What ? Me Worry? Pt two
Have you ever fully committed yourself to Gods safekeeping?
In order to conquer the human frailty of worry, we must do exactly that, as there is no plan and no method that can be successful for the Christian short of the full surrender to the knowledge of Gods will and plan for every area of you life.
Committing to Gods safekeeping requires that we grow in the knowledge of God and our love for Him.
The only way that we can truly accomplish that purpose is to study the Scriptures, pray and meditate upon Gods promises to His faithful people. (Romans 15:4)
We must be realistic.
True peace of mind does not depend on solving all the problems, righting all the wrongs, removing all of the imperfections, or in getting all that we want. (Ecclesiastes 8:16-17)
Some things just will not change and we need to be realistic enough to accept that.
There are real problems that have no solutions
There are situations that must simply be lived through
The art of being wise is the art of knowing what to overlook (Proverbs 19:11)
Realistic knowledge of our own limitations ought to cause us to relax and slow down
There is an art to getting things done and an equally noble art of leaving things undone.
The wisdom of life consists in the elimination of nonessentials (Gladstone)
We must learn to let go of some problems and allow the Lord to be in charge of them (1 Peter 5:7, Proverbs 3:5-6)
Be flexible
Change is inevitable: we must learn to be resilient, adaptable, adjustable (Philippians 4:11-12)
Under stress, if we cannot learn to bend, we will surely break.
Our faith must remain only in Him who changes not.
While there are some things that we must resist without compromise, wisdom can tell us when to change and when to hold our ground.
Focus on the good cares, and minimize the unnecessary ones.
We tend to become distracted by many relatively unimportant cares, and don’t care enough about the things we should. (Matthew 13:22)
Whenever the mind is distracted by many pursuits, it derives little benefit from any of them.
Really only one thing is necessary (Luke 10:41-42, Matthew 6:33-34)
Learn to live one day at a time.
Proper use of today diminishes anxiety about tomorrow (Matthew 6:34)
Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its worries and sorrows, it only empties today of its victory’s
Worry is the interest that is charged against troubles before they are eliminated
The larger part of our fear will turn out to be unfounded
Winston Churchill was credited with saying “I have had a lot of trouble in this life, most of which never happened.”
Stay busy
Anxiety and idleness accompany each other
Despair often is a form of laziness
Blessed is the person who is too busy in the daytime to fret, and too sleepy in the nighttime to worry.
Much good can be done, even in adversity, if we will only concentrate on the things that can be accomplished, and disregard the things that cannot be done.
There is no tranquilizer as effective as the knowledge that we have done our best and there is no pillow as soft as a good conscience.
Learn to be content.
Contentment is a lesson that Paul had to learn (Philippians 4:11-13)
We should learn to rejoice in the Lord, which we can easily do when we learn to continually count our blessings. (Philippians 4:4-6)
The Christian should be able to see the silver lining behind the darkest cloud.
When discontent is the rule in a life, that Christian may lose his very soul because of it.(1 Timothy 6:6-8, Hebrews 13:5-6)
Anxiety can come because of having too much, as well as having too little (Ecclesiastes 5:12)
Wealth can be measured in ways other than possessions, it can also be seen in the things that we can do without.
Whenever problem cause anxiety in us , the best thing that we can do to bathe the problems is to express a spirit of reverence and gratitude.
In all of our anxiety and cares the Christian is given the means to deal with all of it.
We are promised a peace that comes only through prayer (Philippians 4:6-7)
We are promised a reassuring confidence that can only be found in trusting in God (Psalms 23:1-6)
Whenever the feelings of insecurity, helplessness and isolation arise, we should……
Focus on trusting in the God who loves us
Read and remember the Scriptures, be realistic, be flexible, focus on the good, minimize unnecessary distractions, and learn to live one day at a time, staying busy and learning to be content.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Monday, March 9, 2009
WHAT? ME WORRY? Pt one
We can attribute that statement to a once popular social commentary comedic character, named A.E Nueman, a 53 year old icon that is familiar to most of us.
Laying aside the satire that he popularized, we can say also, What , me worry?
We are all too familiar with the problem of anxiety, and the epidemic proportion that it is reaching in our culture.
Even though the problem is prevalent, the matter of anxiety is the least productive activity that a human can undertake.
Worrying is equivalent to the movie cowboy making a fast getaway on wooden horse.
Your imagination may see it to be a valid tool, but there is no good that can come of the wasted effort.
What then is this thing that we call anxiety?
It is manifest in the matter of distress about future uncertainties.
It may be characterized by mental agitation and uneasiness, that may be mild or severe.
We allow anxiety to arise in our minds when we feel unsure or uncertain of future events, either distant or near, and our fear that we have no certainty in their outcome.
What is the cause of all this anxiety?
It can be caused by real or imagined threats to our wellbeing, as we feel vulnerable and inadequately protected against the possibility of those events being played out.
Threats in the manner of social rejection, physical injury, disease, family turmoil, death, and the reality of an impending financial collapse, in our generation.
There are three main elements to examine,
Insecurity: worry that something bad is going to happen
Helplessness: worry that there is nothing that I can do
Isolation: worry that there will be no one who will help me
These three causes may operate individually or in various combinations, all to the detriment of their victim.
In the emotional realm, these identifiers cause just as much anxiety and hopelessness as if they were real and not just imagined.
When we realize that anxiety is a form of fear then we are coming ever closer to overcoming the problem.
In order to do that we must first
Trust in God
The best remedy is to deal with the problems causes, and not just the symptoms.
We must identify the truth about insecurity, helplessness, and isolation in regards to the Christian.
Even though the Christian may feel insecure, the reality is that he is very secure Proverbs 3:21-26 and Hebrews 4:16
The Christian may feel helpless, yet the reality is that he has great help Romans 8:31
The Christian may feel that he is all alone yet the truth is that God is always at his side Hebrews 13:5-6
The only remedy for a Christians anxiety is a complete trust and confidence in Gods ability to deal with anything that threatens His own Isaiah 40:31 John 14:1 Philippians 4:13
The more that we learn of God the more we know of His infinite power and of His concern for us 1 Peter 5:6-7
Our God has promised peace of mind to those who are willing to commit all of their worries to Him John 16:33 Philippians 4:6-7 Peter 4:19
He is a God that cannot fail, and in that we can trust.
We can attribute that statement to a once popular social commentary comedic character, named A.E Nueman, a 53 year old icon that is familiar to most of us.
Laying aside the satire that he popularized, we can say also, What , me worry?
We are all too familiar with the problem of anxiety, and the epidemic proportion that it is reaching in our culture.
Even though the problem is prevalent, the matter of anxiety is the least productive activity that a human can undertake.
Worrying is equivalent to the movie cowboy making a fast getaway on wooden horse.
Your imagination may see it to be a valid tool, but there is no good that can come of the wasted effort.
What then is this thing that we call anxiety?
It is manifest in the matter of distress about future uncertainties.
It may be characterized by mental agitation and uneasiness, that may be mild or severe.
We allow anxiety to arise in our minds when we feel unsure or uncertain of future events, either distant or near, and our fear that we have no certainty in their outcome.
What is the cause of all this anxiety?
It can be caused by real or imagined threats to our wellbeing, as we feel vulnerable and inadequately protected against the possibility of those events being played out.
Threats in the manner of social rejection, physical injury, disease, family turmoil, death, and the reality of an impending financial collapse, in our generation.
There are three main elements to examine,
Insecurity: worry that something bad is going to happen
Helplessness: worry that there is nothing that I can do
Isolation: worry that there will be no one who will help me
These three causes may operate individually or in various combinations, all to the detriment of their victim.
In the emotional realm, these identifiers cause just as much anxiety and hopelessness as if they were real and not just imagined.
When we realize that anxiety is a form of fear then we are coming ever closer to overcoming the problem.
In order to do that we must first
Trust in God
The best remedy is to deal with the problems causes, and not just the symptoms.
We must identify the truth about insecurity, helplessness, and isolation in regards to the Christian.
Even though the Christian may feel insecure, the reality is that he is very secure Proverbs 3:21-26 and Hebrews 4:16
The Christian may feel helpless, yet the reality is that he has great help Romans 8:31
The Christian may feel that he is all alone yet the truth is that God is always at his side Hebrews 13:5-6
The only remedy for a Christians anxiety is a complete trust and confidence in Gods ability to deal with anything that threatens His own Isaiah 40:31 John 14:1 Philippians 4:13
The more that we learn of God the more we know of His infinite power and of His concern for us 1 Peter 5:6-7
Our God has promised peace of mind to those who are willing to commit all of their worries to Him John 16:33 Philippians 4:6-7 Peter 4:19
He is a God that cannot fail, and in that we can trust.
Friday, February 27, 2009
WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?
Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. (Proverbs 4:23)
Throughout all the pages of the Bible the heart is viewed as the center of life and is always associated with our thoughts.
That is the reason that Solomon declared “ as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.” (Proverbs 23:7).
We know that the mind is the center of thought, yet the importance of what we think and the reasons behind the thoughts become the central issues of our lives.
We have all heard it said that “we are what we think” and how true it is; if our thinking creates a defeatist attitude, then we cannot succeed.
If we think that we will always be ill, then we quickly become the doctors, and the pharmacist best friends as our pocketbooks are opened to their every whim.
When we think that our bank accounts will always be reflected in a negative balance, then we will only find ways to make it so.
If we think that our loved ones will never come to the cross, then we do them no favors when we stop witnessing and encouraging them to consider the Son of God.
We must allow all of our thought to mirror what scripture says that our lives and relationships can become.
There is a centrality of thoughts that we should consider.
“Keep thy heart with all diligence for out of it are the issues of life.” (Proverbs 4:23)
The basic rendering of this is simply “keep your heart as closely guarded as possible.”
What you are today and whatever you will be tomorrow is the consequence of your thought life.
We truly have the power to become as we think and say. All of the issues of life begin and end with our thinking.
There are consequences to our thoughts.
Following the words of Proverbs 4:23; Solomon points out that our thinking affects our lips, our eyes, and our feet.
What we dwell upon in our thoughts is what we will discuss with our acquaintances and those who are close to us.
“Put away from thee a forward mouth, and perverse lips put far away from thee.(Proverbs 4:24)
It never takes long for us to discover the matters of another persons life, if we will only allow them a few moments to talk without interruption, we quickly learn of the readings that the person engages in, the hobbies that time and energy are spent upon, and the lifestyle that is embraced by the speaker.
The issues are uttered through the mouth, but are born and housed in the heart.
This is why the Lord said, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” (Matthew 12:24)
Our thought life also affects the observational life.
“Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.” (Proverbs 4:24)
Your entire slant on life is affected by the way you think.
Whenever a person has organized their thinking to line up with Gods ideas, then they are not bothered by the peripheral issues.
The Apostle Paul said it this way. “but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before” (Philippians 3:13)
Another area of life influenced by our thinking is the operational life.
“Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.” (Proverbs 4:26)
Once our thought life is under control and measured there is no question as to the path that we should walk.
The Psalmist wrote, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord.” (Psalms 37:23)
We must control our thoughts.
“Keep thy heart with all diligence.” (Proverbs 4:23)
In the New Testament the secret to such diligent guarding is divulged in this manner, by the Apostle Paul, “bringing every thought to the obedience of Christ.” ( 2 Corinthians 10:5)
No one experiences the fullness of their intended purpose until they have brought their heart, mind and thought life under the discipline of the Son of God.
Seek understanding and knowledge, wisdom will follow, and become evident in the things we say, the places we go, and the ones we associate with.
Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. (Proverbs 4:23)
Throughout all the pages of the Bible the heart is viewed as the center of life and is always associated with our thoughts.
That is the reason that Solomon declared “ as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.” (Proverbs 23:7).
We know that the mind is the center of thought, yet the importance of what we think and the reasons behind the thoughts become the central issues of our lives.
We have all heard it said that “we are what we think” and how true it is; if our thinking creates a defeatist attitude, then we cannot succeed.
If we think that we will always be ill, then we quickly become the doctors, and the pharmacist best friends as our pocketbooks are opened to their every whim.
When we think that our bank accounts will always be reflected in a negative balance, then we will only find ways to make it so.
If we think that our loved ones will never come to the cross, then we do them no favors when we stop witnessing and encouraging them to consider the Son of God.
We must allow all of our thought to mirror what scripture says that our lives and relationships can become.
There is a centrality of thoughts that we should consider.
“Keep thy heart with all diligence for out of it are the issues of life.” (Proverbs 4:23)
The basic rendering of this is simply “keep your heart as closely guarded as possible.”
What you are today and whatever you will be tomorrow is the consequence of your thought life.
We truly have the power to become as we think and say. All of the issues of life begin and end with our thinking.
There are consequences to our thoughts.
Following the words of Proverbs 4:23; Solomon points out that our thinking affects our lips, our eyes, and our feet.
What we dwell upon in our thoughts is what we will discuss with our acquaintances and those who are close to us.
“Put away from thee a forward mouth, and perverse lips put far away from thee.(Proverbs 4:24)
It never takes long for us to discover the matters of another persons life, if we will only allow them a few moments to talk without interruption, we quickly learn of the readings that the person engages in, the hobbies that time and energy are spent upon, and the lifestyle that is embraced by the speaker.
The issues are uttered through the mouth, but are born and housed in the heart.
This is why the Lord said, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” (Matthew 12:24)
Our thought life also affects the observational life.
“Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.” (Proverbs 4:24)
Your entire slant on life is affected by the way you think.
Whenever a person has organized their thinking to line up with Gods ideas, then they are not bothered by the peripheral issues.
The Apostle Paul said it this way. “but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before” (Philippians 3:13)
Another area of life influenced by our thinking is the operational life.
“Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.” (Proverbs 4:26)
Once our thought life is under control and measured there is no question as to the path that we should walk.
The Psalmist wrote, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord.” (Psalms 37:23)
We must control our thoughts.
“Keep thy heart with all diligence.” (Proverbs 4:23)
In the New Testament the secret to such diligent guarding is divulged in this manner, by the Apostle Paul, “bringing every thought to the obedience of Christ.” ( 2 Corinthians 10:5)
No one experiences the fullness of their intended purpose until they have brought their heart, mind and thought life under the discipline of the Son of God.
Seek understanding and knowledge, wisdom will follow, and become evident in the things we say, the places we go, and the ones we associate with.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
CAN YOU DEFINE TRUE DISCIPLESHIP pt2
CAN YOU DEFINE TRUE DISCIPLESHIP
pt 2
Erroneously, many think that every Christian is a disciple of Christ.
It is true that every true disciple is a Christian, but not every Christian is a disciple.
Why?
Lets continue our study and let the facts reveal themselves.
A true disciple is one who continues on in Gods word.
Jesus said “If ye continue in (the study and application of) my word then you are my disciples indeed.” (John 8:31)
True disciples keep pushing on in the study of the word.
They are deeply serious, ever committed, student-followers of the Son of God, ever desiring and seeking more of Him-more study, more obedience, more conformity to His image.
Christians who are on again off again students that allow every worry, whim, and care of the world to swerve them off of the course of pursuit of His knowledge, willingly forfeit the acumen of discipleship.
A disciple is one who lives and accepts only the truth.
Jesus said “and ye shall know the truth” (John 8:32)
Disciples love truth in all forms.
They love the truth of Gods word, the sole standard of spiritual truth. They cherish honesty, or truthfulness of heart and speech. And they love the truth of reality, preferring to face actual conditions rather than pretending to trust in illusion, or unfounded, unscriptural teachings, and philosophies.
Disciples choose not to follow the trail of error.
Disciples are extraordinarily free Christians.
Jesus concluded (John 8:32) by stating “and the truth shall make you free….”
The further and deeper a Christian disciple goes in the loving and the living truth, the more he is liberated by it. Increasingly truth frees the disciple from the bonds of ignorance, error, bad attitudes, fear, anger, besetting sins, deception, hypocrites, and the tyranny of self-will always demanding its way.
Christians who will not allow truth to break bondages, and false ways of thinking can never reach the highest form of study, that of being a disciple.
A disciple understands the concept of cross bearing and presents himself to the task.
For the sake of righteousness, kingdom, call, gift, ministry, and perseverance in God’s Word, the disciple will accept at least one “cross” rejection, loss, humiliation, or grief, every day.
Any one who is unwilling to suffer in this life, is unworthy to follow the path of discipleship at the feet of Jesus.
“Whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple”. (Luke 14:27).
We have looked at the qualifying factors to become a disciple, and can define what it will cost to follow close to the One that we desire to emulate.
Who have you chosen to follow?________and we all choose to follow someone.
Choose to become a disciple of Jesus and go into the whole world with the authority that is given to one who continues on in the regimen of truth.
pt 2
Erroneously, many think that every Christian is a disciple of Christ.
It is true that every true disciple is a Christian, but not every Christian is a disciple.
Why?
Lets continue our study and let the facts reveal themselves.
A true disciple is one who continues on in Gods word.
Jesus said “If ye continue in (the study and application of) my word then you are my disciples indeed.” (John 8:31)
True disciples keep pushing on in the study of the word.
They are deeply serious, ever committed, student-followers of the Son of God, ever desiring and seeking more of Him-more study, more obedience, more conformity to His image.
Christians who are on again off again students that allow every worry, whim, and care of the world to swerve them off of the course of pursuit of His knowledge, willingly forfeit the acumen of discipleship.
A disciple is one who lives and accepts only the truth.
Jesus said “and ye shall know the truth” (John 8:32)
Disciples love truth in all forms.
They love the truth of Gods word, the sole standard of spiritual truth. They cherish honesty, or truthfulness of heart and speech. And they love the truth of reality, preferring to face actual conditions rather than pretending to trust in illusion, or unfounded, unscriptural teachings, and philosophies.
Disciples choose not to follow the trail of error.
Disciples are extraordinarily free Christians.
Jesus concluded (John 8:32) by stating “and the truth shall make you free….”
The further and deeper a Christian disciple goes in the loving and the living truth, the more he is liberated by it. Increasingly truth frees the disciple from the bonds of ignorance, error, bad attitudes, fear, anger, besetting sins, deception, hypocrites, and the tyranny of self-will always demanding its way.
Christians who will not allow truth to break bondages, and false ways of thinking can never reach the highest form of study, that of being a disciple.
A disciple understands the concept of cross bearing and presents himself to the task.
For the sake of righteousness, kingdom, call, gift, ministry, and perseverance in God’s Word, the disciple will accept at least one “cross” rejection, loss, humiliation, or grief, every day.
Any one who is unwilling to suffer in this life, is unworthy to follow the path of discipleship at the feet of Jesus.
“Whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple”. (Luke 14:27).
We have looked at the qualifying factors to become a disciple, and can define what it will cost to follow close to the One that we desire to emulate.
Who have you chosen to follow?________and we all choose to follow someone.
Choose to become a disciple of Jesus and go into the whole world with the authority that is given to one who continues on in the regimen of truth.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
CAN YOU DEFINE TRUE DISCIPLESHIP
pt one
Jesus, who just happens to be the foremost authority on Christianity, gave us the true definition of a Christian- a believer in Him saved from hell and bound for heaven-as one who is spiritually reborn.
In a discussion with Nicodemus, the Master said, “Except ye be born again, ye cannot see..(or) enter the kingdom of God.” John 3:3,5.
He stressed His point by adding “Marvel not that I say unto thee, Ye must be born again.” vs. 7.
Later on in the ministry of Jesus he described the same process of new birth as a “conversion” experience: “Except ye be converted…ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3
In the new birth, or conversion, a spiritual regeneration with eternal effect occurs.
After this eternal change takes place, the newly birthed Christian has a choice to make.
Will the new creation commit to discipleship, or remain content to merely be a saved soul?
In order to better understand the choice, let us look at the definition of being a disciple of Jesus Christ.
A disciple is a self-disciplined one.
Just as the English words, “disciple” and “discipline” are derived from very similar Latin words, (discipulus, alumno) so every disciple then must be a person of discipline.
He must enter into a regimen of life whereby all his powers, spiritual, physical, and mental are focused on a newly ordered, biblical way of living.
Why?
He wants to fully please and serve his Master.
The lazy, self-indulgent Christian will never be a disciple.
A disciple is a student of Christ.
The word used almost exclusively in the Greek writings that indicate disciple is mathetes, which means, “a learner, pupil, or student.”
Christians who refuse to study the Bible cannot be disciples.
In the first century, “disciples” were young men totally committed to learning the teachings of a particular Jewish rabbi (or Greek teacher or philosopher) and at the same time embracing his lifestyle and living in the same manner.
Why?
The student aspired to one day be like him, live like him, and teach like him.
Christians who learn Jesus teachings but refuse to live them cannot be disciples.
Who have you chosen to follow?,,,,,,,,and we all must choose.
pt one
Jesus, who just happens to be the foremost authority on Christianity, gave us the true definition of a Christian- a believer in Him saved from hell and bound for heaven-as one who is spiritually reborn.
In a discussion with Nicodemus, the Master said, “Except ye be born again, ye cannot see..(or) enter the kingdom of God.” John 3:3,5.
He stressed His point by adding “Marvel not that I say unto thee, Ye must be born again.” vs. 7.
Later on in the ministry of Jesus he described the same process of new birth as a “conversion” experience: “Except ye be converted…ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3
In the new birth, or conversion, a spiritual regeneration with eternal effect occurs.
After this eternal change takes place, the newly birthed Christian has a choice to make.
Will the new creation commit to discipleship, or remain content to merely be a saved soul?
In order to better understand the choice, let us look at the definition of being a disciple of Jesus Christ.
A disciple is a self-disciplined one.
Just as the English words, “disciple” and “discipline” are derived from very similar Latin words, (discipulus, alumno) so every disciple then must be a person of discipline.
He must enter into a regimen of life whereby all his powers, spiritual, physical, and mental are focused on a newly ordered, biblical way of living.
Why?
He wants to fully please and serve his Master.
The lazy, self-indulgent Christian will never be a disciple.
A disciple is a student of Christ.
The word used almost exclusively in the Greek writings that indicate disciple is mathetes, which means, “a learner, pupil, or student.”
Christians who refuse to study the Bible cannot be disciples.
In the first century, “disciples” were young men totally committed to learning the teachings of a particular Jewish rabbi (or Greek teacher or philosopher) and at the same time embracing his lifestyle and living in the same manner.
Why?
The student aspired to one day be like him, live like him, and teach like him.
Christians who learn Jesus teachings but refuse to live them cannot be disciples.
Who have you chosen to follow?,,,,,,,,and we all must choose.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
FRUITLESS LIMBS
Isaiah 17:6
“Yet gleanings shall be left in it, as the shaking of an olive tree, two or three berries in the top of the upper-most bough, four or five in the outermost fruitful branches thereof, saith Jehovah, God of Israel.”
In this statement the prophet is foretelling of a day of sorrow and leanness which was surely coming to the idolatrous apostates of a nation who had treated Jehovah with perverse thanklessness and abject disregard.
The prophecy stood as warning to an ancient nation and to the peoples of that nation.
The same prophecy could be a warning to a modern nation and the peoples of that nation who have embraced apostasy with a heart blinded and hardened by the deceit of self.
It shall be for them as with the olive tree after is crop of berries has been removed by the “thrashing” or beating of its boughs and branches; just “two or three berries in the top of the uppermost bough” where the sticks of the beaters had not reached, and only “four or five on the outmost branches.”
Even now some are in such a barren condition spiritually, with faith and hope and love and joy and peace and strength and prayer and testimony and service, at the very best, lean and languishing.
If this is you, then why?
And what can be done about it, when the mirror of your heart convicts of the truth?
Isaiah 17:10
“Because thou has forgotten the God of thy salvation,………” There has been a forgetfulness of God.
It is evidenced in the fact that we have allowed ourselves to become immersed in the mundane things, in business, in pleasure, in domestic concerns, in social and political affairs, in getting and spending, in working and playing, in so much “coming and going” (Mark 6:31).
Our lives have become so full of worldly concerns that we are spiritually empty!
We have forgotten the one thing which is really needful.
That is one of the reasons that we are as the lean olive tree with only “two or three berries in the top of the uppermost bough.”
“and hast not been mindful of the rock of thy strength…………..” Indeed we have developed and unspiritually minded self sufficiency.
We have been neglectful of prayer.
We have foolishly preferred to manage (or mismanage) our own affairs.
We have forgotten how truly weak we are and imagined that the unsteady little lamb is a lion instead.
And now we have become as an olive tree, without the fruit of its branches.
In verse 8 read the words “altars” and “images” things that the Israelites had made with their own hands.
Could a part of the problem be that we have allowed ourselves to become idolatrous?
Have we allowed a friendship or some other ambition to take the place of God in our hearts desire and devotion?
If so then there is judgment against our altars and idols, our olive tree is stripped clean of all but “two or three berries in the top bough.”
Is there anything that we can do to remedy our leanness?
The answer is found in verses 7 and 8 “At that day a man shall look to his Maker….”
Whenever adversity begins to strip our olive tree of all but the “two or three berries”, it is a prodding to turn us from our self-made altars and back to the true God, our gracious covenant keeping Jehovah.
How ever hard it is to believe at times, God could do nothing more unkind than to allow believers a continued prosperity when we are self-willed, wayward, prayer less and backslidden.
Adversity must beat the olive tree with hard strokes which leave only “two or three berries.”
God loves us far too much to think more of our natural pleasures than of our spiritual profit.
Brother or Sister, turn your hearts and souls back to Him.
Make those wrong things right, according to His standards.
Cast off those idols.
Get back to the joy of prayer, the heart of faith, the act of love, and the life of new consecration.
Then shall the branches of our olive trees be bent with the fullness of fruit.
“Yet gleanings shall be left in it, as the shaking of an olive tree, two or three berries in the top of the upper-most bough, four or five in the outermost fruitful branches thereof, saith Jehovah, God of Israel.”
In this statement the prophet is foretelling of a day of sorrow and leanness which was surely coming to the idolatrous apostates of a nation who had treated Jehovah with perverse thanklessness and abject disregard.
The prophecy stood as warning to an ancient nation and to the peoples of that nation.
The same prophecy could be a warning to a modern nation and the peoples of that nation who have embraced apostasy with a heart blinded and hardened by the deceit of self.
It shall be for them as with the olive tree after is crop of berries has been removed by the “thrashing” or beating of its boughs and branches; just “two or three berries in the top of the uppermost bough” where the sticks of the beaters had not reached, and only “four or five on the outmost branches.”
Even now some are in such a barren condition spiritually, with faith and hope and love and joy and peace and strength and prayer and testimony and service, at the very best, lean and languishing.
If this is you, then why?
And what can be done about it, when the mirror of your heart convicts of the truth?
Isaiah 17:10
“Because thou has forgotten the God of thy salvation,………” There has been a forgetfulness of God.
It is evidenced in the fact that we have allowed ourselves to become immersed in the mundane things, in business, in pleasure, in domestic concerns, in social and political affairs, in getting and spending, in working and playing, in so much “coming and going” (Mark 6:31).
Our lives have become so full of worldly concerns that we are spiritually empty!
We have forgotten the one thing which is really needful.
That is one of the reasons that we are as the lean olive tree with only “two or three berries in the top of the uppermost bough.”
“and hast not been mindful of the rock of thy strength…………..” Indeed we have developed and unspiritually minded self sufficiency.
We have been neglectful of prayer.
We have foolishly preferred to manage (or mismanage) our own affairs.
We have forgotten how truly weak we are and imagined that the unsteady little lamb is a lion instead.
And now we have become as an olive tree, without the fruit of its branches.
In verse 8 read the words “altars” and “images” things that the Israelites had made with their own hands.
Could a part of the problem be that we have allowed ourselves to become idolatrous?
Have we allowed a friendship or some other ambition to take the place of God in our hearts desire and devotion?
If so then there is judgment against our altars and idols, our olive tree is stripped clean of all but “two or three berries in the top bough.”
Is there anything that we can do to remedy our leanness?
The answer is found in verses 7 and 8 “At that day a man shall look to his Maker….”
Whenever adversity begins to strip our olive tree of all but the “two or three berries”, it is a prodding to turn us from our self-made altars and back to the true God, our gracious covenant keeping Jehovah.
How ever hard it is to believe at times, God could do nothing more unkind than to allow believers a continued prosperity when we are self-willed, wayward, prayer less and backslidden.
Adversity must beat the olive tree with hard strokes which leave only “two or three berries.”
God loves us far too much to think more of our natural pleasures than of our spiritual profit.
Brother or Sister, turn your hearts and souls back to Him.
Make those wrong things right, according to His standards.
Cast off those idols.
Get back to the joy of prayer, the heart of faith, the act of love, and the life of new consecration.
Then shall the branches of our olive trees be bent with the fullness of fruit.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
AN INNER GARMENT REVEALED OUTWARDLY
WHO HAS DESIGNED YOUR WARDROBE
“For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” (Galatians 3:27).
If I could take a bowl of red dye and put a white cloth into it, then the cloth would be immersed in the dye, but the dye would be in the cloth. There would no longer be a white cloth; there would only be a red cloth. The white cloth is in the dye, but the dye is in the cloth.
We are in Christ and Christ is in us.
Paul, connects being “baptized into Christ” with being “clothed with Christ.”
We are now dressed in the garments of His righteousness!
We have a brand new identity in Him.
We are saturated with His power and presence.
We are totally identified with Him no matter our race, as he says , in verse 28: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female; ye are all one in Christ Jesus.”
It doesn’t matter if we are rich or poor: “there is neither slave nor free man.”
It doesn’t matter whether we are male or female: “there is neither male nor female,”
Why? “For ye are all one in Christ.”
The garment that Christ gives us to wear brings about a behavior that is Christ!
This behavior looks the same in all believers.
It causes us to have the same character from within.
We all wear the same uniform!
It is His character in us!
Now the question that must be asked then is this.
If believers are clothed with HIS GARMENT, if Christ truly now lives in us, why is it that so many believers live as if this is not true?
How can people in the body of Christ be cruel to others?
How can they pass by those in need, spiritual, physical, emotional, even financial?
We must understand: believers are dressed inwardly with Christ; He has come to live in us!
But for this life to be seen outwardly by others, then we must live totally by faith, trusting only in Him and His Word.
That is why Paul instructed believers “put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lust thereof.” (Romans 15:14)
Even though they had put on the garment inwardly, they needed to learn to put it on outwardly, by giving no provision to the flesh.
The inward garment being revealed outwardly has never been better explained than in the manner seen in (Galatians 2:20) “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”
Faith is a choice to believe and trust only God and His Word.
God graciously allows us to have a choice in the way we live.
But if we choose to fulfill the lust of the flesh, which is simply our will to do as we please, playing some religious game with God, then we need to seriously re-evaluate whether or not we have ever been truly born again.
I will safely state that if a person lives habitually unwilling to allow God to change him, then that person is not a believer.
A true believer may be in temporary bondage to his sin, but his sin will torment him and he will cry out for deliverance.
The characteristics of one who does not wear the garment of Christ are always the same.
He will become decisive in the body of Christ.
He becomes a detriment to all that Christ is seeking to do.
In fact he lives no differently than the lost when it comes to his behavior toward others.
Whose garment are you clothed in?
The garment of your self will, or the garment He is willing to clothe you with, both inside and out.
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