“These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood…. (Feet that be swift in running to mischief). (Proverbs 6: 16, 17, 18b)
Before we were born again, every single one of us had feet that were swift in running to mischief. Most men like to think that before they were saved they were basically good people, but for those of us who blew it big time, we don’t have that delusion often. God says that no man upon the earth is righteous on his own. None of us understood God or sought after Him. (Romans 3:10-11) Not only did we manage to get into mischief but we also ran to it. This truth flies in the face of our assumption that we were inherently good people before being born again. Once we became followers of Jesus, we received His righteousness, but we must be cautious not to delude ourselves into thinking that we are righteous on our own accord. Our salvation is a gift from God, given by grace through faith. Our works are as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6), so we cannot boast that salvation came by anything that we did. “He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.” (I Corinthians 1:31) The Lord God hates feet that run to mischief because it is the epitome of man’s rebellious attitude toward God. Sin necessitated that Jesus had to die on Calvary’s cross. His unfathomably cruel death came as a direct result of our disobedience. When men continue to run to mischief and refuse to accept the completed redemptive work of Jesus, the Father becomes angry. Neither is there salvation in any other: “for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12). No longer should men of God run to mischief, but we should flee even the appearance of evil.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Hear, Listen and Follow
“Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.” (Proverbs 8:33).
When I was a teenager, my parents would tell me to do something, and my blood would boil. I had come to resent their authority over me so much that I bristled at the mere suggestion that I should heed their advice. As a result, I endured a lot of headache and heartache that I could have easily avoided. Here I was a spoiled, rebellious, obnoxious teenager with absolutely zero life experience, no job or income, and I thought I knew best and should be running the show. Only a parent’s love can endure the chaos, cruelty and absurdity of the teenage years. My parents were patient and loving, and because of their prayers and the grace of God, I made it through those turbulent years and now see the error of my ways. Nevertheless, I brought my parents a lot of pain. I know it hurt them tremendously when they gave me good instruction, and I refused it. Think for a moment how much greater we hurt God, when we refuse His instruction and plan for our lives. He loves us with a love far greater than that of our parents. Yet we constantly spurn Him and reject His love. We act like spoiled teenagers when we choose to go our own way and attempt to run our lives on our own. We can be so foolish and stiffed-necked! We often ridicule the Israelites for their stubbornness and lack of faith, but we are far greater transgressors, because we have the entire revelation of God through Jesus Christ and the Word of God. Men of God, be diligent to hear the instruction of God, and then act on what He has given you.
When I was a teenager, my parents would tell me to do something, and my blood would boil. I had come to resent their authority over me so much that I bristled at the mere suggestion that I should heed their advice. As a result, I endured a lot of headache and heartache that I could have easily avoided. Here I was a spoiled, rebellious, obnoxious teenager with absolutely zero life experience, no job or income, and I thought I knew best and should be running the show. Only a parent’s love can endure the chaos, cruelty and absurdity of the teenage years. My parents were patient and loving, and because of their prayers and the grace of God, I made it through those turbulent years and now see the error of my ways. Nevertheless, I brought my parents a lot of pain. I know it hurt them tremendously when they gave me good instruction, and I refused it. Think for a moment how much greater we hurt God, when we refuse His instruction and plan for our lives. He loves us with a love far greater than that of our parents. Yet we constantly spurn Him and reject His love. We act like spoiled teenagers when we choose to go our own way and attempt to run our lives on our own. We can be so foolish and stiffed-necked! We often ridicule the Israelites for their stubbornness and lack of faith, but we are far greater transgressors, because we have the entire revelation of God through Jesus Christ and the Word of God. Men of God, be diligent to hear the instruction of God, and then act on what He has given you.
Monday, July 19, 2010
"Who Am I?"
“All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them.” (Proverbs 8:8).
When others look at us, what do they see? Do they see a man being conformed to the image of Jesus Christ- a man who has surrendered himself to be molded as a lump of clay in the hands of the Master? Do they see a man who professes to serve God whole heartedly but holds secret sins in his heart (areas that are off limits to the Holy Spirit)?
Can we say that today’s proverb is true about us? Most Christians are able to put on a good front. We can speak Christian-ese and sound like great men of faith, but below the surface, are we genuinely men of God? The great American author, Nathaniel Hawthorne said: “No man, for any considerable period of time, can wear one face to himself and another to the multitude without finally getting bewildered as to which may be the truth.” Is there an internal conflict between the man you are and the man you want to be? Sure, there is. If you are born again, the Lord will continue to mold you and fashion you until His return or your death. He will finish the good work He started in you. (Philippians 1:6). Have you trusted in Jesus and Him alone for your salvation? Are you trusting in others things: your works, church membership, charitable contributions, baptism, etc? Do you have trouble measuring up to God’s standards of holiness? Are you willing to exchange Jesus’ righteousness for your own works or righteousness (which God says are as filthy rags)? (Isaiah 64:6). If you do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, take a moment to invite Him to be your Lord and Savior.
When others look at us, what do they see? Do they see a man being conformed to the image of Jesus Christ- a man who has surrendered himself to be molded as a lump of clay in the hands of the Master? Do they see a man who professes to serve God whole heartedly but holds secret sins in his heart (areas that are off limits to the Holy Spirit)?
Can we say that today’s proverb is true about us? Most Christians are able to put on a good front. We can speak Christian-ese and sound like great men of faith, but below the surface, are we genuinely men of God? The great American author, Nathaniel Hawthorne said: “No man, for any considerable period of time, can wear one face to himself and another to the multitude without finally getting bewildered as to which may be the truth.” Is there an internal conflict between the man you are and the man you want to be? Sure, there is. If you are born again, the Lord will continue to mold you and fashion you until His return or your death. He will finish the good work He started in you. (Philippians 1:6). Have you trusted in Jesus and Him alone for your salvation? Are you trusting in others things: your works, church membership, charitable contributions, baptism, etc? Do you have trouble measuring up to God’s standards of holiness? Are you willing to exchange Jesus’ righteousness for your own works or righteousness (which God says are as filthy rags)? (Isaiah 64:6). If you do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, take a moment to invite Him to be your Lord and Savior.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
The ABC's of Christianity
“I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment: That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.” (Proverbs 8:20-21).
We often make the Christian life extremely difficult on ourselves. Without realizing it, we place ourselves back under the law and our spiritual walk becomes a list of dos and don’ts, instead of a relationship with our living Savior. When this happens Christianity becomes a chore and a millstone, and we can lose the joy we once possessed. This process happens to all Christians at some point, and it is because we have left our first love, Jesus. (Revelations 2:4). When Jesus called His disciples, He did not give them a long list of regulations, requirements, nor a contract to sign. He issued them a simple command: Follow me. (Mark 2:14). When we learn to follow Jesus wherever He leads, our lives will become much easier. When our lives become hectic, all we have to do is go back to the ABC’s of Christianity: Always Behind Christ. When we allow Jesus to lead, our only responsibility becomes to follow. He will lead us in the way of righteousness and guide us out of the paths of danger and judgment. He desires to bless us and to fill our storehouses with spiritual blessings. Our duty is to simply follow Him. “Then said Jesus said unto His disciples, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.” (Matthew 16: 24-25). Men of God are we truly following the Lord, or are we trying to get Him to follow our will, our plans and our desires? Are we asking Him to check off on our goals, or are we sincerely seeking His?
We often make the Christian life extremely difficult on ourselves. Without realizing it, we place ourselves back under the law and our spiritual walk becomes a list of dos and don’ts, instead of a relationship with our living Savior. When this happens Christianity becomes a chore and a millstone, and we can lose the joy we once possessed. This process happens to all Christians at some point, and it is because we have left our first love, Jesus. (Revelations 2:4). When Jesus called His disciples, He did not give them a long list of regulations, requirements, nor a contract to sign. He issued them a simple command: Follow me. (Mark 2:14). When we learn to follow Jesus wherever He leads, our lives will become much easier. When our lives become hectic, all we have to do is go back to the ABC’s of Christianity: Always Behind Christ. When we allow Jesus to lead, our only responsibility becomes to follow. He will lead us in the way of righteousness and guide us out of the paths of danger and judgment. He desires to bless us and to fill our storehouses with spiritual blessings. Our duty is to simply follow Him. “Then said Jesus said unto His disciples, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.” (Matthew 16: 24-25). Men of God are we truly following the Lord, or are we trying to get Him to follow our will, our plans and our desires? Are we asking Him to check off on our goals, or are we sincerely seeking His?
Monday, July 12, 2010
How to Die Before Your Time
“The fear of the Lord prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.” (Proverbs 10:27).
“So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” (Psalms 90:12). Without the fear of the Lord and the wisdom it brings, we will be double minded in all our ways. (James 1:8). We will have no rudder in the ship of life to guide us and no anchor to hold us in the storm. We will have no compass to point in the right direction and will be easily misdirected and beguiled into temptation. If the fear of the Lord is not present in our lives, we will be easily led down paths of unrighteousness. We will compromise our standards of holiness and integrity, and we will allow ourselves to be used as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin. (Romans 6:13). If we do not repent and turn our faces back unto the Lord, the years of our lives could be shortened as a result of our disobedience. (Psalms 102:23). ‘But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee.” (Psalms 55:23). “Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time?” (Ecclesiastes 7:17). “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” (Hebrews 10:31). The Lord will judge us if we stray from Him and fail to fear Him. We are still His sons, if we have been born again, but He will chasten and rebuke us if we begin to walk outside of His will. (Hebrews 12:5-6).
“So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” (Psalms 90:12). Without the fear of the Lord and the wisdom it brings, we will be double minded in all our ways. (James 1:8). We will have no rudder in the ship of life to guide us and no anchor to hold us in the storm. We will have no compass to point in the right direction and will be easily misdirected and beguiled into temptation. If the fear of the Lord is not present in our lives, we will be easily led down paths of unrighteousness. We will compromise our standards of holiness and integrity, and we will allow ourselves to be used as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin. (Romans 6:13). If we do not repent and turn our faces back unto the Lord, the years of our lives could be shortened as a result of our disobedience. (Psalms 102:23). ‘But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee.” (Psalms 55:23). “Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time?” (Ecclesiastes 7:17). “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” (Hebrews 10:31). The Lord will judge us if we stray from Him and fail to fear Him. We are still His sons, if we have been born again, but He will chasten and rebuke us if we begin to walk outside of His will. (Hebrews 12:5-6).
Friday, July 9, 2010
Sowing and Reaping Good Things
“The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.” (Proverbs 11:18).
Most of us are familiar with the principle, you reap what you sow, but do we truly give much thought to the seeds we sow throughout the day? Do we think about what we are going to say and then filter the negative and harmful before we speak it? If people didn’t know we were Christians and could judge us based on our works, would they say we were followers of Christ? Are we sowing works of righteousness or unrighteousness? Are our works hot, cold or lukewarm? The rewards for deceitfulness and dishonesty are temporal; the rewards for righteousness are eternal. Even mature believers are too often fixated on the here and now. We have grown accustomed to instant gratification and we have incorporated a worldly value system into our spiritual lives. Hosea 10:12 commands in eloquent language to: “Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the Lord, till He come and rain righteousness upon you.” Who among us does not desire to reap in mercy? Who does not long for God to rain righteousness upon them? We cannot receive the blessing of God when we continue to serve the world. We cannot sow unrighteousness and expect to reap righteousness. Men of God, sow seeds of righteousness, and not only will you begin to see God bring forth His fruit in your life, but you will also reap eternal awards.
Most of us are familiar with the principle, you reap what you sow, but do we truly give much thought to the seeds we sow throughout the day? Do we think about what we are going to say and then filter the negative and harmful before we speak it? If people didn’t know we were Christians and could judge us based on our works, would they say we were followers of Christ? Are we sowing works of righteousness or unrighteousness? Are our works hot, cold or lukewarm? The rewards for deceitfulness and dishonesty are temporal; the rewards for righteousness are eternal. Even mature believers are too often fixated on the here and now. We have grown accustomed to instant gratification and we have incorporated a worldly value system into our spiritual lives. Hosea 10:12 commands in eloquent language to: “Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the Lord, till He come and rain righteousness upon you.” Who among us does not desire to reap in mercy? Who does not long for God to rain righteousness upon them? We cannot receive the blessing of God when we continue to serve the world. We cannot sow unrighteousness and expect to reap righteousness. Men of God, sow seeds of righteousness, and not only will you begin to see God bring forth His fruit in your life, but you will also reap eternal awards.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
The Truth About Temptation
“These six things doth the Lord hate; yea, seven are an abomination unto Him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, (a heart that deviseth wicked imaginations).” (Proverbs 6: 16-18a).
I was a Christian for several years before I realized that it was not a sin to be tempted. I assumed that every time I had a bad thought or was dared to do something out of character, that I had sinned. I would beat myself up every time these temptations occurred until God revealed to me that it was not the temptation that was sin, but the contemplation and act itself that made it a sin. After all, Jesus was “in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15). When we understand the process of temptation, we will be better able to defend against it. James says that every man is tempted incrementally in five steps: 1) Man is drawn away by his own lust 2) enticed by the temptation 3) the lust is conceived 4) lust brings forth sin 5) sin, when it is finished, brings forth death. Hence temptation only becomes sin when lust is conceived: birth must be given to the thought before it is sin. Satan throws fiery darts of temptation at us all day long. When those tempting thoughts come, we must cast them down (II Corinthians 10:5) and refuse to dwell on them. If we fail to do so, we will begin to visualize and fantasize about the temptation. Satan knows our weaknesses and exploits them, sending specific temptations tailored to our vulnerabilities. The Lord hates the heart that deviseth wicked imagination because He knows that whatever we dwell on in our heart- even imaginations- will eventually be acted upon. Like a developing baby, the more you feed the temptation, the bigger it will grow until it demands to be born. Similarly, when our hearts are allowed to continually devise wicked imaginations, sin will eventually be conceived and, ultimately, bring forth death.
I was a Christian for several years before I realized that it was not a sin to be tempted. I assumed that every time I had a bad thought or was dared to do something out of character, that I had sinned. I would beat myself up every time these temptations occurred until God revealed to me that it was not the temptation that was sin, but the contemplation and act itself that made it a sin. After all, Jesus was “in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15). When we understand the process of temptation, we will be better able to defend against it. James says that every man is tempted incrementally in five steps: 1) Man is drawn away by his own lust 2) enticed by the temptation 3) the lust is conceived 4) lust brings forth sin 5) sin, when it is finished, brings forth death. Hence temptation only becomes sin when lust is conceived: birth must be given to the thought before it is sin. Satan throws fiery darts of temptation at us all day long. When those tempting thoughts come, we must cast them down (II Corinthians 10:5) and refuse to dwell on them. If we fail to do so, we will begin to visualize and fantasize about the temptation. Satan knows our weaknesses and exploits them, sending specific temptations tailored to our vulnerabilities. The Lord hates the heart that deviseth wicked imagination because He knows that whatever we dwell on in our heart- even imaginations- will eventually be acted upon. Like a developing baby, the more you feed the temptation, the bigger it will grow until it demands to be born. Similarly, when our hearts are allowed to continually devise wicked imaginations, sin will eventually be conceived and, ultimately, bring forth death.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Spending Time with Your Father
“I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.” (Proverbs 8:17).
One of the foundational pillars in a growing, healthy relationship with the Lord is having daily time for praying, listening to God and studying and meditating on His Word. On the mornings I neglect my time alone with God, I struggle spiritually the entire day. If I go several days without my quiet time, my spiritual life becomes stagnant, and I feel disconnected form God. Following a set formula is not as important as spending time alone with God. As we begin communicating with Him, we will become better listeners and hearers of His voice. “Time with God each day is not about academic study or getting through a certain amount of scripture or any of that. It’s about connecting with God. We’ve got to keep those lines of communication open. Do use whatever helps… Do whatever brings you back to your heart and the heart of God. God is ultimately personal with us and He speaks in ways that are peculiar to our own quirky hearts- not just through the Bible but through the whole of creation.” (John Eldredge, Wild at Heart.) I don’t know about you, but I find it amazing that the God of the Universe, the creator of Heaven and Earth, wants to spend time with us. He desires that we love Him, call upon Him and honor Him. He stands apart from all other gods. He provided a way through the blood of Jesus so that we could enter into His presence and commune with Him. How could we not want to get to know a Father who has done so much for us?
One of the foundational pillars in a growing, healthy relationship with the Lord is having daily time for praying, listening to God and studying and meditating on His Word. On the mornings I neglect my time alone with God, I struggle spiritually the entire day. If I go several days without my quiet time, my spiritual life becomes stagnant, and I feel disconnected form God. Following a set formula is not as important as spending time alone with God. As we begin communicating with Him, we will become better listeners and hearers of His voice. “Time with God each day is not about academic study or getting through a certain amount of scripture or any of that. It’s about connecting with God. We’ve got to keep those lines of communication open. Do use whatever helps… Do whatever brings you back to your heart and the heart of God. God is ultimately personal with us and He speaks in ways that are peculiar to our own quirky hearts- not just through the Bible but through the whole of creation.” (John Eldredge, Wild at Heart.) I don’t know about you, but I find it amazing that the God of the Universe, the creator of Heaven and Earth, wants to spend time with us. He desires that we love Him, call upon Him and honor Him. He stands apart from all other gods. He provided a way through the blood of Jesus so that we could enter into His presence and commune with Him. How could we not want to get to know a Father who has done so much for us?
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