No Goats Allowed

Roses to roses,
Bees to bees,
Love your neighbor
As you love me.

I read this poem out loud in my dream this morning and then I woke up. I couldn’t help but start thinking of the passage where Jesus is talking about those who helped Him. I had to search for it, because I didn’t have it committed to memory, but here it is:


Mathew 25:31-40

When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on the right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.” Then the righteous will answer him, saying, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?” And the King will answer them, “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me."


So I have been doin’ some praying this morning and searching my heart about this passage and poem this morning. How much do I serve my neighbor in all the ways listed in the passage, and how much do I love myself more than I love my neighbors?

Well, ummm, looks like I’ve got some work to do!!!

So this morning, I pray for all believers, that we would do what we are called to do.

Would you pray for me in that regard, too?

The ARMOR

When I flew a combat sortie (flight), my crewmembers and I prepared for battle by putting on a helmet, some body armor, and then we strapped on a big helicopter with armor plating and big guns. But when we were away from a perceived threat, we dressed down to a level associated with the threat level at whatever location we might land.

Paul tells the Ephesians about the importance of putting on the full armor of God:

Eph 6:11-17

11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm
against the schemes of the devil.

12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.

14 Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS,

15 and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE;

16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

17 And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

I don’t believe the threat level ever decreases when I am up against the “spiritual forces of wickedness of the heavenly places.” I may have periods where I am “feeling” pretty good and safe, but it is those times that I need the full armor of God. The “perceived” threat of the spiritual enemy may be low, but make no mistake, the threat is always there, and we should always be wearing God’s Armor!

The LOVE

I sure don't understand people saying they think it is icky to say they are "in love" with the Lord. Have we reduced the word "Love" and "in love" so much that it is a bad thing to be in Love with Love?

1 John 4:16 We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.

How could I not be in love with the One who said in John 15:13 "Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends," and then did just that. He called me friend, wow!!!!

Semantics, maybe, but I don't understand how its OK to say I am in love with my wife, but not in love with Love, with the One Who gave His life for me, Whose Words uphold creation, Who is the Creator of all things, love being one of those all things!

DEFINITIONS

Today, I had the opportunity to meet with a group of men and discuss God’s Provision and His Sovereignty. I am so thankful for this group and the effect it has on my faith already, and I know it will only deepen as we progress in our time together.

The kicker for me today was a discussion of blessings. I don’t know that I always associate blessings with “rewards” of material matters, but I know that it is easier for me to associate blessings with things that can be grasped.

Today it has been redefined in my heart. A blessing is something, anything, on so many levels that brings me closer to my Lord! Can a rough time be a blessing? Yep, if it brings me closer to the Lord. Can a wonderful time be a blessing? Absolutely, if it brings me closer to the Lord!

I am blessed to be in this group of guys that are seeking the Lord. I am blessed when I see God’s glory in the stars He created. It blesses me to read a story of the joy a Mom receives from hearing her baby laugh, while he is sleeping. I know she loves that boy, and God gave her that attribute. I am blessed that the trials and consequences in my life as a result of my poor decisions took me to a spiritual low that allowed me call upon my Heavenly Father! The coolest thing is that He was/is always there!

Our lives are full of blessings; we just need to recognize them!

THE ROCK!

Have you ever read the Bible and been amazed to see something you have never seen before?

It happened again to me last night, and it has to do with Jesus in the Old Testament! I have often heard discussion of the Old Testament being filled with stories about Christ. I just recently reread the book of Luke and something stuck out to me like never before. Christ is speaking to his disciples after His resurrection and Luke 24: 27 says, “Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.” This is cool, but not the big one motivating me to write today!

Last night was such an amazing revelation to me that I found it hard to sleep. In 1 Corinthians 10:1-4, Paul is giving a reference to the period after the nation of Israel was allowed to leave Egypt and he says, “For I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that our fathers were all under the cloud and all passed through the sea; and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and all ate the same spiritual food; and all drank the same spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them; AND THE ROCK WAS CHRIST.”

And the Rock was Christ! Isn’t that amazing, a direct reference to Old Testament scripture! I went through about a seven year period where I struggled with the Trinity; often times saying I couldn’t find any specific evidence. Well, my testimony is an indicator of a hardened heart and scaled over eyes to go with it. I am now amazed to find how full the scriptures are with reference to the Trinity. Deuteronomy 32:3-4 says, “For I proclaim the name of the LORD; Ascribe greatness to our God! THE ROCK! His way is perfect, For all His ways are just; A God of faithfulness and without injustice, Righteous and upright is He.” So “the Rock” is also a reference to God. Simply, wonderfully amazing!

I am not as well versed in the Bible as I will be, but if you are new to really putting your heart into the scripture, I want to recommend that you get an exhaustive concordance to help you find references. I remembered the story about the Israelites, but found the Deuteronomy reference by looking up “rock” in my concordance!

God is good, and I thank Him for what He is doing in my heart!

The Irony

So I was reading Luke 22:1 and something occurred to me that never had before, concerning the Passover celebration and the irony of Christ's death.

The Feast of Unleavened Bread, also known as the Passover (Exodus 12:14 and Luke 22:1) is a 7 day remembrance of the Lord protecting Israel from the destroyer, who would take the lives of the firstborn throughout Egypt. This plague was the final one the Lord would use to get His people out of Egypt, so they could worship Him as He required.

Fast forward to Luke 22:1, where Christ is directing His disciples to go and prepare the Passover meal. So Christ, God's only begotten Son (John 3:16), the Firstborn of many (Romans 8:29), also the Firstborn of all creation (Colossians 1:15), will now give His life as the perfect sacrifice during this period of celebration of the night that God showed great mercy on the firstborn of Israel.

So to summarize…Our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus (Titus 2:13) brought plagues on the Egyptians, but mercy on the firstborn of the Israelites so that He could have the proper relationship with His children in the place of His choosing (the promised land). He would later come in human form as Christ Jesus (the Firstborn of all creation) to die for His children (any who would believe in Him), and His death would occurr during the celebration of His mercy on the firstborn of Israel. This was so that He could have the relationship He desired with us, in the location of His choosing...our hearts!!!!

Ironic that the Firstborn of all creation would give His life during this specific celebration is not a strong enough word...but LOVE is!!!

Thank You, Lord!!!

The Inevitable

It is inevitable that stumbling blocks will come…

Over that last few months, I have been humbled by the opportunity to speak with folks who are struggling in there marriage. An amazing time in my life, considering the stumbling blocks I have experienced in my marriage and the victory the Lord has given Michelle and me over our past. I am truly, and only the Lord knows a better word, amazed and in awe of the way He has turned my marriage around. James 4:8 says “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” One of the most significant ways to draw near to God is through His Word, the written Word, the Bible.

As I talked about in my last post, I once again recognize a common thread among those who chose to dissolve their marriage. And let me just say, I am aware that at any given moment, I am capable and will hold on tight at times to that common thread. That thread that I see is…..not keeping my heart in God’s word. I know in the depths of my sin, I was purposely choosing to not read the bible, as I knew I would be convicted. I knew the overwhelming power in the Word of my God, and yet I chose to not read it, because I wanted to wallow with the pigs. For whatever reason, I thought it felt better to root around in the mud, than to live in the glory of my Creator.

He has also given us a community of believers to help us through our struggles. This morning I was reading His Word, and I saw a perfect example of the community helping us in our struggles. It is during the time when Moses had lead Israel out of Egypt and they were in the desert about to battle Amalek.

EXODUS 17:11-12 “So it came about when Moses held his hand up, that Israel prevailed, and when he let his hand down, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands were heavy. Then they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it; and Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side, and one on the other. Thus his hands were steady until the sun set.

So the chosen leader of Israel needed help for victory. Folks, we can’t do this alone. Who are your Aaron and Hur? It is the community of believers that you belong to! It is the Word of God! It is His Holy Spirit! He has provided all of these for us to crawl over, around, through the stumbling blocks that are inevitably coming our way!

I’m not speaking negative about those stumbling blocks, our Creator and Savior, is quoted in Luke 17:1 He said to his disciples, “It is inevitable that stumbling blocks come, but woe to him through whom they come:” Amazingly, He provides the way to victory around those blocks.

I have to stay in His word, because He says to, and he says to because He loves me, and He knows the paths I will take when I don’t.

An Ox to Grind

Today I was at Recovery at the Village and Michelle, my love, is in Chicago. It was a day for testimony, and the gentleman speaking spoke of how his sin was a result of a deceptive heart, but that the Lord is into changing hearts!

I was amazed to recognize the common thread woven through folks, myself being one of them, who suffer the consequences of repetitive sin. There is such personal disgrace one goes through in dealing with their choices, whatever the flavor of the sin, when it is unconfessed and hidden through a “double” life. I somehow believed enduring years of shame in order to hide my “addiction” was a better alternative to seeking help through a community of believers, the church. We as believers need to make others aware of our struggles, and share our burdens as the Lord intended His church to do. Galatians 6:2-3 says “Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.” Am I helping or hindering a brother by “appearing” to be the “good” believer?

I am amazed at how the Lord has softened my heart towards the sinner, because I now recognize the undeserving grace that He has shown me. We as the church need to have a passion for those who choose to continue down the path of separation from their loving God in hopes of satisfying their desires with creation, instead of being fulfilled by the Creator.

It has been going on since the dawn of creation, the desire to sin. Even Psalm 106:20-21 says “Thus they exchanged their glory for the image of an ox that eats grass. They forgot God their Savior.”

Is it that I forget my God my Savior, or that I choose to do something that does not bring glory to Him. Sin is a choice, and I need to recognize it as that. Am I going to choose to give up my glory in exchange for an image of an ox – moooo – seems extremely jacked up when I think of it in those terms!!!

My Faith

Last night I read a blog of a friend who I consider a great mentor to a great many people and to me. It had to do with Faith and works, and it’s been on my mind a lot, though I choose today to only write about the Faith part.

It all started last week when I was playing softball, and after I hit the ball I started to sprint, yes I said started, and then it felt like my right calf had been hit harder than I had hit the ball! So after several days of recovery, I finally made an appointment with the Doc to have it checked out.

I began to wonder, what if I had the faith to pray and my leg would be healed, but 1Cor 12:7-9 says “But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit.” And in verse 11 “But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.” It is so easy for me to doubt my faith when I pray for healing, and it doesn’t happen before my eyes. Healing is a gift of the Spirit given to whom He sees fit. I need not question my faith, just because I don’t have this or that gift according to MY will.

There is one item of Faith, though, that I know to have eternal consequence. And that is “do I believe that Christ is the Messiah” no matter what my situation. Whether I am walking with or without a limp, whether my sick leave is used up and I run out of savings, whether I ever get to fly again for a living for whatever reason, do I believe that the God of the universe sent His Son to die on the cross so that I could have a personal relationship with Him now and for eternity. And the answer is…absolutely, positively, YESSSSSSSSSS!

I believe the scriptures are the living Word of God: that Christ prayed for me as John 17:20 in the NLT says “I am praying not only for these disciples, but also for all who will ever believe in me because of their testimony.” That is you and me He’s praying for and I am amazed by it! And in John 20:29 Jesus said to Thomas, “Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.” That is you and me too, praise the Lord! Christ said I am blessed!!!! My faith is in Him!!

So no matter what the circumstance, who is your faith in?

The Ladder

I woke the other morning with the thoughts of my past addictions; otherwise known as sins (Wonderful Counselor – Ab Abercrombie) I had grown accustomed to committing in order to satisfy my kingdom of self (Paul Trip). My heart grew so accustomed to them that it felt as if they were needs, though I am aware now of the condition of my spiritual heart driving those kinds of thoughts. SIDE NOTE I understand that after a time chemical addictions can turn in to physical needs and painful recoveries in order to come off of them, but thank God, I am only addressing mine, and my addictions hadn’t reached that level (alcohol), and lust of the flesh 1Jn 2:16.

It occurred to me that there is a path that the Lord desires for me to follow and Prov 4:25-27 says “Let your eyes look directly ahead and let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you. Watch the path of your feet and all your ways will be established. Do not turn to the right nor to the left: Turn your foot from evil.” On that path He desires for us, I will display the Fruits of the Spirit, Galatians 5:22, but on the path I chose away from His will, I display the deeds of the flesh, Gal 5:17.

In my minds eye, I see this as a ladder I am climbing while striving to be more like Christ. And on that climb, He will provide the things I need in order to be successful, as measured by Him, much different than worldly success. On each rung He provides the food I need, the air I breathe, and the heartbeat to keep this body going, and Godly counsel through His Word. But the problem is, there are things of the world that caught my eye, and at first they appeared to be close in and easy to grasp, but as the addiction deepened they got further and further away from the ladder, and I had to reach out so far to grab them, to satisfy my sinful nature, that eventually the Lord allowed me to fall off the ladder in my attempts to grab those objects that would never satisfy my sinful nature. And after the fall, I am able to see more clearly that He does provide all my needs and that keeping my eyes straight ahead and on Him is a better path, His path, not mine.

He knows my steps

Or as today would have it, He knows my swim. I was swimming out in the bay by my hotel and was amazed at God's creation, and it occurred to me that God knew I would take this swim today and see His glory in His creation. He knew I would see that hermit crab, which looks so tiny in that shell, and yet appears to be ten times bigger when it comes out. He knew I would see the little sting ray that made me nervous, thoughts of the Crocodile Hunter! And so many other fish that I am amazed to see in the “wild.” To know that God created those things for a purpose, and wonder, in awe, what that purpose might be! That He spoke the hermit crab into being, that He made the sting ray with His words. That He knew I would see them today, before I was born! Simply Amazing!

And then my mind went to deeper thoughts, no really, deeper thoughts, Ha! I felt more comfortable in the shallow water, like I had some kind of control over my safety as long as I didn’t get to deep. Christ is the Living Water, and I think about how often I want to stay in the shallow end, like I might have a little control over things in my life. Just think the vastness of the ocean if you just get out a little deeper, and can see all it has to offer. So why not do that with the Living Water! I need to get deeper to submerse myself in His Love, and trust that He will, and does protect me when I just have the faith to have a deeper relationship with Him.

Not all my thoughts for the day, but enough for my first attempt at a blog!