BE NOT OF THIS WORLD, BUT IN IT
Be not OF this world, but IN it. We’ve heard this, haven’t we?
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
- Romans 12:2
So, we have to be transformed by the renewing of our mind, and sometimes, that means letting go of some of what WE think should be done (I reference Jonah here). I begin here. We have lots of talks about who and what we support. I’m always in a Starbucks for instance. I know the companies policies and stances, but some of my money goes there. Why would you DO that; you might ask? Well, Jesus has a way of showing up in the most unusual places (like on His earthly ministry).
On Monday, I’m in a Starbucks. They all know me there, know what I do, know Who I live for, know about the band; everything. One of the young guys is not having it on this day. He is put out. They’re short a manager and workers, and all seems to be “going to hell” as he put it. So I start talking to him, asking him a few questions. We’ve had some good Jesus moments before, so I felt that I could go there.
He cannot even make sense with his feelings, so I tell him, “God has something for you today.” He asks what that could be, and well… Brandye and Vance had given me a tee shirt with my favorite verse of Jeremiah 29:11. As many of you who know me knows, its my favorite promise from the Bible. I just happened to be wearing it on Monday morning. I pulled the bottom of my shirt out and told him to read. He was following the words of the verse on my shirt with his eyes, and I told him to read it out loud.
He got through the first line and turned away. I asked him what was wrong, and he told me, “I just can’t.” I told him that yes he could, and that God had me wear this shirt on this day just for him. With tears in his eyes, he continued reading the verse until the end. He simply said afterwards, that He needed that word from God on this day.
So, here’s where the rubber meets the road. We are not conformed to this world, but we’re living in it. We are transformed by the renewing of our mind, as we are in the Word and doing our very best to live out the Word. This young man, who I love to death, we have great talks when I’m in Starbucks, was the one person who is in this world that needed to hear about Jesus because of something he was going through.
That’s it. Not deep theology. Not deep religion here. Not in the physical, but Jesus showed up in the spiritual realm to touch and reach this young man through a verse. One single verse. And it was on a shirt. It was a tool, a prop, a visual that God could use in that moment. It’s an amazing thing when we see God move in the most unusual places, with the most unusual people. I am myself an unusual person.
I’M unusual in the sense that I believe in the written Word of God, that is, the Bible. I believe that it’s not just stories, but HIStory in the Book of Books. I believe that it’s the map of how we are supposed to try to live out our lives in this earth, until we gain heaven with Him. I believe that God can move on anyone, anywhere or anytime. It can be in a church, it can be at a concert, it can be at a meeting – it can even be at a Starbucks.
Be like Jesus, and not like a Pharisee. Be out in the world. Shine the light of what Jesus did for us into the world. Not in OUR world necessarily, but in the world of someone who may not see Jesus until He uses YOU. Prayerfully. Willingly. Earnestly. Let them know Him!
To battle!
41
From a spiritual leader friend of mine; repeating McKenzie Miller: In the Bible, it rained for 40 days and 40 nights. Day 41 came and the rain stopped. Moses committed murder & hid in the desert for 40 years. Year 41 came, and God called him to help rescue Israel. Moses went up on the mountain for 40 days. On day 41, he received the Ten Commandments.
The Israelites wandered in the wilderness for 40 years. Year 41, they walked into the Promised Land. Goliath taunted Israel for 40 days. Day 41 came, and David slew him. Jonah preached a message of repentance to Ninevah for 40 days. On day 41, God stopped His plan to destroy them.
Jesus fasted and was tempted for 40 days. Day 41, and the devil fled. After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to His disciples for 40 days. On day 41, He ascended into Heaven. All this to say...don't quit. The rain will stop, the giant will fall, and you will enter your "promised land." Don't give up at 40. Your 41 is coming.
The number 40 is prevalent in the Bible. The word "forty" appears 158 times in the King James translation. The number 40 generally symbolizes a period of testing, trial or probation. It can also mean or symbolize a generation of man. Moses' life, as an example of trial and testing, can be divided up into three blocks of 40 years.
The first 40 years of Moses' life entails him from growing up in Pharaoh's household and living in Egypt until he slays a man and has to flee to Midian. The second part of his life is spent as a shepherd in the wilderness until God calls him at 80 to save his people. During the last third of his life he leads the Israelites out of Egypt and wanders the wilderness until he dies at age 120.
Testing. Trial. Probation. No verses this week, just some Biblical thought on these three words. Where are YOU on your “40?” Is it a goal? Is it a dream of your that’s bigger than a goal? Are you simply waiting on God for something, or has He spoken something into your life that you’re still waiting for? All of these are great questions. The answers are what we wait on sometimes.
The bigger question is how ARE we WAITING? Are we doing it with faith, with kindness, with anticipation, with joy, with confidence, and with expectation? It says a lot about our faith walk where we line up in those questions. I mean, Israel wanted to go back to Egypt. They doubted what God had said that He had for their nation. It had to one of the factors (besides the golden calf) of the 40 year wait for a generation to pass before God allowed them into the Promised Land.
Let’s not doubt what God has spoken or promised to us. Let’s strive toward THAT mark of our own personal journey. We’ll be laughing with joy in heaven when we get to reminisce about how God was true to His word. I’m just sayin’…
To battle!
BOILING POINT
I want you to think about something. Especially as men. When it comes to boiling water, if we were to look into the pot, we would not see our reflection. It’s simply not possible, as the water roils over and over. In the same way, we cannot see the truth when we are angry. Such as when the water in the pot calms down and clarifies so that we can see “ourselves,” it is the same with our faith.
When we experience anger (some is justified and some is not), we need to let the situation settle. I like to call Jesus fashioning a whip and turning over tables in the temple a “righteous anger.” Only He had that right. Us on the other hand, not so much; as we think back to our Before Christ lives. We did some stuff that should’ve brought out the anger in someone. So, what does this mean for today’s study?
“Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” - Romans 8:26
Ever been through something and you’re praying to God and no words…I mean, NO words come out? You just groan, cry out, say the name Jesus over and over because nothing else is coming to you to pray? Romans 8:26. The Holy Spirit intercedes for us. We are covered. The Spirit IS the calming down of the boiling point of what we’re going through. It is here that we can actually feel the simmer settle down.
We can actually feel the release of what has gotten a hold of us. We can actually FEEL HIS PRESENCE in the midst of what we’re goijng through. You might ask, “Is it really that simple?” The answer is yes. So long as we approach the throne room of God with our petitions, the Holy Spirit is there dictating to God for us on our behalf. We should never question if God is really listening or really hears us knowing this fact. Ever.
As a matter of fact, if this revelation doesn’t fire you up, ya might need to talk to somebody who KNOWS what this is about. Besides that, we’re not meant to walk through things alone. Talked to my friend Mikey last night, and he told me as much just by calling to check on me and Donna. It’s the same when we all check on each other. We are not alone when we think that we are.
“He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.” - Proverbs 25:28
So when we reach our boiling point, let’s get into the Spirit to control that and simmer us down. It’s when this water is calmer that we see what God is showing us, and telling us what to do. Am I perfect in this? Not EVEN. No one is. But a contrite heart towards the Father will allow Him to show us what we need in that moment. Amen.
To battle!
WE GET HIM
In this world, we get excited and drawn to things that aren’t really important, but are simply a release and relaxing thing for us. Concerts, parties, football games, super (or should I say STUPER) bowl… but I digress. I like to watch to see how useful companies or organizations monies were spent on the ads. Why do people and/or companies spend that!?!
Well, to run a 30 second ad in the Superbowl nationwide, it costs roughly $7 million dollars, per The Wall Street Journal. This year, the Superbowl attracted approximately 123.4 million viewers, according to NFL Football Operations who track this. That’s a lot of eyeballs that you can get your message to. So, it seems that it would make sense if you can afford it to do it.
Again, I watch for the commercials. There were some bummers and some pretty good ones. This year, the “He gets us” people put out an ad. It showed folks washing feet – of everybody - people going through every type of sin that the Bible calls out. The foot washers even had taken THEIR shoes off. It was a very feel-good spot within the superbowl. But here’s the rub – although He “gets us,’ they failed to acknowledge that we should then ‘get HIM" and repent for those sins.
I mean, we get example that Jesus gave us (the Bible only records Jesus washing the disciples feet, by the way*), and that we should serve the same way. Jesus may have shown us the way, but still, He was killed because of Who He was. But death could not hold Him, and He rose again to fulfill scripture. He rose again to serve God’s ultimate purpose – unless we become born again and belive in the death and resurrection of Jesus as the way into eternal life (John 14:6), we’re doomed to be judged in a damned eternity.
On the HeGetsUs.com/en website, they state, “The night before he died, Jesus washed the feet of his friends and enemies*. It was a totally unexpected act of service that symbolized so much more.” In John 13:20, after Jesus washed the disciples feet, He said, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.” In other words, when we accept Christ as our Savior, we receive God. But to accept Him, we have to turn away from our own sin and live our lives for Him.
There’s a lot of new age type of “gospel” out there today, and if we’re not in the Word, it SOUNDS like the Word. Some of this is that Jesus promotes unconditional love and acceptance. Except that while His love for us is unconditional, our lives have CONditions on them for heaven. Another is that Jesus judges no one, and uses smooth, non-offensive language that is vague. There is nothing in scripture that is vague (Again, I refer you back to John 14:6). Other things are that He wants us to pursue our own will (which even Jesus gave up HIS own will to the Father in the Garden of Gethsemane), EVERYbody gets into heaven, and He doesn’t require repentance or even full obediance.
These things are sometimes even spewed from the pulpit in today’s church. We are for sure living in Revelation. Are we aware of that? Are we really tapped into the Word? The Bible will speak things to you that you may never hear from a pastor. It is Truth. Unbiased. Eternal. The LITERAL WORD OF GOD. So, to our title today, do WE get HIM!?! Really get Him? Because when Jesus returns, there will be nothing meek and mild about Him. His vesture will be dipped in blood, and on His thigh, it will read: “And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King Of Kings, And Lord Of Lords.” – Revelation 19:16
If you really want to know what He will be like, read ALL of Revelation 19, and prepare to have your world rocked. It’s one thing to know Jesus, it’s entirely another thing to KNOW Jesus. We will not stand for any replacement gospel that the world wants to put out there. See what I did there? The word gospel was not capitalized on purpose. Gospel and gospel are two different things, as are the names God and god.
“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” - Galatians 6:7
To battle!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rV3AnTUPiDY
*All verses noted are KJV
WHEN GOD SPEAKS DIRECTLY
“And thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear: for they are most rebellious.” - Ezekiel 2:7
Isn’t that something? God tells Ezekiel to speak to Israel whether they will hear or not. Then, he goes out and does just that. Out to his own people, not strangers or foreigners. And so that is where we seem to be today. People are hard-hearted, lovers of self, wanting to do what pleases them and not God.
Now, we don’t live in Israel during this time, but last time I checked, we live in America. The last bastion of freedom (especially for the Gospel) in the world. I would say instead of sending money to foreign nations for weapons, send them Bibles. LOTS and lots of Bibles. Jesus is who they need, not bombs – but I digress…
We are to give warning to those in this world, and even to those who are in the church. Jesus is coming, and you’d better prepare your lanterns. Be sure that they are filled with oil so that you may see what God is showing. In verse 2:17, He tells Ezekiel, “Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.”
God is speaking to Ezekiel about the desolation of the land. Distress that Israel would not be able to escape from. Basically, the destruction of sinners who were unwilling to repent. Whoever breaks God’s law will find themselves held by His judgements. As will we, if we do the same. God forbid.
So, are we willing to address the elephant in the room when we’re around people that we see specifically caught up in a sinful nature? Might be a friend. Might be a family member. Might be us. We should constantly take a check up from the neck up to make sure that we are on track ourselves. How can we bring Jesus to others when He is not prevalent in our own lives? It’s impossible. It becomes an oxy-moron. We are then - unbelievable.
Let’s be strong and connected to one another. Let’s be bold and telling of Jesus every chance we get. If 100,000 people can go to an LSU football game, get there on a THURSDAY for a Saturday game, then eat, drink (a lot) and be merry only to go and scream their collective heads off for 3 hours for a bunch of late teens/early 20 somethings that are playing a GAME, how then can WE not be motivated to spread Jesus EQUALLY as loud? WHENever, WHEREever!
WHEN GOD SPEAKS
Here’s something that I think you may or may not have heard before. ‘When God wanted to create light, He spoke it and there was. When He wanted to form land, He spoke it. When God wanted to create the fish and the winged fowl of the air, He spoke it. And so it was for every roaming animal on land. But when God wanted to create man, He turned to Himself. Then, God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let him have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and every other creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.” – Genesis 1:26
So, here’s the thing: if you take a fish out of the water, it dies. When you remove a plant or tree from the earth, it dies. So, if we take man and disconnect him from God the Creator, he dies – WE die. God is OUR natural environment. We were created to live in His presence. We must be connected to Him because only He gives life that exists.
Here’s a question…how are we doing and in what environment are we living? I mean, is it work, career, hobbies, family, nothing? All of these things have some value, but not if we’re missing the point that God put them into our lives. It’s for our own enjoyment and pleasure, but it is to please our Creator first and foremost. Just as He saw ‘it was good’ after all of His creations, would we not want Him to feel the same way about what He has given to us?
Not to go all heavy just into 2024, but time is short! Not only will we be judged on what we’ve done, we’ll also be judged with what He had given us and what we did with it. We do NOT want to be the servant who buried the master’s treasure! Our Master will require more – much more. To spread His word, to expand the kingdom. That’s our mission. Where are we with that?
Here's a thought, do we even think to ask for help if we feel that we’re not there yet? Not just ask God for help, but from others that He’s put into our lives to help us? When it comes to our families, do we ask help from our “help-mate,” our spouse? When it comes to work, do we ask help from a more knowledgable person that can further us along? When it comes to dreams and really big goals, do we do the same?
I summise that if we want the Father to look at what we’re doing with what He has given us, we would want to hear, ‘it is good.” As we look around the world today, the world could use some of GOD’S goodness, love, and mercy. He may just be waiting for us to show it to them.
Entertaining Angels
So the other day, Donna and I were on an errand run and happened to be in the Fresh Market to pick up some things to cook for dinner. After we had gotten what we needed, we proceeded to the check out station. There was a friendly fellow ahead of us, and he offered to “buy us our dinner.” I told him that it was not necessary, but he kind of insisted. So, I told him that we had dinner, but if he wanted to buy Donna this Chocolate Chip Banana Bread (she’s crazy about it), that would be fine. So, he did so gladfully. At this point, he tells us to have a blessed day, and starts to roll out. I told Donna to pay, and that I’d meet her outside. She knew exactly what I was going to do.
I saddled up to him and told him how appreciative I was for his offer to cover our purchase. He told me that he was glad to do it. At this point, I told him that a blessing deserves a blessing. He followed me to my truck, I pulled out a CD and gave it to him, telling him that I hope it blessed him. At this point, it turns into a full-fledged discussion to the point where Donna had entered the vehicle but didn’t want to interrupt. His name was Michael. He looked at me straight in the eyes after a bit of our discussion and said, “Would you pray for me?” I said sure, and was there anything specifically that I should pray for. He didn’t free anything up, so I just rolled. At the finish of a good “Amen!,” he said thank you so much for that. I then got the biggest bear hug from a guy that one could get. Then, he simply smiled and moved away to his car.
“Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.” - Ephesians 6:10
So, you may be thinking, is this just another Benny story? No, it COULD be just another (fill in your name) story! Isn’t this what we’re supposed to be doing on a daily basis? For me, God gave my music and CD to pass on. For you, it’s whatever gift He has given to you. And EVERYbody can pray for someone when asked. Your talent or position is your gift from God, what you decide to do with it is your gift back to Him. It’s a little ironic that these things have been happening very frequently lately. When I told Donna about it in the truck, she immediately began to cry.
There’s a verse, Hebrews 13:2, that refers to the idea that sometimes people may unknowingly encounter angels in human form. The verse is: “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” So then, here’s the thing. After having this happened and reading Hebrews which this verse was included, how well am I doing with that on a daily basisi? I know we’ve talked about this before guys, but when God keeps showing Himself with these situations again and again and again, you’d think that maybe we get the message. I pray that we do. Time is short, for His return is at hand. Let’s band together, fellow warriors, and do the Kingdom work that’s put right in front of us.
For the Kingdom! To battle
GIFTS
Today we look at gifts... To be sure, here’s praying that your Labor Day was great. While this man-made holiday is assigned to the first weekend of September, it follows Biblical principle. “Six days thou shalt work, but on the seventh day thou shalt rest: in earing time and in harvest thou shalt rest.” [Exodus 34:21 KJV]
So, my prayer is that everyone got rest – physically, mentally, spiritually. It’s important for us to remain grounded and rooted so that we can hear from God. And so it is that God gave me a quick word, and sometimes, just sometimes, it doesn’t have to come from scripture. However, if we are really listening to God, He’ll reveal things to us no matter the circumstance or situation.
This is for everyone, but mostly to our artist friends out there. If you’re a musician, an artist, a sculptor, a dancer, a writer, or any other genre in the arts, this one’s for you. My wife Donna and I went to the movies this weekend and saw Gran Turismo. You know, the movie about the PlayStation game where Nissan set up a competition to find a real-life driver from the best of the best players of this game. This movie is based on a real life story and follows the career of Jaan Mardenborough, who won the Nissan GT contest and went on to be a star on the racing circuit in real life.
This young man went through all sorts of trials and tribulations even BEFORE he got into the contest that led to his selection. Family telling him to be realistic (heard that one before artists?), you don’t have the stuff (heard that one before?), I don’t think you’ll make it, I know you have heart and drive, but it’s different in real life…I’d ask if any artists out there have heard these others, but I know the answers, so I digress…
The thing is that Jann had a dream. Now this is not a faith-based film (except for the faith in himself), and that’s okay. Like I said, God can speak through anything. However, know full well brothers and sisters in the artists realm, that God has instilled in you a talent - a gift. He gifts us with specific gifts, and if you are not an artist, He gifts you with other things like business acumen, leadership, compassion, integrity, humbleness, cooperativeness – all of these things are gifts as well.
“In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.” [Romans 12:6-10 NLT]
So, God gives us specific gifts in our lives, and what we CHOOSE to do with that, is our gift back to Him. Just a quick thought where we get rest to hear from Him! For the Kingdom!
To battle!
Abstain From Evil
“Abstain from all appearance of evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:22-24
I implore you to read Paul’s letters to the Thessalonians. There are so many things that he is teaching them, but for today, we come to these important verses. In the Greek, the word ‘apeschesthe’ means to abstain or to keep away from, in the literal sense. We hear so much about abstinence, and commonly relate that to sex. But what about the ‘to keep away from’ meaning from in the Greek? The holy Spirit gives us eyes to see and ears to hear to know what to keep away from as well.
One main problem with being related to anything ‘evil’ is that others may perceive that we are okay with what is going on, even if we’re not partaking of it ourselves. Our own actions may be misconstrued as something else. In 1 Thessalonians 2:4, Paul writes, “But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.”
So, how are we doing with that one, warriors? If God lives within us, and is entrusting us with His gospel, are we doing/hanging with those who are doing evil or even being perceived as such? It’s in the political world for sure, academia, and even in some churches. If you are a political person whose speech does not line up Biblically; move on. If you are in academia over me, my family, my children, and you do not line up Biblically; move on. If you are preaching the word from the pulpit or any other medium and you do not line up Biblically; MOVE ON!
The point here today is to abstain from evil – or even the presumption of it. The floor is now open for discussion – I’m just sayin’…
To battle!
I Am Owned
Well you might be thinking, “What’s up with this title?” While I was having some alone time with God, He spoke this to me. Then when I went to bed, He was speaking it again. Rather forcefully. YOU…ARE…OWNED. Not in a slave type of way, but in the way that I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that I was His. So, here’s the rub with that. Some may say, “Sure you heard from God.” I get that a lot with my music, because I tell people that He spoke to me about what to write.
All these songs later, (and I am not that talented); it was a gifting through the Holy Spirit. But it’s because I searched after Him that I am able to hear from Him. When one of us wants to connect with the other, we call or text or email each other, right? Well, it’s the same when we want to speak with or hear from our Heavenly Father. We have to reach out and touch someone (namely Him).
“Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.” - Jeremiah 1:5
‘I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.” WOW. Once we have the relationship with Him, we get it – we get that. For me it’s a stage with lights and amps and energy and music. For a doctor it could be a surgical suite, a hospital room, a nurses meeting. For a lawyer it can be in a meeting with a client about their future. For a teacher, the same thing. For a salesman, it can be a client, a business partner, or a transaction.
You see what I’m saying? Are you pickin’ up what I’m puttin’ down here? He ordained us to be a prophet unto the nations, but He’s given us different gifts and talents and avenues on how to do it. The most important thing is THAT WE DO IT! We don’t have to be perfect because He doesn’t require it. We don’t have to be minus struggles, because HE also doesn’t require that. In fact, it may be better that we’ve struggled somewhere so that we can be relatable to someone going through it!
“I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.” - Psalms 139:14
And there you have it. We will praise Him. In all that we ask for, we should praise Him for what we have. We should actually praise Him BEFORE we ask for anything. How much more do we already have that we should not give God the praise and the glory? Just waking up this morning should be enough, because we do not know when our time is up.
So, in summation this morning, I am perfectly fine with being owned. I am perfectly fine with letting people KNOW that I am owned. It’s my mission to let people know that they are too, if they would just seek His face. If they would just come to know Him. If they would just search after a relationship with their Creator. Let…them…know…
“For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels. But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God.” - Luke 9:26-27
To battle!
Perspective
Hey there, Warriors! I have a good connection friend through my music travels named Mark Sowersby. He studied at Zion Bible College, and has written a book titled, “Forgiving the Nightmare.” Sometimes when God gives us the opportunity to lead, we can gain different perspectives by going to READ. Mark reached out to me for my thoughts on his latest devotion, and I felt that God has compelled me to share. So, for this week, I introduce you to Mark.
‘During the 80s we identified ourselves by who we hung out with and the kind of music we listened to. We found ourselves in social classes, the geeks, jocks, metal heads, and everything else in between. I remember coming home from school and putting on our local PBS station, grabbing a snack of course. I sat down with a bowl of my favorite cereal- Cap’n Crunch. I had a love-hate relationship with that cereal, I loved the way it tasted, but it always hurt the roof of my mouth to eat it. While I enjoyed my bowl of cereal, I would watch the painter, the artist, Mr. Bob Ross. Those of us that are fans of Bob Ross remember his big hair, his gentle, peaceful language, his soothing cadence. His expressions were full of light, kindness: little mountains, happy little trees and clouds. I would watch him, take a blank canvas and within half an hour paint a masterpiece to my 15 year old mind.
The one thing that I remember most, even more than happy little trees, was at the end of almost every painting he would add a big tree or something to what he had painted, whether it was cabins, lakes or ponds, it seemed like he placed that big tree in the center of the painting. Whenever he started one I just asked myself why? It seemed to block the view. Years later I learned what he was doing. He was changing the perspective. Adding that tree changed what the person who was admiring the artwork would see by simply adding one thing. He took the subject and visually moved it back.
“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” - 1 Corinthians 4:18
Sometimes in life the battles that we go through are so close and so big it is hard for us to see or hear anything else. We close our eyes, still that battle is the only thing we see, the only thing we hear, even when we try to focus on other things. The people and the event seem so close no matter how far away we are. Even if years or decades have passed it still feels just inches away, so close you could touch it. When Bob Ross painted a tree in the center of his painting it changed the perspective. When we put the cross in the center of our life and trust in Christ the perspective of all the situations, battles, or nightmares changes.
Placing the cross in front of the pain in our life does not change what we went through or make the events of the past easier, or right. It simply changes our point of view. Only through the cross and the promise that comes through Calvary with our faith and hope in Jesus, can our perspective change. We take the anger, bitterness, fear, and sorrow that has tried to own us and give it to God, which helps us walk through our journey, with a fresh perspective and renewed strength.
“And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.” - 1 Peter 5:10
Let us change our perspective by putting the cross of Jesus in front of us always.’
I hope this spoke to you and reminded you that we must put the cross in the forefront of our life every single day. Nothing is bigger than God. NOTHING.
To battle!
We Still Have To Walk
“And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night: he took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people.” – Exodus 13:21-22
So, the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night guided the Israelites during their exodus from Egyptian bondage. This allowed them to travel by day and by night, and these verses explain that God gave them the pillar of cloud by day to lead them in the way He wanted them to go and the pillar of fire by night to give light. The pillar was not just symbolism but a real phenomenon. We have no way of knowing how God made the pillar, but it was obviously a miraculous event that God used to lead them for their forty years in the wilderness. During the day the pillar guided their journey. During the night it gave light and comfort.
Now, here’s the thing…the nation of Israel – they still had to walk! God provided the way by cloud and light by fire as a visual sign that He was with them. This pillar never stood still. So, Israel had a choice – do we look at this miraculous sign from a distance to “see what God is going to do,” OR do we walk. Or, do we follow it/Him. They had a choice and they followed. Now, they followed for 40 years and got sidetracked a bit (read the Word), but they still followed, up to the point that Joshua was chosen to lead the nation into the Promised Land. This held true to God’s promise in Genesis 17; where God's covenant with Abraham and his offspring is affirmed, and God promises to be the God of Abraham's offspring and gift them the land of Canaan for “a perpetual holding.”
Well, in today’s world, what are WE perpetually holding? I have a few thoughts… It’s like when God puts a dream or goal into your heart. There’s steps that we’ll need to take to see it become a reality. STEPS. WE STILL HAVE TO WALK! We’ll have to plan. We won’t be happy at some point in our journey, and we may even question God in it. BUT, we’ll need to persevere when we decide we want to give up. Basically, when we decide to follow a God-given dream or goal to achieve FOR HIM. We have to be ready to do everything in our power and everything that we can do to make it happen.
And the good news is that when our power seems insufficient, God’s power takes care of it. If we do our part (walk), God is always faithful to do His part. We cannot give up on our God-given dreams when we feel weak or even incapable. God promises us that His strength is made perfect in our weaknesses. How about this: “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” - 2 Corinthians 12:9
We’re never alone, and God is with us. He’s faithful to give us the strength that we need. Here’s a few closing verses:
“But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.” - Matthew 19:26
“The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.” - Psalms 28:7
So, let’s experience some Shekinah glory! The word ‘shekinah’ does not appear in the Bible, but the concept clearly does. The Jewish rabbis coined this extra-biblical expression, a form of a Hebrew word that literally means “he caused to dwell,” signifying that it was a divine visitation of the presence or dwelling of the Lord God on this earth. The Shekinah was first evident when the Israelites set out from Succoth in their escape from Egypt. There (here we go), the Lord appeared in a cloudy pillar in the day and a fiery pillar by night. - Exodus 13:20–22
Gird up and WALK guys! To battle!
The Press
“ I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
– Philippians 3:14
Sounds simple, right? I mean, we’ve heard this verse over and over, and it gives us a little juice, right? It’s an “I CAN DO THIS” moment within our spirit. But if that’s how this verse makes us feel about pressing in, why don’t we? I mean, why don’t we REALLY press in. This is what I’m talking about. When the disciples were being tossed around on the sea, they REALLY pressed in. They were literally crying out to God.
Scared for their lives. So, they called out to the only One who could help them. Waves crashing everywhere, thunder and lightning, wind and rain; you name it. Their world was literally crashing in around them. What about you today? US today? There’s so much going on in this world right now that is anti-Biblical. We’re being told things about us. Maybe not to our face, but Indirectly for sure. Evil people, media, government, and yep, sometimes even the church.
These are OUR being “tossed-around-on-the-sea” moments, but in today’s world. If we’re really “pressing in” toward the mark, ARE WE? Or, does it just sound good to say so? Maybe we just need a check up from the neck up. Maybe we just need an internal look at our hearts. Are there blockages there? You know, things that keep us from really pressing in when we go through stuff? Are we TALK Christians instead of WALK Christians?
I learned a long time ago that if you’re constantly looking in the rearview mirror you can never move ahead. This same thing holds true in our faith walk. There’s a reason when we look back it’s called our PAST. It’s things that are past us, and we cannot do anything with that but learn. At sea, the disciples got their answer. It was JESUS that came to their rescue and calmed their situation. Well, for us, it’s ALSO Jesus that comes to our rescue and calms our situations. Jesus. JESUS, JESUS, JESUS!! Ah, the precious, calming love and peace of Jesus. He has got us - in EVERYthing!
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” - John 16:33
I give you, the peace of Jesus. Amen!
To battle!