Walking With Jesus

What Are We Saved To? (Part 2)

“I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised Him from the dead. I want to suffer with Him, sharing in His death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!” (Philippians 3:10-11 NLT)

In yesterday’s post we began to look at what we’re called “to” as a child of God. It’s so comprehensive, yet I want to encourage you to dig deeper. Being a Christ follower is rich and full and meaningful on every level of our lives. If I wrote a hundred books to seek to describe what we are invited into as God’s child, I could barely scratch the surface. But having said that, let’s look at a few more today. As a child of God, His Spirit calls us to:

Become Students as we submit our lives ever more fully to God’s Spirit! Jesus said in John 14:26: “…the Holy Spirit – He will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.” As a child of God, regardless of our age, we can never cease to be students of God’s Word. The Spirit will inform us, but He will go further in enabling us to know how to apply what we’re learning to our lives. It’s ironic to me that the elite followers of the Jewish faith memorized the Torah, the five books of the writings of Moses, yet they still missed Christ. We can know the Bible from cover to cover, but still miss Christ if we’re not allowing the Holy Spirit to inform us how to apply what we’re learning. Study without the guidance of the Holy Spirit is, for all intent and purpose, valueless. We must be filled, empowered, and enabled by God’s Spirit, not only in what the words and passages mean, but how they can best be used in teaching, leading, and equipping those in whom we’re pouring our lives.
Become contributing members of Christ’s Body, the Church! As I mentioned yesterday, we’re “born again” into God’s Family. It’s our responsibility to find our place, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and with the help of other members of the family, in a local congregation or fellowship of God’s people. As we grow and learn and allow others to pour into our lives, we must in turn, be pouring our lives into others. And remember, you don’t have to be a college graduate to teach a first grader, you only need to be a second grader. You will always have something to teach someone who’s hungry to learn of God.
Become One with God! We’re called to oneness with God. In the verse at the top of this post from Philippians 3, Paul says he wants to “know” Christ. This is the same word used in Genesis 4:1 when it says: Now Adam had sexual relations with his wife…” It’s a term of intimacy that can only be shared in the context of deep, abiding commitment. There’s no greater illustration of oneness physically. That’s why adultery is so wrong. It’s not only a violation of God’s law, it’s a violation of our bond of oneness with the one to whom we’ve pledged our lives in marriage. It’s ironic that someone who seeks oneness with multiple partners will never experience the oneness for which they seek. That kind of oneness, the oneness that God desires for us to have with Him, can only grow out of unreserved and undivided loyalty and commitment.

The life to which we’re called as a believer in Jesus is so liberating, yet can feel so restraining; so enjoyable, yet can be so heart-breaking; so exhilarating, yet can be so draining; so calming, yet so disturbing; so relaxing, yet so intense; so rich and rewarding, yet there are times we feel we’re just spinning our wheels. That’s why the disciplines we learn as we draw ever closer to Jesus, must demand complete surrender to the Spirit, who will then give us complete freedom to feel all the emotions our Lord experienced as He sought to carry out the will of His Father while on this earth. There is no greater privilege than to be a child of the living God.

Blessings, Ed 😊

What Are We Saved To?

“Some people may contradict our teaching, but these are the wholesome teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. These teachings promote a godly life.” (1 Timothy 6:3 NLT)

There is much more to being a follower of Christ than being forgiven. The emphasis of many is what we’re saved “from.” We are delivered from a life of sin and estrangement from God. We’re filled with God’s Spirit and our names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. We’re promised a life of hope that will one day lead us to our eternal home in heaven. We’re given power that exceeds anything the devil can send against us, and we’re given an eternal family, of which we become a member the moment of our new birth. That’s certainly a wonderful beginning to a brand-new life in Christ, but what are we saved “to?”

If the only reason we’re saved is to go to heaven, why not keep a shot gun by the altar and after someone prays for forgiveness, we can ask them: “Are you saved? Are you certain you’ve placed your hope and trust in Jesus?” And when they respond: “Oh yes, absolutely, Christ is mine and I am His!” Then we can say: “Hallelujah!” BOOM! Another saved child of God is off to heaven!

Yes, I know! I know how ridiculous that is, but no more so than someone who professes faith in Christ yet doesn’t understand or care that now the effects of the work Christ began in us must launch us into a life motivated, informed by, and lived for the Lord Jesus. We’re given new life in Christ for some very specific reasons. We’re born again by the Spirit of God to . . .

Become a Member of His Forever Family! Pastor Rick Warren wrote in a recent devotional: “Some people think of the church as a building, an institution, or an event you attend. The church isn’t any of those things. It’s a family you belong to.” While I sadly realize there are exceptions in the world in which we live today, as a rule, when we’re born as a human being, we’re born into a family. It’s like that when we’re born again of the Spirit. God has created the Church to be the place of spiritual nurturing and for the training of new believers, giving them insight and understanding as to how they should now live as one who has been saved to live a godly and exemplary life of faith.
Become Transformed by the renewing of our minds! Jesus said in Matthew 16:24: “If any of you wants to be My follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow Me.” What does that mean? It essentially means to set aside your will in favor of knowing and doing God’s will. How can that happen? By learning to think differently. Paul wrote in Romans 2:2: “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing, and perfect.”
Become a Witness to what New Life in Christ should look like! Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:17: “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun.” We’re saved from sin to a new life of godliness, in the pursuit of holiness, seeking daily to become more and more like Jesus.

There are many more dimensions to the life into which we’re saved, so we’ll look at a few more tomorrow.

Blessings, Ed 😊

When God Says “No” – Part 2

“Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away.” (2 Corinthians 12:8a NLT)

In yesterday’s post we looked at why God answered Jesus’ prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane “no.” Today we’ll look briefly at how God answered the Apostle Paul’s request for physical healing, using his experience as a springboard into why He sometimes answers our prayers with a “no.”

Paul had a physical issue, that I personally believe, had to do with his eyes. If for no other reason, I draw that conclusion from the fact that his “letters” comprise nearly two thirds of the New Testament. Why would he have someone else write the letters, then “sign” them with an oversized signature? That’s a discussion for another day, that’s just my opinion.

Regardless of what his condition was, he “begged” God on at least three occasions “to take it away,” yet God didn’t heal him. Instead, God said: “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” What can we learn from Paul’s dilemma?

“Walk Humbly” – Tess Shoemaker “Used by permission, © Ray Majoran, GlimpseOfInfinity.com”

My conviction when I pray and ask God for answers is two-fold: First, if what I’m asking is not in line with His will, I don’t want it. And, secondly, if God can’t trust me to have whatever it is I’m asking Him to give me, I don’t want it. I’ve come to realize, as Paul did, that God’s will is best period!

So, how does Paul’s negative answer apply to our prayers? Why does God sometimes say “no?” One thing as we start is, God will never say “no” to something that is in line with His will. He may delay His response until other things are in place, but He will never deny a request that’s prayed in accordance with His will. But understand, there are some prayers that God is prevented from answering. How so?

We know that it’s always God’s will for people to be saved, to come to faith in Jesus. These requests fill my prayers every day. However, if a person is adamant that they will not yield their life to Christ, God will not override their resistance or force them to become a believer. The father in the story of the “prodigal son” in Luke 15 watched for the return of his son and opened his arms to him when he chose to return, but he didn’t go in search of him.

It’s always our responsibility to come to God in response to all He’s done for us. His Holy Spirit will draw us and create circumstances that will point us to God, but He will never make us come to Him against our will.

Otherwise, here are some (not all) reasons God will answer “no” to our prayers.

If, like the Apostle Paul, God has concern that our pride will get in the way of His use of us. Paul was a brilliant and capable man. And, like many today, he could easily have mistaken God’s activity in and through him, for his own strength and ability. God’s desire is that we become willing vessels through whom He can flow to do work that in and of ourselves could never be accomplished. That’s why it’s called “faith.”
If whatever we’re asking is not in our best interests. I’ve begged God for things He didn’t give me, but over time I realized it would have been a big mistake for me to have gotten that for which I was praying. (i.e. that relationship, that job, that material possession, etc.)
If it’s clearly (to God) not in line with His will. The best way to know if something is or isn’t in line with God’s will is to read and study the Bible (God’s Word). There are some things that are clearly wrong and would not be God’s will for us. I never have to pray for what kind of car I should steal; whose money I should seek to fraudulently obtain; who I should kidnap, kill, with whom I should commit adultery or fornication; live with out of marriage; etc.). These are all things clearly taught in Scripture to be displeasing and dishonoring to the Lord.

There are others, but hopefully that will point you to Scripture to help you better understand why God sometimes must tell us “No” when we pray.

Blessings, Ed 😊

When God Says “No”

“My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from Me.” (Matthew 26:39 NLT)

Has God ever said “no” to you when you thought you were asking in complete faith and trust?

Have you ever prayed, agonizing in your spirit, begging God to take something: a pain, some form of suffering/sickness, from you or a loved one? What about something you wanted Him to give you? Healing? Provision? Job? Relationship? Something material? Or perhaps your prayer focused on something you were facing that you didn’t want to go through? There are times in the Bible when God has said “no.”

God generally answers prayer in one of three ways: Yes, No or Wait. Sometimes the answer comes quickly, but other times it comes over a long period of time. Today I’d like to look at why God answers “no,” and what that can mean.

The two examples that first came to mind were Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane shortly before His betrayal and arrest, and Paul, as he sought healing for a physical condition.

In Matthew 26 we get background information that led up to Jesus’ request to allow Him not to have to go to the Cross. For anyone who thinks what Jesus endured prior to and including what He experienced on the Cross was easy, think again. Most men wouldn’t have made it to a cross, they wouldn’t have survived the torture and torment Jesus had to endure before He was nailed to the Cross. But the most painful part of what caused Jesus’ suffering wasn’t physical.

“Jesus Paid It All” “Used by permission, © Ray Majoran, GlimpseOfInfinity.com”

Jesus alone could have had insight into what His sacrifice would entail. He alone would have known that when the sin of the world was placed on Him, His Father would have to turn His eyes away (see Habakkuk 1:13; Matthew 27:46). Jesus had never in all eternity been separated from the Father for one millisecond. But Jesus also knew, if He failed to pay the penalty for sin, all mankind would be eternally lost, without hope, without a Savior.

Jesus didn’t die for His sins, He had none. He died for mine and yours. He traded His perfect life for every sin that has ever been or will ever be committed by anyone willing to receive His gift of forgiveness and eternal life by grace, and who will place their trust in His completed work on Calvary.

The other piece of this that I can’t prove Biblically but believe in my heart is true, is my conviction that had Jesus not been willing to accept God’s will and had made the decision not to move forward with God’s plan to be arrested, tortured, and crucified in our place, I believe God would have called a halt to the whole plan and rescued His Son without delay. Why do I believe that? Because no one, not even the totality of all creation, meant more to God than the life of His Son. If you doubt this, just ask yourself: “What if it was MY son?”

Mark 14:36 records the first word of Jesus’ prayer as “Abba.” “Abba” is a term of endearment. It can be compared with the words a child would use when they’re first learning to speak. Words like “dada” or “papa” or “daddy.” The picture that formed in my mind was of my son, when he was suffering from leukemia and my response if he’d asked me: “Papa, would you please take this cancer away?” Nothing would have prevented me from doing exactly what he asked if there was any possible way for me to do it.

God has unlimited resources as the Sovereign Creator, Sustainer, and Ruler of everything that is. By His word He could have changed everything in Jesus’ circumstances in the twinkling of an eye, the same as He’ll change each of His children when Jesus returns. But because Jesus understood all of that, He was quick to add: “If this cup cannot be taken away unless I drink it, Your will be done.” (Matthew 26:42 NLT) All praise to our glorious Savior for His willingness to allow God’s will to be done in and through His life, for us.

That’s just one time when God said “no.” Tomorrow we’ll look at why He sometimes says “no” to us.

Blessings, Ed 😊

What Is Fellowship?

“All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.” (Acts 2:42 NLT)

The term “fellowship”is used frequently among believers in Jesus, but I’m afraid we have largely lost sight of its meaning. We say things like: “Let’s meet up at a restaurant and have some fellowship.” Or “Let’s get together at my house on Monday, watch the game, and have some fellowship.” It’s not that those kinds of usage are wrong, they’re just not what the New Testament use of them typically meant.

We see a clearer picture in I Corinthians 1:9 where Paul writes: “God will do this, for He is faithful to do what He says, and He has invited you into partnership with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” In this verse, the same word that was translated “fellowship” in Acts 2:42, is translated “partnership.” What’s the difference?

Yes, of course, as God’s children we’re invited into friendship, that is often enhanced and can grow by spending time together eating and watching sports events, or in many other ways. However, in Scripture we see a more specific understanding of the term, centered around the partnering of those who know and love Jesus, with the Holy Spirit, in the carrying out of His specific mission and purpose for us.

John was Jesus’ closest earthly friend when He was carrying out His ministry. This is the John to whom Jesus, from the Cross, entrusted the care of His mother (see John 19:27). John wrote in 1 John 1:3: “We proclaim to you what we ourselves have actually seen and heard so that you may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ.” When you see “fellowship,” think “partnership.”

We’re not simply invited to hang out with Jesus, which He loves, but to follow in His steps as He sacrificially laid down His life to free us from our sin and to experience life to the max as He lives in us in the Person of the Holy Spirit.

Fellowship/partnership with the Holy Spirit involves digging into Scripture together, learning what it means to be in partnership with Jesus in carrying the message of the Cross to everyone we possibly can, through whatever means we possibly can, for as long as we possibly can. It means spending time in prayer, not just “saying prayers,” but agonizing with God, seeking Him above every earthly trinket, seeking Him moment by moment as the Treasure He truly is to those who have placed their trust in Him.

For someone who truly knows and loves Jesus, our lives cannot be “business as usual.” True “fellowship” with God and with each other as believers, must include learning how to make Him known everywhere He leads us, every day until He returns or calls us home.

Jesus said in Matthew 28:19: “Therefore (or on the basis of all that I’ve accomplished through My life, death, resurrection, and soon ascension), go and make disciples of all the nations…” The word “disciples” here means to instruct those who are coming to Christ “to follow His precepts and instructions.” That takes time, serious commitment, and prayer that becomes our lifeline to the heart of God.

The equipping of the Spirit must be continuous and can be strenuous and painful, but nothing on earth is more rewarding. Being a disciple of Jesus isn’t something we learn in a classroom, check it off, and go back to living any way we choose. When we become a Christ follower, we’re essentially giving ourselves up for His sacred and holy purpose. Paul reminds us that we are not our own, “for God bought you with a high price.”

The privilege of fellowship with God and with one another as believers, isn’t to be taken lightly, but is a commitment we make to God and to each other to let His Spirit train, equip, and use us in any way He sees fit, through life and through death.

Blessings, Ed 😊

Whatever Became of Common Sense?

“The words of the godly encourage many, but fools are destroyed by their lack of common sense.” (Proverbs 10:21 NLT)

It seems to me that common sense isn’t very common these days. My sense is that even some who read this post may not even understand what it is. So, let me first give a workable definition, then look at some evidence that it’s not as common today.

Solomon, arguably the wisest man who ever lived, said: “The person who strays from common sense will end up in the company of the dead.” (Proverbs 21:16 NLT) “Common sense,” as used in this verse means: “to be prudent, be circumspect, wisely understand.” (Strong’s) Common sense essentially means to be “capable of exercising sound judgment in practical matters; cautious or discreet in conduct; circumspect, not rash; managing carefully and with economy.” (Webster) “Common” means to share by all or by many, and “sense” has multiple meanings depending on the context in which it’s used.

Years ago, it wasn’t uncommon to hear references to “common knowledge” or “common courtesy,” or even “common belief,” and other things that were held in common, but today it’s rare to hear anything but someone demanding to have their point of view, not only heard, but adhered to.

“Coming Soon” “Used by permission, © Ray Majoran, GlimpseOfInfinity.com”

Jesus had common sense. He understood His environment like no other man did then or could today. He was thoughtful, kind, generous, merciful, yet fully aware of where His words and His sinless life were leading Him. Few today understand those things. Jesus was and is the Sovereign King of Creation, but He lived as a carpenter and friend to those who had little or no standing in their community. He wasn’t looking to make a name for Himself. He wasn’t “upwardly mobile,” in the sense that He wanted to build wealth or material riches on this earth.

His efforts were focused on heaven and His goal was to begin a God-movement that would literally change the way people viewed the world and each other. How do you view yourself? The world? Others? What we really believe is evidenced in the way we live our life.

When I was growing up in the 50’s and 60’s, the divide among people groups wasn’t as wide as it is now. There were the very poor and the very rich, but most people, at least in the U.S., were in the middle. They were paying their bills, loving their kids, going to church, staying married, and being considerate of other people, their opinions, and their property. They shared common goals, common values, and, for the most part, common religious beliefs.

Common sense said: “If you marry, you didn’t divorce.” “If you hurt someone, you made amends.” “If you made a debt, you paid it back.” “Whatever kind of work you did, you made the effort to do and be the best you could do and be.” “Promotions were based on merit and your word was your bond.” “Church and family were important, and God’s Word was revered.” Those values were held in common by the majority of citizens in America. A lot has changed.

Today, truth is relative, and people are encouraged to “look inside themselves” to find meaning, purpose, hope, and fulfillment. Divorce rates are soaring, along with suicides, crime, trust, and many other Biblical values that once guided and guarded this great land. Am I bemoaning the fact things have changed so dramatically? No, not at all. Those days are passed and gone, as Biblical prophecy says they must.

What happened to common sense and all of mankind, is the result of sin, selfishness, and satanic influence. Things aren’t going to get better on earth, only worse. But I’m not longing for what was, I’m longing for what one day soon will be – the return of my Sovereign King who is, once and for all, going to do away with sin, selfishness, and satanic influence. Jesus is my never-changing Hope of a new tomorrow that will be better than anything I could provide for myself or anything this world could ever provide.

Please don’t lose your soul seeking something you’ll never find on this earth. Open your mind and heart to Jesus. Seek His forgiveness and find in Him more than you ever imagined possible, in terms of the good He’ll bring to your life. Please click on the link and watch a 3 minute message by Ron Hutchcraft, who will help you better understand your need of Jesus and what it means to know and love Him. https://hutchcraft.com/the-bridge-to-god

Blessings, Ed 😊

The Splendor of His Coming

“And in the future you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God’s right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven.” (Matthew 26:64NLT)

How often do you think about Jesus’ second coming? And when you do, how do you view it? Does it frighten you? Encourage you? Have no bearing on your emotions at all? Obviously, the range of emotion can be from great enthusiasm to yawning non-concern, but one day sooner than any of us can imagine, life on this planet will cease and eternity will begin.

Perhaps you or someone you know thinks, “I don’t believe in all of that heaven and hell business, so whether Jesus returns or not has no bearing on me.” Actually, what someone believes or doesn’t believe about Jesus’ coming doesn’t change the fact that it’s true and everyone who has ever lived, is living, or ever will live is going to be affected very dramatically.

How can I be so sure? Because the Bible is very clear about what will transpire in history to set the stage for Jesus’ return, and every prophetic description has or soon will be fulfilled. No one knows the day or hour, only God the Father (see Matthew 24:36), but based on the Bible’s historic accuracy I have absolute certainty that Jesus is coming back for His Bride, the Church. The only issue then becomes, will we/you be ready.

Jesus said: “Now learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branches bud and its leaves begin to sprout, you know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see all these things (see Matthew 24), you can know His return is very near, right at the door.” (Matthew 32-33 NLT)

In previous posts I’ve written about heaven and hell, but the focus of my thoughts today center on Jesus and our life in Him. Jesus died to give every person an opportunity to know, love, and spend eternity with Him. To miss Jesus is to miss everything. To reject Jesus is to choose hell. But, the ones on my “radar” aren’t just those who have given themselves over to wickedness and evil; who won’t listen to reason or even entertain the thought of placing their faith in something or Someone they can’t see, hear, touch, taste, or smell.

Who I’m also praying will seek God and long for His soon return are those who have been beaten and battered by the storms of life; those who have no fight left but have resigned themselves to accept whatever life or fate has for them. They may have only heard Jesus’ name in an irreverent way, but if only someone could show them a “picture” of Him through a kindness or thoughtful word or gesture.

Will you covenant with me to pray for lost people? Beginning today, and praying every day until He comes for you or all of us, whichever comes first. See the people God places in front of you each day. Take the time to study their faces and see them as someone for whom Jesus died.

There’s a verse in 2 Thessalonians (2:8) which speaks of the “Splendor of His coming.” The Greek word translated “Splendor” is the word from which comes our English word “Epiphany.” It means “brilliance” or “brightness” and can refer to “a moment of sudden intuitive understanding; flash of insight.” (Webster’s Dictionary) I’m praying that my neighbors, friends, relatives, anyone who needs Jesus would receive an insight or “sudden intuitive understanding,” whatever it takes to open their mind and heart to Jesus before it’s eternally too late.

Jesus’ presence, when He returns, will be brighter than the noonday sun. The sight of Him will drive us to our knees in reverent submission to His authority and Holiness. Even those who have seen no need to understand their need of Him in this life, will recognize their need in that moment, but for them, it will be too late. That breaks my heart, and God’s heart. We must implore everyone we possibly can now, while there’s still time, to yield their life and allegiance to Jesus.

Blessings, Ed 😊

Prove It!

“Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God.” (Matthew 3:8 NLT)

Perhaps you’ve heard the old adage: “The proof is in the pudding.” What does that mean? It means if you’re going to brag about your pudding, it’d better taste good. The same is true of our lives as children of God. If we’re going to have confidence in our walk with God, we should daily seek God’s approval of the way we’re living.

In Matthew 9 Jesus heals a paralyzed man, but before he heals him, Jesus forgives him of his sins. The religious leaders of Jesus’ day rightly believed it was blasphemous for anyone but God to forgive sins, but they wrongly accused Jesus of blasphemy, because they misunderstood who He was. So, Jesus said to them: “So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” And He gave as proof the power He displayed in healing this man’s paralysis.

What will it take to prove Jesus’ authority in your life? What proof do you need, that you don’t already have, to convince you once and for all time that Jesus is God in human form? That He came to earth to demonstrate through His life how we should walk as God’s children, and to forever pay the debt for sin on our behalf.

Many today hide behind excuses, claiming: “If God is real why doesn’t He show Himself? Why doesn’t He prove to me He’s alive, and that He loves me.” Often, we ignore God when things are going well, then doubt His presence when something negative happens in our lives.

In Matthew 16:1 the Pharisees and Sadducees, who were the Jewish elite, in terms of their religious knowledge and zeal, came to Jesus asking Him to prove His authority. Jesus responded: “Only an evil, adulterous generation would demand a miraculous sign, but the only sign I will give them is the sign of the prophet Jonah.”

God spoke clearly to Jonah the Prophet. He wanted him to go to Nineveh, a very wicked city, and tell them to repent. But rather than obey God, Jonah got on a boat heading in the opposite direction. God caused a great storm that threatened to sink the boat Jonah was on, but rather than risk the lives of the men who had shown him kindness, Jonah tells them to throw him overboard, which they did, and they will be saved, which they were.

Why would Jonah tell them to do that? Did he want to die? No! He had full confidence God would rescue him. So, what did God do? He sent a large fish to swallow Jonah and deliver him to the Ninevites. Was Jonah running because He didn’t believe in God? Quite to the contrary, he was running because he despised the Ninevites and knew God would use his message to turn them back to God. As later proved to be true.

The picture of Jonah is a “type” or “shadow” of Jesus in the “belly” of the earth for three days after His crucifixion. Jonah’s story is a picture of a lot of us today who run from God, not because we need proof of His existence, but because we’re afraid of what He’ll do with us if we yield our will to His. I’m convinced many, if not most, “nonbelievers” in Jesus don’t need proof of His existence, they desire assurance that He’s good. That He can be trusted. Or, in many cases, they just don’t want to give up their sin.

Yes, of course, on this earth across the years, up to this day, evil and wickedness are actively destroying lives and ruining families. It’s discouraging and disheartening. And, no, I don’t have a complete understanding as to why God allows it. I know it’s a result of sin and the determination of evil people to carry out the desires of their depraved hearts and minds. But I also know one day soon God will bring life on this planet to a halt and will hold all mankind accountable for their sin. Will you choose to die in your sins out of anger at God? Or because you love your sin too much?

Jesus has given us ample proof through His life, death, resurrection, and ascension back to heaven. You have more proof than you could ever need. Let the Spirit of God open the eyes of your heart. Confess your need and come home to Him today.

Blessings, Ed 😊

Making Room for Jesus

“He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’” (Luke 12:17 NLT)

As Americans, we tend to live very crowded lives. Down time is rare, but when it happens, it’s often difficult to decide what to cram into the void. It’s as though we’re geared to be active every waking moment, but that was never God’s design for us.

Bob Goff wrote: “Later in his life, I bet the Innkeeper wished he’d made more room than he thought he had for Jesus. Me too.”

You’ve likely heard the expression used by many retirees: “I don’t know how I ever found time to work!” That’s the way I felt when I was first retired, but in recent months the Lord has taught me how to slow down and focus on what’s important.

In Luke 12 Jesus tells a story about a rich man who owned a farm that was very productive, but rather than seeing that as an opportunity to share his good fortune with others, his decision was to build larger barns so he could hoard it all himself. But God said to him: “You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?” (Luke 12:20 NLT)

“Abundance” “Used by permission, © Ray Majoran, GlimpseOfInfinity.com”

Jesus concluded the story by saying: “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.” (Luke 12:21 NLT) What can we learn from Jesus’ story?

Jesus is not saying that to have earthly wealth is wrong. People on Welfare in America are richer than 99% of the world’s population. There was a time in my life when I wanted to be rich. I wrongly believed if I had more than enough money it would give me status and recognition. I had to become penniless before I realized how “rich” I already was.

Jesus said in Matthew 6:33: “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.” By God’s grace I have finally learned the truth of that verse. What I’ve discovered is, He gives more than I need, or so I thought. The excess is what He gives me to give away to those to whom He directs.

The more time I spend with the Lord, as I speak with Him while walking my dogs; as I spend time reading and studying His Word, the Bible; as I make corporate worship and serving at my local church a priority; as I make sharing His love and life with others a habit; and as I learn to rest when I’m weary, He has taught me how to listen more attentively to His Spirit who resides in me.

Making room for Jesus requires discipline in every area of our lives: our personal life, our family life, our relationships in and outside the family of God, how we use money, invest our time, love, and serve others. The more we allow our lives to be filled with Jesus, the less we must fret because of worry, fear, and uncertainties of the future.

Having a rich relationship with God is not just a destination, something that we hope happens when we die, it’s designed to be a present reality that guides us in every dimension of our life. Making room for Jesus enables us to have balance that brings fulfillment, peace, joy, satisfaction, and time to build relationships with neighbors and others the Lord puts in our path from day to day.

Personally, I’m not interested in building “bigger barns” for the resources the Lord is making available to me. I’m more interested in discovering ways to honor and bless the Lord as I make more room for Him.

Blessings, Ed 😊

What Is Temptation?

“Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away.” (James 1:14 NLT)

Temptation can and often does lead to sin, but temptation itself is not sin. Jesus was tempted, but He never yielded. Today I’d like for us to look at what the Bible teaches about temptation.

Temptation literally means: “an experiment, attempt, trial or proving” (Strong’s). It’s the cheese that draws the mouse to the trap. Loving the cheese isn’t what gets the mouse killed, it’s their inability to resist it in the wrong setting. That’s what happens to us. That’s why Satan uses the things we naturally love to tempt us. I’m never tempted to eat too much broccoli, but I am tempted to eat too many sweets.

Photo by Sharon McCutcheon on Pexels.com

There’s a lot to learn about temptation, so let me outline several things that will, hopefully, whet your appetite and point you to God’s Word to learn more.

God tests us, but NEVER tempts us to sin. In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus taught us to ask our heavenly Father to “lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil” (Luke 11:4 KJV). It’s an expression of gratitude to God for not only NOT leading us into temptation but delivering us from Satan’s attacks (the one in whom resides the derivation of all evil).
Satan tempts us to sin by using things we love. Like the mouse, we can be drawn to things we desire, which in and of themselves are not necessarily sinful. Think of the things that tempt you most. Sex, which God gave us as a gift to be enjoyed between a man and woman committed to one another in marriage for life. But when it’s distorted, degraded, and dishonored, it becomes a means of driving a wedge between us and God. Money is not the root of all evil, but the love of money is. Family, while again, being a gift from God, can also become a temptation when we put love of family before love of God. (see Matthew 10:37) When we allow anything to come between us and God, it becomes for us sin.
Jesus was in all ways tempted as we are, yet never yielded (see Hebrews 4:15). That’s why we can be assured that Jesus understands exactly what we’re dealing with and is the source of strength we need to overcome whatever Satan is using to draw us away from God.
God always gives us a means of escape. As I think of the times I’ve failed God and yielded to temptation, what hurts the most is the remembrance of the “way of escape” He provided, but I failed to take. As hard as it is, we don’t have to give in to temptation. Lust is a magnet that Satan will cause us to believe has an unavoidable appeal. It has a strength that seems undeniable, but by God’s grace and in His strength, it can be defeated. Sexual sins, including fornication, pornography, homosexuality, adultery, and all the other tentacles of lustful behavior are forced to yield to God’s powerful Spirit when we finally come to the place we’ll allow Him to be for us what we can’t alone be for ourselves (see 1 John 4:4).
Temptation begins in our mind and heart. James 1:14-15 says: “Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.” Temptation is born in our thoughts, but having an evil thought isn’t in and of itself a sin. When we ponder the thought and give it consideration, then it becomes sin, which “drags us away” to evil actions, which if not dealt with, will lead to death (separation from God).

Temptation is common to every person. No one is exempt. Yet, ironically, the Lord has given us a means of defeating temptation by developing godly habits and partnering with other believers. You can’t concentrate on more than one thought at a time; therefore, reading, meditating upon, memorizing, and sharing God’s Word, the Bible; praying, not just in our time of devotion, but throughout the day; and being accountable to another believer we love and trust, can be antidotes to sin. Regardless of how tightly the enemy has you bound, when you fill your thoughts with what is good, and right and pure (see Philippians 4:8), there is freedom in Christ Jesus.

Blessings, Ed 😊