The Advantage of Affliction

Psalm 119:71 "It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees."

What is our perspective on affliction? Affliction is something that causes pain and suffering. Can God use times like this for our good? The answer is of course YES! God allows these times to develop our character and drive us closer to Him. In the process of drawing closer, we have the chance to learn and lean on God’s decrees. His Word will never let us down.

But do we view God’s Word as a ‘life saving ring’ only to be used in an emergency. Or do we view it more like oxygen, something that is needed every moment of every day and without it we will die. Unfortunately because most people today only view God’s decrees as emergency precautions, God allows us to be driven to dependency through affliction.

So if you are experiencing affliction are you leaning what God wants and trusting in His faithfulness?

May we never lose our passion for God and His Word/decrees.

Keep Going

It has been a long time since I have taken time to write on here. Yet as God enables me to, I will try and share more regularly what He is talking with me about.

Psalm 13 says "How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me? Look on me and answer, O Lord my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death; my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,” and my foes will rejoice when I fall. But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, for he has been good to me."

David’s example suggests four things that we should continue (this implies we are already doing these. If not we need to start) to do during difficult times:

1.    Keep praying—David continues to cry out to God. This is not just praying a casual prayer and an impassioned cry for God to respond. He pours out his heart to God. Don’t give up praying even when God seems far away.

2.   Keep trusting—It is relatively easy to have faith when things are going well, but the test of faith is when things don’t appear to be going well. Do we trust that God knows the big picture and is still in control doing what is best for us?

3.   Keep rejoicing—this in not rejoicing for the trials but in spite of them. It is rejoicing in God’s salvation. Are we celebrating God’s ability to rescue us, redeeming and restoring each and every situation?

4.   Keep worshipping—regardless of everything we go through we need to keep our focus on a good, good God and all that He does for us.

 As we begin to praise and worship God, it brings perspective to our problems. Sometimes, we find it’s helpful to look back on life and thank God for bringing us through so many of our own personal struggles, disappointments and bereavement and to remember how, through it all, ‘He has been so good to us.’

So keep focused in the right place (on God) and keep doing what He has shown us to do. Make this a great year one day at a time.

(adapted from a devotional by Nicky Gumble: Bible in One Year)

How Are You Dressed?

Colossians 3:12-14 says; “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”

 

I love the picture here of being clothed / dressed with the these things (compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience and love—God’s love). You see as we start each day we make sure we are dressed. We take time to put on what is necessary for that day. These five things make up what is necessary for us to put on each day spiritually. When we are clothed with these, it will make each and every day better and better. We will not only survive each day but we will start to thrive every day. You see the secrete to this is that we are not just putting things onto our lives. We are actually putting the character of God on. When we cover ourselves with the very character of God, so that it is all that people see, life will change for the better. 

Powered for Purpose ... The Year of Hope

 As we look at the year head of us, many may be wondering is there hope? The answer is a resounding YES! I truly believe that God has placed His church (those of us who are follower of Christ) here in this time, in our local setting to be sources of hope for a needy world. The theme for Newport First Baptist for this year it “Powered for Purpose … the Year of Hope.” You see, if God’s people will refocus on His purpose for His church, and we set out to obey and fulfill that purpose through His power, the only possible result is the everyone we meet will by flooded by the hope of God.

 

I have found a portion of the Bible that summarizes this better than 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 where is says, “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”

 

In reading this passage I am reminded once more that God’s grace is sufficient for life, period. Yet so many times we try to replace His grace with something else we can attain. Yet here in verse 8 we see everything is covered as the word “all” is repeated 4 times. Here God is stressing that everything we will ever need is found in Him (in all things, at all times having all you need). Do you need some of this grace today? Do you have this grace today?

 

Remember the result of the all sufficient grace of God is that we will always be overflowing in good works toward others, bringing hope to where they are. This is not only the end result of God’s grace, it is also the key to unlocking that grace in our lives. When we give generously to God it unlocks God’s all sufficient grace in our lives. This in turn provides all we need to that we can pour that grace out to others in generous giving. So are you living in the grace of God today, bringing hope to others as God pours His grace into you? Remember is starts with obediently and cheerfully giving to God.

Overflowing Hope

Recently during the morning as I was spending time with God, this verse stood out. Romans 15:13 "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

Think about it, God who is hope, wants to fill each and every one of us with joy and peace. Now it's not just a bit of joy and peace, it's to be filled with "ALL" joy and peace. If we are filled with 'all joy and peace' it will change everything about every day. Life will be different. First of all, we will bring joy and peace everywhere and to everyone ... does your life reflect this? If not simply ask God to fill you with His joy and peace. Secondly, do we see and are being hope in every situation and to every person? Again, if not then ask God to fill you with this. In asking God, the best request is not for hope and peace, but for more of Him. Just look at the end of the verse. It says that we will overflow with these by the power of the Holy Spirit. If you are not overflowing then you need more of God. Ask daily for more of the Holy Spirit in your life and watch wat God does.

We will know we are being filled by God when we see that we are world changers, changing our personal world and watching the ripple effect spreading out. Make this one of your life prayers and verses, study all of chapter 15 and let it change you to become your world's changer. Let "all hope and peace" overflow as you are empowered by the Holy Spirit.

 

What is Your Standard for Success?

Taken from Acts 23:1, “My brothers, I have fulfilled my duty to God in all good conscience to this day." 

As we go through life, what is our standard for success. All to often we tend to adopt the standards of society around us or the standards of those we respect and want to be like, or the standards of those we want to like us. Unfortunately these are the wrong standards to judge success by. 

This verse shows is what the right standard is. Paul reminds us that the right standard is always and only God’s standard. We cannot water it down or change it. As we look at this verse we see that there are two parts to God standard and we must consistently do both. 

The first part is found in our duty to God. What is it that God requires of us and are we doing it completely. There are two things that come to mind here. First is our relationship. How is your relationship with God today? A indication of the health of our relationship with God is seen in the overflow from this relationship as we relate to others. As we interact with other are our actions saturated with love, patience and grace? Do we see the Fruit of the Spirit growing every day in those relationship. Take time to read Galatians 5:22-23 so you can evaluate if this is growing in all your relationships. This is also explained in Micah 6:8 where God states what He requires of us … to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with our God. Part of all of this is sharing our relationship with God with everyone we meet. Remember we are to be witnesses. 

Now the second part is equally important. We must not fulfill our duty but we must do it with the right attitude. This attitude is not one of obligation but of love. Is our heart motive behind obeying God correct? Why do we do the things that we do? The why is what makes the difference between religious activity and loving obedience (relationship). Not notice here in this verse there is a little word that has huge impact. It’s the word all. It says, “in all good conscience to this day.” This means that our motives must be consistent and not at certain times or in spurts. It means that it must be our always, not just when others are watching us. It means that this must be our lifestyle. So what is your standard and how are do doing at living it out?

Enjoying the Blessings of God

Psalm 84:11-12 says, "For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. O Lord Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you." 

As we consider these verses there is great promise and great hope found here. Verse 11 gives us 3 things God will do. He will give favor, honor and every good thing. The key to receiving those may be discouraging to us because it is based on being blameless (fortunately that is based on our standing in Christ). 

Now verse 12 shows us a different angle on receiving this blessing. It is not looking at perfection, because even though we are found perfect through the blood of Christ, most people struggle viewing themselves this way. Here we see that if we will trust in the Lord then those blessing will be ours. The key is not to say that you trust in God but to live out your trust in God. To often we give ‘lip service’ to the Lord and then wonder where the blessings are. Let us live lives of trust and in doing so enjoy the blessings of God.

Complete Joy for Thnaksgivng & Christmas

John 16:23-24 says "In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete." 

As I consider these verses there is great hope and promise, yet there is also sorrow. The sorrow is there because we tend to try to live this promise backwards. We want to be satisfied, with much joy and then we will be willing go to God. Even when we eventually go and ask, it isn’t really with much faith because we are asking for what we want. But the truth is, most of the time we don’t even bother to ask for anything. 

Look at how this promise is given to us. Jesus says, God will give us whatever we ask for in His name. Now to understand this promise we must understand what ‘in His name’ means. This means that we know God and His Word well enough that we know what will bring Him the most glory and that is what we are asking for. It also means we are asking in His authority and power. So how is your relationship with God? Now, if we are praying according to this, then we know God will give us anything we ask for. This automatically leads to complete joy. Look at your joy level. Remember, happiness is a response to outward stimulus and joy is an expression of an inward condition. The condition of being in right relationship with God. Do you have joy? Is it just a bit of joy or is it complete joy? If we are lacking in joy then it indicates that we have been lacking in relationship and asking. If we have been lacking in asking this might indicate that our motives have been wrong. The bottom line is that God wants to do so much more for us in answer to our prayers. We just need to start praying they way He has said. May your days be filled with many answered prayers and complete joy.

Who is Carrying Your Burdens?

Psalm 68:19 “Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.”

As we face each and every day, it is good to remember this truth about God. He has promised us that as part of our relationship with Him , that we will help us every single day. The way that He will help us is by bearing (holding and carrying) our burdens. This is true regardless of how big or small those burdens may seem to us. So if this is true, why do so many continue to struggle under their own burdens? It's simple, the truth is that these people, the majority of people, refuse to surrender their burdens, giving them up to God. Unfortunately this leads to weariness, stress, ulcers, etc.. Only when we arrive at the point of surrender will God pick those burdens up. Are you willing to surrender to God today? He can and will make all the difference.

Where is your focus?

John 6:1-15 gives an account of Jesus feeding the 5000+ crowd. There are some life-changing lesson found in this story. 

When we are faced with situation, issues, problems what do we see? Our tendency is to focus on the problem and the more we focus on it the bigger it becomes. What we need to do is surrender everything to God and then focus on Him. In verse 8 Peter brought everything to Jesus, after Philip had basically given up hope. Unfortunately he also didn’t focus on Jesus but on the inadequacy of what he had on hand. It doesn’t matter what we have on hand or how far we think it will go. What matters is, if we have continued to follow Jesus, He is there and can do anything. 

So where is our focus today? Is it on the all powerful, creator of the universe Who said that He will never leave or forsake us or is it on the momentary issues that will be gone before we know it. As we face every situation remember, God already has in mind what He is wanting to do. Trust Him, focus on Him and watch what He accomplishes.

How Much Have You Surrendered

2 Timothy 1:12 says, "Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day." 

This verse has long been a favorite of mine giving me peace and hope during the trials and storms of life. Yet as I read it again today I realized a very important truth. It follows the statement that God can and will guard all that I have given to Him.

The question is, what have I given to Him? Most Christians will say that they have given God their hearts and eternity. Yes this is important but it leaves most of everything in our hands to guard and protect. When we make Him our Savior and Lord then we place everything in His care. So what have you not surrendered to God … your health, job, pleasure, family? We need to surrender every aspect

of every day  to God. This means daily surrender and all throughout the day. Now this might seem like a lot of work, but the benefits are worth it. Remember, when we surrender, trusting God to guard something, He will guard it better than we could hope to.

So be willing today to start surrendering everything to God and discover the peace that He has promised will guard your heart and mind

Life Changing Faith

In John 5:1-15 we find an interesting story of healing and faith. A story that should inspire and challenge us all at the same time.


As we look at the crowds, what do we see? Here we are reminded that it is the individual that makes up the crowd that is important. Jesus saw the man and took time to learn about him. We need to make sure we see the individual. When we do, don’t just assume you know what they are all about, take time to learn about them. This doesn’t have to be a long process, just a personalized one.

Once Jesus had learned about him, notice that He asked if the
man wanted to get well. Why would Jesus ask that? I believe it is for the same reason that He wants and waits for us to ask in prayer, sometimes public prayer, before providing what we need. Jesus wants us to express our faith in words. Why? Because when we verbalize our faith it becomes more concrete in our lives, we are becoming specific in what we are asking and believing for. Now
consider what had to happen for this man to receive healing. When Jesus didn’t say, ‘you are healed’, he had to act in faith. The crippled man was told to ‘get up and walk.’ Do what you haven’t been able to do … walk by faith. I am amazed at the faith of this man. He had wanted healing for decades and never been able to get it. Now, when told the steps into that healing. Do we let the
past, our history, keep us from the miracles that God has for us?

Another thing to note here is that this crippled man didn’t even know it as Jesus, God made flesh, the worker of miracles that was talking to him. He just had faith in the almighty God. So often we put conditions on receiving what God has for us. If we know beyond any doubt that it is God who is doing this. You know a certified letter with signature and picture proof that it is God, then we might accept it. Yet here is an example of desperation for
what God can do. He simple took things at face value and lived in the blessings of God. May we have that kind of faith today and every day.

Becoming "Good Soil" and Helping Become That ...

Mark 4:1-20 gives us a familiar parable on the Sower and different soils …

As we look at this parable that Jesus describes as basic and essential to understanding all the others, note the warnings.  We are shown three negative results of His Word being shared. These are three things we must be guarding from in our lives and if we are sharing God's Word with others, we must be guarding them also.

First, we must not allow satan to come and steal God's Word away from people. This is only be prevented through the power of prayer. Have we laid the proper prayer foundation in our lives and the lives of those we are witnessing to. With the proper relationship with God developed through prayer, we will know when to present the Gospel so that it wont be taken away by satan.

Second, do we honestly present the whole Gospel. Often people will say that God will fix your problems and make life better. Yet here we are reminded that if we accept and live by God's Word, trouble and persecution will come. We need to be prepared for this and prepare others for it. When the tough times come we need to stop and evaluate why it's happening. If it is because of our stupidity that's on us. However, if it is because we are living by the Word of God then stand firm and count yourself blessed because you have been found worthy of suffering for the sake of the Gospel. We must be honest when witnessing and tell people that if they live for God others will not be happy with them and persecute them.

Finally, we need to make sure that we and those who respond to God's Word stay focused on the right thing. This last area that distracts people making them unfruitful are the concerns of life and the false promises of things. Now any detail of life can fall into this category if we let it captivate our attention and focus. We need to do what Scripture admonishes, "Keep our eyes firmly on the Author and Perfecter of our faith, Jesus Christ."  When we stay focused on Him, He will help us deal with life and it will all work out.

Do we take these warnings and apply them to ourselves? Do we communicate them clearly to others so that we all become and stay the "good soil?" May we always be found faithful in presenting all of Scripture to others.

Praying God's Way Gets His Answers

When it comes to prayer, Matthew 7:7-8 provides us with one of the most concise and yet misunderstood set of instructions: "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened."

As we consider this very familiar passage there are a few things we need to note. First are the three ways we are to approach God in prayer...Ask, Seek, Knock. These three things are to be done in connection with each other. We shouldn't be able to do one without doing the others. It's a progression that should not be broken up.

Let's quickly examine each of these steps of prayer. First is the asking. So often I think we misunderstand this important starting point. When we ask we tend to know the general issue at hand. It is during this step that the requests become clarified, as we seek God's will regarding it. Do we take time to ask God what He wants us to pray regarding different issues or do we assume we know what's best and ask God to bless our ideas. One is praying God's will the other is praying our will. God will only answer one type of prayer. He will not become our puppet, doing whatever we want. He will however, answer any prayer that is according to His will.

Second, once we have asked and know what God's will is regarding an issue, then we are to seek it out. There is a vast difference between knowing God's will and doing something about it. Once we know it, we should then pursue it with all that we are and have. This is where we are actively going after God's will and continuing to do so until we have it. When we know the specific will of God regarding an issue we are praying for, nothing should ever make us stop praying for it. Nothing but seeing God's will happen. This seeking is where we put all of our effort and energy into seeing it happen. Is this how we pray?

Third, we need to actually finish the prayer process by receiving the answer. Remember, our asking shows us what we should be praying for. Our seeking is the passionate pursuit of that goal. Now, when the prize is at hand we need to finish strong. So often we get to this point, the answer is right there, and we don't think we deserve it so we pull back. This knocking is where we are asking to receive the answer. We know it is right there and we just need to step up and receive it. Don't stop short, keep praying and when you see the answer just before you, ask God to open the opportunity and give you the strength to grasp it.

Many people come so close to the answers they are seeking because they skip one of these step. May we be faithful and do all of them when in comes to our prayer time with God.

Do You See What I See ... ?

Jesus is teaching in the sermon on the mount when He says the following that is found in Matthew 6:22-23 "The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!"

So what do our eyes tell others about us? Here we see that they tell volumes about us and our soul's condition. So how do our eyes become good our bad? Well, here we find that they are windows to our soul. So they let things directly into our souls. What you look at, watch and read will impact your souls condition. After this stuff is in there then others can see it as clearly as looking into a window. Just a note about windows back then, they were usually just opening with no glass. If you could see in the window then you could see everything. Often times people think that they can hide their 'secret' sin, yet anyone looking at them can see that something is wrong.

We need to guard our eyes/souls protecting them from the evils of the world ... 'be careful little eyes what you see.' Now the best way to guard what we let in our eyes is not by have barriers and blinders up that prevent us from seeing. They best way to guard our eyes is by making sure that they are focused on the right things. The right things are God and His Word. Is this where you re focusing?

Are You Salty Enough?

In Matthew 5:13 we find the following statement from Jesus, "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men."

Here we are reminded of what God has made us to be. We are to be salt which has three major applications in life. First, it is used for purification (least common); second it adds flavor and enhances the flavors around it; third it is a preservative. This is what God has designed all who follow after Him to be.

So are we living up to God's design or are we letting circumstances and people rob us of these properties? Everyone will run out of the ability to 'the salt of the earth' unless we stay connected to the Source. It is only by staying in constant connection with God, allowing that relationship to grow on a daily basis, that we will be able to stay effective. So, how is your relationship with God these days? If you are wondering just look at the lives of those around you and see if you are adding flavor, helping preserve and bringing purity. If you don't see these things happening because of your influence then you know that you need to work on your relationship with Him.

What is it that you want from life and God?

Hosea 10:12 give us an amazing promise regarding what we want in life: "Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until he comes and showers righteousness on you."

What is it that you want from life and God? What we really want is seen in what we are doing right now. If we want the fruit of unfailing or God's love, then we must put in the effort to live according to God's standards of what is right and wrong. Now this is done as He teaches us and we conform our actions to His desires, making Him Lord of all. It is then that we will see the fruit, evidence or reminders of His unfailing love.

Now knowing and acting according to His standards isn't done by pursuing knowledge about the standard ... it is only found in pursuing the One who sets the standard. We are to start seeking God now, and we are to continue until He comes. It's not enough to start and get enough of Him to make us feel good. We are to seek Him continually, knowing Him more and more until we know Him face to face after He has come again.

Are you willing to do this? Are you willing to put in the effort on starting and building a growing relationship with God. A relationship that will last the rest of eternity, changing everything for the better. God has promised this if we are willing to do our part.

Believing and Living the Truth

Thoughts on 2 Peter 1:3-8 "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Do we believe the truth state here? That God has given us everything we need for life and godliness. We often live like God has given us a started kit for life and godliness and we must develop and add to it what is necessary. Yet if we do this we are saying that God's grace is incomplete.

We must take note of what we have been given. Here it is stated as 'through our knowledge of Him.' Often we mistake this for knowledge about God and His ways. However, this is talking about our knowing Him through a growing personal relationship. God has called to us to join Him. The next few verses show us how to develop a deepening relationship with God, one that will not be ineffective or unproductive. This last statement show that our relationship/knowledge of God should always be bring about changes in us producing more and more of God's character in us.

Is this the kind of relationship we have with God or are we more focused on ritual, acquired knowledge and religious habit?

Prayer and the Power of God

Take a look at verse James 5:13-16 "Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. 14 Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."

There are several things to take notice of in these verses. First is the power and prominence of prayer. Prayer, communicating to God should be our natural and first response to every situation that life throws at us. This could be prayer of praise and worship or of intercession.

Second, when we pray as people in right standing with God, those prayers are unstoppable and powerful bringing change to everything prayed for. Do we really believe this? If we do it should be seen in our expectation and anticipation.

Now there is one very important aspect of prayer that is emphasized here that we need to take note of and practice. This kind of prayer is done in community. Yes, we can and should have our private times of prayer. However, we also need regular prayer with and for others Christians in our church. This is prayer with those who know our weaknesses and failures and will stick by our side, praying for us. Do we have this kind of prayer? Do we live in this kind of church? Are we open and honest enough with those God has placed in our lives to receive this kind of prayer? If we can answer yes then we should be seeing the power of God on a regular basis.

Are You Being the Minister God Wants?

Have you ever wondered what God expects from those He has called to be pastors/shepherds? Ezekiel 34:4 is a great summary of what He is looking for and will hold ministers accountable for. Here we find a list of 5 aspects of what ministry should include.

• First, we are to help those who are weak to become stronger.
• Second, we are to help bring health to those who are sick.
• Third, we are to help those who are injured become stable bring them comfort.
• Forth, we need to be encouraging and helping those who are wandering and becoming distracted come back to God.
• Fifth and finally, we are to actively search for the lost ... those who don't know where they are or what condition they are truly in. 

Now you might be thinking, "I'm glad that's not me, I am not a pastor." But the truth is we are all called to be ministers for God. So every church and every person should be involved in doing these things. If we do this, our churches would grow in health, strength and size. So, are you doing your part today?