Stay Humble My Friend….

As long as their is breath in our lungs, and we have the ability to relate, we will always have this humbling aspect to our lives. No one is bigger than his/her own “britches”. Arrogance and being over confident is not a character trait the Christian is ever to pursue or display. Pride has a way of robbing us from expierencing God by taking up space the Holy Spirit deserves. How is there room for Him if we are too full of ourselves? All this space filled with "hot air" isn't a worthy trade off. When we get to that place and give in, our next meal just might be a serving of humble pie for dessert. The best remedy for this is to always keep our eyes on the Truth, Jesus. And the Truth says we are never pure and free from sin, not until we reach Heaven will this statement be untrue. Humility is the conduit in which the Holy Spirit works in our lives. As the Dos Equis beer brand says (with a little change of words), “stay humble my friend”.

9 Who can say, “I have cleansed my heart;I am pure and free from sin”? Proverbs 20:9

Stay Focused On The Essentials…

Do you ever have days where you just want to check out of society? Wish you were on a deserted island? Away from any social interactions with another human being? I certainly have. I experience them more and more the older I get. We live in a godless society. Everyone demands their own way. It’s frustrating to me to even want to participate. But then I’m reminded of the answer to this dilemma. We are not home yet. We were never meant to live in such a world. Since sin entered into it and corrupted its ways, we have to live here, but we are to promote the Gospel and make the best of our time here. We are not supposed to get comfortable here. Our comfort and rest will come when we arrive in a Heaven with our Lord Jesus. In the mean time, we are to continue to live with integrity. We are to constantly seek out God. We are to love people, regardless of how they treat us. And we are to not get caught up in worldly matters, for they will change. There’s nothing new under the sun; it’s all been done before, protests, riots, violence, changing of leaders, etc.... The only thing I settle on is the fact that this is all true. I continue to pursue God. And regardless how bad the world gets, I remember God is in control. Things may not be right on earth now, but someday, God will make it right, and assert His justice. That’s a guarantee. Until then, stay focused on the essentials. It’s the power God has given us to sustain us in this life.

13 “O our God, we thank You and praise Your glorious name! 14 But who am I, and who are my people, that we could give anything to You? Everything we have has come from You, and we give You only what You first gave us! 15 We are here for only a moment, visitors and strangers in the land as our ancestors were before us. Our days on earth are like a passing shadow, gone so soon without a trace. 1 Chronicles 29:13-15

Visiting Cornelius’ House….

Cornelius was a Roman military leader. He was also a God-fearing man. The Jews despised Roman soldiers, so Peter visiting Cornelius’ house would have been scandalous for the Church. However, as you read today’s verses, you see God showing Peter that Gentiles are just as important as the Jews were. Notice the irony and similarity of the commands Peter received from the Lord. The first was, “Get up, kill, eat”. The second was, “Get up, go downstairs, and go with them”. It even states “without hesitation, and don’t worry”. The revelation of this new concept, Gentiles and Jews were both clean and unclean, there is no distinction. The Jews were not the only chosen ones by God. Anyone with a willing heart can and will gain access to eternal life, and be given the Holy Spirit as a seal/guarantee of this truth. This passage opens up the door to conversations with unbelievers who don’t think they are worthy of God’s gift of grace (a form of pride). His grace is sufficient and offered to all willing to receive it. You don’t have to be born into a Jewish family to follow God, you just have to be born again. And that is possible through a repentant, honest, and willing heart. Cornelius is a great example in the NT of someone who believed God. He didn’t have the family lineage, religious training, or even a clue of the scope of what the Israelite history was all about. This gives me and everyone else hope. God is Savior of the world, there are no divisions when it comes to His mercy and grace. God’s offer of a relationship with Him is open to all. Have you accepted it yet? If not, why not? If yes, how’s your walk with Him?

1 In Caesarea there lived a Roman army officer named Cornelius, who was a captain of the Italian Regiment. 2 He was a devout, God-fearing man, as was everyone in his household. He gave generously to the poor and prayed regularly to God. 3 One afternoon about three o’clock, he had a vision in which he saw an angel of God coming toward him. “Cornelius!” the angel said.4 Cornelius stared at him in terror. “What is it, sir?” he asked the angel.And the angel replied, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have been received by God as an offering! 5 Now send some men to Joppa, and summon a man named Simon Peter. 6 He is staying with Simon, a tanner who lives near the seashore.”7 As soon as the angel was gone, Cornelius called two of his household servants and a devout soldier, one of his personal attendants. 8 He told them what had happened and sent them off to Joppa. Peter Visits Cornelius 9 The next day as Cornelius’s messengers were nearing the town, Peter went up on the flat roof to pray. It was about noon, 10 and he was hungry. But while a meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. 11 He saw the sky open, and something like a large sheet was let down by its four corners. 12 In the sheet were all sorts of animals, reptiles, and birds. 13 Then a voice said to him, “Get up, Peter; kill and eat them.”14 “No, Lord,” Peter declared. “I have never eaten anything that our Jewish laws have declared impure and unclean.”15 But the voice spoke again: “Do not call something unclean if God has made it clean.” 16 The same vision was repeated three times. Then the sheet was suddenly pulled up to heaven.17 Peter was very perplexed. What could the vision mean? Just then the men sent by Cornelius found Simon’s house. Standing outside the gate, 18 they asked if a man named Simon Peter was staying there.19 Meanwhile, as Peter was puzzling over the vision, the Holy Spirit said to him, “Three men have come looking for you. 20 Get up, go downstairs, and go with them without hesitation. Don’t worry, for I have sent them.”21 So Peter went down and said, “I’m the man you are looking for. Why have you come?”22 They said, “We were sent by Cornelius, a Roman officer. He is a devout and God-fearing man, well respected by all the Jews. A holy angel instructed him to summon you to his house so that he can hear your message.” 23 So Peter invited the men to stay for the night. The next day he went with them, accompanied by some of the brothers from Joppa.24 They arrived in Caesarea the following day. Cornelius was waiting for them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 As Peter entered his home, Cornelius fell at his feet and worshiped him. 26 But Peter pulled him up and said, “Stand up! I’m a human being just like you!” 27 So they talked together and went inside, where many others were assembled.28 Peter told them, “You know it is against our laws for a Jewish man to enter a Gentile home like this or to associate with you. But God has shown me that I should no longer think of anyone as impure or unclean. 29 So I came without objection as soon as I was sent for. Now tell me why you sent for me.”30 Cornelius replied, “Four days ago I was praying in my house about this same time, three o’clock in the afternoon. Suddenly, a man in dazzling clothes was standing in front of me. 31 He told me, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your gifts to the poor have been noticed by God! 32 Now send messengers to Joppa, and summon a man named Simon Peter. He is staying in the home of Simon, a tanner who lives near the seashore.’ 33 So I sent for you at once, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here, waiting before God to hear the message the Lord has given you.” Acts 10:1-33

Ananias Faced A Dilemma…

Ananias faced a dilemma. God told him to go to Saul. If he did this he would certainly be persecuted, probably dragged back to Jerusalem and jailed. Ananias had a choice to make: trust God, or trust his instinct. His fear of persecution influenced his instinct, which opposed God. When these types of situations arise, we must set aside our “feelings” and go with what we know to be true. God will never ask or command us to do anything that would contradict Who He is. I mean God loves us so much that He would never send us out to attempt to do the impossible, if He didn’t have the power to actually do it. He would never send us out on a death mission, if it didn’t serve a purpose. God’s plans always achieve its goal, to bring Himself glory. And if we participate whole-heartedly, we receive the blessing as well. Ananias did just that; he overcame his feelings, and did what God asked him to do. In doing so, he got to witness one of the greatest conversions in all of history. He got to witness a sinful, bound for Hell, human being receive a heart transplant right before his eyes. He got to see the transformational power of God in the “now”. He got to witness evil turn to good. He got to see Saul turn into Paul. All of this happened because he was willing to be obedient to God’s call. The next time you hear the call, don’t ask God to take away your fear (of rejection), ask Him for more love. For perfect love drives out fear. Ananias learned this, and we should learn from this example as well. Obedience requires sacrifice, and that’s exactly what God says He wants from us. It’s our way of showing Him (and more importantly, ourselves) how much we love Him back. It may be hard, but what can compare to the reward?

Now there was a believer in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, calling, “Ananias!”“Yes, Lord!” he replied.11 The Lord said, “Go over to Straight Street, to the house of Judas. When you get there, ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying to Me right now. 12 I have shown him a vision of a man named Ananias coming in and laying hands on him so he can see again.”13 “But Lord,” exclaimed Ananias, “I’ve heard many people talk about the terrible things this man has done to the believers in Jerusalem! 14 And he is authorized by the leading priests to arrest everyone who calls upon Your name.”15 But the Lord said, “Go, for Saul is My chosen instrument to take My message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel. 16 And I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake.”17 So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Acts 9:10c-17

His Idea Of What Religion Was….

The invisible realm of God can only be seen when God removes the scales from our eyes. Seeing “spiritually” is one of the greatest gifts God can give us while we are still on this earth. The ability to see beyond the “now”, beyond the “worldly pleasures”, beyond the “self-centeredness”, is what the Holy Spirit gives us. Saul (Paul) had his scales removed. He no longer was controlled by his “false” sense of religion/duty. His idea of what “religion” was supposed to be like, earning it through works of righteousness, was shattered. He must have been devastated. Knowing what you studied and put into practice your entire life, was now no longer part of your life, must have destroyed his pride. It didn’t last long though. All of his studies and knowledge were now going to be put to the test. A test that would show him what he was really made of, why God chose him. All of his preparations now made crystal, clear sense. All the religious practices now had a purpose, to show the world Who God really was. And what His purpose was for him, to have a real relationship with Him, through Jesus our Lord. In order to become a true believer, a faithful follower of Christ Jesus, we have to repent, lose the scales from our eyes. We must gain the ability to see spiritually. The only way that is possible is by receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit. And the only way that will ever happen is if God grants us that gift. It’s His prerogative, not ours. Prepare your heart by humbling yourself through repentance, or at least be willing to be honest with yourself. So when your “Damascus road” event takes place, you react the same way Saul (the Apostle Paul) did, and you do your part in winning souls to Christ. Thank God today for His wonderful gift of the Holy Spirit, a gift too wonderful for words. Our ability to see beyond what the world sees is directly related to our walk with the Lord. When we are lacking the insight we need, draw closer to the Lord, for He is the only One that has the ability to make us truly see.

So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Instantly something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized. 19 Afterward he ate some food and regained his strength. Acts 9:17-19a I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope He has given to those He called–His holy people who are His rich and glorious inheritance. Ephesians 1:18

A Fickle-Fest….

All humans are fickle. When you put a bunch of them together you get a fickle-fest. We can’t save the world, so why should we even try to fix its problems? The only thing we are commanded to do is to preach the Good News of the Gospel, to love one another, and be obedient to God. We don’t need to worry about what’s on the news, or how badly people behave, or even the state of our economy. We focus on God, and speak truth wherever and whenever the opportunity arises. We do it one person at a time. That’s the most effective way. It doesn’t take great preparation, like writing a speech. It’s just takes a heart in pursuit of God, experiencing Him and His blessings, so that you want others to experience the same. It’s the only cure for fickleness.

The people ate their fill. He gave them what they craved.30 But before they satisfied their craving, while the meat was yet in their mouths,31 the anger of God rose against them,and He killed their strongest men.He struck down the finest of Israel’s young men. 32 But in spite of this, the people kept sinning.Despite His wonders, they refused to trust Him.33 So He ended their lives in failure,their years in terror.34 When God began killing them,they finally sought Him.They repented and took God seriously.35 Then they remembered that God was their rock,that God Most High was their redeemer.36 But all they gave Him was lip service;they lied to Him with their tongues.37 Their hearts were not loyal to Him.They did not keep His covenant.38 Yet He was merciful and forgave their sinsand did not destroy them all.Many times He held back His angerand did not unleash His fury!39 For He remembered that they were merely mortal,gone like a breath of wind that never returns.  Psalms 78:29b-39

In Diametric Opposition…

Selfishness and the Gospel are in diametric opposition with each other. You can’t spread the Gospel from a self-centered point of view. It won’t work. Have you ever tried? I’ve shared the Gospel with certain people and it was met with certain resistance. I wanted them so badly to accept the truth, but for some reason they wouldn’t. I left the conversation a little angry. I was frustrated. I was disappointed. The Gospel was never meant to be forced on people. It’s to be presented in a loving manner, but never watered down. I’ve had experiences where I just spoke truth with no motive behind it, and the recipient received it with joy. It’s all about the condition of the heart. We can’t fix someone else’s b broken heart, we can only speak truth into it, truth that comes from our heart, selfless in motive, full of real love and concern for others. God does the changing. The condition of our heart is the one and only factor that determines the effectiveness of your witness, the Gospel. God is the One Who does the changing. God can use stones to cry out, He doesn’t need us to do it. However, He chooses us to be the main conduit in which the Gospel is presented to the world, for we are His image bearers. And it’s the condition of our heart that determines how effective witness we will be. Selfishness has no part in this process. How’s your heart today?

18 When Simon saw that the Spirit was given when the apostles laid their hands on people, he offered them money to buy this power. 19 “Let me have this power, too,” he exclaimed, “so that when I lay my hands on people, they will receive the Holy Spirit!”20 But Peter replied, “May your money be destroyed with you for thinking God’s gift can be bought! 21 You can have no part in this, for your heart is not right with God. 22 Repent of your wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps He will forgive your evil thoughts, 23 for I can see that you are full of bitter jealousy and are held captive by sin.”24 “Pray to the Lord for me,” Simon exclaimed, “that these terrible things you’ve said won’t happen to me!” Acts 8:18-24