Fight The Good Fight

When we think of spiritual warfare it is easy to think of grand images of us in our whole armor of God wrestling and swinging our sword at the dark forces with our prayers and songs. This is good, and certainly a part of what we may do. However, there is another aspect that is at least easy for me to overlook. Perhaps it is for you as well. It is what Paul addressed in his first letter to Timothy.

1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

There really is much to consider in this passage. For this writing, I only want to address first six words. Let me begin by saying these words have multiple meanings and shade of meanings, so there is likely more than one way to view them. This would make sense because our God is big enough to encompass them all. Let me present one that for me, as I studied it just now, has given me valuable insights for my own fight, and may well assist you in yours as well.

The first word fight has several possible meanings, one of which is to struggle as in contending for something. There is some opposition. The word good here can mean beautiful or morally good. The second fight can mean place of assembly or where the battle takes place. And the word faith can mean persuasion or conviction. Putting that all together we could get “Stay in the struggle in the beautiful assembly of persuasion and conviction.” For me that can mean be steadfast to keep believing the good.

God has very good things for us. But Paul told the Hebrews that we must believe that God not only is, but He is on the side of those that seek Him like the breath they breath. It reminds me of a story I once heard about a student that wanted the teacher to teach him how to achieve something. The teacher told him to meet him by the river. When they both walked into the river about chest deep the teacher told the student to turn around and take a breath. He then pushed the student under the water and held him there. The student assumed there was some meaning so he obediently stayed under the water until he needed more air. When he tried to get up, the teacher held him down. His lungs began to hurt so he tried harder to get up. The teacher held him under the water. Fear set in. The student began to flail as his lungs cried out for air. He was afraid his reflexes would kick in and he would suddenly drink into his lungs the cold river water. He fought harder and harder, all the while the teacher held him under. He was beginning to lose hope, his thoughts became cloudy, and with all his might he lunged upward, just as the teacher released him. He surfaced choking and gasping for breath.

“What were you doing?!” he shouted at the teacher. The teacher stood there quietly, smiled, and said words he would never forget.

“When you want to succeed as much as you just wanted that breath, you will not fail,” replied the teacher, turning to walk to the shore.

We must lay hold of our convictions, our faith, within ourselves. This is one of the hardest yet most important battles. If we can win this one (and God will help us win it), then we will be able to win most any battle with God on our side.

Prayer
Father, we praise You as the Most High King. Help us to learn to trust You, and live in Your ways. Help us to see Your works, hear Your words, and say and do them. It is really hard for us at times to understand all of this. Please give us Your wisdom and understanding. Help us to be what we need to be and become to bring Your kingdom to this earth. Help us to want that more than breath itself. 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.

Deliverance From Troubles

When we feel that our troubles of life seem very large, there is hope. It can be difficult in these times to see that hope. But what we know is our God loves us, and will keep us from our enemies. What are our troubles really? They are what we think about certain situations. They are in our mind and our heart, and they seem to be “real” to us. Maybe that is the point.

We have to look at these troubles and look at what we believe. It helps if we have an example to follow. David is someone that had similar troubles, only often they were accompanied by something around him that was physical. Like the time that Saul was in pursuit of him before he became king. What did David do? He sang his prayers to God.

Psalms 54:1 Save me, O God, by thy name, and judge me by thy strength.
2 Hear my prayer, O God; give ear to the words of my mouth.
3 For strangers are risen up against me, and oppressors seek after my soul: they have not set God before them. Selah.
4 Behold, God is mine helper: the Lord is with them that uphold my soul.
5 He shall reward evil unto mine enemies: cut them off in thy truth.
6 I will freely sacrifice unto thee: I will praise thy name, O Lord; for it is good.
7 For he hath delivered me out of all trouble: and mine eye hath seen his desire upon mine enemies.

God is with us. And our God is with those that our on our side. Not only will he defeat our enemies, but He will help those that stand with us to defeat our enemies as well. Verse seven is very comforting in these times. David clearly knew who his God was. He stated that God had already delivered him out of all of his troubles, and his eyes had seen God’s desire come upon them. God’s desire is for our deliverance. In troubled times, let us sing with David and trust our God to bring His deliverance from our enemies.

Prayer
Father, we praise and exalt You today. This is Your world and You created it. You have set in motion from before the beginning our deliverance, our healing, our provision, and our hope. You alone will deliver us from the hands of those that seek to destroy us. You alone deliver us from those that cast down our souls. We ask today Father that today You rise up and cast them down. Deliver us today and we will hope in You, for You alone are worthy to be praised. You are the comfort that we seek. In Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) name. Amen.

Comfort One Another

Some days, it just helps to have a friend. Someone to make you feel better. Someone to help lift your spirits. Someone to provide a level of comfort. Actually this is what we all are meant to do as believers.

1 Corinthians 16:17 I am glad of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on your part they have supplied.
18 For they have refreshed my spirit and yours: therefore acknowledge ye them that are such.

Paul in his first letter to the Corinthians spoke of such comfort as a refreshing of our spirit. He encouraged them to acknowledge Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus because they had refreshed both the Corinthians him. That is what friends do. And we have another friend that does this as well.

John 15:15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

Jesus said He calls us friends. He calls us friends because everything He heard from the Father he told them. He chose us and ordained us to follow Him. And because of these things, His message to us is that we can ask the Father what we will and the Father will give it to us. Of course we must ask according to His will, but God wants us to have all of our needs met and to live a life that shows His kingdom on this earth.

For me, that is a comfort. Our Friend, Jesus, wants you to be comforted today.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You as the Most High God. Please comfort Your people today. We are the friends of Your Son, and He said to ask You what we will. Please reach out yet today and touch the lives and hearts of all Your people. Bring Your reign in our lives. Bring our provision for today, and give us Your peace. In Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) name. Amen.

Those Gone Before

Perhaps you know of one of God’s people that has recently left us to be with Him. Or perhaps someone comes to mind from the past that you knew that to you was a person whose walk with God you admired. There are a few of those people for me, and then there are some people that are recorded in the scriptures that cause me to reflect on my own life. For me, the letter to Philemon is one of those passages that causes me to admire those that have gone before.

Having only had a jail ministry but never been in prison myself, I only have a limited understanding of where Paul was coming from when he wrote this letter. But if you can, imagine being thrown into prison for telling people about your God? Again, this is difficult for me to image. So what did Paul do while he was there?

Philemon 1:9 Yet for love’s sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.
10 I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:

Here is Paul, and old man, a preacher and miracle worker. He is thrown into jail for spreading the kingdom of God. There he meets a younger man, a slave that likely was thrown in for owing money. While there Paul develops a relationship with this younger man and Onesimus repents and gives his life to God. It is time for Onesimus to be freed. What does Paul do? He writes to his boss/owner (if he was a slave) and asks that anything that Onesimus might owe Philemon be place on his (Paul’s) tab.

Philemon 1:13 Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel:
14 But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.
15 For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever;
16 Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?
17 If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.
18 If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account;

What inspires me is no where does Paul complain about being in prison. He looked at it as an opportunity to get things done for God’s kingdom. And instead of keeping Onesimus with him in prison (which somehow was possible), he sends him back to server his master. I am inspired because it is hard for me at times to not complain about my lot in life. It is hard for me to not want things my way or in my timing. I want to be like Paul and Jesus and others that had the trust and patience and willingness to believe in God, and were able to God’s hand working in it all. This is truly for me a worthy reflection on the sabbath. May God let us be like those that have gone before.

Prayer
Father, we praise and exalt You as the Most High God. You are our King, and we are so blessed to have You as our King. Please reach out to Your people today, and let them forgive each other. We are human, Father, and we make mistakes. Please help us to do better. Please deliver us from those that mean us harm. Please send Your healing and provision, that those that see us know You alone are God. In Yeshua’s (Jesus’) name. Amen.

The Harder Question

Many times I have heard preached from the pulpit that we can have what we pray for if we believe.

Mark 11:23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.
24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

I have also heard this same thinking condemned. To say it is completely incorrect would make what Jesus said untrue. But we know that Jesus did not lie, otherwise He would not be the perfect sacrifice and then we would not be saved. So what is the answer?

It seems to me that the answer really leads to the harder question. To better understand we must look at all of what happened.

Mark 11:12 And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry:
13 And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet.
14 And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it.

Jesus had entered into Jerusalem, visited the temple, and then He and the disciples went to Bethany for the night. As they returned He was hungry. He saw the fig tree at a distance and went there to eat. Finding nothing, He cursed the tree. They went into town where Jesus cleansed the temple, and on the return they found the tree withered.

Mark 11:19 And when even was come, he went out of the city.
20 And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.
21 And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away.

So what is the harder question? The clue is in the first part of what Jesus said to Peter.

Mark 11:22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.

We need to dig a little deeper into the “faith in God” statement. What does that mean?

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.
3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

In Paul’s letter to the Hebrews we see that faith is somehow material. It is this material that gives us understanding that what is seen comes from the unseen. And to please God we must not only believe in His existence, but believe He rewards us for seeking Him diligently. Seeking diligently sounds like more than a Sunday morning social event. In fact, David repeatedly said in the Psalms that he sought God early and basically all the time. Jesus said He only said and did what He saw the Father saying and doing. That sounds like a continual relationship. In fact, He would have had to hear God saying this about the tree for Him to curse it. God is for life. The tree not having fruit for them to eat violated the need for them to be sustained. And it provided a pretty good object lesson opportunity. So what then is the harder question? Here we go.

Do we spend enough time with God to be able to only say and do what He is saying and doing? Are we sure enough in ourselves that this is His creation in which He is active at all times? Has that evolved into a material inside of of certainty that is that substance of faith that knows God will reward us? Okay, so maybe three questions.

If we seek God earnestly, He finds us and resides with us. He will guide our heart, our sayings, our doings, and our prayers. When that happens, then yes, you can rest assured that you will receive whatever you ask for because you will only be asking for what God wants you to ask for at that moment in time. Will you get it right all the time? Unlikely. But God will be right beside you and in you, encouraging you to try again. It just takes faith.

Prayer
Father, we praise You for being our God. Thank You for giving us the scriptures which contain Your words and wisdom. Help us to seek You early. Help us to be found by You and to hear Your voice, and see the work of Your hands. Help us to pray for ourselves and others those things You want to have come to pass. Deliver your people today, give them their daily provision, and Your peace. In Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) name. Amen.

The Heart Sings

A new snowfall this morning covered the forest behind my house with a luxurious white fluffy blanket. God’s creation is indeed awesome to behold. Sometimes I do not let myself stop to think about the awesomeness. Instead I can get caught up in the activities and struggles we call life. When I focus on them, especially the struggles, they can become overwhelming. But when I stop myself early to consider God and His wondrous works, something happens.

Psalms 119:15 I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.
16 I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.

By meditating on what God has appointed, His precepts, it leads me to respect His ways. The result as we see here in the psalms is twofold. First is the delight in what He has established. Our heart sings, and we are uplifted. This then seems to feedback on meditating on God, and we remember His word. God has said that He is on our side. He is our Protector. He is our Deliverer. He is the One true Healer. He is the One true Provider. He is our King. Praise to the King!

Let yourself spend some time meditating on God today. Perhaps you will be lead to read additional scriptures. Likely the focus on God will allow you to experience the freedom from focus and worries on other things in your life today.

Let your heart sing!

Prayer
Father, we thank You and praise You for being the One True God. Thank You for Your creation and the work You do in it every day and at all times. Please touch the hearts and minds of Your people today. Please provide for them the wisdom and understanding they need for today. Please heal their hearts and minds and bodies. Please send Your miraculous provision today. Stop our enemies Father. Let them not overwhelm or consume us. Let them not have victory over Your people. Raise us up and set us in the gate, the high places of our homes and towns, that all may know that You alone are the One True God, our King. In Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) name. Amen.

More Than Windmills

Believers face the challenge of fighting spiritual battles on several fronts. The existence of spiritual darkness as an opposing force is clearly documented in the scriptures. Jesus spoke of this in John.

John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Clearly Jesus is saying that there exists an opposing force. This is further addressed by Paul.

Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Paul makes this clear and names the source. However, there is another challenge we face. As we enter into these battles, the enemy is unseen. Most people only believe what they see. We have to fight an unseen enemy with trust that we have God on our side (also unseen), and we have to believe this while those around us look at us with looks of doubt, dismay, or even ridicule. Again, our perspective becomes important. Jesus spoke to Thomas about this.

John 20:29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

As to what is seen versus unseen, Paul addressed this in his letter to the Hebrews.

Hebrews 11:3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

Paul states that things that are seen are made from things which are not seen. As a side note, this is a good description of quantum physics, and although we do not need science to prove that God or scripture are true, it is interesting that they are aligned. I guess this is the point to make.

We do not tilt at windmills, like the imagined foes of Don Quixote. We in fact fight a real unseen enemy. But most importantly we are backed by the ultimate source of the greatest power in the universe – our God. Let’s put on our armor today and prepare for battle!

Prayer
Father, we praise You as our King and Captain. You are the One Most High God. Please watch over us and keep us safe. Please come to our aid today, and to the aid of Your people everywhere. We need You today, and everyday. You alone are King. 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.

Looking Up

This morning as I was thinking about discouragement and encouragement. When the troubles seem overwhelming as we look at them, we become discouraged. But I think there is more in that statement than we might see at first. It is the part about looking at our troubles. When we look at our troubles, we are not looking at our God. We begin to contemplate and meditate on how large the troubles are. Let’s say our troubles are financial or sickness. Is there any doubt that in a single moment God could remove any sickness we have, or send a blessing to take care of our financial distress? The difficult part, the really hard part, comes when we are hit head on with these things and have to wait for God to deliver us. It goes back to the beginning of this post where we discussed looking at the problem instead of at our God (notice I did not say ignore the problem). There are several interesting scriptures that address this.

Psalms 96:7 Give unto the Lord, O ye kindreds of the people, give unto the Lord glory and strength.
8 Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come into his courts.
9 O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth.

It is interesting here that we are to give God glory and strength. The glory here is the word for weight as in something of substance or very large (in a positive way) and strength means stout as in unmovable. But how do we give these things to God, because, well, doesn’t He already have them? The answer is in our praise, which is what this entire psalm speaks about repeatedly. Our praise about His greatness and immovability resonates with creation, and in that resonating cathedral that is His creation, God shows up to do what He does best – love us and deliver us.

Prayer
Father, we praise and exalt You as the Most High God, great and immovable. Let all of the heavens shout, and since praises to Your name. Let all the earth and all that are in it shout and praise Your name. Let us all rejoice! Father, in Your great power move today on behalf of Your people. Deliver them mightily, heal the sick, bless financially and substantively those that are in lack, and comfort the widows, the fatherless, and the poor. In Yeshua’s (Jesus’) name. Amen.