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Tests. Exams.
Most of us get a squeamish, sick feeling in our stomachs when we think of taking tests. For example, final exams at the end of a semester freak a lot of people out. Anxiety and even panic set in as the appointed hour of the test approaches. (The level of test anxiety may be proportional to the time the student spent studying in preparation!). I can say with some positive pride in my heart that I have never failed an academic test in my entire life. Okay, enough bragging on! I do admit though before knowing Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior that that I have failed some life tests I am not proud of. And of course, I have been challenged during my Christian life with tests to my faith. Most I have passed, a few not so much. The most important test to pass in life is the faith test. Why is passing the faith test so important? Because it is not possible to be in relationship with or please God without faith. “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6. Faith in God is the key that opens the door of heaven. If you are like me, you want to please God. Faith is what pleases Him. Fact: faith will be tested as long as you and I live in our fleshly bodies on planet earth. I hope, like me, you desire to pass the faith test. Paul helps us out when it comes to living that tests our faith. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, he writes about passing tests in II Corinthians 13:5-6. “Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Chris is in you—unless indeed you fail the test. But I trust that you will realize that we ourselves do not fail the test.” The apostle of grace says two important things we need to pay careful attention to considering our faith. 1. Test. Examine yourself. You, yes you and me, see if you are in the faith. Take a hard, honest look into your faith life. No fudging here. Call it what it is. Faith or not. Regularly check yourself out. Take a spiritual “selfie” exam (You do not need to take a picture for Facebook!). Ask yourself: Is Jesus in me? Am I walking by faith and not by sight? Do I trust the Lord with my whole heart? Would people say I am a person of faith in Christ? What would God say about my faith? In Psalm 139: 23-24 David invited, welcomed God to search him. “Search me O God and know my heart. Try me and know my anxious thoughts and see if there be any hurtful way me; and lead me in the everlasting way.” Examining ourselves spiritually from time to time with God’s help is a good thing. Self-examination keeps us on our spiritual toes. 2. Jesus is in you. So do not fail the test. Pass the faith test because the living Christ lives in you. Paul reports he and his Christian companions pass the faith test. Arrogant or braggadocios? Not at all. Simply reporting the facts.
You and I, like Paul, can pass the faith test. Failure is not an option. Christians cannot afford to fail the faith test for faith in Jesus Christ is our life. You and I have no life, abundant or eternal, without faith in the resurrected Lord. Recently I looked into the eyes and down into the heart of a person I have been counseling whose faith is being severely tested. I exhorted him in the name of the Lord Jesus to pass the test. My brother in Christ, whatever it takes, pass the test. God will help you. I am praying this person will take my words to heart and pass the test. How about you? Is your faith being tested? If so, my brother or sister in Christ, how’s your faith? Intact? Maturing? Growing? Stretching? Bold? Strong? Influential? Are you becoming more like Jesus Christ? Do you stand firm in faith when Satan tempts you to disobey God? Is your faith steadfast and immovable? Do you stand up and speak out on behalf of the Lord when others fall away because persecution’s heat is turned up? Are you passing the faith test? Whenever and however your faith may be tested, and it will, pass the test with flying colors in Christ! “But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul.” Hebrews 10:39 A Word Your Week: Test yourself and pass the faith test. Fantasy is not reality.
Fantasy is what I imagine something to be. Fantasy is never grounded in reality. On the contrary, for most people, fantasy is an escape from reality. If I fantasize about something or someone, I excuse myself from dealing with the realities of my life. Movies produced by unholy Hollywood and even by some religious filmmakers often depict God in ways that the Bible does not. Sadly, many people have fantasy faith…. faith that fantasizes about who we think God is and how He should act and treat us. Fantasy faith is about formulas, rituals, religious practices and personal experiences that attempt to sway God to do our bidding Fantasy faith is fickle at best, patently false at the worst. It looks like this: I believe in and trust God when things are going well, but I doubt and distrust God when things are not going so well. Fantasy never delivers what it promises. Fantasy is a false view of life. Fantasy is fake. Fantasy is a lie. Real Facts About Biblical And Fantasy Faith.
Faith in the God of the Bible is not about a bargaining chip, a roll of the dice, a lottery ticket or what is “trending” in a wayward culture. Biblical faith is rooted and grounded on God’s faithfulness to His Word revealed in the Bible. Many people who I counsel express faith, but often their faith does not help them overcome the realities they are facing. They have a poor understanding about what Biblical faith looks like. Hebrews 12 records the Hall of Fame of Faith heroes. True stories of real people, living real life, facing real challenges and achieving real victories by trusting in the Lord. Each faith hero is introduced by the phrase “By faith…” Meet Abraham and Sarah. Genesis 12-25, Romans 4:16-22 and Hebrews 11:8-11 record their faith journey. Read for yourself the realities they faced and how faith in God and obedience to His Word they fulfilled God’s will for their lives. Cliff Note version. Abraham and Sarah were promised a son. Initially they laughed (you and I would have had a good laugh too) because they were very old, way past baby making years! Romans 4:19-22 states: “As it is written “A father of many nations have I made you.” in the sight of Him whom he believed, even God, who gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist. In hope against hope, he believed in order that he might become a father of many nations, according to that which has been spoken “So shall your descendants be.” And without becoming weak in faith, he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead, since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah’s womb; yet with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief, but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what He had promised He was also able to perform. Therefore, also it was accounted to him as righteousness.” Abraham and Sarah patiently and expectantly waited in faith for twenty years. Isaac was born. God’s promise was kept. Abraham and Sarah’s faith was strong, intact, giving glory to God in the process. No fantasy faith for Abraham and Sarah. Just plain old, flat out, no holds barred, real, biblical faith that believed in God’s promise to them. My friend, is your faith based on fantasy or the Bible? Biblical faith that is real faith that overcomes real challenges looks to a real life crucified, risen Savior and the power of the Holy Spirit to meet every need according to God’s promises. Fantasy or biblical faith, you choose. “How blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob; whose hope is in the Lord his God; who made heaven and earth, the sea and all that is in them; WHO KEEPS FAITH FOREVER.’ Psalm 146:5-6 “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that he is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6 A Word For Your Week: Base your faith on the real, eternal truth found in the Bible. Imagine with me for a moment this possible scenario.
You are surrounded by a band of corrupt, power-hungry, greed motivated, lying, hypocritical evildoers who want to control then destroy you and your loved ones. How would you feel about your situation? What would you do? King David of Israel was faced with such a dilemma. He writes about it in Psalm 27:1-3. “The Lord is my light and my salvation. Who shall I fear? The Lord is the defense of my life. Who shall I dread? When evildoers came upon me to devour my flesh, my adversaries and my enemies, they stumbled and fell. Though a host encamp against me, my heart will not fear; though war rise against me, in spite of this I shall be confident.” Three observations regarding how David chose to face his enemies with fearless faith. David’s declaration. Note David declared that the Lord is “my light’,” my salvation”, “the defense of my life”. The king had it settled. He would not fear or dread anybody, even if he was surrounded. His heart would not fear. The evil ones who would “devour my flesh” stumbled and fell because the Lord was David’s light, salvation and defense. In other words, David had a fearless faith that stood tall as he watched the evil horde fall.
The king’s fearless faith caused him to stand confidently, courageously and firmly in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.
It is time for you and me to wake up to what is actually happening in our society and world. Evildoers and enemies are real. They are not fictitious. There really are people in our world who are demonically inspired to carry out evil and wickedness. Evildoers do not do good things. The day you and I live in requires and demands that Christians have fearless faith that wholeheartedly trusts in the Lord in the face of adversity. Spiritual, emotional, physical, relational, financial and political enemies surround us on many fronts. Fair weather faith. Fantasy faith. Fake faith. Faltering faith. Fearful faith. Fractured faith. Fainthearted faith will not cut it. Only fearless faith in Christ will overcome evil doers. Facts About Fearless Faith
Does evil shake your confidence in God? Do evil men and women intimidate you, creating in you a spirit of anxiety and fear? Does fear of them disrupt your personal peace? When fear comes knocking on the door of your mind and heart, will you stand boldly with fearless trust in the Lord? Will you declare “No entrance here fear”? Life is going to happen, whether we like what happens or not. Every day is my and your opportunity to face life fearlessly with singlehearted faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Today, this day, and every day after, trust fearlessly in the Lord even when evildoers and enemies surround you. “But immediately Jesus spoke to them saying, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” Matthew 14:27 “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind.” II Timothy 1:7 A Word For Your Week: Fearless trust in the Lord is faith that overcomes life’s challenges. The anti-Christian climate of our current culture is very concerning.
Christian faith is mocked. Christians are being marginalized. Ridiculed. Discriminated against. Cancel culture strategically targets Christians, Christian organizations and Christian activities. Non-biblical liberal legislation and fabricated mandates are purposely and craftily designed to silence Christian thought, Christian voices and the church community. If you confess to be a Christian, your and my biblical convictions, beliefs and moral standards are under unrelenting, unapologetic, vicious attack. America is becoming increasingly anti-Christian, anti-religion, anti-conservative, anti-morality and anti-decency. Suffering and persecution for Christian faith is on the horizon of your lifestyle and mine. Sadly, there are many places in our world where our brothers and sisters in Christ are imprisoned, beaten, tortured and executed simply for their faith in Jesus. Do not be naïve my fellow Christians. “Fiery trials” are here. They have always been and only increase with time as faithful Christians await Christ’s glorious return. If you don’t think so, your head is in the sand. You are as blind as a bat. The anti-Christ, anti-Christian spirit is alive and well in our nation and world. The New Testament church experienced “fiery trials” while it was being established. In I Peter 4:12-19 the apostle Peter, the first leader of the New Testament church, outlines how to handle “fiery trials”. I encourage you to read this passage for yourself. Bottom line: When the world is persecuting Christians who follow Jesus Christ, born-again believers are sharing in the sufferings of Christ. Peter’s Wise Words For Successfully Handling Fiery Trials Do not be surprised by fiery trials. Do not say “I can’t believe this is happening to me.” Trials happen. To every Christian. Trials try and test our faith. God would have us to pass the suffering test by standing strong in faith. (Verse 12). Keep on rejoicing when you share in Christ’s sufferings. The unbelieving world hates Jesus and hates His followers (John 15:18). Jesus said they persecuted Me and they will persecute you (John 15:20). Count it a joyful thing to suffer for your Lord and Savior. (Verse 13). When you are reviled and ridiculed for the name of Christ, you are blessed! Why? Because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. (Verse 14). Do not suffer because you are an evildoer. If you do evil and suffer for it, you are reaping the harvest of sowing seeds of sin, not sharing in the sufferings of Christ. Carnal Christians who choose to sin can never say they are suffering for the Savior. (Verse 15). Suffer because you are a Christian. You bear His name. Do not be ashamed. Instead, glorify God as you experience trials and suffering in the name of Jesus. It is an honor to endure and overcome “fiery trials” because of your love for Jesus. (Verse 16). Judgment is coming. First to the house of God. Secondly, to unbelieving sinners in the world. The world is in big trouble when it rejects the Lord Jesus Christ and persecutes His faithful followers (verses 17-18). If you suffer for Christ doing His will, entrust your soul to God. The Lord, our Creator and Redeemer, is faithful. Endure. Persevere. Stand firm in faith. Rejoice in suffering for Christ’s name by continuing to do what is right in the sight of God. (Verse 19). So how do you feel about “fiery trials” and “sharing in Christ’s sufferings”? If you start your day by jumping out of bed and saying “I cannot wait to have my faith tested today and suffer for Jesus.” You might consider seeing a counselor! My brothers and sisters in Christ: The heat of “fiery trials” testing Christians is being turned up. Hotter and hotter is the temperature significant segments of our godless culture is putting on believers in Jesus. It will not cool down any time soon or ever for that matter. This is not a time to be discouraged or depressed. Not a time to run and hide. Not a time to bury our heads in the sand. Not a time to worry about and fear the future. Not a time to throw in the towel, to give in or give up to the godless forces that stalk our nation and world. Be encouraged. The hotter the “fiery trials” become, the closer Christ’s return is! It is time for God’s people to look to the Lord with great faith. To entrust our lives and the lives of those we love to Him and His good, acceptable and perfect will (Romans 12:1-2). The New Testament Church thrived through fiery trials and turned their unbelieving world upside down (Acts 17:6). Why not follow their example in the book of Acts and be part of winning those who persecute Christians to the Lord’s side? Rejoice! Fiery trials make you and me more and more like Jesus! “In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, that the proof of your faith being more precious than gold which is perishable; even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” I Peter 1:6-9 A Word For Your Week: Life’s fiery trials mature and perfect our faith. Mark Twain once declared “I was born excited!”
Don’t you love that attitude? There is nothing more inspiring and motivating in life than hanging around people who are on fire for something! Even if I do not agree with their cause, I admire passionate people who are fired-up about what they believe. The Apostle Paul in the Bible is one of those fired-up guys that I can agree with. Paul was “born-again” excited! God’s love burned in Paul’s heart. You can almost feel the heat when Paul declares in Philippians 1:21 “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Inspired and fired-up, Paul testified that his life was all about living and dying for Jesus who lived in him. Life is Christ for Christians. Paul lived every day of his earthly life with the passion, power and fire of the Holy Spirit burning within. Why? Because he loved Jesus for loving and saving Him! Living for Christ was Paul’s life. Paul was not only on fire to live for Christ. He was also on fire thinking about dying and being with the Lord. Philippians 1:22-25 express his earnest desire to depart and be with Jesus. Note the phrase “very much better”. Think about it. “To die is gain”. What believers gain by dying is being with Jesus. To be absent from our body is to be present with the Lord (II Corinthians 5:7-9). I can get fired-up about seeing Jesus face to face one day soon (I John 3:1-3). Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus! (Revelation 22:20). Paul was fired-up about living and dying for the Lord. If you call yourself a Christians, how about you? Are you excited about living and dying for Jesus Christ? Are you fired-up about your Christian faith? Would people around you say that you are on fire for Jesus Christ? Do people come watch you burn because you are so hot for the Lord? God’s love sets a holy fire in a born-again believer’s heart. The New Testament church was born out of fire (see Matthew 3:11, Acts 1:8 and Acts 2:1-4). Our first Christian brothers and sisters were ablaze for Jesus. The purifying fire and supernatural power from the infilling of the Holy Spirit they received at Pentecost propelled them out into a lost world with passion and energy. Deeply and unashamedly passionate for Christ, their gospel message was irresistible. Their ministry was invincible. They possessed a fired-up faith! Their evangelistic fervor turned multitudes of lost people’s lives around for Christ. Spiritual rebirth is exciting! Passing from death to life produces a joy and excitement that is beyond description. Reborn by the fire of God, you and I are to stay on fire all the days of our lives. Sadly, in 2022, many believers in Christ are passive and powerless instead of passionate and powerful. Many have allowed the fire of faith to fizzle instead of sizzle. No wonder we struggle to reach and win a dead world. Life begets life. Lifeless people cannot give life. It is not possible to catch others on fire if there isn’t a fire burning deep within our hearts! So how is your spiritual fire burning? Is your faith tired and failing, mired in the muck of indifference, or fired-up and blazing a trail for sinners to find Jesus? If your faith is fizzling out and needs fired up, consider doing the following things. 1. FIRE UP YOUR FAITH. In II Timothy 1:6 Paul told young Timothy to “kindle afresh” (KJV stir up) the gift within him. When a fire is flickering and ready to go out, stirring up the ashes brings back the flame. Fire up your faith. Remember who Jesus is and what He has done for you. Do not look to someone else to fire you up. Rekindle your own fire. Get fired up by falling in love with Jesus all over again. 2. KEEP YOUR FAITH FIRED-UP! Once started, a fire has to be kept burning or else it will go out. Jude 20-21 exhorts us to be “building yourselves up on your most holy faith” and “to keep yourselves in the love of God.” Building up faith and keeping God’s love strong in my life is my responsibility. I am required to keep putting fresh logs on the fire of my heart if my spiritual fire is to continue to burn. Keep fired up by reading your Bible, praying in the Holy Spirit and staying focused on the love of God. Continually growing in our love for Jesus keeps us passionate and fervent in spirit to serve God and extend His Kingdom on earth. Three thoughts worth thinking about. 1. Lukewarm is not an option for Christians. See Revelation 3:15-16. 2. Stop feeling tired. Get re-wired with Jesus and fired-up through the Holy Spirit. 3. Christians never retire. We re-fire so God can re-hire us for the work of the Kingdom. Who is watching your life to see if you have fire or not? Friends, relatives, neighbors, and associates are all observing your level of spiritual heat. Bottom line: Is your spiritual heat drawing people to the fire of God’s love? “And though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome or your faith the salvation or your souls” I Peter 1:8-9. A Word For Your Week: Fire up your faith! Life will be more enjoyable and people will come to watch you burn! I agreed to meet with a frustrated couple who were seeking counsel. They were fighting with each over how to raise their teenage son. They were also fighting with their son on a daily basis. After hearing them out, I looked at them and said “Dad and Mom, you are fighting the wrong fight.
Do not fight with each other. Don’t fight with your son. Fight for him. Stand in faith. Fight for your boy in the name of Jesus Christ. Fight against the devil together for the victory that belongs to your son.” I could tell my words “You are fighting the wrong fight” struck home in their hearts. We spent the rest of our appointment laying out the right fight. Maybe it is just me, but it seems to be like a whole load of people want to pick a fight with somebody. Political fights. Business fights. Church fights. Family fights. Fighting….fussing….feuding. Fights for the sake of fighting. If you want to fight, there is someone out there to oblige you! America is turning into a nation of fighters that fight the wrong fights. What concerns me as a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ is that many professing Christians are fighting the wrong fight. The Apostle Paul had an appointment with the executioner. Before he went to be with Jesus, Paul declared three things. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith.” II Timothy 4:7 Paul’s last words contained three monumental phrases. 1. I have fought the good fight. 2 I have finished the course. 3. I have kept the faith. Note the words “fought”, “finished” and “kept”. Paul was going to die for Christ. He would die peacefully, joyfully and victoriously knowing that he had fought the right fight in life. Paul mentions a good fight. I have learned in life that there are good fights and not so good fights. Good fights are better than bad fights. Paul defines the good fight in I Timothy 6:12. “Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” The faith fight is the good fight, the right fight. Notice Paul’s personal reward for keeping the faith, fighting the good fight and finishing the course in II Timothy 4:9. “In the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.” Fighting the right fight, the good fight of faith, would be rewarded with a crown of righteousness presented by the Lord Jesus Christ! How about you and me? Are we fighting the good fight of faith and will we receive the crown of righteousness from the Lord? That is the desire of my heart. So what does Paul’s fight have to do with you and me? Everything! If we want to receive the crown of righteousness from Jesus, we must fight the right fight. It awaits all believers in Christ who fight the good fight of faith. Let me shoot straight with you. Satan has a field day when Christians engage in the wrong fights. Our fight is not with our family. Our fight is not with brothers and sisters in Christ. Our fight is not with our Pastor or the church family. Our fight is not with our boss. Our fight is not with the government. Our fight is with the evil one. Faith in Jesus Christ is the victory that overcomes the devil and the unbelieving world (I John 4:4, 5:4). It is true in life: Fight the wrong fight, get the wrong results. Fight the right fight, get the right results. It’s as simple as that. It really is. You Might Be Fighting The Wrong Fight If……
You Are Fighting The Right Fight If……
When you and I fight the right fight, the good fight of faith, we are fighting for our God, our family, our loved ones, our neighbors, our communities, our nation and our world. So stop wasting your time, energy and resources fighting the wrong fight. Devote and discipline yourself to fight the right fight…the good fight of faith. With all your might fight the right fight. The right fight will reap the right reward. What fight are you going to fight today? “For our struggle (fight) is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:12 A Word For Your Week: Fight for your faith because it’s the right fight. Have you ever made a mistake that broke your heart and left you feeling that you had let yourself and God down?
I see those hands. The Apostle Peter in the Bible certainly would have raised his hand. As Jesus prepared to go to the cross on Calvary, Peter adamantly declared he would never deny Him (Matthew 26:33-35). Under pressure, Peter indeed denied the Lord. (Matthew 26:69-75). He “wept bitterly” as they took Jesus away to crucify Him. John 21 is a record of Jesus’ third post-resurrection appearance to His disciples. In the first fourteen verses, Jesus was preparing breakfast on the beach for the disciples who had fished all night and caught zero fish. He told them where to let down their nets. They caught 153 fish! John and the rest of the guys declared “It is the Lord!” Excited about seeing Jesus, they rowed to the beach, except for impulsive Peter, who jumped in the water! After they had finished feasting on bread and fish, in the presence of the disciples, Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved Him (verses 15-17). Three times Peter answered “Yes, Lord You know that I love You.” Jesus responded to each comment from Peter with “Tend My sheep.” Three questions from Jesus. Three responses from Peter. Three calls to service and ministry. Why three? Because Peter denied the Lord three times. Those three denials haunted, tormented and tore Peter up. Jesus knew that. On that beach, Jesus restored Peter to Himself and re-instated Peter to follow and serve Him. Why did Jesus restore Peter? He loved him unconditionally. Peter’s heart was broken over the denial. Peter’s heartfelt words of love and devotion for Jesus set the stage for restoration. What a day for Peter! Restoration day! What a day for the disciples to witness Jesus restoring Peter! What a day for the soon to be established evangelistic outreach of the church to the world of lost souls! Like Peter, when we have messed up, restoration is God’s will for is people. Jesus restores us individually and personally. He knows what we have done when we have blown it. More importantly, the Lord knows our heart. Our head and emotions often get us into trouble. God looks on and cares most about our heart. My friend, please do not beat yourself up over failure. Turn failure into success by devoting yourself to Jesus and serving Him. Peter became what I call “a successful failure” who was the Spirit-filled, fiery first leader of the New Testament Church. He preached the Good News with unshaken conviction, confidence and courage. History tells us he was crucified upside down for his refusal to deny his personal faith in God’s Son Jesus Christ. Personal restoration is profoundly powerful because God loves you and me so much that He will not let us remain broken. You and I matter to Him. Regardless of what we may have done, Jesus loves us and desires that we love Him and tell others of His great love! Years ago, as a Christian and Pastor, I experienced a severe crisis of depression that nearly ended in suicide. My heart was broken. My spirit was crushed. God, who I served, seemed a zillion miles away. “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18. The Lord met me in that psychiatric hospital. The Holy Spirit consoled, comforted and watched over me. In the ministry I had helped countless numbers of hurting people be personally restored to the Lord. Now it was my turn. During those dark days Jesus compassionately asked me “Steve, do you love Me?” Though emotionally weak, spiritually depleted and bewildered by my circumstances, I would respond “You know I do Lord. I love you with all my broken heart.” He knew I meant it. My personal road to restoration commenced. Over time and through a scriptural process Jesus healed my broken heart, restored my crushed spirit and renewed my vision for life and ministry. I thank God every day for restoring me to Himself, myself, my loved ones, the body of Christ and a very fruitful, rewarding ministry over the past thirty years. So, what about that mistake you made that I referred to at the beginning of this devotion? Have you personally experienced the healing, restoring and renewing power of God’s love? If not, Jesus will meet you where you are. The Lord specializes in healing broken hearts. He will ask you if you love Him. When you say yes from your heart, He will lovingly respond “Follow Me.” Obey Me. Serve Me. Witness and minister to the people I send you to. Restoration. You and Jesus. Done Deal. Now what are you doing to do with God’s merciful, gracious and loving gift of restoration? Those who have been restored are the best restorers of others in Jesus’ name! “For I will restore you to health and heal your wounds declares the Lord.” Jeremiah 30:17 “Blessed be the Father and God of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” I Peter 1:3 A Word For Your Week: Personal restoration is the pathway to hopefulness, usefulness and fruitfulness in God’s Kingdom. “It’s complicated.”
People (you and me are people too!) express the above phrase often. We humans have a way of complicating things that our Creator and Redeemer made simple. Complicated means difficult, unclear, bewildering, incomprehensible…plain old hard to understand or figure out. How is it that even Christians can make their faith walk with Jesus complicated? Our theology, doctrines and religious practices are good and essential to Christian faith. But they can become complicated if we are not watchful. Religious ritual and traditions can complicate the simplicity of our love for Jesus. When I read the Word of God in the Bible, truth is simple, not complicated. Who would have listened to Jesus very long if He taught that to go to heaven was “complicated”? The Lord simply, clearly, forthrightly and persuasively preached the Good News. He kept it simple. So uncomplicated that little children could understand salvation. Jesus said the Kingdom of God is like children. (Matthew 19:13-15). A child’s heart is innocent, trusting. Uncomplicated. Young children simply understand who Jesus is and what He has done. Jesus loves them and they love Jesus. I and maybe you also may remember singing in Sunday School “Jesus loves me this I know for the Bible tells me so.” Little ones to Him belong, they are weak, but He is strong. Yes, Jesus loves me, yes, Jesus loves me, for the Bible tells me so.” “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 So simple: God is love and He loves us. He loves you and me so much that He sent His only Son Jesus Christ to die on a tortuous cross, rise victoriously from the dead and promise to gloriously return to take those He loves to heaven. NOT COMPLICATED! How We Complicate Our Faith
Keeping life simple takes concentrated, diligent, consistent effort because complicated seems normal today. Almost natural. I tend to over-think, rationalize, justify, become anxious about and try to figure things out on my own. Some of you are wondering if I need counseling. Guess what? I counsel people for a living. I guide them to uncomplicate and simplify their lives. Interesting huh? Maybe you and I should follow Jesus’ example and “Keep it simple stupid” (KISS)! Just a thought. Uncomplicate your life by trusting in the Lord, obeying His Word and being filled with the Spirit every day. Simply walk joyfully through life by faith in Jesus who loves you. Simple or complicated. You choose! “But I am afraid, lest as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds should be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.” II Corinthians 11:3 A Word For Your Week: Simple, uncomplicated faith in Christ is life indeed. Peter is one of my favorite followers of Jesus in the Bible.
I like him because I identify with his impulsiveness, his questions, his boldness, and his foot-in-mouth behavior at times. I mean Peter cut off a guy’s ear, walked on water and once even rebuked Jesus. Peter also confessed that Jesus was the Son of God. Peter had a sensitive heart. He loved the Lord. For all his flops, failures and fumbles he learned how to walk by faith. Remarkably God chose Peter, yes Peter, to head up the New Testament Church. While walking and learning from the Lord, a major downturn was coming in Peter’s life. Even though Peter adamantly denied that he would deny the Lord, deny Jesus he did (Luke 22:33-34, 54-62). Peter’s denial was a humdinger of a downer. Peter would need an upturn from his downturn. Prior to his denial, Jesus had an encouraging word for Peter. Jesus told Peter He had prayed for him. What a comforting thought: the Son of God prayed for him. It is important what Jesus prayed for Peter. “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22:31-32 First, he prayed that Peter would survive the downturn. Yes, Satan would sift Peter like wheat. Jesus prayed that Peter’s “faith may not fail.” Please note Peter would fail in his action. But his faith would not fail. Though dazed and dumfounded by his denial, Peter’s faith was intact. That is why he wept bitterly when he realized what he had done. My friend, Jesus prays for you and me. Romans 8:34 “…He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, intercedes for us.” What a prayer partner you and I have in Jesus!!! Secondly, Jesus prayed that Peter’s downturn would turn into an upturn. The Lord made a tremendous statement that had to inspire hope in Peter’s broken heart. Note Jesus said “when once you have turned.” Peter would turn back from his downturn. Jesus said he would. Awesome! An upturn of faith would follow the downturn of denial. And what would Peter’s upturn look like? Peter would strengthen his brothers! He would author I and II Peter which are divinely inspired books of tremendous encouragement for followers of Christ. Peter’s upturn from his downturn happened through his personal restoration to Jesus (see John 21) and being filled with the Holy Spirit (see Acts 2). Peter did not stay down in denial. He went up in faith. Peter spent the rest of his life proclaiming Christ and strengthening his brothers and sisters in the Lord. A downturn in life occurs when things go south when you need them to go north. Relational conflict, financial setbacks, personal loss, unexpected illness, unrealized expectations and life disappointment to name just a few downturns. Down times will come to all of us at some time or another. You and I cannot escape them, but we can endure and overcome them. I believe that UP, not down, is God’s will for His people. God specializes in turning downturns into upturns. Search the Scripture and you will find this to be true. So, what about you and me? What do we need to do when we are experiencing a downturn? How can we turn our downturn into an upturn? Turning The Corner From Down To Up Here are seven simple suggestions for what you and I can do to turn a downturn into an upturn.
When upturns turn downturns right side up…Hope is rekindled…Faith is rejuvenated…Strength is renewed…. Passion is reenergized …Vision is restored…Enthusiasm is revived and Life is alive again! Meditate on this thought this week: Jesus’ biggest downturn was a cruel Roman cross. His upturn was a glorious resurrection from the dead through the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus is not hanging on a downturn cross. Jesus is alive and well! An upturn empty tomb in Jerusalem testifies to this fact. Jesus is currently preparing a heavenly home for all who believe and is getting ready to come back in glory and take His followers home! My fellow Christian do not let a downturn get you down. Resist depression. Reject disappointment. Rebuke discouragement. Fire up your faith. Focus your mind and heart on the risen Lord Jesus Christ! Believe and trust God to turn your downturn into an upturn. “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28 “And as for you, you meant evil against me (Joseph), but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive.” Genesis 50:20 A Word For Your Week: Downturn? Turn it into an Upturn! Have you ever wept during the night because your heart was filled with sorrow?
Have you ever cried yourself to sleep because you were distraught over a life situation that burdened you, was breaking your heart, and crushing your spirit? Have you ever soaked your pillow with warm tears because life had turned south and you had no idea what to do to turn things around? Most of us have been there and done the above at one time or another. I believe that the Psalmist David, who penned Psalm 30:5 was speaking from personal experience. “Weeping may last for the night, but a shout of joy comes in the morning.” Psalm 30:5 If you trace David’s life in scripture, you discover that he dealt with many difficult days throughout his earthly existence. He knew firsthand that weeping might last for a night. If David only focused on the weeping times, this verse would be a negative. But he also knew that mourning was followed by a shout of joy the next morning. So this verse ends up very positive. How can a negative (weeping) become a positive (joy)? And why would God want us to shout with joy in the morning after a night of weeping? A shout of joy comes in the morning after mourning all night because of who God is and what He wants to do in our hearts. Jesus Christ, God’s Son, came to soothe our sorrow and give us His joy (see John 15:15:11, 16:22). Mourning may be part of life. But joy in the morning is part of the abundant life Jesus paid the price for you and me to have. It is just like God to bring joy after sorrow. A sorrowful night may seem to last like an eternity. But sorrow has a short lifespan compared to the length of Christ’s joy. And morning does come…. A new day will dawn…. A new beginning…. A fresh start to experience the favor and blessing of God. Psalm 118:24 reminds us to rejoice in each new day. “This is the day which the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Personalize this verse by confessing: This is the day which the Lord has made; I (your name) will rejoice and be glad in it. David also writes in Psalm 118:15 “The sound of joyful shouting and salvation is in the tents of the righteous; the right hand of the Lord does valiantly.” Is joyful shouting heard in your house? Or does weeping and mourning fill the rooms of your home? During difficult times, the principle of our verse for this week is this: CRY IT OUT THEN SHOUT IT OUT! Shout with joy whether you feel like it or not. I admit it is hard to shout when you are hurting and wondering if anything good is going to come out of your painful situation. A shout of joy has power to break sorrow’s grip on our emotions. Shout with joy so God can hear your praise. Shout with joy so Satan and all of hell can hear you and tremble. Shout with joy to set your course for the day ahead of you. Joyful shouting will put sorrow on the run. You and I are in trouble if we weep during the night and there is no possibility of a shout of joy in the morning. How hopeless would that be? Thank God we have a promise of joy in the morning. You may be under tremendous pressure and stress right now. Life may be hard. You may feel overwhelmed by your circumstances. If your nights are currently filled with weeping and mourning, start your morning with a shout of joy! Shout your sorrow away. The joy of the Lord is your strength each and every day. What a way to start the day…. with a shout of joy! “Do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10b “He who goes to and fro weeping, carrying his bag of seed, shall indeed come again with a shout of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.” Psalm 126:5 “Thou has turned for me my mourning into dancing; Thou has loosed my sackcloth and girded me with gladness; that my soul may sing praise to Thee.” Psalm 30:11-12a A Word For Your Week: Chase sorrow away with a shout of joy! |
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