Day by Day

[Soldier4Christ]

Making Mountains

    Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver and the gold were broken to pieces at the same time and became like chaff on a threshing floor in the summer. The wind swept them away without leaving a trace. But the rock that struck the statue became a huge mountain and filled the whole earth (Dan.2:35).

We have many great promises in the prophesies in God's Word--promises that have effected our past and have greatly impacted the history of humanity, promises and prophesies that effect us still today, and those that will effect our future yet to come. One thing is certain in all, and that is, whatever prophesies or promises have come from God, they will undoubtedly come true. Within this, we have cause for great hope.
We have little trouble believing in the prophesies that have already come true, but what shall we say of those yet to come? We claim to believe that what God has said will happen, will indeed happen, yet we often live as though it will not. Christ's return, for instance, is something we most certainly believe in, yet we find that it is something that is often not at the forefront of our thoughts. We believe that any day we could wake up and it be the very day that He comes back, yet our actions would often dictate otherwise. We often seem more preoccupied in the day to day than the possibilities within the day. Nevertheless, we agree God's promises are true.
God's promises and prophesies should bring us hope, yet we often do not hold on to Him or to them in such a way as to have our lives impacted by them. God might still ask us today, "Where is your faith?" For we have indeed placed more trust in that which is sure to be gone one day, rather than in He who will always be. Where is the faith that can move mountains?
In Daniel chapter two, we are told of a king's dream that was given to him by God. We are also told of the interpretation that Daniel was given by God to give to the king. But what can only be seen from our side of the Bible that could not be seen by the writer of Daniel, is the fulfillment of the king's dream. As Daniel's words to the king tell us, the levels of the statue in the dream represented successive ruling authorities who have since then come and gone. The rock that was cut out by no human hand, that smashed the feet and destroyed the statue is representative of Jesus Christ and the establishment of His kingdom.
"But the rock that struck the statue became a huge mountain and filled the whole earth." The fact is, the rock has struck the statue--Christ has come at the appointed time and established His kingdom. The fact is also that it is still the growing mountain that is filling the whole earth. The gospel of Jesus Christ is spreading as foretold in the scriptures. It is the fulfillment of prophesy, not just an ideal of wishful thoughts and human efforts. He came as prophesied, and He will fill the earth as foretold--its not a desire, its a fact.
I emphasize this for a simple reason. It seems that we so often look at the enormity of the condition of the lost world and we see it as a giant mountain--too big to climb and harder to overcome. We weigh the work of evangelism by our understanding as it is under-girded by human effort. To see the condition of the world is overwhelming to anyone who thinks it is their job to bring the lost world to Christ. But the fact remains that it was always the work of Christ to redeem the world while our place is to simply follow Him.
Whose work we see it as will often determine where we see the mountain. If it is our work, then the lost world is a huge mountain filling the whole earth. But when we realize that it is Christ's work, and we acknowledge that scripture foretells that He will fill the earth, then we see His kingdom as the huge mountain filling the whole earth. And then we will no longer despair because we will know that He is the greater, He is the fulfillment of prophesy, and His kingdom is a mountain in the making.

Dr. George Sweeting once estimated that "more than a fourth of the Bible is predictive prophecy...Both the Old and New Testaments are full of promises about the return of Jesus Christ. Over 1800 references appear in the O.T., and seventeen O.T. books give prominence to this theme. Of the 260 chapters in the N.T., there are more than 300 references to the Lord's return--one out of every 30 verses. Twenty-three of the 27 N.T. books refer to this great event...For every prophecy on the first coming of Christ, there are 8 on Christ's second coming." (Today in the Word, MBI, December, 1989, p. 40).

[Soldier4Christ]

Asking “Why?”

    When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home. "Lord," Martha said to Jesus, "if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask" (John 11:20-21).

It has been said that the only stupid question is one that is left unasked. Perhaps that is something we consider more fashioned for the classroom than for life. However, what about life? Does the same idea apply--or not? Is it OK to question the things of life, why they are as they are, why some things have gone wrong and perhaps, why some people can so easily accept it when they do go wrong? Is it wrong to wonder why God allows some things and disallows others? Or why He does what He does or what His reason is behind what He does? Perhaps we should be at ease to know that God is big enough for any and all of our questions. He is faithful to lead us to the Truth in Him. And it is often within those question asking times that God is able to strengthen our faith and encourage us to press on.
Stop and count the many ways we can ask questions in times of tragedy or severe crisis. It would seem that even though we may not do so verbally, most of us at least think it within our hearts--”Why?” “Why did it have to happen?” “What reason could there possibly be?” We raise our confusion to God and think or say, “God if only... I mean, you are all powerful and I know that if you chose to you could have...so why?... Why did you let it happen?”
Perhaps most of us have been raised to believe that asking such questions is the same as doubting God. But if we examine Martha’s words, as well as the typical questions, we will find that it is not a lack of faith, but a lack of understanding. And we so desperately want to understand. We want to attach higher purpose and meaning to what otherwise seems so purposeless--and so we ask why. We know God is God, that He knows best, that He sees the whole picture--we do not doubt that--we just want to understand, if only a little, what God’s purpose must be.
The horrible truth, however, is that God’s purposes would not have to be as such if things were perfect. We know that before there was sin that there was harmony and peace and no death--and we know that one day it will be that way again. Yet, due to our choices as a people (the human race), we have consequences to face that were never in God’s design. And though there is so much that sin and consequences can rob us of in this life, we must somehow find the strength to cling to our faith that tells us that God will take all of it and work it to a better good. That is not the most consoling thought, but it may be all we have as an answer to our “Why?”--at least for now anyway.
Martha was not afraid to wonder why Jesus did not come. She told Him that if He would have been there, her brother would not have died. The reasons were greater than she could possibly know. But Jesus did not shun her for her thoughts or feelings, but He had compassion on her, and all who were with her. Lazarus was raised from the dead. The confusion in the hearts and minds of all around was put to rest, and they left there with a greater faith than they had ever known.

The only stupid question, is the one left unasked...
...and God can shoulder the toughest of our questions, without ever thinking any are stupid.

[Soldier4Christ]

More Than Words

    Then one who looked like a man touched my lips, and I opened my mouth and began to speak. I said to the one standing before me, "I am overcome with anguish because of the vision, my lord, and I am helpless. How can I, your servant, talk with you, my lord? My strength is gone and I can hardly breath." Again the one who looked like a man touched me and gave me strength. "Do not be afraid, O man highly esteemed," he said, "Peace! Be strong now; be strong." When he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, "Speak, my lord, since you have given me strength (Daniel, Daniel 10:19-19).

    The citizens of Feldkirch, Austria, didn't know what to do. Napoleon's massive army was preparing to attack. Soldiers had been spotted on the heights above the little town, which was situated on the Austrian border. A council of citizens was hastily summoned to decide whether they should try to defend themselves or display the white flag of surrender. It happened to be Easter Sunday, and the people had gathered in the local church. The pastor rose and said, "Friends, we have been counting on our own strength, and apparently that has failed. As this is the day of our Lord's resurrection, let us just ring the bells, have our services as usual, and leave the matter in His hands. We know only our weakness, and not the power of God to defend us." The council accepted his plan and the church bells rang. The enemy, hearing the sudden peal, concluded that the Austrian army had arrived during the night to defend the town. Before the service ended, the enemy broke camp and left (unknown source).

We say it, but how well do we really understand it: "My God shall supply all of your need." He is the provider, protector, the one who gives us strength. We often make reference to our Lord with such descriptive words, ascribing to Him those attributes that are indeed notable of His person. And those traits are true of our Lord, but the reality of what He can do and what He has already done all too often slips away from our present situation. Even while acknowledging God's ability to give us a voice to speak, or the strength to stand, we so often fall back upon the familiarity of our own strength and our own understanding--but to what end?
Consider the "citizens of Feldkirch, Austria," as they observed Napoleon's army. What might have happened had they not simply turned to God. 1 Corinthians 1:27 tells us, "But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty." The lanterns of Gideon's army, the church bells of a Feldkirch, Austria--these are the weapons of warfare of a God who can crush the world with a thought. For His ways are far above our ways and His thoughts above our thoughts. For surely we would not have thought to drive off a conquering army with the bells of one tiny church.
Strength, power, knowledge and wisdom are all things we define so inadequately as we package them in regard to human achievement. We rob ourselves of what is available to us through our Lord as we confine such attributes to what can be explained in the physical realm. God would have us learn of His ways so that we might find His voice and His strength in our dealings with all of life. But it will require us to unlearn much of what we have learned, and begin to think beyond what is tangible to the five senses. No, it's not easy, but no one ever said faith was easy to come by.
Much of the Christian life is lived like a toddler learning to walk. It is something that takes practice, but something we can get better at over time. The main thing is to get to our feet, and get to our feet again. None of us will ever learn to walk in the Spirit by remaining on our back-sides, considering what it would take to walk in the Spirit, and then determining that it is not possible to walk.
The way we think about what we can do must be re-evaluated in the light of the One who will give us what we need to do it. Do you want to ward off an approaching army? Ring the church bells. Do you want to defeat an aggressor? Then size down your army to hardly any men, encircle your enemy at night and suddenly open up lit lanterns to their view. For every situation you face, God has an answer. You do not necessarily have to understand it, for many times you and I will not understand because of our tendency to filter everything through human reasoning. You simply must follow His solution and you will discover His ark that keeps your head above water, His lanterns or bells that keeps your enemies away, His voice for you to boldly proclaim His truth, and His strength to get you through a single day. "Taste of the Lord and see that He is good." Learn what it means, "My God shall supply all of your need." And discover that the provision, protection and strengthening of God, are far more than just mere words.

[Soldier4Christ]

I Shall Not Want

You have heard the question, “Do you see the glass half empty, or half full?” Answer carefully. For your answer is supposed to determine if you are optimistic or pessimistic. For you know that if you see the glass half empty, then you are thought to be focused on the negative aspects of what you are looking at. And if you see the glass half full, then you are said to be looking at the positive in what you see--the potential, as it were, of what could be. Perhaps we as Christians should have the best outlook of all, so that if we are asked how we see the glass, our answer is, “Overflowing”.

    The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup Runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever (Psalm 23).

It is a greater than optimistic attitude that can be owned by every believer that trusts in the Lord. Our hearts do not have to be cast down, our spirits do not have to sink into despair. We have a Good Shepherd who knows our every need and wants to help meet them. He brings us peace and rest as we walk with Him in our daily lives. He protects us and guides us and keeps us from evil intent--we do not have to be afraid. His protection is a comfort and He is faithful to meet our need even in the most adverse times. His love for us endures forever.

Unrealistic? Or is it the reality of God expressed in scriptures? How do we perceive God’s word when we read it? Is it, to us, half empty, half full, or overflowing? Rest assured that His word is overflowing regardless of our perception. It is not that God cannot fill us to overflowing that hinders us, because He can and will overflow us. But, it is our attitude that makes the difference, and how much we believe. Even if we acknowledge in our minds that our God is the giver unto overflowing, we must believe it in our hearts for it to change our attitudes. It is one thing to know that God created the Heavens and the earth, it is another thing entirely to look at the earth and look up into the heavens and feel a sense of awe, or connection with God, and be affected by what we are experiencing within the knowledge.

The world around us will consider us fanatics or unrealistic to hold such views about our Lord. However, Jesus tells us, “"I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Mt.18:3). It is not unrealistic to hold such a great and childlike faith in our Lord--it is essential for life--and for that life to be one that keeps the glass overflowing.

[Soldier4Christ]

Seeds of Division

    But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. They said to you, "In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires." These are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit. But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life (Jude 1:17-21).

We have been warned--but do we heed the warning. Throughout the New Testament, and especially in Paul’s letters, we are warned by the Apostles to be aware of those who would seek to undermine the work of the Kingdom. Perhaps there are those who are naive as I have been to not consider that there are those who can somehow find their delight in hindering God’s work, yet Jesus has told us to be “wise as serpents and harmless as doves.” To our dismay, if we were to see things clearly as through the very eyes of God, we would no doubt receive a sudden shock as we would see that things are not always as they seem.

The Bible tells us that the devil can appear as an angel of light. He is deceptive--the father of lies. Those who are led astray by him are deceived by him. They are the ‘scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.” Just as the devil is able to appear as something or someone he is not, so also those who are led by him can do the same. They seek what is for the good of the self over the good of the body, and they seek to promote the same among the body, as if perhaps to validate their desires to themselves.

We have been warned. And we had better heed the words of our Lord. It is a scriptural fact that there are those among us who seek to distort God’s truth, to exchange His truth for a lie, and to lead others to do the same. They “are the men who divide you.” They cast strife upon the church and spark divisions that hinder the church from doing the work that God has called it to do. The greatest question in the mind of a divider is “How can I get my way?” It is not that they seek to divide, but that they seek their way above God’s way, and they are willing to do whatever it takes to get it.

In these times, it is important for us to bear in mind that there are truly those who are within the church that cause separation rather than unity, that seek their own over that of what is good for the whole of the church. But lest we start a witch hunt, we must not become suspicious, but we must weigh everything according to God’s Spirit. There are those who are troublemakers by desire, there are those who make trouble unknowingly, and there are those who stir up strife yet do not wish to. So while we are staying alert so as not to be led astray, we must keep in mind that we ourselves must be certain that we cause no divisions for any reason. Even our good intentions can cause divisions, if we do not keep ourselves in check with God’s Word and His Spirit.

[Soldier4Christ]

For This Very Purpose

    But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth
    (Exodus 9:16).

He was a man humbled by his circumstances. He did not consider himself anything that he should be used by God. He did not think he had what it took, but God did not see it that way. And because God saw in him something more, something that could be used for a great purpose, He raised him up, established him and sent him, Moses, out to be the instrument through which we would call Israel out of bondage.

Perhaps you remember the story. How Moses came to the burning bush and God spoke to him from it. How God told Moses that he had been chosen to go and speak to Pharaoh and tell him, “Let my people go!” And perhaps you have heard how Moses responded to God’s invitation to serve--he panicked. Moses began making excuses, reasons why he did not think that he was the man for the job. But God did not let him alone, he did not give up on Moses and did not allow Moses to give up. And so Moses became the instrument of God’s work to free His people, and to demonstrate that He was God--the One True God of all creation.

There is a song by Wayne Watson entitled, “For Such A Time As This” in which he writes this chorus:
For such a time as this, I was placed upon the earth, to hear the voice of God and do His will whatever it is. For such a time as this, for now and all the days He gives, I am her, I am here, and I am His For such a time as this” (The Way Home, 1998 Word Records).

Even as the words were spoke to Moses long ago, the same still echo today. We were created for a higher purpose. We are called with a holy call. From the menial aspects to the important, these words of God call out to each of us who call Him Father: “But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”

You, as Moses, may not look at yourself to be much. You may even consider yourself to be nothing, or have nothing, that God could really use. For that matter, you might even try to explain to God why you cannot be used: “I don’t know how to witness,” or “I really don’t know that much about the Bible,” or perhaps, “I’ve done too many bad things for God to ever use me.” But be certain of this, that if God calls you it would be better for you to listen and obey--He will not except excuses because He already knows what you are capable of and what He has fashioned you for. And while it may not be God’s purpose that you be used to free one nation from the bondages of another, it may be His purpose for you to free one person from the bondages of sin--But you never can tell.

It’s His Call--it is your calling--it requires obedience, not excuses.

    But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth (Exodus 9:16).

[Soldier4Christ]

The Hidden Word

    How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you (Psalms 119:9-11).

Bombs blasting near by, piercing screams of agony and pain, gunfire--these sounds of battle are something we truly do not desire to experience first hand. But there have been so many who have been forced into just such a scene, and who have had to try to find some way to cope--and hopefully come home alive.
If battle itself isn’t enough, consider the frightening threat of being caught and taken to a POW camp. Some of us might rather die than be taken as prisoner, fearing possible torture and dehumanizing treatment that could be a daily fact of life for perhaps months, or even years.
There is a story told of a young man who faced such a situation. He had been caught and was placed in a prisoner of war camp, there to face the abuse of his oppressor. But this young man did not forget a very important fact--the fact that his Lord was watching over him. He embraced a great faith that gave him hope, but along with that he had something else to help him cope. It seems that the young man had spent many hours memorizing God’s Word. He had taken the Words of God and hidden them in his heart. And because of this, he was able to find comfort meditating on the scripture in his heart even though he could not hold a Bible in his hand.

We do not know what tomorrow holds for us. We do know, however, that we each will face difficult times. The wars within our lives may be physical, emotional, mental or spiritual. Our battles may leave us wounded and weak, tattered and worn. They may bring us to the brink of despair, or place us captive to depression. Yet we have a chance to be prepared. Today may be our chance to ready ourselves for the trouble that could easily lie ahead of us. It is God’s Living Word that brought life into this world, and it is His Word that sustains it. By hiding His Word in our hearts, we arm ourselves with the resource from which we can draw life--and what we need to cope.

Within the spiritual realm, we face attacks that are some of the most difficult to face. It is hard because we cannot see the stumbling blocks the devil may lay before us, that is, unless we are ground firmly in God’s Word. Without God’s Word, we are all the more easily deceived by Satan’s lies, we are more easily tempted by what may seem harmless in appearance, and we are more easily led astray into the snares of the wicked one--the sins that so easily beset.

David knew what it was like to go to battle against human enemies, and he knew what it was like to go to battle against spiritual enemies. He relied on God in both areas, and he knew that in order to fight the battles, in order to keep from being taken captive, and in order to survive, a warrior must be prepared. He asks, “How can a young man keep his way pure?” The answer: “By living according to your word.” David meditated on the Word of God, and he hid God’s Word (memorized it) in his heart. He knew that to sin was to fall to the spiritual foes. But he knew also that hiding God’s Word in his heart would give him what his very life would depend on--God’s power, hope and the strength to stand beneath the most adverse conditions.

God is our hiding place, and His Word is a two-edged sword--our weapon against the enemies of life, the instrument of warfare that guards our hearts. It is not just a Christian thing, or a noble thing, or a good thing that we spend time meditating on the scriptures and memorizing them--it is most likely a God given thing--a resource for our survival of the wars.

[Soldier4Christ]

Loving Anyway

    Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Rom.12:17-21).

A young man went to work at a new job. Within a short time he found himself working with another man who seemed to make it his business to antagonize him. For a number of weeks, the other man taunted him, trying to anger him and perhaps even wanting to pick a fight. But the response of the young man was not what his antagonist had expected. Instead of getting mad, or lashing back, the young man would simply smile in response to the other’s remarks.
This went on for some time until the taunter finally came to the young man and asked him, “Why don’t you ever get mad? I have tried to get to you and you just smile as though it does not bother you. Why is that?” The young man explained that it was not something he thought he should get mad about. From that time on, the other man never tried to antagonize him again.

Time after time in scripture, we are encouraged not to return evil for evil, but instead, to show kindness--even to them who do evil to us. “Turn the other cheek” and “love them that persecute you” are the words and rules by which the child of God is called to live.. For in so doing, we are the reflections of our Heavenly Father, demonstrating and unconditional love regardless of the treatment to ourselves.
In Matthew 5, Jesus tells us:

    "You have heard that it was said, `Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. "You have heard that it was said, `Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect (v.38-48).

There are some central truths we should all be aware of: first, it is the love of God in Christ that has given us the opportunity to experience God’s grace and have salvation; and second, it is that same love that must be reflected in our lives if we are going to be the lights to this world that God called us to be. Jesus loved and died for the whole world, and that even included the man who drove the nail through his hand. He wants us to learn to love the same. For within a soft answer, a gentle smile or a reaching out to one who has persecuted us, God may find within our hearts--within that moment--the very love He can use to draw another lost soul into everlasting life.

[Soldier4Christ]

Generations

    "You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments” (Exodus 20:3-6).

As I sat playing video games with my son, I thought about how I use to play board games with my parents as a child. I played chess with my father and brother, and the whole family often played other types of board games on weekends. It was interesting to me to note the difference. We still played games together, but how those games have changed within the generations.
While many things seem to be on the path of rapid change, it is also amazing to see how many things do not change through the generations as much as we might think. It seems that within families, there are a lot of things handed down from one generation to the next: genetics, for example, belief systems, attitudes, etc. We can often look at the lives of the children and see a perpetuation of the persons of the parents. I see within my own children a great deal of myself--some things I would rather not see. While they are different people, having differing tastes, desires and characteristics, it is amazing how much they are like their mother and myself.
Since Jesus walked this earth, we have had about 100 generations. The Gospel has managed to be handed down quite well through the years, and why not, God Himself put it into motion and it is His Spirit who keeps it living--it will not die. Consider the family tree who has had many men, women and children who loved the Lord. We might think of that family as a strong family, one which will probably continue the same way for many generations to come. But consider as well, a family who perhaps has had some people who were dedicated to God, and let’s imagine that some of that family became more interested in worldly pursuit than in following Jesus. We could see how such a person could become a weak link. And what would come of the following generations?
If we look to our society today for a possible answer, we are sure to find a variation from the spiritually strong to the spiritually weak. The spiritually strong (not to be confused with strongly, religiously opinionated) are they who walk with God, and who seek His will in their lives and the lives of their children. The spiritually weak are they who seek after self gain, and do not desire to serve or follow God at all. But what about those who seem to be somewhere in the middle? Jesus said, “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth” (Revelation 3:15-16).
The fact is, there can be no middle ground--we either have a heart for God, or we don’t. Ouch! That does not set well, but it sure seems to be upheld by God’s Word on more than one occasion. Why does that step on our toes so much? I guess it is because our flesh wants to have our cake and eat it too. We want to delve into the pleasures of this life without any lasting ramifications. Yet the plain truth remains that as we weaken to our desires and give in, then that is the example we set for our children, and our children’s children. If we do not hold strong to the path of righteousness, then we are setting up our own descendants for a fall, and perhaps an eventual breaking of the link that might otherwise lead the children to come, into eternal life.
In our country today, it is a popular view that you should be able to do whatever you want as long as it is not harming anyone else--we can suppose that is as defined by an individualistic society. We want to absolve ourselves of responsibility over the things that we consider are “Really not hurting anyone...” But how we live our lives as parents, and examples will have lasting impact on many generations to come. So it is our choice, we can live our lives as though it is for now, for us, for what we can get out of it; or we can live our lives knowing that we may be the very person that strengthens the faith of many generations to come.

[Soldier4Christ]

Gifts for Giving

    We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord (Rom.12:6-11).

The gift of prophesy, the gift of teaching, the gift of encouraging, the gift of leadership, the gift of mercy, the gift of discernment, the gift of healing, the gift of tongues, etc.--what does it all mean? For some in Paul’s day, it meant having reason to assert one’s own position as higher than another. It meant having a reason to stir up strife and sow division in the Body of Christ. It meant having another reason to focus on self rather than God. Of course this is not what God intended spiritual gifts to be used for, but just as we do with so much else, if we think that it is ours then we think we can do with it as we want--even if what is given was given for the soul purpose of giving it away.

Scripture tells us that “Every good and perfect gift is from above” (James 1:17), and that “whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more” (Luke 12:48). We are also told in God’s Word that, “ As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (1Pt.4:10) and “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful” (1Cor.4:2). It should be clear to us that whatever God gives us is not ours to do with as we choose. We have not come to accept God’s gifts, or His salvation, so that we can tuck them away for personal and private pleasures. We are given a charge with what God has allowed us to have (which is anything we have), and that is that we are to share it as He directs--even giving to the point of giving our very lives. “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?” (1Cor.6:19).

Controversy in the early church arose over the spiritual gifts of God. The very gifts that God had given to be used to minster to the Body of Christ, were being twisted by impure and selfish motives, and were being used instead to ‘minister’ to the self. Some were claiming that one gift meant more than another, perhaps to seek to lead the church to believe that they should pay attention to those who had certain gifts more than to they who had others. But God gave differing gifts so that the Church body could be fully functional--filling all the gaps to meet all of the needs. But things and people being as they are, so many sought to use there new found gift as a means to draw attention to themselves instead of to God.

I remember a time that I met with a friend over coffee to talk about some issues in his life. Things were going well until he paused and said, “You know, I really see Jesus in you right now.” That was all it took for me to instantly turn my eyes inward. It was as though my flesh decided to try to build my ego and puff up my pride, and use my friends words as the fuel to do it. But God quickly helped me to adjust and see that my eyes were no longer focused on God or the person in front of me, but on myself. I thank God He helped me to recover my focus quickly, and that He taught me a valuable lesson in that moment--the Power behind the ministry, or the gift, must remain the focus. Otherwise, if the gifts are flaunted selfishly--it is nothing.

    If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. (1Cor.13:1-2).

[Soldier4Christ]

ThanksGiving

    Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. (1Thes.5:16-18, KJV).

“In everything give thanks.” The New International Version says it like this, “give thanks in all circumstances.” Our first question may be, “What does that mean exactly? Surely we are not expected to give thanks for the bad things too--are we?” As hard as that is to hear--yes--we are to give thanks IN everything and IN all circumstances.

Consider the pilgrims. When we think about them what things come to mind. I’m not sure about you, but I often think of the hardships they faced trying to build a home in a foreign and often hostile land. I think about how so many lost their lives to disease, and I think about how little they had. It was all they could do just to carve out a living, so I imagine they seldom sat around on Saturday wondering what they could do for fun.

Even so, they were thankful. The were grateful that God had brought them as far as He had. They were grateful that God had provided for their needs. They could have chosen to contemplate their hardships and blame God for what seemed to be difficult circumstances, yet they chose instead to throw a feast in God’s honor--A sincere demonstration of their gratitude for what God had given.

We have so much to be thankful for today. In most cases, we have more than enough. And if it was not for our desires for nice things, comfort and entertainment, we would probably have enough wealth left to support at least one more family, if not more. It would seem however, that most of us do not see ourselves as rich. Maybe not compared to millionaires. Yet shall we compare ourselves to the families in third-world nations who make do in small, one room shacks, who do not have luxuries of running water, sewer systems and electricity--things that we take for granted everyday. Compared to those people, we are very wealthy.

But what shall we do with our wealth? A rich young man came to Jesus and asked Him, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?” Jesus talked with him briefly and then finally said to the man, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” The scripture explains further that, “When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God’" (Matthew 19:16-26).

It is a strange but often true occurrence, that those who seem to have very little are truly thankful for what they have and rejoice in knowing that God will provide their needs; while those who seem to have much often take for granted what they do have, want even more, and somehow forget that God is able to meet our needs. It is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven--but not impossible. To whom much is given much is required, so we should consider that God has more for us to do with what we have than to pocket it and feel content that we do not have to go without.

True gratitude is something that will lead us to further action. For as give thanks to God for what we have, we may discover that we want to give back. Maybe even throw a feast and invite others to share in our bounty, to understand God’s blessing and to experience the true meaning of ThanksGiving.

Are we truly thankful? Or do we allow the desires of ‘more’ from this world consume us to where we are not grateful for what we have? One the other hand, perhaps we are truly grateful. If so, how do we show our gratitude to God?

    For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' "Then the righteous will answer him, `Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' "The King will reply, `I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' (Matthew 25:35-40).

[Soldier4Christ]

Taste and See

    Praise the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness. Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and flute, praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD (Psalms 150).

Glory to God in Heaven. He is worthy to be praised. He is always faithful, He is the truest of friends. His arms are always open to welcome us. His eyes never shut from watching over us. He encloses us in the hollow of His hands to keep us from harm. He is the most faithful Father, our loving Lord. His might and power put the universe into existence and His wisdom constructed the smallest atom. Yet with all His wonder, with all His magnificence, He takes time to help the smallest of people, to hear a child’s prayer, and to mend broken hearts. Glory to God in Heaven. He is worthy to be praised.

It has been said that as we express gratitude to God for what we have, that He reminds us how we can really live without what we do not have. It has been said that if we are discontent, that expressing thanks to God can bring contentment. Praising God is healthful to the body and soul. Praise can bring us healing, it can bring us joy, it can bring us peace, but most important of all--it can bring us closer to God.

James encourages us, “Come near to God and he will come near to you” (4:. We have a lot to be thankful for. But the greatest thing we have to be thankful for is that the God of the universe desires to have a relationship with us. He desires to draw near to us. He desires to walk with us in a wonderful an personal way. He wants us to know what His perfect love is like first hand, and He was willing to lay down His life to bring it to be.

“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends” (Jn.15:13). We have a lot to be thankful for. We have a heavenly Father who sent His only begotten Son into the world to be the instrument of grace and reconciliation. Jesus, God’s only Son, who came into this world to bring us life and life more abundant. He is the great Mediator, the Mender of broken relationships--Counselor to broken hearts, homes and marriages. We have much to be thankful for in Him. For through Him we have the courage to come near to God, to find peace in our homes, and to find freedom from sin.

During this time of year we shall fill our selves with all kinds of Thanksgiving delights. We generally know what suits our tastes and will probably get plenty of what tastes good. David tells us, “Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him” (Ps.34:. To taste of God makes the things of this world and sinful pleasures fade in comparison. If you desire to lose your taste for sin, then taste and see that the Lord is good. If you are wondering how to have peace in your homes and joy in your heart, then taste and see that the Lord is good. If you desire to experience true Thanksgiving like you have never experienced it before--taste and see that the Lord is good.

[Soldier4Christ]

Thanksgiving Feast

With all our holiday plans, and all our preparations, it can be very easy to become distracted and lose sight of Whom we are giving thanks to. We think of turkey, and pie and other delights. We think about family and friends. And many of us think about the Thanksgiving day football games or parades. These things are nice to experience and are favorite parts of the holiday, yet they are not the main part. It is a time set aside to honor God--a time to worship the Provider, not the provision.

Thanksgiving Feast

The word was sent throughout the land,
“Come one and all alike,
the King requests your presence
to share in His delight.
A feast unlike all others,
just one week from today,
in honor of His only Son,
upon Thanksgiving Day.”

But many made excuses,
why they could not attend,
“Busy with the relatives,”
or “Visiting a friend.”
And so the King sent out for those,
who had no place to be,
extending invitations ,
to whomever would be free.

Reports came back much like the first,
The people could not come,
But sent regards and grateful words
in honor of His Son.
They said, “Dear King, we’re honored
to live within your land,
But, you see we are quite busy
and we’ve made Thanksgiving plans.”

And so the feast was given,
there were a few who came,
to give thanksgiving to the Son,
and magnify His Name.
As for the rest who were content
to dwell within His land...
They settled for their turkey.
when they could have chose the Lamb.

    Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying: "The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come. "Then he sent some more servants and said, `Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner: My oxen and fattened cattle have been butchered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.' "But they paid no attention and went off--one to his field, another to his business. The rest seized his servants, mistreated them and killed them. The king was enraged. He sent his army and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. "Then he said to his servants, `The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come. Go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.' So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, both good and bad, and the wedding hall was filled with guests. "But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. `Friend,' he asked, `how did you get in here without wedding clothes?' The man was speechless. "Then the king told the attendants, `Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' "For many are invited, but few are chosen" (Matthew 22:1-14).

[Soldier4Christ]

Just An Expression

    Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour (1Pt.5:.

A man had been hired to construct a large exhibit in an art museum representative of art of a particular era. The project was near completion when the curator discovered that the exhibit contained some pieces that ‘might’ be offensive to some religious groups. One piece, specifically, was entitled “Bathtub Jesus” which portrayed an artist’s conception of Jesus in a bathtub wearing a condom. “Offensive” may not be strong enough of a word.

To the curator, this was something that could not simply be allowed to be displayed and hidden beneath the guise of artistic expression, or freedom of speech. To the man who had worked the project, it was a harmful act of censorship--one that he thought demonstrated a tragic reaction to what many consider to be a necessary freedom of expression.

The writer of Proverbs tells us, “Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control” (Prov.25:28). These words are often echoed throughout God’s word. We are not instructed on the benefits of selfish indulgence and anything goes. But instead, we are encouraged time and again to exercise self-control. Galatians 5:22-23 explains, “ But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” 1 Thessalonians 5:5-8 encourages, “You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.”

As human beings, it is psychologically, mentally, physically and spiritually important that we express ourselves--and that we learn to do so appropriately. Balance must be kept in all things through the wisdom of God and by His direction. “There is a time for everything. . .a time to be silent and a time to speak” (Eccl.1). This may not be the most popular view today, but it is the most godly. And we as God’s children must be “wise as serpents, and harmless as doves” (Mt.10:16), careful that our “conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone” (Colossians 4:6).

God has given us the power of self-expression, but is something that is meant to be maintained with self-control. We have things we need to share and express, but never at the expense of someone else. For we are to “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves” (Philippians 2:3).

It is the holiday season. And being so often means getting together with friends and relatives--which sometimes means having to ‘put up’ with each other (so to speak). We may be tempted to say things we feel have needed to be said for a long time--things we feel we have a right to express. But may God encourage us to exercise the proper self-control so that our words will be seasoned with salt, administered with grace and always in truth that is spoken in love.

[Soldier4Christ]

Just Kidding

    Like a madman shooting firebrands or deadly arrows is a man who deceives his neighbor and says, "I was only joking!"
    (Proverbs 26:18-19).

I happen to be a cartoon lover--well, to a point. A grown man who still loves to watch Saturday morning cartoons may seem kind of juvenile, but that is part of what makes me who I am. At any rate, one of the more pleasant aspects about cartoons is that, once you weed through what is now available, there are still some that are enjoyable and still teach good moral lessons.
One of my favorites was “Life with Louie.” Never heard of it? I’m not surprised--it didn’t seem to last very long. But it happened to be one of those cartoons with a good moral message often attached.
One episode in particular was about how Louie wanted to be a comedian when he grew up. He had seen an older comedian do stand-up and thought that was the job for himself. So he spent a lot of time “learning the trade” from the older man. The problem was that the man’s comedy was the kind that gets laughs by ridiculing others--the man was simply a put-down artist, or so it’s called.
The story goes on with him teaching Louie how to put down others, but more importantly, how to get out of trouble when someone doesn’t think to highly of the joke being on them. He told Louie that the most important words he had to remember were, “Just kidding.” However, a night came when the joke was on Louie and Louie did not think the man’s comedy was all that great after all. Lesson learned.

To bring it in to real life for a moment, consider how it was when you were the one on the other end of the joke. It may not have been an obvious poke, or a well rehearsed one-liner, but just the same, you did not receive it well.
The fact is, words can hurt--and we know that. We can say things that are kind of a joke--but, kind of not. Perhaps we speak the truth in jest rather than in love. You know, using humor as a cover for a way to say things we really want to say--things you know might start a quarrel if said seriously.
Perhaps it is because what is inside of us is some kind of hurt, resentment, anger or something else, so we look for opportunities to wound without recourse--to hurt without fear of retaliation. We say, “Just kidding” and leave the other person wondering. For now they too have been hurt, but they do not know how to react because they are not sure how you meant it. So perhaps, we somehow feel vindicated--perhaps as though we got in the last jab.

With holidays here and family near, many opportunities may arise where we say things we want to say and cover up in some way. We may use humor to hide the fact that our “Just kidding” is a “Not really,” or we may simply be vague in what we say or how we say it, so as to leave the other person confused--not really sure as to what just happened--not really certain if you were serious, or “Just kidding.”

But we are instructed, “let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation” (James 5:12). Simply put, our words should communicate rightly what we are saying. They should not be twisted or vague, or hidden behind humor so as to hide the true intent. Nevertheless, it is our choice toward others--and the choice of others toward us--in how we will speak; whether with sincerity and love, or if we choose to stir up strife, see it as nothing--and remark, “Just kidding.”