Faith in Him to do what is right and good…

No unbelief made him (Abraham) waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. That is why his faith was “counted to him as righteousness.” But the words “it was counted to him” were not written for his sake alone, but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification. Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. (Romans 4:20–5:5)

There is a line between faith in God to do what I ask, and faith in Him to do His will. I can ask for what I want done, but if it is not part of His plan, that prayer bounces off the ceiling or seems like it. The answer could be “Wait” or “Not yet” but how can I know for sure?

One thing I do know is that telling God what to do does not work very well. It can have a hint of “I know better than You” in it, a ridiculous and prideful assumption. The more I know about the wisdom and power of God, the more I see how foolish I am to simple assume I know what to pray. Lately, it tends to go something like this: “God, here is the problem. I know what I’d like to happen, but surprise me with Your solution.” His answers are always unpredictable and delightful.

That being said, the Scriptures give instructions about how to pray. I’m to ask for wisdom and clear direction, forgiveness for known sin, boldness to share with others, and the spiritual well-being of myself and others. However, I need to remember that “suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope” so be cautious when asking God to remove suffering. For myself or others, that could mess with growth that God wants to produce. In other words, I need to know the differences between my will and God's will. For this, it is vital to be in His Word:

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. (Hebrews 4:12–13)

I cannot always discern my bad attitudes but God can — and does — if I keep reading. This study of “therefore” has discerned intentions that I was totally unaware of and helped me confess my selfishness.

Jesus, You never fail to amaze me in how You use suffering to produce growth — and to change the way I pray for myself and others!
 

 

 

More than one type of judging…

And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them. Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. (Romans 1:28 - 2:1–5)

God speaks of those who refuse to acknowledge Him and deserve to die (be separated from Him) because they give approval to those who do the same thing. In other words, they are judging sinners to be okay. Then He warns not to judge any sin such as gossip, slander, etc. to be okay is the same as doing it yourself.

Too often I’ve read this passage as if judging the sin of others is wrong. Instead it is more about judging it as okay. Otherwise, all the OT prophets would be guilty and condemned for what they were doing!

Judging has one sense that I should not point fingers. If I am doing the same thing, I’m to clean up my act before saying anything, and I’m not to gossip to others about a third person’s sin without examining my own life. Jesus says it well;

Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye. (Matthew 7:1–5)

Other NT passages also address this with clarity that we not sin or judge that something is sin, but we must not be guilty of that sin ourselves or we are not fit to do (or say) anything about it in others without repenting and being not guilty ourselves. 

If anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. (Galatians 6:1)
The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. (1 Corinthians 2:15)

I realize that when I point my finger at another, three fingers point back at me. My spiritual health is vital to proper discernment. Not only that, I must deal with it and not try to direct away any guilt on my part by seeing and judging it in someone else.
The OT prophets had to have clean lives. If not, God worked on their hearts and behavior first. Isaiah testified:

And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!” Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.” And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.” And he said, “Go, and say to this people. . . .” (Isaiah 6:4–9)

Only those with pure hearts can properly see and evaluated sin in others. If I am guilty of the same sin, then I’m trying to avoid dealing with my own guilt by accusing or excusing it in someone else. 

Jesus, this is vital, not just for my own purity but gives me instruction in another way that You show me where I need to examine my own life and make sure that the sins I see in others are Your mirror to help me keep my own life clean.

Freedom to choose?

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error. (Romans 1:18–27)

This is a touchy topic and while this passage says much about God's wrath against sin, it is the “therefore” sentence that catches my attention. It makes me think of the various sinful ideas that I have had. Even though those described here were not true of my ‘before Christ’ life, what if God had given me up to those sins? What a mess my life would be now if He had done that.

My husband and I like mystery stories yet as we watch them, many are about people that God gave up to the impure desires they had, and those desires ruined lives, even to the point that the fictional characters committed murder. Sin is destructive.

Here, the Lord says it begins by suppressing what truths are known about God. He says ignoring God leads to making inanimate idols that have no sight or sense of the evil they want to do. This bypasses consequences and punishment, or so they are convinced and can do whatever they want without concern of negative results.

This passage is not about hell or eternal punishment, but points to the consequence of continued sin with no thought of results. Aside from immoral sex, even bank robbers and embezzlers don’t think they will get caught. 

Evidence of great sins is one thing, but even a child hides from mom to sneak a cookie from the jar or candy before supper. Without the sense of God caring for our well-being, sin becomes appealing, possible, desirable. Many a child does not believe the stove is hot. Mom said so but he touches it anyway.

In a discussion at Bible study last night, I mentioned that too many of us who have been set free from sin’s penalty still struggle with its power because we have “I trouble” that is so easy to excuse instead of admit and repent. God, in His grace, sent Jesus to die for our sin, yet it takes a life-time of being obedient and living for Him instead of giving in to those “I can do it myself” ideas. 

The horrific line that “God gave them up” explains much. Keep insisting on selfishness, whatever form it takes, and those who do are stuck with it. They will not change because without the power of God, they cannot change.

Jesus, the reality of selfish thinking hits the news each day because so many people turn from You and Your love to carry out what they want and wind up with that as all they get. Because of the love, peace, joy, and goodness of trusting You, I weep when I read and see those who say no to that mercy and yes to their own desires — then wind up in darkness because they refuse Your goodness.

A remarkable series of events…

After three days he called together the local leaders of the Jews, and. . . . he said to them, “Brothers, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. When they had examined me, they wished to set me at liberty, because there was no reason for the death penalty in my case. But because the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar. . . .  therefore, I have asked to see you and speak with you, since it is because of the hope of Israel that I am wearing this chain.” 
And they said to him, “We have received no letters from Judea about you, and none of the brothers coming here has reported or spoken any evil about you. But we desire to hear from you what your views are, for with regard to this sect we know that everywhere it is spoken against.” 
When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers. From morning till evening he expounded to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets. And some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved. And disagreeing among themselves, they departed after Paul had made one statement: “The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet: “ ‘Go to this people, and say, “You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.” For this people’s heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed; lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.’
Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.” He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance. (Acts 28:17–31)

Paul made choices as the Spirit directed and wound up sharing the gospel with many more people than he would otherwise. He risked the trip to Caesar and God blessed his obedience with many opportunities with people who otherwise would not hear about Jesus.

As I watch world and local news, much of it about tragic events and suffering, I know that what God is doing will not be aired, mostly because the average person does not see it that way. However, since these verses are true, I know that God is using hard events for good reasons.

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. (Romans 8:28–29)
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (James 1:2–4)

So whatever hits me and seems bad, hurts, brings sadness or great discomfort, God can use for good, but not just my good — if I imitate Paul. He experienced many hardship yet in it all, he told others about Jesus.

Oh Lord, enable me to be not only alert to opportunities, but to Your voice and follow up with loving obedience. The world is filled with sorrow and fear of death because so many have no idea what or when they will face trials or even death. Your news is good news — all because You died to set us free from guilt of sin and rose again to free us from fear of death. Oh the wonder of how You do it — using what we call terrible events.

 
 

A Guarded Heart

When the fourteenth night had come, as we were being driven across the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors suspected that they were nearing land. So they took a sounding and found twenty fathoms. A little farther on they took a sounding again and found fifteen fathoms. And fearing that we might run on the rocks, they let down four anchors from the stern and prayed for day to come. And as the sailors were seeking to escape from the ship, and had lowered the ship’s boat into the sea under pretense of laying out anchors from the bow, 
Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.” Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the ship’s boat and let it go. As day was about to dawn, Paul urged them all to take some food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day that you have continued in suspense and without food, having taken nothing. Therefore I urge you to take some food. For it will give you strength, for not a hair is to perish from the head of any of you.” And when he had said these things, he took bread, and giving thanks to God in the presence of all he broke it and began to eat. Then they all were encouraged and ate some food themselves. (We were in all 276 persons in the ship.) And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, throwing out the wheat into the sea. Now when it was day, they did not recognize the land, but they noticed a bay with a beach, on which they planned if possible to run the ship ashore. . . .  The soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any should swim away and escape. But the centurion, wishing to save Paul, kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and make for the land, and the rest on planks or on pieces of the ship. And so it was that all were brought safely to land. (Acts 27:27–44)

Being rescued is one highlight of God's care, yet what strikes me is that the Holy Spirit gave Paul a cool head. His life was in danger but he knew what to do — urge everyone to eat so they had enough energy to toss their load and make it to land.

I’ve rarely been in panic situations but know panic and how it turns on fight or flight rather than making a sensible decision. However, I’ve also seen how the Spirit of the Lord can give a calm logic when it is needed. The verses before this tell how God did it:

Since they had been without food for a long time, Paul stood up among them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me and not have set sail from Crete and incurred this injury and loss. Yet now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship, and he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told. But we must run aground on some island.” (Acts 27:21–26)

Today we travel three hours to a funeral for a person who belonged to a cult. This is not the same as being in a ship in a storm yet there is a hint of anxiety in my heart of all the possibilities. Other family will be there. Some know Jesus, several do not. Will the ‘message’ be a convincing presentation of their false teaching? Will we be bombarded with lies that will affect those who don’t know the truth? Will an angel whisper in my ear what I need to say or do?

Lord Jesus, You are always with Your people, in the den of lions, in the fire, trapped in caves, or on sinking ships. May my heart remember Your care and to “not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let my requests be made known to You, and experience the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding and will guard my heart and my mind in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6–7)

LATER: God answered prayer, not just for this event but my prayers that God would bring them to the truth. Nothing false was said at the funeral. All Scripture quoted was appropriate. It was rather amazing. Only those who are in the cult could have interpreted it in any other way, but it was not presented as their beliefs. Instead, it came out as what the Bible says. I’m amazed and glad to be surprised. 



 

It’s Simple…

“. . . . I journeyed to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. At midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, that shone around me and those who journeyed with me. And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ And I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles—to whom I am sending you to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’ 
“Therefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, but declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance.” (Acts 26:12–20)

Paul told, in less than 200 words, what happened to him when Christ came into his life. Then he told what happened after that in less than 50 words. Can I do that?

I was sitting in my living room reading a book on reincarnation trying to find out what happened when a person died. Suddenly the room seemed brighter and another person was there. Without being told, I knew it was Jesus, alive and giving me eternal life, forgiveness of sin, and a new nature. I also realized my search was over and the Bible I’d been reading for nearly 20 years started to make sense. He told me all that happened would be for my good and would transform me to be like Him. At heart an information gatherer, I began Bible study in earnest, found a godly mentor, and started telling others about Jesus. I often interpreted ‘knowing the truth’ as ‘obedience’ and spiritual growth didn’t come easy but He persevered until I began to not only see my weaknesses but rejoice in them as failures and inabilities drew me out of pride and always wanting to be right into seeing my need for Him and a desire to glorify Him in everything I do.

That is less than 175 words. However, for me this is easier to put in a blog than say out loud to a person who is not yet a believer.

Lord Jesus, give me confidence to tell others and many opportunities to open my mouth. I’ve not considered myself a soul-winner, but You are. So if I am to be like You, this is part of it. Too often I feel more like a coward than someone who has been given many heavenly visions. Yet telling my story is a lot simpler than I thought. Thank You for reminding me.

 

Placed & Protected

Agrippa the king and Bernice arrived at Caesarea and greeted Festus. . . . Festus laid Paul’s case before the king, saying, “There is a man left prisoner by Felix, and when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews laid out their case against him, asking for a sentence of condemnation against him. I answered them that it was not the custom of the Romans to give up anyone before the accused met the accusers face to face and had opportunity to make his defense concerning the charge laid against him. So when they came together here, I made no delay, but on the next day took my seat on the tribunal and ordered the man to be brought. When the accusers stood up, they brought no charge in his case of such evils as I supposed. Rather they had certain points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who was dead, but whom Paul asserted to be alive. Being at a loss how to investigate these questions, I asked whether he wanted to go to Jerusalem and be tried there regarding them. But when Paul had appealed to be kept in custody for the decision of the emperor, I ordered him to be held until I could send him to Caesar.” 
Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I would like to hear the man myself.” “Tomorrow,” said he, “you will hear him.” So on the next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp, and they entered the audience hall with the military tribunes and the prominent men of the city. Then, at the command of Festus, Paul was brought in. And Festus said, “King Agrippa and all who are present with us, you see this man about whom the whole Jewish people petitioned me, both in Jerusalem and here, shouting that he ought not to live any longer. But I found that he had done nothing deserving death. And as he himself appealed to the emperor, I decided to go ahead and send him. But I have nothing definite to write to my lord about him. Therefore I have brought him before you all, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that, after we have examined him, I may have something to write. For it seems to me unreasonable, in sending a prisoner, not to indicate the charges against him.” (Acts 25:13–27)

Never underestimate the power of God to put His people where He wants us. In this case, He wanted Paul to tell the king of the Roman Empire about Jesus. Agrippa was the last king of the Herodian line, son of Agrippa I who persecuted the church in Acts 12. Any ordinary person would seldom be invited to this man’s presence, never mind a Christian.

This reminds me of the time my daughter sat next to a famous movie star on an airplane. It also reminds me of an event where a very well-known person and speaker for it was seated for lunch at my table. I learned some important things that day, certainly that God can put me where He wants me.

Being seated with a noted person isn’t a big deal; but having God determine that should happen is a big deal. Because of Paul’s summons to meet Agrippa and his wife, we can read his remarkable testimony that is recorded in the next passage. Few people have the opportunity to share Christ with the king of a nation. Although Agrippa remained loyal to Rome and his Jewish heritage rather than joining the early Christian church, millions of people can read the gospel Paul shared with him.

Another truth seen here is that God puts me where He wants me. Paul knew that. He witnessed to those who put him in jail where most Christians would be wanting others to pray for their release. A couple years ago, I was taken to hospital by ambulance with pneumonia and thought this was God's will. I learned much from that experience. Although the doctor said my fast recovery set a record for their hospital, I knew why the Lord wanted me there.  

Jesus, trusting You in all situations is vital to inner peace, but I also must  be alert to why You want me to be in that situation. Understanding Your will changes a trial into an amazing experience that brings You glory — and me closer to You with deeper understanding and greater trust.