Category: Devotional

“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Matthew 6:19 -21)

 

“No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else  he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. (Matthew 6:24)”

 

As we start a new series I want you to see a common thread that is weaved through all the parables Jesus told – to create in us a pure devotion to God. Though temptation and trial is common; through it all God would clearly occupy the number one spot in our hearts. As we mature in faith even the passion that would have occupied first place becomes a distant second. Now for our study.

 

I have clients that are stock brokers being responsible for other peoples wealth. Often having retiree’s in their client portfolio. For these clients the income generated from the investments are their livelihood.  Making my clients investment decisions that much more stressful. The fact that the stock market reacts to so many factors, both good and bad, makes monitoring it an everyday job. The market reminds me of a “spooked horse” that bolts at any strange sound. It is very difficult to navigate and establish a coarse when so much is out of your control. In our verses for this study Jesus is clearly making an established course for our lives to follow.

 

We have two verses to study and clearly Jesus is not saying not to invest, which could be misunderstood if we only had the first verse. However with the second verse it becomes more clear as to his intent and which “investment vehicle” is the better. “For where your treasure is there will be your heart also(attention/affection)” and continuing “…. You cannot serve God and mammon.” Serving mammon, or worldly concern will produce worry and anxiety. For the kingdom of man is unstable. However investing into Heavenly treasures by making our faith first will bring stability to our lives. Also “heavenly investments” will produce continued dividends of peace and joy. For God’s Kingdom is not only eternally secure, but it’s dividends are out of this world. Therefore knowing this chose one, “for no man can serve two masters.”

 

To serve is “douleuo” meaning, “to be in subjection to or to be deprived of freedom.” These verses we have discussed in prior Vida’s and understand that “mammon”  includes all worldly possessions and the desire to have them. Materialism would be the English equivalent. Have you ever asked yourself why do we instinctively seek these things? Why is there a desire in us to have things? Having possessions, wealth etc.  fulfills several needs in us. It makes us feel successful like we are actually accomplishing something. It also gives us a sense of security for the “what if’s” in life and the surety that we are able to provide for our family or our own needs if we are single. It can also make us feel prideful especially if we fail to thank The Lord. However we still have not answered the question completely as to why we seek things (objects), emotional support or both.

 

Prior to the “fall” Adam and Eve were “plugged in” to God. He breathed into them the breath of life and they became living beings.  Though Adam was completely formed life did not come into him until God breathed the essence or “spark” of life. To imagine being so pure and complete without a sin nature, yet when man willfully chose to disobey he became “unplugged” from his life source.  For the first time he felt the base emotion of insecurity which produced in him fear. If you think about it all our emotional drive and desire to have has at its very core the feeling of insecurity. Be it jealousy, fear, worry even anger at the root is insecurity because we have been unplugged from God. By being Born Again we allow The Lord back into our lives beginning the “plugged in” process of living. And it is a process of relearning, for though we have the Holy Spirit it is not as what Adam and Eve experienced prior to the fall. For we now have a sin nature. An inborn desire to seek the things that are not of God. A natural rebellion against righteousness. Therefore daily we must choose to serve The Lord. Saying no to our sin nature knowing that “investments” in this world yield temporal dividends that only maintain us here and now.  Versus obedience to the Spirit, “laying up for ourselves treasures in Heaven” which yields eternal rewards. So knowing this were should our heart be? We can truly only serve one. Two opposing Kings (or passions) cannot rule the same land (soul). To be heavenly minded is to live “In Life” and to reap the benefits both here and for eternity.

 

Father God,

The things of this life we need to tend to. You clearly are in favor of hard work and wise investments. However because of them You are crowded out of our lives. Then what may have been good initially has become a very bad investment for us. Help us to see life from an eternal perspective and not be short sighted and only see the concerns of this life. You are bigger than this life. As we parents care for our children you will care for us as well if we let you. Thank you and Amen

 

Move forward in His Grace – Arthur

 

“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of eternal life to which you were called….” (1Timothy 6:10 – 12)

 

When a root goes bad in a mature tree it can often affect as much as a quarter to a third of the tree causing branch dieback and defoliation of the leaves. The reason being is one main root has many small to medium roots that break off into even more smaller roots known as feeder roots. When a main root goes bad, and there can be several reasons for this, the effect on the tree can be catastrophic. Even if the dead branches can be pruned away, the result can be  disfiguring. The tree becomes out of balance making it susceptible to breakage from high winds. Our native Oak is an example of this, and what is true with trees is also true with us.

 

In context to the verse the love of money is a “bad root” affecting all our relationships and actions. Why is this? The answer lies in the word “love.” In the Greek there are four distinct words that refer to specific types or degrees of love. We only have one. We say “I love you” to our spouse and kids, but we also say “I love ice cream” using the same word. Though we understand the “love” is different, the English maintains the same word – the Greek does not.  The word used to describe “love of money” is “Philarguron.” A compound word with “phileo,” which is the word used for family and “arguros” meaning silver, gold, or money. So do we see the problem? Phileo is reserved only for love between people, but to love money to that same degree then is to elevate money to a platform that it does not belong. It is easy to see the damage that can be done because of the distorted position money has assumed in our life. Philadelphia (the city of brotherly love) has “Phileo” in its name and the only love that is stronger is “Agape,” which is God’s love for us.

 

So when we take this kind of love and place it with “Arguros” money, instead of with relationships we can see why it is the root of all kinds of evil and why Paul says, “have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” Wandered is “apoplaniso, to seduce, lead astray or draw aside from the right course.”  Pierced means to be “transfixed, a severe wound, or to be pierced through inflicting injury.” That is the result when loving money is above loving people. Greed is the word we use when so much is done for the love of money. From business decisions, to politics, to people we associate with, even the person we decide to marry, money can be the underlying reason. Money is an idol in our society, a “little god” that we put before The Lord. I have yet to see money stop an argument, make a marriage better, or improve relationships between parent and child. Often it is the problem. It is a poor substitute for friendship and even a poorer substitute for love.

 

“But you man of God flee from all this….” All that we think money represents or the “emotional fill” that we think it will give us – flee it !!!  Peugeo means just that, “make haste, don’t turn back, don’t second guess, change course and do it now! And this is where the problem lies. We turn, but not with conviction. We flee, but leave a trail to the “back door” of our soul. We really are not fully persuaded that The Lord can be all that we need. However, if we do not “pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love….etc.,” how will we really know? The word pursue, “dioko, means to press hard after, to pursue with earnestness and diligence IN ORDER TO OBTAIN.” In other words, there should be an expectancy that in seeking God, the source of all life, that I will find life. The very thing I erroneously think money will give me, Father God will fulfill. God says that “in the day when you search for me with all your heart, I will be found by you.” We often put more effort into our jobs or hobbies than we do with God, and quite honestly God deserves better. We have developed a culture of “lazy Christianity,” if it doesn’t come to me like my “Big Mac,” I’m not willing to put forth the effort. The scriptures invite us to come to The Lord “taste and see that The Lord is good, and a rewarder of those who DILIGENTLY seek Him.”  He is so worth the effort. He’s worth our best – for He gave us His best. Salvation is a gift that is obtained by faith alone. It cannot be worked for, so let’s be clear, but what you do with your gift, how it manifest itself in you and through you has much to do with the times you spend alone with The Lord. I encourage you, make the effort, get alone, “taste and see that The Lord is good!”

 

Father God,

There is still more to be shared in this verse. May the truth shared open our eyes to see how we erroneously have substituted our well being and regulated it to money instead of finding life in You. Forgive us Father and give us wisdom to see the errors of our ways. Cause us to understand that You alone possess the life that elevates us and blesses and strengthens all our relationships. Thank you and Amen

 

Move Forward in His Grace – Arthur

 

Matthew 5:14-16  “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill (as Jerusalem is) cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel (fruit basket), but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

 

To “fight the good fight…” implies a certain degree of well being. It is very difficult, if not impossible to fight anything when not in health, or to be salt or light for that matter. Therefore our goal through these devotions is to encourage spiritual health, which as a result often brings us emotional and physical health as well. However, as a Christian body I have concern that  we are not healthy. Too many of us do not have regular times of Bible study and consequently our witness or testimony falters. Let’s be clear though,  we do not read the Bible to be a good witness. We read the Bible and spend time in prayer so that we grow in intimacy with our Heavenly Father; seeking to be a faithful son or daughter. The effect of that results in my witness or my “light.”

 

To be “Light” than, is to literally overpower the darkness, as in turning on the light in a dark room. This can only happen if our relationship to God is number one. The scriptures call it “your first love” as in foremost. Without this commitment it is so easy to live in the “shadows of faith” where we prioritize other activities before Him. Giving God our “leftovers”  rather than the best of ourselves.  It is so easy to do if purposeful attention is not given. If being busy is all it takes to keep us out of fellowship with The Lord, than say hello to a busy life. For the enemy of your faith will see to it that you stay very, very busy.

 

Sometimes it is not a busy life that keeps us from Him, but a coveted sin that we want to hang on to. When God asks you or me to surrender that desire or burden over to Him and we say no, we can begin to grieve the Holy Spirit even to the point that we break fellowship with Him. Thus diminishing our witness, potentially hurting many of our relationships, and especially with Him. When you place grey against black, the black does not seem so dark. However,  if you place a sheet of white paper against the black the contrast is dramatic. The Bible calls this life in the grey as lukewarm. A mix of cold and hot, or the acceptance of worldly values causing us to  remain out of fellowship with Him. To continue in this state carries with it a warning. A warning that radically changed my life, Revelations 3:15,16 “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert (wish) cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew (spit) thee out of my mouth.” As in when you taste something that has spoiled, we spit it out – same implications.  What causes this condition? “Because thou sayest I am rich, (no need of God) and increased with goods (needs met) and have need of nothing (fully satisfied); but from God’s perspective “… and knowest not that thou art suffering and miserable, and poor and blind, and naked:”

 

The great thing with the Lord is He doesn’t leave us here….” but I counsel thee (meaning to invite us to himself)  to buy of me gold tried in the fire (truth tested and found substantial to support life in the Spirit) that thou mayest be (truly) rich, and white raiment, (forgiven and indwelt with the Spirit) that thou mayest be clothed….As many as I LOVE, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous  therefore (obedience with a passion) and repent Revelations 3:18,19. I read these verses as a young man and it turned me upside down. I knew I was in error living a compromised life. There are always two views. My view- “I’m not perfect but not as bad as others” (an excuse we give ourselves), and God’s view, “I need help and I need it now!”

 

So to fight the good fight, the fight starts here, within myself. We need to stop giving our time to be with The Lord to things that do not produce righteousness in us. Be it T.V., the computer, sports, news, even church programs can all become idols when we put them before our time with God. Until we learn to put God first, stop giving ourselves excuses, and giving in to endless worries, we will flounder in our faith. Compromising the very soul Christ’s died to set free. “Christ likeness”  is an inward to outward change that only comes through obedience. With obedience becoming my hearts desire, being salt and light comes naturally – just like apples on an apple tree. There is no effort to produce the apple, the apple comes naturally. The effort remains with my will and being in obedience to His will. The by product, “the shine or light” is a result of that obedience. The quiet approval of God over my life, that inner knowing that all is well between my Father and I is worth whatever sacrifices or changes I need to make. To know that He is my home is a treasure that no one can take from me.

 

Father God,

Give us ears to hear and a will to obey. Help us to clearly see that our priority needs to be You first. To put anything else before our relationship with you is like building our house (life) on the sand. Why expend all my energy for something that will not stand. Please Father give us hearts that are quick to surrender that which You ask, and quick to repent when You shine your Holy light on us.

Thank you and Amen

 

Move forward in His Grace – Arthur

 

Matthew 5: 14-16  “Ye are the light of the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works, and they glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

 

Prior to starting, a side note. I am aware that some of the Vida’s come out a little awkward with respect to punctuation, spelling etc. I trust that you are able to read past the awkwardness and still receive a blessing from them. Many weeks, work is a handful and a half. Now for our devotion.

 

As with the example of salt, Jesus continues to describe the “effect” of the Holy Spirit in the “surrendering” life  (a work in progress) of a believer. The analogies he uses are examples we can all relate to. The work of the Spirit starts in us and as we continue to abide and grow in faith, He then moves through us. Light is probably an easier analogy for us to grasp than salt which seldom leaves the table in use. However with light, as soon as it gets dark, the lights come on.  In our the homes, or the night lights in the yard, or the flashlight as we walk to the restroom from our tent or trailer. Though we understand the effect and use of light, we would benefit by having a definition. “Light is a form of radiant energy that travels in waves made up of vibrating electric and magnetic fields. These waves have both a frequency and a length, the values of which distinguish light from other forms of energy…” The light we see  “represents a narrow band between ultraviolet light (UV) and infrared energy (heat).”  These light waves therefore are the ones we see, “capable of exciting the eye’s retina, resulting in a visual sensation called sight.”  So when Jesus says we are “the light of the world,” we’re to be seen, but what are our characteristics? In other words, what causes us to shine?

 

Before we answer that let’s better understand the use of the word light  in the scriptures by introducing a super neat expression in Spanish to describe birth. “Va a dar luz,” (going to bring forth light) is one of the expressions used for childbirth (which my youngest daughter 29 yrs. old, just did. So this study is quite timely). In a literal sense there is no light at the time of birth, but there is “life,” and that is what the expression “light”  is trying to capture. There are other conversations were light is often a reference to understanding. As in the expression, “the lights just came on,” meaning, I finally got it. And light, especially natural light, is critical. In nature without sunlight  there can be no life. Plants would cease to photosynthesize, algae and plankton which are the basis of the food chain, would cease in our oceans and lakes. All of life would come to a stand still. In extreme northern or southern lands, such as Alaska which is dark for 2 months or the Antartica where the night period is for six  months, the only light are the stars, and the magnetic sensation  aurora borealis or aurora australis in the South  Pole. And in states where prolonged rain is the norm, depression as well as more serious emotions can result. The term “Cabin Fever, describes a state of restlessness, depression, and irritability caused by an extended period indoors,” often due to inclement weather.  For all of life to exist and do well, light is necessary and sunlight with its infusion of vitamin D is by far the better choice.

 

In John 1: 4&5 the words “life and light ” are used to describe Jesus. The apostle John guided by the Holy Spirit describes Christ  ” in him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in the darkness (referring to man’s soul) and the darkness comprehended it not.”  And verse 11-13 “He came into the world (his own), and the world (his own) received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he the power to become sons (and daughters) of God…”  So clearly light is a metaphor for life, but not just life on the physical plain, but the life of the Spirit which is able to pierce the darkness of our souls and bring us into fellowship with the source of all light and life, God himself. The heart of God, vast and beyond knowing, has one overriding, ardent, driving desire – that He yearns for His creation to come into relationship with Him. As a parent yearns to be reunited to a child that has gone missing, so He yearns. And we can relate to that emotion and understand how He is feeling when “we go missing, at times for the whole of our life.”

 

The light of Christ is the life of Christ given to us by the Holy Spirit. If you have been “born again” you understand the unexplainable sense of God dwelling within your being. A God conscientiousness that starts out as a small voice, but grows into a recognizable direction as God’s Word takes root within our being. Therefore you can also tell when you lose it because you have turned from following him. Several years ago I spoke to a friend of mine, he was in his late twenties. I was sharing about the love of Christ, not being sure where he stood. His reply surprised me and touched me causing me to really pray for him. He  said, “I miss His hugs. You mean you miss your girlfriend’s hugs?” Was my reply. No, he said “His hugs, I miss feeling close to God. Ever since I chose to live with my girlfriend I’ve missed Him and my girlfriend wonders why I don’t make love to her, but I just can’t. Initially I was ok, I could rationalize it, but as time goes on my spirit is dying within me and I can’t continue; but I am not able to break up with her either.” I so felt for him as I could see the sincerity and the pain in his eyes. The “light” had left him, and having known the light (life) the darkness was suffocating him.

 

How I wish that more of us could say “I miss His hugs.” Up to that point,  I only knew that I spoke in those terms, and he being a younger man it was that much more moving. I prayed for him that he would have the strenght and courage to tell his girlfriend that because he loved her and wanted God’s blessing on their relationship that he had to do the right thing. Shortly after that conversation he was transferred and I lost touch with him.

 

We will need to continue next week in our application of being “God’s Light” to a darken world. A partial word of advice. Be mindful of what you call entertainment. There are many non edifying, and at times very violent shows and movies that promote actions contrary to the life of the Spirit.

 

Father God,

We all carry a Cross, that if we are serious about walking and knowing You, really amounts to the “dying” of the carnal nature. In that respect I can be violent, for to entertain that is to entrap my soul. If not dealt with then sooner or later I will wake up and realize that You have left me, I don’t want that. Cause me to have regard for Your Holiness, and honor Your temple within me.  Thank you and Amen

Move Forward in His Grace – Arthur

Matthew 5:13 ” For ye are the salt of the world, but if the salt has lost its taste, where withal can it be salted? It is good for nothing but to be trodden under the foot of man.”

 

In writing out this verse again, a couple things impressed me. I can hear Jesus speaking to his followers and as God Incarnate he says “..ye are the salt of the world.” Not maybe the salt, or for only some people, or ye are one of the “salts” for the world, no, ” ye are the salt (singular – as in exclusive) of the world. I know this statement is somewhat offensive to some, but what other belief outside of Christianity, candidly deals with our sin? So the words are Christ’s, and as the Atoning Sacrifice for man, I believe He has earned the right to speak. It’s up to us to receive or reject His teaching.

 

Next point – ” ye are the salt of the world.” The world is a big place and it has a lot of different people and cultures. Social, economical and educational differences etc., a lot of variety and everyone has their own way of thinking. Given that, Jesus still said that his doctrine and teachings was “salt,” for everyone. All are included, and no one is excluded from being helped, benefitted or cured by “His salt.” People will say to me, “I’m happy for you Arthur that it works for you, but we believe differently.” And I want to say,” It will work for you as well, because it is not a “working” but simply coming into a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Who would not be greatly benefitted by having God love them, God guiding them through life? What a confidence builder. The Gospel works for everybody! In that the Gospel is to be sown in peace, I give them a big hug and pray that The Lord would open their eyes and heart to the Gospel, also making them aware of Vida4U as a starting point if the need arises.

 

” Salt of the world” is a huge mission field, and much of it still needs a lot of “salt.” But obviously we can’t all quit our jobs and go into the “mission field.” However there are  two things we can do. When we share, share in confidence. Jesus said you are the salt, so when someone seems to have his/her act together and it “appears” that they don’t need the gospel, don’t believe the appearance, believe The Lord who created man and knows that man without Him is lost. Especially with people who are affluent. We tend to be intimated thinking,” who am I to share with them,” they obviously are successful. And there we go, falling into the lie and power of the god of materialism. We must first become freed from that god ourselves, and realize Christ words “that a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions, but in knowing God.” Many of the affluent are the poorest among us. Clustered in a life that revolves around them, hindered from ever being able to have meaningful relationships. The gospel is for sinners, I think they qualify.

 

Secondly, the biggest mission field to be “salted” is our own heart. If what we share is not first true within ourselves, then it is just words we are speaking. I would rather speak ten words that are true within me, coming from my heart, than a hundred words that are just head knowledge. When I share from what is true within me, the level of sincerity can be felt. We have classes on apologetics, based on the scripture “give to every man a reason for your faith.” So we study and get to a point that we know the Biblical answer to every question, and at the end of a “debate” we obviously won the argument, but not their heart, they still don’t believe. It is “with the heart that one confesses that Christ is Lord,” not with the intellect. We just spent a whole hour or so doing mental “warfare”  with no effect on the person’s  heart. It is good to have answers, but it is how it is shared that determines the effectiveness of what we are sharing. Who wants to feel they’re being sold something? The person doing the selling has no interest in you, he simply wants to make a sale.

 

Sadly enough we do the same thing with “Eternal Truth,” and it’s wrong. That is why I shared last week the poem “I am a Christian.” Christ did not call us to be His salesmen, but to be His witnesses. A witness repeats what they have seen and heard, what is true with them. Have you heard from Christ lately? When was the last time you spent more than 5 minutes in prayer, or opened the Bible and quietly sat before Him leaving your watch in another room? There’s specific statements I repeat in the Vida’s, and this being the third time I have shared this, “I cannot give to you what I myself do not possess, I am but an “empty vessel,” as we all are. What are you filling yourself up with, “empty calories” – the food and values of the world? Then that is what you will give out, any thing more, unless the Holy Spirit intervenes, will just be head knowledge.

 

So hear the warning from The Lord, ” if the salt has lost its taste,… It is good for nothing other than to be trodden under the foot of man.” If you are getting picked on at work for your faith, “being trodden upon” it’s best that you stop any verbal witnessing and go inward and develop a stronger walk with Christ and let people ask you “for the reason of the hope that lies within you.” God won’t waste your time. If someone needs to hear the gospel, He will have you two meet. First be “His witness.” We are to witness of Christ continually, and on occasion, as The Lord leads, we are to use words. This is another statement I have repeated. The world offers everything, money, sex in abundance, intellectual study, philosophies, “stuck on me,” philanthropic work, charities etc., something for every soul to get locked into. The one thing the world does not offer is God’s Agape love, “He loved us while we were yet sinners.” That’s our roll, but we have to know it for ourselves first, “abide in the vine” and know His love, then allow Him to produce His fruit through us from the knowing of His love. Only a son or daughter has that unique intimacy with their father. We are to have that. Even if we did not have that with our earthly dad, our Heavenly Father wants to have that with us. Tell Him you don’t know what that looks like, He will delight in showing you.

 

Father God,

Again I come before You a little sadden now knowing how complicated I have made it. Do’s and don’ts, acting more like a Pharisee than a follower of Jesus –  who seeks to enjoy the day to day relationship with You. May I learn that through the struggles You are  still with me, allowing the struggles to deepen my dependence upon You. Help me to grow to the point in my walk,  that whether it is “stormy outside” or sunny, that “all is well with my soul,” because of our relationship. Thank you and Amen

 

Move forward in His Grace – Arthur

 

Matthew 5:13. “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt has lost its savour, wherewith shall it be salted (in other words to become salty again)? It is good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under the foot of man. “

 

We are now starting a new series, trusting that we are building truth upon truth, so that your faith is “up” for this coming series that will be equally as challenging as the past series. Based on our topic, we are getting very close to some personal frustrations of mine. Please do not take anything that I might say as personal. If the Holy Spirit uses it to challenge you or speak to you then be obedient and seek His will. My comments are overall frustrations that I have with the way the Christian faith is preached and practiced.

 

We are going back in time when refrigeration was not existent, nor vacuum packed bags or airtight containers to store food. Also in this same time antibiotics were not available to fight infection. For these reasons and countless more, salt was highly prized. It was traded in the ancient world as a commodity (the first Nasdaq, maybe?), and also used as currency just as silver and gold was. Surprisingly,  some current day expressions come from the use of salt as currency. For example, if you purchased a slave, as was the custom in the ancient world, but he didn’t work out the expression ” he’s not worth his salt” would be used.  Also Salt, or Sodium Chloride (it’s chemistry name) was extremely useful as a preservative. So much so that the Egyptians used it for mummification. I know that is a “glorious thought,” a factoid you could not live without. When Napoleon was retreating in the winter of 1812 from his defeat in Russia, thousands of his soldiers died from their wounds because they ran out of salt to prevent infection. ” Salt has also played a vital role in religious rituals in many cultures symbolizing immutable, incorruptible purity.” Salt as an element has very stable chemistry; one of the four most stable composites and it’s use is beneficial both to man and beast alike. “It’s benefit goes beyond knowing history, and its uses both industrial and otherwise are almost without number.”

 

Therefore when Jesus spoke these words, “Ye are the salt of the world,” the people understood. We have only a very limited understanding of salt. Those cultures understood the beneficial and extremely important role salt played. We are to combat and arrest the infectiousness of sin. We are to not only act as a preserving body for society, but as a curative source as well. We are to keep faith moving forward. Stopping moral decay. Which by definition speaks to the downward progression of society left to itself. We are to be of great value to society, “worth our salt” in otherwards, by being useful to society. Helping and aiding as needs arise. But above all,  we are to be “above reproach” immutable and incorruptible holding to the standard of love and holiness, “Be ye holy as I Am Holy.” In Galatians 5:19 we read “the acts of the flesh are obvious: adultery, fornication (the Greek includes hetero and homosexual) impurity and debauchery; idolatry (which includes all these sins, for we are placing them before The Lord) and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissension…drunkenness, orgies and the like… those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Which is the role of the church – to demonstrate a life with God that attracts the unsaved, so that life is saved and not lost.

 

Question, have these sins increased or decreased in our society; or have they just maintained? In other words, have we had any effect in being a purifying agent for society, have we lived above reproach, brought worth and value to people, “treating their wounds?” Or have we just “traded punches,” scraping out our right to exist, maintaining what other generations have done, or are we losing ground? This is a question that we must ask ourselves, and if you believe we have just traded punches, or we are in retreat, then ask yourself why? And since we are all part of a whole, what part have we personally failed in? Have we lost our definition of what it is to be a Christian?

 

There’s a great article that defines what it is to be a Christian that I want to share titled “I am a Christian.”

 

I am a Christian

When I say that “I am a Christian,” I am not shouting that “I am clean living.” I’m whispering “I was lost, but now I’m found and forgiven.”

When I say “I am a Christian,” I don’t speak of this with pride. I’m confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say “I am a Christian,” I’m not trying to be strong. I’m professing that I’m weak and need His strength to carry on.

When I say “I am a Christian,” I’m not bragging of success. I’m admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.

When I say “I am a Christian,” I’m not claiming to be perfect. My flaws are way too visible, but God believes I am worth it.

When I say “I am a Christian,” I still feel the sting of pain. I have my share of heartahes, so I call upon his name.

When I say “I am a Christian” I’m not holier than thou. I’m just a simple sinner who received God’s good grace somehow!

 

 Father God,

It’s hard to confess that I have missed the mark. That the daily cares and worries have somehow clouded over my relationship to You, which in turn affects everything I do. I have acted more like a “good guy/gal,” than one saved and wanting to be an instrument for saving others. I have lost my true purpose by purposely being lost in the daily affairs of work and family life. Help me to regain my “true north” and start living for the Kingdom. Let me be the prodigal that truly comes home. Thank you and Amen

 

Move forward in His Grace – Arthur

Matthew 6:13  ” And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory for ever. Amen “

 

Eisphero is the Greek for “lead,” and basically means ” to bring into.” In Luke 15:16 it is used of the friends of a crippled man who brought their friend, through the roof of a house no less, to Jesus for healing. Temptation in the Greek is ” peirasmos” and it has a negative as well as a positive rendering. If God is doing the ” tempting,” then the word is translated as ” a trial for the point of purifying, for building faith, for learning to rely on The Lord.” If the word is used in reference to satan, it is translated as ” to hurt, to cause injury, to lead into sin, to stumble.” And the same trial can be used either way. If we put our faith into the trial and trust that God is bigger, then the trial builds our faith as we see the Lord work on our behalf. However if we lose faith, or take matters in our own hands, then the same trial can cause injury, pain and lead us into greater sin. The Lord would never lead His people into temptation for our harm, but he always seeks to deliver us from it – for that is the point of the Cross.

 

Aside from what was just shared, this combination of words,” lead us not into temptation” has always been a bit of a mystery to me. However when I pray The Lord’s Prayer, these words do remind me of my humanness and of my total dependence upon The Lord to live this life. The strength is not in me, or in us, to live a life so contrary to our basic nature. At times when life is extra tough, it’s seems as though I’m walking on a tight rope. I can as easily fall to the side of temptation (giving in to the struggles of life, being discouraged or feeling defeated, etc.) as to the side of righteousness ( faith, hope,joy )and that is when this part of the prayer is especially dear to me; ” Lord lead me not into temptation, take into account that I am but flesh, and deliver me from evil…” and it deepens in me a greater awareness of my total dependence on Him. We fall because we become self – confident, we think that a measure of righteousness exists in us and in going through trials that are so pressing, we realize that, that is not true. The truth is our life hangs by the ” thread of faith.” Fortunately, it only takes a thread of faith on our end to usher in all the ” armies of the King of Kings” to our aide. Amen to that!

 

Lord, “deliver us from evil.” God is not the author of evil, though He often gets blamed for it. His heart, as mentioned, is to deliver us from it or grow our faith through it. Rhuo is the Greek word for deliver,  meaning to rescue from someone or something, but the word used is a compound word, Rhuomai which is not only to rescue from, but to bring to, as in the sense of drawing to oneself.  So for every hardship or struggle we undergo, His desire is to draw us to Himself. That we learn to live this life dependent upon him, not independent of Him.

 

Poneros is the word for evil; that which corrupts others, malignant, causing pain, envy etc. Pornography comes from this word. There are those that believe that evil does not exist, just a lesser form of good. That if we raise our conscientiousness, we can self improve and create a world of peace and harmony. If this is true, then Christ, God in the flesh, died in vain. Evil exists in man, and it can be seen on the T.V., read about on the Internet, viewed within every day life, and seen in my own soul. The root of evil is that of loving self, or self centeredness, which is a perversion of how God created us to be. Though many teach and believe this statement,  “how can I love you, if I don’t first love myself?  To the untrained soul, this sounds right. However we are all but empty vessels, always trying to find our own happiness either in each other, philosophies or in things or situations. We are not able to love each other as God loves us. We are taught in scripture that we are to ” abide (dwell in) the love of God.” That his love, like the ever warming sun, fills our soul and in turn we can then truly love others. I cannot give to you what I do not possess. I need to abide in His love; for my love is conditional. As long as you agree with me, I love you . However God places no conditions – He just loves, period. And because He is so passionate towards us, He hates the sin in us that takes us from Him. Any desire, thought or passion that seeks to be an idol of worship, or a philosophy separate from faith in Christ, God opposes it, for it robs from Him the soul that He loves.

 

And how fitting that the verse ends, ” For thine is the kingdom and power and the glory forever.” For no matter how hard the struggle is here, the end is great! God wins, satan loses, and ultimately though we may suffer our defeats and get ourselves into a ” mess of trouble,” God makes it all right in the end. The Lord is so cool, he can take the mess of our life and make a message, he can take the spills and falls and make a testimony of His grace, and ultimately he can take it all and make us His child. Much like a painter takes oils of all shades and paints a work of art, so God takes all our trials, weaknesses and “junk” and “conforms us into the image of his Son.”

 

Father God,

Thank you for this encouragement, and because thy kingdom does come, let us be kingdom people. Let us not walk around defeated or discouraged, but to always be ready to give an answer for the hope the lies within us. Just like the clamour of a busy street distracts, so does the noise of fear, uncertainty, temptation and insecurity distract  us. We will hear those sounds because we are flesh, but help us to hear deeply your voice saying, “in all this I am conforming you into the image of my Son.” Thank you and Amen

 

Move Forward in His Grace – Arthur

Matthew 6:12 “… and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.”

Language changes throughout the years, and what a word meant when it was penned can be different in today’s world. Such is the case with the words “debts” and “debtors.”  Today these  words represent financial obligations and the people who are responsible for those payments. Using a language study aide that explains the original meaning of words is very helpful. It allows me to make current day application. Also knowing what the balance of scripture says about a specific subject is also critical for correct interpretations. However for this Vida, these words are rather straightforward. ‘Opheilema,’ can mean a debt that is strictly due, or an offense, or trespass which requires reparation. A similar word ‘Paraptomata’ meaning to fall by the wayside, error, mistake, or wrongdoing is used in verse 14 in a similar context and translated  trespass, “If you forgive men their trespass, your Father in Heaven will also forgive yours.” So in the same chapter we have three words, ‘debts, debtors and trespass’ used in the same context, that of forgiveness.

In the book of Luke, Luke records the same prayer as Matthew, but instead uses the Greek word “Hamartia” for debt.  Which when translated means ‘to miss the mark, sin, missing the true end and scope of one’s life,’ – which from a Biblical perspective, is to know The Lord. The use of this word is found in archery. The goal of archery is to hit the bullseye, when that is missed, its Hamartia, ‘the mark has been missed.’  It also has a second definition which means “that action was taken to purposely violate a known law.” So in defining debt, debtors or trespass, all three of these definitions are used. My opinion and reading seems to suggest that the full range of “sins,” be it  ” I didn’t know that this was wrong (unintentional),  or  “I’m sorry that I lost my temper” (inherent weakness/ being human), or ” I knew fully it was wrong and I did it anyways,” is all part of forgiveness.  So whatever the sin, unintentional due to human weakness, or planned and calculated, if someone seeks forgiveness through genuine repentance, we are to forgive.

Wait, is that the correct interpretation, does that sound right? Is that what The Lord teaches, or is that our interpretation? There is no mention of repentance from the offending party in either verse. The context of the verse is me seeking forgiveness for my sins from God – which is granted by me forgiving others first. There is no mention of anyone else. This is a prayer between God and I. So the first question is how can I forgive if he or she has not repented? Go back two thousand years, to the Cross, and what were some of Christ’s last words, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do,” some of the greatest words that were ever spoken, revealing to us the “inner chamber of the heart of God.” Were you there to ask for forgiveness? I know I wasn’t, yet the scriptures teach that for once and for all, all sin, past, present and future was atoned for, or nailed to the Cross, as the God/Man Savior died for our sins. So there is no qualification required to forgive someone else, we forgive because we have been forgiven.

What if we are unable to forgive, what then? This is a God question, only God knows your heart and the extent of the pain. However, know this, His pain in receiving ALL OF OUR SINS as He stood there nailed to the Cross, was beyond anyone’s comprehension, and He did it because He loved us. As the verse says “…not that we loved Him, but that He loved us and gave up His life as a ransom (pay back) for ours sins. (Paraphrased 1 John 4:8-10) “The ‘Just One’ for the unjust, so that we may be afforded eternal life.” So now ask yourself, can I now forgive? Two things happen when we forgive. I release all the poison that has been churning in me, damaging me both spiritually, emotionally and physically. That is a bondage of great weight, and it is lifted through my willingness to forgive. Secondly, I also enable God to forgive me, which He has been so desirous to do. And as we forgive others and seek forgiveness from Him, it enables Him to forgive our sins.  So it is true that we have been forgiven at the Cross, but the “application” of that forgiveness happens when we forgive others. It is the same therefore with us. We are to forgive our neighbor, spouse, parent or co- worker, keeping it from festering in our heart, thereby keeping our union intact with the Lord.  However the actual application – that of restoring the relationship back to fellowship, is when they seek forgiveness, thereby restoring the friendship. We have been called to live in liberty, holding on to offenses is anything but that.  There is no offense, though it may be difficult, that would ever justify severing our relationship to The Lord – He is the essence of Life itself.

Father God,

I can only imagine the difficulty of receiving this teaching for some today. I pray for them, that they could deeply understand this devotional, not only from their perspective, but from Yours. You as the Sacrificial Lamb, that received in full the sins of all humanity so that we could be saved and have peace and union with You;  granting us the certainty of salvation as the immeasurable gift you offer. Let us not allow any offense, however painful, prevent us from this. Thank you and Amen

 

Move Forward in His Grace – Arthur

Matthew 6: 11&12 ” Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.”

” Give us this day our daily bread” is almost poetic, so much so, that its significance can easily be overlooked. In verses 25 – 34 of the same chapter, Jesus goes into much detail regarding our physical needs. From that discussion I want to quote verse 26, though I would encourage you to read it all. ” Look at the birds in the sky: They do not sow, or reap, or gather into barns, yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. How much more value are you than they? ” I enjoy praying in the grass/Oak tree preserves where I live, and in the winter I am impressed by all the weeds and trees that bare seed in that time. The little birds look quite well fed – supposedly during a time of year that little is to be found. Therefore I can see how God has created nature, with her growing, fruiting and seed time to provide for His creatures. The question of provision is answered here in verse 11,” Give us our ‘daily’ bread.” Epiousios is the Greek word for “daily,” made up of two compound words, “epi,” to rest upon and ” ousia” meaning substance or provision. Combining the meanings and using the word as an adjective, means to ” rest upon (The Lord) for our daily substance.

Another interpretation of “rest upon,” is to trust. “For the birds do not sow or reap,” but they do search for their Creator’s provisions. And so for us, the example of the birds, something so insignificant as them, yet they are so well provided for, a lesson for us to note. Man is uniquely made in the “image of God,” (Salem – Hebrew for likeness or image) separate from all of God’s other creations. How much more “value” are we? In Genesis 1:25 & 26  we read “God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. Then God said, Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground “…vs. 30 ” and every green herb…, and God saw that it was good.” God goes through much detail to explain how man differs from the rest of His creation and what his role is in creation. Creation (creatures) were created after “their kind,” but we were created after our kind, the ” image” or “likeness” of God (likeness – separate but similar in thought and emotion, at least originally). Therefore if provision is made for creation, how much more are we the “apple of His eye.”

The problem we have of trusting God for our provision is because we really do not know Him or experience His love for us. Therefore we do not realize “how much more value are you than they.” Maybe now after examining the distinction between “creation” and us, we can appreciate our unique standing with God. We are to “rule over and care for,” but we are not the same as. Our identity does not come from the animals or plants, but from The Lord. A major difference when you compare eastern religions or current philosophies to the scriptures. In scripture man is exalted above creation. Made in God’s image. In other beliefs, we are considered equal to or part of. Therefore “give us this day our daily bread” as poetic as it sounds, really means “Father, as your son or daughter,  I trust you for my provision, confident that as I apply effort to provide, You will bless my effort. I thank you for creation, where I can see your provision at work, which in turn encourages me and builds my faith.” We are to pray a prayer of confidence based on our identity of belonging to Him.

One more example, and I will introduce it with a question. In what situation will a child feel as though he/ she has an identity? A child who knows his parents or a child who really never knew them? Our identity, who we are, comes from knowing and having our parents involved in our life. Their involvement gives us our sense of worth as a person. My being is validated by their positive involvement in my life. This is so critical to a healthy self image. I know there are many of us who never really knew, or had positive involvement from one or both of our parents, and it has been a challenge to look in the mirror and feel good about who we are. Now taking this rather painful example, let me ask another question. To believe that the “universe” is your provider, as several religions/philosophies teach, or that The Lord, a personal God who made you in his image, is your provider, which thought makes you feel more secure? And when you consider the person and purpose of Jesus Christ, the concept of God becomes even more personal. As human beings our sense of well being is directly tied to how secure we feel. Our greatest need is to feel secure. And though God is a “complete being,” processing both the leadership and strength of a man, as well as, the tenderness and compassion of a woman, He represents Himself to us as a “Father,”  because more than anything, a good father represents security, and in security,  there is minimal concern for our “daily bread.”  We will discuss forgiveness next week.

Father God,

Open our hearts and eyes to the truth of what was just shared. Help us to make knowing You through prayer and study a priority in our lives. If being busy is all it takes to keep us from spending time with You, then the enemy will always see to it that we are busy. Let us live by priorities and make you first. Thank you and Amen

Move forward in His Grace – Arthur

Matthew 7:9 & 10 ” This, then, is how you should pray: “‘ Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.'”

 

” Our Father in Heaven”… This part is the first stumbling block we have to overcome. As parents, we set the “spiritual track” for our kids to follow. If in raising them they feel valued by us, then it is easier for them to accept that God values them, and the concept of God being a “Father” is reachable. However if we came short of ” filling their cup,” then they will find it difficult to relate and believe that God values them. ” If my parents who gave me life, do not interact with me or value me, then how can I believe that God, who is distant and I cannot see, believe that He values me?” If you question this, then look at your own life. How were you raised, and what is your relationship to God? Is He a task master, teacher, coach or a Father? Many of us do not even know what a “father” looks like. Girls on the street call their pimp “daddy,” a disgracing use for “dad.” When we read “Father” as a description for God, what does that mean? Is He loving or stern, is He interested in you, or is He too busy? If you struggle in believing that God truly loves you, that you matter, the breakdown is not with God but with your rearing, or a life changing event where God came out as the “bad guy.”  And for your parents who were unable to instill worth or value in you, it was because their parents did not instill worth or value in them and the problem just keeps going back. That all must end, we must take ownership of what we have been given, as well as what we have not been given, and stop the poison from going into future generations.

Some of us have been given more, and some less, but God is the equalizer of all things. No matter how deep the chasm, He can fill it. No matter how far the distance, He can reach it. ” Though I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there thy hand shall guide me, your right hand shall hold me fast. If I say , “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become as night around me, even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.” (Psalm 139:9-12) and ” For God so loved ” you” (the world) that He gave his only son (Jesus as ransom for our sin, which separates us from Him) that whoever would believe (trust Him) would not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16). Whatever the “dysfunction, ” however deep the pain or fear, there is remedy and healing in understanding God as “Father.” It will take work, but it is work that is life changing. Study the scriptures that speak of His love and care, purchase a ” Bible Promise booklet” so the scriptures are readily available. Your soul may reject the verses at first, but continuance in the meditation of these scriptures and prayerfully dealing with the hurts that arise, and healing will come. These verses will unlock the heart that fears to believe and the soul that hesitates to open up again. Joy can come, peace and security can be known, in knowing God as Father.

To all who know him as Father, “Hallowed or Holy” is His name. To cry out “Father,” and know you have audience with the “King of Kings, and Lord of Lords”  is to live that life that we have been called to live. And as His sons or daughters, to seek “your Kingdom come”  is to bring an expression of the hope found in Him – in everything you do. How awesome is that? Further to seek “His Kingdom come and His will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven” is to safeguard your soul from so many traps of this world. What power will materialism have over such a life? What temptations can rule in a life that seeks for “His will to be done?”  In living out this verse we protect ourselves, we abide in the power of the Holy Spirit and we bring a sincere witness of “God’s Life” to those whom we love and care for. We will fall, sure, just like a child learning to walk, but do not be discouraged or defeated, rather re – focus on abiding in Him and trust in this promise Psalms 37:23 & 24 “The steps of a good man (or woman) are established by The Lord: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for The Lord  upholdeth him with his hand.” What a neat promise to keep taped to the bathroom mirror, or to the dashboard of your car. What an encouraging verse to think on first thing in the morning, or in your car coming home from a particularly hard day. The more we store up God’s Word in us, the more it will become a reality and a forward moving influence in our lives.

 

Father God,

All of life is work, so why do we believe that growing in faith should just come? You say to study the scriptures as faithful sons or daughters, and to store your word in us so that we sin not against You. This is a fair request. We study for our worldly career, we study material to do our jobs, why would the most important thing in all of life not require ” due diligence” as well? It is You that makes alive the spirit, but we put ourselves ” in class” to listen. Help us to be good students of your Graces. Thank you and Amen

Move forward in His Grace – Arthur