Walking With Jesus

When the Tail Wags the Dog

“Now I am departing from the world; they are staying in this world, but I am coming to You. Holy Father, You have given Me Your name; now protect them by the power of Your name so that they will be united just as we are.” (John 17:11 NLT)

Friedrich Nietzsche wrote: “It is not a lack of love, but a lack of friendship that makes unhappy marriages.” It’s not a stretch to think that a lack of friendship is at the root of a lot of unhappy believers.

Have you ever wondered why there are so many churches of the same “persuasion” in any given city? It would be nice if we could attribute that to evangelism. But, unfortunately, often it’s because the “board” couldn’t agree on the color of carpet in the sanctuary or what color to paint the nursery.

We’re so prone to pettiness in the Church, not because we don’t have “right” beliefs, but because we just don’t like each other. Most of the churches in which I pastored were small. Trust me, there’s a reason small churches stay small, and it’s not because the Lord doesn’t want them to grow. The overriding reason is that there are generally people in the church who are too threatened by new people, so they create division and disharmony to “scare away” anyone who might cause a threat to the disunity of the church.

Am I being cynical? Probably. But it deeply saddens me that we allow people to serve in positions of leadership in our churches who, in some cases, aren’t even believers in the Lord. They may have business knowledge or social skills, but they have no business leading Christian churches.

Most division in the church isn’t caused by wrong belief, it’s caused by wrong hearts. We want our way more than we want God’s way and we’re willing to do what we must to get our way. But the tragedy to me is that it doesn’t end there.

In Jesus’ longest prayer in the Bible His heart’s cry was that we, as His followers, would be one as He and His Father are one; that we would find our unity in Him, illustrated by our love for one another, not only among individual groups of believers, but across denominational lines. Yet, here again, we’re more in love with our preferences than we are with Jesus.

We let the proverbial “tail” wag the dog when we choose doctrines over Christ. What does that mean? It essentially means we allow doctrinal preferences to take precedent over oneness in the Body of Christ. How so? Take for example speaking in tongues.

When I was in ministry the church group with which I was ordained was “non-Pentecostal.” That was just a way to let people know we didn’t speak in tongues. Tongues was a very divisive issue when I was first in ministry, and I was adamant about it . . . until I met a few Pentecostal Pastors. Long story short, some of my best friends in ministry were and are my brothers and sisters in Pentecostal churches. I spoke in their churches and they in mine. Christ’s love bonded us together when doctrines of man tried to keep us apart. Eternal security is another “hot” topic, not so much on a theological level as on an emotional level.

Some doctrines become platforms upon which people’s faith is built, more than guideposts to help us navigate our walk with Jesus. My security as a believer isn’t built on a doctrine, it’s built on Jesus. Whether or not I speak in tongues is secondary to whether or not Christ owns my heart and is enabling me to hear His still, small voice.

As people of God, we must hold tightly to Jesus, but in so doing, we must also hold tightly to one another. The battlelines are becoming more and more clear between those of us who profess faith in Jesus and those who want to destroy anything that even hints of godliness.

We’ve got to stop letting our personal preferences divide us and allow God’s Spirit to unite us. If we’re going to be in heaven together, we might as well start liking each other now. It’s among our most powerful witnesses to an unbelieving world, and in my humble opinion, it’s just more interesting and enjoyable to have friends who don’t believe exactly like me.

Food for thought.

Blessings, Ed 😊

The Gospel vs Religion

“And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get.” (Matthew 6:16 NLT)

In our July 10^th worship, Dr. Bryan Loritts shared a message based on Mark 2:18-22. The specific topic of these verses is fasting, but Dr. Loritts digs into what the real issues are. I invite you to click on the link and watch the entire message https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqPSYqQxLgc, but in my post today I’d just like to highlight a few of his points.

Much of his message contrasted the differences between the Gospel of Jesus and religion.

Because there is so little emphasis placed on fasting, some may not even realize what it means. Dr. Loritts said: “Fasting is physically abstaining from food to experience the supremacy of the Giver over the gift. Be patient with yourself.” His intent here was to encourage someone who seldom if ever fasts to begin with a single meal or perhaps one day without eating, not start with a 40 day fast.

Dr. Loritts also said: “A very good thing becomes a very bad thing when it becomes an ultimate thing. The Gospel is not about Our Performance, But Our Pleasure.” This would be easy to misunderstand. He coupled this quote with Psalm 16:11 which says: “You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of Your presence and the pleasures of living with You forever.”

“An ultimate thing,” as used in the above quote, refers to a personal conviction that seeks to become an ultimatum for everyone. For example, prayer is a wonderful and essential part of anyone’s walk with the Lord, yet, let’s say for sake of illustration, that I always pray with my head bowed and my eyes closed. But my conviction is so strong that I begin to teach and demand that that’s the ONLY way God will hear our prayers. That’s when a very good thing becomes an ultimatum, thus dividing people, not uniting them.

And just to be sure no one misunderstands, that’s NOT how I always pray (with my eyes closed and my head bowed) and it’s not what I believe about prayer (that that’s the ONLY way God will hear us).

Then, lastly, let me make one comment regarding “The Gospel is not about Our Performance, But Our Pleasure.” Our performance, or, in other words, our efforts to be good enough for God to accept us, is the exact opposite of what God desires. Jesus has done everything that needs to be done on the Cross. He purchased our salvation by His blood. There’s nothing more that we can do to add to what He’s already done.

That’s what Dr. Loritts was addressing in the diagram when he wrote: “religion works for approval, the Gospel works from approval.” As Christ followers we do good works that the Lord has outlined in advance for us to do, but we do them because we’re saved, not in an effort to be saved.

And the “pleasure” of which Dr. Loritts speaks is the pleasure derived from our closeness to Christ, not from the sensual pleasures of the world. Although, there are numerous things I do in the course of my day – reading the Bible, praying, worshipping, serving, loving my wife and family, and on and on – all of these things give me great pleasure.

My walk with Jesus is not duty-bound, it’s love-bound. I do what I do because God loves me, and I love Him, not in an effort to win or deserve His love. There’s nothing any of us could ever do that would cause God to love us more and there’s nothing we could ever do so wrong to cause Him to love us less. Love is never at risk when we’re walking with Jesus.

Blessings, Ed 😊

What Is Your Life’s Goal?

“For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better.” (Philippians 1:21 NLT)

What is it that brings you the most satisfaction? Closing that big sale? Making that goal in a critical game? Winning the hand of the one you love? Cooking that perfect meal? Doing well on an exam? Landing the job you’ve longed to have? Obviously, there are many possibilities.

Sometimes we’re like the little boy in Sunday School class. The teacher held up a picture of a squirrel, then asked the class: “Who can tell me what this is?” The teacher called on little David, but he seemed hesitant to answer. Finally, he said, “Well, I see the whiskers and the bushy tail, but I’m going to have to go with Jesus.”

Sometimes, we can’t imagine exactly how Jesus fits into the scenario we’re considering, but it just seems like He should be the right answer. So, in terms of a life goal, to think of Jesus as the answer on some levels just doesn’t seem to fit. How in the world can a person, even God, be our goal?

That’s actually a very reasonable question. If our goal is to become a god, that’s an issue. However, if our goal is to become LIKE God, we’re getting close to finding a good plan.

Consider what Paul wrote in Romans 6:12-14: “Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires. Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace.”

As we allow the Holy Spirit to live in and through us, our lives give evidence of God’s life in us. That’s what Paul was talking about in the verse at the top of the page from Philippians. If our life’s goal is to allow the Holy Spirit to conform us to the likeness of our Savior, little-by-little Christ’s life will come to the forefront of our lives as little-by-little sin’s hold on us dies.

The reality is that the moment we yield our lives and allegiance to Jesus, His cleansing blood washes us of sin and we become a new creation in Christ Jesus. We’re given all the tools we will ever need to be everything the Lord desires us to be; however, it takes time for our will to conform to God’s will.

On some levels we still want what we want when we want it. The attractions of worldly passions still seek to pull us into sin and disobedience, but God’s Spirit will give us victory as we learn to trust Him and begin to want what God wants for us more than what we want for ourselves. When we fail, we seek forgiveness, but we continue to move forward.

To some degree we’ll fight this battle ‘til our dying breath, but we mustn’t lose sight of our goal. If Christlikeness is our heart’s desire, over time, with the Spirit’s help we’re able to take captive our thoughts for Christ, we’ll begin to think and act more like Jesus. It all begins with a decision.

In this season of my life all I want is what God wants for me – nothing more, nothing less! Am I as much like Jesus as I’ll ever be? I pray not! I want to continue to grow in Him until my dying breath. I/we will never deserve all that God has given and done on our behalf, but we can grow in gratitude as we realize more and more fully how helpless we’d be to find our way home without Him.

So, I’ll ask you again – just between you and the Lord – what is your life’s goal? I pray it will always and forever be – Jesus!

Blessings, Ed 😊

Is God’s Love Enough?

“For God loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 NLT)

PLEASE NOTE: I am not and will not suggest in this post or any other that God is inadequate in any way to meet our every need, but there are contingencies. What does that mean?

It means that while God loves every person who has ever lived, is living, or ever will live, not every one of those persons will be in heaven when they die. Why not? Because eternal life is contingent upon a person’s belief in Jesus – “so that everyone who believed in Him will not perish…”

Why is that so important to understand? There seems to be, especially in America, a very lax view of sin, largely, I believe, due to our misunderstanding of the relationships between God’s love and His justice; His law and His grace; His expectation of us and our personal desires.

Belief, as used in the verse above, is far more than an intellectual assent. It means “to commit one’s trust; to place confidence in; to entrust to His fidelity.” In short, it’s a commitment of everything we are or ever hope to be to the will and purpose of God through our faith in Jesus His Son.

What are the practical implications of not understanding this? If my lack of motivation to turn away from my sin is based on my mistaken understanding that because God loves me, He’ll overlook my sin and not allow me to go to hell, I’m not going to see any reason to develop godly disciplines. I won’t have any motivation to read God’s Word, pray, or even attend church. I won’t feel compelled to walk in holiness or seek God’s forgiveness when I sin. My relationships won’t be centered on my need to have fellowship with likeminded believers, or I won’t have any desire to share Christ with those who are lost in my spheres of influence.

Salvation and sanctification are parallel tracks that lead us to Christlikeness. Salvation is what God does when we repent (turn from) our sin, seek His forgiveness and cleansing, and place our full trust for eternal life (that begins the moment we meet Jesus) in Christ alone.

Sanctification is the work of God’s Spirit who, by His powerful presence working in and through us, sets us apart for sacred use. God’s Spirit will lead us into truth, enable us to understand and apply that truth to our life, then give us the strength, motivation, and courage to actually live out our life in Christ daily in ways that will impact the lives of those in our spheres of influence.

God’s love is given to us to enable us to find forgiveness and a new life of freedom FROM sin, not to give us a license to continue to walk IN sin. In Romans 6:6-7 Paul writes: “We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin.”

God’s love is an ever-present reality in our lives whether we’re walking with the Lord or not. God IS love, so His love for us is never in question. The issue isn’t “does God love me?” The issue is, “will His love alone rescue me from an eternity of torment?” And the clear answer from Scripture is “No! Not unless and until we respond to the gift of Jesus’ sacrifice, given to us because of His limitless love.”

God’s love will not force us to yield our allegiance to Him anymore than I could have forced my wife to marry me just because I loved her. She had to receive my love and choose to love me in return. A relationship with God is dependent upon two mutually agreeable wills to allow that relationship to work. Without that, God’s love for us alone is not enough to make us right with Him.

Blessings, Ed 😊

Why Do You Pray?

“When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.” (Matthew 6:5-6 NLT)

Since I never know who will be reading these posts, I can’t assume to know whether or not you pray; however, some who have responded to my posts have indicated that they’re seeking to know the Lord, thus, hopefully, do pray regularly and as a matter of habit.

Prayer works in much the same way as conversation with another human being. It gives understanding, builds relationship, opens our heart and mind to one another, and creates common ground. Certainly, the focus of prayer, as the focus of any conversation, depends largely on the depth of the relationship.

Why we pray often depends somewhat on our needs on any given day; however, prayer to a believer should be as natural as breathing. We don’t pray because we need SOME-THING, we pray because we need SOME-ONE! That’s a critical difference between speaking with God and speaking with another human being.

Our dependence shouldn’t be and, on many levels, CAN’T be on another human being. As believers in Jesus, our dependence is upon Him alone. He is our sustainer and provider. He may use jobs or other means, but ultimately, He has engineered circumstances in our lives to create a means of giving us what we need to be all He desires us to be.

That’s one of the reasons we shouldn’t fret when we don’t get that “perfect” job or lose a relationship we really wanted. There are multiple reasons we need to trust the Lord without reservation, most of which we wouldn’t or couldn’t understand even if He tried to explain them to us.

Prayer is our lifeline, especially when we realize the Lord cares about every detail of our life. As we age, we have the proverbial “aches and pains” for which we take aspirin or ibuprofen, and I don’t always lift those to Him. But what I am quick to lift to Him are symptoms I don’t normally have. Anything out of the ordinary I want to check in with Him first.

That’s especially true with my spiritual health. There are times I feel, for lack of a better term, “weird.” I have wrestled with depression for many years, so I seek to be alert to my mood swings. We’re all different and there are things that can alert us to a spiritual, relational, emotional, or physical issue for which we should seek the Lord. But why?

We pray, fundamentally, to seek God’s will and direction for our life; but that process is affected by virtually every avenue of our lives. If I’m “off” physically, spiritually, emotionally, relationally, or in any other area of my life, my walk with the Lord can be hindered. And, yes, of course, we pray for others and their needs, but the principle is still applicable.

We pray because we NEED to pray, not necessarily because we FEEL like praying. Right feelings follow right actions. If we do the right thing, we’ll feel the right way about it. There are mornings I pray, not because I want to pray or feel like praying, but because I know it’s the right thing to do. I need God’s input and guidance, regardless of how I feel, especially if I don’t feel well.

God rewards us for our efforts to stay connected with Him, primarily by giving us more of Himself. That’s a reward worth working for.

Blessings, Ed 😊

Who Was Demas?

“Demas has deserted me because he loves the things of this life and has gone to Thessalonica…” (2 Timothy 4:10a NLT)

Have you ever had someone close to you, someone you trusted, betray you? It’s a sickening, gut-wrenching experience. I can only imagine how Paul felt when Demas left him. We don’t know a lot about Demas, as he’s only mentioned three times in Scripture. Two of the three were in the context of his partnership with Paul in ministry.

Thinking of Demas’ desertion causes me to wonder why people who once seemed so committed turn and run when troubles arise. Demas certainly witnessed firsthand the miraculous ways God used the Apostle Paul, but he also witnessed Paul’s imprisonment for his faith. Perhaps Demas wanted to ride the coattails of Paul to “stardom” in the Kingdom of God. Perhaps he aspired to carry on Paul’s ministry or be held in the kind of esteem with which Paul was held. We can’t know for sure.

It causes me to consider my own motives as I pursue the Lord. Who or what is the REAL basis of my commitment? Who owns my allegiance? What motivates me to do what I do in ministry, whether as a pastor, leader, or volunteer? Whose attention am I craving? What rewards am I seeking and why? These and many other questions arise as I see those who come and go through the doors of the church.

Photo by SHVETS production on Pexels.com

Early in my ministry I was very naïve, believing virtually everyone who came to church was seeking Jesus. I trusted leadership, believing they had God’s will and purposes foremost in their minds and hearts. How deeply saddened and disillusioned I became when I came face to face with blatant hypocrisy.

Was Demas a hypocrite? Or was he just misplacing his allegiance, that should have been to Jesus, but instead was given to Paul. How many “faithful” church members who serve and lead and give and attend aren’t “on fire” for Jesus at all but are fully devoted to their “rock star” preacher or pastor, who once he/she leaves, their “fire” goes out.

My spirit tends to believe Demas never fully committed himself to Jesus, he was more aligned with Paul. Paul was a “superstar” who was able to give Demas inroads to people and opportunities that might have enabled him to make a name for himself. But when Paul ended up in prison, it caused Demas to rethink his future.

“Is this really the future I imagine for myself?” he must have thought. Whatever motivated him, at some point he made the decision to leave Paul and forsake whatever plans he might have had to be a person of prominence in the early church.

How many “rising stars” in the church today are seeking to make a name for themselves? But at what cost? Is it worth the faith and disillusionment of those who trust them, and believe they’re genuinely loving and serving Jesus? My guess is, they don’t care.

So many are leaving the church today, not because of Jesus, but because of disappointment in leaders and others they’ve met in the church who may not even know Jesus themselves. We want to treat the church like a business or any other type of corporate structure, leaning on our own understanding, and ignoring the guidance of God through His Spirit and His Word.

May the Lord help us to identify and seek to restore the “Demas’” in our churches before it’s eternally too late, not only for them, but for those whom they’re leading astray.

Food for thought.

Blessings, Ed 😊

Colder or Bolder?

“Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” (Matthew 24:12-13 NLT)

Are you ready for Jesus’ return? He’s coming soon! We must be about our Father’s business! What is that? Being bold in our witness to those without Jesus and being strong in our love for one another.

Why is that so vital? Because, as the world darkens, the light of Christ’s family must shine more brightly, pointing those who are lost to the Way, the Truth, and the Life. The battle lines are drawn and there’s no time or room to be uncertain about where we stand.

We’re either all in or we’re not; we’re either wholly committed to our Savior or we’re not; we’re either pursuing Jesus with our whole heart, soul, mind, and strength or we’re not. Unfortunately, there’s no middle ground.

End times on planet earth will be frightening. Why? Primarily because Satan and his devilish emissaries will become more emboldened as sin increases, and the Body of Christ will become fractured. How so?

Those who are all-in will become bolder in their witness, at the risk of their lives, but those who are weak and frightened will withdraw and grow colder. They’re hoping to save their life, but in the end, they will lose it.

The above verses from Matthew 24 are part of Jesus’ discourse on end times. He’s telling us plain and simple – “Buckle up, you’re in for a hard ride!” Honestly, my friends, this is no time to tell people that God has “a wonderful plan for their lives.” It’s time to tell them time is short, and their only hope is Jesus.

In the very next verse Jesus says: “And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come.” There’s never been a time in history where worldwide communication has been easier, yet notice, Jesus didn’t say they’d all receive the message, only that they would hear it.

Our job isn’t to “save” people. Our task is to make sure they hear a clear and understandable presentation of what God has done on their behalf, what He expects of them in return, and leave the results to the Lord. What they do with that information is between them and God.

Are you sensing the oppressive spirit of the enemy? He is desperate because he knows his days are limited, so in an effort to confuse, deceive, and distract as many as possible he’s going to create a very scary environment in our world. But what has our almighty God said 365 times in His Word, the Bible?

FEAR NOT!

God’s word to us today is stay calm! Trust Him without condition! Serve Him without hesitation! Depend on Him without reservation! Live for Him with focused intention! And pray like your life depends on it, without intimidation!

I’ve read the final chapter of the Bible – JESUS WINS! What does that mean? It means if we belong to Him, WE win too! Death and the grave have been defeated! Satan will be bound, unable to hassle or hurt us for all eternity! This is no time to abandon our post or ignore our clear orders. It’s time to band together as God’s holy and blood-bought children, standing strong in Him. Loving each other well and reaching the lost at any cost.

It’s an eternal privilege to be God’s child. Let’s live like it! Let’s grow bolder, not colder!

Blessings, Ed 😊

Will You Be That One?

“For nothing is impossible with God.” (Luke 1:37 NLT)

What would you attempt if you knew you couldn’t fail? Spoiler alert! The first thing that comes to mind will give you great insight into where your priorities lie; which kingdom you are most interested in building. For example, if your first thought was: “I’d begin a business that would make me a millionaire” “I’d ask ____________ to marry me” “I’d change the way I think in order that I might honor God more effectively.” Dreams reveal our heart and who owns it.

A.E. McAdam wrote: “No one accomplishes so much in so little time as when he or she is praying. And the following thought certainly aligns well with all that the Lord Jesus Christ taught on prayer: If only one believer with total faith rises up, the history of the world will be changed. Will you be that one to rise up, submitting yourself to the sovereignty and guidance of God our Father?”

Among my greatest regrets is saying no to great opportunities. Of course, I wasn’t wise enough to recognize them when they presented themselves. There are times I ponder the possibilities of what I might have become if I’d known when I was younger what I know now. You know what’s that’s called? “A HUGE WASTE OF TIME!”

The most difficult truth for me is to realize I very likely DID know when I was young much of what I now know. Knowledge isn’t the issue. Knowledge isn’t wisdom. Wisdom is the effective and prolonged determination to apply what I know to my life in such a way as to honor God and bless people.

The difference between me and my younger self is I now have little to no concern for what others think of me. My only concern is what Jesus thinks. I don’t ask a lot of questions or make demands of the Lord to explain everything before I act on what directives He gives me. My goal is to do what He directs and leave the results to Him.

The above verse from Luke 1 is in the context of the angel Gabriel telling Mary that though she is a virgin, she’ll conceive a son who will be called the Son of God. I love verse 38 when this teenage peasant girl simply said: “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.”

What “impossible” things is the Lord telling you to do for Him? May I offer a few suggestions? First, just do it! Stop looking at your limitations and open your heart and mind to His limitless power to take what you have and are and make something wonderful and fruitful to His honor and the good of those who will be served by your obedience.

It doesn’t matter if you’re young or old, single or married, popular or a loner, skinny or not so skinny! The only thing that matters is your availability and strong desire to please God. If He’s in it, and you’re willing to be pliable in His capable hands, He will do miraculous things in and through you.

Here’s the truth – IT’S NOT ABOUT YOU! IT’S ONLY AND ALWAYS ABOUT HIM! It wasn’t about Mary. Yes, gratefully she submitted herself to be used of God to be the mother of Jesus and her faithfulness is a picture of what God can do with someone completely yielded to His will. But Jesus is the big picture! He’s the One who changed history and is still changing lives to His honor and fame.

God’s desire isn’t that we make a name for ourselves. He’s interested in us making a name for Him. Whatever your age, income, nationality, IQ, or anything else, don’t focus on what you can’t do or be, only focus on who Jesus is and dream about what He can do in and through you.

To me the greatest challenge is to be ready when He opens the door of opportunity that He’s perfectly fit me to walk through. For Mary it was having God’s Child. For me it’s listening to His voice and submitting to His directives. What is it for you? Dream big. And remember – it’s not about your abilities, it’s about your willingness to allow the Holy Spirit to flow in and through you to God’s honor. He’s the miracle-worker, but He’s always looking for someone through whom He can work His miracles. Will you be that one?

Blessings, Ed 😊

The Open Door

“Then as I looked, I saw a door standing open in heaven…” (Revelation 4:1a NLT)

In a recent reading on my devotional calendar, I read: “Once God is everything to us, so that ‘in Him we live and move and have our being’ (Acts 17:28), the door to heaven will stand open before us as well.”

In yesterday’s post I asked the question “Whose kingdom are you seeking?” and we looked at Matthew 6:33. The verse above from Acts 17 addresses essentially the same issue but uses different wording.

Today I’d like to look at what these things mean in practical terms. What does it mean to be Christ’s “slave?” What does it mean to say that God is everything to me?

First, let me say it’s a process. It doesn’t happen overnight; however, the heart change necessary to initiate the process does have a definite point in time that it begins. What does that mean?

Virtually everything we do from day to day is tied in some way to desire. It can be sin’s pull to activate our evil desires or the Spirit’s pull to activate our desire to honor and please the Lord. But the Spirit can’t be active in a person’s heart and life who has never responded to Jesus’ invitation to join Him in God’s activity on this earth.

How does that happen? It begins through repentance and belief, followed by submission to the Lord’s will and purposes and obedience to His directives. How do we understand what that looks like? Primarily through the Bible, God’s written Word; however, since this isn’t the focus of this post, let me encourage you to look through previous posts where I’ve dealt with these subjects. As always, if you have questions or concerns, email me at walkingwithjesus09@gmail.com.

So, assuming you’ve made a life-long commitment to Jesus and your heart’s desire is to follow Him as closely as possible, that basically is what it means “to live and move and have our being” in Jesus or for God to be our “everything.” But, as with any new direction we desire to take, there will be obstacles.

As Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 10:5, our goal is to: “…destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.” That obviously takes time, but everything worthwhile that we do has to have a starting point and that point is salvation in Christ alone through faith alone.

Two key words come to mind when thinking about starting out as a new believer in Christ. First, commitment, and second, determination. In some ways it’s like starting an exercise program or lifting weights. You don’t start trying to lift 300 lbs. For me, today, I’d be very pleased if I could lift the bar without any weights.

Commitment is a mindset that essentially says: “Whatever it takes, for however long it takes.” And determination essentially says: “However hard it gets and however much I want to quit; I’m going to keep moving forward.” Even if you’ve been walking with the Lord for a while, the best way to make the most progress in the shortest amount of time is to find a mentor, someone who is further along in their walk with the Lord, but solid in their commitment and unwavering in their determination to stay true to the Lord.

Additionally, a discipleship group to help guide you with Bible study, prayer, and other spiritual disciplines can be incredibly helpful. If your church has a “New Believer’s” class or the equivalent, check it out.

One last thing. Someone who is good at something makes it look easy, so just as with any sport, diet, exercise program, or even the learning of spiritual disciplines can look easy for a “pro,” it took them a long time to get there, and it’s going to take you a while as well. Be patient with yourself, and don’t allow yourself to get lazy.

God will help you and be with you every step of the way, even to the door in heaven that now stands open for you.

Blessings, Ed 😊

Whose Kingdom Are You Seeking?

“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.” (Matthew 6:33 NLT)

Imagine you are lost in the forest. You had a little bit of water and a few energy bars, but they’re long gone. The days turn into nights and now you’re without energy, hanging on to life by a thread. Suddenly, you hear someone coming, but your lips are parched, and your voice isn’t loud enough to be heard. You’re only hope is that whoever it is will find you before you lose consciousness. Is it fair to say that in that scenario you strongly desire to be found? Would craving to be found be a reasonable way to think of it? How about “I’d give ANYTHING to be found?”

That’s what “seek” means in the above verse. It means to desire something more than anything else; it’s your absolute top priority. Is that how you see the Kingdom of God?

Now notice, it doesn’t say “in place of all else.” It says, “above all else.” What’s my point? In the King James Version of the Bible, Matthew 6:33 says: “But seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.” We’re not seeking or pursuing some THING; we’re seeking a PERSON. His name is Jesus.

It’s not like a job or career where you devote a lot of your time to it, it’s a 24/7 relationship. The Bible sometimes compares our walk with Jesus to marriage. Just because I’m at work or the gym or out to lunch with a friend, that doesn’t negate my obligation to be faithful to my wife in thought, word, and deed.

When the children of Israel were enslaved by the Egyptians, for all intent and purpose, they had no will of their own. They did what they were told, lived where they were told, ate and drank what they were given. In the New Testament the term often used by Jesus, while sometimes translated as “servant,” is “doulas” which means “slave.”

As a child of God, my highest priority and desire is to be conformed to the likeness of my Master, Jesus. I want no other will but His. I desire no possession but what He provides. I want to live where He wants me to live, eat what He wants me to eat (I sure hope He likes cherry pie 😊), I want to let Him lead in every decision, every detail of my life. Why?

Because I’ve followed Him long enough to know that He knows me best and loves me more than I love myself. Whatever He chooses for me will be better than anything I could possibly choose for myself. I want His Holy Spirit to have full rulership and control of every avenue of my being. Every thought, attitude, or word should be governed by His authority in and over my life.

Isn’t that restrictive? Actually, it’s liberating! Being fully devoted to Jesus allows me to give full expression to the person He created me to be. Every morning I express to Him my desire to have His Spirit love well through me the people in my spheres of influence. I ask Him to let me love my wife like He would if He was married to her and love my children, neighbors, friends, whomever I have contact with throughout my day like He would love them.

Seeking Him first doesn’t make us perfect, but it does make us more sensitive to His leading and more aware of His presence with us nearly every second of the day. If my mind and heart are focused on Jesus, they can’t simultaneously be focused on anything else. So, to the degree I’m able to keep my heart fixed on Him, to that degree I’ll have successfully sought His Kingdom.

Blessings, Ed 😊