What Does "Blessed with all spiritual blessings" Mean? As Christians what does it mean that we are blessed with "all spiritual blessings" in Christ, as Paul tells us in Ephesians 1:3? In Greek the word blessing simply means to speak well of someone. In this case, it is God speaking well of us. Paul continues on in verses 4-14 to tell us what some of those spiritual blessings are. Blessed With All Spiritual Blessings - In verse 4, we find out that we are spiritually blessed because we have been chosen from the beginning of time to be holy and blameless, because God loves us so very much. In verse 5, we are told that we are blessed because we have been adopted into God's family. We are truly His sons and daughters. Jesus is truly our Brother. Our belief allows us to call Him Father. In verse 6, we discover we are spiritually blessed because God's grace has allowed us to be accepted as His own beloved Son is accepted. When God looks at us, He sees Jesus covering our sins with His sacrifice. In verse 7, we are spiritually blessed because we have been redeemed, literally bought with a price, by the blood of Jesus on the cross. He is our Redeemer from everlasting. Also Paul tells us we are blessed because, since Jesus has redeemed us and our sins are forgiven, the burden of our sin has been removed. In verses 8-10, we discover that we are blessed because He has made known to us the "mysteries of His will". Our faith has allowed us to participate in the ultimate will of God which is that all things, in Heaven and on Earth, will glorify His Son. At the end of the age, this perfect will of God will be fulfilled. How do we glorify Him in this present moment? John 15:8 tells us: " By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples." We glorify God not by our faith but by the fruits of it, for that is how we prove we are His. Verse 11 tells us another spiritual blessing is that Christ gives us an inheritance. 1 Corinthians 2:9 tells us that we really can't imagine the things that God has prepared for us when we reach our Heavenly home. An eternity with our Savior has blessings beyond our comprehension. In verse 12 ,Paul tells us that the Jews and Ephesians were some of the first believers, and that this should "be to the praise of His glory." They found their hope in Christ. Finally, in verses 13 and 14, we are "sealed with the Holy Spirit" which "guarantees our inheritance". In Biblical times, a seal was placed on something or given to someone as proof of ownership. The fact that we have the Holy Spirit is proof that God has purchased us with the blood of His Son and guarantees us the inheritance He has promised us. The Holy Spirit is the gift of God. There are even more spiritual blessings to be found in scripture. All of these are blessings that we have access to as children of the living God. Through faith and repentance we become His children, sealed with His Spirit and blessed beyond measure. Ephesians 1: 3-14

Order Is From God - Chaos Is Not of God There are seasons when life seems completely out of control. Relationships become strained, plans fall apart, and nothing seems to make sense. In moments like these, we may wonder whether the chaos around us has a purpose. Scripture points us to a God who brings order rather than confusion. In James 3:16, we are told what happens when we are envious (jealous) or self-seeking: confusion and every evil thing come upon us. Some translations say disorder and evil practices. We know that the only thing that can bring order out of confusion, or chaos, is the very word of God. In Genesis 1, the Spirit of God hovered over the waters and the world was "without form and void" which is an expression that means chaotic. When God began to speak, the world began to be ordered. God's work of creation was not simply making things exist. He brought order, purpose, and beauty out of what was without form and void. He separated the light from the darkness, the waters above from the waters below, and the land from the sea. Everything was given its proper place according to His perfect design. Throughout Scripture we see this same pattern. Wherever God is at work, He brings order where sin has produced disorder and peace where the world has created chaos. How to Become More Ordered In the same way, our lives become more ordered as we listen to the Word of God. When we study our Bibles, listen to sermons, or pray with others for the will of God, our lives will become less chaotic and more peaceful. We will see things in our lives be put in their proper places, our relationships will be calmer, our faith stronger. Confusion is Not Always Chaos There is a subtle difference between confusion and chaos. Confusion is a lack of understanding or organization while chaos is when everything around you seems crazy and seemingly makes no sense. Confusion can sometimes simply be a time in your life when you are uncertain about the will of God for yourself. God can use this type of confusion to grow our faith. Paul experienced this uncertainty about God's will on his missionary journey to Macedonia (Acts 16: 6-7). Paul had plans to go to other parts of Asia but God had different plans for him. God spoke to Paul in a dream to tell him that He placed before him an open door and where he needed to go. Paul's confusion about where his next missionary journey would take him required him to wait on the Lord. When we are required to wait, we often find our faith strengthened. Walking in the Light Even when we do not immediately understand God's direction, we are never left to walk alone. Jesus promises to guide those who follow Him. Our Lord speaks to us in John 8:12, "Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” This darkness Jesus speaks of is the darkness of a life without God. It is a life without meaning. A life that seems incomprehensible. A life lived for no purpose. But our Lord says that if we follow Him we will have the light of life. We are to walk in the light. Our life will be one of peace (not to be confused with easy). It will be a life that has meaning and that meaning will be found in Jesus. Although Christ gives us His peace, He never promised that we would live in a peaceful world. Until He returns, His followers must walk in His light while living in a world that often rejects Him. Living for God in a Chaotic World As Christians, we live in a world of chaos. Our world seems consumed with self-seeking and jealousy. Because of this it is disordered, chaotic. This chaos intrudes on us and seeks to destroy us. We know that chaos is not of God. In 1 Corinthians 14:33, Paul writes that God is not the author of confusion or chaos. Quite the opposite, God wants peace for us. Jesus tells us it is His peace that He gives us (John 14:27). We are told that we are fighting a spiritual battle against the Devil, the one who brings chaos and disunity (Ephesians 6:12). Even in this fight, He whispers sweet peace to us. Peace, Be Still Just as Jesus calmed the angry waves, so today He calms the chaos around us with just a word. What did Jesus say to the waves? "Peace, be still," (Mark 4: 39). Satan creates chaos by trying to deceive people, by confusing them. Satan lies about the very nature of God and makes people believe that seeking their own good is the thing that matters most and will bring them happiness. Perhaps, like Jesus, we can say to those who bring chaos to our lives, "Peace, be still." God's desire to give His people peace is seen throughout Scripture. Even under the Old Covenant, confusion was presented as a consequence of turning away from Him. The Lord Blesses Us With Peace In Deuteronomy 28, one of the many curses God placed on a disobedient Jewish nation was confusion. Christians are no longer under the law, but nonetheless our obedience is necessary and is proof of our love for God (John 14:21). Nothing can be worse than living a chaotic, disobedient life without love for God. God's order brings peace. We must wrap ourselves in Jesus, who is called the Prince of Peace, so that the chaos of this world does not make us give up. We agree with the Psalmist in Psalm 29:11, "The Lord will give strength to His people; The Lord will bless His people with peace." Chaos is not God's design. From the beginning, when God spoke order into what was without form and void, His Word has brought light, purpose, and peace. Even when we live in a world filled with confusion and disorder, we can trust the God who continues to bring order out of chaos and peace to those who follow Him. Chaos is Not of God

Are You Pushing Back Against God? What if the lack of peace in your life is not random, but resistance? When Jesus confronted Saul on the road to Damascus, He asked a piercing question: “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” Then He added something unexpected: “It is hard for you to kick against the goads” (Acts 26:14). What Does "Kicking Against the Goads" Mean? You and I might be puzzled by the expression our Lord uses when He says, "It is hard for you to kick against the goads." The word goad is sometimes translated "pricks". The meaning of this phrase was well known to the people of the time. A goad was a tool, much like a cattle prod, that was used to keep oxen in line. When an ox would protest against the goad, it would kick. By kicking, the ox only made the pain worse. So what is Jesus actually saying to Saul (Paul)? Jesus was showing Saul that the unrest within him was not righteousness, but resistance. Resisting God damages our own peace. And often, the struggle we feel is the result of pushing back against the very One who is calling us to Himself. Saul Persecutes Christians God knew from the moment of Saul's birth that he would become Paul, the great missionary for Christ to the gentiles (non-Jewish people). Saul had been raised as a devout Jew. Well educated, he thought by persecuting Christians he was being faithful to God. But Jesus lets him know that by persecuting Christians he is really persecuting Jesus Himself. At this point in Saul's life he has confidence in his own ability to keep the law and be righteous (Philippians 3: 4-6). Later, Saul will know that only the righteousness of Christ will save him. Apparently, God had been at work in Saul's heart for some time. The goads Jesus referred to had been working on Saul. He had seen Christians, like Stephen, accept their deaths with calmness and peace. Participating in the deaths of Christians like Stephen probably made him feel powerful, but instead he was powerless to stop the growth of Christianity. He was powerless to defy, successfully, the will of God. What Were The Goads? Scripture never specifically identifies the "goads." However, many Bible scholars believe the 'goads' were the unrest and conflicting emotions that Saul knew when he persecuted Christians. The contrast between their peace and his inner turmoil must have been stark. Where was Saul's peace? In Acts 9:1(b) we are told that Saul was threatening the disciples of the Lord to the point of murder. Saul thought he was behaving righteously but something in his spirit, those goads, were trying to help him see another way. They were pointing him in the direction they wanted him to go; to a meeting with Christ Himself on the road to Damascus. How about you and I? Do we ever "kick against the goads"? I know many people who grew up as Christians, abandoned their faith and then after many years of misery and unhappiness, returned to their Savior. What goads had they experienced? Perhaps they were goaded by the conviction they felt over sin, hearing God's Word, or the witness of Christian friends. For many the lack of inner peace in their lives drove them back to the God who loved them. Failing to find peace, true joy, or meaning in their lives, they thought back to their faith in Christ and returned to find their hope. If they had never known Him as Savior, those goads can lead them down a path of reconciliation with Jesus. Jesus Calls Saul and Us Just as Saul was addressed by name by Jesus on the road to Damascus, so today He addresses each of us by name. He knows us. He knows our destiny. He knows what our lives can become if they are grounded in faith in Him. The promises of Christ and the love of Christ are not just some vague nicety that is for everyone, no, it is specifically for you. Why Did Jesus Ask Saul, "Why Are You Persecuting Me?" What does Jesus say next? He asks Saul a simple question, "Why?" Why, Saul, do you persecute me? To this question, Saul had no reply. What could he say? The Christ whom Saul thought was moldering in a tomb was now revealed to him plainly as the Son of God who was and is and is to come. What do we say to Jesus when He asks us this question? "Why" do we live our lives without Him? Why do we hate the light and love the dark? What does it gain us? It's Hard To Kick Against The Goads And finally Jesus makes a statement of fact, "It is hard to kick against the goads." It is certainly a futile life that is lived in opposition to the will of God. Our sins have consequences, often heavy ones. We only harm ourselves when we go against the will of God. Haven't you heard that inner voice saying, "Don't do it?" Yet, after having done it anyway, knowing the haunting feelings of remorse. There is another metaphor the Lord uses about oxen, that Jesus' yoke is easy and His burden is light. In Him we find our rest. Our Joy Is Christ Paul's transformation was so complete that it shaped the rest of his life. Pastor Charles Stanley had this to say about Paul, “he [Paul] was unworthy of salvation and undeserving of mercy or favor (1 Timothy 1:15-16). It was gratitude for salvation that fueled his devotion and dedication to the cause of Christ." After Saul becomes Paul, he goes on to be a great ambassador for Christ. Ultimately Paul's joy and ours is found in Christ. Or are you still "kicking against the goads?" We all reach moments when we must decide whether to continue resisting Christ or surrender to Him. Saul discovered that peace was not found by fighting God's will but by submitting to it. The same invitation is extended to us today. Christ still calls people by name. When we stop kicking against the goads and surrender to Him, we will discover the peace He has been offering all along.

The Promise of Peace What an indescribable blessing. In Luke chapter two the Angel of the Lord tells the lowly shepherds that he brings good news that will bring joy to ALL the people. The Angels' news was for everyone. Not just those who were powerful, or rich, or intelligent, not just for those who were "good enough" but for ALL the people. And then a Heavenly host of angels appear and announce, Glory to God! This glory is honor and worship of our great Father. But there is more, much more. The angels continue and tell the shepherds, "and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests." Luke 2:14(b) NIV The Bible describes this peace in several ways. It begins with peace with God, grows into inner peace, changes our relationships with others, and ultimately points us to the coming kingdom where Christ will establish perfect peace. This peace is for those on whom His favor rests. This peace the Heavenly host announced is for those who believe in Him and come to know Him. What peace are they talking about? Scripture shows us that this peace reaches into every part of a believer's life. Loving God with your mind brings peace (Isaiah 26:3). Peace With God First is peace with God. This peace saves us, sanctifies us and makes us holy. Without it nothing else matters. Peace with God is reconciliation with our Savior, not based on our worthiness, but based on His. Finding hope and peace in God leads to a peace that passes understanding. The Lord of Peace Gives Inner Peace Secondly is inner peace. Today's world holds so much stress, so much anxiety, and so much depression but it doesn't have to. John 14:27 says this peace Jesus offers is beyond understanding. When we are going through the deepest sorrows of our life Jesus offers us this peace. The Holy Spirit Himself is our Comforter. Jesus says you can't find this peace in the world, only in Him. Isaiah 48:22 says there is no peace for the wicked. Second Thessalonians 3:16 says, "Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you." Our Savior is described as the Lord of peace and He offers us peace in all our circumstances. Even when we feel it is impossible to find it. So many in the world today turn to alcohol or drugs trying to find peace but they won't find it there - ever. Peace is a fruit of the Holy Spirit of God working in our lives. Romans 8:6 says that being spiritually minded brings peace and life. God has us, as we say today. He cares for us and truly knowing that soothes the soul like nothing else. God's peace is never meant to remain only in our own hearts. It should also shape the way we treat other people. Peace with Others Thirdly is peace with others. When we understand that Christ has forgiven us of so much we can show the same forgiveness and kindness with tender hearts towards those who have hurt us deeply (Ephesians 4:31-32). Will this forgiveness always be returned? Sadly no. It wasn't toward Christ and it won't be always returned to us either. Don't let that make you bitter. Keep remembering God's forgiveness towards you instead thinking about how often you have been hurt. Romans 14:19 tells us to do all that we can to promote peace with others. In Romans 12:18 Paul says that as far as it depends on you, live peaceably with others. We can't force peace on someone else. Jesus reminds us in the Sermon on the Mount that peacemakers are blessed, so blessed that they will see God (Matthew 5:9). But Scripture also speaks about peace on an even larger scale. Peace in a Troubled World What about world peace? That won't happen until the end of the age (Isaiah 11:1-10). In Matthew 24:6-7 Jesus tells us that until He returns there will be "wars and rumors of wars" and "nations will rise against nations". But in our own way we can bring peace to those around us by sharing the word of Christ, the joy of Christ and the peace of Christ. Those who trust in God can have peace now. Only Jesus brings true peace. Our Prayer for Peace Today let's make Colossians 3:15 our prayer, "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. " Let's join with the angels in saying, Glory to God in the Highest! How we thank our Savior for His peace this Christmas.

Living As A Vessel for Honor very generation of Christians has wondered whether they are living in the last days. While Scripture tells us to watch for Christ's return, it also tells us how we should live until He comes. Peter and Paul remind us that God's people are called to be vessels for honor, prepared for every good work. The Apostle Peter was convinced that the end of the world was close at hand (1 Peter 4:7). This belief was also seen in James 5:7-8 and 1 John 2:18. Then, as now, many spoke of the end of the world being imminent. Few of the apostles realized that time is rather meaningless to God. What seems like an enormity of time to us is actually the present to God. He sees all of time because as the Bible says He is ageless. If that is true, how should Christians live while they wait? Peter gives a clear answer. Serious And Watchful What is our response to the idea that the end of the world is near? Should we panic, be filled with fear, isolate ourselves from the world or give up and join the world in seeking only pleasure? What are we told to do if we believe the end of the age is close? Although we don't know when that time will come, we are given directives, things we must do. 1 Peter 4: 7 says that we must be "serious and watchful in your prayers". Live Out The Will Of God Earlier in the chapter Peter says we must live out the will of God (1 Peter 4:2). In verse three of chapter four Peter says before we knew our Savior we lived in "lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries." In other words, we lived like the world. We weren't serious about our life and we weren't watchful to do the things of God. Peter says the world will think it strange that you don't participate in these things any longer. Love Each Other Next Peter says, if we believe this world will soon end, that besides being serious and watchful in prayer, we should have a fervent love for each other, a passionate intense love for each other. We should also build up our neighbors and be hospitable to one another. And finally any gift that God has given us we should be willing to share with others. Peter's instructions describe the kind of believer God desires. Paul expresses that same idea with another memorable image. Paul builds on this same theme by explaining the kind of person God can use. He describes such a believer as "a vessel for honor." A Vessel For Honor What does it mean to be a vessel for honor? Paul uses the expression in 2 Timothy 2:21 to describe a believer who has been set apart by God and made useful for His purposes. In 2 Timothy 2:21 Paul says, "Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. " To be this "vessel for honor" that Paul describes we must empty ourselves of our will and put on the will of God. Our purpose in these last days is to be sanctified (purified from sin) so that our Lord can use us for the good works that He has prepared us for. Pursue Righteousness Paul tells Timothy that we should "pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart." (2 Timothy 2:22) Paul continues, saying we should avoid quarreling and be gentle and patient. When we correct people who oppose us, it should be done humbly. In chapter three Paul goes on to say that in the last days people will have a form of godliness but "will deny its power." They will look religious or spiritual or good, but they will have no true understanding of the power of the Holy Spirit. So how do we avoid becoming people who merely look spiritual? Scripture points us back to prayer and dependence on God. Praying The Will Of God Prayer is what joins us to the will of God. Prayer is a way we can partner with God to see His will fulfilled on earth. If we are truly a vessel of honor, we will pray only for God's will to be done by the power of the Holy Spirit. By studying His word and prayer we can discover God's will and then pray according to it. In everything we must be patient and faithful just as God is with us. How Will He Find Us? In Isaiah 46:11 (b) God tells Isaiah, "Indeed I have spoken it; I will also bring it to pass. I have purposed it; I will also do it." The Lord will come again. Will He find us to be vessels for honor when He returns? Or will He find us cowering and afraid, not knowing the power of prayer?

The Bible tells us to pray without ceasing but are there times when it is time to stop praying and do something? There are several examples in the Bible of when this was the case. However, every time there is a delay in our prayers being answered doesn't mean we should jump head first into 'doing something'. It might mean though, that we should prayerfully reflect if we are being obedient. In Exodus 14 we read where Moses and the children of Israel stand before the Red Sea with the Egyptian army pursuing them. Afraid, they cried out to God. What did God say to them? "And the Lord said to Moses, “Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward." Exodus 14:15 In other words, the time for prayer is over and the time for doing is at hand. They have prayed and now they must act in obedience. They must "go forward". Is this where we are with our prayers? Do we know what we should do but we are afraid and continue to cry out to God when we really know it is time to act? In Joshua chapter 7 we read of Joshua's defeat at the hand of the people of the city of Ai. Having defeated Jericho, Joshua turned his sights on Ai. Thinking this would be an easy victory the Israelites attacked Ai only to be routed. Joshua prayed to God, more like complained to God, concerning their defeat. How does God reply? “Stand up! What are you doing down on your face? " Joshua 7: 10 (b) God tells Joshua there is sin in their midst. No victory will be had until that sin is dealt with. The people must repent first, then they will see victory. No amount of prayer will gain them victory until they repent. Is this not so like us? Don't we pray for months, even years without having prayers answered? Certainly God delays at times, but have we reflected on ourself? Have we asked God to show us any sin that we must repent of? In Matthew chapter 5 in verse 23 and 24 our Lord tells us to first be reconciled to our brother before we present our offerings. We are not Jewish. We do not go to the temple with offerings, but we do go before God in prayer to offer our gifts of money, love, time and praise. In Romans 12:1 we are told to offer our lives as a sacrifice. We do this prayerfully. Our Lord tells us before we do this we must reach out if there is someone who we have ill will to, to seek reconciliation and forgiveness. Whoever it is, parent, child, friend or someone we barely know, we should be reconciled. Like I John 4:20 reminds us, if we don't love our brother, we can't love God. In Acts 22 we read how Ananais came to Paul. Standing before Paul, Ananais restored Paul's sight, informed him of God's plans for him and then had this to say in verse 16, " And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord." Ananais wants Paul to know that the time for prayer is over, that the time for obedience has come.  Have we prayed for salvation? Have we been obedient to the word? Have we repented and been baptized? Cornelius was another example. In Acts 10 and 11 the angel told Cornelius to send for Peter who would tell him what to do to be saved. When Peter came, he preached Jesus to Cornelius and his household and told them to be baptized. A.W. Tozer was a well-known American pastor and author. He says this about prayer, “Have you noticed how much praying for revival has been going on of late and how little revival has resulted? We have been trying to substitute praying for obeying, and it simply will not work. To pray for revival while ignoring the plain precept laid down in Scripture is to waste a lot of words and get nothing for our trouble. Prayer will become effective when we stop using it as a substitute for obedience.” So while prayer should be our way of living, obedience is as well. What are we actually doing to promote revival ourselves? What are we doing in our family and among our friends to spread the word? Often, we pray for healing while at the same time we are doing things that make our health worse. What is it that we know God would have us do or change that we are stubbornly refusing to do? Should we go to the doctor, have surgery, change our diet or get more exercise? Never underestimate the power of prayer but also remember that there are times when action is required on our part. My prayer is that God will show me when it is time to stop praying and DO something. This post was inspired by the sermon, "When God Said, "Stop Praying".

Are We Listening to God? God has spoken, who is listening? Our prayers are so often simply a recitation of things we want God to do. If you spoke to a friend the way we do to God would your friend ever want to talk to you again? Have you ever had a friend who talked non-stop about themselves and hardly gave you a chance to speak? Too often we complain about God not speaking to us but do ever stop to listen? How do we hear Him? God Has Spoken In Hebrews 1:1-2, we learn how God speaks to us. "God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds;" God speaks to us through the words of His Son. When we are unhappy and feel like God is not answering us, we should ask ourselves, "Have we spent time reading what Jesus said? Have we been open to the Holy Spirit to show us through the words of our Lord what is His will?" Patience To Listen Sometimes we aren't patient enough to listen to the small voice. Maybe because we just aren't honestly interested in what God has to say. Maybe because we have already decided what His answer should be and we don't want to be corrected. If we come before the Lord with humility and read His word prayerfully, we will hear Him. Then the next step is to be obedient to what He says. Listening to God also requires that we create space for Him to speak. If our lives are filled with constant noise, distractions, and hurried schedules, it becomes difficult to recognize His voice. Scripture often connects stillness with hearing from God, not because God is silent, but because we are too busy to pay attention. Setting aside intentional time for Scripture, prayer, and quiet reflection is not optional if we desire to hear Him; it is part of learning to listen rather than merely hear. The Holy Spirit Helps Us Listen In 1 Corinthians 2:10-12, Paul says we have received the Holy Spirit so that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. The Holy Spirit teaches us wisdom and understanding. The Holy Spirit helps us to discern the will of God, the voice of God, if you will. The Holy Spirit literally speaks to us from God's word. When we read the Bible, we automatically hear the words. Hearing requires no action on our part, it is passive. We don't really try to hear sounds; we just hear them. Listening is different. Listening does require action. When we listen, we pay attention and we respond to what we hear. God Listens To Us Our loving God is a God who listens. In Psalm 34:17, we read, "The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles." The righteous are those who have put their faith in Jesus and try to live according to His word. The Lord listens and the Lord responds. Listen And Respond We also are expected to listen and respond. In James 1:22-25, James says that we can't just hear the words of our Lord but we must act on them, we must be doers. That requires us to listen. He says if we are only hearers then we deceive ourselves. I know from experience in school that you can look intently at the speaker and literally hear the sounds coming from their mouth but still not listen to anything they have to say. Do we listen to our Lord or do we just hear Him? In Matthew 17, we read the story of the transfiguration of Jesus. A voice from Heaven tells the disciples that Jesus is "my beloved Son, listen to Him." Today Jesus speaks to us just as He did two thousand years ago. Today we are blessed to have the Holy Spirit to help us to understand His words but now, just as then, we must listen, not just hear.

Will You Serve God? God is looking for those who will serve Him. He wants to use us in these uncertain times to bring hope, to bring Jesus, to others. How will God use you? Do you think it is impossible for God to use you? Many mighty people of old thought the same and yet God used them in ways they never thought possible. They seemed unlikely candidates for God's purposes. Is It Impossible For God To Use You? Do you think your past will make it impossible for God to use you? Look at Moses. He was a murderer, on the run, when God told him he would be the deliverer of God's people from the hand of Pharoah. Look at Rahab. A prostitute, who God used to save His people. She is in the lineage of Jesus. Look at Paul. He hunted Christians down but became a great missionary for God. Do you think you are not a good speaker? Again, look at Moses. Moses had problems speaking in front of people so God told him that his brother Aaron would speak for him. God solved the problem, not Moses. Do you think you are too weak, physically or spiritually? Look at Gideon. From the smallest of the tribes, a man not known in anyway as a leader, but God would raise him up to be a mighty man of valor. Do you think you have no influence in society or with the people around you? Look at Mary. Look at the disciples. Mary was a young girl, of no importance in the eyes of society and yet God chose her to be the mother of His Son. The disciples, who were they? Fisherman mostly. Uneducated, poor, not influential in anyway, but Jesus would use them to bring His word to the world. Do you think you are too young? Look at David. The youngest of his father's children. The most unlikely of them all to be King of Israel and yet God had a plan for this young man because he was a man after God's own heart. Do you think you are too old? Look at Abraham. Abraham had to wait till he and his wife were old, long past their prime, to see the fulfillment of God's promise to have a son. Do you think your failures are too many, or your sins too great? Look at Peter. He denied Jesus three times on the very night his Lord was betrayed, swearing he didn’t even know Him. Yet after the resurrection, Jesus restored Peter and used him to preach on the day of Pentecost, where thousands came to faith. God doesn’t discard broken vessels; He mends them for His glory. Do you think you’ve wandered too far or stayed away too long? Look at the prodigal son. He wasted his inheritance, lived in rebellion, and hit rock bottom among the pigs. But when he came to his senses and returned, his father didn’t scold him, instead He ran to him, embraced him, and threw a feast. God isn’t waiting to punish you; He’s waiting to use you, right where you are, the moment you turn back to Him. How Will God Use You? How will God use you? How were these people able to be used so powerfully by God? Because as Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 12: 9, "And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." When we think we can do great things for God in our own strength it becomes impossible for God to use us. We have to realize that compared to God our abilities, our wisdom, our intelligence is nothing. We have to realize that if we have any of those things it was given to us by our Maker to glorify Him. Paul goes on to say in 2 Corinthians 12:10 that it is when he is weak that he is actually the strongest! Our Strength Comes From God As Paul says in 1 Corinthians 1: 26, "For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called." Can God use the wise, the mighty and the noble, of course, but few of them are called, chosen, because they fail to see their need for God. Is God saying that it is better to be unwise, poor or uneducated? No. Who are the chosen then? They are those who are more likely to rely on God for their strength. Paul himself was a very educated man but he recognized his strength came from God. Our strength comes from God today as well. Be strong in the Lord. Don't Believe The Lies Of Satan Satan often attacks us by pointing out our weaknesses and our failures. Can't you hear the Devil whispering in your ear, "Look what you did. God can't use you."; "You're a nobody. God can't use you."; or "Why even try. You know you'll fail." Does the Devil have a foothold in your life? Remember, Satan is a liar. God uses us when we acknowledge our weaknesses and ask Him to fill us with the power of His Holy Spirit. It is God working through us that accomplishes His will, not our own strength, wisdom or abilities. Remember to always pray the will of God for your life. Like the words of the beautiful old hymn, "Have Thine Own Way, Lord" (1906, Pollard) say so well, Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way! Hold o'er my being absolute sway. Fill with thy Spirit till all shall see Christ only, always, living in me! Image by Freepik

We are told repeatedly in the Bible to give thanks to God. In good times it's easy to see God's blessings but often when things are not going well, we find it hard to do this. The Bible has many examples of people who thanked God even in the midst of very difficult and dangerous circumstances. In Acts 27 we read the story of Paul and the shipwreck. Paul attempted to warn his Roman captors that the voyage would end in disaster but they wouldn't listen. As the voyage continued and the seas became more violent they feared shipwreck. Paul was told by an angel that they would all survive but only the ship would be lost. "So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me." (Acts 27:25) Finally they listened to Paul. Two more weeks passed. The men had not eaten but Paul encouraged them to have a meal to sustain them. They gathered together and in the midst of the storm Paul gave thanks (Acts 27:35). All 276 men survived the shipwreck just as God had promised. The story of Jonah is another example of someone who gave thanks in the midst of trials. Jonah's rebelliousness had caused him to flee from God leading to him being swallowed by a giant fish. In the belly of the fish Jonah cries out to God in chapter 2. He prays saying that he will sacrfice to God with "shouts of grateful praise" and he acknowledges that "salvation comes from the Lord." Jonah prays this prayer without knowing that God would have the fish spit him out. Jonah prays this prayer fully believing that he is at the end of his life. The great prophet Daniel praised God in the midst of trials in Daniel chapter 6. The King had outlawed praying to any other God but himself, but Daniel, whose habit was to pray three times a day giving thanks to God, continued to pray. Daniel certainly knew the risk he was taking. When he was found praying he was placed in the Lion's den as punishment, but God miraculously shut the mouths of the lions. Because of Daniel's faithfulness, King Darius decreed that his kingdom should fear and reverence Daniel's God. As we face our lives we all experience trials. These three men faced potentially the loss of their lives, but in all cases that did not deter them from thanking God for the many blessings He had given them. That did not stop them from praising Him for being faithful and true, loving and just and gracious beyond measure. All three men were used by God after these experiences. Paul continued spreading the gospel, Jonah preached repentence to the Ninevites and Daniel received prophetic words from the Lord. How will God use us after our trial if we are faithful to Him? Our faithfulness is often a measure of our gratitude. Are we truly thankful for the blessings that God has given us or do we let ourselves be overwhelmed by the cares and trials of the world? No matter what happens to our physical bodies we can pray with Jonah, "When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, Lord, and my prayer rose to you, to your holy temple." Jonah 2:7 In Revelation 19:11 we read that Jesus is called "Faithful and True". In the cares of this life we can always be thankful for that. Thank you Father, for your Son Jesus that is always faithful and true. In His name we pray, Amen

Greed and deception. They seem to go hand in hand today just like they did several thousand years ago. No, there is nothing new under the sun. In 2 Kings 5: 20-27 we read the story of the prophet Elisha's servant, Gehazi. Elisha had just healed Naaman of leprosy and took no money for it even though Naaman was prepared to pay him handsomely. Gehazi, thinking he would be sly, decided to run after Naaman and ask for money and clothes. Naaman thought this was a request from Elisha and obliged by giving more than was asked, 2 talents of silver and clothes. This was no small amount of money. In today's money it was well over $34,000. And now enters deception. Gehazi stashed his goods and stood in front of Elisha. Elisha asked him where he went. Gehazi, of course, lied and said, nowhere. Gehazi was foolish enough to lie straight to the face of a prophet of God. Elisha had seen, in the spirit, what his servant had done. Elisha pointed out that seeking gain from Naaman would devalue the lesson that God had healed him. Gehazi had already planned in his mind the many possessions he would purchase with the money. So since he wanted the wealth of Naaman, Elisha promised he would be cursed with the leprosy of Naaman. And not just Gehazi but all his generations forever. We are provided a second example of greed and deception in the New Testament. The ones who lied suffered an even worse fate than Gehazi. In Acts 5: 1-11 we read the story of Ananias and Sapphira. A very sobering story it is. Just previous to this we read in Acts 4 that Barnabas had sold his land and given the money to the Apostles. Now Ananias comes in to do the same. Ananias probably wanted to be as respected as Barnabas, he wanted to be considered as generous as Barnabas but his greed caused him to withhold a portion of the proceeds for himself. As he laid the money at the feet of Peter, he appeared to have brought the full amount, but Peter, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, knew better. Peter informed Ananias that it was Satan himself who tempted Ananias to lie to the Holy Spirit. Peter reminded Ananias that it wasn't required to give the whole amount but what was required was honesty. Even more frightening Peter tells Ananias that it wasn't to men that he was lying but to God Himself! At this Ananias fell down dead. Some little while later, Ananias's wife came in, not knowing Ananias's fate but very aware of the deception they agreed to, she lied to Peter as well. At this she also fell down dead. In the Bible's understated way it says that, "Great fear fell upon all the church." Deception, greed and lying would not be tolerated by God in the church. There would be punishment for those foolish enough to try. In Proverbs 6: 16-19 we are told that one of the six things God hates is a lying tongue. Revelation 21: 8 says that liars will find themselves in the lake of fire. And in Proverbs 19: 5 it says that lying will not go unpunished. Greed also has its punishment. In I Corinthians 6: 9-11 it tells us that greedy people (along with other sins) will not inherit the Kingdom of God. I Timothy 6: 10 says that the love of money is the root of all sorts of evil. We have an expression, "Follow the money.", in regards to uncovering political corruption. But it seems that we could use the expression for almost any corruption. I Timothy 6: 9 says that desiring wealth causes us to fall into temptation, to be snared by it, which leads to destruction. One interesting thing about both of these stories is who these people were around, who should have influenced them. Gehazi was the servant of the great prophet Elisha. He had seen miracles performed. He supposedly knew the God of Israel, but that didn't stop him from lying to seek gain. Ananias and Sapphira sat at the feet of the Apostles. They had probably seen first hand many of the miracles of the early church. All of that didn't stop them from allowing the Devil to creep in and tempt them to make terrible choices. You and I may be in a great church, we may have loving Christian friends, we may study the word, but we can still be influenced by the Devil. We still need to guard against the wiles of the enemy. Satan succeeded in infiltrating the congregation of the apostles themselves, but those who yielded to temptation paid a heavy price. The disobedience of Gehazi was in stark contrast to his obedient master, Elisha. The disobedience of Ananias and Saphira also was totally opposite of the apostles they followed. Normally people who are in direct contact with those of great faith, people who experience miracles, would be expected to be more obedient to God, but these examples show us that is not always the case. We would expect them to be true believers. Were they true believers? Almost certainly not. We know this because Peter says to Ananias that Satan had filled his heart. Satan cannot fill the heart of a believer because the Holy Spirit lives there. Also, earlier in Acts 4:32 we are told that the congregation was of one heart and soul. So Ananias and Sapphira couldn't have truly been part of the congregation. There are often two kinds of people in the church. We may not be able to distinguish them but God certainly can. We can't hide from Him. They may say, "Jesus is Lord" but God knows if there is truth in it. Proverbs 4: 23 warns us to guard our hearts. The NIV translation says we do this because everything we do flows from our heart. Some of us might think we are never tempted to do anything like what these people did. But are we sure? Does cheating on income taxes and insurance claims tempt you? We should be careful how we present our offerings. When we tell people we tithe, are we really tithing? Do we give for show or out of love? Are we greedy for things of this world? Are we jealous of our neighbors who have more than we do? Are we fully aware that God knows our heart in all things? Perhaps we should have just a little more of that fear of the early church. Fear of the Lord is a good thing. As Christians, the separation that unrepentant sin causes in the life of a believer is a sad and damaging thing. "For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil." Ecclesiastes 12: 14

Should We Judge? In modern society one of the most commonly heard complaints about Christians is that they judge people. Is that true and is that wrong? Christians should not judge those in the world. How can you hold those who are lost to the same standards as a Christian when they don't know or understand them? But for those of us who call ourselves a Christian things are different. One of the most difficult passages of scripture in the New Testament is found in Paul's first letter to the Corinthians chapter 5. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 5:9-13 on an interesting topic, judging others. Should we judge others and, if so, who do we judge? Paul warns the Corinthians not to keep company with people who are sexually immoral, or people who covet or are idolaters. He immediately clarifies himself as to his meaning. He isn't talking about not keeping company with people in the world who do these things. Because as he says, "then you would need to go out of the world". Who then judges those people? Paul tells us that God does. Not Here to Judge the Lost Our purpose is to be the salt of the earth. We can't be removed from it. We are here to show God's love to everyone. We are not here to judge the lost, those who do not know Christ. That is God's business. Jesus prays in John 17:15 that God would not take us out of the world but that God will us from the evil one. It's unrealistic as a Christian to expect non-believers to act like believers. Our only job is to bring Christ to them. The Holy Spirit will convict them of their sin, not us. Judge Those Who Are Inside Paul explains in this passage that the people we should not keep company with are those who are so called believers who are sexually immoral. Paul mentions several sins but the list could go on with many other examples. He speaks of idolators. These can be those people who obviously put other things before God like money, power, influence, or sports, for example. He also mentions those who are, revilers*, drunkards and extortioners. Those people we should remove ourselves from. Paul says, "...judge those who are inside" (1 Corinthians 5:12(b). Those are the only people who are judged by other Christians. He reiterates this in 2 Thessalonians 3:14-15, "And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother." Such a person is to be admonished, warned, as a brother in Christ. In the church, we shouldn't overlook unrepentant sins that are obvious to all. This passage isn't talking about the occasional sin that is then repented of, but those sins who are consistently present. For example, if someone becomes a Christian but remains a drug addict, and doesn't repent of it, that is someone who should be warned. They should be addressed in love. For Correction Why should this be done? Literally Paul says so that the person should be ashamed and see their sin and repent of it. It isn't done for punishment but for correction. It is done to bring this person back into fellowship with other believers. When Paul says in 1 Corinthians 13(b) , "put away from yourselves the evil person", he is reiterating what is said several times in the book of Deuteronomy. Jewish people have always taught that people who sin against God blatantly and without repentance should be removed. 1 Corinthians 15:33 tells us that "Evil company corrupts good habits." We warn people of danger for a reason. We warn people to wear seat belts, we warn people to have smoke detectors in their homes, how much more should we warn people about their relationship to God. In addition, to continue to associate with a person like this threatens your own walk with God. Sin crouches at the door waiting to attack when we are vulnerable. We Warn Those We Love At first glance this passage seems to many to be unloving. Chapter 5 begins with an example of sexual immorality that was present in the Corinthian church. A man was sleeping with his father's wife, presumably his step mother. This was known, not hidden. How loving would it be not to warn this man? If warning people we love in order to save their physical lives is a good thing, how much better would warning them to repent and restore their relationship to God be. Who Do We Associate With We are asked not to keep company with brothers who sin willfully, openly, and without repentance. Imagine what non-Christian people would think about what it means to be a Christian, if we associated regularly with so called "brothers" who lived this way. They would see you hanging out with people who called themselves one thing but acted the opposite. They would wonder to themselves, "I thought these people were supposed to be different." But are we different? Open Sinning This "judging" is only allowed in this specific instance. Only someone who calls themselves a brother, only someone who sins openly and repeatedly, and only someone who is unrepentant. Remember that before the 4th century confession of openly known sins was usually public. It was a way for the Church to show non-Christians that they took sin seriously and weren’t trying to cover up the actions of hypocrites. Not for Finding Flaws So what Paul is NOT saying is that we should run around finding every flaw in our fellow brothers and sisters and pointing them out for all to see. No not at all. This public warning was only for severe, ongoing and open sins. In the early church people were being martyred for their faith. Being a Christian was serious. We have perhaps become too accepting in our present age, which is to the detriment of the church as a whole. * A reviler describes someone who sins in their speech, for example slander, insults, angry outbursts, and bad language.

Psalm 107: 23-32 has often been referred to as the Seafarer's Psalm. It speaks of stormy seas being calmed by the Lord out of His love for the seafarers until they have been brought safely to their desired haven. But there is a deeper meaning here than even that. In verse 23-24 we read, "Those who go down to the sea in ships, Who do business on great waters, They see the works of the Lord, And His wonders in the deep." As we each go about our daily lives, we should all be able to see "the works of the Lord and His wonders" wherever God has placed us. When we see the beauty of the land, the animals, the birth of a child, the soft kiss of our children, the moon and stars at night, in all of this and so, so much more we should recognize the wonders created for us out of His love. In verse 25-26 we read, "For He commands and raises the stormy wind, Which lifts up the waves of the sea. They mount up to the heavens, They go down again to the depths; Their soul melts because of trouble." God commands the seas as He commands our lives. There are moments when we are lifted up, full of joy, our hope seems to be unlimited but then something changes, something terrible happens and we go down, down and feel like we are drowning and alone. We are troubled to the point that we are so afraid our very hearts and minds seem to melt. It seems as if all hope is lost. To whom do we turn when things go so badly? To our friends, to drink, or drugs or to God? The anguish can be so deep that in verse 27 it says, "They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, And are at their wits’ end." Has it ever been so bad that you have come to the end of what you can figure out on your own? Haven't you had the experience of not knowing which way to turn, like "reeling to and fro"? Many of us have. Many of us have reached a point where we gave up. We just didn't know what to do to make things different, to make things feel safe again. But when we seek God, He is near. In verse 28-29 the Psalmist says, "Then they cry out to the Lord in their trouble, And He brings them out of their distresses. He calms the storm, So that its waves are still." In our fear and turmoil God rescues us. Why? Because we "cry out to the Lord". We realize finally that only God can save us. He calms our storms and stills our waves and our fear washes away. And then in verse 30, "Then they are glad because they are quiet; So He guides them to their desired haven." It is our Lord and Savior, the quieter of our storms, who will then guide us to our "desired haven". A haven is someplace where you can feel safe, your loved ones would be there, your heart's joy would be there. For Christians, that haven is called Heaven. When death comes for us, we can feel calm and serene, safe from the danger and turmoil of this life, as we go to our safe haven to be with the Lord. Finally in verse 31-32 the Psalmist sings, "Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men! Let them exalt Him also in the assembly of the people, And praise Him in the company of the elders." If we would only remember our Lord's faithful promises to us, we would give thanks. We would thank Him for His goodness towards us and for His magnificent works that He has given us. We would give thanks not just in private, but in public, in the "assembly of the people". We would exalt and praise Him in the "company of the elders", those who are wise and in positions of authority. We would not hide our thanks and praise, but it would be on display for all to see. At the very end of this Psalm in verse 43 we are told, "Whoever is wise will observe these things, And they will understand the lovingkindness of the Lord." If we see and understand these things it will be evidence of our wisdom. The wise "understand the lovingkindness" of their Lord and Savior. Dear Father, Help us to be wise. Guide us to know and realize the depth of your lovingkindness towards us. Father, please send your Holy Spirit to calm our storms. Finally Father, help us to find our safe haven with you in Heaven. In your Son's name, Amen Enjoy One Thing Remains (Your Love Never Fails) sung by David Wesley