Now Unto Him …

“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us. (21) Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end, Amen.” Ephesians 3.20-21

I love the way Paul describes our God: “ … able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think … ” Did you realize that God CAN DO more than you will ever ask of Him or more than you can ever THINK to ask of Him? And how is He able to do that? “ … according to the power that worketh in us.” What exactly is that? That is the power of the awesome Holy Spirit whom God has given to us to be our constant companion from the moment of salvation until the moment we are in heaven. God thought of EVERYTHING we would need in our walk with Him, and He supplied it. So, what is required of us if this truth is going to be a reality for us? We must release the control of our lives into the hands of the Holy Spirit so that He can appeal to God and ask God “to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think … ”

“Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages … ” How many times have you been in a service and the only thing you could focus on was one of the praise team members or someone else on the platform who had the opinion that the service was all about them? “Unto HIM be glory in the church … ” It is never to be about us. It is always to be about Him. May we never forget! Jut my thoughts …

God Is …

“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.” Isaiah 12.2

One of the great benefits of reading the Word of God is the abundance of truth that we learn about God. Even though we would all acknowledge that God is our salvation, I am not certain that is something that we affirm with others on a regular basis.by “others,” I mean those who are not already part of the family of God. I believe it is helpful for them to know that God is the Source of our salvation.

Since God is our salvation, this next phrase becomes a little more affirming for us. “I will trust, and not be afraid … ” Trust is something that we build with another person. Even though we know that God is trustworthy, it may take several experiences where God shows us that He is always trustworthy, in order for us to be able to say, “I will trust … ” Trust does not always eliminate fear, so for Isaiah to say these words indicates that something else has occurred in connection with his trust in God. For me to NOT be afraid when I am in a fearful situation means that I believe the person who is with me can handle whatever I am facing without any problem. That is where Isaiah is in this verse as he talks about God. “I will trust, and not be afraid … ”

Isaiah goes on to say that “the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song … ” Not only is Isaiah trusting God. Not only is he not afraid. But he also if finding his strength in God. Where do you find your strength? Is God your source? If He is not, He ought to be. Just my thoughts …

He Does It All!

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1.9

How many times have we quoted that verse to someone else or had someone quote it to us? It is familiar, significant, and vital to remember. Having said that, what does the verse mean?

What does it mean to confess our sins? It means to agree with God that what He calls sin we also call sin. Just because it doesn’t SEEM bad to us doesn’t mean that it isn’t sin. Others may tell us, “Oh, that isn’t such a bad thing. Don’t worry about it.” But what does God say? 1 John 1.8 says, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” Most of us don’t have any problem admitting that we are sinners, our struggle comes with agreeing with God that everything He calls sin we also call sin.

Once we confess our sins, what happens next? “ … he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins … ” Notice the phrasing here. He forgives US our sins. WE are forgiven. Our sins have been paid for by the blood of Christ. God says, “I forgive you for what you did because my Son paid for your sins.”

Now notice this last phrase: “ … cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” I can be forgiven and still FEEL dirty, guilty, unclean. That is the ongoing work of Satan himself. God says, “Let me take care of that for you. Let me wash you thoroughly from every trace of unrighteousness so that you will not only BE clean, but you will FEEL clean.” THAT is a wonderful final step. Appreciate the totality of all that God does for you when you confess your sin. Just my thoughts …

What a God!

“Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? He retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.” Micah 7.18

There are four great statements describing God in this verse: (1) He pardons iniquity. (2) He passes by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage. (3) He does not retain his anger for ever. (4) He delights in mercy.

You and I both should rejoice in the truth that our God pardons iniquity. Since none of us is perfect, that means that we all sin that needs to be pardoned. I know the theological ramifications that tell us all sin was pardoned in the cross. But it is also helpful to know that when you and I sin, we can come to God and confess that sin and He will forgive (1 John 1.9).

When we read that God passes by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage, what does that mean to us? It means He does not dwell on our sin. Satan usually succeeds in getting us to dwell on our past failures and we are often defeated by those memories. God does NOT do that. BECAUSE our sin has been atoned for through the death of Christ, God has no need to dwell on our transgressions. They have been buried in the depths of the deepest sea. Look at v. 19: “He will turn again he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.”

God does not retain His anger for ever. Why? Because He has no reason to be angry over sin that has been atoned for. And finally, He delights in mercy. The realization that God is a God of mercy ought to bring limitless joy to our spirits. What a GREAT God we have and serve. Just my thoughts …

We Must Each Do OUR Part!

“For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.” Habakkuk 2.14

How is the earth filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord? Psalm 19.1 states: “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handywork.” God’s creation is a dramatic demonstration of God’s glory. But how else is the earth filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord? Let me suggest that you and I have a responsibility to share our personal knowledge of God’s glory with the world in which you and I live and move each day. I wonder if we ever consciously think about the impact that our lives have on the world around us? Do we wake up each morning with a goal of glorifying God that day, or do we simply allow the day to unfold before us in a manner that demonstrates that life is all about us?

Habakkuk’s words are so powerful. We cannot overlook them. “ … as the waters cover the sea.” God’s glory is a universal truth that the whole world needs to know. I cannot reach the entire world with the knowledge of the glory of God, but I CAN reach my world with the knowledge of the glory of God – and I must. Will you give some thought to HOW your life can help fill the earth, i. e. your world, with the knowledge of the glory of God? That is my prayer for you today. Just my thoughts …

Be Careful!

“Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.” James 4.3

I find interesting that the Holy Spirit selects Mr. Practical to present this verse to us. James is all about doing what we say we are going to do. He doesn’t take kindly to insincere Christianity. He is the one who said that “faith without works is dead.” (James 2.20).

So, let’s take a closer look: “Ye ask, and receive not, because  … ” James has made an observation about the lives of believers all around him. Here is the Amplified Bible version: “You ask (God for something) and do not receive it, because you ask with wrong motives (out of selfishness or with an unrighteous agenda), so that (when you get what you want) you may spend it on your (hedonistic) desires.” Has this ever been true in your prayer life? I know it has in mine. How many times have I asked God for something, knowing that it was a WANT and not a NEED? And my reason for asking was to satisfy some selfish desire on my part.

When we examine James’ words carefully, he is not suggesting that we are going to actually get the wrong thing we asked for. But he is saying that the reason we won’t get it is because we ask with wrong motives and God knows that we want to “spend it on our (hedonistic) desires.” I believe this reminder about inappropriate prayer should remind us of the value in getting God’s approval for the things for which we pray. He knows our NEEDS and wants to meet them at the right time and in the right way. Such knowledge leads us to great truth. Just my thoughts …

Don’t Try to Go It Alone!

“Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.” Psalm 55.22

When I read this verse, I think of someone carrying a huge burden on their back and in desperate need of a place to lay it down. But we all know there are other kinds of burdens that all of us carry at one time or another. There are emotional burdens. There are spiritual burdens. There are financial burdens. There are relationship burdens. WHATEVER the kind, every one of us needs a place to lay that burden down. The psalmist gives us good counsel. Let’s examine his words.

“Cast thy burden upon the Lord … ” We never have to wonder if God is able to handle our burden. He is omnipotent. We are NEVER going to have a burden – regardless of the kind – that is greater that our God can handle. Once we realize this truth, why would we carry our burden any longer than necessary? “ … he shall sustain thee … ” Once we give our burden to the Lord, we may discover that we are pretty well spent. No need to fret. “ … he shall sustain thee … ” He is NEVER going to leave us to fend for ourselves when we need Him the most. He is there and He Cares and He wants to provide everything we need.

“ … he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.” Satan does not have unlimited access to God’s children. Can he attack us? Yes, he can. Can he do anything he wants to us? No, he cannot. When Satan came to attack His servant Job, God drew the boundary lines to limit what Satan could do. In the time of our greatest testing, God is STILL with us, sustaining us as needed. Just my thoughts …

Confident Prayer!

“Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” Mark 11.24

This sounds like a blank check from God. In a way it is. And in a way it isn’t. Here is a phrase we must consider: “What things soever ye desire … ” How are our desires determined? Are they simply the sum total of everything we want in life? Do we sit down sometime and just tell ourselves, “I would really like to have _________ (you fill in the blank)”? I submit that is the way many of God’s children determine their desires. But I want to present a different alternative. What if we came to the Lord in prayer and ask Him to determine our desires for us? What if we started each day with a prayer something like this? “Lord, I don’t know what this day holds or what I will need to get through it. You are already there. Show me how to pray and what my needs will be and don’t let me ask for anything I don’t really need.” That kind of prayer would allow us to place our desires firmly in God’s hands.

Once we have allowed God to determine our desires, the rest of this prayer makes sense: “… when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” Once I know that my desires for me are God’s desires for me, it is easy to believe that I will receive them. That not only adds confidence to my praying, it also builds my confidence in the truth that God only has my best interests in mind. That truth will carry you and me through the day. Just my thoughts …

God Will Put Him in His Place!

“No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.” Isaiah 54.17

These are powerful words delivered by Isaiah from the Lord. Look at the qualifying statement in this verse: “This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD … ” Even though you and I live in the New Testament era, as servants of the Lord, these words apply to us. Notice the promise that is given in the first phrase: “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper … ” Satan is on the march and his goal is to do everything he can to derail or disarm or detour God’s children from the path to which God has called us. In order to do that, he may choose to form a weapon that he wants to use against us. Guess what? “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper … ” Those are not MY words. Those are GOD’S words. His plan for us will supersede anything Satan may want to do to us.

The next thing God tells us is this: “… every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn.” You say, “Pastor, is it ok to defend myself when I am falsely accused by others?” I believe God’s words to us are clear. What you and I have did not come from our own works. It came from God: “ … their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.” When others choose to criticize the way we are living for God, they are criticizing our God. We have every right to condemn their words. Our behavior is patterned after what God wants. THAT is what counts to God. Just my thoughts …

Great Gifts!

”For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1.7

It is amazing the number of people who wake up each day with a sense of fear about facing the day. This includes many Christ-followers. So, the information that Paul gives us in this verse is invaluable. “ … God hath not given us the spirit of fear … ” What is required of us in order to appropriate the fact that God has not given us this spirit of fear? We must acknowledge that we want God to be in charge of our day. That means whatever is coming will be under His control.

So, if fear is not to be part of the equation, what is it that God supplies? “For God hath … given us the spirit … of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” How do we draw on that power? We acknowledge God’s power in place of our own, knowing that our own power will not be enough to handle what is coming. God’s next gift to us is the spirit of love. What would your day look like if you could face it with a heart filled with love for others, rather than a sense of distrust, or anxiety, or any other negative emotion? I believe a heart filled with love changes a lot of things in our lives.

The final thing Paul mentions is “ … a sound mind.” WHAT is a sound mind? Isn’t that a mind that blocks out the confusion of the world so that one can listen to God when He speaks? Isn’t that a mind that weighs the facts rather than make rash decisions just to get them over with? I think God wants to equip us to handle each day with access to His power, a heart of love, and a mind that listens to Him over the world. Let’s let Him do that for us – TODAY! Just my thoughts …