Sitting Down

http://bible.com/1/mat.8.11.kjv And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.

Have you considered this? Who do we sit down with?

Who do we 'break bread' with? Especially those who call themselves Christians?

Abraham was called the friend of God, yet he wasn't perfect, nor were Isaac or Jacob.

They were men God refined and counts worthy enough to be a 'goal' of sitting down in their company.

How discerning and discreet are we on this side of glory? Do we spend time (sit down) with those who are seeking to be refined into His image?

My grandma used to say "Birds of a feather flock together."

Lord help us to be discerning in our choice of company. Help us to cultivate godly relationships, help us to glorify You with those we 'sit down'.

Discipline

http://bible.com/1/1co.5.11.kjv But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.

So how do you do this, if such strong discipline is done at all?

Fornication - how do you know if someone is engaging?

Fornication seems a pretty straight forward sin, but is it?

What about covetousness? Idolatry? Don't we all battle (or should) idols? What in our lives are we putting before God and His Word?

Railers? What, or who, fits this description?

Drunkards and extortioner - we'd know how to spot those too, right?

Not to eat with...no breaking of bread, hanging out for a casual meal. No 'family' get togethers?

This isn't addressing the unsaved, rather someone who calls themselves a believer. This is harsh judgment.

Do we have the strength to stand to God's command? Or do we, in 'Christian' 'love' and 'grace' look the other way and not 'judge'?

Because we're all sinners right? We all fall short. We all have 3 fingers pointing back at ourselves.

How bold are we to challenge someone (including ourselves) who says they are a Christian yet fall, or follow those behaviors above?

"I'm sorry." WAIT, why are we sorry? Is God sorry?

"I would enjoy having a meal with you (or hanging out together); however...."

Can you say it (if you know it to be true and the person is unrepentant)? Can I?

How do you work it out if the person or people live in your home? Or work with you?

Preach The Gospel

1 Corinthians 1.17-18

"For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel:..."

Interesting thought, baptism is an outward declaration of the inward change, but not the 'goal'.

"...not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God."

Chosen people 'hear'. Another interesting thought, saved. Appears to be past tense. We're already 'saved' (chosen) when we hear the gospel.

Yet we're to liberally scatter 'seed' and not be concerned with ground conditions. 

Justice

Here's another, 'wait, let me reread it again' moment.

http://bible.com/1/2th.1.6.kjv Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;

We will suffer on this side of glory. It's not an option.

We may 'coast' along for periods of time - that non existent plateau of 'ahh' everything is right.

Which is really an illusion, since it's only based upon ourselves (it's ALL about me) and our perceptions.

Whereas God sees everyone and every situation and there will never be the perfect 'ahh' moment (actually eternity) until He calls us all home.

Somewhere there is always persecution, death, distress, disease, etc. But the really glorious thought, as expressed in the passage?

God RIGHTEOUSLY recompenses those that trouble us, physical and spiritual 'enemies' and 'frenemies' (you know those people who act as if they are your friend, but eventually show themselves NOT to be).

So saints when we suffer (not because we're being corrected) but because we're showing HIM, God is keeping record. He doesn't always judge in the time frame which we'd like.

And no we can't call lightening down from heaven when someone is being a pain. :-)

We can, and should, be praying, not for vengeance on them, rather that God's grace would open their blind eyes and deaf ears and we would stand boldly for truth and be blameless witnesses for Him.

TRUSTING Him to work out either salvation in them, sanctification in us, and an eventual 'settling of the books' at the end.

So whose annoying you? Not treating you well? 'Sandpapering'? Outright persecuting you? Mocking Your God? Gossiping (frenemies)? or are you in a trial (always allowed by God) to refine you?

Pray dear saint, pray more. Prayer doesn't change God, it changes us.

Ungodly Persecute Righteous

I had to read the verse 3 times to absorb the word picture.

Just as Ishmael persecuted Issac, so the ungodly do to the children of promise.

http://bible.com/1/gal.4.29.kjv But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.

Jesus told us we'd be persecuted, just as He was...but dear American saint, how persecuted are we?

Please don't tell me you're mocked for wanting to put Christ into 'christ-mass' - which is no where in Scripture.

Rather are you persecuted or mocked by others, including 'Christians' because you don't?

Do you have morals or standards for what you watch, listen, read and get flack?

Irritating yes, as north American peoples, but no where near the persecution suffered by saints in other countries.

We don't lose our homes, jobs, families, get stoned, burned, banished.

Yet how frequently do we pray and intercede? Weep because they weep? Feel their anguish?

I confess I fall short, encased as I am in my 'ivory castle'. I am a selfish, self centered person, consumed with my own 'problems', pleasures, wants and desires.

God forgive me.

Who Is His People?

Who is there among you of all his people? 2 Chronicles 36:23

Thus endeth the readings from the Old Testament.

How distinct are we as Christians? What 'odor' do we project to our family, friends, acquaintances, coworkers, people we pass through in life?

How brightly is our 'light' shining in this dark world?

"This little light of mine, I'm going to let it shine..."

Begins the song...but the light can only shine if there is 'oil' in our vessels. Our oil isn't based upon us, or a one time filling.

We've got to be renewed daily, freshing ourselves with His word. 'Washing' allowing His Word to cleanse, correct, and encourage us.

Lord, I am such a tarnished, slovenly vessel, not worthy to be called by your name, forgive me for my rebellion against You. For choosing distractions and pleasures of this world over You and Your Word. Cleanse me Father, wash me fresh, fill me full with Your Spirit.

Help me Lord to be a savour of life, an obedient vessel pouring out Your words, life and encouragement. Help me Lord not to be deceived by the enemy.

Cause me to be discerning of the sleight of hand used by those who may claim to be Christians, but in reality are not walking in the full counsel of the Word.

Cleanse us Your people, help us to be prepared for the daily battle with our flesh and the enemy. Strengthen Your people O Lord and cause us to 'see' the battle as You.

"Who is there among you of all his people?"

Right vs Perfect

http://bible.com/1/2ch.25.2.kjv And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord , but not with a perfect heart.

Right...does this mean a checklist mentality?

God wants me to do this, this and this, I don't really 'want' to but will so I can check it off.

Can we even have a perfect heart? If God has chosen us, changed our stony heart and given us a new heart with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (can we say MAJOR software updates? :) ) is our heart then perfect?

How often am I falling into the same scenario? Dotting 'i's' and crossing 't's' yet doing it only for the outward demonstration?

Sitting on the outside, standing on the inside? Ouch.

When 'no one' is 'looking' how much do I conform to the image of Christ?

How about you? What are we 'doing' in our daily walks - and not just 'Christian' walk because there is no on/off - which isn't pleasing to Him? But we 'get by'?

Oh Lord we are but dust, help us to set aside the things of the world, our 'pretendings' to be 'right' or 'holy'.

Cleanse us Your people, cause us to desire to be perfect as You are perfect. Help us to walk our talk and not be found wanting in Your sight.

OcToBeR 2015

Well...I said to myself many days ago, "You need to get October posted."  Each day, "I need to get that done." And today, "Yeah, I SHOULD have gotten that done."  Cause I had to guess which chapters I needed to read TODAY.  :-)

I was going to add a link for my source, but it doesn't seem to be working at this precise moment.