A Watered-Down Version of the Gospel....

We must be careful when preaching the Gospel. We cannot be effective preaching a watered-down version of this Good News. The one way to know if you’re being effective is the truth will offend some people. If you’re not receiving opposition from some people, you’re either in a real Christian circle (among believers), or you’re watering down the Gospel.

11 Dear brothers and sisters, if I were still preaching that you must be circumcised–as some say I do–why am I still being persecuted? If I were no longer preaching salvation through the cross of Christ, no one would be offended. Galatians 5:11

Religion vs Relationship....

Religion is man’s attempt to earn his way to God. It’s a works-based practice. Christians always have to be careful not to fall into this kind of practice. It’s easy to do when we allow ourselves to compare. The thing that a faith-based belief system does that separates it from all other forms of religious practices is this: it’s not dependent on our actions. We don’t have to do anything to earn it. We can’t. It’s all based on something outside of ourselves. Something that is immovable and doesn’t change. It based on what Someone Else has already done, and transferred the honor and outcome to us, on our behalf as if we did it ourselves. By doing this we can’t brag, take credit, think we are better than anyone else. We can only give credit where credit is due, to Jesus alone. This sets up an attitude of gratitude, a selfless-thinking type of attitude. It helps us not focus on ourselves, but rather the One Who granted us this privilege. It equals the playing field, eliminating prejudice, hatred, and discontent. It infused us with hope. It gives us freedom, freedom to live a life free of worry, shame, and regret. Knowing we are forgiven, frees us up to be the people we are meant to be. It’s all based on a gift we’ve been given, a free gift, not earned, or deserved. This plan is marvelously crafted. It’s designed to keep us in check by knowing we are blessed by it, but also grants us the freedom to abound in the things that have no laws: Love, righteousness, mercy, compassion, forgiveness, patience, kindness, humility, tenderness, self-control, empathy, to name a few. Being free from condemnation, knowing we live under grace (God’s free gift), grants us the mindset and power to live in freedom; freedom from everything that holds us back from living a fulfilled life. Now that’s the power of the Gospel. A level playing field for us to showcase the talents God has given us. Does that sound like the most persecuted belief system in the world? It saddens me to know, what people truly want, Christianity has, yet they spend their time trying to find it on their own, turning away from the very answer their heart desires. You won’t find it in religion, only in Jesus. True freedom is found only in obedience to proper restraint. And the freedom found in Christ, truly sets us free.

9 So all who put their faith in Christ share the same blessing Abraham received because of his faith.10 But those who depend on the law to make them right with God are under His curse, for the Scriptures say, “Cursed is everyone who does not observe and obey all the commands that are written in God’s Book of the Law.” 11 So it is clear that no one can be made right with God by trying to keep the law. For the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.” 12 This way of faith is very different from the way of law, which says, “It is through obeying the law that a person has life.”13 But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When He was hung on the cross, He took upon Himself the curse for our wrongdoing. For it is written in the Scriptures, “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” 14 Through Christ Jesus, God has blessed the Gentiles with the same blessing He promised to Abraham, so that we who are believers might receive the promised Holy Spirit through faith. Galatians 3:9-14

22 But the Scriptures declare that we are all prisoners of sin, so we receive God’s promise of freedom only by believing in Jesus Christ. Galatians 3:22

28 There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and God’s promise to Abraham belongs to you. Galatians 3:28-29

Dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to live as I do in freedom from these things, for I have become like you Gentiles–free from those laws. Galatians 4:12a

1 So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law. Galatians 5:1

4 For if you are trying to make yourselves right with God by keeping the law, you have been cut off from Christ! You have fallen away from God’s grace. Galatians 5:4

7 You were running the race so well. Who has held you back from following the truth? 8 It certainly isn’t God, for He is the One who called you to freedom. Galatians 5:7-8

For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. 14 For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Galatians 5:13-14

22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Galatians 5:22-23

4 Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. 5 For we are each responsible for our own conduct. Galatians 6:4-5

4 Even before He made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in His eyes. 5 God decided in advance to adopt us into His own family by bringing us to Himself through Jesus Christ. This is what He wanted to do, and it gave Him great pleasure. Ephesians 1:4-5

If He, Than We....

Isaiah chapter 50 is about Jesus. It’s about His mistreatment before the cross. Reading this gives us hope. If He can suffer for us all, then we can endure hardships for Him as well. Serving God may have its valley of hard times, but in the end, the rewards that await won’t compare to the suffering. “Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe...”

I offered my back to those who beat me and my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard. I did not hide my face from mockery and spitting. 7 Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore, I have set my face like a stone, determined to do His will. And I know that I will not be put to shame. 8 He who gives me justice is near.Who will dare to bring charges against me now?Where are my accusers?Let them appear!9 See, the Sovereign Lord is on my side!Who will declare me guilty?All my enemies will be destroyedlike old clothes that have been eaten by moths! 10 Who among you fears the Lordand obeys His servant?If you are walking in darkness,without a ray of light,trust in the Lordand rely on your God.11 But watch out, you who live in your own lightand warm yourselves by your own fires.This is the reward you will receive from Me:You will soon fall down in great torment. Isaiah 50:6-11

Never Underestimate the Power of God.....

Never underestimate the power of God. Just because it doesn’t happen, doesn’t mean He couldn’t do it. All things are possible with Him. He just determines what those things are, not us.

2 Why was no one there when I came?Why didn’t anyone answer when I called?Is it because I have no power to rescue?No, that is not the reason! For I can speak to the sea and make it dry up! I can turn rivers into deserts covered with dying fish. 3 I dress the skies in darkness,covering them with clothes of mourning.” Isaiah 50:2-3

Protection From Being Put to Shame....

For those who trust in God, He promises to protect us from being put to shame. He doesn’t say no suffering, He says no shame. When you stand on God’s side, honor, integrity, and peace come, regardless of the opposition. When you do the right thing, you never are ashamed for standing for the truth. God honors that by protecting us from all the deceitful attacks, protecting our minds from all of Satan’s ploys.

Those who trust in Me will never be put to shame.” Isaiah 49:23c

Life Sucks Right Now.....

We live in a messed up world. This is not how God designed it to work. We as humans have corrupted it with our sinful desires. So how do we deal with it, what kind of attitude should we have? I’ll be the first to admit, I get down when I see the headlines that run across the feeds on my phone. I don’t have subscriptions to any mainstream media outlets. Even the conservative feeds contribute to the gloom and doom. This is why I always say, “feelings are legit, but often overrated. We have to go with what we know to be true”. This story of the ten lepers is exactly the type of story we need to hear in times like these. Of the 10 lepers healed, only one comes back to thank Jesus. Only one. We need to be like this one grateful, healed leper. We need to be thankful that Jesus not only chose us, but also walks with us. When times are bad, when our outlook on life slips below the “life is good” season, we have to go back to Jesus and thank Him for choosing us. We have to focus our attention on what is good. Jesus said, “only God is good”. If that’s the case, then we need to focus on God. Having an attitude of gratitude is always a good thing, especially when the feelings raging inside of us are screaming “life sucks right now”.

11 As Jesus continued on toward Jerusalem, He reached the border between Galilee and Samaria. 12 As He entered a village there, ten lepers stood at a distance, 13 crying out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”14 He looked at them and said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed of their leprosy.15 One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, “Praise God!” 16 He fell to the ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking Him for what He had done. This man was a Samaritan.17 Jesus asked, “Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? 18 Has no one returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?”19 And Jesus said to the man, “Stand up and go. Your faith has healed you.” Luke 17:11-19

The Love of a Mother....

The love of a mother, who can surpass it? Only God. Chew on this for a while, you’ll realize you are loved more than you’ll ever know. Regardless of how it makes you “feel”, this is something you need to draw from in good times, and in bad. We need to go with what we know to be true, regardless of how we “feel”. God loves you, so much so, He’s written your name on the palms of His hands as a reminder.

15 “Never! can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for the child she has borne? But even if that were possible,I would not forget you! 16 See, I have written your name on the palms of My hands. Always in My mind is a picture of Jerusalem’s walls in ruins. Isaiah 49:15-16

I’ve Failed, I Can’t, I’ve Got Nothing More to Give....

When you get to the point in your life when you say, “I can’t, I’ve failed, I have no more to give”, that’s when your faith responds by deepening your trust in God. When there’s no answer, no hope of it getting better, then your faith opens the door. Its not magical, it just allows us to reach deep down inside to find strength and endure through it. It’s not our own doing, it’s God’s doing. If we can adopt (by asking God) a true, trusting attitude, we will whole-heartedly learn to walk by faith, and not by sight. Like Job, Abraham, Daniel’s three friends, and many others, when life throws us in turmoils, our faith is what gets us through. Of course it’s the Object in which we place our faith that makes the difference. And that of course is God, Himself.

4 I replied, “But my work seems so useless!I have spent my strength for nothing and to no purpose. Yet I leave it all in the Lord’s hand; I will trust God for my reward.” Isaiah 49:4

Dogs, Vomit, and Foolishness....

I often watch my dogs go outside. When their stomach is uneasy they eat grass. I don’t exactly know why, but soon they are vomiting up the contents of their stomach. It’s gross, but what they usually do next is even worse. They begin to lick up the vomit. I wonder, “if the contents of their stomach cause it to be upset, then why when they expel it out then want to put it back in?” The answer is simple, they are dogs. They are animals doing what their instincts tell them to do. They don’t realize that this practice is detrimental to the outcome. When they do it, I have to go get them away from their own vomit. As with the foolishness of my dogs, so it is with people who never learn from their own mistakes. They repeat them, but expect different results. It is also foolish to believe something about yourself that is not true. When you pretend to be someone or something you’re not, you’ll be pretending the rest of your life. Pretending doesn’t change you, real consequences do. And that only happens when you are honest with yourself. True fools don’t ever learn. And arrogant fools have no virtue. Foolishness is not a practice that God honors. And worse yet, it takes hard work to find a group willing to accept one.

11 As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his foolishness. 12 There is more hope for fools than for people who think they are wise. Proverbs 26:11-12

The Sooner We Get This....

God is in control. When He calls out the stars, they all appear in order. And we think highly of ourselves, enough to disobey and rebel. Wow! The saddest news you’ll ever hear is when you realize you’re a sinner, a guilty condemned human being destined for Hell, and there’s nothing you can do to stop it. This news is terrible. So what do you do? Throw yourself at the feet of the Judge, and beg for mercy. The great news about this bad news is that when you do this, the best news of your life becomes a reality. Only then do we discover the vastness of God’s mercy and grace. We see God wants to teach us what’s good for us, and leads us along the path we should follow. When we listen and take heed, peace flows in our lives, and righteousness begins to transform us. There is no need for discipline when we live and follow God’s commands. God is in control. His best is our best. The sooner we “get this”, the longer we have to live under His grace, and help show others this redeeming truth.

13 It was My hand that laid the foundations of the earth,My right hand that spread out the heavens above.When I call out the stars,they all appear in order. Isaiah 48:13

This is what the Lord says– your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:“I am the Lord your God,who teaches you what is good for youand leads you along the paths you should follow.18 Oh, that you had listened to My commands!Then you would have had peace flowing like a gentle riverand righteousness rolling over you like waves in the sea.19 Your descendants would have been like the sands along the seashore–too many to count!There would have been no need for your destruction,or for cutting off your family name.” Isaiah 48:17c-19

22 “But there is no peace for the wicked,”says the Lord. Isaiah 48:22

Unbelievers Take Part in God’s Plan...

When it comes to responsibility, even unbelievers have to take part in God’s plan. What I mean is when God uses unbelievers to play a role in His plan, especially when He uses them to discipline His children, there is an expected level of responsibility that goes along with it. The Babylonians abused their role in God’s plan, and so, paid the ultimate price. We as human beings have to be responsible, regardless of what we believe. How we treat others matters. It’s sad when you think about the attitudes and direction America is going today. People want their freedom, they want their rights, but they are not willing to accept the responsibility that goes along with those rights. These checks and balances are what makes our republic work. Without them, our structure will not last. People will do anything for money; lie, steal, cheat, or even kill for it. They think this monetary reward will bring them something incredible. The truth is, it will bring them something incredible, but it’s incredibly painful and destructive. You can’t have freedom and rights without responsibility. Life doesn’t work that way. You may enjoy your freedom for a short while, but it will eventually crumble without responsibility. True freedom is always balanced with proper restraint. Without God, it’s not possible.

For I was angry with My chosen people and punished them by letting them fall into your hands.But you, Babylon, showed them no mercy.You oppressed even the elderly.7 You said, ‘I will reign forever as queen of the world!’You did not reflect on your actionsor think about their consequences. 8 “Listen to this, you pleasure-loving kingdom,living at ease and feeling secure.You say, ‘I am the only one, and there is no other.I will never be a widow or lose my children.’9 Well, both these things will come upon you in a moment:widowhood and the loss of your children.Yes, these calamities will come upon you,despite all your witchcraft and magic. 10 “You felt secure in your wickedness.‘No one sees me,’ you said.But your ‘wisdom’ and ‘knowledge’ have led you astray,and you said, ‘I am the only one, and there is no other.’11 So disaster will overtake you,and you won’t be able to charm it away.Calamity will fall upon you,and you won’t be able to buy your way out.A catastrophe will strike you suddenly,one for which you are not prepared. Isaiah 47:6-11

You Never Know What You’re Gonna Get...

In the movie “Forrest Gump” the main character repeats a phrase his mother used to tell him as a child, “Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get”. This saying is a good example of proverbs 26:10. If an employer hires a fool, everyday will be an adventure, “you’ll never know what you’re gonna get (from them)”. The down side to this is “what you get” won’t be sweet at all. It will be random, and unpredictable, lacking any kind of consistency that brings productivity into play. Your hiring process should be readily thought out, and very thorough. It won’t guarantee you hire the best, but it will reduce the chances of hiring a fool.

10 An employer who hires a fool or a bystander is like an archer who shoots at random. Proverbs 26:10

Man was Created to Worship...

Man was created to worship God. If he chooses not to, he will worship something else. It’s in our DNA.

5 “To whom will you compare Me? Who is My equal? 6 Some people pour out their silver and gold and hire a craftsman to make a god from it. Then they bow down and worship it! 7 They carry it around on their shoulders, and when they set it down, it stays there. It can’t even move!And when someone prays to it, there is no answer. It can’t rescue anyone from trouble. Isaiah 46:5-7

God is Knowable....

Christians serve a God Who can be found, unlike all the other religions out there. There is only one God, and He is knowable; a personable, relatable Being. The problem with those who don’t follow Him (or bad-mouth Him) is one little known fact; they don’t try to know Him. The searchable riches found in Christ are there, for everyone that seeks Him out. I wouldn’t say this if it weren’t true.

18 For the Lord is God,and He created the heavens and earth and put everything in place.He made the world to be lived in, not to be a place of empty chaos.“ I am the Lord,” He says,“and there is no other.19 I publicly proclaim bold promises. I do not whisper obscurities in some dark corner. I would not have told the people of Israel to seek Me if I could not be found. I, the Lord, speak only what is true and declare only what is right. Isaiah 45:18-19

Honoring Fools....

Think about all the money, time, and energy wasted in honoring fools. It happens in politics, businesses, organizations, and families. There are two of recent that still blow my mind when I think about them. A man is awarded the noble peace prize for being of a certain race (he did nothing, but was honored). And another man is honored for kneeling during our national anthem. He promoted change, but did not vote (clearly revealing his selfish, delirious motives). He gets acclaimed “most influential”, when he’s done nothing worthy of an award. It’s the world that honors fools. It’s like tying a stone to a slingshot, senseless, and totally defeating the purpose of the weapon. So the next time you read about either man, just think of that useless slingshot, and pray that the influence they have will either be diminished, or God will spur in their heart truth, so something good will come out of them. Honoring fools is a senseless, time and money wasting event. When you see it happening, thank God His Word rings true.

8 Honoring a fool is as foolish as tying a stone to a slingshot. Proverbs 26:8

The “Why”....

As I read through Isaiah chapter 43 I cannot help but to think about the “why?” of our creation, the purpose in pursuing God, and the difference between our God and all the false ones being worshipped in the world today.

7 Bring all who claim Me as their God,for I have made them for My glory.It was I who created them.’ ” 8 Bring out the people who have eyes but are blind,who have ears but are deaf.9 Gather the nations together!Assemble the peoples of the world!Which of their idols has ever foretold such things?Which can predict what will happen tomorrow?Where are the witnesses of such predictions?Who can verify that they spoke the truth? 10 “But you are My witnesses, O Israel!” says the Lord.“You are My servant.You have been chosen to know Me, believe in Me,and understand that I alone am God.There is no other God–there never has been, and there never will be.11 I, yes I, am the Lord,and there is no other Savior.12 First I predicted your rescue,then I saved you and proclaimed it to the world. No foreign god has ever done this.You are witnesses that I am the only God,”says the Lord.13 “From eternity to eternity I am God.No one can snatch anyone out of My hand.No one can undo what I have done.” Isaiah 43:7-13

Refusal to Act.....

I always wondered about our sinful nature. What exactly does it mean? What does it look like? Here’s an example in Isaiah chapter 42 that helped me understand. It’s not ignorance, rather the refusal to act on what you know to be right and true. You know it, but refuse to listen. This is the core of our sinful nature. It’s like refusing to accept 2+2=4. We argue against it, behave in a way contrary to it, then try to justify our actions as a result. It’s not until every single human being acknowledges this truth, that we all possess this trait, that we begin to grasp the magnitude of God’s grace.

20 You see and recognize what is right but refuse to act on it. You hear with your ears, but you don’t really listen.” Isaiah 42:20

The Gift or Giver....

How do you treat the One Who gives you your next breath? With each breath you are given life. What you do with your life reveals the gratitude or contempt you have for your Maker. If you truly think about it, you only have a limited number of breaths left. Are you going to live them out serving yourself, or serving God and others? Before you answer, consider this: what’s more important, the gift itself, or the Giver of the gift?

God, the Lord, created the heavens and stretched them out. He created the earth and everything in it. He gives breath to everyone, life to everyone who walks the earth. Isaiah 42:5a

God Challenges False Idols...

Those who worship false idols pollute themselves. When this stagnate refuse becomes intolerable, there’s no justification in blaming God for their woes. God challenges these idols. He says, “present the case for your idols”. God asks to prove they’re real. He tells us that these “false idols” can’t explain our past, and can’t predict our future (like He can). All idols can’t help you. They are worthless and foolish. All idols are as empty as the wind. And yet people still worship them, and base their existence around them. Think about some modern day idols: money, possessions, fame, beauty, relationships, religions, attitudes, desires, to name a few. Now you see how people’s thinking gets so polluted. It all starts to make sense, doesn’t it? When you follow a false idol, your thinking becomes false. It’s Satan’s way of deceiving you, polluting your mind.

21 “Present the case for your idols,”says the Lord.“Let them show what they can do,”says the King of Israel.22 “Let them try to tell us what happened long agoso that we may consider the evidence.Or let them tell us what the future holds,so we can know what’s going to happen.23 Yes, tell us what will occur in the days ahead.Then we will know you are gods.In fact, do anything–good or bad!Do something that will amaze and frighten us.24 But no! You are less than nothing and can do nothing at all.Those who choose you pollute themselves. Isaiah 41:21-24

8 Not one of your idols told you this.Not one gave any answer when I asked.29 See, they are all foolish, worthless things.All your idols are as empty as the wind. Isaiah 41:28-29

Categorize and Segregate....

The funny thing about fickle man is his ability to categorize when he wants to, and segregate when he sees fit. This hypocrisy is in all of us. The only two categories we were ever meant to be labeled are saints and sinners. We are all sinners, which makes us equal. Those that believe (trust in Christ) become saints. Saints are still sinners, just forgiven. Forgiven sinners know their place, so they don’t abuse this sanctified category. When it’s all said and done you’re either a condemned sinner, or a sanctified one. The point is, we are all sinners, we don’t need to try to act like saints. When we are saved, we adopt the label saint, but should never try to act like one, in the sense of comparison. We are no better than unbelievers, just better off. Our attitude needs to reflect this gift of grace. It gives us confidence, knowing we are saved, but we have no right adopting an attitude of superiority. It’s God Who grants this grace, not because of any special work we can do. We cannot begin to grasp the depths of God’s grace, until we begin to grasp the depths of our lostness, our sin. Be who you are, and stop trying to compare. Comparison is the killer of contentment. The second we think we are saints, we must realize we are still sinners as well. This will keep you humble, and effective in your witness for the kingdom.

When I saw that they were not following the truth of the gospel message, I said to Peter in front of all the others, “Since you, a Jew by birth, have discarded the Jewish laws and are living like a Gentile, why are you now trying to make these Gentiles follow the Jewish traditions?15 “You and I are Jews by birth, not ‘sinners’ like the Gentiles. 16 Yet we know that a person is made right with God by faith in Jesus Christ, not by obeying the law. And we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we might be made right with God because of our faith in Christ, not because we have obeyed the law. For no one will ever be made right with God by obeying the law.” Galatians 2:14-16

Why We Fight, Oppose, and Care....

Why do we fight the opposition? Why do we oppose those with a worldly agenda? Why do we care if someone wants to redefine important words? Because we want to preserve the truth of the gospel message for all those destined to hear it.

5 But we refused to give in to them for a single moment. We wanted to preserve the truth of the gospel message for you. Galatians 2:5

It’s Knowing He is Enough....

It says in the 10 Commandments that we shouldn’t try to make a graven image of God. Why? Because it’s not possible. We can’t summarize God in one single image, or painting, or book. He is too great. If we were to try, we would fail. And worse yet, we would start worshipping the created (but failed) attempt. That’s how man works. God knows this. It’s why He told us not to do it. It keeps us on our toes. It keeps us pursuing. We can’t fully grasp the concept of Who He is, at least not while we are here on this earth, in these bodies, with our finite minds. We cannot even fathom the resemblance of God. And that’s how He wants it. God gives us enough. We must settle for pursuing Him, gaining more insight in that pursuit. Our relationship isn’t based on what kind of box we can put Him in, it’s knowing Him personally. It’s knowing He is enough, regardless if we can fully describe Him.

 12 Who else has held the oceans in his hand?Who has measured off the heavens with his fingers?Who else knows the weight of the earthor has weighed the mountains and hills on a scale?13 Who is able to advise the Spirit of the Lord?Who knows enough to give Him advice or teach Him?14 Has the Lord ever needed anyone’s advice?Does He need instruction about what is good?Did someone teach Him what is rightor show Him the path of justice? 15 No, for all the nations of the worldare but a drop in the bucket.They are nothing morethan dust on the scales.He picks up the whole earthas though it were a grain of sand.16 All the wood in Lebanon’s forestsand all Lebanon’s animals would not be enoughto make a burnt offering worthy of our God.17 The nations of the world are worth nothing to Him.In His eyes they count for less than nothing–mere emptiness and froth. 18 To whom can you compare God?What image can you find to resemble Him?19 Can He be compared to an idol formed in a mold,overlaid with gold, and decorated with silver chains?20 Or if people are too poor for that,they might at least choose wood that won’t decayand a skilled craftsmanto carve an image that won’t fall down! 21 Haven’t you heard? Don’t you understand?Are you deaf to the words of God–the words He gave before the world began?Are you so ignorant?22 God sits above the circle of the earth.The people below seem like grasshoppers to Him!He spreads out the heavens like a curtainand makes His tent from them.23 He judges the great people of the worldand brings them all to nothing.24 They hardly get started, barely taking root,when He blows on them and they wither.The wind carries them off like chaff. 25 “To whom will you compare Me?Who is My equal?” asks the Holy One. 26 Look up into the heavens.Who created all the stars?He brings them out like an army, one after another,calling each by its name.Because of His great power and incomparable strength,not a single one is missing.27 O Jacob, how can you say the Lord does not see your troubles?O Israel, how can you say God ignores your rights?28 Have you never heard?Have you never understood?The Lord is the everlasting God,the Creator of all the earth.He never grows weak or weary.No one can measure the depths of His understanding.29 He gives power to the weakand strength to the powerless.30 Even youths will become weak and tired,and young men will fall in exhaustion.31 But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.They will soar high on wings like eagles.They will run and not grow weary.They will walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:12-31

God’s Word Withstands All Tests...

God’s word withstands all tests, including time, even when His timing doesn’t fit within our expected timeframe. It’s eternal; working here on earth and beyond.

8 The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever.” Isaiah 40:8

Vanity Has an Expiration Date....

With all the emphasis placed on physical looks these days, I just want to mention that vanity has an expiration date (a slow, and sometimes painful, process for those that hold on too tight). Physical beauty is so misunderstood. It’s determined by the viewer, not the person trying to keep it. It lasts a short while, then is gone. And it’s misplaced, on the outside instead of the inside. Physical beauty and vanity don’t last. Cherish it without hanging onto it.

6 A voice said, “Shout!”I asked, “What should I shout?” “Shout that people are like the grass. Their beauty fades as quickly as the flowers in a field.7 The grass withers and the flowers fade beneath the breath of the Lord. And so it is with people. Isaiah 40:6-7

The Best Evidence....

The best evidence of God’s existence and truth is a changed life, one that pursues God. The Holy Spirit empowers us to live that changed life. Are you making room for Him to work in you?

You know what I was like when I followed the Jewish religion–how I violently persecuted God’s church. I did my best to destroy it. 14 I was far ahead of my fellow Jews in my zeal for the traditions of my ancestors.15 But even before I was born, God chose me and called me by His marvelous grace. Then it pleased Him 16 to reveal His Son to me so that I would proclaim the Good News about Jesus to the Gentiles.When this happened, I did not rush out to consult with any human being. 17 Nor did I go up to Jerusalem to consult with those who were apostles before I was. Instead, I went away into Arabia, and later I returned to the city of Damascus.18 Then three years later I went to Jerusalem to get to know Peter, and I stayed with him for fifteen days. 19 The only other apostle I met at that time was James, the Lord’s brother. 20 I declare before God that what I am writing to you is not a lie.21 After that visit I went north into the provinces of Syria and Cilicia. 22 And still the Christians in the churches in Judea didn’t know me personally. 23 All they knew was that people were saying, “The one who used to persecute us is now preaching the very faith he tried to destroy!” 24 And they praised God because of me. Galatians 1:13-24

Serving Jesus isn’t Politically Correct....

Never forget this, it’s very rare, pleasing God means offending people. You can't please God and the majority at the same time. Serving Christ isn’t politically correct; it never will be. Chose today, Whom you will serve.

10 Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant. Galatians 1:10

The Relationship Between God and Man....

The relationship between God and man is an interesting one. Man abuses his privileges, takes God for granted, then complains and blames God for his troubles. Man in fickle. God knows this, yet He still extends His grace to us. It’s humorous that man can act so confidently arrogant, as if he is God Himself. Man thinks he accomplishes great tasks, conquers many mountains, and deserves praise. In actuality, God has written out HIStory long before you and I are born. What does God want from us? To be honest with ourselves, to go to Him with all things, and to realize He’s in control and accept it. Here in Isaiah chapter 37 we see two contrasts in response to God’s sovereignty. King Hezekiah, who of all the Kings of Judah was most like King David, throws himself at the mercy of God and cries out for help (from Him). King Sennacherib (on the other hand), king of Assyria, arrogantly mocks God, and thinks he can conquer Jerusalem, gets his eyes opened when an angel from God kills 185,000 of his troops. When he arrives home, his own two sons kill him. These two reactions to God help paint a clearer picture of the type of attitude and outlook on life God wants us to have. We can pursue God, trusting Him in all things, not fretting over “things”, or we can forget God, thinking we are “in control”, only to find out that we are dead wrong (stumbling through life). These two views are more common than you think. They only vary in degrees. The bottom line is that God is in control, we are not. Your attitude toward this will either lead you towards Him or away from Him. To me, my response is to pursue Him daily. If I fail in my pursuit, then I fail trying to know Him. This is all I know. And it’s what I will continue to do the rest of my life. The alternative isn’t an option for me. It a lie. If I were to deny this truth, I would live my life pretending. I’m not a pretender. Are you?

14 After Hezekiah received the letter from the messengers and read it, he went up to the Lord’s Temple and spread it out before the Lord. 15 And Hezekiah prayed this prayer before the Lord: 16 “O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, God of Israel, You are enthroned between the mighty cherubim! You alone are God of all the kingdoms of the earth. You alone created the heavens and the earth. 17 Bend down, O Lord, and listen! Open Your eyes, O Lord, and see! Listen to Sennacherib’s words of defiance against the living God.18 “It is true, Lord, that the kings of Assyria have destroyed all these nations. 19 And they have thrown the gods of these nations into the fire and burned them. But of course the Assyrians could destroy them! They were not gods at all–only idols of wood and stone shaped by human hands. 20 Now, O Lord our God, rescue us from his power; then all the kingdoms of the earth will know that You alone, O Lord, are God.” Isaiah Predicts Judah’s Deliverance 21 Then Isaiah son of Amoz sent this message to Hezekiah: “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: Because you prayed about King Sennacherib of Assyria, 22 the Lord has spoken this word against him: “The virgin daughter of Ziondespises you and laughs at you.The daughter of Jerusalemshakes her head in derision as you flee. 23 “Whom have you been defying and ridiculing?Against whom did you raise your voice?At whom did you look with such haughty eyes?It was the Holy One of Israel!24 By your messengers you have defied the Lord.You have said, ‘With my many chariotsI have conquered the highest mountains–yes, the remotest peaks of Lebanon.I have cut down its tallest cedarsand its finest cypress trees.I have reached its farthest heightsand explored its deepest forests.25 I have dug wells in many foreign landsand refreshed myself with their water.With the sole of my foot,I stopped up all the rivers of Egypt!’ 26 “But have you not heard?I decided this long ago.Long ago I planned it,and now I am making it happen.I planned for you to crush fortified citiesinto heaps of rubble.27 That is why their people have so little powerand are so frightened and confused.They are as weak as grass,as easily trampled as tender green shoots.They are like grass sprouting on a housetop,scorched before it can grow lush and tall. 28 “But I know you well–where you stayand when you come and go.I know the way you have raged against Me.29 And because of your raging against Meand your arrogance, which I have heard for Myself,I will put My hook in your noseand My bit in your mouth.I will make you returnby the same road on which you came.” 30 Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Here is the proof that what I say is true: “This year you will eat only what grows up by itself,and next year you will eat what springs up from that.But in the third year you will plant crops and harvest them;you will tend vineyards and eat their fruit.31 And you who are left in Judah,who have escaped the ravages of the siege,will put roots down in your own soiland grow up and flourish.32 For a remnant of My people will spread out from Jerusalem,a group of survivors from Mount Zion.The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armieswill make this happen! 33 “And this is what the Lord says about the king of Assyria: “ ‘His armies will not enter Jerusalem.They will not even shoot an arrow at it.They will not march outside its gates with their shieldsnor build banks of earth against its walls.34 The king will return to his own countryby the same road on which he came.He will not enter this city,’says the Lord.35 ‘For My own honor and for the sake of My servant David,I will defend this city and protect it.’ ” 36 That night the angel of the Lord went out to the Assyrian camp and killed 185 ,000 Assyrian soldiers. When the surviving Assyrians woke up the next morning, they found corpses everywhere. 37 Then King Sennacherib of Assyria broke camp and returned to his own land. He went home to his capital of Nineveh and stayed there.38 One day while he was worshiping in the temple of his god Nisroch, his sons Adrammelech and Sharezer killed him with their swords. They then escaped to the land of Ararat, and another son, Esarhaddon, became the next king of Assyria. Isaiah 37:14-38

God’s Strength is Perfected in Our Weaknesses....

You’ve heard the verse, “God’s strength is perfected in our weaknesses”. Paul talks about this here in 2 Corinthians chapter 12. I can’t say I fully understand this truth, but I can give you two insights to help further your understanding of it. First, when we stop trying to fix the problem, and give up our pridefulness, it’s like emptying ourselves so God can fill us up. It’s like pouring out luke warm water in order to fill it with ice cold water. We need to get out of the way and let God do “His thing”. Secondly, Paul was taken up to the “3rd Heaven” (as he called it), so he got a glimpse of our future. He got to experience what those that believe will someday experience. It made him stronger. So much so, it refined his view of things so much, that when he suffered, was beaten, or persecuted for his faith, during these times of weakness, he was strong knowing what lies ahead. So when he was weak, he was hopeful and expectant of the reward he would receive. This made him strong. If you know the “end of the story”, if you know the outcome, when the tough times come, that knowledge, that expectant hope, will strengthen you. Strengthen you enough to endure, to tough it out. This might just be the “strength” he talks about when he boasts about his weaknesses.

1 This boasting will do no good, but I must go on. I will reluctantly tell about visions and revelations from the Lord. 2 I was caught up to the third heaven fourteen years ago. Whether I was in my body or out of my body, I don’t know–only God knows. 3 Yes, only God knows whether I was in my body or outside my body. But I do know 4 that I was caught up to paradise and heard things so astounding that they cannot be expressed in words, things no human is allowed to tell.5 That experience is worth boasting about, but I’m not going to do it. I will boast only about my weaknesses. 6 If I wanted to boast, I would be no fool in doing so, because I would be telling the truth. But I won’t do it, because I don’t want anyone to give me credit beyond what they can see in my life or hear in my message, 7 even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. 8 Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. 9 Each time He said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 10 That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:1-8

What Separates True Believers from Pretenders..

What separates the true believers from the pretenders is this: true believers accept truth regardless of the cost. Pretenders can’t be honest with themselves. That’s why they have to pretend. It’s like living life going through the motions, and expecting to savor what it has to offer. It’s like not exercising, but expecting to get “in shape”. None of us are perfect. Those that examine themselves, and test their own faith, grow closer and deepen their relationship with God. The ability to be honest with oneself is the true mark of a authentic believer of God.

5 Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith. 2 Corinthians 13:5

Stand with Truth....

As a Christian, I must always believe in truth. I must always defend honoring truth. Even if it means persecution, pain, and suffering. Truth matters. It matters so much that Paul tells us this very thing. If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything. Truth will defend itself, always. Our job is to stand on truth’s side. When you know the truth, it sets you free. When we stand with truth, we stand with God.

8 For we cannot oppose the truth, but must always stand for the truth. 2 Corinthians 13:8