This is a good one yall!!
Scripture Of The Day: "By their fruits you will know them." - Matthew 7:20
Travel can be wonderful. But business travel is generally more like death by paper cuts. Last week I landed and was still a bit famished even after the eight tiny pretzels snack I was graciously given in flight. So I began to peruse the food options. I spotted a smoothie stand and that sounded perfect. So I headed over and made my pick.
“I will have the Peanut Butter Zone smoothie.”
The worker turned and looked at the menu as if that order was a complete surprise. Maybe she thought she was being pranked for one of those cable shows. Perhaps I was making stuff up. She carefully examined the ingredients on the menu board and turned to me. “We ain’t got no peanut butter.”
Disappointed but still determined I pushed on.
“Then I will have the Protein Power Berry smoothie.”
Slowly she turned to see what ingredients might be in this order which also appeared to take her by complete surprise. “We ain’t got no protein powder.”
This is where I realized that I am making significant progress in my grace journey. This young lady would have had a very large dose of edgy sarcasm in previous beta editions of Dave Burchett faithwalk. But I bit my lip and simply said this. “You might want to take those things off the menu if you don’t have them.”
Later I reflected on even that comment and felt a tinge of loving conviction from the Spirit. In my Christian example I have done exactly what this poorly trained worker did. As I have poorly represented Jesus I told people that many things were on the menu. A whole variety of spiritual fruit was listed boldly on the board. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, etc. I imagined a little parody of my concession experience.
Spiritually famished sojourner sees my fish cross bumper sticker. Since this is a sure sign of spiritual maturity the seeker boldly approaches and surveys the menu.
“I would like to have peace.”
I turn and examine my life. It is anxious. Frightened. No different from him.
“I don’t have much peace today.” (At least my grammar is a little better than the worker above)
The spiritual seeker looks a bit disappointed but is still hopeful.
“I would like some joy.”
Slowly I examine my life. Frustrated. Not content. A lot like my seeking friend.
“I don’t have any joy right now.”
It was so easy to demean a poorly trained employee representing a random smoothie company that frustrated me that day. Yet I expect grace when I, a poorly trained Christian, fail to represent Jesus and frustrate those I hope to bless.
Slowly I am beginning to comprehend grace. Good buddy Mark sent me this snippet from the book The Search For Significance by Robert S. McGee.
"Our true value is based not on our behavior or the approval of others but on what God's word says is true. Our behavior is often a reflection of our beliefs about who we are. It is usually consistent with what we think to be true about ourselves (Prov 23:7). If we base our worth solidly on the truths of God's word, then our behavior will often reflect His love, grace, and power. But if we base our worth on our abilities or the fickle approval of others, then our behavior will reflect the insecurity, fear, and anger that comes from such instability."
I have been learning the truth of those words in recent months. When I trust who God says I am I begin to stock the ingredients listed on the fruits of the Spirit menu board. God declares all of the following list to be true about me… a broken down TV director. And all of these things became true from the MOMENT I trusted Christ:
• I am forgiven. Col 2:13–14
• I am a child of God. John 1:2; Rom 8:15
• I received Christ's KIND of life, eternal: John 5:24
• I was delivered from Satan's domain and into the Kingdom of Christ: Col 1:13
• Christ came to dwell with me. Col 1:27; Rev 3:20
• I am a new Creation: 2 Cor 5:17
• I am declared righteous by God: 2 Cor 5:21
• I entered a love relationship w/ God: 1 John 4:9-11
• I am accepted by God: Col 1:19-22
Wow. I am wrapping my heart and mind around all of that this morning. I am filled with humility and gratitude for these unmerited gifts given to me that day and every day since. So if my imaginary encounter happens today I pray it will go a little more like this.
“Yes, I would like to have some joy.”
“Grande or Venti? I am overflowing with His abundant love today. Thanks for stopping by and letting me serve you.”
May I leave you with some familiar words from Paul? You can order freely from the menu through the power of the Holy Spirit. And the check has already been picked up by Christ.
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another. (Galatians 5, NLT)
(via Dave Burchett)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Friday, August 31, 2012
Thursday, August 30, 2012
God's Grand Plan
11) For I know the plans I have for you”—this is the Lord’s declaration—“plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. ~ Jer: 29:11 (HSBC)
The heavenly Father has a grand plan for the life of every person, and it can be summed up in the word sanctification. If you have never been certain of the term's meaning, you are not alone--many people are unclear about its definition. However, believers should understand it because the word defines them.
In its verb form--sanctify--the term means "to make holy" or "to separate." So when something is sanctified, it is separated from its former common usage and is dedicated for sacred purposes. The Old Testament mentions a number of things that the Lord sanctified: He made the seventh day holy, set aside the Levite tribe as priests, and even consecrated places like the Holy of Holies inside the tabernacle (Gen. 2:3; Num. 3).
The heavenly Father still sanctifies people today. Before a person places his faith in the Savior, he is spiritually dead and, in fact, an enemy of God (Eph. 2:1-3; Rom. 5:10). But the moment someone chooses to trust in Jesus Christ, his sins are wiped away, and he is adopted into God's family. That individual is set apart as a child of God, with a sacred purpose. This means believers are not here to chase after personal gain but to serve the Lord and bring Him honor and glory.
As members of God's family who are called upon to reflect His glory, believers are referred to as "saints." We are given this moniker--which shares its root with sanctification--not because we live sinless lives, but because we live a life consistent with the One we represent. (Via Charles Stanley) Be Blessed! Dawn
The heavenly Father has a grand plan for the life of every person, and it can be summed up in the word sanctification. If you have never been certain of the term's meaning, you are not alone--many people are unclear about its definition. However, believers should understand it because the word defines them.
In its verb form--sanctify--the term means "to make holy" or "to separate." So when something is sanctified, it is separated from its former common usage and is dedicated for sacred purposes. The Old Testament mentions a number of things that the Lord sanctified: He made the seventh day holy, set aside the Levite tribe as priests, and even consecrated places like the Holy of Holies inside the tabernacle (Gen. 2:3; Num. 3).
The heavenly Father still sanctifies people today. Before a person places his faith in the Savior, he is spiritually dead and, in fact, an enemy of God (Eph. 2:1-3; Rom. 5:10). But the moment someone chooses to trust in Jesus Christ, his sins are wiped away, and he is adopted into God's family. That individual is set apart as a child of God, with a sacred purpose. This means believers are not here to chase after personal gain but to serve the Lord and bring Him honor and glory.
As members of God's family who are called upon to reflect His glory, believers are referred to as "saints." We are given this moniker--which shares its root with sanctification--not because we live sinless lives, but because we live a life consistent with the One we represent. (Via Charles Stanley) Be Blessed! Dawn
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Set Apart for God
1) And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. 2) Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. 3) Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. Rom. 12:1-3 (NLT)
When a person places his faith in Jesus Christ, he becomes a new believer, and he is sanctified--that is, set apart for God's purpose. Unlike salvation, which takes place in a single moment, sanctification is a lifelong process. We who are followers of the Savior should be letting the Holy Spirit control our lives. If that is the case, we are currently being sanctified, regardless of what we may feel or how our actions appear to others. In other words, we are progressively maturing in our faith.
And if we are progressing, we must be working our way toward something. The apostle Paul explained the Christian's mission: "For those whom [God] foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son" (Rom. 8:29). A believer's character, conduct, and conversation should be reflections of Jesus, who lives within. On our own, we'd place too much emphasis on behavior and get caught up with following rules and rituals that look Christian without truly reflecting Christ. But God has given each believer His Spirit as a teacher and guide. The Spirit works to transform our minds and hearts so that we are markedly different from our unsaved peers. When we allow the Spirit to control us, we speak and act in accordance with our true identity: God's sons and daughters.
Our Father wants His children to be living examples of who He is. He doesn't expect perfection--He knows we can't be totally sinless in our human body. But He shows us how to think and act so we may "walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which [we] have been called" (Eph. 4:1). (Via Charles Stanley) Be Blessed! Dawn
When a person places his faith in Jesus Christ, he becomes a new believer, and he is sanctified--that is, set apart for God's purpose. Unlike salvation, which takes place in a single moment, sanctification is a lifelong process. We who are followers of the Savior should be letting the Holy Spirit control our lives. If that is the case, we are currently being sanctified, regardless of what we may feel or how our actions appear to others. In other words, we are progressively maturing in our faith.
And if we are progressing, we must be working our way toward something. The apostle Paul explained the Christian's mission: "For those whom [God] foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son" (Rom. 8:29). A believer's character, conduct, and conversation should be reflections of Jesus, who lives within. On our own, we'd place too much emphasis on behavior and get caught up with following rules and rituals that look Christian without truly reflecting Christ. But God has given each believer His Spirit as a teacher and guide. The Spirit works to transform our minds and hearts so that we are markedly different from our unsaved peers. When we allow the Spirit to control us, we speak and act in accordance with our true identity: God's sons and daughters.
Our Father wants His children to be living examples of who He is. He doesn't expect perfection--He knows we can't be totally sinless in our human body. But He shows us how to think and act so we may "walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which [we] have been called" (Eph. 4:1). (Via Charles Stanley) Be Blessed! Dawn
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
The Unhappy Backslider
1) First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2) for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3) This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4) who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5) For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6) who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. 7) For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. 8) I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling. —1 Timothy 2:1-8
Peter speaks of some who through waywardness have gotten so far out of fellowship with God that they have forgotten that they were purged from their old sins. This is a sad state to be in. It is what is commonly called in the Old Testament “backsliding.” “The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways” (Proverbs 14:14). An old preacher I knew as a boy used to say, “Backsliding always begins in the knee.” And this is very true indeed. Neglect of prayer will soon dull the keen edge of one’s spiritual sensibilities and make it easy for a believer to drift into worldliness and carnalities, as a result of which his soul’s eyesight will become dimmed and he will lose the heavenly vision.
The backslider is short-sighted. He sees things of this poor world very vividly, but he cannot see afar off, as he could in the days of his former, happy state. To such comes the exhortation, “Anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see” (Rev. 3:18). Get back to your Bible and back to your knees. Let the Holy Spirit reveal to your penitent heart the point of departure where you left your first love, and judge it definitely before God. Acknowledge the sins and failures that have caused your wanderings. “Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation” (Psalm 51:12). And He who is married to the backslider will give you again to know the blessedness of fellowship with Himself, and once more your peace will flow as a river and the full assurance of hope be yours.
As you walk with God, your faith will grow increasingly, your love unto all saints will be greatly enlarged, and the hope laid up for you in heaven will fill the vision of your opened eyes, as your heart is occupied with the Lord Himself who has restored your soul.
For it is well to remember that He Himself is our hope. He has gone back to the Father’s house to prepare a place for us, and He has promised to come again and receive us unto Himself, that where He is we may be also.
Journal:
Is my “knee bended” in regular times of prayer?
Who in my life helps to keep me accountable to avoid times of backsliding? When I was the last time I met with them?
Prayer Father, thank You that You always are with me, even in times when I am trying to run away. I am so thankful for all the times You gently call me back to Yourself. Keep me close to You, Lord! Don’t let me stray far from Your path. Keep me on my knees and in Your Word so I don’t get off track and fall away. In Jesus’ name, Amen (Via Henry Ironside)
Be Blessed! Dawn
Peter speaks of some who through waywardness have gotten so far out of fellowship with God that they have forgotten that they were purged from their old sins. This is a sad state to be in. It is what is commonly called in the Old Testament “backsliding.” “The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways” (Proverbs 14:14). An old preacher I knew as a boy used to say, “Backsliding always begins in the knee.” And this is very true indeed. Neglect of prayer will soon dull the keen edge of one’s spiritual sensibilities and make it easy for a believer to drift into worldliness and carnalities, as a result of which his soul’s eyesight will become dimmed and he will lose the heavenly vision.
The backslider is short-sighted. He sees things of this poor world very vividly, but he cannot see afar off, as he could in the days of his former, happy state. To such comes the exhortation, “Anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see” (Rev. 3:18). Get back to your Bible and back to your knees. Let the Holy Spirit reveal to your penitent heart the point of departure where you left your first love, and judge it definitely before God. Acknowledge the sins and failures that have caused your wanderings. “Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation” (Psalm 51:12). And He who is married to the backslider will give you again to know the blessedness of fellowship with Himself, and once more your peace will flow as a river and the full assurance of hope be yours.
As you walk with God, your faith will grow increasingly, your love unto all saints will be greatly enlarged, and the hope laid up for you in heaven will fill the vision of your opened eyes, as your heart is occupied with the Lord Himself who has restored your soul.
For it is well to remember that He Himself is our hope. He has gone back to the Father’s house to prepare a place for us, and He has promised to come again and receive us unto Himself, that where He is we may be also.
Journal:
Is my “knee bended” in regular times of prayer?
Who in my life helps to keep me accountable to avoid times of backsliding? When I was the last time I met with them?
Prayer Father, thank You that You always are with me, even in times when I am trying to run away. I am so thankful for all the times You gently call me back to Yourself. Keep me close to You, Lord! Don’t let me stray far from Your path. Keep me on my knees and in Your Word so I don’t get off track and fall away. In Jesus’ name, Amen (Via Henry Ironside)
Be Blessed! Dawn
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