That's not the way to live.

John 3:20-21
Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.

Transparency is on of the keys to sound Christian living. When a good friend calls you on your "stuff," rather than getting defensive and scampering from the light that exposes you, you should find joy in that the Holy Spirit has spoken through your friend.

We need to welcome the light of the truth even when it hurts. If we do, we will find great joy in living an "exposed" life in which there are no feelings of shame and condemnation.

For those who do evil, they have to do more than double the work covering their tracks and averting shame.

That's not the way to live.

In God we trust

1 Corinthians 2:14
The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.

I can remember a time in my life when I thought that things of God where foolishness. That feeling is not uncommon in this world. You hear of people attacking the faith and even making fun of it. Trusting self is the basis of many growing religions yet it is so obvious to me that trusting self is a sure recipe for doom.

I don't mean that I don't trust myself. I mean that when my own trust for self is greater than my trust in God, I begin to head the wrong way.

I think that's why we have "In God we trust" on our money. It is a way to remember God when handling money. But with more markets trading money electronically, this intended message for monetary transactions is lost. You can now buy and sell most of the time without getting this vital message. No wonder the electronic pornography industry is the largest in the world!

Imagine if a law required the words "in God we trust" below the amount field in any credit card transaction screen. How would that affect the online buying habits of people who have strayed far from God?

I know, you don't have to tell me, this law would never pass!

The biggest bailout ever.

Matthew 6:33
Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

One of the grand daddy promises in all of the Bible yet do we really believe it? In a day when politicians are promising to relieve this country from the consequences of corrupted business practices I wonder, how far has this country drifted from seeking first his kingdom and his righteousness?

Today we seem to be worlds away from the time the founding fathers of this nation seeked the kingdom first and were bold about it. In the very first session of congress they took to their knees for three hours in the very first congressional session. They were about to embark in the building of the world's greatest country and they were obviously well aware of the truth in this verse.

Wonder what would happen if news reported that congress decided to pray all day today and seek His counsel instead of trying to figure out this economics mess on their own? I'm sure the liberal media would rise up to a new level of rhetoric.

If this country is really seeking a "bailout" why don't we consult with the architect of the biggest bailout ever, OUR SALVATION?

Weeping and gnashing of the teeth.

Hebrews 10:30-31
We know him who said, "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," and again, "The Lord will judge his people." It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Wait a minute, is the author of Hebrews talking about our God the god of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob? The one who so loved the world that gave his only begotten son? Why would it be dreadful to fall into His hands?

In the context of this verse the author is talking about the same God. He is letting us know that as we know God for his agape love and comfort, we need to also be aware that he is the ultimate judge. His hands will pass judgment in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ and he will separate the true believers from the rest of the world.

As Jesus said (seven times), there will be "weeping and gnashing of the teeth" as many fall into a dreadful state of eternal torment delivered by the only one who is rightful in vengeance, our Father in Heaven.

So in view of this, it is dangerous to have a laxed mentality about living our lives under the Lord. We should listen to the words in Acts 3:19: "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord."

Our Lord who sanctifies.

1 John 2:1
My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense -- Jesus Christ the Righteous One.

God's will is for us to not sin. But this verse is clear in letting us know that God understands that a sinless life is difficult with our human flesh.

In my opinion, even though we sin, there is a difference between a "sinner" and one who believes this verse with a repentant heart. Jesus Christ is our redeemer and through his blood we are washed clean anytime our repentant hearts are with God.

David was a man after God's heart and though he committed great sins he knew how to come to the well of forgiveness and grace.

This is why I have a really hard time saying I'm a "sinner." That doesn't mean I think that I don't sin or that I boast that I'm "sinless". It means that I like to wake up in the mornings and be able to take a look at myself and say "Thank you Jesus for I am the righteousness of God." 2 Corinthians 5:21

In other words, if we trust Him, he sanctifies us. Paul's letters were not addressed to the "sinners" of Ephesus and Corinthn. In 1 Corinthians he writes: "to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints." Not called to be sinners!

In our walk with Christ, we sin as we experience collateral damage in the battlefield of the mind. But as this verse states, we have an intercessor in Jesus who vouches for us even when we don't deserve it!

Thank you Jesus our Lord Jehova Maccaddeshem, our sanctifier! Exodus 31:13

Have confidence in your requests.

Hebrews 10:35-36
Do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.

Carefully notice what this verse says; IF you do His will, you can bank on His promises.

This verse makes me think of the movie Bruce Almighty. Jim Carrey who played Bruce was all the sudden place in the position of being God. He went to his apartment and started to receive AOL emails (you have mail).

They were prayer requests and when he started reading them he was overwhelmed with the volume of requests. Finally, he figured out how to just auto-respond to all requests with yes.

Shortly after the world began to turn into chaos because everyone was getting whatever they wanted. People were winning the lottery left and right.

But God's prayer filter is much more sophisticated. If your request is not according to His will, it goes to the trash bin, hence unanswered prayers.

But with perseverance to do His will, you can have confidence that when you are walking with Him and in accordance to His will, your requests will be answered by His eternal promises!

True hope

Romans 5:3-4
We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.

To really get the full scope of this verse, consider the divine perspective of "hope." In Hebrews 11:1 it says that "faith is the substance for things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

In other words, hope is activated by faith. However, before you get to hope, your faith is always tested. You have to endure thru the trials which gives you character over time then you are rewarded with hope.

With that said, we must understand that hope has a cost. Real hope is not a "feeling" you just float in and out of. You must hold steadfast to your faith to produce true hope. The kind of hope that surpasses all understanding.

So are you ready for the rains?

Joel 2:23
Rejoice in the Lord your God, for he has given you the autumn rains in righteousness. He sends you abundant showers, both autumn and spring rains.

In a farmer's life the autumn and spring rains are vital. Without one or the other the experience ultimate crop failure. So when the rains comes, he rejoices for there is chance for profit.

There is something very important that is unsaid in this verse. While the rains that God delivers are vital to the farmer's livelihood, his response to the rains is just as vital.

The farmer has to take the appropriate steps which must be timed right with God's blessings of rain. Otherwise crop failure is inevitable.

The same is true in our spiritual life. Many receive God's blessing and they are not be ready. They haven't prepared their soil with humility to be able to receive his rains. They didn't stand watch as the enemy came in the night and sowed seeds of weed and thorns in the field. They allowed distractions to rule them while they should have been working in the field.

So are you ready for the rains?

Be blessed with wholesome words.

Ephesians 4:29
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

This is another one of my favorite verses. Have a problem with a fouled mouth? Memorize this verse and the Holy Spirt will help you guard your it.

I remember when I was young in high school, I never said bad words. Instead, I said words like "gosh darn." Seriously!

But then I joined the Army and right there began my days of fouled mouth speaking. In fact, I made quite a sport of cursing. I go back and think of those days when my kids were young and I didn't even spare them from my hellish tongue.

But then one day I came across this verse and meditated on it for weeks and memorized it. It has become one of the weapons of my personal spiritual warfare.

Today, my flesh can certainly keep up with any sailor. But my spirit strives for words that build up my brothers and sisters. In a world full of profanity, it is always refreshing to meet someone who doesn't believe they need profanity for emphasis in their speech.

Speech without profanity is evidence of self-control (meekness) and when you can achieve this, you walk into a new level of walking in the spirit.

Matthew 5:5 says "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth."

TGIF?

Philippians 2:3-4
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interest of others.

Think about your work. Day in and day out, why do you do what you do? Are you trying to climb up the corporate ladder? What does that take? Some people claw their way to the top and many at the expense of others.

I ask again, why do you do what you do? When you meet your maker, will he say, you did ok in your job as an accountant, but I called you to be a marketer?

I ran into a lady in the break room today. She was complaining that today was such a long day and how we STILL had another day to go. She went on to say how short the weekend was going to be.

What a sad state to be in. I looked at her and told her, "wow I feel the exact opposite, I can't wait till next week!" Its sad because I think about how this lady would feel about hearing this verse?

How can we be helpful to others when we are in a desperate state of survival? When we are thanking God on Fridays for getting us away form the people we are to help?

If you can't say, Thank God Is Monday, then something is wrong with why you do what you do.

Let your light shine.

Ephesians 5:8
You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.

When you have been in a dark room for a long while, going outside can make you feel exposed. Your eyes are squinting and perhaps you even look for some shade to get a break from the brightness of the sun.

I think in the same way we subconsciously look for shade when the glory of God exposes us. Our flesh likes the shade, it doesn't like exposure to the light, the glory of God.

As we find a shaded tree thoughts of sitting down come to our minds and perhaps we find temporary comfort in some measure of darkness.

But we have to remember that the spirit world is not like that at all. The light is within us. We are the ones who shine because of Him who dwells in us. So when we head for that shaded tree, darkness will run from it.

If you are truly born again, then your light will "shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life." Philippians 2:15-16

Do You Love Me?

James 3:13
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.

I've heard before "better to be considered a fool than open your mouth and prove it." This is probably something the Apostle Peter heard often in his early years.

Foot and mouth disease such as Peter had is the result of arrogance that is brewed by false and skewed knowledge. People get puffed up in their pride and soon say things that don't have any chance in strengthening anyone let alone themselves.

It wasn't until the morning at the beach, days after the rooster had crow three times that Peter was finally humbled by the words from our Lord Jesus, "Peter, do you love me?"

The same is true today. Can you hear the voice of Jesus asking you "do you love me?" You see, most people worry about God loving them. But the real question is, despite yourself, do YOU love him?

Maybe God has to ask you two or three times as well? God will test our wisdom with this simple question. "Do you love me?" he asks.

And that morning when Jesus talked to Peter, it was Jesus himself who gave Peter the power to answer that question in love and humility from the wisdom he gained through fellowship in Christ.

Likewise, we should walk with Jesus with full assurance that we can answer that question without hesitation through the strength he give us. We gain this strength by being with him, learning from him and being humbled by him to the point where yourself is less and you can finally allow him to make you who he wants you to be.

I leave you with one of my favorite and simplest yet profound verses in the Bible:

He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less. John 3:30 NIV

The Agape Love of God

1 John 4:16
We know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.

You ask "how can I forgive my brother when they have done me wrong?" GOD IS LOVE.

What kind of love is John talking about here? The "agape" love of God. The kind of love that does not hate. This love is not confusion. This love is not chaos. This love is not war.

Agape love is peace. It is a resting place. It is safety. It is healing. It is beautiful.

But it is difficult for us to understand this. When we think of "love" we are more likely to of "phileo" or "eros" love.

Phileo is brotherly love where we get "Philadelphia," the city of brotherly love. Eros is where we get "erotic" from and it is a physical love. There is nothing wrong with eros because God created it for a purpose, but the devil easily perverts this kind of love.

But back to the theme of today's verse. The agape love of God is the blood of Jesus. Its pure, its cleansing, its life giving. The agape love of God is what sustains us through our trials and tribulations. Its the way we find peace in the midst of utter confusion and fear. It is how we find the strength to forgive those who have done us wrong.

Nothing evil and demonic can stand the agape love of God. He SO loved (agape) us that he gave his only son to die for us.

Let's return his awesome grace by getting serious about love.

Time for a cup of coffee.

Philippians 2:1-2
If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.

While this is Paul saying that he would be joyful if the people of Philippi did these things I believe the Lord also rejoices when we are like minded and of one spirit.

When was the last time you sat down with someone for a cup of coffee and talk about God? It seems like people often leave "God talk" for when they are at church. The unfortunate thing is that most people are high tailing it out off church to go watch a football game or eat.

So, isn't it time for a cup of coffee?

Worth more than anything money can buy..

1 Peter 3:8
Live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.

I just finished watching the movie "The Bucket List." I don't think the previews gave me a really good feel for the real theme of the movie.

Jack Nicholson plays a highly successful business man (Edward) who has everything. Everything but joy, the real joy Morgan Freeman (Carter) knew and lived all his life despite his lack of riches.

I think this was the real theme of the movie rather than going out with style before you kick the bucket. It really showed the contrast in these lives and Carter, as a man of faith taught Edward how to live in harmony (specially with his estranged daughter and grand). In a short three months they traveled the world and grew to love each other like brothers.

In the beginning of the movie Edward was not very compassionate and was quite arrogant. By the end, he was humbled and credited his friend for the best time of his life, a life with true joy.

So I hope we don't wait until a doctor says that we have six months to live to realize the truth in this verse. That the joy we find in life by living this verse, is worth more than anything money can buy.

Where is your help?

Psalm 121:1-2
I lift up my eyes to the hills -- where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

In trouble? Look up into the hills and you will see that help is not far away.

When Joshua was fighting the Amalekites, Moses was on a hill overlooking the battle. As he prayed to the Lord for help, as long as he had his arms up Joshua prevailed. When his arms got tired Joshua's forces would begin to loose. So Aaron and Hur held up Moses' arms and finally Joshua won the battle.

In the face of utter defeat, Joshua's help wasn't far away, it was on the hills. Likewise, He is there to help you, so look up on the hills.

We must remain confident.

Isaiah 46:4
[The Lord says,] "Even to your old age and gray hairs, I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.

All throughout the ages God has made covenants and promises with his people and all His promises come through. Right in the beginning (Genesis 3:15) He promised that the serpent's head would be bruised by Eve's seed, that is Jesus Christ.

As promised, on the cross, Jesus gave the serpent a fatal blow to the head. Hebrews 2:14-15 says "Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death -- that is, the devil -- and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death."

In other words, in the face of a terrible circumstance, the Lord looked at Adam and Eve and promised them and their seed (us) deliverance from the bondage they fell into. He has delivered this promise in Jesus Christ and not matter what we have done, we must remain confident in He who will crush satan under our feet and forgive our iniquities.

The enemy has no chance.

Titus 2:2
Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love, and in endurance.

In the book I am currently reading, the Screwtape Letters, uncle Screwtape is teaching his young nephew who just began his career as a demon. He is talking about "patients" that are of the "despondent type" or people who are prone to be tempted to despair. Listen to what he says:

"You have only got to keep him out of the way of experienced Christians (an easy task now-adays), to direct his attention to the appropriate passages in scripture, and then to set him to work on the desperate design of recovering his old feelings by sheer will power, and the game is ours."

This is why today's verse is so important for us. If you are an "experienced Christian" then seek an inexperienced one and teach them. If you are inexperienced, then seek an experienced Christian you can learn from.

When we become temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, sound in our faith, in love with Christ, and have endurance in Him, uncle Screwtape and the enemy has no chance!

God's way.

Psalm 143:10
Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground

There is a place northwest of San Antonio called Enchanted Rock. It is a massive granite dome where many go to enjoy a nice hike. You can go up the trail and it is an easy to moderate hike that will get your lungs going and you legs pumping.

Several times I've gone up the side of it where it is much steeper and challenging. There is a really weird effect when you climb up this way. The are a series of curvatures on the dome which makes it look like you are almost to the top. About the third time you make it to the "top" and you realize there is much more to go, you begin to wonder why you decided to do this "challenge."

Life is much like this. We can ask God to teach us and show us the easy "level" way but our pride gets in the way and we love a "challenge" so what do we do? We go at it alone then soon find ourselves in what seems to be a never ending climb.

God's way is the best way, it is the ONLY way.

Christ makes us perfect!

Colossians 1:28
We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we present everyone perfect in Christ.

Who said there is no such thing as perfection? This verse tells us we can help each other so that we can present everyone perfect in Christ.

In other words, if you are in Christ, no more, no less, you are perfect! What does this mean?

It means you don't mix Christ with a little new age here and there. It means Dr Phil & Oprah are not the answer. It means that when we figure out that God is in us, wanting to operate his power if we accept it, then we'll understand what being a mature Christian is.

Its realizing that when you are in Christ, it is no longer the old you who lives but Christ in you. And when you begin to accept that, the transformation work begins to make you more like Him who gave his life for you.

What's your purpose?

Matthew 28:18-20
[Jesus said,] "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to very end of the age."

This is an amazing passage of scripture. Commonly known as "The Great Commission," I think a deeper meaning of it is really lost in the usual interpretation.

For example, let's take the first sentence "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me."

What if you were in his shoes and these words came out of your mouth. And knowing this to be the absolute truth, what would be thoughts, actions and deeds?

Think about it. If you have ALL the power and authority in Heaven and Earth, what would you do? Would you bring world peace? Maybe you would create a new energy source. How about solve world hunger once in for all?

Now let's go back and turn our attention back to Jesus. Obviously, with all that power, being who he is, he would want to do the Father's top priority. He would be in tune with the Father's perfect will.

Isn't it interesting that when all the power in heaven is summoned, it is commissioned to help us go out and make disciples?

This really reveals what our number one purpose should be. To go out, share the Gospel with the lost, bring them to the miracle of baptism and then teach to do the same.

In a state of overflow.

2 Timothy 1:13-14
What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you -- guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.

Ever gone to a seminar or conference and hear great stuff? You come back home all excited ready to apply the latest habits of successful people and before you know it, you are right back where you started. You forgot everything and your notes are lost.

It can be like that when you have a new revelation about God. Maybe you heard a great sermon or participated in a great bible study. But two weeks later you can't even remember the central theme!

Its a matter of the heart, because we have a hole in it. Every time we have a "good deposit" it begins to leak right away. Only the Holy Spirit can plug the hole in our hearts and before and after we get a good deposit we should ask him to help us.

When we get to the point where we have no leaking (or very little), that's when we find ourselves in a state of overflow. That's when the blessings of God flow out of us to bless others.

So next time you are about to learn something valuable, ask the Holy Spirit to repair your heart. To make it a sealed vessel to hold your "good deposit." Ask again, as you are leaving your conference, church, classroom, etc.

Where is your classroom?

Isaiah 48:17
This is what the Lord says -- your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: "I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go."
Do we all really think the Lord our God teaches us best? Think about it, how often are we in His classroom? Now let's ask a disturbing question; how often do we sit in the devil's classroom?

You would think that the devil knows best, his classrooms are filled to the brim. Loud music, lots of people, videos, PowerPoint slides, a multimedia extravaganza. And to top it all off, free booze, all you can eat buffet, over the top with pleasurable abundance. All to get you in the mood for learning! Yeah that is today's classroom!

But back to seriousness. Who teaches us best? Maybe its not as entertaining, but how about life saving? How about learning life changing things? Learning how to break from the bondage of the enemy.

Now that's the classroom you want to be in!

Do you feel God's love?

Psalm 119:64
The earth is filled with your love, O Lord; teach me your decrees.

From the Rockies to a beautiful morning by the Lake of the Ozarks to the white sandy beaches of Key West, just in our own country you can see and feel God's love. He so carefully crafted his masterpiece with love so that we have constant reminders of him.

But the fall of man clouded such beauty and evidence of His love and we deal with conflicting messages. As if God sometime doesn't love us as much. That somehow his desire for us falters and he let's his love diminish on earth in way of wars and pestilence.

That's why we need to continue to pray for God to reveal the truth to us. The truth of his eternal love for us and that if he gave up his only begotten son for us, why would he cheat us out of his love? We need to learn his decrees, and the fact that "all the promises of God in Him are yes and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us." 1 Corinthians 1:20

In other words, you don't see God's love around you? Then express it to others so they may see it!

Someone is watching you.

Proverbs 22:6
Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

This is a tough verse. As a parent of four, I wonder if I trained our children as well as I could have. I know that at times I trained them the wrong way!

One thing we have to keep in mind is that "training" is not always what we think it is. We think training is some kind of formalized instruction but the truth is that with children, training is happening all the time. Children watch everything we do and they learn from it, good or bad.

I remember when my first child was around a year old, he could say a few words. I was very young myself and as I drove around with him in the car seat any opportunity for road rage I would yell at the other driver and often used a common four letter word. I was quite surprised one day when someone cut me off and as I evaded the car who almost hit me my son yelled out that four letter word.

Even Paul warned young Timothy that people would watch him and learn. So he urged him to "set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity." 1 Timothy 4:12

This is great advice for us as well.

Remember, someone is watching you.