Freedom and the Truth

Do you believe everything you read? Of course not! Do you believe everything you watch on tv? Absolutely not! Do you believe everything you read in the newspaper and in “People” magazine? No.  The most fundamental question we face in life is What will be your authority for living?  What standard will you use to govern yourself, your behaviour? Will it be God’s Word or the world? Will it be what God says is true or public opinion?  

Universities all around the world have e printed in stone on university buildings: “The truth shall make you free.” But those same universities ignore the first part of the verse from which that is taken. Jesus actually said,  “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:31-32)  Ever wonder why they don't quote the whole passage? Because they want you to think that it is knowledge that sets you free. All the knowledge in the world,  your own opinions and the opinions of others past, present, or future will not set you free.  Only God can provide man the true freedom that he needs. and He does that in His Son and through His Son's word and teaching.  Jesus said, "For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken." (Jn.12:49)   Heb,1:1-4 states, "In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven."

Nothing can change lives of people like the Bible. Many alcoholics, addicts, even criminals have had their lives sober and clean because they started reading the Bible. God’s Word can  turn self-centered, narcissistic men who abuse and misuse women into godly husbands, wonderful dads, and upstanding citizens in a community. Laws cannot change human hearts. You can make laws to outlaw this and that, but no law will turn a law breaker into a law keeper. Only God can do that, and only the Bible will reveal that to man. Even when obeying the Bible is hard and uncomfortable, it will set you free in ways that you cannot comprehend with logic. 

Only the Bible tells you how you can redeem your soul and that your life isn’t an accident or meaningless. The Bible tells you how to be forgiven and become forgiving. It tells you how God can use you for good in the world and how you through changing your life can make the world around you a better place.

^"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."

Rom.12:1,2

Jim 

Freedom and the Truth

Do you believe everything you read? Of course not! Do you believe everything you watch on tv? Absolutely not! Do you believe everything you read in the newspaper and in “People” magazine? No.  The most fundamental question we face in life is What will be your authority for living?  What standard will you use to govern yourself, your behaviour? Will it be God’s Word or the world? Will it be what God says is true or public opinion?  

Universities all around the world have e printed in stone on university buildings: “The truth shall make you free.” But those same universities ignore the first part of the verse from which that is taken. Jesus actually said,  “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:31-32)  Ever wonder why they don't quote the whole passage? Because they want you to think that it is knowledge that sets you free. All the knowledge in the world,  your own opinions and the opinions of others past, present, or future will not set you free.  Only God can provide man the true freedom that he needs. and He does that in His Son and through His Son's word and teaching.  Jesus said, "For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken." (Jn.12:49)   Heb,1:1-4 states, "In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven."

Nothing can change lives of people like the Bible. Many alcoholics, addicts, even criminals have had their lives sober and clean because they started reading the Bible. God’s Word can  turn self-centered, narcissistic men who abuse and misuse women into godly husbands, wonderful dads, and upstanding citizens in a community. Laws cannot change human hearts. You can make laws to outlaw this and that, but no law will turn a law breaker into a law keeper. Only God can do that, and only the Bible will reveal that to man. Even when obeying the Bible is hard and uncomfortable, it will set you free in ways that you cannot comprehend with logic. 

Only the Bible tells you how you can redeem your soul and that your life isn’t an accident or meaningless. The Bible tells you how to be forgiven and become forgiving. It tells you how God can use you for good in the world and how you through changing your life can make the world around you a better place.

^"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."

Rom.12:1,2

Jim 

To Make Life Miserable!

Do you remember your school days? For the most part, school was ok, but then there were those days that you wished you could just disappear.   Remember that one student or that one group of students or classmates that you wished you could always avoid? The bullies? The ones who in a perfect day, could make your life miserable?  Remember that particular teacher that you wished you would never get? The one with exacting standards or so boring a snail would sleep, or the one who just didn't care. Then there were those who talked and it was like fingernails grating on a chalkboard. All of these seemed to exist to make life miserable for you and everyone else that they came in contact with.  And that was and is a shame.

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear

Eph 4:29

Unfortunately, it seems that we can never escape the classroom. We get to a point where things seem to be going good, and then this person enters our life, whose mission is to make it miserable. No help is offered, no kindness given, no grace extended.  Just demands, their needs and wants, their dominance, etc. is all that matters.  You are the peon and their existence in life is to let you know that this is what you always are and will be.  Such it was with Jesus and the "leaders" of his day, "Some of the Pharisees said, "This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath." But others said, "How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?" And there was a division among them.(Jn.9:16)."  They do not exist to listen but to tell - command - demand,  your thoughts do not matter, they are right and you are wrong.

Jesus taught,  "And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well.  And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. (Mt.5:40,41)." Kindness and grace are not the ways of the world, because to the world these are weaknesses. Where spiritual treasure matters, Paul wrote,  Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,  bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.  Col 3:12,13. 

What about me - you?  Do we show others compassion and kindness? Do we offer the cup of cold water should they thirst or the piece of bread when they hunger? Am I humble and try to work with someone, or do I demand? Do I look for and find the good? Do I show others patience in a world of chaos?  Do I forgive when I am wronged as Jesus forgives me?

We have a choice for today. We can either exist to make life and someone else's life miserable, or we can exist to build, edify and speak grace to those who would listen. To put another stick on the breaking back of the camel, or to ease the burden and walk with someone to carry it.  So, what has been our purpose today?  If you are burdened - so is someone else. Being burdened does not give us the justification to make someone else's burden heavier.  Have your words and attitudes been grace to those you have encountered today? Or have you been that teacher that everyone dreads, that bully that people try to avoid?

"Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began.." 

2Ti 1:8, 9

Jim

Can God Overwhelm being Overwhelmed?

The biggest mistake people make when we're overwhelmed is focusing on the problem. We don't look to God. We put our eyes on the problem instead of God.  We try quoting passages to ourselves like 1 Cor.10:13 "No temptation has taken you but [what is] common to man; but God [is] faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but with the temptation also will make a way to escape, so that you may be able to bear [it]." Yet, if we're honest we'll admit that when we're overwhelmed that quoting bible passages sometimes doesn't work.  When you ask many people, “How are you doing?” they say, “I'm doing OK — under the circumstances.” What are you doing under the circumstances? Who put you there? Why don't you get on top of the circumstances? Circumstances are like the mattress on your bed. Get on top of them, and you'll rest easy. Get underneath them, and you're going to suffocate, and that is where many feel that they are sometimes.

You can't be discouraged and focus on God at the same time. If you turn to God first, talk to him about your problem, and trust him to help you, God will respond. Remember what He told Judah and Jehoshaphat, “And he said, Listen, all Judah, and you people of Jerusalem, and king Jehoshaphat! So says the LORD to you, Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude. For the battle [is] not yours, but God's." (2 Chr.20:15 ).  Perhaps this is why we fail so many times, because we're trying to fight battles that belong to God. We try really hard and give it our best shot, yet, inevitably we fail and we're disappointed in ourselves and we come back with our tail between our legs and say, “God, I'm so sorry. I've really let you down." You don't earn God's pleasure or approval.

What does God want you to do if He does not  want you to fight in the battle? 

What are you supposed to do when you’re facing an overwhelming situation?

Two words: “Stand strong.” This is an attitude of quiet confidence. Not backing up or away, but not getting ahead of God either. You're going to stay put and watch God’s will unfold before your eyes. Ex.14:13,14  And Moses said to the people, "Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent."  It is never God’s will for you to run from a difficult situation. He wants you to learn that He is sufficient in every situation. 2Cor.12:9  But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Do you want to overcome being overwhelmed? Then stand on two things: the character of God, that He will never leave you or forsake you, and the Word of God to reassure you that as God has stood with those in the past, He will stand with you today.

What has been your focus lately? Has it kept you from turning to God for help with whatever difficult situation you are facing? Consider letting God’s will unfold before you today, and quit trying to fight a battle that God has already won.

Jim

The Power of Change is within YOU!

There are times that we all want to change things, whether our looks, our jobs, our activities, etc. But for one reason or another, we never seem to get around to doing so. Sometimes we feel intimidated by perceived obstacles, other times, we just feel like we can't change because it would upset things too much. Many times, we do not change simply because we do not want to.

Where it concerns the ability to change myself spiritually, the power to change is always within you. As long as I am breathing, if I can chance nothing else about me, I CAN change my spirit and my destiny.  This is evident in the writings of Hosea, a man who saw much of the circumstances of his life change dramatically before his eyes. Listen as he tells us what true change requires and how we can do it.

Hosea 4:1 "Hear the word of the LORD, O children of Israel, for the LORD has a controversy with the inhabitants of the land. There is no faithfulness or steadfast love, and no knowledge of God in the land..."   The first step is to recognize that God's wisdom is better than my own. Change involves at its core, a shift from dependence on our own resources, to dependance upon God.

Hos 14:2  "Take with you words and return to the LORD; say to him, "Take away all iniquity; accept what is good, and we will pay with bulls the vows of our lips.   "Take words (vs.2)" shows more than just a blaise commitment. For change to be real, we must have a clear idea what we are changing from, and what we wish to change to. I must now allow or use "secret faults (Psa.19:12)" or the fact that I have sinned become excuses to either prevent change, or to just rinse the surface, leaving the deeper dirt unattended. God's forgiveness and belief in ME that I can change, makes change possible. If you are willing to change, God is willing to forgive, and God has confidence in you that if you trust Him that you CAN!   Such hope cannot be achieved by trying to understand things the way the world does, nor can it be achieved the way that the world does. Change requires within me an admission that what I have been depending upon for life up until now will let me down and has let me down. This leads to True Change! (Job 13:15).

A changed heart says " we will say no more..(Hos.14:3)"  Change is a path of openness, honesty, and admitting my vulnerabilities. Yet, the fruits of this change are well worth it both in this world and definitely in the world to come (Hos.14:4-8) . 

• Compassion for others (14:3)
• Waywardness is healed (14:4)
• Spiritual and Godly Roots are deepened and stability is found (14:5)
• Life becomes attractive once more (14:6)
• The shade of God's truth becomes blessing (14:7)
• Worship becomes a joyful fruit and pleasure (14:8)

Hos 14:9  Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them; for the ways of the LORD are right, and the upright walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them. 

Jim