Jul

30

Why are we here?

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The sun seeps through the edge of the curtains and we lift an eye to greet the morning.  With thanksgiving in our hearts and praise on our lips, we thank God for protection through the night and his grace in granting us another day. Sometimes, a stray question crosses our mind:  What’s my purpose for today?

Among all of the souls on this great spinning rock called Earth, many have no idea why they’re here. It’s a mystery. They set their minds on earthly pursuits and basically go about to fulfill them. Often times, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and pride of life are at the forefront of their daily goals. Before Christ or even as babes in Christ, this, too, may have been our quest. Though, in God’s word, we see our purpose for being on this planet is pretty singular. Our purpose is to honor and to make Him known.

“For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.” 1 Cor. 6:20

Through God’s holy word, we learn we are created to be part of God’s family. We are established to have a relationship with the King of Kings. We are given life not to glorify ourselves or seek our own but rather to give honor to the Lord. This is a lifelong script that we follow throughout our days through our sanctification… each of us learning and growing in the Lord as we are led.

“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.” (John 1:12)

Of course, the Lord doesn’t need anything from us. We don’t need to ask him what can I do for you, Lord? The answer would be nothing. There’s nothing we can do for the Lord. Our job is to be his hands and feet in sharing and teaching others about him, to love others, to seek his face in fellowship, to study his word, and to repentantly ask for strength and guidance as he gently molds us into the image of his son.

Whatever the question about our purpose on earth is, the answer can be found in Him.

Jul

23

Fighting the Good Fight

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Where’s your battleground these days? Is it mental, physical, or emotional? Amid the tumult of political, cultural, and personal wars, it all boils down to the battle between good and evil. Wherever the storms of life toss you, there is no struggle that should overtake you as a Christian because all of them have already been won in Christ.

Ephesians 6:12 tells us, “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.”

Apostle Paul instructed Timothy that his business was to be a soldier for the Lord by faith and to continue fighting “the good fight”—to defend the gospel and to thwart Satan and those who did not regard the gospel above the law as did the false teachers. By using the sword of the spirit and the belt of truth, we can be mighty in our pursuit to overcome the enemy, particularly when we are wearing the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith, and our feet covered with the “preparation of the gospel of peace.”

Using the strength of the Lord is the only way to win a battle. Artful words can make some good points, but ultimately it’s by his spirit that hearts are changed. Those who engage in battles for the Lord are sure of victory. By his grace, the gift of the crown of life, righteousness, glory, and exultation along with the Wreath Imperishable will be ours in heaven. We will always win when we put on Christ because God already fought the ultimate battle—and won. What more victory do we need?

Jul

17

Rebuilding our lives

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After the Babylonian exile when Nehemiah took a look at the destruction that had befallen Judah, the sight of the brokenness stirred him to action. People, too, may have figurative walls in their lives that may also need repair. That is where Jesus can come in and build up all of the brokenness. Of course, the enemy will be the first one at the door saying, like the Jews did, “but we’ve lived this way for so long now, why not just let it be? It’s impossible to restore such a sad state.”

Proverbs 25:28 says, “Whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down, without walls.”

Many lives are like a city with broken walls in major need of repair. God desperately wants to change them. As a servant of God, Nehemiah focused on what he needed to do. Our spiritual enemies have no recourse to foil our plans when we are committed to what we know to be God’s will for our lives.

 

Jul

09

Unshakable faith

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In the midst of a sin-filled world where evil never rests, there’s no greater joy than knowing the Lord is on the throne. Holding onto the rock of our salvation is the only fortress against the battles. When we cling to our Lord and Savior, there is nothing else to fear for we are in capable hands. What can mere man do to remove us from the arms of Jesus?  When the storms of life hit and when we feel helpless in the onslaught, keeping our faith strong in the Lord through meditation and prayer is our only defense. Our hope remains steadfast as we dwell in Him and his word.

In the Psalms, David waits upon the Lord and places his faith solely in the Lord to be his security and trusts in God through everything, including the face of his enemies. They come in all shapes—both visible and invisible—and these enemies are helpless to fulfill their objectives when God is at the helm.  God sees all and his arms are not too short to reach down and protect us.

To be silent before God and to wait on Him… to hear his still small voice is to empty ourselves of worldly chatter and disturbance. To allow our creator to take prominence in our hearts and minds, as we silence all of the noise, is a sure balm to our souls and the opportunity to witness His grace. In a world where so many man-made cure-alls are at our disposal, the first place we should run for help is to the beckoning arms of Jesus, our prescription for life.

Jul

02

Happy Birthday, America!

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When we consider all that went into the founding of our nation—the struggles, the battles—the historical accounts are incredible. Our nation is blessed. We are unique. We have the freedom to worship as we desire in America, while there are many nations who don’t have this opportunity. The hard won separation from a tyrannical king through the efforts of so many did not come easy. But are we truly free in America?

Yes, we have freedom in that we don’t have slaves today in the traditional sense, but man is still under the bondage of sin. If we do not have the Holy Spirit to guide us, we will ultimately be slaves to our own fallible nature.

“If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” – John 8:31-32

It’s easy to be led away by our own devices and become enslaved to that which controls our flesh. Through the finished work of Jesus on the cross, we have a choice of which master we will serve.

“As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” – Joshua 24:15

We may be free in the USA, but we are only truly free to enjoy our liberty by the saving grace of Jesus. As we remain under his care and protection while passing through the muck and mire of the world, we are blessed to have everything we need in Him.

“…where the spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” – 2 Cor. 3:17