How to Hate Your Life

 

“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.” (John 12:24–25)

“Whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.” What does that mean?

It means, at least, that you don’t take much thought for your life in this world. In other words, it just doesn’t matter much what happens to your life in this world.

If men speak well of you, it doesn’t matter much.
If they hate you, it doesn’t matter much.
If you have a lot of things, it doesn’t matter much.
If you have little, it doesn’t matter much.
If you are persecuted or lied about, it doesn’t matter much.
If you are famous or unheard of, it doesn’t matter much.
If you have died with Christ, these things just don’t matter much.

But Jesus’s words are even more radical. Jesus is calling us not just to endure experiences we don’t choose, but to make a choice to follow him. “If anyone serves me, he must follow me” (John 12:26). Where to? He is moving into Gethsemane and toward the cross.

Jesus is not just saying: If things go bad, don’t fret, since you have died with me anyway. He is saying: Choose to die with me. Choose to hate your life in this world the way I have chosen the cross.

This is what Jesus meant when he said, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Matthew 16:24). He calls us to choose the cross. People only did one thing on a cross. They died on it. “Take up your cross,” means, “Like a grain of wheat, fall into the ground and die.” Choose it.

But why? For the sake of radical commitment to ministry: “I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24). I think I hear Paul saying, “It doesn’t matter what happens to me — if I can just live to the glory of God’s grace.”

FEED YOUR MIND WITH GOOD THINGS!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

FRIDAY MAY 20, 2022.

SUBJECT : FEED YOUR MIND WITH GOOD THINGS!

Memory verse: "Finally brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things." (Philippians 4 vs 8.)

READ: Philippians 2 vs 5 - 8:

2:5: Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 

2:6: who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 

2:7: but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 

2:8: And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even death of the cross.

INTIMATION:

The mind is the seat of reflection, consciousness, comprising the faculties of perception, understanding, feeling, judging and determining. The activities of the mind, therefore, is usually expressed outwardly, and determines our attitudes. Our attitudes color our whole personality. Essentially, what we feed our minds is absolutely very important, just as important as what we feed our bodies to be good and healthy. The secret to a happy heart is filling our minds with thoughts that are true, lovely, and pure; thoughts that dwell on the good things of life. And the secret of a spiritually healthy life—the Christlike life—is to be spiritually minded; filling our minds with things that heavenly and eternal.

What we put into our mind determines what comes out in our words and actions. The apostle Paul tells us to program our minds with thoughts that are true, noble, right, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy. Always examine what you are putting into your mind through television, Internet, books, conversations, movies, and magazines. The kinds of books we read, the people we talk with, the music we listen to, and the films we watch are all part of our mental diet. 

Be discerning because what you feed your mind influences your total health and spiritual well-being. Be careful to replace harmful inputs with wholesome materials. Above all, read God's Word and pray. Ask God to help you focus your mind on what is good and pure. It takes practice to effect perfection, and know it can be done. 

Do you have problems with impure thoughts and daydreams? The Bible gives an antidote to this problem—renewal of your mind: “And do not be conformed to this world,  but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12 vs 2.) God has good, pleasing, and perfect plans for His children. He wants us to be transformed people with renewed minds, living to honor and obey Him. 

We live in a corrupt world with behavior and customs that are usually selfish and often corrupting. The worldly behavior should be off-limits for ever child of God. Our refusal to conform to this world’s values, however, must be even deeper than just behavior and customs; it must be firmly planted in our mind: 

It is possible to avoid most worldly customs and still be proud, covetous, selfish, stubborn, and arrogant. Only when the Holy Spirit renews, re-educates, and redirects  our mind are we truly transformed. Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. The transformed mind helps us face the struggles of daily living, being completely focused on God. It is noteworthy that we cannot always choose what happens to us, but we can choose our attitude toward each situation. 

Prayer: Abba Father, renew my mind to be in union with the mind of Christ, and not in conformity with the world’s standards, that I may do Your will at all times, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen. 

PRAISE THE LORD!

HOW TO WALK IN THE WILL OF GOD!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

THURSDAY MAY 19, 2022.

SUBJECT: HOW TO WALK IN THE WILL OF GOD!

Memory verse: "Not with eyeservice as men pleasers, but as bondservant of Christ, doing the will of God.” (Ephesians 6 vs 6.)

READ: Ephesians 5 vs 15 - 18:

5:15: See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise,

5:16: redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

5:17: Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

5:18: And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit.

INTIMATION:

God’s Will is expressed in His Word (His laws, and His ways). Walking in the will of God is being obedient to His Word, and strictly doing them. God has a specific plans for our individual lives, predetermined before the foundation of the earth, and His greatest desire is that we operate in them daily. 

How do we walk in the will of God? The foremost thing to do is to ensure that your will agrees with God's. How? By spending time in His presence and by reading and meditating on His Word. The Scripture says, “Can two work together, unless they are agreed?” (Amos 3 vs 3.) Agreement with God is in obeying His Word, and when you are in agreement with God, He can also reveal things to you through your spirit. It is important to listen to what God’s Word says, but it’s much more important to obey it and do what it says. 

Your obedience to Him, is a demonstration of your willingness to fulfill His plan for your life. He promises that if you will hear Him and obey His commandments, His blessings will overtake you (Deuteronomy 28 vs 2). It’s for this reason that the apostle Paul tells us to "walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, and “understand what is the will of the Lord." 

We are to walk circumspectly, or "cautiously, carefully, and prudently." In other words, we should be cautious of the things we do and the choices we make, and ensure we comprehend the will of God for us. And the only way to do that is by developing a relationship with the Father—working together with Him. The cautious and careful followership with the Lord guarantees our enjoying the blessings of God and avoid the pitfalls that come from disobedience. 

Jesus is interested in people who wants a personal relationship with Him. On the day of judgement only our relationship with Christ—our acceptance of Him as Savior and our obedience to Him—will matter. Many people think that if they are “good” people and say religious things, they will be rewarded with eternal life. In reality, faith in Christ is what will count at the judgement.

Ask yourself this question: "Am I in God's will right now?" Judge yourself. Are you following the lead of your self-will, or God's will? God has a plan for you; however, if you begin to make excuses and fail to do your part, you will miss out on the blessings He longs to give you. However, you cannot do this without the help of our Helper—the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God and knows the things of God. He helps us work in consonance with the things that God has willed for us..

Now, don't think that life will become a bed of roses once you begin walking in God's will. There will be a few thorns here and there. You may think, "Will this really work?" or "Things were easier before."  That may be true. But the benefits of being in His perfect will far outweigh any rewards you've ever received by doing things your way or any other way than His. No matter what happens, don't give in. Just stay focused.

To walk in the Will of God, it's also Important to renew your mind. The best way to do this is by spending time in God's Word. The Scripture in Romans 12 vs 2 says, "And be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." The more time you spend in His presence, the more He will reveal things to you through the Holy Spirit, and the better you will recognize His voice. 

As you spend time in the Word, also be in constant communication with God in prayer (Prayer is having a conversation with God). In your communication, take God’s Word back to Him—use God's Word in your prayers (First John 5 vs 14 - 15), and expect Him to respond. Prayer is a two way communication, therefore, It’s very important to listen and hear from God; You talk and He talks. So often, God is ready to reveal answers to us right away, but as soon as we're finished talking, we whisk off to carry out our plans. Then you wonder, "Is He really listening?" The better question is, "Are my really paying attention to hear Him?" He may not speak to you audibly; He can speak to you in your inner man, or through His Word.

When God reveals His plan to you, (and He will) write it down. Writing the vision down assures you that there is a plan for your life (Habakkuk 2 vs 2). Keeping it before your eyes serves as a constant reminder that you should be doing something daily toward accomplishing the task. God will never leave you alone if you are walking in His will. God will send laborers to help you accomplish the goal, and they must have a clear understanding of how they may assist you in getting the job done.

If you already know God's will for your life and are walking in it, praise God! If you know His will and are not actively working toward fulfilling your calling, I encourage you to begin. And finally, if you don't know God's will for your life, ask, and you shall receive, so that your joy may be full (John 16 vs 24).

Prayer: Abba Father, my utmost heart desire is to do Your will. Endue me with the spirit of complete obedience to You, that I may walk in Your will all the days of my life, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

What Makes Jesus Rejoice

 

In that same hour he [Jesus] rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.” (Luke 10:21)

This verse is one of only two places in the Gospels where Jesus is said to rejoice. The seventy disciples have just returned from their preaching tours and reported their success to Jesus.

Notice that all three members of the Trinity are rejoicing here: Jesus is rejoicing, but it says he is rejoicing in the Holy Spirit. I take that to mean that the Holy Spirit is filling him and moving him to rejoice. Then at the end of the verse it describes the pleasure of God the Father. The NIV translates it, “Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do” — what you rejoiced to do!

Now, what is it that has the whole Trinity rejoicing together in this place? It is the free, electing love of God to hide things from the intellectual elite and to reveal them to babes. “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children.”

And what is it that the Father hides from some and reveals to others? Luke 10:22 gives the answer, “No one knows who the Son is except the Father.” So, what God the Father must reveal is the true spiritual identity of the Son.

When the seventy disciples return from their evangelistic mission and give their report to Jesus, he and the Holy Spirit rejoice that God the Father has chosen, according to his own good pleasure — his own rejoicing — to reveal the Son to babes and to hide him from the wise.

The point of this is not that there are only certain classes of people who are chosen by God. The point is that God is free to choose the least likely candidates for his grace.

God contradicts what human merit might dictate. He hides from the self-sufficient wise and reveals to the most helpless and unaccomplished.

When Jesus sees the Father freely enlightening and saving people whose only hope is free grace, he exults in the Holy Spirit and takes pleasure in his Father’s election.

So, when we see this — in fact, when we know that we are among the chosen children — we too join the rejoicing.

THE UNDESERVED MERCY OF GOD!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

WEDNESDAY MAY 18, 2022. 

SUBJECT: THE UNDESERVED MERCY OF GOD!

Memory verse: "But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth." (Psalms 86 vs 15.)

READ: Zechariah 3 vs 1 - 4:

3:1: Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to oppose him.

3:2: And the LORD said to Satan, The LORD rebuke you, Satan! The LORD who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! is this not a brand plucked from the fire?”

3:3: Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and was standing before the Angel.

3:4: Then he answered and spoke to those who stood before him, saying, “Take away the filthy garments from him.” And to him He said, “See, I have removed your iniquity from you, and I will clothe you with rich robes.”

INTIMATION:

Mercy is defined simply as “not giving a person what he or she deserves.” It’s an outward expression of pity; it assumes need on the part of him who receives it, and resources adequate to meet the need on the part of him who shows it. It’s used of God, who is rich in mercy (Ephesians 2 vs 4). This is exactly what God does for us (sinful humanity). Our disobedience demands judgement! But God shows mercy toward us by providing an escape from sin’s penalty through Jesus Christ, who alone saves us from sin. When we pray for forgiveness, we are asking for what we do not deserve. Yet when we take this step and trust in Christ’s saving work on our behalf, we can experience God’s forgiveness.

God must punish sin, but He is also merciful to sinners. This is because God does not take pleasure in destroying the wicked, but He must punish sin. Therefore, He is both just and merciful. God, in His mercy, can hold us back from committing sin in ways we can’t even detect. We have no way of knowing—we just know He can. God just works as often in ways we can’t see as in ways we can.

God’s mercy is unbelievable. It goes beyond what we can imagine. Even if we deliberately walk away from Him and ruin our lives, God would still take us back. God would give us inward spiritual renewal. God wants to forgive us and bring us back to Himself, too. Some people will not learn this until their world has crashed in around them. Then the sorrow and pain seem to open their eyes to what God has been saying all along. 

Countless times throughout the Bible we see God showing His love and patience toward men and women in order to save them. Although He realizes that their hearts are evil, He continues to try to reach them. When we sin or fall away from God, we surely deserve to be destroyed by His judgement. But God has promised never again to destroy everything on earth until the judgement day when Christ returns to destroy evil forever. Now every change of season is a reminder of His promise.

In the passage we read today, Satan accused (“opposed”) Joshua, who here represents the nation of Israel. The accusations were accurate—Joshua stood in filthy garments (sins). Yes God revealed His mercy, stating that He chose to save His people in spite of their sins. Satan is always accusing people of their sins before God (Job 1 vs 6). But He greatly misunderstands the breadth of God’s mercy and forgiveness toward those who believe in Him. Satan the accuser will ultimately be destroyed (Revelation 12 vs 10), while everyone who is a believer will be saved (John 3 vs 16).

Zechariah’s vision graphically portrays how we receive God’s mercy. We do nothing ourselves. God removes our filthy garments (sins), then provides us with fine, new clothes (the righteousness and holiness of God—Second Corinthians 5 vs 21; Ephesians 4 vs 24; Revelation 19 vs 8). All we need to do is repent and ask God to forgive us. When Satan tries to make you feel dirty and unworthy, remember that the clean clothes of Christ’s righteousness make you worthy to draw near to God. 

God could have left us spiritually dead, in rebellion against Him and in bondage to our sins. But He didn’t. He didn’t save us because of, but rather in spite of, what He saw in us. Are you separated from God by sin? No matter how far you have wandered, God promises a fresh beginning if only you will turn to Him. 

How fortunate we are that God gives us mercy and grace rather than only justice. The next time you ask God for fair treatment, pause to think what would happen if God gave you what you really deserve. Plead instead for His mercy.

Prayer: Abba Father, You are so loving, full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy. You have always showed us love and patience and will not give us what the judgement we deserve for our sinfulness. Nothing I do can adequately compensate for Your lovingkindness. Endue me with the spirit of raw obedience to You in every area of my life, that I will obey and cherish You forever, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

The Light Beyond the Light

 

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. (Colossians 3:1–2)

Jesus Christ is refreshing. So, seek the things that are above. Don’t replace Christ this summer with trifles. Flight from Christ into Christless leisure makes the soul parched.

At first it may feel like freedom and fun to skimp on prayer and neglect the word. But then we pay: shallowness, powerlessness, vulnerability to sin, preoccupation with trifles, superficial relationships, and a frightening loss of interest in worship and the things of the Spirit.

Don’t let the coming of summer make your soul shrivel. God made summer as a foretaste of heaven, not a substitute.

If the mailman brings you a love letter from your fiancé, don’t fall in love with the mailman. Don’t fall in love with the video preview and find yourself unable to love the coming reality.

Jesus Christ is the refreshing center of summer. He is preeminent in all things (Colossians 1:18), including vacations and picnics and softball and long walks and cookouts. He invites us this summer, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

Do we want it? That is the question. Christ gives himself to us in proportion to how much we want his refreshment. “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13).

Peter’s word to us about this is, “Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord” (Acts 3:19–20). Repentance is not just turning away from sin, but also turning toward the Lord with hearts open and expectant and submissive.

What sort of summer mindset is this? It is the mindset of Colossians 3:1–2, “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”

It is God’s earth! It is a video preview to the reality of what the eternal summer will be like when “the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb” (Revelation 21:23).

The summer sun is a mere pointer to the sun that will be: the glory of God. Summer is for seeing and showing that. Do you want to have eyes to see? Lord, let us see the light beyond the light.

Five Digital Dangers

 

But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. (Romans 13:14)

Christians do not just coast through life like jellyfish floating in the current of contemporary culture. We live by the power of the Spirit and find our course by the word of God. We swim. Like dolphins, not jellyfish. Part of that course setting and power is expressed in thoughtful engagement with the digital realities of our day. Dangers included. Here are five.

1) The hook of constant curiosity

Digital devices offer a never-ending possibility for discovery. Even the basic operating systems can consume hours of curious punching and experimenting. Then there are the endless apps consuming weeks of your time as they lure you into their intricacies.

All this is very deceptive, giving the illusion of power and effectiveness, but leaving you with a feeling of emptiness and nervousness at the end of the day.

Resolution: I will strictly limit my experimental time on the device and devote myself more to truth than to technique.

2) The empty world of virtual (un)reality

How sad to see brilliant, creative people pouring hours and days of their lives into creating cities and armies and adventures that have no connection with reality. We have one life to live. All our powers are given to us by the real God for the real world leading to a real heaven and real hell.

Resolution: I will spend my constructive, creative energy not in the unreality of “virtual reality” but in the reality of the real world.

3) “Personal” relations with a machine

Like no other invention, a computer comes closest to being like a person. You can play games with it. It will talk to you. It will always be there for you. The great danger here is that we really become comfortable with this manageable electronic “person,” and gradually drift away from the unpredictable, frustrating, sometimes painful dealings with real human persons.

Resolution: I will not replace the risk of personal relationships with impersonal electronic safety.

4) The risk of tryst

“Tryst \’trist\ noun: An agreement (as between lovers) to meet.” Sexual affairs begin in private time together, extended conversation, and the sharing of soul, which can now be done in absolute seclusion through digital devices. You can think that “it’s just nothing” — until she (or he) shows up in town.

Resolution: I will not cultivate a one-on-one relationship with a person of the opposite sex other than my spouse. If I am single, I will not cultivate such a relationship with another person’s spouse.

5) Porn

More insidious that X-rated videos, we can now not only watch but join the perversity in the privacy of our own den. Interactive porn will allow you to “do it” or make them “do it” virtually.

I have never seen it. Nor do I ever intend to. It kills the spirit. It drives God away. It depersonalizes women. It quenches prayer. It blanks out the Bible. It cheapens the soul. It destroys spiritual power. It defiles everything.

Resolution: I will never open any app or website for sexual stimulation, nor purchase or download anything pornographic.