In the world?

I have been meditating on this for a while and I still believe I have much to learn about this, I do believe that the Lord has given me some thoughts to share on this, mainly in one area.

There are many today, I used to be one of them, who will not go certain places, or will be wary of allowing themselves to be exposed to certain things because they don't want to become defiled, or to be tempted. I don't know if that is the exact terms that they would use or if that is the way they would state things but, I believe I have the gist of it down. Again, I used to be one of them so, I believe I know the heart of it. Ultimately, this really sounds good. We want to be pure, we want to have our thoughts captive on Christ and not on the things of the world and if we can remove ourselves from the temptation then we are ultimately victorious in this area. Right? Wrong! This really is a handy trick of the devil. Consider the following verses;

John 17:15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.

John 17:16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

John 17:18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.

John 17:19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.

So, based on what Jesus is saying, we can see that first of all He was not praying that we would be taken out of the world (yes, I know that the prayer wasn't directed at US yet but, He does pray that we ALL may be one, even as He and His Father are one...) but that the Father would keep us from the evil. He then boldly states that they (we too) are not of the world, EVEN AS HE IS NOT OF THE WORLD. If we are not of the world then why would it be an attraction to us? It shouldn't be.

He then goes on to pray for our sanctification and then desires that we would be sent out into the world. And it is in this verse 18, that I believe we come into most of the conflict with the philosophy described above (yes, philosophy, not theology: the one is man's reasoning the other is God's reasoning). You see, Jesus wasn't worried about us being in the world, His desire was for us to be sanctified, set apart in all manner of thinking, affection and action, i.e. that our conversation, our life and behavior, would be something that would be glorifying to Him at all times.

So, with all that being said, we shouldn't be worried when we go to the grocery store and there are magazines with half-naked women on them unless we aren't walking in the Spirit. We shouldn't be worried about being in a place where there is bad music on unless we are not walking in the Spirit. We shouldn't be afraid to go to the beach because people are going to be immodest there. My goodness, how in the world do you ever expect to witness to young women today unless you can walk in the Spirit and learn to deny your flesh. Are you going to put on blinders every time you walk out the door, and then put on earmuffs because you realize that isn't enough. How about this then, are you then going to eliminate the smelling from your nose so that you can't smell the food that you so enjoy? Where does it end. Living on a farm in the middle of nowhere so that you don't see anyone, don't hear from anyone, don't talk to anyone because they might affect you adversely.

You may find what I am about to say somewhat hard but since I really don't believe anyone reads this anyway I am going to write it. Can you imagine if Jesus wasn't walking in the Spirit, having a woman sit there and wash his feet with tears and then dry them with her hair. Many would say that to touch a woman is sin according to 1 Corinthians 7:1 and to think that Jesus was sitting there allowing her to wash His feet with her tears and dry His feet with her hair. There was obviously physical contact going on here. Let me ask honestly, would you be as the Pharisee that was sitting there, saying "if Jesus knew who that woman was" or would we say something like this "if Jesus knew that the Scripture says....". Either way, we are in the same boat.

So what is the difference, why is it that we are not like our Saviour Jesus Christ so often? I believe it is because we miss His heart. Jesus saw her as a soul and His love was perfect towards her in that His one and only desire towards her was that of reconciliation. Shouldn't that be our heart as well? If that is our heart, can't it allow us to overcome the temptations of this world and allow us to go out into it and be salt and light to those that are in need?

You see, we can't walk around with the idea of touch not, taste not, handle not...

Colossians 2:20-23 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.

The world will never see Christ in all that. He didn't resurrect a people to go off and hide in the desert, He resurrected a people to be a mighty army, a city that can be set on a hill, a fountain for people to come to and drink.

Am I off in what I am saying? Please let me know if you think so. If not then consider what I am sharing.

May the Lord bless you!

David

Am I a soldier of the cross?

I stumbled across a tract I have from C.T. Studd called "Chocolate Soldiers" - http://www.wholesomewords.org/missions/msctserm.html - and decided to read it again yesterday. This tract is truly a blessing and should be read by all who name the name of Jesus Christ and we should consider whether we truly are laying our lives down and living for Him completely. It is a bit of a lengthy read but well worth it. I am including the last part for those who don't want to take the time and read the whole thing (again, please take the time).

From the tract:

"You sought in time past for Jesus to be king over you. NOW THEN DO IT! (Compare 1 Chronicles 12:8, 33, 38, and 2 Samuel 3:17-18). Shall we not reply, "We are Yours, Jesus, and on Your side. May God deal with me, be it ever so severely, if I do not do what the Father promised You on oath, and transfer the kingdom from the house of Satan and establish Your throne over all the world." (Compare 1 Chronicles 12:18, and 2 Samuel 3:9-10).

Come then, let us restore the 'lost chord' of Christianity - HEROISM - to the world, and the crown of the world to Christ. Christ Himself asks you, "Will you be a malingerer or a militant?"
To your knees, man! And to your Bible! Decide at once! Don't hedge! Time flies! Cease your insults to God. Quit consulting flesh and blood. Stop your lame lying and cowardly excuses.
Enlist! Here are your papers and oath of allegiance. Scratch out one side and sign the other in the presence of God and the recording angel. Mark God's endorsements underneath.

HENCEFORTH...
For me

To live is ChristTo die is gain

I'll be a militant or

A man of God

A gambler for Christ

A Hero

For me

Chocolate my name

Tepidity my temperature

A malingerer, I

A child of men

A self-excuser

A humbug

God's promises are sure in either case:

"I am with you always."

- or -
"I will spit you out of my mouth."

In the famous words of Isaac Watts;

Am I a soldier of the cross,

A follower of the Lamb,

And shall I fear to own His cause,

Or blush to speak His Name?

Must I be carried to the skies

On flowery beds of ease,

While others fought to win the prize,

And sailed through bloody seas?

Are there no foes for me to face?

Must I not stem the flood?

Is this vile world a friend to grace,

To help me on to God?

Sure I must fight if I would reign;

Increase my courage, Lord.

I'll bear the toil, endure the pain,

Supported by Thy Word.

Thy saints in all this glorious war

Shall conquer, though they die;

They see the triumph from afar,

By faith's discerning eye

When that illustrious day shall rise,

And all Thy armies shine

In robes of victory through skies,

The glory shall be Thine.

David

New Music from Saints in MO

There is a dear brother, Joe, who has recently been given a couple of new songs from the Lord. I would highly recommend listening to them if you get the chance. The link to the music is http://www.godlychristianmusic.com/group_artist.aspx?id=12&groups=0&name=Joe%20and%20Angela%20Garrity

Check out the songs titled "Desperation", "Feelings are feelings" and "Suffering first, then glory".

All downloads from this site are free. Enjoy and continue to worship the Lord Jesus Christ with all your heart, mind, soul and strength!

David

...but Jesus sent him away

Reading Luke 8:26 - 40 to the children tonight and this passage really jumped out at me.

Here we have this dear man tormented of devils and in bondage and finally healing and deliverance comes. People are amazed and in fear as he sits with Jesus "clothed and in his right mind". Then all the people beseech Jesus to leave the country because they were "taken with great fear". So as Jesus starts to leave, this beloved man who was now delivered beseeches Jesus that he might go with him, but instead of taking him into the number, Jesus sends him away.

In looking at this from our perspective it seems wrong. Really, who would tell someone that just came to Christ today to go away and stay with family that has just rejected Jesus Christ. This man was the only man in the whole country that got it. Everyone else was afraid of Jesus and they sent Jesus away. You would think that Jesus would have told the man, "Hey, come with me, I will get you established in your faith and teach you all the things you need to know so that you can go back and be an effective minister to those people back there". But no, that is not what He said. Notice that Jesus told him to "Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done unto thee." Is there any better foundation than that to tell anyone. We are always looking to find something better to tell people intead of just telling them the wonderful things that God has done for us. Sometimes I wonder if this is the case because God really hasn't wrought wonderful things in us. I don't say that to be harsh or critical. God knows. But we should desire reality with Christ and a reality of a changed life, something that people will take note of. This is to me that I ask these things but we should all consider them.

Consider finally, the work that this man does with just a testimony of a changed life. The Bible says that he "published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him". And what was there the next time Jesus came back? "And it came to pass, that, when Jesus was returned, the people gladly received him: for they were ALL WAITING for Him." Amazing!

Jesus knew the pefect plan for this man. He knew that His testimony would change the hearts of those people and He knew that if He removed him from his home, these people would still be afraid of Jesus. There are some many things to consider with this but let us just consider this one for tonight, that we can shine in a place where Jesus is not wanted and by showing forth the true testimony of a changed life we can help people come to the place where they too will be waiting for Jesus when He returns. And, hopefully it will be ALL of them that will be waiting.

David

Walking

Walking seems like the very basic thing for a child to learn to do in order to be able to continue on in growth. As parents we are always so excited to see our child take their first steps. Being a father of a special needs child, I remember clearly the great excitement that came when my child started walking. Doors open for them, a new world is now available. It truly is a wonderful thing.

How much more in the realm of our Spiritual life? I was reading this devotional from Oswald Chambers http://www.myutmost.org/07/0720.html and I really appreciate his consideration on this. The interesting thing that he brings forth is that it is not just in the ability to walk but it is in the contentment of walking where we are strong and where we are found in a place where we can be directed. There is a walking with Christ that we need to learn.

...And, it is in that area, walking, that I see the Lord doing today more than anything, in my own life and in the life of so many others. There is such a work to return to the very foundational things of this life in Christ, of returning to Him and Him alone for life, and as an outflow of this there is a learning to walk. Day by day, minute by minute, hour by hour. To walk with the living head, individually and hopefully at some point corporately. He is alive! He is wanting to walk this life out with us. He does desire to be intimate with us and commune with us. This is real, not just words. I remember when I used to read books by Andrew Murray, Watchman Nee and others and I would read of this reality that they would speak of and think to myself, "is this reality really possible". Hey, just being honest here. Tired of pretending. However, I can say that as the Lord has brought me back to the foundation of what this life of being a Christian is, He has shown me that this is indeed real. I don't claim in this statement to have attained fully but I speak as one who has tasted more and desires to continue to go deeper in this relationship. This is where life is. This is where Jesus will be glorified and this is where Jesus will build his church.

If you are not experiencing these things, then stop where you are and get honest with God. Go back to the foundation. This life should be real with a real Saviour. Remember, as one dear brother wrote in a song about John 14:6, "if You (Jesus) are the truth, then without you I'm lied to". Don't accept anything less than the real Truth, the real Jesus!

May God bless you this day!

David

Friends

Jesus said "Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you." and he is the friend that "sticketh closer than a brother" (Prov 18:24). How important that intimacy is, not only with Jesus Christ, but also with the brethren.

I woke with the following verse in mind after a sweet night of fellowship with some dear brethren;

Proverbs 27:17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

As with all the Word of God, it's true! There is great joy and encouragement that we receive one from another as we can also receive this from Jesus. In considering why, I have come to the conclusion that is the life of Christ shining forth from that person which allows for us to be sharpened, comforted, encouraged, challenged and probably many other things. It is a taste of what we will see in fullness when we come face to face.

David

Trust in the Lord

Something has been weighing on my heart for a while now and I just thought I would share some thoughts on this.

Proverbs 3:5-7 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

2 Corinthians 5:6-11 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.

Psalms 118:8-9 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.

Psalms 25:12-14 What man is he that feareth the LORD? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose. His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth. The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.

Psalms 128:1-2 Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways. For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.

Jeremiah 17:5-8 Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD. For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited. Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.

It is really clear that those that trust in men are cursed and those that trust in the Lord are blessed. Additionally, the fear of the Lord, being the beginning of wisdom, is where we start looking to the Lord rather than trusting in men. Consider the implications of trusting in men, or ourselves, God will not lead them. He can't (Prov 3, Psalm 25). So, what does that mean to us. Here we are in a day of such confusion with the church of Jesus Christ and many are running here and there looking to see what the Lord is going to do with this people or with that people. What are we doing? Are we not looking to men? Many will say, including myself, that we are going to see what God is doing with those people. That may be true to a certain extent but aren't we still trying to see with the eyes of our flesh rather than the eyes of faith. The eyes of faith speaketh on this wise, that the Lord is building His church in the lives of all those that love Him and that depart from iniquity. All those that are willing to trust in Him with all their heart and not lean on their own understanding. This is one of the most desperate things about our times. I am very concerned. However, I have hope. Hope for all that are willing to repent of seeking to find refuge in man but instead find their only refuge in the Lord Jesus Christ. He will therein get glory.

May He be blessed in your faith today!

David