stayed in the boat because they did not request this of the Lord. Perhaps they were not convinced. Perhaps they were content with " just enough Jesus to get me to the other side". Whatever may have been in their mind we do not know. What the Bible does tell us is that only Peter asks! 

If you are in a storm but you don't seek Jesus to tell you to get out of the boat, you will still get to the other side. However, if you want to walk on the water with Him, obey His Word, and ask.

 "Follow Me; and allow the dead to bury their own dead." Matthew 8: 22 

In reading the passage in Matthew 8: 19-22, we may conclude that Jesus' words to this enthusiastic " seeker"   seem harsh. Here we have a potential disciple! A man professing interest in Jesus! Grab him, lets get him baptized and put him on a committee! Yay, add to the church membership numbers! Wow, Praise the Lord!  Look at this guys enthusiasm, " Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go."   

Jesus doesn't react like we think He would. Instead He tells the guy, "Follow Me and allow the dead to bury their own dead." This sounds weird  to our modern day ears. Like Wow Jesus, You won't allow the guy to bury his dead father? But that is not what is being conveyed at all. In modern vernacular, what the man was saying is simply this: , "Let me go home and care for my father until he dies, and when I inherit the estate,  then I will catch up with you."

Don't we do the same today? Oh Jesus, I love You and want to serve You.  But let me get my household in order first. Let me get my kids out of high school and when I have more free time.... Let me finish this project at the office, then I am all Yours. I need to get my health right first, I need to______( fill in the blank with the excuse of your choice).

Jesus does not want a "show" of enthusiasm. He wants our heart. He demands a true, honest commitment to Him. Following Christ cannot be half hearted and lukewarm ( see Revelation 3: 15-16 ) He says to this man and to us, Count the cost. 

Many find a religious comfort zone. However, being religious is not the same as being in relationship with the Lord. Jesus words in Matthew 7:22-23 are a warning to all who think that an outward religious behavior will suffice as a substitution for following the Master," Many will say to Me on that day, Lord, Lord did we not prophesy in Your name and in Your name cast out demons and in Your name perform many miracles? And I will declare to them, " I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS". 

Jesus wants us to follow Him NOW, and any obligations we have must come AFTER Him, not before!

 

 What is Following You?

"Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever." Psalm 23:6

Good ol' Psalm 23. Most know it well. It is read very often at funerals!  Pastors and Bible teachers love to go through it, verse by verse, explaining the beautiful treasures found in these six verses.

But how often do we park on verse 6 and realize that goodness ( God's goodness) and His loving-kindness follow us, all the days of our lives as His children. 

I heard an advertisement on the TV for some company helping those who have credit problems. The ad posed the question, " Do you have credit debt following you every where you go?"  For some it may be credit debt following them. For others, it may be a past riddled with bad choices. The consequences of such choices seem to pop up every where, following them no matter where they relocate. What is following you?

I marvel at this statement made by David. David was a man after God's own heart, but he certainly made his fair share of bad choices. But God's goodness and loving-kindness still followed him, all of his days! The grace of God is undeserved favor. We do not earn it! In fact we cannot earn it! That is why is is called grace!  This wonderful duo that followed David and still follows God's own today. It is based God being who He says He is. In other words, it is God being faithful to His nature. God cannot deny Himself, He cannot act in any way that is contrary to His character, the very essence of who He is. God is good. Therefore He cannot be anything but good. God is faithful. He will always keep His promises! 

I'm so thankful that as a child of God, who has been redeemed by the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, I can say with joy, I am followed by God's goodness and lovingkindness! Even though I may walk through the valley of the shadow of death.... I'm being followed! What a comfort! 

I pray that you too can say those words with confidence and a smile on your face. 

If you have never trusted Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins and entered into a relationship with God, it really is as simple as ABC.

A= Admit you have sinned. " For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God" ( Romans 3:23) " There is no one righteous, no not one" ( Romans 3:10) 

B= Believe that Jesus died to pay the penalty of sin. " While we were yet sinners Christ died for us ( Romans 5:8)

C= Confess with your mouth that He is now your Lord and Savior. " For whoever calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved."  Romans 10:13)

Believing in Jesus means trusting that He died for you and He rose again. It is a relationship not an just head knowledge.  Eternal life means knowing Jesus, it is a personal relationship with God! ( John 17: 3) 

If you have made a decision to follow Christ you can pray something like this: 

Dear Lord, I admit that I am a sinner in need of forgiveness. I believe that Jesus died on Calvary's cross to pay the debt that I owe but can never pay, no matter how many good works I do. His blood paid the price and by His blood I am redeemed. I am no longer bound for hell, but will spend eternity in heaven. I am now free to serve and love you Lord! Thank you for the free gift of salvation. As a child of God, mercy and goodness will follow me all the days of my life! 

Amen! 

 The Blame Game

The tendency to blame someone else for our sinful behavior can be traced all the way back to the Garden. This aspect of our sin nature is not benign and harmless whatsoever. In fact, as long as Satan can keep us walking blindly in this deception, he will have an open door in our lives.

In Genesis 3 we read that after Adam and Eve took the forbidden fruit and ate ,their eyes were opened and they knew that they were naked. So they hid from God! Seems silly to think that they "hid" from God , but don't we do the same? We sin then act like we can go into hiding and the LORD cannot see! Just shove it under the rug and keep on truckin'.

After they disobeyed God, the Lord comes to them in the Garden. He then asks Adam a very direct, simple, uncomplicated question. Pretty basic question that calls for a Yes or a No. But notice Adam's response:

Gen 3: 11-12 shows us the very origin of the Blame Game Propensity of which we all are guilty!  God asks, " Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat? And the man said, " The woman whom Thou gavest to be with me, she gave me from the tree, and I ate."

Did you, Adam, eat ? Yes or No? Eventually Adam got to the answer but first he spewed out an essay. One word would have been the right response but instead he danced all around because he knew he was guilty. 

Then God speaks to Eve, asking her in verse 13, " What is this you have done? Her reply? " The serpent deceived me, and I ate" God didn't ask her what the serpent did. God asked her what she did.

Satan loves to keep us playing the blame game. Rambling on about why we are being disobedient. Trying to justify our rebellion. "It's the stinkin' situation", we moan. " Lord. Its my boss .He is so unreasonable."  "It's my health, I don't feel well! If I just felt better...." 

 Just answer the question! Did you sin? To pump out an essay of excuses only  hinders the fellowship with our Lord. It keeps the waters murky and prevents true repentance. Repentance is the doorway to freedom. Jesus said, " you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free". Stopping short of full blown truth will keep us in bondage. 

When you have sinned, don't look for all the people and circumstances that have made you a " victim". Cut to the core and answer the question with sincere honesty. Did you sin? Yes or No. Leave your coworker out of the picture. Leave Mom, Dad, spouse, and  neighbor out of it. It's not the dog's fault either!( Even if he did barf on the rug!) God did not ask you about them. He asked you, "did you sin?" 

1 John 1: 9-10 says this, " If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us."

May we all make that commitment to just stop with the blame game, get real with God, and live in the freedom that Christ gives to those who abide in Him. Genuine repentance is impossible when its clouded by blaming others! 

 

 The Lord will fight for you while you keep silent.( Ex 14: 14)

In Exodus 14 we find that the children of Israel have left Egypt and and are being led in the wilderness by God Himself. The LORD went before them by day with a pillar of cloud and by night by a pillar of fire. Surely they are elated to be free from their slavery in Egypt. All is well and good! Yay! Finally! 

But then the LORD speaks to Moses, and announces that He will harden Pharaoh's heart so that he will change his mind and chase after them. Exodus 14:4 tells us this," Thus I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and he will chase after them; and I will be honored through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD." and they did so. 

Ever been there? God " delivered you", "fixed your issue", or so you thought? "Woohoo, I'm free"  you're singing, and then BAM! Here comes a pharaoh chasing after you!  Scratching your head, you find yourself wondering and asking God, "Wait, didn't You just set me free from that and now here is the "new and improved 2.0 version"?  Really? 

If we fast forward through this account we find Moses speaking to the people who are obviously very frightened by this time, as they hear the Egyptians closing in on them. As they see the enemy drawing closer, they open their mouths and let Moses have it! ( Ex14: 11-12)  When the enemy of our soul is in hot pursuit, our flesh really feels the need to lash at at somebody! 

Moses pointed then right back to the One who orchestrated it all, the LORD God Almighty! Ex 14:13-14 gives us his response, " But Moses said to the people, ' Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the LORD which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again forever. The LORD will fight for you while you keep silent."

Stand by, keep silent because it isn't your fight! The LORD will fight on your behalf because it is for HIS glory. The LORD will get the glory and the honor in our battles because it is HIS battle. He will prove that He is the ONE and ONLY who can deliver His people when we are in what seems to be a hopeless situation. 

Stand still. Stop hosting a panic party, an emergency meeting to figure out plan B. It is not your job to figure out what to do next. Don't drop into despair, depression and "hide under the covers" mode either! The LORD does not tell us to pout and have a pity party.  Don't go into "super -saint spiritual" mode and broadcast a play by play commentary for your audience on behalf of God. It is just foolish to think that we can understand all that God is doing! 

 Just stop. Stand still and watch. Watch the LORD do His thing and fight for you! It will be glorious and amazing, but just stop with the toddler meltdown mode! Silence really is golden when we watch with great expectation for the supernatural deliverance that can only come from the mighty hand of our LORD! 

 In Thee I have Taken Refuge: Psalm 31:1

The Psalms are beautiful poetic treasures that I love to read. How awesome it would be to hear them sung in Hebrew by the people of God in that generation of long ago. 

Although they are exquisite literary gems, I am reminded that like the rest of God's Word they must be applied practically if they are to be of any benefit. If I simply read them, admire them, and claim one as my favorites, I am no better off. I must meditate upon them and ask my self the hard questions.

"In Thee I have taken refuge" David writes as he begins Psalm 31. Here is David being chased and hunted down by an angry King Saul. David is not just being super spiritual and speaking " churchy" "spiritual" language. He knows that his God of the mountain is also the God of the valley. Its not just some religious idea to Him. He personally knows that his God is his refuge. His safety and hiding place.

Do I take refuge in God from the troubles of life? Or do I seek to solve all my issues in my own strength, on my timetable, according to my logic? Is it really in God where I put my confidence and trust to deliver me from the current crisis?  Am I fleeing to Him for protection, provision and peace? 

My response to the trouble will answer that question. If I say " yes"  but am still wrestling with anxious thoughts, working hard to find the  remedy, and finding only frustration I'm not taking refuge in God. If my words say one thing but my reality is feeling overwhelmed and exhausted by it all, I can be pretty sure that I am NOT taking refuge in the Lord. Very often I'm trusting human logic and or listening to the voice of the enemy of my soul.

Verse 5 was quoted by Jesus on the cross " Into Thy hand I commit my sprit; Though hast ransomed me, O LORD, God of truth."  To mouth the words is one thing but to mean them is an entirely different level.

Jesus knew that He was fully surrendered to do the Father's will. He was not kicking and screaming as He went to the cross nor while He hung on the cross. In fact He was still ministering while upon the cross. " Father forgive them for they know not what they do"  He uttered forth in the midst of great pain.(Luke 23:34 ) Even in excruciating circumstances, He made sure that His mother Mary would be taken care of by John as well. ( John 19:26) 

Stephen while being stoned to death is not panicking and having a meltdown. He knew his God was His refuge and nothing that man could do to him could ever take that away. He left this earth with eyes turned to the heavens, anticipating that heavenly home where he would see the Risen Lord face to face.  In fact, he too makes reference to this psalm in his last words on this earth," Lord Jesus receive my spirit" (Acts 7: 59) 

You and I may not be on a cross of crucifixion ( Praise God! ) or be on the ground being stoned to death ( Praise God!) but can we honestly say, in this same attitude,  "Into Thy hand " I commit my entire being ?  every fiber of my being? It is only in You Lord I take refuge. And what a wonderful refuge we find when we seek that protection in Him and in Him alone.