God Had a Plan Thoughts on Being First In the First Place

Often people like to begin stating their stance on a given issue with the phrase, “In the first place…” as though they have the final say on the matter. However, the first word spoken on a given matter is not necessarily the final say. After all is said and done, it turns out the dragonfly is not a dragon, but merely a fly.

Proverbs 18:17 The first to plead his case seems right,
Until another comes and examines him.

Have you noticed that when Jesus was tempted by the devil, it was the devil who spoke first after the forty days and forty nights of fasting in the wilderness? He even used scripture itself – the absolute truth of God – to try to dissuade Jesus from God’s perfect plan.

Matthew 4:1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
2 And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry.

3 And the tempter came and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread."

4 But He answered and said, "It is written, 'MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.'"

5 Then the devil took Him into the holy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple,

6 and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written,
'HE WILL COMMAND HIS ANGELS CONCERNING YOU';
and
'ON their HANDS THEY WILL BEAR YOU UP,
SO THAT YOU WILL NOT STRIKE YOUR FOOT AGAINST A STONE.'"

7 Jesus said to him, "On the other hand, it is written, 'YOU SHALL NOT PUT THE LORD YOUR GOD TO THE TEST.'"

8 Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory;

9 and he said to Him, "All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me."

10 Then Jesus said to him, "Go, Satan! For it is written, 'YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY.'"

11 Then the devil left Him; and behold, angels came and began to minister to Him.

Well, Satan may have had the first word in this instance, but he certainly didn’t have the final say. In every instance Jesus, knowing full well the will of the Father and being fully committed to it, gave the final answer, and that with absolute authority.

Be blessed today as you keep the Lord first in everything!

Job 42:1-2 Then Job answered the LORD and said, "I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.

[ALL SCRIPTURES NASB]
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God Had a Plan Thoughts on Being First The Beatitudes

On Being First, the Beatitudes

Have you ever read the beatitudes (which may be found in the fifth chapter of Matthew) with a “first… then…” perspective? What I mean by that, for example, is to read, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven,” like this, “First, be poor in spirit, then the kingdom of heaven will be yours.”

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted,” becomes something like, “First comes mourning, but then you shall be comforted.”

“Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth,” becomes “First be gentle, then you shall inherit the earth.”

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied,” becomes “First hunger and thirst for righteousness, then you shall be satisfied.”

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy,” becomes, “First be merciful, then you shall receive mercy.”

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God,” becomes, “First be pure in heart, then you shall see God.”

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God,” becomes, “First be a peacemaker, then you shall be called a son of God.”

“Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven,” becomes, “First comes persecution, then the kingdom of heaven is yours.”

“Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you,” becomes, “First comes persecution, then comes rejoicing because you have great reward in heaven.”

Be blessed today as you keep the Lord first in everything!

Job 42:1-2 Then Job answered the LORD and said, "I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.

[ALL SCRIPTURES NASB]
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God Had a Plan Thoughts on Being First Pleasing God

Do you ever find yourself in the position of having to make a difficult decision – and that is to keep the Lord FIRST in your heart even in regard to doing a good thing? The other day I was doing something “good,” something which I did not doubt that the Lord wanted me to do, and yet I clearly sensed Him saying to me, “Keep Me first.” Only after some soul-searching meditation did I recognize the temptation to try to gain the favor of certain people through the “good thing” I was doing. The desire to please people is a temptation I think we all face, and sometimes it is very subtle.

As people pleasers, we can end up in all sorts of difficult situations. Women, I think, are particularly good at taking on more volunteer activity than we are actually capable of maintaining. Who hasn’t, at some time or another, volunteered for yet one more church activity only to find herself too stressed out to be effective and a blessing? Too often we don’t seek the Lord, we simply jump in without recognizing the motivation coming from that ugly little voice that says, “But what will they think of me if I don’t volunteer?”

What about other areas in our lives where we find ourselves striving to please man rather than God? How about family tradition? Or wanting to be friends and fit in with non-Christian, worldly people? How about wanting to fit in with certain Christians – even when they aren’t being faithful to the Word of God? I suppose the list could go on and on. Often, it is difficult to choose faithfulness to the Lord over pleasing people. Yet, the Bible clearly tells us that pleasing the Lord, not man, is to be our goal.

2 Corinthians 5:9 Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him.

1 Thessalonians 2: 4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who examines our hearts.

John 8: 29 "And He who sent Me is with Me; He has not left Me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to Him."

Colossians 3:22 Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord.

23 Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men,

24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.

Proverbs 29:25 The fear of man brings a snare,
But he who trusts in the LORD will be exalted.

In my situation the other day when I sensed the Lord reminding me to “keep Him first” – did I stop in my tracks, turn around and go home? No, because I still believed the “good deed” was the thing the Lord wanted me to do at that time. So I continued on, yet prayerfully. Faithfully praying about everything can make all the difference, because it helps us to keep the Lord first in all our “doings,” remembering that it is only what God thinks of us that matters. When we choose to fear the Lord, we are free from the fear of what people think of us, and our lives are more peaceful, less frenzied, and more effective, full of good fruit!

Be blessed today as you keep the Lord first in everything!

Job 42:1-2 Then Job answered the LORD and said, "I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.

[ALL SCRIPTURES NASB]
***

God Had a Plan Thoughts on Being First He Loved First

Well, here’s a simple one – it’ll take 30 seconds to read and I hope you take it to heart. This most likely is my very favorite part to this “First” theme, because I love knowing that God loves me. And that he loved me FIRST! From the book of 1 John:

1 John 4:10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

1 John 4:19 We love, because He first loved us.

The following is a favorite scripture of mine, because although the word ‘first’ is not actually in the verse, still I find that God loves me already, so much so that He listens for my cries. I love Him because He loves me!

Psalm 116:1 I love the LORD, because He hears
My voice and my supplications.
2Because He has inclined His ear to me,
Therefore I shall call upon Him as long as I live.

Here’s a thought – what child was ever born already loving the parent first? The child learns to love by being loved! Be blessed today as you ponder God’s heart for His child, and that He loved us first!

Job 42:1-2 Then Job answered the LORD and said, "I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.

[ALL SCRIPTURES NASB]
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God Had a Plan Thoughts on Being First Ezra

This started out (by the Lord's inspiration, I believe) to be just a simple biblical study on the word, "First." I have found so much to be relevant that I am still focused on it! Recently I remembered a post from awhile back that is so completely fitting for this theme, and that is 'Ezra.' So, if you would like to read it, here's the link to that post:
EZRA
Be blessed as you continue to put the Lord FIRST in your life!

Job 42:1-2 Then Job answered the LORD and said, "I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.

[ALL SCRIPTURES NASB]

God had a Plan Thoughts on Being First Be Thankful

Lately I've realized that I've been forgetting something simple yet so important with the result that my attitude fails to reflect how very wonderful God is. Often I am distracted, busy and even annoyed. I can easily become resentful and self-pitying, and I really have forgotten to keep a thankful heart at all times. So, today, I'm asking Him to help me remember to thank Him FIRST and help me keep a thankful heart all throughout the day.

Psalm 95:2 Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving,
Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.
3For the LORD is a great God
And a great King above all gods,

Psalm 100:4 Enter His gates with thanksgiving
And His courts with praise
Give thanks to Him, bless His name.
5For the LORD is good;
His lovingkindness is everlasting
And His faithfulness to all generations.

Psalm 50:23 "He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors Me;
And to him who orders his way aright
I shall show the salvation of God."

Paul reminds us that we ought to be devoted to prayer with an attitude of thanksgiving...

Colossians 4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving;

And even when we are presenting requests to God, it ought to begin with thanksgiving – after all, has He not already given us so much to be thankful for?

Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

This is an article I submitted to the weekly FW challenge way back in ’05:

Thanksgiving, Mighty Weapon of Warfare!

We cannot be thankful to God and despise a neighbor at the same time.
We cannot be thankful to God and wallow in self-pity at the same time.
We cannot be thankful to God and curse in anger at the same time.
We cannot be thankful to God and vent resentment at the same time.
We cannot be thankful to God and harbor bitterness at the same time.
We cannot be thankful to God and give in to temptation at the same time.
We cannot be thankful to God and display envy at the same time.
We cannot be thankful to God and gossip at the same time.
We cannot be thankful to God and ridicule others at the same time.

The list could go on, but the point is, what a powerful weapon against the enemy we have! Even negative feelings like fear, hopelessness and anxiety are hard to hold on to when we maintain an attitude of thanksgiving.

Judah used this mighty weapon of warfare. The sons of Moab, the sons of Ammon, and the Meunites had all come together to make war against Jehoshaphat, king of Judah. Jehoshaphat proclaimed a fast, and all Judah gathered together to seek the Lord. The Lord told them through a prophet that the battle was His, not theirs, and not to fear, but to trust Him.

2 Chronicles 20:18 – 24
And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the Lord, worshiping the Lord. 19 And the Levites, from the sons of the Kohathites and of the sons of the Korahites, stood up to praise the Lord God of Israel, with a very loud voice.
20 And they rose early in the morning and went out to the wilderness of Tekoa; and when they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, O Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem, put your trust in the Lord your God, and you will be established. Put your trust in His prophets and succeed.” 21 And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who sang to the Lord and those who praised Him in holy attire, as they went out before the army and said, “Give thanks to the Lord, for His lovingkindness is everlasting.” 22 And when they began singing and praising, the Lord set ambushes against the sons of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; so they were routed. 23 For the sons of Ammon and Moab rose up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir destroying them completely, and when they had finished with the inhabitants of Seir, they helped to destroy one another. 24 When Judah came to the lookout of the wilderness, they looked toward the multitude; and behold, they were corpses lying on the ground, and no one had escaped.

Give thanks to the Lord, for His lovingkindness is everlasting, indeed!

Job 42:1-2 Then Job answered the LORD and said, "I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.

[ALL SCRIPTURES NASB]

God Had a Plan Thoughts on Being First Family

Recent events in this journey of life have me reflecting on family a lot. Often, it seems, there are things I want to do – things I ought to do – things I could do – but all get pushed aside when family issues become critically important. It’s then that I realize it’s all about choices, and family comes first.

When our children were babies, my husband and I made the decision that I would be a “stay-at-home” mom, and we have valued that decision – even in financially stressful times when it might have seemed that the right thing for me to do was get a job. We got through those times, and our boys are all grown up. Now often we miss the little people they once were, but we have no regrets, and we are so proud of the wonderful young men they have become.

Recently I have so appreciated having the time and being able to do some things that I believe are within the range of talents the Lord has given me. Yet, even now, I find that I have to work at keeping the appropriate balance in the different areas of my life. I am still a homemaker, although I no longer have to change diapers or drive to sports practice. I find usually that with a bit of creative scheduling, I can fit in the things that I don’t have to do, but I truly want to do – such as blogging.

But then there are the times, such as now, when all such scheduling pretty much goes right out the window, and survival mode kicks in. Having the time to get the laundry done and the meals cooked feels like a luxury. Now, much of my time is spent just sitting, watching my own mother as she stares at pictures on the wall of her grandsons, and tries to remember who they are. Or, watching as she tries to follow along with the activity director who is helping her create a special craft. My simply being there, smiling and nodding at her, telling her the craft is pretty, holding her hand – seems to make her happy, even though at times she introduces me as her sister.

I confess, I sometimes worry that the time will never be there to do the things I want to do – even the very things I have come to believe the Lord wants me to do – because of the other things I also want to do and believe the Lord wants me to do. I am not only praying for patience, but thanking Him for the patience He has already given me, and putting it into practice in my obedience which is by faith. I can only do each day so much, and so I have to trust Him with all of this. So, once again, I am putting family first, and in so doing, I keep the Lord first in my life.

1 Timothy 5: 4 but if any widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to practice piety in regard to their own family and to make some return to their parents; for this is acceptable in the sight of God.

… and verse 8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

Job 42:1-2 Then Job answered the LORD and said, "I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.

[ALL SCRIPTURES NASB]
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God had a Plan, Thoughts on Being First Christ, the Firstborn

I’m still studying the word, 'first.' Isn’t it something how one small word can have so much depth? One of the most important aspects in this topical study has to be that Christ Himself is the Firstborn, (see verses 15 and 18 from Colossians 1 below) and (verse 18) that He will come to have first place in everything. Sometimes the scriptures are so powerful that it seems nothing else needs be said. Still, I would simply like to emphasize some things. Verse 15 – He is the image of the invisible God. Verse 16 – by Him all things were created. Verse 17 – He is before all things and in Him all things hold together. Verse 18 – He is the head of the body, the church. Verse 19 – all the fullness dwells in Him. Verse 20 – all things are reconciled to God through Him, and through the blood of His cross.

Colossians 1:13 For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son,

14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.

16 For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things have been created through Him and for Him.

17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.

18 He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.

19 For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him,

20 and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.

I am overwhelmed by these scriptures. If anyone ever has any doubt about just who the Lord Jesus Christ is, these scriptures are great reassurance that He is Emmanuel, God with us!

Job 42:1-2 Then Job answered the LORD and said, "I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.

[ALL SCRIPTURES NASB]

God had a Plan, Thoughts on being first Seek ye First the Kingdom of God

Matthew 6:25"For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?

26"Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?

27"And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?

28"And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin,

29yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these.

30"But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith!

31"Do not worry then, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear for clothing?'

32"For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.

33"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

34"So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Let’s do some imagining – let’s picture verse 33 – “seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” – like a Christmas tree. Seeking first His kingdom and righteousness is the tree itself. The decorations are the things “added” to the tree – but they are not the tree itself. They can never take the place of the tree. They are not the substance – they are merely the decoration. They are nice – but they are not the tree!

I like to picture the Lord, in a sense, sneaking up behind His children as they are busily seeking first His kingdom and His righteousness, and hanging little “decorations” on them, and smiling as He does so.

Something else stands out to me about this passage of scripture, and that is the freedom from worry that the Lord wants us to walk in. He doesn’t want us to be excessively burdened, fretful, even fearful. Consider the words, “the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things.” It simply means their focus, their daily worry and the way they spend their time and resources – is seeking to gain everything they need or want. Why? Because they don’t have the same assurance of a heavenly Father who feeds and cares for them that we do as Christians. We, on the other hand, have that assurance, and God likes to see the evidence of our faith and trust in Him – not the anxiety of the world reigning over us!

If the necessary things of life are “added to us” while we are seeking – not the things, but God – then they come upon us without our setting worried minds on them! God wants us to rest in our relationship with our heavenly Father – that He loves us and cares for us and even meets our need for everyday simple things like food and clothing.

Of course, there is a balance here. We are all called to WORK in some way. Resting in Him doesn’t give license for laziness! Presently I don’t work outside the home, but I still have work to do, primarily housework. Most husbands and fathers have to work to provide a living for their families. Some wives or single moms have jobs outside the home. Some are called to fulltime ministry as their occupation. Even children must learn to work hard in school to get the most benefit from it, and they learn to help out at home as well. Even voluntary pursuits involve a willingness to put forth sincere effort. Doing our work well, as unto Him, is one way we honor God – or seek Him first – in our lives, whatever form our work takes.

Having work to do is just a fact of life, so we’d best get on with it – yet, not fretfully, but peacefully, trusting our heavenly Father to provide for us everything we need. I love the peace of knowing my Father cares for me, and I hope you do, too! Blessings to you today as you seek Him first.
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Job 42:1-2 Then Job answered the LORD and said, "I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.

[ALL SCRIPTURES NASB]

God had a Plan, Being First First Love

Within my "God Had a Plan" theme, I have had a second theme going - thoughts on "Being First" which has produced a lot of thinking and independent Bible study on my part. In writing out more based on that theme, I was searching through my own blog - to see what I've already done there and what remains only on my computer (or even in my mind!) I found a piece written back in October which happens to fit the theme perfectly - so this morning I am simply going to give you the link to "Return to Your First Love."
Thanks for visiting and have a great day!

God had a Plan, First Covenant, Second Covenant - Which Came First?

Which came first – the “First Covenant” or the “Second Covenant”? Well, the answer seems obvious – the Old Covenant of righteousness by the keeping of the Law and the offering of animal sacrifices came first. That was followed by the New Covenant, that righteousness which comes, not by way of the keeping of laws and the offering of animal sacrifices, but through the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. As the word says, according to 2 Corinthians 5:21, He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

The first covenant – the law contained in commandments and requiring the blood of animals to be shed – why not just keep it in place? Hebrews 8 is a good place to start to answer that question.

Hebrews 8:6-7 But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, by as much as He is also the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises. For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion sought for a second.

Did you get that? If the first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no need for a second. The problem with the Old Covenant is that man was not truly able to keep the Law, try as he might. It has to do with the heart and nature of man – what man is on the inside, and his inability to be “good.” That’s why Jesus said we must be “born again.”

John 3:3 and 5-6 Jesus answered and said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." … Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

Although as Christians we have been born again, and therefore have a new spiritual heart and a new spiritual nature, we know we still struggle in our efforts to obey the inclination of that new nature as opposed to obeying the inclination of the old nature that we are accustomed to. That’s why Paul told us to walk by the Spirit, not the flesh.

Galatians 5:16-17 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.

Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.

3For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh,

4so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

But let’s look back at our original question – which came first, the “First (Old) Covenant” or the “Second (New) Covenant”? In truth, God’s ultimate plan was always the New Covenant. Yes, the Old Covenant was a part of His plan, of course, but it was never the goal – that man would somehow survive through obedience to the Law. That was not God’s plan! Jesus was not the “afterthought” but the “forethought.” He is the Beginning and the End, and He was the foundation from the beginning.

Ephesians chapter one is excellent for studying God’s “purpose from the beginning” – here are a few verses from the chapter.

Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,

4just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him In love

5He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will,

6to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.

7In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace

8which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight

9He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him

10with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him

11also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will,

12to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory.

13In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation--having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise,

14who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory.

And from Revelation chapter 22:

Revelation 22:12"Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done.

13"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end."

14Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city.

15Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the immoral persons and the murderers and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying.

16"I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star."

17The Spirit and the bride say, "Come " And let the one who hears say, "Come " And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost.

Why then the Law? If God knew it would be, in a sense, futile, why enact it at all? The Law was given so that we might know our sin. Romans chapters 3 and 5 have a lot to say about God’s purpose for the law in the first place.

Romans 3:19 Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God;

20because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.

21But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets,

22even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction;

23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

24being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus;

25whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed;

26for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

9Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.

10For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.

11And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

12Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned--

13for until the Law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law.

14Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who had not sinned in the likeness of the offense of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come.

15But the free gift is not like the transgression. For if by the transgression of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many.

16The gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned; for on the one hand the judgment arose from one transgression resulting in condemnation, but on the other hand the free gift arose from many transgressions resulting in justification.

17For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.

18So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men.

19For as through the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous.

20The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more,

21so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

I know we all are so very thankful for the New Covenant – our reconciled relationship to our heavenly Father who loves us and gave His Son to save us, His plan from the very beginning!
***

Job 42:1-2 Then Job answered the LORD and said, "I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.

[ALL SCRIPTURES NASB]

God had a Plan, There Really is No Time Like the Present

I’m so glad God’s plan includes me! Part of His plan for me is to train me in the use of my time. I have to admit to you that although as a Christian I have pretty much always had a “quiet time” with the Lord on a fairly daily basis, often it was almost like an item on my “to do list” – once I got it done and crossed off, the rest of the day belonged to ME! Oh, my! So, although I did not practice outright sinful behavior, I sure could fritter away a lot of time on fairly useless activity, such as playing games on the computer.

One day several years ago I was talking to God about the computer game I was playing, and He told me very simply, “I would not make that choice.” I am not being legalistic – if I had limited the time I spent playing computer games wisely, I doubt God would have had to speak to me about it to begin with. In other words, taking a break now and then is a good thing. Unending hours spent playing computer games, on the other hand, is not time well spent. Not only that, it can become depressing, and I believe that is largely because we sense, as moral individuals, the negative value of time itself slipping away.

I didn’t immediately change my behavior, but I did think about what I believe the Lord had spoken. As I continued to move prayerfully forward with Him, He said some other things such as, “Organize your time and talents,” and “Too many hobbies.”

I am still learning in these areas – but I can tell you for sure that writing would have forever remained a “something I want to do someday” if I had not listened. In the exploration of just how the Lord might want me to spend the time and talents He gave me, in addition to writing deliberately, I began to develop other computer talents, things I never would have even thought to attempt – but I now can create basic websites and fairly simple computer art. If I had not obeyed Him and begun to “organize my time and talents” none of these things would have come about.

Why is there really no time like the present? At best, the past has been a great teacher and springboard for the present, and at worst, the past can only serve to haunt you, especially if you dwell on it. And no matter how bright the hope of tomorrow may be, every tomorrow, when it arrives, is really once again only today. The only moment we can exercise any control over is the present moment.

What do I mean by ‘exercising control over the present moment’? Exactly how to do that is certainly a bit different for each individual, especially considering our differing lives and circumstances. I am not suggesting leaving out the vital areas of our lives – the things we may not even have much choice about. Who gets up in the morning and says, “Shall I feed my children today, or let them go hungry because I have more important goals such as writing to attend to?” Nah, that would be really bad! Hah!

However, planning ahead is something ALL of us have to do if we hope to have any time for goals. One of the practical things I have begun to do once again lately is printing out a calendar and writing out my goals. It helps me stay focused – and it helps me divide my time wisely. If I continue to just let the days cruise along with me dangling in the wake, I will not be satisfied with the results. I will have managed to feed those poor children, no doubt, but the writing will remain a blank page.

So, organizing time – how relevant is that? Crucial, I believe. Otherwise goals are merely lies we tell ourselves as we fritter away the hours in pursuit of meeting immediate need or satisfaction. Long term consequences? All the tomorrows we dream of continue to turn into the todays we survive without ever realizing the accomplishment of God-given vision.

Psalm 90 contains some awesome words of wisdom concerning time. I especially like verse twelve.

So teach us to number our days,
That we may present to You a heart of wisdom.

***

Job 42:1-2 Then Job answered the LORD and said, "I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.

[ALL SCRIPTURES NASB]

God had a Plan, THOUGHTS ON BEING FIRST, part 2

Thoughts on Being First – The Foundation

Once I was listening to a woman talk about her frustration with a certain couple whom she and her husband were counseling as the marriage counselors for their church. After awhile I asked her a simple question, “Do you know for sure that they are Christians? Because if they are not, the problem could be that you are trying to help them build on a foundation that isn’t even there.” She decided that made sense, and determined to pursue the message of the gospel with the couple before continuing efforts to help them salvage their marriage.

1 Corinthians 15:3- 8 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles; and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also.

I like these verses from 1 Corinthians because they remind me of that which is ‘of first importance’. I believe that means not only ‘most important’ but also the ‘beginning of what is important.’ In other words, without the gospel, all religious efforts are without meaning and futile.
Jesus spoke about being first through an angel to John in Revelation:

Revelation 22:13 and 16 "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end."
16"I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star."

There are many people in many religions or philosophies in many nations all over the world that strive to build their lives into something good. The problem is that without salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ, there is no foundation that is recognized by God.

1 Corinthians 3:9-11 For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building. According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it. For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

Luke 6:47-49 "Everyone who comes to Me and hears My words and acts on them, I will show you whom he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation on the rock; and when a flood occurred, the torrent burst against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. "But the one who has heard and has not acted accordingly, is like a man who built a house on the ground without any foundation; and the torrent burst against it and immediately it collapsed, and the ruin of that house was great."

God’s plan? Get that foundation in place FIRST, then build.

***

Job 42:1-2 Then Job answered the LORD and said, "I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.

[ALL SCRIPTURES NASB]

God had a Plan, THOUGHTS ON BEING FIRST

Sometimes it is not easy to be first. For example, being first to be chosen for the team may seem great – until you look back and see one who hasn’t yet been chosen – perhaps a friend. Suddenly it may not feel so good to be first.

The apostle Paul received his salvation and calling before many of his countrymen, the Jews. It was a great thing for him to be called and used by God because many people believed in the Lord Jesus Christ because of his obedience to that call. And yet, in one way in particular Paul grieved – over the lost souls of his countrymen who did not yet believe. He was chosen, on the team, and yet he looked back with deep sadness at those he loved who did not also believe. Christians whose families have not also become united in belief can empathize with Paul. There’s a division and a sadness that doesn’t go away until loved ones come to faith in Christ.

Often, people want to be first out of selfish ambition and an exaggerated sense of self importance. That’s just human nature, but it’s not a godly attitude. Ambition, on the other hand, is a good thing when kept in balance. The opposite of ambition could be viewed as laziness, and that’s not a good thing. Prayerful ambition, keeping the needs of others in mind, even first, will help guard against failure in the very things we ought to be successful in.

3 John 1:9-10 I wrote something to the church; but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, does not accept what we say. For this reason, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words; and not satisfied with this, he himself does not receive the brethren, either, and he forbids those who desire to do so and puts them out of the church.

Ever noticed how people are often slow to line up at the buffet – because no one seems to want to be first in line? Then, when someone finally goes ahead, the line quickly forms because no one wants to be last in line, either.

Sometimes it’s uncomfortable, or even scary to be first – but someone has to lead, or set a good example for others to follow, or be the first to stand up for what’s right in a difficult situation. Fear of what others may think – or even do – can be a huge hindrance to godly boldness. Paul asked others to pray for him, that he might be bold in the preaching of the gospel. And he later was able to say that he had not shrank back from declaring the whole purpose of God among them.

Acts 20:26-27 "Therefore, I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. "For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God.

I plan to write more on this theme because I find that the bible has a lot to say about ‘being first.’ Meantime, here’s a parting thought: Keeping Jesus ‘first’ will help keep all the other ‘firsts’ in my life in proper order and balance, and it will ensure I find the plan of God for my own life.

***

Job 42:1-2 Then Job answered the LORD and said, "I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.

[ALL SCRIPTURES NASB]

God had a Plan, Finding the Balance

Recently I posted some thoughts on what we choose to believe regarding such things as suffering and poverty. I believe God has also put it on my heart to “balance the message.” Because truthfully speaking, we can get any message out of perspective, or out of balance, and a message that is out of balance is distortion, not truth.

So what is the balance? Having now understood that God does have a place for human suffering, does that mean that whenever adversity comes along, do we simply accept it without question, saying something like, “Well, I’m just suffering for Jesus.”? That is going to an unscriptural extreme, or imbalance, in the opposite direction.

When we encounter any difficulty, we should begin with prayer.

James 5:13 Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray. Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises.

Concerning his “thorn in the flesh,” Paul sought the Lord three times before the Lord gave him an answer – and no, it wasn’t the answer Paul was looking for, but it was the only answer that was the will of God for Paul in that situation at that time.

2 Corinthians 12: 7-10
Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me--to keep me from exalting myself!
Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness " Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

God wants us to learn from this event in Paul’s life, however it is not a formula to be applied dogmatically any time we encounter any trying circumstance. Isn’t that what we often try to do – rather than seeking God each and every time, don’t we often just want a formula to apply? At least in part, the reason we do that is because it’s easier, after all, than having to get answers from God, isn’t it? Not much different from other kinds of legalism, is it?

From James, chapter four, we find that often the reason we don’t have something is that we don’t ask God for it. However, if you read the entire chapter, you will find that God is far more concerned with things like our attitudes and motivations than He is with our being able to ask for and obtain things. Near the end of the chapter, you will even find that assuming something we want to be God’s will, not including the simple words in prayer, “If You are willing…” amounts to evil boasting. Evil boasting!

James 4:2-3 You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask.
You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.

James 4:13-16 Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit."
Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.
Instead, you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that."
But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil.

The fourth chapter of Philippians also has a lot to say about asking God for things.

Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Philippians 4:11-13 Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.
I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.
I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

I like the word ask, because it shows humility before God, it allows God to be God, and it shows the need to wait on Him for answers. Truth faith is not afraid to do that. So, in keeping the balance of the scriptures, don’t ‘name it and claim it,’ but on the other hand, don’t forget to ask either, trusting Him to supply all your needs in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19 And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

***

Job 42:1-2 Then Job answered the LORD and said, "I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.

[ALL SCRIPTURES NASB]

God had a Plan, Christmas

I believe it’s time for a bit of a time out! I would like to focus on the season, both for my family and as a current theme for the blog. So why not start by answering a simple question – Why do Christians feel they have to make the celebration of Christmas all about Jesus?

Let’s start at the beginning – God created the universe, including man, and placed him there in a garden. Man sinned, and fell from God’s grace and from being allowed to continue in fellowship with Him. God had a plan, from before the foundation of the earth, to reconcile man to Himself. That’s what Christmas is all about. The enacting of God’s plan to redeem fallen man through the sinless Christ.

Jesus didn’t say that if we followed Him, He would lead us to the truth, or show us the way to find life. He was very clear in what He did say: I AM THE WAY. I AM THE TRUTH. I AM THE LIFE. He also said that no one comes to the Father but through Him.

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.

God revealed His plan to His prophets, as we find in the book of Isaiah - many, many verses, but here's just one:

Isaiah 53:5 But He was pierced through for our transgressions,
He was crushed for our iniquities;
The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him,
And by His scourging we are healed.

God chose a man, John the Baptist, to go before the Christ, to prepare the way by proclaiming repentance. And Jesus came, not as just another teacher or preacher of the way – He Himself WAS – and still is – THE WAY.

He didn’t come as a great and fancy King – although many expected that. He was born in a stable to a simple, God-fearing young virgin woman. Some knew who He was at that time, because God had revealed it to them. But He didn’t become widely known until He had grown – under the care and tutelage of the Holy Spirit, and in subjection to His parents.

During the time of His ministry on earth, His entire focus was completely on His assignment – to do the will of the Father - to do miracles and perform signs, and ultimately to lay His life down, accomplishing salvation of the world. He took our sins upon Himself on the cross, and died the death we deserved, in our place. But He is not dead, because God raised Him from the dead. He now sits at the right hand of the Father, and He is Lord!

That’s why I celebrate Christmas. It is all about Jesus! No one else loved me like that, no one else died for me and accomplished salvation for me so that I can now live in right relationship with God. I hope that you, too, believe and receive God’s free gift of salvation. May God bless all those who celebrate Christmas as an expression of belief in and love for our risen Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ!

Luke 2:7-14 And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. "This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased."

Job 42:1-2 Then Job answered the LORD and said, "I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.

[ALL SCRIPTURES NASB]

Reposting, Be a Skeptical Christian

Christians ought to practice a bit of skepticism. I don’t mean to go so far as to be the scoffer we find in the book of Proverbs – the kind that can’t listen to, learn from and truly receive instruction and correction. That type can’t change, and that’s not what God wants from us.

Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge;
Fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Proverbs 1:22-23 "How long, O naive ones, will you love being simple-minded? And scoffers delight themselves in scoffing And fools hate knowledge? "Turn to my reproof, Behold, I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you.

So, scoffing at knowledge and refusing to learn is not a good thing. On the other hand, swallowing everything that you hear – or read – hook, line and sinker isn’t what God wants either. Consider this verse:

Proverbs 14:15 The naive believes everything, But the sensible man considers his steps.

It’s a delicate balance, isn’t it? Being a scoffer is not a good thing, yet neither is naively believing everything. How does one find the right balance? Start with two things, surrendered prayer and reading the word – not focusing on the favorite scriptures you are already well familiar with, but seeking to learn some new things, even some things which you may have resisted in the past. Is there something new the Spirit of God would whisper to you if only you were willing to receive His counsel? Are there passages of scripture you tend to ignore because you can’t seem to fit them into your current way of thinking, or your favorite doctrine, or theology? Put aside the popular teachings of the day and age for awhile, and become committed to seeking the whole will of God by digging into His word for yourself. You may find yourself looking at things you thought to be true in the past with fresh insight, and new understanding.

John 7:16-17 So Jesus answered them and said, "My teaching is not Mine, but His who sent Me. "If anyone is willing to do His will, he will know of the teaching, whether it is of God or whether I speak from Myself.

1 John 4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

1 Thessalonians 5:19-21 Do not quench the Spirit; do not despise prophetic utterances. But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good;

Ephesians 4:14-15 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ,

1 Timothy 4:1 But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons,

2 Peter 3:15-18 and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction. You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness, but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

God's plan for His beloved children is that they learn, and grow, and become steadfast and mature, holding to the whole truth of God with discernment, not distorting the scriptures. Be blessed today as you seek Him and His will in mature wisdom.

Job 42:1-2 Then Job answered the LORD and said, "I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.

[ALL SCRIPTURES NASB]

God Had a Plan, You're Too Small!

Pick me, pick me! The man could almost hear the tiny yellow flower crying out. “Oh, no, little one, you’re too small!” His eyes searched the flower garden until finally he made a choice. After a quick clip of the scissors, he held up a tall, sturdy red zinnia and gazed admiringly at it. “Yes,” he said with a smile, “You’ll do just fine, you will look lovely in the vase on my table.”

Before leaving the garden, he stopped and studied the small yellow zinnia. It was not only smaller, but with only one small stalk and a scant few leaves, it was almost scraggly looking. The zinnia garden had all been planted on the same day, therefore they had all received the same amount of water and sunshine. There was only one reason the yellow flower should be so dwarfed and sickly in comparison to the rest of the garden. He remembered the day he had planted them. Just as he had finished putting the last plant into the ground the sky had begun to boom with thunder and large drops of rain had begun to fall. Quickly he had gathered his tools and gone inside out of the stormy weather.

Although he had planned to go back out and finish the last plant, other things had claimed his attention, and before he knew it, several weeks had gone by. The garden had grown quickly, producing large beautiful blooms on healthy plants. All, that is, but that one. “Hmm,” he said thoughtfully as he looked now at the small flower. Then he went inside and placed his beautiful red zinnia into a vase.

Soon, however, he came back with garden tools and a bucket in hand. “Little flower, you need nutrients to make you strong.” With a small garden spade he began to dig lightly around the small plant. He could almost hear the flower saying, Stop, that hurts! What’s in that bucket? Don’t put that stuff near me, it stinks!

“Ah, little flower, you don’t understand what I’m doing right now. But you see, all the other flowers in the garden received one thing you did not, and that is fertilizer! I know you don’t think it’s good, but you need it to become as strong and tall and beautiful as the other flowers!”
***

If God has a plan for our lives, and we may be considered His garden, how does He plan for us to grow healthy and strong? Could it be that the fertilizer of God's choice is the very stuff we seek to avoid? You know, those things we try to pray our way out of - trials, difficulties, tribulation, affliction, to name a few. Well, just give me the gentle rains and warm sunshine, none of that stinky fertilizer stuff if you please!

Still, I know in my heart that attitude won't help, and God knows that some of the things I try to pray my way out of are, in fact, His purpose and His design to make me healthy. I decided to see what the bible really had to say, and before long I had gathered over six pages of scripture on the subject! No, the subject isn't defined in the bible as fertilizer - or is it? Remember the parable Jesus told about digging fertilizer in around the fig tree in hope of it producing fruit? Although He didn't explain exactly what the fertilizer was, we do know He wasn't really concerned about fig trees!

So, let's look at some other scriptures, thinking of fertilizer being the stuff we need to make us grow strong and healthy in the eyes of the Lord, to become all He wants us to be. Here are just a few of the many I found - and I know if you read your bible you are most likely already well aware of them and many more besides.

Romans 5:3-4 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope;

2 Corinthians 4:16 -17 Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison,

2 Timothy 2:3 For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.

James 1:2-4 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

James 1:12 Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

1 Peter 1:6-7 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

1 Peter 5:8-10 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.

Did you get that? ... tribulation brings about perseverance... affliction is producing... testing of your faith produces endurance... you have need of endurance... Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial... if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials... suffering being accomplished by your brethren... and so on. It's very obvious from scripture that because God intends good for us and has a plan for our lives doesn't mean He never meant for us to suffer, rather, sufferings are part of His plan. One thing I am very glad about, though - just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.

2 Corinthians 1:3-5 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.

God bless, and Happy Thanksgiving!

[All scriptures NASB]

God had a Plan, Return to Your First Love

The prophetic word of the Lord given to John for the church of Ephesus, as recorded in Revelations, chapter two, was in regard to the fact that they had left their first love. As a church, they had many things going for them – they toiled and persevered and didn’t tolerate false apostles; they had perseverance and endurance for the sake of the name of Jesus, and they were not growing weary. Yet, they had allowed their first love to grow cold. Motivation is everything. Were they just going through the motions, yet their heart was not in it?

Revelations 2:1-5 "To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden lampstands, says this:
2'I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false;
3and you have perseverance and have endured for My name's sake, and have not grown weary.
4'But I have this against you, that you have left your first love.
5'Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place--unless you repent.

Obviously these words in Revelations were not written only for the sake of the ancient church at Ephesus – they were intended just as much for us, and perhaps in these last days, even more so. When Jesus was talking to the disciples about what would occur before the end and His return, He told them that the love of most would grow cold.

Matthew 24:12 "Because lawlessness is increased, most people's love will grow cold.

As a solution to the problem with the church in Ephesus, why did the Lord tell them to “do the deeds you did at first”? Why not just say, “Return to your first love,” and leave it at that? Here is an analogy. Imagine a couple being in marriage counseling because they no longer feel as though they are in love, and they just don’t feel like they have anything in common. Wanting to do the right thing, rather than end the marriage they have decided to try counseling.

Now imagine the marriage counselor instructing them to “do the things they did” when they were newly in love. These might include such things as dating, holding hands, going for long walks, talking everything over together, writing letters and making phone calls when apart – all because they were in love and all these things came naturally to them because of those feelings they had for one another. The couple might resist the counsel at first, saying, “But we did those things because we sincerely wanted to, because of our feelings of love for each other.”

The wise counselor would reply, “Do those same things again, even if you don’t feel like it so much right now – and as you do, you will find that the feelings of love you had will return over time.”

I don’t know about you, but when I first got saved, I spent a lot of time in prayer – talking to the Lord, seeking His will, trying to find out everything I could about Him – which meant reading the bible a lot and staying actively involved in the fellowship of believers. The more I found out about Him – more accurately, the more I got to know Him and His love for me – the more I loved Him, and wanted to spend time in His presence.

Many years later a time came in my life as a Christian that I found myself growing weary, and my heart was growing cold. I fell away from Him for a time and no longer prayed nor read the word. I only went to church to keep up appearances. But after perhaps several months to a year, I repented. I began very deliberately doing the deeds I had done at first – praying, reading, singing His praise, fellowshipping – and the love I have for Him now is even greater than it was before.

God had a plan – You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. As Christians we have most thankfully received God’s plan of forgiveness for our natural lack of ability to love God as we should, as He deserves. On the cross, Jesus bore the penalty for our sins, we are born again, and are filled with the Holy Spirit, and it is the very power of the Holy Spirit that enables us to do the things we can’t – like loving God.

Perhaps you are a Christian who has in some way allowed your heart to grow cold, yet you long to return to the Lord and receive His forgiveness. But you aren’t sure how to go about restoring the love you had back then. Then take the simple prescription found in Revelation 2 – repent, return to your first love, and DO THE DEEDS you did at first. Remember above all that He loves you, and has waited longingly for your return. Lean on Him, trusting Him completely because He will most surely help you – in everything, but especially in something as important as loving Him.

I have written more about our “deeds” as Christians. You might enjoy: Titus, the Good Deeds Book.

***

Job 42:1-2Then Job answered the LORD and said, "I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted."
[ALL SCRIPTURES NASB]

God had a Plan, A Good Deeds Book

I like to think of Titus as being ‘The Good Deeds Book.’ Now I know some of you are already a bit nervous about that. After all, our salvation isn’t based on ‘good deeds,’ but on the grace of God; it is the free gift of God’s love and mercy which we received when we believed that Jesus died on the cross to take away our sins. And you are so very right about that. Nowhere in the bible does it tell us otherwise. Even in the very book of Titus the gospel of our salvation is explained, stating quite clearly that we are not saved by our own deeds which we have done in righteousness.

Titus 3:4-7 But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

There are other fundamental themes found within the book of Titus – church planting, sound doctrine, role modeling, and generally how we as Christians are to live our lives. That said, the theme I would like to focus on – is good deeds. Titus is only three short chapters and yet ‘deed’ or ‘deeds’ are mentioned in seven verses. From these few verses, it is evident that now, having been saved by grace, we are most surely to practice ‘good deed doing.’ Because it is mentioned so often, I have to conclude that it is considered by God Himself to be very important. In addition to Titus 3:4-7, the other verses that mention “good deeds” from Titus are the following:

Titus 1:16 They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed.

Titus 2:7 in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified,

Titus 2:14 who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.

Titus 3:1 Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed,

Titus 3:8 This is a trustworthy statement; and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God will be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and profitable for men.

Titus 3:14 Our people must also learn to engage in good deeds to meet pressing needs, so that they will not be unfruitful.

So, why are good deeds so very significant? Why not just enjoy grace, and sit back and wait for our ultimate salvation when the Lord returns to take us to be with Him forever? I believe the reason is simple – if an apple tree never produces apples, can we be sure it is an apple tree? The evidence of our faith is fruit – and if our lives produce no fruit, how can we be sure that faith is real?

Truly, I believe it is God Himself who desires to see fruit in our lives. Faith that produces no good thing is not something He is pleased with. He is pleased, however, when our faith is revealed – exemplified by our good deeds. The apple tree proves it is an apple tree by producing apples.

John 15:8 “My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.

God’s plan didn’t end with our salvation. “Good deeds” aren’t somehow an accidental post script to our foundational faith. God knew and planned all along that our actions would line up with our beliefs – when we really believe. If we believe a stove is hot, we won’t touch it. If we believe God is real, our actions will show that belief.

So, what then – are we to spend our days just looking for ways to be a “good-deed-doer?” It’s not that simple. Even a non-Christian can be a “good-deed-doer.” Motivation of the heart, whether we are doing deeds by faith – believing first that a specific deed is the thing God wants us to do, and knowing we can’t do anything in our own power but must rely on Him and His power working through us – all of these things tell whether it is truly a “good deed” in God’s sight. We do so many things from a desire to earn the favor of man, or even to earn God’s favor because we don’t completely understand the grace in which we stand.

Here is a very simple example. My child does not earn the right to be my child by cleaning his room. He already IS MY CHILD. He cannot earn through good deeds what he already has. We cannot earn by good deeds what we have already been freely given. If my child chooses to disobey me by not cleaning his room, he is still my child and I still love him. But quite frankly, I am not pleased with his behavior. On the other hand, if my child chooses to obey me by cleaning his room, then not only is he still my beloved child, but he has pleased me with his behavior.

This is a simple illustration of God’s love for us, and how completely accepted we are in Christ Jesus. It also explains some scriptures which otherwise might cause some confusion, because in fact, we are told to make pleasing God our very ambition.

1 Corinthians 5:9 Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him.

Colossians 1:10 so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;

I like the book of Titus. Rather than being discouraged because I know I’m never going to get it all done, nor get it all done right, nor even do all the “good deeds” I’m called to, I’m thankful for God’s grace, and that He tells me I am His child, and He will always love me and always be with me. I’m also thankful that I can pursue knowing and pleasing Him, because by His grace He is building inside of me a desire to please Him, and because according to scripture it is the right thing to do!

And so, God’s plan – we are to be: an example of good deeds, zealous for good deeds, ready for every good deed, careful to engage in good deeds, and learning to engage in good deeds – and all for His glory, because we have as our sincere ambition to please Him in all respects!

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Job 42:1-2Then Job answered the LORD and said, "I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted."
[ALL SCRIPTURES NASB]