Our Light Affliction

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The seat was dark, mustard yellow in color, wide, and so low to the floor that it felt like I was falling into it. Bob, who is over 6 feet tall, would most likely struggle with this when he brought Rachel in.

The t.v. was on a loop, suggesting and presenting options for a healthy lifestyle all while rehearsing diseases of every kind and the numerous drugs that could relieve symptoms and what kind of horrible side effects one could anticipate from taking said drugs.

The secretary, whose position had been billing but not in this current office, worked fervently trying to figure out what was going on with our insurance, why we were charged what we were charged, and what it was actually supposed to cost.

I had brought a book on praise to pass the time, thinking that fitting with Thanksgiving fast approaching. I read a sentence in my book, probably more than half a dozen times, before finally comprehending it and being able to move on to the next. Beth was in surgery, getting her wisdom teeth removed, all four of them. And Rachel was coming fast on her heels. Don’t tell a loved one, “It’s routine.” Being put under anesthesia and being cut is not “routine”. If it were, our daily conversations would be much different — and we would be a wreck.

Finally, what was in print grabbed me.

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 NKJV

Our light affliction … I read that over and over again. Affliction: pain, suffering, hardship. It was Paul who wrote this, and what were some of his “light” afflictions? He was imprisoned, whipped, stoned, beaten, shipwrecked, and spent a night and day adrift at sea; he had long journeys in the city, in the desert, and on the sea, where he faced dangers from Jews and Gentiles, robbers, and people who claimed to be believers but were not; he worked hard and long, endured sleepless nights, was hungry and thirsty, often going without food, and shivered in the cold without enough clothing to keep warm. (2 Corinthians 11:23-27)

It’s true, the surgeries are hardships for the girls, me, and for our family as a whole, but they are no comparison to Paul’s hardships.

I think my biggest frustration is that so much of my suffering, unlike Paul, seems as though it is simply for suffering’s sake, not for Christ’s sake. And yet can’t any kind of suffering be used like clay in the Potter’s hand to mold me into who He created me to be? I think it can, but that is not going to prevent me from petitioning and believing to receive the fullness of what God has for me here, that being, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth, as it is in heaven. That being said, I do not believe that surgery is God’s perfect will, and we did pray not to have it … a lot. People may wonder why we take so much to the LORD in prayer, especially those things that seem “typical” or “routine”, and ask such things of Him that others walk out daily without petition. Why do we do it? Because God does answer prayer. He has answered prayer. So when we don’t receive the results we prayed for, I choose to believe that He will work this for our good because we love Him and are called according to His purpose.

Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, … So reminiscent of: This too shall pass, which was coined as one of Lincoln’s favorite sayings. It definitely has biblical connotations as is seen in our verse, but for a moment.

How did Paul survive his “light afflictions”?

But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God — this, after they had been stripped, severely beaten, and thrown into prison. (Acts 16:22-25). You’ll have to read the whole account for yourself to find out what happened next. The point is, even under those horrific circumstances, Paul and Silas prayed and praised. They weren’t the first believers to do so nor will they be the last.

I hope you do not mind the break from our discipleship study, but this is what was laid on my heart. I find it fitting considering the upcoming holiday. Despite the afflictions we are facing, I hope that we can offer up praise together for God is good. And at our end, I pray that like Paul, we may be able to say we have fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith (2 Timothy 4:7).

Perhaps you will join me again, probably in December, and return with me to our study — or go wherever the LORD leads. May you have a wonderful, joy-filled Thanksgiving.

p.s. Thanksgiving need not be a national holiday in order to be celebrated 😉 .

Sealed

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Discipleship 1:10

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV

We can’t perceive the change that took place in us in our physical and soulish (mind, will, emotions) realm. But in the spirit part of us there was a total transformation.

… and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:24 NKJV

When we are born again, our spirit becomes truly righteous and holy.

If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. John 15:10 NKJV

Keeping God’s commandments does not affect His love for us. But it does affect our love for Him and for each other. This type of righteousness is produced by our own actions and we must maintain it if we want to be in right relationship with others.

For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:21 NKJV

This righteousness goes beyond our external righteousness and is based on what God did for us. We received right standing with God by faith in Jesus Christ. God is pleased with us based on Christ, not on anything else.

But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him. 1 Corinthians 6:17 NKJV

The only way that we can know that this total transformation has taken place in our spirits and that we are joined to the LORD is through the Word of God.

 … that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, … Ephesians 3:17 NKJV

After our conversion, Christ dwells in our hearts through faith.

… just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, … Ephesians 1:4 NKJV

… to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. Ephesians 1:6 NKJV

We as believers stand holy and blameless before God, accepted in the Beloved, Jesus Christ. Isn’t that beautiful?

But maybe there is a part of you that doesn’t feel saved. You’ve failed; you’ve sinned. I’ve heard people jokingly say that they’ve lost their salvation or their Christianity when they find themselves falling into behavior prior to their salvation. Two things come to mind that will bring comfort if we let it.

I once heard a minister say, (to those who are married), “Just because you don’t feel like you’re married doesn’t mean you aren’t married.” That could apply to other things as well. Just because I may not feel like a female, does not change the fact that I am a female.

I have recently heard the testimony of a woman who was on the platform with the worship team when she was suddenly smote in her heart because she had been at the bar drinking the night before. Feeling like a hypocrite, she wrestled internally, thinking, “Oh God, I have no right to be up here leading worship!” And you know what Holy Spirit whispered to her heart? “You were a hypocrite when you were in the bar last night.” !!! Yes, God sees us as He has made us at the time of our salvation: righteous, pure, blameless.

And then there’s this wonderful scripture that I have often referred to when I have failed in my Christian walk and no longer feel like a Christian:

In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, … Ephesians 1:13 NKJV (I added the bold print.)

Oh what comfort it brings me to know that God has sealed me. I am marked by Christ and the Holy Spirit is protecting my salvation. A barrier has been formed to keep sin out and retain the purity of my born again spirit. And the same has been done for you if you have heard the Gospel and received Jesus as Savior with gladness. This is so wonderful!

 Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God. 1 John 3:9 NKJV

Our born again spirit does not sin. But what happens when the physical/soulish parts of us sin? Join me again next time and we’ll find out.

Your New Identity

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Discipleship 1:9

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV

In Christ is mentioned over 300 times in the New Testament and it is vital to our new identity to grasp this.

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:23

This verse states that we are three parts: spirit, soul (mind, will, emotions), and body. Though some people do experience deliverance in other areas simultaneously with salvation, we remain mostly the same physically, emotionally and mentally. If you’re short, you’re still short; if you’re a quick wit, you’ll maintain a quick wit; if mathematics comes easy to you, it’ll still come easy to you. We will still have a lot of the same memories and thoughts. (This is where Romans 12:2 points out transforming power of the Word of God but that is not for today’s topic).

And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being. Genesis 2:7 NKJV

Adam was complete, but he wasn’t alive until God breathed into him the breath of life. It is our spirit part that is changed and new after salvation. Our life comes from our spirit.

And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins,… Ephesians 2:1

Yes, we were alive physically, but prior to salvation we were spiritually dead. Death in the Bible doesn’t mean “ceasing to exist”; it means “separation”. When a person physically dies, they do not cease to exist.

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:… Hebrews 9:27 NKJV

The spirit and soul continue to live either in the presence of God or in hell but there is separation from our physical body which dies and decays.

“…but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” Genesis 2:17 NKJV

Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings. Genesis 3:7

We studied this out in prior lessons. Adam and Eve did not physically die on the spot after taking that forbidden bite, but they became sin-conscious, and that condemned them and separated them from God. They became separated from God’s holy, complete, absolute, abundant life.

It’s worth repeating:

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV

If we are in Christ we are a new creation, old things are gone. Praise the LORD! God literally places His Spirit in us and gives us a new identity in Christ.

And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),… Ephesians 2:1-5 NKJV

We were dead in trespasses in sin. Accordingly, we followed the ways of the world, obeyed the devil, and lived in the spirit of disobedience. But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love for us, made us alive together with Christ while we were still dead in trespasses and sins, saved us by His grace.

Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 NKJV

We were the things listed above, but when we became born again, we were washed, made holy, and righteous (in right standing) before God. What we were is past; what God made us through Jesus and by the Spirit is present.

But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him. 1 Corinthians 6:17 NKJV

It doesn’t get any plainer than that.

Please join me next time as we continue along the same vein of studying our new identity in Christ.

Goin’ Down to the River

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Discipleship 1:8

Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38 NLT

I can see the picture in my head. I’m 7-8 years old, wearing a blue dress, hair put up in a messy bun. My cheeks are so puffed out with air that I look like a squirrel collecting nuts for the winter. I’m holding my nose, prepared to be dunked by my pastor in a pool.

And that water is a picture of baptism, which now saves you, not by removing dirt from your body, but as a response to God from a clean conscience. It is effective because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 3:21 NLT

I loved Jesus and that day I was making a public confession and open display of the change in my heart and my intent to follow Him. My conscience before God was clean. I believed and I had chosen.

I have had one message for Jews and Greeks alike—the necessity of repenting from sin and turning to God, and of having faith in our Lord Jesus. Acts 20:21 NLT

God overlooked people’s ignorance about these things in earlier times, but now he commands everyone everywhere to repent of their sins and turn to him. Acts 17:30 NLT

I had repented of my sins and turned to Jesus so baptism was naturally the next step. See, water baptism is not necessary for salvation but is an outward expression of salvation. Water baptism is a command, but keeping this command does not produce justification.

Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned. Mark 16:16 NLT

Notice that Jesus did not say that those who aren’t baptized will be damned. Baptism isn’t essential for salvation but the first part of this verse does stress the importance of it.

On a side note, all of these scriptures prove that it is redundant to sprinkle/baptize infants. It might seem like a nice church/family tradition, but that’s all it is: tradition. Infants do not repent nor act in faith. Since baptism is an act that expresses one’s faith, the act means nothing where faith is not present. What about those who believe a baby’s eternal salvation depends upon this practice?

At one time I lived without understanding the law. But when I learned the command not to covet, for instance, the power of sin came to life, … Romans 7:9 NLT

The sin nature does exist, but God is not imputing sin unto people until they knowingly violate His law. Babies don’t know; accordingly, infants need not be “baptized” to be saved and to be received into heaven.

Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.” You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror.” James 2:18-19 NLT

Actually, no matter the age of the person, if there is not faith, baptism means nothing. Faith alone saves, but saving faith is never alone. Where there is faith, it expresses and exposes itself. Each individual, when they have come of age, must make the choice for or against Christ themselves and act on it. So if you have repented of your sins and turned to Jesus …

And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord. Acts 22:16 NKJV

If you believe, then like I had so very long ago, I hope you will join me and testify and be baptized in water.

For further reading:

“He is the one all the prophets testified about, saying that everyone who believes in him will have their sins forgiven through his name.” Even as Peter was saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who were listening to the message. The Jewish believers who came with Peter were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles, too. For they heard them speaking in other tongues and praising God. Then Peter asked, “Can anyone object to their being baptized, now that they have received the Holy Spirit just as we did?” So he gave orders for them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Afterward Cornelius asked him to stay with them for several days. Acts 10:43-48 NLT

For your pleasure:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=maT4phfTXR4&list=RDmaT4phfTXR4&start_radio=1

MORE than myself

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Discipleship 1:7

Callista was the very meaning of her name: most beautiful. She had long hair, the color and texture of corn silk, which was turned into a fashionable style. Her complexion was light and clear, her frame was slender. Her eyes were an indiscernible color and framed with impossibly long, dark lashes. She was the oldest daughter of a successful sea merchant. She was pampered, loved, and a snob.

Buck had black hair, blue eyes, was tan in complexion, tall, and well-built. If one would ask him, he couldn’t tell why he liked Callista, but he did. Sure, he could say like most fellows that it was because she was pretty and she came from an affluent family — which she was and she did. But that wasn’t it for Buck.

In fact, he had more reason to dislike her. Buck, for all of his lavish attention and good looks, was not even considered by her because he was an orphan; he had nothing to offer her. Yes, her father had taken him under his wing. Yes, her mother disciplined her when she mistreated the young man. Yes, her brothers had become his friends. Yes, the youngest of the family adored him. This wasn’t enough for Callista. Buck was penniless. She had nothing but disdain for him.

Still, he persisted in pursuing her. Ask him why, he still could not tell you. He consistently walked the fine line of being kind and attentive to her while maintaining respect for himself in the midst of her snobbishness and barbs.

He eventually offered her the one possession of value that he owned: a necklace with a stone the color of deep purple with hints of blue and red. Why? It was because he loved her. Recognizing a quality item when she saw it, having been given so many from her doting father and want-to-be-suitors, she received it. Outwardly, her attitude was flippant about it, but inwardly, this gift had special meaning; this one was from a man who had nothing else to offer. From that point on, little by little, her heart, hardened by prior emotional wounds, began to soften; and her snobby veneer meant to protect, began to crack.

One day, some time later, she made an astonishing realization which she verbalized to Buck: “I never thought it was possible, but I love you more than I love myself.”

And there went great multitudes with him (Jesus): and he turned, and said unto them, If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:25-26 KJV

He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Matthew 10:37 KJV

It is believed that Jesus had a great following at this time, whether due to His feeding them or other miracles that He performed, who knows. It was at this time that Jesus deliberately said the verses above that caused many to turn away and follow Him no more. Are we supposed to hate others? Of course not! But our love for others and for ourselves is to pale in comparison to our love for God. Our relationship with Jesus is to be above all earthly things and all of our other relationships.

In Luke 9:57-62 we find one man offering to follow Jesus but Jesus made it plain he would be persecuted by being refused hospitality, thereby having no where to lay his head. Are we willing to follow Christ when it’s inconvenient and costs us? Jesus called the second man but he wanted to delay commitment until his father died. This man’s heart was not truly after Jesus. We are all called. Are we delaying what God has purposed for us until it suits us? Another man said he would follow Jesus, but again, he wanted to first tell his family goodbye. We are not to shirk responsibilities to our families or mistreat others, but we are to prefer Jesus above anyone and anything else and surrender our will. Do we?

And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. Luke 9:62 KJV

We must keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and what He has called us to do. Divided attention will result in failure (Luke 16:13). Jesus was stressing the importance of commitment to Him so that we can succeed in our Christian walk.

They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. Luke 8:13-14 KJV

Roots are required to not fall away. Cares, riches, and pleasures of this life must be set aside in order to have the relationship with Jesus that He desires.

For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Luke 14:28 KJV

Count the cost of commitment to Jesus. Do you think it’s more than you’re willing to pay? Are you willing to live life without Him to find out?

Maybe you’re afraid you’ll “fail” at the Christian walk. Don’t fret. Once we make the decision to surrender all to follow Jesus, He begins to live through us.

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 the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20 KJV

And …

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Philippians 4:13 KJV

Maybe you’ve “tried” salvation before, maybe you’re trying now and are having a difficult time. As our next verse points out, humble people are patiently trusting on God to work things out.

Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. Ecclesiastes 7:8 KJV

If you’re feeling that gentle tugging on your heart, then join me. Choose Jesus and make the commitment to follow Him. So maybe some of us get off to a rough start, the point is, we began and …

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: Philippians 1:6 KJV

He didn’t bring us this far to let us go. He is persistent and loves us still — even when we are unlovely. Let’s keep our eyes focused on Jesus and plow on though the ground may be hard and seems unyielding; He will see us through. Let’s remain committed. And hopefully, as we continue to surrender ourselves to His love and His purpose, we will have a realization like Callista did with Buck, and say to God, “I didn’t think it possible, but I love You more than I love myself.”

REPENT!!!

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Discipleship 1:6

After Jesus’ temptation, He left Nazareth and departed to Galilee. From that time He began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has arrived.” (Matthew 4:1-17 my summation)

Repentance is a change of mind, change of heart, change of ways, and change of direction, not perfection. It is a turning from old ways and turning to a Person, that being God (through Jesus Christ) and committing to His ways. Simple, right? And yet, like any good relationship, it requires a lot of maintenance and attention.

Have you ever used a g.p.s.? We have. Usually we follow it explicity, but on return trips, when Bob knows where we are and how he wants to get home, he’ll ignore the instructions and we’ll hear, “Recalculating.” And when all hope is lost, “Turn around when possible.” The funniest is when our aid quits talking to us altogether. Apparently we ignored it one too many times. Thank God He is long-suffering and as long as we’re willing to listen, He’s willing to talk.

Luke 15:11-24 tells the story of the prodigal son. I suggest you read it and familiarize yourself with it even if you’ve read it before as it is a perfect picture of repentance. One of the verses that sticks out to me the most is verse 17 when the prodigal finally came to himself — or came to his senses. The prodigal was literally starving. He’d spent all of his inheritance on wicked living and found himself tending pigs, contemplating eating corn cobs as no one offered him anything else. It was at this time he realized that if he didn’t change his ways he was not long for this world. How did he keep from perishing? The same way we all keep from perishing.

I tell you, no; but unless you repent [change your old way of thinking, turn from your sinful ways and live changed lives], you will all likewise perish. Luke 13:3 Amp.

He decided to repent, to go home, to humble himself and beg his father to take him back as a hired servant.

What is God’s desire for us?

The Lord does not delay [as though He were unable to act] and is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is [extraordinarily] patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 Amp.

He patiently waits for us, just as the prodigal’s father waited for him. God has wishes and one is this: that none of us would perish but that we would all repent.

And what three things implicate biblical repentance?

but I openly proclaimed first to those at Damascus, then at Jerusalem and throughout the region of Judea, and even to the Gentiles, that they should repent [change their inner self—their old way of thinking] and turn to God, doing deeds and living lives which are consistent with repentance. Acts 26:20 Amp.

Repent. Turn to God. Prove that we have truly repented by our deeds.

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day [when I judge them], ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, and driven out demons in Your name, and done many miracles in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them publicly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me [you are banished from My presence], you who act wickedly [disregarding My commands].’ Matthew 7:21-23 Amp.

Doers of God’s will, not just the professors, will enter the kingdom of heaven. Signing a card, joining a church, being baptized, and doing all good works, does not produce salvation. Jesus told them He never knew them. Why did Jesus say this? And can we identify people in the same way? The next verse says that we can.

You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions. Matthew 7:16-20 N.L.T.

True repentance, salvation, is from the heart, not merely the lips.

According to Isaiah 55:7, the wicked must change their ways; the unrighteous must change their thoughts and return to the LORD; THEN God will have mercy and generously forgive.

The prodigal’s father is a shadow of our heavenly Father when we repent. The prodigal’s father met his son while he was still a far way off. He hugged him and kissed him; he ordered the best party robe, a ring, and sandals to be put on him; and he said to prepare the fattened calf; be happy and make merry, strike up the band and dance — they were going to PARTY! Isn’t this wonderful?

And when a sinner repents,

I tell you, in the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance. Luke 15:7 Amp.

There is rejoicing in Heaven! — the saints’ forever home.

Like the prodigal’s father, God is not willing that we should be slaves either, but His children. If you have not repented and accepted Jesus as Savior and LORD, will you consider doing so now?

Perhaps you will join me in this prayer:

LORD, like the prodigal, I have gone my own way. I have been totally selfish and sinned against You. Please forgive me. I recognize Jesus as Your Son, crucified for my wickedness, risen, and seated at Your right hand. I want to be Your child, joint-heirs with Jesus, living righteously for You, bringing glory to Your kingdom and Your name. I trust You, LORD, to bring those into my life who will come alongside and help me grow in You and form me into a godly example so that I, too, may help shape others. Thank You for blotting out my sins. Thank Your for Your mercy. Thank You for making me like You. Amen.

Hope you find the laughter and the truth in the link below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCOsprD9fsE

Communication is Key

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Discipleship 1:4

But the Lord God warned him, “You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the garden— except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat its fruit, you are sure to die.” Genesis 2:16-17 NLT …

… The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the Lord God had made. One day he asked the woman, “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?”

“Of course we may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,” the woman replied. “It’s only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God said, ‘You must not eat it or even touch it; if you do, you will die.’”

“You won’t die!” the serpent replied to the woman. “God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.”

The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too. Genesis 3:1-6 NLT

And so it begins…

For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many… Romans 17:a

First, satan questions what fruit they must not eat. Isn’t that just like him to focus on the negative? They had a whole garden of fruits and herbs at their disposal, for their pleasure, and satan picks on the one tree that God had warned them not to eat.

Second, Eve misquotes God’s admonition to Adam saying they couldn’t eat it or touch it. (Bad game of Telephone?)

Third, satan capitalizes on Eve’s doubt. He knows he has her attention so he runs with it. He convinces her that God is withholding from them, not protecting them. He doesn’t really care about them, He just doesn’t want them to be like Him.

satan is still talking to people along these lines today. Maybe you haven’t heard it said but it’s definitely implied that we’ll never experience true happiness by staying within the perimeters God has set for us. As if people must rebel and live out of control; as if they must be drunk, experiment with drugs, engage in premarital sex; knock people down to climb the ladder of success; or indulge themselves by any means in order to be happy. God’s not wanting us to do these things is not to prevent us from having fun, but from harming ourselves and/or others and from doing things in which there might be no turning back. Has the voice of our enemy whispered in your ear? He’s whispered in mine.

You know what’s super cool? God’s displays His forgiveness and love for His creation despite their sin through disobedience by still seeking out the couple that He created.

When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the Lord God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the Lord God among the trees. Then the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” Genesis 3:8-9 NLT

Despite our sin, God is still coming to us today. How?

…But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ. Romans 5:17b NLT

Even before sin entered the world through one man, God had a plan to redeem it through one Man. And we needed redeemed.

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23 NLT

And …

But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. 1 John 1:9 NLT

After we accept salvation, we must be aware.

For they don’t understand God’s way of making people right with himself. Refusing to accept God’s way, they cling to their own way of getting right with God by trying to keep the law. Romans 10:3 NLT

We talked about this, remember? us trying to get right with God and then stay right in and of our own efforts? We can’t do it, it’s self righteousness, and it stinks! But if we put our faith in Jesus …

and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; Philippians 3:9 NKJV

The course I am reading did not focus on the importance of communication, but I’m going to. Looking back, where did this mess begin? God warned; satan questioned His instruction; Eve misinterpreted; satan built on that one forbidden thing and made God to not be good by withholding from them; Eve and Adam bit, literally. Boom! Distance between God and man. Did you notice something beside the fact that God still sought them out post-sin: they hid from Him.

I sometimes wonder how things would have looked if Adam, who the Bible clearly states was with Eve when all this went down, spoke up. What if he rebuked satan right out the gate? What if, as Eve was being misled, he said, “Look Babe, that’s not what God said. We’re not eating from that tree!” What if, after they ate, Adam ran through the garden calling for God, asking for His forgiveness, rather than hiding? Yeah, they’d have still been kicked out. Despite how harsh that sounds, it was actually a merciful act. They had eaten of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, and if they had progressed and eaten of the tree of life they would have lived forever in a sinful state.

Then the Lord God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of Us, to know good and evil. And now, lest he put out his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever”— therefore the Lord God sent him out of the garden of Eden to till the ground from which he was taken. So He drove out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life. Genesis 3:22-24 NKJV

Can you imagine living on planet earth forever in the state that it’s in? I can’t! Even His discipline is mercy extended to us.

Today’s topic is relationship and I’d sum that up by saying good communication is necessary for a good relationship.

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I hope you will join me next time as we dive into the nature of God, beginning and ending with …

God is love. 1 John 4:8

When Good is Not Good Enough

Discipleship 1:3

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During my teenage and early 20 something years, I babysat a boy that I practically got to watch grow up. Though I don’t know where the family was spiritually, they did make reference to God often and were pleasant. I frequently took an Uncle Arthur’s Bedtime Stories book to share with Ricky. He asked for them when I came and listened intently to the stories as was proved by his comments and his questions. I did my earnest best to gently share the love of God and his need for Him whenever and wherever I could.

He shocked me, though, when once he told me about an aunt that was a nun; there was no need for his personal salvation as her position gave him an automatic “in” to heaven. I couldn’t have been more floored. In fact, I repeated what he stated, which he confirmed, and asked if he believed it to be true, which he did. Until he made that comment, I didn’t realize that theology, if you wish to call it that, existed. Yeah, I’d battled falling into the performance trap based on my own merit, but never considered that my salvation hinged on someone else’s merit. It opened up a whole realm to me as to why people may take pride in having family members in “religious” service, no matter their faith, and why they may be so lack in nurturing their own spiritual well being. That’s problematic. I put that skewed notion right up there with the fellow student who told my girls that she was a Christian because she was homeschooled. ?! Uh, I don’t think so.

Today’s discipleship lesson is very closely related to something I recently posted entitled Approved and goes into greater detail about my battle with trying to earn God’s favor by my performance. When I was “good”, my relationship with God was “good”. When I fell short of expectations contrived by me or written in the Word, I often put myself into a corner and had a time of avoidance with Father because I felt like I disappointed Him. Wow. That hurt to write but there it is.

Generally speaking, if we ask anyone what one must do in order to be saved and go to heaven, they would most likely say, “Be a good person.” Then they may even go on to list what is considered good based on their own belief system. But in order to have a relationship with God and eventually make our home with Him in heaven, we’d have to have a righteousness that equals His. That, my friends, is impossible and that is what is so amazing about grace.

But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, … Romans 3:21-23 NKJV

What does this mean? Man couldn’t nor can we even now keep the Law given through Moses. Our best attempts will never be good enough to earn salvation. The best attempts of those we may attach our salvation to will never be good enough. Only Jesus’ sinless life could put us in right standing with the Father. He bridged the gap. Grace, charis, undeserved favor was extended to us. And how do we obtain it?

“… through faith in Jesus Christ… “

 “… and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;… Philippians 3:9 NKJV

For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:21 NKJV

If we could earn our salvation be keeping the Law, by being “good”, then Christ died in vain. We cheapen His sacrifice by doing all we can do instead of leaning on what Jesus has done.

I do not treat the grace of God as meaningless. For if keeping the law could make us right with God, then there was no need for Christ to die. Galatians 2:21 NLT

Maybe it’s humanity’s weakness to lean on what we can do to maintain a good relationship with God. I link that to the original sin: pride. Do any of us really want to be dependent on someone else? I personally know of people who have caused physical injury to themselves because they did not want to ask for help. I myself have often pushed the ticket as to what I am capable of because I didn’t want to ask for help. We are never ever going to be good enough. No one person we may depend upon will ever be good enough. As the tax collector in Discipleship 1:2, we must humble ourselves before the LORD so that we may be forgiven and justified. Salvation comes through faith in Christ alone, period. Salvation is a gift waiting for us to open!

But—When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. Titus 3:4-5 NLT

To get the most out of this study, I suggest meditating on the scripture verses presented until the next post and taking the time to look them up in different versions. If you desire to go deeper, study key words in their original meanings.

At any rate, I hope you are blessed by this and that you will continue to join me. Until next time, blessings!

Our Righteousness: Stink or Aroma?

Discipleship 1:2

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(*For our understanding, the simplest definition I have heard for righteousness is right standing with God. Let’s bear that in mind during today’s study.)

Our main text today comes from Luke 18:9-14.

Two men, a Pharisee, (an ultra-religious, “separated one”, person), and a tax collector went to church to pray. I can picture the Pharisee going front and center of the church, standing upright, looking heavenward. “I thank You, God, that I am not like other men,” he prayed. Then he began to pontificate on the reasons why, using comparison to other men. Besides being faithful to his wife, he was holy, just, and he did not use force, threats, or illegal means, to gain what he had. In other words, he was not like the tax collector, (whom we’ll get to), who stood afar off, praying. Oh, and by the way, the pharisee also went without food twice a week and gave ten percent of all that he had to the church. He was all of that, a bag of chips, a mega sized drink besides, and vocalized it. Self righteousness stinks.

Sadly, I can relate to the pharisee. I have looked down on others, especially in my younger days. “I do not go to the booze, drug, and sex parties of my peers. I do not use vulgar language or immodestly dress as they do.” La de da. Okay, reflecting back, I do not think that I was as outwardly as offensive as the pharisee or my peers would have approached me as they did. Ah, but God looks on the heart, and sometimes the inner thoughts of my heart stunk.

The point I’m making is that I have battled the self righteous attitude. I may not have been as vocal as the pharisee, but internally it was still there. What I think the big temptation to do here is compare ourselves to one another. Which, now that I am more mature in Christ, I intentionally guard against; however, I have caught myself, even now, being a spiritual snob. At times I must remind myself that my “comparison” is to be made to sinless Jesus only, period, for all of us have fallen short of the glory of God.

The tax collector felt the weight of his unrighteousness. He didn’t go the whole way into the church, would not lift his eyes to heaven, and smote his breast which is a biblical sign of repentance. There was no comparison to others here; he owned his sins and cried out, “God, be merciful to me — I am a sinner!”

I can also relate to the tax collector. Sometimes I drive myself nuts with the things I think, say, or do that are displeasing to God. But that’s why grace, charis, the free, unmerited favor of God toward people who don’t deserve it, is so wonderful. This was the heart of the tax collector. It is my heart when I have done wrong and have humbly come to God to confess it.

My sacrifice [the sacrifice acceptable] to God is a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart [broken down with sorrow for sin and humbly and thoroughly penitent], such, O God, You will not despise. Psalm 51:17 AMPC

This is when righteousness is a sweet smelling aroma as unto the LORD. So who went home forgiven and in right standing with God? The tax collector of course!

I tell you, this man went down to his home justified (forgiven and made upright and in right standing with God), rather than the other man; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted. Luke 18:14 AMPC

The pharisee was not humble in his “praying”, therefore God didn’t hear him, just as he won’t hear us.

If we say we have no sin [refusing to admit that we are sinners], we delude and lead ourselves astray, and the Truth [which the Gospel presents] is not in us [does not dwell in our hearts]. 1 John 1:8 AMPC

Compare the non-effective arrogant “prayer” of the pharisee to that of the effective prayer of the tax collector.

If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action]. 1 John 1:9 AMPC

I hope you will join me in taking some time to self-reflect. Let us ask ourselves: Is there a bit of snobbishness residing in me? If there is, let us humble ourselves, ask for forgiveness, and repent. And like the tax collector, may we walk away forgiven and in right standing with God. In closing, let’s visit the scripture again:

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:8-9 NKJV

Blessed be the name of the LORD.

For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:13 NKJV