God’s plan is always best.
Joshua 1:1-11

    Let me begin with this statement; “We are always better off to discover God’s plan and schedule and work within it, rather than try to impose our plan and schedule upon Him.”

    What might the story of the Israelites looked like if Joshua had not learned this lesson…if Joshua had led the Israelites into the promised land with his plan and schedule instead of God’s? Why isn’t the story of Israel just one success after another? After all, they had God on their side! (Failures and setbacks were not God’s fault!)  But, he was always at work - even over periods of 40 to 400 years - to fulfill his purpose and plan. God planned to bring them into the promised land through Moses…but the people rebelled and didn’t trust God or believe He could do what He said He would do, so God had to adjust his plan by 40 years - then try again through Joshua. 

“Every movement of God starts with a meeting with God.”

    I really like the Book of Joshua. It is so much more than just another history book of Israel, it is filled with revelations of God that are applicable for every generation; including today.
    In Chapter one - Of course, Moses has died and we read the words “the Lord said to Joshua”…Let me state it again; “Every movement of God begins with a meeting with God.” In this meeting God gives Joshua some encouragement to help overcome the two things that can hinder God’s work; “fear and discouragement”. In verse 9 - for the third time - God says “Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged” WHY?  (“Because I will be with you wherever you go.”)
    The second thing I want you to notice in chapter one is in verse 16 – the people say “Whatever you have commanded us we will do.” The reason they were willing to follow Joshua was not just because he was Moses assistant,  it was because they recognized that God was with him…“May the Lord be with you as he was with Moses.” In church circles today, it’s still the call of God and the hand of God upon a person’s life that ought to produce followers…whether that person is the pastor, or the entire board, people recognize the hand and the call of God.
    In chapter 2 - we have the story of Joshua sending the spies to check out the land, and “especially Jericho” it says in verse one.  They enter the house of Rahab…She agrees to hide them and not tell of their plans if they agree to save her and her family from harm. Rahab tells them in verse 8-11- “I know that the Lord has given this land to you, and a great fear of you has fallen on us…We have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea…and what you did when you did to Sidon and Og…whom you completely destroyed…the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.” That is from the N.I.V….but in Pastor Fred’s translation - Rahab is saying to them “We have heard and believe that your God is who he says he is! And, that He can do what He says he can do! 
    The spies report to Joshua, and I can imagine Joshua assessing the situation, and probably making plans of his own concerning how he will take Jericho!…(Pay attention to the process here.)
    In chapter 3 - we have the Israelites taking a step of faith…this is a new generation in a new time. Then Joshua tells the people “Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you!” And, of course God does…but not in the way Joshua thinks! If you look at 4:12 - “The men of Reuben, Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh (which is Joshua’s tribe) crossed over ARMED, in front of the Israelites… About forty thousand ARMED FOR BATTLE crossed over before the Lord to the plains of Jericho for WAR.”  What does that sound like to you?  They had a plan! They were ready for battle! But, if you know the story, you know God had a better plan!
   They set up the twelve stones, taken from the middle of the river, as a monument for the Lord…as a reminder that this was a God moment! This was a new generation. They were not there when God parted the Red Sea… But, the last verse of chapter 4 says it all - “He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful and that YOU might always fear the Lord your God.”
    In the first part of chapter 5, God tells Joshua to circumcise the Israelites. Not just the babies that were 8 days old…but, all the fighting men! (Vs. 5:5-8)…How ready for battle were they now?  Why would God do this now? (See last verse of chapter 4 again.) 14 days later they celebrate the Passover, and for the first time in 40 years, they don’t eat manna!…they eat from the fruit of the promised land.
    Now, read 5:13-15… remember, “Every movement of God starts in a meeting with God”… It’s no surprise then, that Joshua’s first encounter is not with the enemy but with an emissary of God.  Joshua has the presence of mind to ask two questions; ( I have learned that most of the time it’s not about having all the right answers, but it’s about asking the right questions…and then listening, really listening, for the answer.)
    The first is a power question… The second is a purpose question. Both are important, because the intersection of God’s power and God’s purpose is unstoppable!  We really need to catch sight of that in the church today.
    The first question is; “Are you for us or our enemies?”  The answer is “Neither”…God doesn’t choose sides …He wants to know if we are on His side!  “As a commander of the army of the Lord I have now come” the man says. Now, what does Joshua do? Does he say “Oh, Thank God, we can use your help.”… No, it says he fell facedown to the ground in reverence”…“Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy”
    Too often, we make our plans, we look at our abilities, we look at how much we can afford, we look at how great the need is, and we decide what we can do…then we hope God shows up!…Notice that it does not say that Joshua was seeking the Lord’s direction…. No, He was trying to come up with a strategy to take the city… And God tells the angelic commander; “Will you go down and tell Joshua how this is going to be done!”
There are two keys to releasing God’s power in the life of a leader and in the church: (I post them tomorrow…)

A Word to Churches and Leaders

    In Lewis Carroll’s classic adventure “Alice In Wonderland” young Alice encounters the Cheshire Cat during her attempt to find her way through the maze of a fairy-tale forest. “Would you please tell me which way I ought to go from here?” says Alice. “That depends on where you want to get to” the grinning cat answers. “I don’t much care where” a flustered Alice replies. “Then it doesn’t matter which way you go!” says the cat.

    There is one statement I want to plant in your mind “It is much easier to “imitate” than it is to “initiate”. It is easier to just do what everyone else is doing, rather than find the blueprint that God has for an individual church. I have said before that I believe God has placed every church where it is for a reason and a specific purpose. Every church will have it’s own particular fellowship, culture, passion, purpose, and gifts. And, because of this, each one will have a very unique vision as well.
    Now, that does not mean that you can’t use styles and programs that have been successful in other churches; you may want to adapt them to fit our style and purpose. We ought always remember that while the gospel never changes, our culture does… and in our ever changing culture, the church must find it’s “nitch” it’s “piece of the eternal puzzle” and adapt as well - while keeping its purpose and vision on course.
    Let me explain my idea of  “vision” in the form of a question; “When you look at a picture of a forest, what do you see?” Most people would be quick to answer “Trees!”  But, having vision means seeing houses, and furniture, and paper, and lumber, and even heat!  These things are all there!  But, only people of vision can see them…it’s called “Potential”.
    What turns a bunch of trees into a house? (process) It takes the time, energy, talents, skills, and giftedness, of many people) It takes money, and if you add God into this equation, you have the “church”.  What turns a vision (or potential) into reality?...(same process)
    Read with me a scripture from Matthew 9:27-30 I read it first from the N.I.V. - and then from the way it is translated in the Message. Here is what it said; “When Jesus got home, the blind men went in with him. Jesus said to them, “Do you really believe I can do this?” They replied, “Why, yes Master!” He touched their eyes and said; “become what you believe”. Let me repeat the question again – “Do you believe I can do this?”…You see, when most churches catch a vision of what they might be able to do, they catch a vision of the “possible!” I think what we need today are churches that catch a vision of the “IMPOSSIBLE” except for the power and hand of God! 
    What can you believe God for? Vision begins with the imagination. It begins with a dream. One of the problems with our stagnant churches today is that the members have stopped dreaming! God taught Abraham how to dream; He said “Look up at the heavens and count the stars - if you are able to count them” - Then he said, “So shall your descendants be!”  God is saying to every church, “Look up, look around, look within, what do you see?” As believers, we have stopped dreaming about the wonderful things God can do for His church, for our families, and for our future! You have heard me say it many times and you will hear me say it many more times; Ephesians 3:20 - (benediction) ”Now, unto Him who is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, more than we could ever ask or imagine…!” No matter how big your dream may seem to be, God is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, more than that!
    In the beginning, you may feel inadequate or ill-equipped to do anything, and we always tend to look at what we don’t have…But, we have to realize two major things: #1. God will always start with what we do have, and build from there!  And, #2. God will never ask for- nor give us- more than we can handle. Although, there will be times when it will seem to be beyond what you are able to do; that’s the whole point! Because God wants us to see what He can do!

Follow - 4
“Nets and Crosses”

    Yesterday’s concern was “nets” and how a net can be anything that stands between us and becoming fully devoted followers of Christ. People can be nets; our friends, family, peers, co-workers; things can be nets; possessions that we just cherish and can’t let go of or give up to follow completely; money and the strive for success can be a net; (note) not IS a net, but CAN be a net. Sometimes our attitudes can be a net. Our attitude toward someone or even toward the church can hold us back from following completely.

    What I want to do today is to sort of “meld” together the thought of nets; and the fact that scripture says the disciples “left their nets” – or “dropped their nets”…with Luke 9:23 - “anyone who would come after me must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me.”  It would be my hope that I can point out the fact that sometimes what we may perceive to be a “cross” can also become a “net”.
    After loving and leading the disciples through the early season of their “followership”, Jesus introduces an element of following that serves as sort of a “fork in the road”.  “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself, pick up his cross daily, and follow me.” He positions a cross as an inevitable companion of the devoted follower. We have to carry this cross “daily”…it is always with us. What he is simply saying is that there is a daily price to pay…there is a cost involved.
    The old adage that “there is no such thing as a free lunch” holds true for everything of value and worth. We are constantly receiving “free” offers in the mail…usually of some grand and exotic scale; but when you read the fine print, it becomes evident that there is a cost involved.
    When it comes to followership, Christ is right up front about the cost. The cost of followership is found in some of the more prized currency of this life, such as; comfort; convenience; health; wealth; time; and even family and friends. Jesus says, “If you follow me, you may have to give up some of the things in life that the world seeks after and never really finds. You may have to “deny self” of some of the pleasures the world has to give, for the benefit of the church and the kingdom and the glory of God.  However, as we will see, the cost and the cross can both become “nets” that prevent us from following with a “fully devoted heart.”
    Sometimes crosses can be fleeting things that we must bear and they are soon gone; other times crosses may be something we must bear for a lifetime; however, cross bearing does not mean that we don’t laugh, have fun, or enjoy life. It simply means that no “stress” or “circumstance” or “trial” nor even “reward” is worth departing from our devotion to follow Christ.
    There are some elements of “bearing our cross” that are important for us to understand; For instance, we must follow with a willing heart. If following Christ or being a “Christian” is a duty or a chore…if it is a “woe is me” kind of attitude…”I never get to do anything fun”...“Good guys always finish last”...“Well, if I don’t go to church, study, or this or that function…I don’t know what people might think.”…If following with a “fully devoted heart” feels like something you have to do instead of something you really enjoy, it’s not a cross, it’s a net!
    We also need to know that cross-bearing is an individual experience. I can’t pick up your cross, and you can’t pick up mine. My cross may be far different than your cross… but Jesus words were “deny himself” and “pick up his cross”…our own cross, and follow Him.
    Crosses come because we live in a world that is hostile toward the one that we follow. Our actions, our words, our attitudes become a source of conviction to those who do not know Christ. But, if we don’t live as a fully-devoted follower of Christ, if we don’t live in a “counter-culture” so to speak, the world would not know there is a better alternative in life. One thing that is important for us to know as far as cross-bearing is that crosses are not just any kind or every kind of suffering…they are a direct result of a choice to follow Christ. He says “Anyone who would follow me…must pick up his cross”… Drop our nets, and pick up our cross… whatever that may be.
    There were some who were following Christ who said “This is too much to ask”…”This is too much to bear”… and it says they walked away and returned to their homes” ( What does that mean to you? )
    Unfortunately, many Christians – for the sake of comfort, convenience, pleasure, or fear, will lay down their cross. Consider Peter; when he was accused of being a follower, what did he do? … He allowed his fear and the attempt to please men to cause him to deny Christ… As followers, we are always called to “lay down our nets”…but never our “crosses”.  If we are tempted to avoid the cost of our faith, whatever way that might be, we are allowing the cross of “following” to become a net.
    As followers we must gladly quote Galations 2:20 – “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me”…and I am a follower!

Follow - 3
“Ready To Leave Your Net?”
Matthew 4:18-20

“At once, they left their nets, and followed Him”…. How many know there are times, situations, crisis moments, and even people who at times can significantly test our resolve to be devoted followers of Christ?  Following is a cakewalk when He leads us through familiar and comfortable territory, but when following means we have to give up something that is important to us, or changing something we don’t really want to change, or where he is leading goes against our reason, logic, and instinct, we find ourselves at a crossroads with Christ. We tend to put our “followership” on hold, and we soon become “ineffective and unproductive” as Paul puts it, in our knowledge and our walk with Christ. ( 2 Peter 1:5-8 ) 

    Once again, I could use the example from the movie “Indiana Jones”… Indy stands on the edge of a great chasm, and all reason, logic, and natural instincts, tell him if he steps off the edge, he will die. But, when he takes a step of faith, he finds there is an invisible bridge for him to cross over.
    When Jesus called Peter, Andrew, James and John, to follow him, he interrupted their routines; he interrupted their careers; He interrupted the normal, familiar, comfortable, way of life, and made them an unfamiliar offer… “I will make you fishers of men.”
    One thing stood between them and following Jesus. It symbolized their – and our – choice between maintaining status quo or living a life of unconditional following. What was it?  (“at once, they left their nets”) Their nets represent or symbolize anything that inhibits or prohibits our commitment to follow Christ.  I don’t think any of us is exempt from getting ensnared in some kind of “net”…
Net #1 – People.  How can people become a “net”?  ( A friend that lives and plays in paths contrary to the ways of Christ; A person you just don’t want to deal with; or maybe an unforgiven relationship; peer pressure; family – they left their father in the boat…etc.)
Net #2 – Things. Nets can be possessions. A house, a new car, a cottage on the lake…none of which are wrong if rightly gained and loosely held. But, what if they become more important than our financial commitment to the kingdom of God? What if they become a source of pride? What if they become more important than our relationship with Christ? They become nets!
Net #3 – Attitudes. Just about everything concerned with following Christ has to do with attitude and motive. Our attitude may drive our motive; or our motive may affect our attitude, either way, attitudes that are quick to judge, always cynical, always suspicious, or condemning, contradict the very spirit of Christianity. There are many people in the church who get ensnared in the net of attitudes.
Net #4 – Money. Or, perhaps I should say the “love of money”. Some people love to accumulate money; some love to spend it. Most see money as the key to success, significance, and happiness. Yet, money issues are at the core of the breakup of relationships. Whether a partnership; a marriage; an family inheritance; whatever it may be, Jesus knew all about the net of money and he had a lot to say about it. The most prominent being we “can’t serve both money and the Master”… We must either let Him be the Master of our money, or our money will master us… Why do you think they call it “Mastercard”?
Net #5 – Secret sins. There may be a net of sin in our lives that eats away at our soul and hold us back from fully following Christ. This calls for repentance and confession and forgiveness, and in some cases it may even require counseling.
    The point is that Christ calls us to get rid of anything and everything that would stand between us and him. He doesn’t ask for just this piece or that piece of our lives, it’s a total surrender. When we choose not to follow in some area of our lives, when we cling to that net, whatever it may be; when we refuse to drop and leave that net, we are telling Christ where He stands in our life.
    Hearts that are growing in love with Christ will produce hands that are empty of nets. Let’s consider the nets that may be in our lives; the nets that are clinging to, and becoming ensnared and entangled by… and allow Christ to help us drop those nets and follow him.

Follow 2 - “Being Found In The Way”
John 14:12, Acts 9:2

    Witt Stephens tells the story of a trail made by a calf, some three hundred years ago. He describes how the trail turned into a path as dogs and sheep walked in the calf’s footsteps. Behind them were people who walked the path as well. The path became a lane, and then a road, then a village street, and soon a freeway…all from a little calf path. Jesus takes us from the twisted, mindless, calf paths of our day and calls us to walk what He calls the “narrow way”.

    The word “follow” not only notes a relationship, as I have mentioned, but also comes from the root word that means “path”. This gives a little more understanding in the sense that a follower in the time of Christ was one who was found “in the Way” or following in the way or path that Jesus had made. He was like that little calf, and his desire was that those who came behind him would make that path like a freeway!
    He came into our world of well worn paths of conventional wisdom, traditional habits, cultural attitudes, of philosophical weirdness, and religious codes of behavior, and boldly announced “I am the Way”… “Come follow me!”  The Psalmist said “The Lord is my Shepherd…He leads me in paths of righteousness.” As followers, we ought to be on that path; walking a different path. If we are truly following, then he will touch every part of our lives; relationships; money; children; and jobs; our focus on life; our attitudes; all re-routed and changed direction!
    Jesus not only calls us to be different and follow a different path, but he gives us so many examples to follow in God’s Word, it would take quite a while to study them all, but some of us have never studied them at all. Examples like; “I have come to do the will of my Father in heaven”… “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.”  Followers seek to do God’s will, and to find His will and purpose for their lives. Or how about; “I have come to seek and to save that which is lost”… Are we following his example?
    Another example Christ gives us is “anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing…and even greater things than these…so the Son may bring glory to the Father.”  Everything we do ought to bring glory to God.  Not “look what we did” or “look how great our church is”…but, “what a mighty God we serve!” It is the delight of a devoted follower, and a witness and testimony to the experience of having God in our lives and the difference it makes.
    The issue of following goes deeper than our conduct however, it relates to our character.  In following Christ, it’s the ever expanding character that becomes the important element of our existence as Christians. It is the character of Christ – like the fruit of the Spirit – that flows into, through, and out of our lives. It is a noticeable difference that people can see and feel and be attracted to.  They no longer see us, but they see the character of Christ and the power of God and the hand of God working in our lives and it attracts!  The people saw and felt and experienced something when they followed Christ!  He wasn’t like all the other religious people! His disciples and followers were not like everyone else!  They followed Christ and his “way” so closely, that the world gave them a nickname that began in Antioch, they were called “Christians.” They didn’t just believe in Christ, they followed Christ, and they impacted the world like never before! 
    So what really is the “Way”? What was the “path” that Christ led his people to follow?  Well, #1. He led them in the path of “integrity” (Living a life consistent with the truth of God’s Word no matter what came his way.)  #2. He led them in the way of “humility”. (Always giving God the glory and living the life of a servant…in the desire to serve people and not to be served.)  #3. He led them in the way of “compassion.” ( Not just feeling sorry for, or having pity on people, but taking action to meet their needs.)  #4. He led the people in the way of “purity and holiness”. (It is a characteristic in our lives that cancels wrong motives and insincerity as well as wrong-doing.)  #5. He led them in the way of “generosity.” (His followers are generous with all their resources within the priorities that honor Christ and glorify God.)  And, finally, #6. He led them in the way of “Contentment.” (Always accepting and being thankful for what God has provided. It enables us to pursue righteousness rather than a long list of “coveted” things.)  Character leaves a legacy. You see, competency makes a living…credentials are buried with us…but character is transferable to succeeding generations!  And, while competency and credentials may be available to a few, character is available and attainable to everyone!
    One of the most decisive battles of World War II was won by a simple and clever scheme; As the Germans advanced and approached a crossroads, a sign pointing the way to their destination led them across a long bridge. As they crossed the bridge, the allies blew it up. They had simply turned the sign and led the German’s in the wrong direction… and right into their trap!  Let’s make sure we are on the right path. Satan may try to turn the signpost along the way…but devoted followers keep their eyes on the leader!

Follow -  “Who’s Calling Your Cadence”
John 10:1-16

    I don’t know if kids still play follow the leader, or if they have even heard of it today, but we played it a lot in my neighborhood growing up. An interesting thing is that everyone wanted to be the leader. The leader always looked good; the leader could do whatever they wanted; and everyone else had to follow, imitate, and stumble along, trying to keep up with the leader. In order to be a good follower, you had to keep your eyes on the leader; and you had to keep up with the leader, if you lagged behind you couldn’t see what the leader was doing. It seems to me that although we are grown up, the game hasn’t changed much, the rules are the same, but the stakes are much higher.

    All of life, the true quality of life, as well as the outcome of life depends on whether or not we choose to be the leader of our own destiny, or we choose to follow someone much wiser and fit to lead. In the case of a “Christian” that leader would be Christ.
    Sometimes when someone fits our perception of a leader we hear the comment “He or She is a born leader”…Do you think that is true? John Maxwell tells the story of traveling through a town where he asked a man sitting on the porch; “Where any great leaders born here”? To which the man replied; “Nope, just babies”!  Leadership is a quality that is both learned and earned, and in the case of the church, a good leader must also be a good follower!
    From the time we were born we have been hearing voices of those who would attempt to be our leaders in life…Who are they? ( Our parents, our teachers, our siblings, our peers, our preachers, Sunday school teachers, the voice of the media, politicians, etc. ) Which is true? Which can we trust? Which should we follow?
    One thing that is true of the difference between believers and followers is that believer’s say “I will be in control of my life; I will make something of my life; and I will try to follow Jesus along the way” A true follower says “I think I will follow Jesus and let Him make something of my life.”  Followers refuse to just be saved and on their way to heaven, their life is a relationship, an adventure, a passionate pursuit to follow the example of Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit, and through this passionate seeking, to find and know God. God, who said, “If you seek me with all your heart, if you search as if looking for gold or silver, you will find me”… Theirs is to live the Spirit led life that Paul talks about. They are noticeably different from everyone else.  After all, we don’t find joy in a marriage just because we say we are married…the joy comes from the relationship! … And, like a marriage, “followership” is a life long relationship.
    One more thing… Sometimes we may make a wrong decision because we decide it’s our turn to lead… or because we have been distracted by some other seductive voice… but, as followers we know we can realize our mistake and get back to following the leader.  Staying on the right path, doing what the leader does and keeping in step with the leader never gets easy…in fact it gets increasingly harder, because from “him who has much, much more will be expected”…. This is why Jesus says, “count the cost”… For those who decide to “kick it up a notch”…to move up a level from believer to follower or disciple, there is no question that the cost will be great, but the reward is worth everything that is required.

“Dream Makers and Dream Breakers”
Numbers 13:1-3 and 16-33

    Let me begin with verse 17 and list the things that Moses told them they were to do:

1. “See what the land is like and whether the people who live there are strong or weak, few or many.”
2.”What kind of land do they live in? Is it good or bad?”
3. “What kind of towns do they live in; are they unwalled or fortified?”
4. “How is the soil; is it fertile or poor?”
5. “Are there trees or not?”
6. “Bring back some of the fruit of the land.
They came back and reported two things: “The land does flow with milk and honey…here are some of the fruit” And “The people who live there are powerful and their cities are fortified and very large”…and there are a lot of “ites” and they are all giants! (my own words)… “We can’t attack those people they are stronger than we are!” And verse 32 says “they spread a bad report about the land they had explored.”
    Now let me go back and emphasize what God said to Moses in verse 1 – “Send some men to explore the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Israelites!” He wasn’t sending them on a mission to decide whether or not to actually possess the land; that had already been decided. They were to go and explore the area that was now to be their new home. The land that God had promised to give them since the days of Abraham. They were to strategize and plan and ultimately follow God’s lead.
    Let me apply this to the church. Most often we ask the wrong questions: “Can we make a difference? Can we change this community? Can we have an impact? Do we have what it takes? The real question and the only question that needs to be answered is “Are we going to trust God and plan for the future?”
    There are dream makers and dream breakers. In this life there are optimists and pessimists. Optimists focus on what can be: possibilities, opportunities, and potential. They look for the positive; they have the ability to picture something in their mind before it is even started. (vision) Pessimists on the other hand, tend to focus on problems, obstacles, and potential loss. They look for the cloud behind the silver lining. Optimists operate by faith and not by sight; pessimists by sight rather than faith.
    Notice that all twelve men saw the same things and yet not all came to the same conclusion. Caleb and Joshua said “Look at the great land the Lord God is giving us!” The rest said “Ya, but…” They saw the walled cities, the giants, and the strong armies facing them, and their conclusion was “We can’t!” Caleb and Joshua saw the same things from God’s perspective; thought about all the things God had done; and decided “Oh yes we can!” How often, when faced with a great challenge in life, are we quick to forget what God has done in the past and what He has promised?
    Forty years later Joshua and the people find themselves at the same place, with the same fortified cities, the same giants, the same great armies, and when Joshua tells them God’s crazy sounding plan…they say “Let’s go!” Was it because Joshua was a great warrior? No…Was it because they now had great confidence in their abilities? No…They now had greater confidence in God.
    2 Timothy 3 talks about the last days, and it speaks of those who have “a form of godliness, but denying its power”…What about you? Are you a dream maker or a dream breaker when it comes to God’s will for your life or the life of your church?

Do’in’ The Best I Can

    Let’s begin with this quote from Charles Stanley on the spirit filled life; “Far too many believers think the Christian life boils down to “do’in the best they can.” But if that were true, then there was no need for God to send the Holy Spirit. Jesus said in John 16 - “But it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper shall not come to you, but if I go, I will send Him to you.”( NKJV) If we don’t need any help; if the Christian life is just a matter of  do’in the best we can, then why send a “Helper”?  This was Jesus way of tipping us off to a pro-found truth about the Christian life…Guess what, It’s impossible to attempt to live it in our power and will. The kind of life and lifestyle God has called us to as Christians, is impossible to attain apart from divine intervention. And, let me take that a step further; I don’t believe God intended nor does He expect us to live it without His help. This is why Jesus said in John 15:5 “apart from me, you can do nothing.”

    If there was ever a group who should have been able to live a consistent Christian walk by just do’in their best, it was the disciples. Think of all the advantages they had over you and I. They had been trained personally by Jesus himself; (Now, I may be a good teacher, but the greatest teacher in the world doesn’t even come close!) They had seen the lame walk and the blind see and the dead raised to life; They had even performed a few miracles themselves. No one could have been more motivated than the Disciples. Yet, in their last hours with the Master, he let them know that they were still missing something of great importance in their lives! He knew they would need more than human spirit, or their own willpower and sheer determination to get the job done. So he told them to go to Jerusalem and “wait for the gift.”
    For some Christians, the Holy Spirit is like waiting to pick someone up at the airport that they don’t know and have never seen. They desperately look for someone or something they can’t possibly recognize. There was a movie once where a guy came out of the airport and there were all these people holding signs with names on them. Rather than take a taxi, he just walked up and said; “I’m so-and-so”…and they loaded him in the car! 
    Some Christians may feel that being “led” by the Spirit like a slave tied to a rope is led by his master. It’s kind of like the big sheep dog we used to have! When we would go for a walk, she was the master; I was the slave being pulled along! We all know we are to be “led” by the Spirit, and “filled” with the Spirit, but what does that mean? And, how do we really know it’s true in our own lives? 
    Scripture tells us that the Holy Spirit does several things in our lives; He convicts of “the guilt of sin and judgment”; (John 16:8-11) He illuminates; (John 16:12-15) By the way, the term illuminate means “able to see; dispel darkness; or give understanding.” He teaches; (John 16:12-15) As it concerns “teaching” let me interject something here; there is an old saying that “unless there is learning, there has been no teaching.” The Holy Spirit can only teach the teachable. He guides; (Romans 8:14) He directs; (Acts 20:22) What is the difference between “guide” and “direct”?  In one instance He leads the way – that’s “guide”; and in the other He points the way that’s “direct”. He assures; (Romans 8:16) He intercedes; (Romans 8:26) And, He warns us. (Acts 20:23)
    The reason I bring these things to you is two-fold; first, to make sure you know these things from scripture. And second, so that when one of these things happens in your life, you will recognize the Holy Spirit. It will help increase our awareness of the Holy Spirit’s “active” role in our daily lives. He was sent to assist us in all the practical matters of the Christian life. As Jesus said, He is our “helper”!
    Having grown up a devout Jew, Paul had a great deal of respect for the Temple. It represented the presence of God among his people. The glory of the gospel is that because God through Christ had removed the barrier of sin, He no longer needed a building, a cloud of smoke, a pillar of fire, or a mountain top. He could take up residency in the hearts of His people through the presence of the Holy Spirit.
    There is another role the Holy Spirit plays in our lives. In Ephesians 1:13 we are told that “having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance”. Why do you put a “seal” on something? In those days kings and other important people of great authority wore a ring with some kind of an insignia on it that they would stamp into a wax seal on documents and letters. This would show that it was sent, and was to be received, with all the authority and integrity of the sender. The Holy Spirit was sent, and is to be received, with all the authority of the sender!
    In Ephesians 5:15-18 it says this; “Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise, but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.” Notice that Paul uses the terms “drunk with wine” and “filled with the Holy Spirit” together. To be drunk means more than “to drink.” It means more than to be “filled up.” It means to be “under the influence and control” of alcohol. It means our mind, body, and spirits are all under its control. To be “filled with the Spirit” means the same thing! I see it as something that goes beyond “rededication” which amounts to us telling God that we messed up, but we will do better next time! To be filled with the Spirit requires total surrender with a realization that we can’t do anything “better” without help!

Laws of the Harvest – 4
“Perseverance”
Galatians 6:7-9

    This last message on sowing and reaping has as it’s focus verse 9 – “let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest – if we do not give up.” Notice first of all, that Paul is talking about sowing good. One of the more sobering principles of this law is that to receive a harvest of good requires much work; but evil naturally comes to harvest on its own. Evil does not need our help. Weeds just grow and it takes perseverance and hard work to keep them out of the garden, and provide conditions that promote good healthy and fruitful plants. However, weeds will grow and take over and consume naturally if we do nothing.

    Remember – the law of sowing and reaping is a universal and absolute law that applies to every area of life. It takes perseverance and hard work to keep evil (weeds) out of our lives, or our children’s lives, and provide conditions that are favorable for healthy growth and fruitful lives. That being said, let me share this quote – “Many a Christian has failed in his own life while trying to minister to others. We dare not let weeds grow in our own garden while we seek to hoe them out of someone else’s!” You cannot plant a garden and then forget it; there are too many forces at work to prevent a good harvest. Just read the Parable of the Sower in Matthew 13 to see that this is true.
    I want to look at – and apply this law to some other scriptures to show that this is a universal law. For instance, look at Colossians 3 “Set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above and not on earthly things..” Why? Because you reap what you sow. Look at verses 5- 10 Why is all that important? Because you reap what you sow. Look at verses 12-17 Remember this law is also positive in its results and you reap what you sow!
    Satan would love for us to not sow all these things in verses 12-17 because weeds will grow naturally when we do nothing! When we slack off going to church; when we find excuses for not attending Bible study; when we stop reading God’s Word daily; when our prayer times become shorter and shorter; let me say it one more time WEEDS GROW NATURALLY!
    2 Peter 1:5 says “Make every effort to add to your faith goodness, and to goodness knowledge, and to knowledge self-control, and to self-control perseverance, and to perseverance godliness, and to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness LOVE”…. Why? Because you reap what you sow! Peter follows this up with the words “they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive!” I have had and have seen some ineffective and unproductive gardens…they are not very fruitful…in fact, they are downright ugly!
    Perseverance is seldom easy, and we may not even see the fruit of our labors in this life, but we will one day have a full and rewarding harvest – if we do not give up. The season for sowing good is always now! You can begin today to weed out your life and sow good seed for a new and better harvest. Don’t give up!

Laws of the Harvest - 3
Reaping Proportionately
Luke 6:38 and 2 Corinthians 9:6

    “A man reaps what he sows” – The peculiar thing about this is that it is a promise and a warning at the same time. Life’s choices are filled with consequences good and bad, temporary and eternal, according to what is sown. I have found that there are really two parts to the law of the harvest; one part says we reap more than we sow – which has to do with God’s part, or what God does with our seed; the other is we reap in proportion to what we sow – that’s our part. I can also note that scripture also points out our attitude in sowing as well by using words such as “grudgingly, reluctantly, or under compulsion”…”for “God loves a cheerful giver.”

    The world’s philosophy and God’s wisdom are typically just the opposite. The world says “get all you can, can all you get, and then sit on the can!” This was the philosophy of the man who received one talent; this was the philosophy of the man who reaped a large harvest and decided to build bigger barns rather than share with those in need. In contrast to this, the believer sows to glorify God and bless others. If you read on in 2 Corinthians 9 it says “Now he who supplies seed to the sower…” Where does the seed come from? (Remember we are not just talking about money. These laws are universal and apply to every area of life.) It says that God not only supplies the seed, but he also “will supply and increase your store of seed so you can be generous on every occasion.” Remember the story of the fish and the loaves? Not only did everyone eat, but there were twelve baskets left over!
    The kind of seed we sow, the attitude in which we sow, and the measure by which we sow, will all determine the outcome or the harvest. The increase, which is God’s part, will always be in proportion to what we do with what he gives us. Once again, if you look at the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25, you will see this law of the harvest in action. I can’t say it enough, the laws of the harvest are universal! You may not think you have much love to give, but what are you doing with the love you have? You may not think you have much talent, but what are you doing with the talent you have? You may not have much knowledge, but what are you doing with the knowledge you have?
    The laws of the harvest are one explanation of the generation gap. The younger generation wants to “sow their wild oats” and have fun, take chances, and live life with reckless abandon. The older generation is reaping the consequences of doing just that when they were young, and now they are trying to warn the young, and nobody listens. I am glad however, that the laws work both ways because many of us older generation are reaping the good harvest of the good seeds our parents and grandparents have planted over the years.
    The fact that we reap more than we sow can be seen in many ways, but especially in a physical garden. One kernel of corn will produce many kernels of corn; one bean seed can produce hundreds of beans, and so on. There is an old saying that we can count the number of seeds in an apple, but only God knows how many apples are in a seed. We may sow the seed of love or knowledge or compassion into a child, and only God knows how many lives may be changed because of what was sown.
    Proverbs 11:24 says “One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed!” My friends, we can’t do anything about last years – or yesterdays harvest – but we can do something about tommorows!
* A man reaps what he sows.
* A man reaps in due season.
* A man reaps in proportion to what he sows.
Finally,
* A man reaps a full harvest through perseverance… (tomorrow’s post)

Laws of the Harvest – 2

    The laws of the harvest – sowing and reaping – can be both positive and negative in their consequences. We don’t have a choice as to whether the seeds we plant are going to bear fruit, they will. The only option we have is what kind of seed we sow. We can sow good seeds or bad seeds; temporary seeds or eternal seeds; the choice is always ours. The facts still remains however, that we will reap the same kind in a different season. This is true whether we are talking about money, relationships, raising our children, or growing a business.
    We live in a world of instant gratification. Instant everything like fast foods, instant grits, DSL internet service, we want faster and when we have to wait 30 seconds for something, we get frustrated. It seems as though whether it’s health, or wealth, or spiritual growth, or you name it, we want to reap without ever sowing. We don’t want to put forth an effort; just reap the benefits. Have you ever heard of something called “jogging in a jug”? It’s a concoction of 4 parts grape juice; 4 parts apple juice; 1 part apple cider vinegar…Mmmm. It’s a folk remedy for high cholesterol…a kind of Draino for the arteries! I don’t know if it works, but it is guaranteed to make your face pucker for about 3 minutes. You don’t have to strap on your Nike’s and “Just do it” you could just grab a glass and “just drink it!” And, please pass the jelly donuts!
    We laugh, but what we are doing is trying to repeal the law of sowing and reaping. We want to sever the connection between actions and consequences. Not just with our eating habits, but with every area of our lives. We want instant gratification without having to pay the price.
    There is a good example in the story of King David in 2 Samuel chapter 11 – It’s the story of David’s affair with Bathsheba. There is an old saying that “sin will take you father than you expected to go, keep you longer than you expected to stay, and cost you more than you expected to pay!” The seed of David’s sin resulted in his families devastation. David’s first child by Bathsheba died; the women of David’s household were sexually assaulted by his own son Absalom; His own daughter was raped by her half-brother; David later lost both of his sons; Amnon was murdered by Absalom and Absalom was killed by Joab for trying to take over his father David’s throne.
    Some of the things we read in the Old Testament may seem rather harsh to us, but remember that God has set standards; boundaries; and laws that when crossed or disobeyed, result in unpleasant consequences. Many of you reading this right now know of someone who’s life would be different if not for the “bad or good” seeds sown by their parents…(different season) We can forgive and find forgiveness, but the laws of the harvest can only be changed by the mercy and grace of God.
    I myself have sown some bad seeds in the past that I am not proud of, and I am seeing the consequence of that even today, but I have also sown some good seeds, some eternal seeds, of which I may not see the harvest of until Jesus comes again. The difference is that – with the help of God – I began to change the seeds I was planting. The Apostle Paul put it this way in Ephesians 4:22-24 and 5:8-10 – “You were taught with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by it’s deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness”…”For you were once in darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live then as children of light. For the fruit of the light consists of all goodness; righteousness; and truth, and find out what pleases the Lord. Be very careful then how you live – not as unwise but as wise – making the most of every opportunity…”
    Can you see what this would have to do with the law of the harvest? So what is the lesson? If you don’t do anything, you will reap a garden of weeds! But, if you want to see good, fruitful results – no matter what the subject – then you must plant good seeds and do your best to keep out the tares and the weeds! You may or may not see the harvest…but your children and grandchildren will!

Laws of the Harvest
Galatians 6:7-10

    Today I am starting a new series of posts called “The Laws of the Harvest”. It seems rather appropriate this time of the year. One thing I want you to notice is that although I may give many examples, I really have no specific subject. In other words you can apply it to a physical garden, finances, relationships, attitudes and so on. The subject is up to you; but the law does not change…it is the law of sowing and reaping.

    There are a lot of things to talk about like; you only reap what is sown – if you sow an apple seed, you will not reap an oak tree. We usually don’t have an immediate harvest; you sow in one season and reap in another. We reap proportionately more than we sow; you can sow one potato with three eyes, and reap a bushel. (We can sow a little love, and reap many friendships.) A full harvest requires a lot of work and maintenance and perseverance. The laws of the harvest are absolute – “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.”
    Man cannot just ignore God’s eternal, absolute laws. The word “whatever” makes this law all inclusive; it applies to everything we sow, that’s why the subject is up to you. Peas = Peas…Watermelon = watermelon… Love = love… You cannot sow discord and produce unity. You cannot sow lies and produce truth. You cannot sow sin and produce holiness! Only what is sown.
    These laws of the harvest are both positive and negative in their consequences. We think mostly in terms of paying the consequences of wrong actions, but there are also positive consequences for right actions! Life is filled with choices; and those choices affect us as well as others, and the consequences good or bad may or may not be immediate.
    All of life comes from antecedent life. In other words from the labor and sowing of others. We are reaping today what others had sown either naturally or purposely; either by God or by man. The harvest, once again, may be positive or negative. Here is an example from Deuteronomy 6:10 – “When the Lord your God brings you into the land he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to give you – a land with large flourishing cities you did not build, houses filled with all kinds of good things you did not provide, wells you did not dig, vineyards and olive groves you did not plant, then when you eat and are satisfied, be careful that you do not forget the Lord…”
    On the positive side, we have what is called the “blessings of common grace.” This means that God is gracious toward all men whether they realize it or not; whether they acknowledge God or not. Matthew 5:45 says “God causes the sun to rise and the rain to fall on the evil and the good, on the righteous and the unrighteous.” Acts 17:24 tells us that God made the world and everything in it (for our use or misuse)…that’s common grace.
    We also reap the blessings of what others have sown like; the freedoms we enjoy; the Bibles we carry; the technology we have today; are just some of the harvest we are reaping because of what others have sown…some with their very lives.
    Of course there is also a negative side of this law where we reap the negative consequences of what others have done. Exodus 20:6; 34:6 and Numbers 14:18 all say the same thing; “God punishes sin to the third and fourth generation.” Do you think what we sow is important? How many have heard of a “crack” baby? Or how about fetal alcohol syndrome?
    The Bible says that we all inherit or reap the sin of Adam, and we pass it along to our children. This is not only a sinful nature, but also things children learn and do like; how to be critical; how to find fault with and talk about others behind their back; or how about racism and Semitism? We reap the consequences of foolish and corrupt leaders; we reap the consequences of family decay and divorce. We are quickly becoming a people whom the Bible says “are doing what seems right in their own eyes!”
    Available to us is the work of Edward Gibbon, who in 1787 completed his book “The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire.” In it he attributes the fall as being the result of;
1. Rapidly increasing divorce.
2. Higher taxation.
3. A mad craze for pleasure; with sports becoming more exciting and brutal.
4. The building of gigantic armaments, when the enemy was within.
5. The decay of religion; fading into form and becoming impotent.
Is it ironic, or is it the absolute law of the harvest?

Understanding Wisdom 
Proverbs 1:1-7

    In my NIV introduction to the Book of Proverbs it says this; “The Jews often speak of the Old Testament as the “Law”, the Prophets, and the Writings. Included within the “Writings” are the Psalms, Job, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes. These are also called the “wisdom” books. Whereas the priests and prophets dealt more with the religious side of life, the so called “wise men”, the sages and teachers of the law, dealt with practical and philosophical matters.”

    So, one might say that wisdom is not only to be found in knowledge, but it is also found in common sense, the practical, everyday matters. It has been said that many people are “knowledgeable” but have no common sense. They can quote from the greatest books, but can’t change a light bulb!
    J.I. Packer, a well known author, says that “Wisdom is the power to see, and the inclination to choose, the best and highest goal; together with the means of attaining it.” As such, wisdom finds its fullness only in God. The reason is because human wisdom can be frustrated by circumstantial factors that are outside of the wisest person’s control. God’s wisdom, however, cannot be frustrated because of its alliance with His omniscient, omnipotent, power. Infinite power guided by infinite wisdom; Infinite wisdom attainable by infinite power. This is God’s character as described in scripture. “His wisdom is profound, His power is vast” (Job 9:4) - “He is mighty in power and in wisdom” (Job 12:13) - “Wisdom and power are His” (Daniel 2:20) - “Now, to him that is of power to establish you according to my gospel… to the only wise God …” (Romans 16:25-27)   Listen, wisdom without power would be pathetic. Power without wisdom is just plain frightening!  But, in God, absolute power and absolute wisdom are united and that makes Him worthy of our trust and faith.
    We often have the tendency to question God’s wisdom when we ask questions like; “How could a God, who is love, allow this to happen?” In effect, we may think we are questioning His motives, but, we are really questioning His wisdom. This is because many misunderstand the Bible when it says “God is Love”. They think that if God is love, then He intends a trouble free life. So, anything upsetting such as; accident, illness, or suffering of any kind, indicates that the Bible is wrong or that somehow, God’s power and wisdom have broken down. But, God’s wisdom and power is not, and never was, pledged to keep a fallen world happy! Nor, is it meant to make ungodliness comfortable! Not even to Christians does God promise a trouble-free life. In fact, His Word tells us just the opposite. Happiness and pure joy, and an absolute trouble-free life is God’s reward of heaven - not earth.
    When the old theologians dealt with the attributes of God, they used to classify them into two categories: those that were communicable, and those that were in-communicable. Many of the in-communicable we have already talked about. Things that show how God is so vastly different from us; His self-existence; the fact that He is never-changing; not limited by space and time; all knowing; all powerful, ever-present; absolute holiness and perfection; meaning that there are in Him no elements that can conflict. So, unlike us, he cannot be torn in two different directions by thoughts and desires. These are things that man does not share with God, they are found in Him alone.
    In the “communicable” group, they lumped together qualities like; spirituality, goodness, kindness, truth, righteousness, love, and the like. In a word it’s called “godliness” or “God-like-ness.” When the Bible says we were created in God’s image, these are the qualities that we have in common with God. Many of these qualities were lost in the fall of man, and man lapsed into “un-godliness”.  But, God in His infinite wisdom had a plan. A plan of redemption and restoration. A plan to communicate these godly qualities in a new and fresh way. That’s what scripture means when it says we are “being renewed day by day” and “becoming Christ-like” which is God’s purpose.
    Now, among these “communicable” attributes, theologians put “wisdom”. As God is wise in himself, so He imparts wisdom to man whom He has created. The first nine chapters of Proverbs are devoted to this subject of wisdom, and are worthy of your reading, meditation and study.
    In the New Testament we are told to “live as wise, not as un-wise” (Eph. 5:15) and “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders” (Col. 4:5) “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, and it will be given unto him.” (James 1:5)
    Where can we find the wisdom of God? The Bible tells us that we must first learn to reverence or “fear” God. For it says, “The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom.” We must also learn to receive and understand God’s Word. Paul wrote to the Colossians; “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom.” (Colossians 3:16) He also told Timothy that “all scripture is able to make you wise for salvation.” (2^nd. Timothy 3:15)    Many today who profess to be Christians never learn wisdom. I challenge you to look at your own life and ask, “Where does my wisdom come from?” Do you spend as much time in God’s Word as you do reading the newspaper or watching T.V.?
     If you were to stand on the platform of York Station, you can watch a constant movement of engines and trains going this way and that. You might be able to get a rough idea of what’s going on, and perhaps an overall plan of these movements. But, suppose you were taken to the main signal room, where there is a whole wall diagram of the entire railway station. There are little glow-worm lights that mark movement and non-movement of all the trains on all the tracks. You would be able to see the entire pattern and better understand the whys and wherefores of all the movements.
    Now, the mistake is commonly made to suppose this is an illustration of what God does when he bestows wisdom. That is that wisdom consists of a deepened under-standing into the meaning and purpose of the events going on in the world or in an individual’s life. However, this is not wisdom.
    Wisdom is like being taught to drive. What matters in driving are the speed and the reactions to what is happening around you and the soundness of your judgment in any given situation. You see, you are not worried about why the road twists and turns, or where the other cars are going, you simply see and do the right thing in the situation you are in every time you drive.
    The effect of Divine wisdom enables you and me to do the same thing in every-day life. The wisdom of God is far beyond our comprehension. But, the wisdom He imparts to us in His Word gives us the power to see, and the inclination to choose, the best and highest goals…together with the means that we need to achieve them!

Understanding Truth

    I want to begin by saying that the main goal of knowledge is understanding. The goal of understanding is application. In application there is great wisdom and reward.
    In this lesson we are going to focus on the “truth” of God. Let’s look at John 17:17 which says “Sanctify them by the truth; Thy Word is truth”. Let’s look at that for just a moment. What does the word “sanctify” mean? It simply means to be set apart for God’s purpose. For example, in a church there can be many rooms, but the place where we worship God is called the “Sanctuary”. As God’s people, as Christians, we are called to be “set apart”. However, the previous verse tells us that it does not mean that we are to be “taken out of the world” or that we should have nothing to do with the world. What it does say is that we can be “protected from the evil one” Satan, the devil, and all his schemes, temptations, and attempts to get our eyes off of God. And, how does it say we are to be protected, set apart, or “sanctified”? By the truth, “Thy Word is truth”.
    Now, we actually have - literally - God’s words within His Word. So, we can hold up the Bible, God’s Word, and say that this is truth. In its entirety, and in each and every part of it, it is truth. 
    Within God’s Word, we have God’s words that are given to us in various forms or applications. For instance, in the first chapter of Genesis we have the story of creation. Where did this story come from? I believe that while Moses was on the mountain with God for forty days, God shared with him the story that became the first nine chapters of Genesis. This is categorized as “God’s creative word”. God said, “Let there be” and it came into being!      
    Next, the story goes on to a further stage where God speaks to the man and the woman whom He has made, and the fellowship or relationship between them is begun. God’s first word to them is a “word of command” telling them to “Be fruitful, and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” (Genesis 1:28)
    Then comes God’s “word of testimony” in which God explains certain things to Adam and Eve like, how He has made all the plants and fruits for them and the animals to eat. (Man was at first a vegetarian.)
    Next, comes God’s “word of prohibition”. God tells them not to eat from the tree of know-ledge of good and evil, “for when you eat of it, you shall surely die”.
    Then, after the fall, comes God’s “word of promise” both favorable and unfavorable.  Now, the rest of the Bible of course, is filled with many words from God, but, they all fall into one of these five categories of; creative words; words of command; words of testimony; words of prohibition; and words of promise. We are called to believe and obey God’s Word, not just because He tells us to; but, because it is truth! No matter which category it falls in to.
    Truth is God’s nature and he doesn’t have anything in him to be anything else. His truth shows us the way things really are, and how things will be in the future, whether or not we choose to believe or heed His words.
    The Book of Titus begins with the words; “Paul, a servant of God and an Apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of God’s elect and the knowledge of truth that leads to godliness”. (Titus 1:1) Whether physical, emotional, spiritual, or any other aspect of life, His word is always true, and if heeded, leads to godliness.
     We are all familiar with the thought that our bodies need the right routine of food, rest, and exercise to run properly and efficiently. If filled up with the wrong fuel of alcohol, drugs, or an excess of the wrong foods, we lose our power, we begin to function improperly; and ultimately to “seize up” physically. What we are slower to grasp, is that the same is true spiritually. We were also made to run spiritually on the practice of worship; law-keeping; truthfulness; honesty; self-control; discipline; and service to God. If we abandon these things or substitute other things in their place, we progressively “die” spiritually. The conscience dries up; our capacity for truth dwindles; loyalty and honesty are eaten away; and our character begins to disintegrate.
     Let’s go back to where we began; Is the truth of God’s creative word for our benefit? Are God’s words of testimony for our benefit? How about His words of command? What about His words of prohibition? Yes, yes, and yes!
    If we truly desire to “know” God, then our faith, trust and obedience must be firmly placed in the truth of His Word and His words! Listen to what God says in His Word about truth:
“The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisi-ble qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.
Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.
    Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.
     Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they are senseless, faithless, heartless, and ruthless. Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.” (Romans 1:18-32)
    I don't know about you, but this sounds a lot like today to me.

 

Part 2 - “Cracked and Broken”
Scripture - Jeremiah 18:1-6a.

    Yesterday I began a short series of glimpses into my book “Jar of Clay” with the focus being on verse 6 where we heard - “Like clay in the hand of the potter, so you are in my hand.” One treasure we found is that God, who is the potter, never gives up on us. He is always willing to start over because we are of great worth to Him. Some of us may see ourselves as cracked; He wants to mend us. Some may be broken; He wants to put our lives back together again. Some may even see themselves as disfigured; He wants us to find our beauty. Or maybe we think we are just plain and ordinary; but what we shall discover is that what we think we are, and the kind of vessel God desires to make of us, are often two different things.

    Do you realize that all the elements that are in clay are the same elements that are in us? The only difference is we have the breath of life that has been breathed into us by God Himself! Every one of us is a clay vessel in the hands of God.
    We also discovered from Jeremiah’s vision that the wheel represents life, and it is on the wheel of life that God molds us, shapes us, kneads us and softens us as He waits for us to become pliable in His hands.
    God has something good for each of us here in this story of the potter. Every turning of the wheel and every touch of His hand has been to make us according to the Divine pattern. God wants to make the very best he can of each of us. Whether He is making a water pot, a crock pot, or crystal vase, He wants it to be the best! As someone has said; “God don’t make no junk!”
     God is always calling for marred, cracked, and broken vessels to place themselves in the potter’s hand. So, let’s consider what God can do for you and for me when we are in His hands.
    Just imagine there is a big sign out there with hands beckoning; “marred vessels are welcome here, at the potter’s house.” Whatever part of your life you might consider to be marred; whatever the flaw or imperfection; the potter can help you. So He beckons – “Come to the potter’s house.” Every problem is welcomed at the potter’s house.
·       If you feel hopeless, just come to the potter’s house.
·       If you feel helpless, just come to the potter’s house.
·       If you feel burdened down, just come to the potter’s house.
·       If you feel you are being controlled by the flesh, just come to the potter’s house.
·       If you have attitudes that need to be changed, just come to the potter’s house.
·       If you find it hard to forgive others, just come to the potter’s house.

Do you know that there are some people who just enjoy complaining and fussing?
·       If you like to complain and fuss, just come to the potter’s house.
·       If you feel nobody loves you, or nobody cares about you, just come to the potter’s house.
·       If you feel resentment toward those around you, just come to the potter’s house.

    But, just a word of warning, As you come to the potter’s house, a marred, cracked and broken vessel, get ready to be placed in the hands of the potter. Be prepared to be put on the wheel so that you can become a smooth, pure, anointed, and holy restored vessel. "And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter; so the potter formed it into another vessel." (Jeremiah 18:4)