Testing Your Faith

James 1:2-8 "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways."

Many times I think we consider our trials as obstacles in our lives but as James wrote, trials are NOT obstacles. James said that the testing of our faith helps us produce endurance and through endurance we can become "perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." Now I know we cannot achieve the perfection of Christ, but I think James is referring to perfecting our love for Christ. As we face trials, we can and should gain strength from enduring those trials.

James also said that if we lack wisdom, ask God "and it will be given to him." Many of the trials we face are because we lack the wisdom to avoid them, therefore we should be looking to God for the wisdom and strength to endure and overcome these trials.

It is through faith that we can overcome the trials, because our faith gives us strength and faith will guide us to ask God for the wisdom to overcome. If we don't have faith, we are tossed about with no direction in life and unstable in our ways. Faith gives us direction in life, it keeps us pointed toward the eternal goal, it keeps us centered on what is important, it keeps us going when times are hard.

Can your faith face the test? Just remember that the test of our faith produces endurance which perfects our love for God.

Strive each day to walk "In the Narrow Way."

Only Forward!

The Australian coat of arms pictures two creatures, the emu, a flightless bird, and the kangaroo. The animals were chosen because they share a characteristic that appealed to the Australian citizens. Both the emu and the kangaroo can move only forward, not back. The emu’s three-toed foot causes it to fall if it tries to go backwards, and the kangaroo is preventing from moving in reverse by its large tail. Those who truly choose to follow Jesus should try to be like the emu and the kangaroo, moving only forward, never back.

Jesus is quoted in Luke 9:62, But Jesus said to him, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” Like everything we do in life, if we turn our heads to look backward, we stray to one side or the other. Have you ever been driving when something caught your eye and you turned you head to see what it was and before you know it, you're drifting out of your lane? It's a scary situation, especially if it's one of our narrow country roads here in Texas. You quickly try to correct the direction you are going so that you're headed straight down the road again.

As a Christian, we must always focus on what's ahead of us, not what is to the side or behind. The devil is trying to distract us from our eternal goal, he wants us to be condemned to hell where he will rule over us. Paul wrote in Philippians 3:13-14, saying, "Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." We must be like Paul, realizing we haven't achieved our goal of a Heavenly home, so we MUST forget what is behind us, reaching toward the ultimate goal of the "upward call of God".

Things in life can easily distract us. One of the things that I observed while in education, was the increase on the lack of attention spans in students, which was often attributed to ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). I fear that many Christians are affected by a spiritual ADHD because we let the world distract us from our duties as Christians. I've heard people say that they are not entertained enough so there's no reason to attend church services. My question is, What is more entertaining to a Christian than worshiping our God through the song service, prayers, fellowship and Bible study? My answer is there should be NOTHING that is more enjoyable than for a Christian to participate in worshiping God Almighty and His wonderful Son, Jesus Christ.

My encouragement to you and me is to be like the emu and kangaroo, "ONLY FORWARD!" 1 Corinthians 9:24 "Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win." To win, is to move forward, to move forward is to win! We are not in a race with each other but we are in a race against the world and the devil, to win this race, is to reach eternal life.

Strive each day to walk "In the Narrow Way."

Regard One Another as More Important than Yourselves

So often in our life, we put ourselves before all others. In today's society, it is generally "Me First" rather than putting others at the forefront. The accepted attitude is not what is best for others but what will get me to the top faster.

In Christ, we must relinquish our "Me First" attitude and adapt the desire to serve Christ and therefor also serve others. Paul wrote to the Philippians 2:3, "Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;". In order to reach this point in our lives, we must first love each other.

Christ taught us to love each other, John 15:17 "This I command you, that you love one another." It is His desire that we understand the importance of others above self. Many times, we fail to understand exactly how we should treat others and only look out for ourselves. Judas Iscariot was one who was concerned with self and what he could get out of life to the extent that he betrayed Christ for 30 pieces of silver.

Today, we often do the same thing, we trade friends, family and most importantly our faith for success that cannot follow us after death. If anything, we should trade everything for the opportunity to serve Jesus. Luke 16:13 "No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth."

By obeying and serving God, we also show our love for each other. 1 Peter 1:22 "Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart,". How important is it to put God and others first? It is a life and death matter! If we obey, we will find our reward in that Heavenly home but if we disobey then we will be condemned to eternal punishment.

Our attitude should be God and others first and ourselves last. We must regard one another as more important than ourselves.

Strive each day to walk "In the Narrow Way".

What Manner of Persons Ought You to Be

In 2 Peter 3, Peter brings several things to our attention as how we "ought to be".

1. Ought to be mindful – verses 1 & 2
   We should be mindful of the things that have been written by the prophets and the things that were spoken by our Lord.
2. Ought to know that scoffers will come – verses 3 & 4
   We should realize that there will be those that try to dissuade us from our belief and faith in Christ Jesus. We must stand firm on the Word of God.
3. Ought to know that some people are ignorant of God’s word – verses 5 & 6
   We must know and understand that there will be some that don't understand God's Word and have not had the opportunity to gain an understanding of the Word.
4. Ought to be conscious of the power of God’s word – verse 7
   We ought to remember that God has the power to keep the world or destroy the world.
5. Ought to know that time does not mean anything to God – verse 8
   We need to understand that to God, time is irrelevant. We, as humans, are so caught up in time and schedules, that time tends to rule our lives. We want to know exactly when things are going to happen and that even pertains to our desire to know when God is sending Christ back.
6. Ought to know that the Lord is long suffering – verse 9
   We ought to realize the God is long suffering because of His desire that ALL of His children become saved.
7. Ought to know that the day of the Lord will come as a thief – verses 10-12
   We need to understand that even though we desire to know when God is coming back, we don't know nor will we ever know.
8. Ought to look for new heavens and a new earth – verse 13
   When God does return to call His children home, we will be placed in a new heaven where Righteousness is first and foremost, thus allowing us to always worship God Almighty and His Son, Jesus Christ.
9. Ought to be diligent that we be found of him in peace, without spot and blameless – verse 14
   We ought to be ready for God's call to come home no matter the time or place. Since we don't know when it will happen, it's important that we are ready all the time, spotless and blameless, so that we can be received in that Heavenly home.
10. Ought to know that some wrest the scriptures unto their own destruction – verse 16
    We should understand that there are those that cannot, will not understand the Word of God and because of their ignorance and distortion of the Word of God, they will suffer destruction and at the same time, they will attempt to bring us down. We must, though, continue to bring the Word to all, in the hope that all will be found in favor at the judgment day.
11. Ought to beware lest we be led away and fall – verse 17
    By knowing before hand because of our diligence and study in God's Word, we can prevent ourselves from becoming entrapped by those that distort God's Word and try to lead people down the wrong path. To help us prevent this issue, we must be diligent with our study of the Word of God.
12. Ought to grow – verse 18
    We ought to grow, daily, in our love and knowledge of Jesus Christ. Whether we are 15 or 90, we can always grow through a diligent study in the Word.

What manner of persons ought you to be? You should be a person of God, studying and living for God in preparation for that Eternal Home.

Strive each day to walk "In the Narrow Way".

TGIF - Today God Is First

Traditionally when we see the initials TGIF, we think it stands for "Thank Goodness It's Friday". Recently I came across another meaning that I think is more fitting for us as Christians, "Today God Is First".

Matthew 6:33 "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."

Christ told us that we should seek God first, so we should keep in mind that idea each and every day. By putting God first, we dwell on the things that we should and not on the things that will prevent us from acquiring eternal life. It is important in our walk with God that we focus on living a life that will not only serve us well while on earth but will allow us to find the narrow way into Heaven.

Some days it's hard to focus on the things that we should, but if we think of every day as a TGIF day, then our day can be easier to handle. Galatians 1:10 "For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ." In Galatians, Paul reminded them that they could not please man and still be a servant of Christ. By putting God first each and everyday, we will not have to think if we are serving man or God.

Make every day a TGIF kind of day by putting God first.

Strive each day to walk "In the Narrow Way".

God is an Artist

 Originally published 2-11-12

"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them." Ephesians 2:10

One of the definitions of an artist is "a person whose work exhibits exceptional skill."

That alone defines God more than any other definition of artist. He created us to do good works for Him but we often fail to live up to His expectations of us. Just because we stumble doesn't take away from the masterpiece that God created because His creations are perfect.

Since we represent His finest work, we should strive to present ourselves to Him for His glory. Romans 12:1-2 "Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect."

We need to make sure that we are doing our best to be good and acceptable to God. If we owned a Rembrandt, we would not store it the barn where dust and moisture would ruin it, but we would display it safely in our home to protect it from the elements of nature! Since we are, as the New Living Translation says, "God's masterpiece", we should protect our bodies, minds and souls just as we would protect a Rembrandt. We need to keep those things out that will corrupt our bodies, minds and souls. We do not want to destroy God's masterpiece just as we would not want to destroy a piece of artwork from Rembrandt.

Strive each day to walk “In the Narrow Way”.

"Ready to Forgive"

Originally published 1-31-12

“For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon You.” Psalm 86:5

Isn't it great that our Lord is not only always there for us, blessing us with love but He's also ready to forgive our transgressions.

Romans 3:21-26 "But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus."

We all stumble in our walk with Christ, but He is always willing to forgive and forget. Christ gives us the hope of eternal life which should create in us, a desire to serve Him, to walk with Him and to please Him each and every day.

Strive each day to walk “In the Narrow Way”.