The Pathway To Building

If we choose to be believers and follow God, we will eventually come up against something in our life that we want to change about ourselves. This desire to change is an interesting result of God within us, I think. Change is not easy for humans most of the time. I would like to say that I am a person that enjoys trying to change, and most of the time that is true. But there are still things that I would change if I could just “wish” them to change. But it does not seem to work that way. Sometimes habits are very persistent.

Romans 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.

Paul noted this same problem. He was trying to find the way out of sin permanently. What he discovered is that although we are to pursue righteousness and serve God – the change – there will always come times when we will do what we do not want to do or not do what we really want to do in our spirit. Like Paul, this morning I found this frustrating.

Romans 7:24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

Paul did make recommendation as to how to get free, or at least free-er.

Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

The righteousness of the law is fulfilled in us through Jesus. We become troubled, as Paul did, because the law is spiritual, and the new covenant is the law written in our hearts. Therefore, we are troubled. But the path out comes when we cry out to God in repentance and true desire to change. This was also written long ago by the psalmist David.

Psalms 86:1 Bow down thine ear, O Lord, hear me: for I am poor and needy.
2 Preserve my soul; for I am holy: O thou my God, save thy servant that trusteth in thee.
3 Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily.
4 Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.
5 For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.
6 Give ear, O Lord, unto my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications.
7 In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me.

David had these same troubles. What he discovered was that God answers when we call. We have troubles daily. If we call out to God daily, He will daily deliver us and help us change. Change can be good or bad, but as Paul said, those of us that believe have built within us the desire to change and do the right things. Let’s call out today and ask God to change one thing about us that we have struggled with over time, and watch Him deliver us!

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You alone are the King of the universe. You alone made heaven and earth, and You alone are worthy of praise. I ask today, Father, that You come to the aid of each of us. Help us to find the courage and the strength to change. Help us to find our way to the path You have for us. Deliver us from darkness today, and send us Your provision. Make us a token for good that all may know, You alone are King. In Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) name. Amen.

Listening And Learning

When we choose to listen for and to the voice of God, we create opportunity for ourselves to grow. God wants to give us good gifts. Among those are wisdom and understanding, which will bring us life.

Proverbs 2:1 My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;
2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;
3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;
4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;
5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.
6 For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
7 He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.
8 He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints.
9 Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path.
10 When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul;
11 Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:
12 To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things;

We see in this Proverb that God is telling us that we get and hold on to His words, we gain understanding and knowledge, and ultimately wisdom. He goes on to explain how those things will deliver us, and keep us in the right path going the right way. This is very important to us to live the blessed life God intended. As we learn these things from God, we grow and change. By seeking God we play an active role in Him building us up. For me, having God build me up is essential to overcoming the many challenges life brings.

Today, why not take a moment to find something from God, perhaps a scripture, and hide it in your heart? Let God build you up.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You. Thank You for giving us wisdom. Thank You for speaking to us and bringing to our ears knowledge and understanding. These things are very needed by us, and we need Your help to stay on Your path. You alone are God. Please lead us and guide us today, Father, and bring to us Your deliverance and provision. In Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) name. Amen.

Finding Purpose

It is not necessary that we ever ask ourselves what we are doing on this earth. In fact, it may be more peaceful if we do not ask such a question. It is sufficient that we find our way to believing in our God, and with that be content. But for at least some of us, there comes those moments when we feel compelled to ask the question, believing there is something bigger, something larger, that we are to be doing. As I write this now I am doing so to try to better understand this question for myself. I am one of those asking the question. It turns out Jesus answered that question.

Matthew 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

When we get to a place where we want that something more, that something more is the equity of things being right or just. The creation, in its fallen state now, is not there. We are not there in that place of perfection. But as a part of God’s creation we are drawn without measure to see that righteousness in the earth. That is the kingdom of God, and we want it to be here. We were made to live in that place with God from the beginning. After the garden, that went missing. And we will always be drawn toward that end. So no matter what we do, the closer we draw to God, the more we are starving and thirsty for that sustenance of His righteous kingdom on this earth. And God tells us we will be filled (which means in abundance). This constant desire and the filling of it is the building up process we go through on our journey toward eternity with Him. This is the answer to the question, to be and to stay hungry for God and more of Him.

Prayer
Father, we praise and exalt You. Thank You for putting this burning desire, this hunger within us for Your kingdom. Please usher Your kingdom into our lives, and through our lives into this earth. Let Your work in our lives be for a sign to those around us that You alone are God. Please use us to heal those that have been wounded and to help them meet their needs. In Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) name. Amen.

Building Takes Time

As we wind down another year, it seems a good time to reflect on all that God has done in our lives this year, and think about what is next. God has been good to us, I suggest. Here we are with yet another year of life and memories. Paul indicated that building takes time in several places, and that can be good to remember.

1 Corinthians 3:6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.

Ephesians 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

In both these letters to churches, Paul is indicating that building takes time. He likens it to plants that grow, and then to people as they grow and change. Today, it may be good to reflect on where we have come in the last year, and where we want to be this time next year. And everyone, please stay safe on the roads tonight and tomorrow.

Special Request

My wife and I want to thank you for your kindness in coming here to read each day. We would like to ask that you pray and ask God if there is something more He wants you to do to help us. If so, please click on the “Help Us” menu item above and follow His leading. Thank you.

Prayer
Father, we praise and exalt You as the Most High. Thank You for yet another year with You and Your family. Please lead and guide us today to do Your will that God may be glorified. Please keep us safe. In Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) name. Amen.

Saying Something Good

Growing up my parents used to always tell me, “If you can’t say something good about someone, don’t say anything at all.” Turns out it was pretty good advice. That is why there are certain subjects I have little or nothing to say about, like politics, my singing, etc. Unfortunately if we are not careful, it can be easy to be drawn into discussions about events in other people’s lives, or even the people themselves. I agree that it is important to find a scriptural basis for the “wisdom” we learn growing up because many times things are attributed to the bible which just do not appear in the bible. As it turns out, this one does, or at least it does pretty closely.

Ephesians 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.

Here Paul is writing to the Ephesians from prison. He is telling them that he understands that people came from darkness, from places where they were doing some pretty raunchy stuff, before they became believers. He is encouraging them to resist and stay away from such behavior now that they have turned to God because it is shameful to even speak about those things. But I think there is an additional message here. We are not to speak about the negative in anyone’s life, inside or outside of the body of believers. If you think about it, that really makes sense, right? After all we are to be building each other up. How can talking about the bad in someone’s life build them or us up? When we go down that road, even if we think we are “sharing” with someone so they can pray, we are really not helping anyone. Here is something I have tried to begin to practice, and have had some results.

The next time someone asks you to pray for someone, pray that prayer with that person right then. I recently did this with someone and saw a miracle within minutes of God supplying someone’s need. Let’s spend our time in the positive building up our fellow believers and give no place to the negatives. Sound good?

Prayer
Father, we praise You as the Most High God. Thank You for all you have done for us in our lives. We ask today Father that You help us to pray and speak positive things about each other. Please bring to our remembrance those in need, whether that is for healing, deliverance, provision, or whatever else. Help us to reach out today to those in need and help them feel welcome and cared about, as Your people on this earth. In Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) name. Amen.

God’s Pattern For Building Up

It is possible for us to not fully appreciate words when we hear them. I know that for me sometimes there are words that I just sort of “run” right past. For me, edification can be such a word. Even though I know what it means, I can pass by it quickly and not think of how we actually do it in our everyday walk with God. Edification means to build up. As I thought about that today, it seemed to me that like all things with God, there must be a pattern to follow. There is a scripture that gives us such a pattern.

John 21:1 5So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

This passage tells the story of an event that happened after Jesus had died, rose again, and had ascended to the Father to be glorified. The disciples had just seen Him perform a miracle in blessing their fishing. He made them fish and bread on the fire, then He spoke to Peter the words of this passage. It is interesting that He first said to feed His lambs once, and then feed His sheep twice to Peter. The word lamb here has a root that means lifted up, like someone that is just becoming a sheep. For me this is telling Peter to seek out those that need to here that they can have new life through confession and belief in the Messiah. The interesting point for this discussion is that he repeated the feed my sheep statement. The word sheep has a root that means moving forward. Jesus was telling Peter that once we become believers – the transition from lamb to sheep – we need repetitive care and feeding. This is the pattern of edification or building up. It is repetitive. Often we need to hear something repeatedly to stay on track with the path we are to go down. Edification is not a one time event. It is a repeating pattern that we must do continually until Jesus returns.

To edify and be edified, we must plug in to this pattern. Today, if there is something that you know is a point of struggle in your life, perhaps repeating reading the same scriptures you have read many times about that subject would help to build you up, right? Or singing a song again. And the same is true for those around you. Help build them up, too. That is what Jesus (Yeshua) tells us in this passage we are to be doing.

Prayer
Father, we thank Yo and praise You for as the Most High God. You have given us the patterns to follow in life as we serve You, the patterns that give us life. We ask that You help us to remember these patterns. We ask that You help us to have the strength and the courage to actually do and say the things You would have us do and say to be more like Jesus (Yeshua). In Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) name. Amen.

Cold Winds

The winds of winter can blow oh so cold. The winds of life can do the same, it seems. When we face the cold winds of winter, we take precautions to make certain our family and friends are watched out for closely so that no harm from the elements should come to them. The winds of life are the same, but the players are different.

In life many times there are those that think it is important to same something about us that is not flattering. Some even will join together to speak in a way that is intended to bring about our demise, whether they be thieves, or businesses, or banks, etc. But the scripture is clear about this.

Psalms 83:1 Keep not thou silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not still, O God.
2 For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head.
3 They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones.
4 They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.

Here in Psalms 83 we see the winds of evil blowing from the lips of those that would intend us harm.

Psalms 56:2 Mine enemies would daily swallow me up: for they be many that fight against me, O thou most High.
3 What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.
4 In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.
5 Every day they wrest my words: all their thoughts are against me for evil.
6 They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they mark my steps, when they wait for my soul.

In Psalms 56 we see that the battle is repetitive and it is daily. We know God never sleeps. It seems darkness does not take many days off either. But we have hope. We can use each of these moments, as we make it through them to the other side, to build ourselves and others up. The psalmist says that God has delivered him from death, certainly He will deliver him from this current struggle.

Psalms 56:8 Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?
9 When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me.
10 In God will I praise his word: in the Lord will I praise his word.
11 In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.
12 Thy vows are upon me, O God: I will render praises unto thee.
13 For thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?

We never know all that has transpired or what God has in store for us or those that we know. Sometimes we are built up by learning more, sometimes others are built up, and sometimes both. It is like the man that was born blind that Jesus healed. Sometimes it is so we can all be built up by seeing God’s glory.

John 9:2 And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?
3 Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.
4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.
5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

Let us not turn away from the work of our Carpenter, both teaching us to build and building us into His image.

Prayer
Father, we praise and thank You for Your gifts to men. Thank You for being the Mighty God and Ruler of the universe. We call to You today to help those in need, and bring those we can help across our path that we may be a part of the work of Your kingdom. Let us help someone today, Father, before the sun goes down. In Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) name.

California Corners

In construction with 2x4s a standard corner is made up of solid wood. While sturdy, it offers little in the way of insulation properties. Outside corners in such construction are typically colder in the winter and warmer in the summer. They are solid, but not as good as they could be. Enter newer construction methods.

If a home is built with 2x6s, less vertical members are required for the same or equal strength. And the corners can be modified so that they are partially hollow, allowing for insulation to be placed in them. These corners are equally solid, and they add more usefulness in terms of better insulation. How does this relate to us?

Not everyone will be built the same way or by the same people. Different people may experience different amounts of spiritual growth at the same time. Paul addressed this in various places.

1 Corinthians 3:6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.

Here Paul is pointing out that there are many that may come in to our lives to help us grow, but it is God doing the work.

Ephesians 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

Here Paul talks about how the work of the ministry is to perfect the saints so they can build up the church. Reading to the end here we see that it takes time to everyone moving forward. This is in part because different people are different, and it takes a body to build a body.

The point is some people will be California corners and some will not, but God does the work in us all.

Prayer
Father, we praise and exalt You. You alone are our King. Please help us to build each other up and not tear each other down. Please help us to move forward toward being more like Jesus (Yeshua) every day. And thank You for the provision for wholeness You give us everyday. In Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) name. Amen.

The Building Is Going Up

Have you ever had a day or several days where you feel like nothing is happening, or at least not what you thought should be happening? I mean this in the sense that we can feel like we want certain parts of life to be moving in a certain direction, and somehow that just does not appear to be the case. I know that it is true for me at times, and that it can seem to drag on a really long time. As I was thinking about that today, I realized that maybe I was looking in the wrong direction.

God is always at work in the world around us. He made everything and He holds it together. Therefore, we know that He is working 24/7/365. If that is true, then it seems that from His perspective, He is likely doing something about the very thing that concerns us. But what? For me, the answer was easier than I thought.

God has a pattern that He created, and He follows that pattern. We see this in Proverbs where it talks about the earth.

Proverbs 3:19 The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.
20 By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.

God also talks about building the house, which can also be interpretted as building His family.

Psalms 127:1 Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.

If we combine these two we see God is doing the building, first the creation, then His people. It is interesting that He restates this in Proverbs 24.

Proverbs 24:3 Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established:
4 And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.

God’s pattern is to start with wisdom, or knowing what to do. With understanding comes when to do it. And then with knowledge comes how to do it and get the details really moving. So those things we are concerned about, God has a specific order that things have to follow. And when we ask, He begins the wheels turning, setting in motion the results to come. If we plug in to what He is doing, we get to watch the building go up, and we are built up in the process.

Prayer
Father, we praise and thank You today for all You have for us. You are truly the Most High God. Thank You for the plan You have established. We ask that You show us Your plan and lead us through it. Please reach out to Your people today, Father, and meet them and their needs right where they are. In Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) name. Amen.

Back Up To Build Up

Sometimes our lives become so busy we run past some of the fundamentals. That happened for me yesterday. As I thought about my return trip home from a business meeting three hours away, I realized I still needed to write. Exhausted and with a full day today ahead of me, I had to rest. As I sat down to catch up, the title of this post came to me.

God has created us as whole beings. There will come times in life when we have to keep moving full speed ahead. I think what may be important is that we do not make that our way of life. Our way needs to be God’s way. As I write this I think of the scripture in Psalms about overworking.

Psalms 127:1 Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.
2 It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.

It is God that lifts us up. Yes, let’s work hard. But we need always work hard at the tasks that God gives us.

Prayer
Father, Thank You for life’s blessings, and the blessing of life. Thank You for what You have in store for each of us. Thank You for standing up strong in our behalf. You alone are God. In Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) name. Amen.