He’s worthy of your very best

“When you offer blind animals in sacrifice, is that not evil?

“When you offer blind animals in sacrifice, is that not evil? And when you offer those that are lame or sick, is that not evil? Present that to your governor; will he accept you or show you favor? says the Lord of hosts.” Malachi 1:8

The spiritual leaders in Malachi’s day got to a place where their service in the temple was just a job. They were going through the motions of religion with no real reverence for God. They were supposed to be working for God, but they got to a place where they were working for themselves. As a result, they were taking care of themselves first and offering to God much less than the best. In fact, they were giving him the damaged and the broken.  They were giving him what they didn’t want.  God’s response, “Present that to your governor; will he accept you or show you favor? says the Lord of hosts” (Malachi 1:8). 

Why is it today that Christians arrive at their secular jobs on time everyday, get up early to do so, and go to work when they don’t feel like it or up to it, but when it comes to working for God, they're a no call no show. Yet they expect God’s favor.  Christians give their employers a full/honest day’s work, are not showing up when they please or calling in every other week, because if they did, they wouldn’t have a job. 

But ministry is more than a job. When we serve others through various ministries we are serving King Jesus. We are serving the one who came into the world not to be served, but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many. 

However far to many professing Christians today, if they do give anytime in the service of the Lord, do so only if it’s convenient. Although we’ve been called to take up our cross and follow Him, far too many American Christians are making little or no sacrifice for God. They work hard for their employer, but they don’t work hard for God. 

We make sacrifices to have things we want, like working extra hours, but we can’t make it to a prayer meeting on a Wednesday night. But I’m just too busy Pastor. Too busy doing what, living for self, watching TV? If we are too busy for God, we’re too busy. 

For His honor and glory we need to make time to serve our King. This may require some major adjustments to our lives and sacrifice. You may need to get a different job to make time for God, even if that means lower pay, or working  less hours. You may need to move closer to the church so that you can make better use of the precious time that God has given you to serve His people well. This may require you to sell your dream home so that you can be more available for God. Someone said, God is not looking for great ability, as much as great availability. But the truth is many are too caught up and distracted by the things of this world. Others are just plain lazy and need to get off the couch.  

God gave His best when He gave us His Son. His Son gave His life to rescue us from our sin so that we might enjoy God and serve Him in a way that honors Him. May we do whatever it takes to give King Jesus nothing less than the very best of our time, talents and treasure. He is worthy of it all. 

Ignite the fire again

Jesus’ prescription to the church 

After pointing out the problem in the church of Ephesus, namely that they had abandoned the love they had at first, Jesus gives them the prescription they need to remedy it. Notice that the first thing He tells the church to do is to remember: 

 “Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first...” Revelation 2:5a

If you’ve come into a saving relationship with God through faith in the finished work of Christ, let me ask you, how would you describe the condition of your relationship with God? Are you growing in your love relationship with God or have you lapsed into just going through the motions of religion? Do you have a passion for God or have you’ve become passive or even apathetic? 

If you know that you are not where you once were in your relationship with God, then you need to remember from where you have fallen. That’s the first step that Jesus tells the church of Ephesus to take—a church that allowed their love for God to grow cold. 

Remember what it was like when your heart was on fire for God and the things of God. Remember how grateful you were for what Jesus has done for you. Remember the intentional investment you were making in your relationship with God that perhaps you’ve been neglecting now. 

Do you pray like you did when your heart was on fire for God? Are you in God’s word on a regular basis? Are you just reading the Word to check a box, or do you take time to mediate, pray and journal about what God is saying to your heart? Are you investing in others to help them grow in the Lord and allowing others to invest in you? 

This applies to marriage also. If love has grown cold, remember among other things the intentional investment you were making consciously or unconsciously that you might not be making today. 

Christian blogger Kevin Thompson suggest 5 things we can do every day, (things that we probably stopped doing), which will help reconnect us with our spouse:

1. Pray [with and] about the specifics of your spouse’s day. Not only will this remind you of the work of God in your life, it will also require you to know the specifics of your spouse’s day and will make you wonder how their day turned out.

2. Always kiss goodbye and hello. This is a physical and emotional connection, which serves as a reminder of the union between a husband and wife. Make it such a habit that even if you kiss, leave, and return, you kiss again.

3. Call, text, or email at least once a day to check-in. You can update one another on how the day is going. You can discuss any needs for the evening and make sure everyone is on the same page regarding the schedule for the night. [More importantly you are letting your spouse know that you are thinking about them]. 

4. Have at least 5 minutes of uninterrupted conversation. Whether it be first thing in the morning or the last thing at night, relationships demand conversation. Turn off the television, put down the phone, and talk. [Share words of affirmation.] This might be more difficult with young children, but find a way to make it happen.  

5. Hug for at least 30 seconds. Before you leave for work or after you come home or as you go to bed, have an extended physical embrace, which reminds your body, soul, and mind of your deep connection with this other person. Physical touch must be more than just sex. By truly embracing every day, each partner will feel more valued and loved.

If your marriage requires anything, it requires intention. To the extent that both spouses are intentional about keeping the marriage healthy, the marriage will thrive. Apathy will slowly erode a marriage, but intention will cause it to continually grow.” Kevin Thompson

Secondly, Jesus tells the church of Ephesus to repent. Repentance means a change of mind that leads to a change of actions. Nothing is going to change in our relationship with God or others until we change. Stop thinking that everybody else needs to change, including your spouse and start seeking God to change you. And that change starts with a changed mind. Allow God through His Word to daily correct your faulty thinking, and align your heart with His. 

“Repentance is not a place we merely visit. Repentance needs to be where we live.” (James Macdonald). 

Lastly, Jesus tells the church of Ephesus that has grown cold in their love to “do the works you did at first.”  In other words, to return to the acts of love that you did when your hearts were on fire for God. 

God created us to experience emotions and feelings. Emotions and feelings can be wonderful. But the problem is that our feelings and emotions are fickle. Someone said that emotions are great followers, but terrible leaders. In other words, we must not be led by our emotions. We should not wait until we feel like praying or reading our bible before we do so. 

If an infant child lost its appetite for mama’s milk, surely the infant is not physically well. But the baby still must be fed. Similarly if we don’t have an appetite for the word of God, we are not spiritually well. But we must still get into God’s word so that we can get well. 

We must feast on the word to live. And when we do we will come to a place were we will live to feast. 

If love for God has diminished, we must return to the first works, whether we feel like it or not, and in time our love for God will be reignited. 

The same is true in marriage. I appreciate what Tim Keller wrote about how at times we must decide to love with action whether we feel like it or not:  

      

“In any relationship, there will be frightening spells in which your feelings of love dry up. And when that happens you must remember that the essence of marriage is that it is a covenant, a commitment, a promise of future love. So what do you do? You do the acts of love, despite your lack of feeling. You may not feel tender, sympathetic, and eager to please, but in your actions you must BE tender, understanding, forgiving and helpful. And, if you do that, as time goes on you will not only get through the dry spells, but they will become less frequent and deep, and you will become more constant in your feelings. This is what can happen if you decide to love.”  (Timothy J. Keller, The Meaning of Marriage)  

What is the condition of your relationship with God? Do you have a relationship with God, which begins by receiving Christ as Savior and Lord? If you do, have you been growing in your love for God or is your love waning? If your love is waning, remember where you once were, repent and return to the acts of love you did at first. 

This applies to marriage also. If our love is going to flourish we must do the works we did at first. We must make intentional investments in our marriage to keep the fire from going out. Don’t wait for the feeling. Decide to love. Make the investments and in time the feelings will follow. 

Click on link for full sermon:
https://m.soundcloud.com/mbcchicago-sermons/the-passion-of-marriage

Lily-work

“And on the tops of the pillars was lily-work. Thus the work of the pillars was finished.” 1 Kings 7:22

My wife and I sleep on a king size bed that has four pillars/columns at each corner.  The pillars are about 7 ft tall and were made to look like Greek columns. On the sides of the top of these pillars there’s an intricate pretty pattern of swirls and what looks like leaves. 

Sometime ago I was changing a light bulb in my bedroom and noticed that the surface at the very top of these pillars were flat with no pattern or varnish. I thought to myself, the reason there’s no intricate pattern or varnish at the very top of the pillars is because it’s beyond the gaze of the eyes, because no one can see the top of the pillars, unless you just happen to be changing a light bulb.

In Solomon’s day there were two pillars constructed in the vestibule of the house of the Lord. These pillars were 27 ft tall and were beautifully and intricately designed from top to bottom. Among the many beautiful patterns, we read that at the very top of the pillars was  lily-work. Lily-work was a symbol of purity declaring holiness to the Lord.  

Why go through so much trouble and time to design lily-work at the very top of the pillar that were beyond the gaze of the human eye? Those pillars and especially the lily-work were made to the glory of God. And it didn’t matter to the designers if no one could see the lily-work. They were not put there to the glory of men, but to the glory of God. They were not made unto men but for God’s eyes only. 

What do we do for God’s eyes only? Jesus said, “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. "Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you (Matthew 6:1-4). 

Jesus went on to teach on prayer and fasting in the same context, namely that it should all be done for God’s eyes only—for His praise and not the praise of man. When we do what we do to appear righteous before men, Jesus said we lose our reward—the reward that He gives namely more of Himself—His presence and power in our lives. 

The most important thing about us is what God’s sees. Your true character is who you are in the dark when no one is watching. When you’re living for Jesus, who gave His all first to the glory of God and our salvation, what matters to you most is what God sees and knows about you. You don’t do righteous acts only when others are watching. You give, you pray, you fast not to bring attention to yourself, but to know and spread the glory of Jesus who did everything to the glory of His Father. 

What we do for God’s eyes only, be it reading our bibles, prayer, giving to someone in need, is what matters most and will bring the greatest reward. That’s our lily work. May our lives be adorn and abound in lily-work to the glory of Christ our Savior. 

You led your people like a flock

“Your way was through the sea, your path through the great waters; yet your footprints were unseen. You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.” Psalms 77:19-20

My wife and I have a couple of different navigation systems on our phones. Deciding on which one to go with has proven to be challenging at times. Sometimes what is supposed to be a shortcut or a better route seems more like a dead end. 

However often the frustration that we experience is not the navigation system’s fault, but the fact that we are in a hurry. In addition, we don’t give ourselves enough time to get to where we want to go, and one thing the navigation system can’t do is miracles. 

As I write this, my wife is in front of the mirror still, and we are supposed to be somewhere at 4pm. It’s 4pm now. I use to stand in the doorway of the bathroom and stare at her. I gave up doing that. It doesn’t work. We need a miracle. So I redeem the time and write my blog.  

God is a God of miracles! But sometimes God’s path to salvation—to where He wants us to be—to His best for our life—to our miracle will not seem as the best route that could have been taken. It may not only sometimes feel like the long way, but the hardest way.  

When God walked before his people through the sea, the Psalmist writes that he left no footsteps of himself. Therefore “the ways of God, like the passage through the Red sea, are all full of mercy to his people; but they are also, like that, often unusual, marvellous, inscrutable; and we can no more trace his footsteps than we could have done those of Israel, after the waters had returned to their place again. Let us resolve, therefore, to trust in him at all times; and let us think that we hear Moses saying to us, as he did to the Israelites, when seemingly reduced to the last extremity, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of Jehovah.” — Horne.

Jesus hanging on a cross didn’t seem to the apostles as the right path for Him. So they all fled in fear. But after the resurrection they would all learn that God’s detours, or what seems like it, don’t lead to dead ends. 

Sometimes the hard paths are where we learn more about God and ourselves in a way that miraculously changes us from the inside out. The hard paths put us in positions to see God doing in and through our lives what only He can do as we depend on Him. 

Furthermore what may seem to us as a wrong turn, no outlet or the long way around, is God’s training ground to prepare us for the much more that He has in store. 

Do you feel like you’ve been led down a dead end street with no way out? Our Shepherd is a miracle working God! “Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will show to you today: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen today, ye shall see them again no more forever. The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace. And the Lord said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward:” Exodus 14:13-15 KJV

When a very great assembly gathered and wept bitterly

“While Ezra prayed and made confession, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God, a very great assembly of men, women, and children, gathered to him out of Israel, for the people wept bitterly.” Ezra 10:1

What draws the largest assembly of Christians today? One of the largest gatherings that I’ve seen first hand was at a Passion conference. Over 40,000 young people gathered to listen to great speakers and worship leaders at a pro football stadium. The messages were great, the music fantastic and the technological effects were spectacular. No doubt many young people were saved and stirred up to live for God. 

But there was also an entertainment value and big name speakers that drew many of those young people to such a large gathering. I’m glad that many heard some good gospel preaching. I’m not knocking it. 


However, I don’t recall seeing any tears. I’m sure there were some tears, but I didn’t see them. I saw lots of enthusiasm and excitement, and heard some great singing and shouting, but no tears. 

There’s a whole lot to cry about today in our sin sick and fallen world. I’m convinced from reading the scriptures and church history that when there is a mighty move of the Holy Spirit, who is especially grieved by the sin in our world, there will be lots of tears, bitter tears of brokenness and repentance. 

In Ezra’s day when he was deeply grieved, appalled and ashamed because of the sin of God’s people, he wept before the house of God. But not just Ezra, men, women and children gathered with him grieved with bitter tears over their sin. Men, women and children. 

Why Christmas? From a biblical stand point it has nothing to do with Ho Ho Ho and boughs of holly (green decorations). It has to do with a an Almighty God who is Holy Holy Holy. Sin stirred the wrath of a Holy God, grieved the Holy Spirit of God, and compelled Jesus, the Son of God, in love to take on flesh to save sinners. If Christmas had never taken place we would be without hope and without God in this world headed for eternal destruction away from the presence of a Holy God forever (2 Thessalonians 1:5-10). Many today are on that road including our love ones. That alone is something to weep and anguish over in prayer before God. 

Two Salvation Army officers set out to found a new work, only to meet with failure and opposition. Frustrated and tired they appealed to the General to close the rescue mission. General Booth, who God used to bring many souls to Christ, sent back a telegram with two words on it, "TRY TEARS." They followed his advice and they witnessed a mighty revival.

Why so few of those tears today, which apart from we will see no revival as there was in Ezra’s day and William Booth’s day (See previous post)? Advertise a Christian concert featuring a Christian band you hear on K love and you will fill the church building. Call for a prayer meeting in your average church and see how many show up? Until we first see assemblies gathered together like in Ezra’s day, there will be no revival, no real move of God that makes an eternal difference in our homes, communities and world. We must allow God to break us once again . Make it so Lord, make it so. 

Appalled or entertained

Appalled or entertained 

“As soon as I heard this, I tore my garment and my cloak and pulled hair from my head and beard and sat appalled. Then all who trembled at the words of the God of Israel, because of the faithlessness of the returned exiles, gathered around me while I sat appalled until the evening sacrifice. And at the evening sacrifice I rose from my fasting, with my garment and my cloak torn, and fell upon my knees and spread out my hands to the Lord my God, saying: "O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift my face to you, my God, for our iniquities have risen higher than our heads, and our guilt has mounted up to the heavens.” Ezra 9:3-6

What was the sin of the people that Ezra was appalled by and ashamed about before God? It wasn’t his sin that he was appalled and ashamed by. The people of God had intermarried with the idolatrous pagans in the land. Ezra was appalled by the sin of being unequally yoked together with unbelievers (2 Cor. 6:14-18). If Ezra were alive today Pastoring a church, he would have no hair left. 

Among other things, this is a major issue among professing believers today. They fail to wait on the Lord for the right one and marry unbelievers. Worse yet, they engage in sexual immorality before marriage. When was the last time you witnessed two virgins getting married at the altar? Should this be unusual in the church of Jesus Christ?  

In addition, Christians today watch movies and television dramas that glorify sin, like adultery and fornication, and are entertained. Ezra was appalled, ashamed, guilty and blushed before God. We’re entertained. I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen somebody blush? We’ve come along way. 

Paul wrote, “Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,” Philippians‬ ‭2:14-15‬

How can we shine as lights in a corrupt and perverse society when we don’t view sin as God does? The church today is in desperate need of a fresh view of the holiness of God. 

May we turn from the filth and get into the word or the world will get deeper into us (Romans 12:1-2). Let us pray as David did, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me”‭‭(Psalms‬ ‭51:10‬). 

Don't waste your life!

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly”.  John 10:10

Life is precious. It’s precious because God is the source, sustainer and satisfaction of life. When God breathe into the body of Adam, which He created, he became a living soul. As living souls, we can enjoy God, each-other and all that God created for His glory and our eternal good. 

However, when man sinned in the garden, giving into the lies and temptation of the enemy, death as a consequence became part of the human experience. And it’s brought great sorrow and pain to the world ever since. 

But praise God for the second Adam (1 Corinthians 15:45-49). In the gospel of John we read: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). This is the meaning of Christmas. Jesus came so that we, who have been ripped off by the devil can have life and have it more abundantly—so that we who believe don’t waste our lives running after things that will not ultimate satisfy the deepest needs of our hearts. Jesus was born to die so that we could be born again and live. 

On December 30th I will bring a message from John 10:10 titled, “Don’t waste your life.” God has brought me a mighty long way since I was born again. The more I get to know Him in good times and Hard times, the more I want my redeemed, revived and restored life to make a difference for the cause of Christ in the world. How about you? In the message to bring us into the new year we will learn from God’s word about living the abundant Christian life, which Jesus made possible through His first coming. You don’t want to miss it.

Godliness over giftedness

“For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel.” Ezra 7:10

God did an extraordinary thing in Ezra’s day when the children of Israel were in Babylonian captivity. He put it into the heart of the Babylonian King to beautify the house of the Lord and reestablish worship in the temple in Jerusalem (Ezra 7:27-28). 

And there was a man named Ezra that the King knew had the understanding, character and wisdom to go to Jerusalem and see to it that the work of the Lord was done. Ezra, who was a scribe, not only had the giftedness; he also had the godliness. 

There are many today who want to lead ministries, churches or are already doing so, that are gifted speakers, they understand bible doctrine, they’re great administrators, but what they lack is godliness/character. Giftedness will get you so far. It may even get you pretty far, especially now a days where there is far too often a lack of godliness not only in the pulpit, but also in the pews. A gifted speaker and a talented worship team can draw a crowd, however in a matter of time the lack of character, integrity and godliness will show up and the whole thing will blow up. I’ve seen it too many times and the aftermath is devastating, especially to young believers. 

There are 3 things that stand out about Ezra that should stand out in every Christian leader. In Ezra 7:10 we read, that Ezra set his heart to study the law of the Lord—the word of God. In other words he made time for the word of God and was devoted to knowing it, and understanding it. Ezra was a man of the word.  In Ezra 7:10 we read, “For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it...” He was a man of the word not only because he knew the word, but because he lived it. Ezra was more than a learner of the word, he was a doer of the word. Furthermore Ezra had a heart to teach others the word of God in word and deed. Great leaders do more than just point to the way; they lead the way. It’s hard to lead others where you’ve not been. 

May churches today learn to choose godliness over giftedness. It will keep us from a lot of heartache and most of all bring glory to God before a watching Babylonian world. 

Reverence in Prayer

Reverence in Prayer

Luke 11:1-2

“Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples." And he said to them, "When you pray, say: "Father, hallowed be your name...” Luke 11:1-2

After Jesus finished praying, what compelled the disciples to say, “Lord, teach us to pray...” It wasn’t that the disciples never prayed before. These were Jewish men who were no doubt taught how to pray since they were boys. It was how Jesus prayed. Not just the Words that Jesus used, but the heart with which He prayed. There was an intimacy with the Father that Jesus had when He prayed. Intimacy means, familiarity or closeness. 

However, it was not an intimacy without reverence. When Jesus prayed, He was not easily distracted by lesser things. He was fully alert and fully engaged. In fact, He often sought a place of solitude so that He could be alone with His Father and give Him His undivided attention. Jesus wasn’t nonchalant when He prayed. He didn’t go through the motions. He didn’t approach His Father in a casual way. His prayers were intense, fervent, and deep. He didn’t pray with empty words. He prayed knowing to whom He was praying too.

This kind of reverent and intimate prayer is not common in our day and age. The reason is that many who profess faith, don’t know God. They know about Him, but they don’t know Him as He is, as He desires for them to know Him. Hence there’s no intimacy or reverence. 

The first thing Jesus taught His disciples about the manner in which they should pray was this, “"When you pray, say: "Father, hallowed be your name” (Luke 11:1-2). 

“You must start, said our Lord, with a right conception of God. Now is this not where we all tend to go astray? So often our initial error and trouble is that our ideas of God are loose. Let us be quite frank and honest about this. Most of us, before listening to Jesus Christ, feel that we are in a position to criticize God: Why this? Why that? We are, 'we think', the judges even where God is concerned. Now what our Lord tells us at the beginning is, “Put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground” Ex. 3:5. God is utterly and absolutely holy, so much so that we cannot imagine Him, eternal in His holiness and His absolute perfection. 

That is what our Lord taught about God, and we must start there. We have to realize that if to know God is the first essential thing in rest and peace, we must begin by knowing something of His nature and Character, and that is what our Lord always taught about Him.” (MLJ). 

When we pray therefore it’s a good practice to do so with an open bible. Let God reveal Himself to you.  See His glory, which demands a right response. Let God start the conversation, as you prayerfully read His Word. As my dear friend Daniel Henderson often says, “The one who starts the conversation tends to lead the conversation.” 

“You must start, said our Lord, with a right conception of God.” 

You have brought us out to a place of abundance.

“For you, O God, have tested us; you have tried us as silver is tried. You brought us into the net; you laid a crushing burden on our backs; you let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water; yet you have brought us out to a place of abundance.”

~ Psalms 66:10-12 

The Psalmist is reflecting back to the time of the Exodus. God brought the children of Israel out of bondage to bring them to a place of abundance. Jesus has also come to bring us out of the bondage of sin and into a place of abundance. John wrote, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). 

On more than one occasion I’ve heard a preacher say something like, “It is doubtful whether God can bless a man greatly until he has hurt him deeply.” 

I can’t say that when I first heard that statement I was ready to embrace it with open arms. Suffering is not something we invite into our lives, but it is something that we will all experience. We will all suffer because we live in a fallen world. Some suffer for evil and others for righteousness sake. 

Furthermore suffering adversity is the university that prepares us for the abundant Christian life. When the Bible speaks of the abundant life it’s not speaking primarily of wealth and prosperity, but of fruitfulness in service. We’ve been saved to serve the cause of Christ, which to a transformed believer is worth suffering for when we he/she has the right perspective. The more we see the worth of Christ and the cause for which He laid His life down for, namely to save sinners, the more willing we will be to suffer and sacrifice if need be to advance His cause in the world.

I’ve learned recently that the quote, “It is doubtful whether God can bless a man greatly until he has hurt him deeply” was made by AW Tozer. It is helpful to see it in the context in which he wrote it to understand what he meant by it. 

“The flaming desire to be rid of every unholy thing and to put on the likeness of Christ at any cost is not often found among us. We expect to enter the everlasting kingdom of our Father and to sit down around the table with sages, saints and martyrs; and through the grace of God, maybe we shall; yes maybe we shall. But for most of us it could prove at first an embarrassing experience. Ours might be the silence of the untried soldier in the presence of the battle-hardened heroes who have fought the fight and won the victory and who have scars to prove that they were present when the battle was joined. Tozer continues by saying that it is ‘necessary’ for God to use suffering in his holy work of preparing his saints, adding, ‘It is doubtful whether God can bless a man greatly until he has hurt him deeply.”

In his epistle to the Galatians Paul wrote, “...for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus” (Galatians 6:17). 

In context Paul is pointing out that one of the great evidences of a true disciple is demonstrated by their love for Christ in their willingness to suffer all manner of hardships for the sake of the gospel (see also 2 Cor. 11:16–12:10). 

“Not all of us live in cultures or societies where physical harm is an inevitable part of faithfulness to Christ Jesus. Yet all of us should bear some kind of marks that testifies to our faithfulness to the Lord, whether they are insults from coworkers or professors, loss of a job, the sacrifice of worldly goods for the sake of gospel ministry, or other such things. What are the marks you bear that testify to your faithfulness to our Lord and Savior?” (LM)

When we are sitting with Jesus at the table in heaven celebrating the marriage supper of the lamb, you will be more than grateful not for a Rolex on your wrist but rather for a mark of the Lord Jesus on your body, which led to fruitfulness in ministry. 

He’s worthy! 

One more night with the frogs

“Moses said to Pharaoh, "Be pleased to command me when I am to plead for you and for your servants and for your people, that the frogs be cut off from you and your houses and be left only in the Nile." And he said, "Tomorrow." Moses said, "Be it as you say, so that you may know that there is no one like the Lord our God.” Exodus 8:9-10 

In the 80s Phil Colin’s had a hit song titled, One more night. The chorus went like this: 

Please give me one more night

Give me one more night

One more night 'cause I can't wait forever

Give me just one more night, oh just one more night

Oh one more night 'cause I can't wait forever.” 

Apparently he’s singing about a break up with someone that he wishes would give him another chance, one more night to prove his love and that they belong together or something like that. 

There’s another man in the Bible that asked for one more night. But his one more night  wasn’t to be with someone that he loved. He asked for one more night with the frogs—with what plagued Egypt. 

When he had the opportunity to choose when to get rid of the thing that was plaguing him and those around him why would Pharaoh say, tomorrow—why would he choose one more night with the frogs? 

Pharaoh was viewed by himself and his people as a god. He wasn’t accustomed to people telling him what to do. When God brought plagues upon Egypt because Pharaoh refused to let the people go as God commanded, Pharaoh in his pride tried through his magician to duplicate them. Pharaoh stubbornly wanted one more night with the frogs so that he could try to deal with it his way. 

However, his way just brought further destruction. That by the way is the essence of sin. Sin is an act of independence from God. 

As His crucifixion drew near, Jesus in the garden of gethsemane asked for the cup of God’s wrath, which He drank on our behalf, to pass from Him. But he ended His prayer with, nevertheless not my will but your will be done. Sin says to God, not your will but mine be done. 

Tomorrow is not a good response when God is giving you an opportunity to experience his power and glory. Charles H. Spurgeon once said, "If we would learn from our prosperity, we would not need so much adversity." 

Pharaoh, prosperity was also a factor in wanting one more night with the frogs. Prosperity not poverty is often a greater obstacle to doing God’s will and fulfilling God’s plan for your life. Pharaoh’s prosperity made him proud and deceived him into thinking he could control his own destiny. Tomorrow is not guaranteed for any one. Therefore the best place for you to be is in God’s will for you today. 

Like Pharaoh, when we put off for tomorrow what we can experience from God today our hearts get colder and harder.  Delayed obedience is disobedience. More likely than not when you put off for tomorrow what you can do today you will talk your way out of doing the right thing. 

Frank Out Law wrote, "Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habits. Watch your habits; they become character. Watch your character; it becomes your destiny."  

Obey without delay. Do what is right today. Don’t give yourself the opportunity to talk yourself out of it. Tomorrow is not guaranteed. 

The heart that moves the heart of God

“Because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself”....

2 Chronicles 34:26-27 “But to the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the Lord, thus shall you say to him, Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: Regarding the words that you have heard, because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before God when you heard his words against this place and its inhabitants, and you have humbled yourself before me and have torn your clothes and wept before me, I also have heard you, declares the Lord.”

Josiah was one of the few faithful Kings who reigned over Judah.  We read in 2 Chronicles 34:3 “For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet a boy, he began to seek the God of David his father, and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of the high places, the Asherim, and the carved and the metal images”.  I love that in this passage we learn that while he was yet a boy Josiah sought God and early in his reign when he was probably still a teenager he began to purge Judah of their idolatry. 

What really stands out about Josiah was that he had a tender heart for the Word of God and was quick to humble himself.  When the book of the law was found and was read to him, his heart broke, and he began to weep before God because of the sins of his people.  Because he heard from God in this humble way, God heard from him.  Because He was moved by God’s Word, God was moved when he cried out to Him. 

Because He was moved by God’s Word, God was moved when he cried out to Him. 

Where is that humility and sensitivity to the Word of God today? It’s amazing to me how a holy omnipotent God is moved by the humble prayers of his children even when we blow it. But are we moved by the things of God? 

“People in awe never complain that Church is boring” 

I’ve heard it said, "People in awe never complain that Church is boring” (R C Sproul). Sadly the church today has become a house of entertainment rather than a house of prayer. Entertainment may draw a crowd and keep apathetic believers attentive for an hour, but it will not do anything for a heart that is unmoved by the things of God.  We can watch a 3 1/2 hour football game, having no problem if it goes into overtime, but we complain if the service goes a little longer than expected.  And we expect God to move mightily on our behalf? 

Why are many believers today so apathetic and complacent when it comes to the things that really matter, like heaven, hell, discipleship, prayer, witnessing to the lost, living a holy life that honors God and bringing glory to His holy name? We’ve become desensitized to the things of God that matter most through conformity to the world (Romans 12:1-2).  

I heard an illustration once about a scientist that was doing some research in the Antarctica.  He would do some measurements, walk a mile and do his measurements again.  After a few miles of walking, he realized through his measurements that he hadn’t made any forward progress.  That he was actually farther back than he was when he first got started.  After some time he figured out that the reason his measurements did not indicate forward progress was because he was walking on a giant iceberg and the iceberg was moving backward a lot faster than he was moving forward.  

Today many Christians think that they are doing pretty good when it comes to their walk with the Lord. That’s because they are comparing themselves with the world and the world is going backwards a whole lot faster than they are going forward.  Many believers spend hours in front of the TV screen or media devices being entertained by things that glorify sin.  Our hearts are being moved not by the things of God, but by a romance between a couple that are committing adultery or are engaged in premarital sex.  

We need to humbly get our eyes off of this world, and onto the glory of God, through prayer and the word of God to keep our conscience from being defiled and our hearts from becoming desensitized.

The church will not see a move of God until like Josiah with a tender heart we hear the word of God, humble ourselves and repent of our apathy and sin.  Some of us need to fast from television, other forms of social media, and spend some extended quality time in the word until our defiled hearts are cleansed. 

We will not see a move of God until we are moved by the things that move God. 

God help us! 

Why did you ever send me?

“Then Moses turned to the Lord and said, "O Lord, why have you done evil to this people? Why did you ever send me? For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has done evil to this people, and you have not delivered your people at all." Exodus 5:22-23

Before God called and sent Moses he had been living as a fugitive in the backside of the desert for 40 years. The number 40 in the Bible is the number of testing. After Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt, they wandered around the wilderness for forty years. Their weak faith, which was revealed in their wilderness wandering, kept them out of the promise land. 

Jesus was led of the Spirit into the wilderness and was tested by the devil for forty days (Luke 4:1-2). He passed the test by wielding the Word of God to overcome the schemes of the enemy. 

In Genesis, when the flood came in Noah’s day, we read, “And rain fell upon the earth forty days and forty nights” (Genesis 7:12). Because Noah and the family were in the ark (type of Christ) they survived the flood. Everyone outside of it perished. 

Once again the number forty in the word of God when attached to specific circumstances involving His people, has deep meaning, namely that God is putting someone to the test. 

Why the testing? Among other things, God tests us to prepare us for fruitful ministry. Testing also has a way of not only fashioning our character, but revealing it. When we are squeezed, what’s inside will come out. Furthermore, divine testing will reveal our problems and God’s power to overcome them. 

God is looking to do great things through men and women who will stand firm and do what is right even under great pressure. 

After God called Moses to lead his people out of Egypt, he found himself in another test. When confronting Pharaoh to let his people go, things seemed to go from bad to worse. The slave driver made things harder on the people than before and it all seemed impossible to endure. 

However, what looked like a devastating setback, was actually a divine set up for God to show His power in the world and bring deliverance to his people. Moses hung in there with God’s help and day by day he was strengthened in his faith. He would go on to become the greatest leader in all of history.

When we set out to do something for God that’s from God, it will not always be smooth sailing. There will be testings and trials that are designed by God to lead us to triumph. We will at times feel like Moses when he said, “Why did you ever send me?” Going through a test doesn’t mean that God didn’t send you. It means that He is further sanctifying you to equip you for the much more that He has planned for you. 

A faith that can’t be tested can’t be trusted. 

When tested, bring your burden to the Lord. Seek His grace to endure. In His time He will turn your test into a testimony of His grace and power for your good and His glory! He is faithful!