Listening to The Holy Spirit

I’ve been reading the scriptures for almost 45 years. I’ve read a variety of translations, some older and some newer. Almost every time I read the scriptures I see something new and wonder “How did I not see that before?” I read a sentence by R. A. Torey, one of the giants of the faith from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. I had never seen his insight and I had to chew on the statement for a while. The idea was new to me. “The Holy Spirit came into this world to be to the disciples of our Lord after His departure, and to us, what Jesus Christ had been to them during the days of His personal companionship with them.” In other words, the Holy Spirit always does what Jesus would do if he were here walking with me. Jesus said: “All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said, ‘The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me.’” Some will remember the WWJD bracelets that were popular in the 1990’s. (That’s an odd sentece to write. It seems like only yesterday!) WWJD - “What would Jesus do?” Jesus would do exactly what the Holy Spirit wants to do. The Holy Spirit does what Jesus would do if He was walking with you. Is there a situation in your life that you are trying to figure out WWJD? Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you. Ask and listen, ask and listen and you will find yourself doing “what Jesus would do.”

"Kindness is Like Snow"

The Holy Spirit is continually working to produce kindness in the followers of Jesus. The Spirit desires kindness In relationships, moments of conflict, and seasons of trials. The Apostle Paul regularly wrote about kindness. Here’s a sampling of what he wrote. “Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?” Romans 2:4 (NLT) “The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness …” Galatians 5:22 (NLT) “Love is patient and kind.” 1 Corinthians 13:4 (NLT) “God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility ...” Colossians 3:12 (NLT) “When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.” Titus 3:4-5 (NLT) Are you letting the Holy Spirit produces kindness in your life? Are you growing in kindness? Are you asking yourself what kindness looks like in difficult situations? One last quote by the philosopher and author, “Kindness is like snow. It makes everything it covers beautiful.” Kahlil Gibran

Be Brave

As the time for Jesus’ capture and ultimate execution came near, He talked to the disciples about the coming trials they would face. He knew His arrest, trial, conviction, and execution were right around the corner. He wanted them to be prepared for the coming hardships. The Apostle John remembers Jesus saying: “I told you these things so that you can have peace in me. In this world you will have trouble, but be brave! I have defeated the world.” John 16:33 (NCV) Jesus’ words to the disciples 2,000 years ago are just as applicable today as they were when He spoke them. Every follower of Jesus can have peace in Him even though everything around them seems to be coming apart. Jesus reminded them, and us, that in this world and life we would all experience trouble. The types of troubles people face are varied and too many to list. Jesus’ encouragement is to trust in Him. By trusting in Him we can have peace and can be brave as we face troubles. If you are not facing troubles right now, you were recently or will in the near future. Not to be a “downer” but it is true. Trust Jesus! He warned you so you could have peace. Be brave! He’s with you.

God is in the Cleaning, Transforming and Restoring Business

I’m a collector of quotes and sayings. I have thousands of quotes saved. My Dropbox folder of “Teaching Resources” has 688 sub-folders, as of today. Each of those sub-folders has multiple files of quotes and sayings ranging from “abortion” to “zealots.” Anytime I’m reading and find a useful or memorable statement, I collect it. Recently, I saved a couple of quotes that have been running over and over in my mind. They have to do with God’s desire and ability to work in and transform our lives. He desires reconciliation with every person. “All our bad does not make us harder to save, and all our good does not make us easier to save. What saves us is Christ, and therefore all we contribute is honesty—admitting we are sinners and casting ourselves on him.” Dane Ortlund Someone else has said, “You can’t do anything to cause God to stop loving you and you can’t do anything to cause Him to love you more.” He loves us despite who we are, and not because of who we are. He loves us because of who He is. “No matter where you have been, what you have done, or what has been done to you, the grace of God can wash you clean, consecrate you as his child, and restore what sin has stolen.” Garrett Kell God is in the cleaning, transforming, and restoring business. Admitting we are sinners and casting ourselves on Him paves the way for Him to do what we have deep down wished could happen. Who doesn’t want forgiveness, freedom, cleansing, a new life, hope, purpose, and destiny? Don’t wait. Admit you are a sinner and cast yourself on Him. “Cast all your care upon Him, because He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7 (MEV)

Have You Dropped the Church?

This week, Bear Grylls, survivalist and TV host stated in an interview: “I think Jesus would really struggle with 99% of churches nowadays.” He commented on a variety of things that are wrong with churches. Some of the stuff he critiqued I agree with. The church has and always has had some messed up practices and behaviors. He said: “Drop the church if you need to …” That is terrible advice! Jesus did not and would not tell people to “drop the church if you need to …”* Leave unhealthy churches, yes. Find a healthy community of faith, led by healthy leaders, yes. Drop the church, No! Hear me out. Especially if you’ve “dropped the church.” The movement that we call the church is not like Rotary, Kiwanis or any other community group. The church is the Bride of Christ; it is the body of Christ. Jesus never dreamed that people would follow him without being part of a faith community. Read through the accounts of the life of Jesus and you’ll see Jesus inviting people into a community of faith, not telling them to abandon one. A person, as an individual, is not the “Bride of Christ.” A person, as an individual, is not the body of Christ. Jesus never intended for an arm, leg, foot, or tongue to be separated from the body. A hand is not a body, it’s not even part of the body unless it’s connected to the body. A body is a body! The 21 feet that have washed up on the shores of Puget Sound over the last few years**, are just those feet. Some feet were in a shoe or boot, and some were not. Authorities are hunting to figure out what “body” lost a foot. They aren’t bodies, they are feet. In the creation account, God said: “It is not good for man to be alone.” *** People say, “Nature is my church.” Nature is wonderful, amazing and soul refreshing, but Adam had nature in its untarnished state. But God said it was not good. God’s plan was for people to have people. God’s plan for your life is that you gather with other believers. Your spiritual health depends on it. “Let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” Hebrews 10:25 (NLT)

Admitting Our Mistakes and Asking for Forgiveness

Just a few weeks ago, Liberty Mutual Insurance published results of their 2022 research from their “Responsibility Project.” Over 1,000 adults were asked about their attitudes toward responsibility. Participants were asked to define “personal responsibility.“ 46% choose “Doing what’s expected of you or what you’re supposed to do.” 31% choose “Admitting to or owning mistakes.” 23% chose “Doing something especially hard or challenging.” The definition I find interesting is “Admitting to or owning mistakes.” Admitting to mistakes or wrongs is foundational for followers of Jesus. Jesus taught the disciples to pray, “Forgive us our trespasses.” Confession is necessary for healthy and obedient living. Jesus famously challenged people to stop pointing out the speck in someone else’s eye and ignoring the log in their own eye. “Speck watching” and “Log denying” are both contrary to admitting mistakes. Steps 4 and 5 of Alcoholics Anonymous are about “admitting to or owning mistakes.” 4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. 5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. One of the primary causes of broken relationships is unwillingness to admit wrongdoing. Over the years I’ve heard countless people complain “they never ask for forgiveness.” Forgiving others does not depend on the offender admitting their wrong or asking for forgiveness. BUT, living a healthy life IS dependent on admitting offenses and asking forgiveness. How are you doing in this area? Do you admit your offenses? Do you ask others for forgiveness? Your health as a person depends on admitting your wrongs and asking for forgiveness. Strive to make admission and confession part of your life.

Put Your Full Trust in Jesus

Things in our world are changing so quickly that people are feeling unsettled. What used to be normal is no longer so. Every day seems to reveal something new and different. What was once “true” is no longer seen as true. Someone commented, “My kids tell me ‘That’s not how it is anymore!’ And I don’t know how to respond.” It’s like we are living in a land where someone changed the names of the streets. The on-ramps and off-ramps aren’t where they used to be, and familiar buildings are now empty and new buildings have sprung up. I want to remind you God doesn’t change. God is the same day in and day out. God does not change because “that’s not how it is anymore.” God spoke to Moses and said, “God is not man, that he should lie or … that he should change his mind.” (Numbers 23:19) God declared through the prophet Malachi “I the Lord do not change” (Malachi 3:6) and Jesus’ brother James wrote “there is no variation or shadow due to change.” (James 1:17) In a changing and often unreliable world, God is reliably dependable! You may look around and wonder who you can trust. You may be like many who are wondering if there are any institutions that can be trusted. People find it almost impossible to commit when, at every turn, trust has been broken. Why would anyone commit themselves to leaders, businesses, churches, schools, governments, or movements when the landscape is pocked with immorality, unethical and untrustworthy behavior? When there are few who can be trusted, there is one who can be trusted. His name is Jesus! “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8) You can put your full trust in HIM! “Jesus, I need your wisdom, peace, and guidance to navigate this crazy world! Thank you, that you can be trusted and that you’ll walk every step with me. Amen!”

I Need Wisdom

Jesus' brother James wrote to first century disciples: "If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking." James 1:5 (NLT) Another translation put it this way: "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him." James 1:5 (ESV) I look to and rely heavily upon the truth and promise of James' statement. It is one of the foundation stones that I've tried to build my life on. Our world, nation, communities, and families grow more complex each week. Questions are being asked that we've never had to answer before. New conflicts arise daily. Many of these issues can be paralyzing. I feel a greater need for wisdom today than ever. If I don't receive wisdom and understanding, I can't lead like I know I need to. I need wisdom to respond to circumstances and situations appropriately. The good news is that God gives wisdom! I've experienced it over the years. You've experienced it. The moments when wisdom was needed and God gave it, taught us about ourselves, others, and life. Where do you need wisdom? Wisdom is available for the asking. The times I decided, reacted, or acted inappropriately are times when I didn't ask for wisdom. Because I didn't ask, I didn't receive it. If any of you lack wisdom … ask our generous God, and He will give it to you! Lord, I need wisdom! I need it as a husband, father, grandfather, pastor, and community member. Thank you for being generous and never hesitating to give wisdom. Bring it on Jesus!

Don't Try to Impress Others

I received a package recently that was in a box much larger than its contents. The box was stuffed mostly with packing paper. It got me thinking about packages and packaging. There are all kinds of reasons companies package items the way they do. Sometimes packaging is about shipping costs. Other times, it’s an attempt to reduce shoplifting. Fragile items are protected during shipping by packing peanuts or bubble wrap. Small, expensive, and desirable items are put in those frustrating “clam shells.” I tend to scratch my head when a small item arrives in an oversized box filled with packing. I think, “Look at the waste. Why did they use that box? There must have been a cheaper way to ship this.” My thoughts then drifted to parallels in people. We all know big people who have lots of packing material but very little substance. They might look impressive when you meet them, but when you get to know them, they are mostly filled with “packing peanuts.” You’ve met them. They talk a great game, but they don’t have game. They like to talk about themselves, who they know, and their accomplishments. They seem to be a little item in an oversized box. I started checking my own life. Am I a little item in an oversized box - filled with packing peanuts and air? Or am I the real deal in the right-sized box? “God opposes to the proud but gives grace to the humble!” 1 Peter 5:5 (NLT) Lord, teach me to walk in humility! “Don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.” Philippians 2:3 (NLT) Jesus, correct me when I start trying to impress others! “Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves.” 2 Corinthians 13:5 (NLT) Jesus, I want my faith to be genuine and not just packing! Jesus, do your work in me!

God Is with Us

In Shakespeare’s drama Romeo and Juliet, one of the most memorable lines is “What’s in a name?” Juliet declared that a name is just a name and has no real meaning behind it. This might be true in some settings, but in other situations, names are pregnant with meaning. 700 years before Jesus, the Holy Spirit declared the name of the coming Savior through the prophet Isaiah. “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’).” Isaiah 7:14 (NLT) No other name given to the Savior Jesus is filled to overflowing with meaning. Think about it, “God with us!” Is there any statement that is more life transforming than the truth God is with us? God with us - God with me! Let the truth sink in. I would encourage you to ponder the name Immanuel. Take some time, limit outside distractions and ponder “God with me” long enough and the truth will explode in your spirit. Realizing even a fraction of the truth will energize any heart. Matthew begins his account of the life of Jesus by quoting Isaiah 7. His name will be “Immanuel.” He ends his account of the life of Jesus with the same truth. “Be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Matthew 28:20 (NLT) From beginning to end, God is with us. Is there any truth more comforting, encouraging and transforming? I think not!