God Sent Me

“Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life. And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God... And there will I nourish thee.” Genesis 45:5;7;8;11

“Fear not: for am I in the place of God? But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you...” Genesis 50:19-21

Imagine Joseph's state of mind had he known the hardships beforehand. He was despised, abandoned, enslaved, tempted, imprisoned, and forgotten. Surely this was not the life he envisioned on his 17^th birthday. Now at the age of 30 Joseph saw his placement as being sent, not sold. God was with him through every affliction to accomplish His purpose. God accomplishes His will through human flesh –amazing! This fact should be the headline of conversation.
Unlike Joseph, Jesus knew what was set before Him. Jesus being fully human struggled in the knowledge of God's will. “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me,” (Matthew 26:39). God's requirement was more than Jesus' flesh could willfully choose do. Jesus did drink that cup in its entirety to deliver us from the wrath of God. His spilled blood saves and broken body nourishes us still. Jesus went through His earthly life knowing His death sentence, and in great agony requested God to veto it if possible.

What if God laid knowledge of the future on us? Would we be likely to come to a better knowledge of Him? An unknown future compels daily trust, either in God or oneself.

  “God does not tell you what He is going to do; He reveals to you Who He is,” (Oswald Chambers, 1874-1917). 

In every circumstance God has chosen the outcome that will most teach us of Himself, whether or not it is successful in our own eyes.
See your placement in life as God's advancement, not the world's dungeon. Joseph's jail cell was his prayer stool. Ruth's emptied-handedness was necessary for God to fill them with His own bounty. Esther's recruitment as “replacement wife” positioned her to exterminate national threat and restore freedom of worship. Paul's imprisonment was the post from which he mailed God's love letters to the early churches. Recognize your placement as the gateway for glory! You are in the place of God. The world has 0% power over you. No one can extract you from His hand. He holds you still and precisely until you are squarely aligned to be joined to His perfect design. Be doubtless where you are. God sent you here.

He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall

d o u b t l e s s

come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

Psalm 126:6

Truth is Life-Changing

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God,

 that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God,

 which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world,

 but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." 

Romans 12:1;2

Did you know that if you come clean with reality, your life will be transformed? Daily exposure to absolute truth enlightens the mind. It changes the nature in which we process circumstance. We think differently, we feel differently and we act differently. To think, feel and act is to live. When these three aspects are transformed, we can define truth as life-changing. Do you desire to think differently about certain unlovely people in your life? Do you long to feel content with the work of your hands and secure in your future which is in His hands? Do you wrestle within to act as one in whom the Lord delights? Reconcile your life with the truth.

Until death you embody a sinful nature. So you may as well just wait for death; why struggle against something inseparable in this life? (Study Ecclesiastes) Why? Because of love. In the weakness of possessing to two natures (old sinful/new righteous) we can more clearly see God for Who He is-- and others can see Him through our weaknesses too. "Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. So then death worketh in us, but life in you." II Corinthians 4:10-12 You see, our lives are designed for God's use and we can exemplify this through our interaction with others. Our interaction with others either confirms or denies our love for God. Please note that nothing you ever do will increase or decrease God's love for you. "The Lord did not set His love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people." Deuteronomy 7:7 "But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8 ''But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost." Titus 3:4;5 Furthermore, nothing others do will ever increase or decrease God's love for them. We as Christlike children of God should never set our affections toward them according to their actions. Why is it then that we should act like Christ? If we cannot increase God's love for us by what we do, why struggle? We do struggle because we simply love God back. Our actions are the ultimate response of what we love. "We love him, because He first loved us." I John 4:19 Like a child that tries to help his parent and in the long run causes more work for the parent, so are we before God. We are incapable of helping God. God did not create us to help Him. He created man with a free will to chose himself whether he would please or displease God. "But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." Hebrews 11:6 Who would want a robot to worship them? That would practically be mocking. However, if an individual soul wills to trust, obey, love, and worship-- that is something profound! When there is evil to be enjoyed but righteousness is chosen, that is unusual, remarkable. What in the universe and beyond could be so cherished that all sinful forces are refused? God.We can only love Him because He first loved us as a sacrificing Father, an interceding Son, and a sanctifying Spirit.

I opened with the statement that truth is life-changing. All of us have different errors in our minds and because of them we continue thinking, feeling, and acting in error. Sin has our eyes darkened. But God be thanked that in the process of sanctification, we can confirm truths that make our relationship with God (and others) a miracle. For me, one of those truths was the reality that I can glorify God in doing something small, insignificant, and monotonous if I did it in the right motive, the motive that I love Him so much that I love those He has placed around me. My actions are rooted in what I ultimately love. He is not calling me to be Jim Elliot, Corrie Ten Boom, or George Washington. He is calling me to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly wherever He leads me. Believing that truth causes me to think about motives, not a title of fame. That truth causes me to feel satisfied in God, and yet longing more of Him. That truth makes me to act more loving in seemingly unimportant situations. That one truth changes so much in my life.

From tortured to triumph, truth is life-changing. Separation from God is the greatest problem resulting from sin. This is caused by the lie in our hearts. Only through truth can we be reunited with God. Without it we do not know reality. We as fallen mankind do not know God for Who He is. "And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness." II Thessalonians 2:10-12 Seeking ones can acknowledge His existence. Saved ones can trust His gift. Sanctified ones can break forth in discoveries of Who else He is. There is no conflict so great that the applied truth of God cannot quell it.

Through the ages many people, Christian and non-christian, proclaim,"The truth will set you free!" Few come to the context and perceive that truth is only found while abiding in the Word of God.  "Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, 'If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.' They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?” Jesus answered them, 'Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed'." John 8:31-36

Shoes & Trampled Relationships

Do you have a shoe preference? Some people are serious about name brands. Nike, Columbia Sportswear, Adidas, Reebok, New Balance, THE NORTH FACE, Eddie Bauer, Bata, etc., are well-known brands in stores today. Wearing only UnderArmour apparel to the gym makes quite a statement. Recently I have been researching the history of footwear in the 1920s. Below is an intriguing story of two brothers with one similarity: shoemaking.

Adolf (Adi) and Rudolf Dassler were both born in Herzogenaurach, Germany and grew up working in their father's shoe factory. In the 1920s, at the end of WWI, Adi established his own shoe factory and was shortly accompanied by his brother in the business. They began their work in their mother's small laundry, occasionally using the pedal-power of a stationary bike when the town electric was unreliable. In 1936 Adi traveled to the Summer Olympics with a suitcase full of spikes and convinced U.S. athlete Jesse Owens to wear them. Owens did wear them while sprinting and won four gold medals. Gebrüder Dassler Schuhfabrik (Dassler Brothers Shoe Factory) was booming. Over 200,000 shoes were sold annually.

Jesse Owens

As Hitler gained power in the start of WWII, Adi and Rudolf joined the Nazi Party. Rudolf, however, was more involved-- a known National Socialist. He was drafted and then captured. Rudolf believed Adi turned him over the American Troops and despised him for it. Meanwhile Adi manufactured boots for Germany's Armed Forces and then left the Nazi party. The brothers' business split. As did the town of Herzogenaurach. Adi renamed his business Adidas, and Rudolf founded his own company, Puma, across the river on the other side of town. Rivalry was fierce. The controversy led to the football teams endorsing one but not the other. Strangers were judged by the brand they wore. Herzogenaurach was nicknamed "the town of bent necks". Repairmen in Rudolf's house were offered a pair of free Pumas because they would deliberately wear Adidas shoes in his home. Shoes were selected in support of preferred politics. In the first German national football game after WWII, many of the West German national team wore Pumas, including Herbert Burdenski, who scored the first post-war goal. During the Summer Olympics of 1952, Puma's first Olympic gold medal was won by Luxembourg's Josy Barthel in Finland. Just eight years later Rudolf Dassler paid German sprinter Armin Hary to wear Pumas in the Olympics final sprint. Armin, who previously wore Adidas requested payment from Adi, who refused. Armin agreed to Rudolf's proposition. Armin completed the race in first place, but changed into his Adidas to receive his medal. Both brothers were astounded and rumors have it that neither companies paid the "world's fastest champion" of the day.

The Dassler brothers never reconciled. Although in the same cemetery, Adi and Rudolf were buried as far apart as possible. Was their bitterness worth it? Isn't it pathetic how hard work and talent are overridden by money and politics in sports today? The most well-paid athletes are royalty. Purchase quality over popularity.

References: Wikipedia/Google

What a Righteous Man Really Thinks

“Godly womanhood ... the very phrase sounds strange in our ears. We never hear it now. We hear about every other type of women: beautiful women, smart women, sophisticated women, career women, talented women, divorced women. But so seldom do we hear of a godly woman - or of a godly man either, for that matter.We believe women come nearer to fulfilling their God-given function in the home than anywhere else. It is a much nobler thing to be a good wife, than to be Miss America. It is a greater achievement to establish a Christian home than it is to produce a second-rate novel filled with filth. It is a far, far better thing in the realms of morals to be old-fashioned, than to be ultra-modern. The world has enough women who know how to be smart. It needs women who are willing to be simple. The world has enough women who know how to be brilliant. It needs some who will be brave. The world has enough women who are popular. It needs more who are pure. We need women, and men, too, who would rather be morally right than socially correct.”

― Peter Marshall

Life Without Luck

 

Holidays are really beginning to bother me.  As each decade passes, people know less and less about the truth of what is being celebrated. Valentine's Day, Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and even Independance Day have become famous events of spending and eating. Honorable people and values are all but forgotten as we Americans please ourselves in the festivities of being off work.  What is the point?

Presently we are in the midst of the 4-leaf clover, go-green, lucky-charm month. What is Saint Patrick's Day? Or rather WHO was Saint Patrick? An Irish mascot or legend? The luckiest man who ever lived? Over the years people have contorted truth and made idolatrous lies about individuals of noble character. Today most people know nothing of this person, Patrick --and the commercialism and superstition of this holiday continues to grow.

St. Patrick was born in Roman Britain. Calpornius, his father, was a deacon, his grandfather Potitus a priest, from Banna Venta Berniae. Patrick, however, was not an active believer. According to The Confession of St. Patrick, at the age of just sixteen Patrick was captured by a group of Irish pirates. The raiders brought Patrick to Ireland where he was enslaved and held captive for six years. Patrick writes in The Confession that the time he spent in captivity was critical to his spiritual development. He explains that the Lord had mercy on his youth and ignorance, and afforded him the opportunity to be forgiven of his sins and converted to Christianity. While in captivity, Saint Patrick worked as a shepherd and strengthened his relationship with God through prayer eventually leading him to convert to Christianity.

After six years of captivity he heard a voice telling him that he would soon go home, and then that his ship was ready. Fleeing his master, he travelled to a port, two hundred miles away, where he found a ship and with difficulty persuaded the captain to take him. After three days sailing they landed, presumably in Britain, and apparently all left the ship, walking for 28 days in a "wilderness", becoming faint from hunger before encountering a herd of wild boar; since this was shortly after Patrick had urged them to put their faith in God, his prestige in the group was greatly increased. After various adventures, he returned home to his family, now in his early twenties.After returning home to Britain, Saint Patrick continued to study Christianity, and eventually returned to Ireland as a Christian missionary. (Wikipedia)

This man was not a red-bearded man with a pot o'gold and luck, but a man of character. The beloved words of the hymn, Be Thou My Vision, were actually written as a tribute to St. Patrick's loyalty in worship despite an Irish king's edict that restricted candle-lighting on Easter.  Although lengthy, the link below is truth worth reading and applying to our own perspective of holidays. This is what Patrick wrote of himself: The Confession of Saint Patrick

If interested in the history of Valentine's Day, Click Here

If interested in the history of Halloween, Click Here

*Percent Daily Values are Based on a 24.7 Diet

             Oil                               Air                           Pure Water

Which of these bottles is empty? In reality none of them are, for the one without liquid is full of air. Our lives are like bottles that cannot be empty. Either our living is fulfilled in evil or in righteousness. What does your life contain? Does it affect others?

Let us say my life contains evil that I want to be rid of. “Pouring” air into my bottle will not easily remove the oil. That would take a lot of pressure! Rather I should replace the slimy substance with something heavier, like water. For example, let us further say I have a rapidly-evident addiction to food. Sitting at the table, staring at the refrigerator will not change my detestable lifestyle. No, I must replace my time and love with something else. I must renew my mind with the truth and consequence of my actions and respond differently to my desires. Not until I love something more will I be capable of sacrificing my actions.

Earlier I stated that our lives can only be filled with evil or righteousness. Isn't there an in-between? While there are many percentages of pollution, only pure water is 100% pure. Even a few molecules of ink will taint pure water.

How many of us can claim to have drunk pure water? Even if factories could produce it, once the seal is broken the percentage falls. Once we are born our lives are exposed to evil. Is it possible then to live an uncontaminated life? Not by our own doing. We must be cleaned and placed in a clean atmosphere. That is not something we have in this world. Thankfully God is beyond this sin-cursed earth and offers purity to any who would accept and trust it to be what He promises. Once in His hands we are broken and given new vessels to fill. He seals us so that nothing can contaminate us. Our vessels may become dirty on the outside, but our hearts are protected by the unfailing grace of God.

“All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, But the Lord weighs the spirits. There is none righteous, no, not one...” Proverbs 16:2; Romans 3:10

“...our Lord Jesus Christ, Who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. You... He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight.” 1 Corinthians 1:8; Colossians 1:22

“In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in Whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” Ephesians 1:13;14; 4:30

“And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet.” Matthew 10:14

Conquering the Earth: Not Your Job

Have you ever come to the point when you feel like you are not doing enough? Life is busy, you are surrendered to God, but you wonder, "Am I really fulfilling God's will for me?". While the Bible commands us to be faithful stewards and endure hardness, we must see that life is about magnifying what God did/does, not get as much work done as we can.

John chapter 9 accounts the history of a man who was blind from birth. He become an object of judgment: was it his parents' sin that resulted in his blindness or his own? Jesus not only opened this man's eyes, but our own also to understand that guilt was not the cause. God allowed him to be unable to see from birth that God's works might be recognized. "Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him, (John 9:3)." During the years of sitting on the roadside, perhaps that man wondered, "Am I worth living? Do I accomplish enough?". Although the man could do little in his years of blindness, he was accomplishing God's will for him. God's power is demonstrated through weakness. While this is never an excuse for sin or halfheartedness, know that as God's children we are required to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly --not conquer the world. God's will for your life will probably be monotonous at times, or seem unimportant. That's OK. This is why we should walk humbly.

James is a toddler. He does not a have a job, manage a bank account, or drive Daddy's truck. That is Dad's business. Although little James does not control those things, he does benefit from them. He is fed, has health insurance, and is sheltered and cared for. In the same way, we as children of God should not try to manage God's care of us, but trust it. Others should see that we benefit from our relationship with God, not take over God's role. "These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world, (John 16:33)."  God does not expect us to overcome the world-- Jesus already did.

Jesus, I am resting, resting

In the joy of what Thou art;

I am finding out the greatness

Of Thy loving heart.

Thou hast bid me gaze upon Thee,

And Thy beauty fills my soul,

For, by Thy transforming power,

Thou hast made me whole.

Simply trusting Thee, Lord Jesus,

I behold Thee as Thou art,

And Thy love, so pure, so changeless,

Satisfies my heart,

Satisfies its deepest longings,

Meets, supplies its every need,

Compasseth me round with blessings,

Thine is love indeed.

Joy or Void?

All of mankind is born with a hole in himself. As we grow and experience the world, each of us choose what we will fill that chasm with. The Pharisees of Bible times filled this hole with ceremony, religious practices, knowledge of law, and good appearances. Regardless of their performances, they had no place for Jesus and were joyless, unsatisfied, and incomplete. Jesus told them,

"I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because My word hath no place in you." John 8:37

The Pharisees had a good heritage --with priceless covenants-- but no joy in life. No Jesus.

\

What fills the void in your life? Full schedule? Cares of this world? Entertainment and food? Politics or sports? Spouse hunting? Working towards the dream house, career, or car? While these are all things we can enjoy or participate in, are they worth taking the place of Christ, our eternal glory? Read this familiar hymn closely. (Whenever you see the word world or earth, replace it with my life.)

Joy to the my life! the Lord is come;

Let my life receive her King;

Let every heart prepare him room,

And heaven and nature sing.

Joy to my life! the Saviour reigns;

Let men their songs employ;

While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains

Repeat the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrows grow,

Nor thorns infest the ground;

He comes to make His blessings flow

Far as the curse is found.

He rules my life with truth and grace,

And makes my life prove

The glories of His righteousness,

And wonders of His love.

Does He really rule your life with truth and grace? And make your life prove the glories of His righteousness and wonders of His love?

"If I do not remember Thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy." Psalm 137:6

True joy in the human heart is only possible if there is a place for Christ in it. The more room we prepare for Christ, the more joyful we will be! God created this hole in mankind that we might see our need that only His Son can fill.

What Makes a Family

A family is made up of parents and children... but what makes those individual people live in a home together in harmony? Family is about others, not yourself. For example, being part of a family is 

Daddy hugging little sister who has the flu to comfort her,

Older brother eating a sandwich so the other kids could have the much-wanted leftovers,

Older sister babysitting the little kids so the other older siblings could go to a friend's house,

Little sister not arguing back when the other sibling was clearly in the wrong,

Little brother considerately taking time to listen to grandma,

Mommy daily sacrificing ________ (you fill the black!) to spend time with her children,

One spouse spending their vacation time with in-laws for the other spouse's sake... (etc!)

Being part of a family is sacrificing in regard to others' interests, not living for our own pleasures. 

Even in the little things. Especially in the little things.

Was the Cross Enough?

When I was younger I understood that dying on the cross of Golgotha caused excruciating pain. Pain that I have never experienced. But I still had questions in my mind. Was Jesus' crucifixion enough to pay for all the sins of the world?

It is true that no man has ever lived a perfect life as Jesus did on earth, but haven't other humans experienced the same amount of pain? What about the two thieves that were crucified with Jesus, the thousands of Christians that were torn apart in the Roman Colosseum, and the millions of Jews that suffered the devastation of  Nazis concentration camps? I knew that their blood could not atone for sin, because they were sinners themselves, not perfect sacrifices. But was Jesus' death enough?

Yes. Jesus' death was enough. In searching the Bible I have learned that Jesus did not only endure physical death, but spiritual death as well. During the Last Supper Jesus was “troubled in spirit (John 13:21)” because he knew that one of His disciples was going to betray Him. Later in the evening, Jesus took His closest disciples took a certain place and informed them, “My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry here and watch with me. (Matthew 26:38)”. He walked a distance away and fell on His face, weakened from sadness and the weight of His burden. There were many times Jesus would travel to pray alone with God. In the garden of Gethsemane, God allowed us to hear in on their conversation. Jesus was so troubled emotionally that His life was susceptible to death. He prayed: “Oh my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me: nevertheless, not as I will, but as Thou wilt”. Jesus was God, with God's power, but He was still 100% human, and was not sure that He could endure what He was required of His Father. God the Father loves His Son and He sent one of His angels to strengthen Jesus. Even then, Jesus prayed harder. “And being in agony He prayed more earnestly: and His sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground, (Luke 22:44).” The condition of sweating blood is identified as Hematidrosis, a "rare clinical phenomenon". A few cases in history have been recorded that men who were preparing for battle sweated blood and a few cases when men were unexpectedly told that they were going to face death. It is an uncontrollable condition in which there is “deposition of hemosiderin in the parenchymal cells, causing tissue damage and dysfunction of the liver, pancreas, heart, and pituitary" (Wikipedia). Jesus' human body was enduring the maximum stress level.

While on the cross Jesus' spiritual death occurred. He was separated from God Almighty. God the Father turned His face from His Son, allowing full wrath and punishment to fall on His shoulders for the past, present, and future sins of all the other humans that had lived and will live. Jesus was left in the blackness, pain, and filth of all evil. He was completely alone. No man, angel, or God Himself was there to bear it with Him. He was abandoned. “...He said, It is finished: and He bowed His head, and gave up the Ghost, (John 19:30).” When there was no more crime that could possibly be charged, Jesus gave up His spirit. “And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, He said, Father, into Thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, He gave up the ghost, (Luke 23:46).” Although God left His Son, Jesus called out to Him, commending His spirit to Him. Commend, the original Greek word parativqhmi, means to place beside, near, or before; to set forth in hopes that it would be received; to entrust. Jesus could not see God take His spirit, He could only commend it to Him with a prayer that it would be accepted of Him. He offered all He had.

Jesus' death was more than the physical hurt of the betrayal, mocking, stripes, and crucifixion. It was the separation from God. Pain was not the price of our redemption, but it was rather a by-product of the punishment and separation from God. Separation caused the most unbearable weight of human emotions and pain. It is something we will never be able to full appreciate or comprehend until we share perfect, sinless fellowship with God as Jesus did before He died. The words of Elizabeth Hewitt's hymn My Faith Has Found a Resting Place echoes in my heart: “Enough for me that Jesus saves, this ends my fear and doubt; a sinful soul I come to Him, He’ll never cast me out. I need no other argument, I need no other plea, it is enough that Jesus died, and that He died for me”. May our life attitude be as the apostle Paul's. “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by Whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world, (Galatians 6:14).”

~

When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.

See from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down!
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

His dying crimson, like a robe,
Spreads o’er His body on the tree;
Then I am dead to all the globe,
And all the globe is dead to me.

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,

Demands my soul, my life, my all. 

(by Isaac Watts, 1707)

Approved of God

                                  "...in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God,

in much p a t i e n c e, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, 

In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in watchings, in fastings; 

By pureness, by knowledge, by long suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, 

BY LOVE UNFEIGNED, 

By the word of t r u t h, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, By honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report: 
As deceivers, and yet true; as unknown, and yet well known; 
as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed; as sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, 

and yet possessing all things."

II Corinthians 6:4-10

~

I entitled my blog By Love Unfeigned, which is from the passage above. Having unfeigned love is one of the ways we can approve ourselves as ministers of God. When I first read this passage years ago, I stopped at the word unfeigned. What does it mean? My research began. Unfeigned is translated from the Greek word ajnupovkritoß, which means undisguised, sincere; genuine. It is by absolutely pure love that we can be approved of God. I know from the times my heart has been tested that my love is not 100% genuine all the time. Only when Christ lives in us and we claim His perfect love as our own, can we be approved of God. Notice in II Corinthians 6:4-10 how ministers of God are identified: in, by, and as. Being a minister of God, we will be led in dark paths that require faith. But by trust in His word we can follow. And as we follow, so are our lives fulfilled. While fulfilling His ministry on earth, Christ Jesus said, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends," (John 15:13). Are we sincerely  ministers of God on earth now? Do we love others sacrificially in such a way that we put our lives and dreams aside to usher God's truth to others? In laying our lives aside we may feel like we have nothing for ourselves, but in reality we possess all things. Our place of prayer is before His Throne of grace, and our work is invested in His eternal Kingdom!

"For there is one God, 

and one mediator between God and men, 

the man Christ Jesus," 

(I Timothy 2:5).

A Measure of Mercy

Most of us know that mercy is showing favor to those who do not deserve it. What is mercy in comparison to love? In Ephesians 2:4 we see that it is through Christ's mercy that God's love can be extended to us. Proverbs 3:3 and Micah 6:8 inform us that we are not to forsake mercy, but rather that we are required of God to love mercy.

While reading through the Gospels our Bibles have a parable entitled, “The Prodigal Son”. Although he may indeed be the main character of Jesus' parable, I recently learned something important from the older, faithful son. Imagine.

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The sun was draining as the faithful son sunk his mattock into the earth. Despite the famine, he worked long hours in his father's fields. It probably would have been easier if his younger brother were there to help, but  he was gone. Had been for several years. Sometime later he paused. Music? Yes, from across the darkening fields he heard music –and laughter. He was very expectant as one of the servants came from the house. “What has happened?”

“Your brother,” the servant panted, “has returned. He is home.” When the faithful son did not reply, he continued, “Your father has killed his prize yearling. I was commanded to prepare it for supper.” The servant hurried off. The faithful son finished his work and walked slowly toward the house. His mind reeled. My brother disrespectfully insisted on receiving his part of  father's inheritance. He wasted father's living on foolish pleasures and dirty harlots and forsook us in the family work for several years. I've worked harder than ever. Although I know he loves me, father has never honored me with a feast... His thoughts were interrupted by a hearty laugh. He stood outside the door. Everyone inside sounded so overjoyed. Finally his father came out.

“Son, come in; it is time to celebrate!” The faithful son did not move. He took in a breath and began slowly.

“All these years I have done all you've asked. I've never left your will for me. You've never given me a feast to enjoy with my friends. After a few minutes of being gone for several years, you throw him a feast. He used your inheritance on harlots and gambling, Father. Celebrate? Why?”

“Son, you have earned all that I have. It is yours. Now it is right time to celebrate your brother's return –not his leaving. He has repented of his error and did not even expect to be accepted as family– but I've forgiven him. He is a new, faithful son now, and that's why I rejoice!”

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The parable does not reveal the faithful son's response. That is for Christians to answer in their own lives. It does not matter how long you have been saved or how devoted you are to the ministry. What does matter is having the motives of Christ. We become prideful in our faithfulness and forget the mercy by which we were saved. Jude 1:21 instructs us to keep our eyes on the mercy of Christ. The same mercy that saves us also keeps us in God's love. Mercy is not something that we can create in ourselves; for, we are as undeserving as everyone else. We must come before the throne of grace and pray that we may obtain mercy and find grace in time of need (see Hebrews 4:16) . God is our store of endless mercy.

You will be repaid for serving those you love, even when you do not feel like serving them. But you will be abundantly ~blessed~ when you give of yourself to those who do not deserve your love or cannot give in return. Mercy is one of the truest forms of Christlikeness that can be displayed in the human heart. What is your measure of mercy? 

“There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? Simon answered and said, I suppose to whom he forgave most. And He [Jesus] said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.” Luke 7:41-43

“But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just.” Luke 14:13;14

God IS, and That is Enough

Do we know Who God is? Do we know where we can find Him, and what His presence and our existence have to do with one another?

How do we approach God? as an idea, as a feeling, or as a real Being? We should not approach God the Father as a man, for He is immeasurably greater than a human. He is God. We should approach for Who He is with the deepest respect, humility, gratefulness –and expectation.

1.Who God is in relation to mankind:

God is not a man. Numbers 23:19

God is greater than man. Job 33:12

God is wiser than men. 1Corinthians 1:25

God is stronger than men. 1 Cor. 1:25

God is preached, and every man presseth into it. Luke 16:16

God is come to prove you. Exodus 20:20

God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God. Deut. 4:24; Hebrews 12:29

God is jealous, and the Lord revengeth. Nahum 1:2

God is a jealous God among you. Deuteronomy 6:15

God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward. Deut. 10:17

God is no respecter of persons Acts 10:34

God is judge Himself. Psalm 50:6

God is the judge: He putteth down one, and setteth up another. Psalm 75:7

God is the God of salvation; and unto God the Lord belong the issues from death. Psalm 68:20

God is the King of all the earth. Psalm 47:7

God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets. Dan 2:47

God is not mocked. Galatians 6:7

God is mighty, and despiseth not any: He is mighty in strength and wisdom. Job 36:5

God is great, and we know Him not, neither can the number of His years be searched out. Job 36:26

God is terrible majesty. Job 37:22

God is holy. Psalm 99:9

God is true. John 3:33;2 Cor. 1:18

God is love. 1 John 4:8

God is able to graft them in again. Romans 11:23

God is able to make him stand. Romans 14:4

God is He which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. John 6:33

Those who do not trust in God make a sad progression away from His goodness. They do not think highly of Him, then they do not talk highly of Him, and finally, once in the grave, they do not spend eternity with Him either. Trusting God is a decision we can make only when living on earth. God is just in letting unbelievers face the judgment that we all deserve.

2.Who God is in relation to unbelievers:

God is not in all his thoughts. Psalm 10:4

God is righteous in all His works which He doeth: for we obeyed not his voice.  Daniel 9:14

God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you. Romans 2:24

God is according to truth against them which commit such things. Romans 2:2

God is angry with the wicked every day. Psalm 7:11

God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. Matthew 22:32

Where can we find God? We can see His fingerprints in the design of creation. He enables the breath we take in at this moment. But for a closer look, we can see His likeness and His presence in the lives of His children.

3.Where God is:

God is in my nostrils. Job 27:3

God is in the generation of the righteous. Psalm 14:5

God is in his heart. Psalm 37:31

God is manifest in them [the just who live by faith]. Romans 19:11

God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. Romans 5:5

God is upon all them for good that seek Him. Ezra 8:22

God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me. Isaiah 61:1

God is come nigh unto you. Luke 10:9;11;11:20

God is within you. Luke 17:21

God is nigh at hand. Luke 21:31

God is with thee in all that thou doest. Genesis 21:22

God is with thee. Deuteronomy 20:1;1 Samuel 10:1;1 Chronicles 17:2

God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. Joshua 1:9

God is with us. Isaiah 8:10

God is with you. Zechariah 8:23

God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it. Acts 28:28

God is come into the camp. 1 Samuel 4:7

God is among you, and that He will without fail drive out from before you the [enemies]. Joshua 3:10

God is gone forth before thee to smite the host of [enemies]. 1 Chronicles 14:15

God is in the heavens: He hath done whatsoever He hath pleased. Psalm 115:3

God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few. Ecclesiastes 5:2

God is not bound. 2 Timothy 2:9

God is gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of a trumpet. Psalm 47:5

God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. 1 John 5:20

God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. Revelation 21:3

To the trusting heart, God is a new beginning. He is our constant Enabler, and we can cultivate integrity in our lives for His Name's sake. He is the fullness of mankind. God is without fail. He fights for us, makes our way perfect, loves us unconditionally, and is pleased with our sincere sacrifices of love to Him. Before God sent the Holy Spirit to indwell believers (after Christ's Ascension), His spirit did not always stay with people. If they forsook Him to a certain point, His spirit left them. Such was the case for the Old Testament King Saul, “God is departed from me, and answereth me no more, (1 Samuel 28:15). But now His Spirit unmovable from the hearts of those truly saved. 

4.Who God is in relation to His Children:

God is in you of a truth. 1 Corinthians 14:25

God is the Lord, which hath shewed us light. Psalm 118:27

God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23

God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. 1 John 1:5

God is upon him: I am the Lord.  Leviticus 21:12

God is one Lord. Deuteronomy 6:4; Mark 12:29

God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; He also is become my salvation. Isaiah 12:2

God is the salvation of Israel. Jeremiah 2:23

God is my strength, and He will make my feet like hinds' feet, and He will make me to walk upon mine high places. Hab. 3:19

God is merciful. Psalm 116:5

God is a merciful God; He will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget. Deuteronomy 4:31

God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn away His face from you, if ye return unto Him. 2 Chro. 30:9

God is my defence. Psalm 59:9

God is my defence, and the God of my mercy. Psalm 59:17

God is He that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.  Deuteronomy 20:4

God is He that hath fought for you. Joshua 23:3

God is my strength and power: and He maketh my way perfect. 2 Samuel 22:33

God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and He shall thrust out the enemy from before thee. Deut. 33:27

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalm 36:1

God is known in her palaces for a refuge. Psalm 48:3

God is the rock of my refuge. Psalm 94:12

God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Psalm 62:7

God is a refuge for us. Psalm 62:7

God is mine helper. Psalm 54:4

God is for me. Psalm 56:9

God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart. Psalm 73:1

God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. Psalm 73:26

God is my King of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth. Psalm 74:12

God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly. Psalm 84:11

God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about Him. Ps. 89:7

God is pure: He is a shield unto them that put their trust in Him. Proverbs 30:5

God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. Matthew 3:9; Luke 3:8

God is greater than he [John the Baptist, a respected proclaimer]. Luke 7:28

God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth. John 4:24

God is glorified in Him [Jesus Christ]. John 13:31

God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. Romans 14:17

God is faithful, by whom ye were called. 1 Corinthians 1:9

God is holy, which temple ye are. 1 Corinthians 3:17

God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

God is not the author of confusion, but of peace. 1 Corinthians 14:33

God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8

God is one. Galatians 3:20

God is witness betwixt me and thee. Genesis 31:50

God is my record. Philippians 1:8

God is witness. 1 Thessalonians 2:5

God is my witness. Romans 1:9

God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love. Hebrews 6:10

God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city. Hebrews 11:16

God is well pleased {with sacrifices of sincerity]. Hebrews 13:16 

God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. 1 John 3:20

God is greater: for this is the witness of God which He hath testified of his Son. 1 John 5:9

God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.  1 John 4:16

God is our God for ever and ever: He will be our guide even unto death. Psalm 48:14

Who is God to us? Simply our Creator? The Savior of our past youths? Or is He our daily Counselor and Redeemer, the One who feels each heartbeat, hears each prayer, sees each tear, and enables each victory? Is He our closest Friend, Who we take time to tell every thing? Do others see that He is indeed a part of our lives, or that He is the very center of our hearts and its choices? God is, and that is enough.

“...the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power,” (1 Corinthians 4:20).