December 13 - Thought for the day.....dealing with evil

There is both good and evil in the world. Just a few minutes watching the news ensures us that there is evil and following the life of a true Christ-follower should remind us of good.

In yesterday's "thought" I mentioned overcoming hypocrisy is really about love. Love can not be real love unless you love enough to stand for those you love and against evil. Paul says in part "b" of Romans 12:9

"Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good."

"Abhor" is not a word I use everyday but Paul's use here is strong. The intent is to stand against, don't allow, be repulsed by, anything that would be evil. It is to completely back away from anything that is evil. The culture in the Middle East at this time, was Roman which is actually not unlike our culture today. Pleasure at the sacrifice of others and selfishness were the norm and this is what most Christ-followers came from. I know it may seem cliche but the idea would be; if Jesus were standing beside you, would you be doing what you are doing. If it is something you know to be wrong, then you should not simple stay away from it but be repulsed by it.

What is evil? Anything that goes directly against what God's Word says. Anything that could potentially harm, body, mind, or spirit. Anything that would hinder you from fulfilling the destiny God created for you, anything that would limit the love, joy, and peace God has planned for you. Practically, think about what you watch on TV, what you view on the internet, the conversations you have with others...evil or good?

In our culture we are surrounded by so much evil how do we overcome? The word Paul uses for "cling" means to glue or cement something together so tightly that it can not be separated. It suggests also working at "clinging to the good". 

The good are the things that the Bible outlines that are beneficial and a strength to body, mind, and soul. These are the things that are profitable to you being fulfilled, blessed, and for you to live out your destiny.

Take time to notice both the evil and the good around you. How do certain TV shows, movies, conversations, things on the internet make you feel? The more time you spend with the Lord the more you can tell the difference between the evil and the good, real lasting love, joy, and peace, versus the temporary versions our culture offers.

December 12 - Thought for the day....hypocrisy

One of the reason I hear often for people not wanting to come to church is hypocrisy. This really baffles me because there is more hypocrisy in the world than in the church. Entertainers who decry environmental issues yet drive in limos and fly in personal jets. Politicians who vow they care about the poor yet have made their career by passing legislation that keep the poor in bondage to government. 

I will give them this, the church should always be as trustworthy, truthful, and lacking hypocrisy as is possible. How do we stay free from hypocrisy? Paul has the answer

Romans 12:9a "Let love be without hypocrisy."

To understand hypocrisy we must understand love first. Have you ever had a friend who you loved that has gossiped about you, or attacked your character to others behind your back? Anyone can fail in a relationship but if on confrontation they lie to you about their failure their relationship with you is hypocritical. 

The word for the love God has for us and we should have for him and our Christian family is "agape". It is the highest, most noble, and most genuine type of love. Our culture has distorted love to almost make it dirty. This love occurs when an individual sees, recognizes, understands, or appreciates the value of an object or a person, causing the viewer to behold this object or person in great esteem, awe, admiration, wonder, and sincere appreciation. Such great respect is awakened in someone for another that they are compelled to love. This is what Jesus was talking about in John 3:16 and John talked about in 1 John 3:18.

This kind of love; honors, respects and values a person for who they are and would sooner be wounded themselves than wound another. It is hard in our culture to love and receive love this way, but if we want to live free of hypocrisy we must learn this kind of love for each other

December 10 - Thought for the day....beating the devil

I don't know that there are too many things more misunderstood among the body of Christ then the role the devil plays. I feel at times we become the church of the devil rather than Christ because we spend more time focused on him than Jesus.

James writes 4:7......"Resist the devil and he will flee from you."

When James chose to use the word we translate as "resist". our english doesn't quite capture the meaning. He is saying, Stand against his attacks on your thoughts with everything you have, believing God's Word above every lie and temptation. We are to defy the operation of the devil at every level. It is implied that as we dig in our heels and choose to believe the Lord we drive the devil back out of our lives.

The word used here for devil basically is a description more than a name. It means one who continues to chip away. Like someone using a hammer and chisel to break through a wall. That is the way he works, continually chipping away until we resist or give in.

James writes if we do this the enemy will "flee" which is to run away like a criminal who breaks the law is running from punishment. You see the devil is afraid that if a believer really stands, the devil himself will be forced to bow to the power of God and in His word in the believer so he runs before being trapped.

God's word is powerful. A person who believes in God's Word and love of God having real relationship with God is the greatest fear of the enemy.

Start realizing who Christ is in you. Drive back the devil, don't allow him to chip away at you, cause him to fear Christ in you!

December 9 - Thought for the day....healing

We all battle sickness at one time or another. Many who have read their Bibles are familiar with the many instances of divine healing Jesus, the apostles, and the early church saw in their ministry.

Is healing for today? If so, why don't we see it as frequently as in the New Testament. If we believe the Bible to be a "living" book then the scriptures are just as true today as they were when written. Jesus commanded those who would follow Him to "lay hands on the sick and they will recover" (Mark 16:18)

We need to pray and believe for those with mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical difficulties to be set free. God will do it through those who believe.

James gives us the reason why some may not be healed. This is not the reason for all, some it is timing, others God has a unique plan for, and others God may be looking more long term at their lives for greater impact. Here is what James says

"Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven." James 5:14,15

The idea here is that someone is so desirous to be healed, they are expecting a miracle, so they urgently ask for prayer. When asking for prayer it is our job to believe that God really wants to heal us and that we are important to Him.

The Elders (according to the Greek word used here) are the leadership of the church, those who have been chosen by God to lead, in positions of authority so they are functioning under their God anointed, authority, when praying.

"Praying" is the passionate, fervent, belief in the God who heals. Knowing that He is listening and watching what is being done.

The "anointing with oil" is a symbolism, throughout the Bible oil is a symbol of the Holy Spirit's presence. In other words, when the elder is praying, anointing with oil, they are standing in the place of Jesus, acting on behalf of Jesus, and moving in His authority to defeat this enemy. We are ambassadors of Christ. So like any ambassador, we function with the full authority of the King. 

Begin to believe today that you are important to God. Expect Him to bring healing to your mind, body, soul, and spirit when needed.

December 8 - Thought for the day....an abundance of joy

Have you ever been so happy you almost want to burst? Joy, elation, happiness, excitement are all within the purview of appropriate Christian responses.

Between you and me, this is one of my big problems with much of the contemporary Christian music. It seems we have trouble writing up beat, exciting music filled with joy. Our Pastor friend, James mentions about having an abundance of joy.

"Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms." James 5:13

The word translated cheerful here, should be expressed, having so much joy that you can not contain it. I can't imagine the shepherds seeing the angels and hearing that God has "good news of great joy for all people", and the shepherds not being about ready to burst with excitement.

God is a God of abundance and miracles. Miracles happen in our lives every day, if we will but take the time to notice them it won't be long until we too are about to burst with great joy.

The phrase for singing psalms is really more like simply singing at the top of your lungs or banging out a tune that whether anyone else enjoys it or not, it is expressing the fullness of joy in your heart. So go ahead make some kind of joyful noise. Do it with everyone around or no-one but let your joy be full.

Remember the angels words, "Good News of great joy for all people" We have the good news, let's celebrate always with great joy!

December 7 - Thought for the day....talking about your troubles

It is good to have close friends, pastors, and/or counselors with whom we can openly and freely share our troubles and difficulties. Some times just having that sounding board helps us process some of what we are walking through.

James, the pastor in the epistles challenges us with a thought about our troubles.

"Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray." James 5:13

The word suffering here is often talked about as sickness but the meaning is actually much more than that. It really means any kind of difficulty, mental, emotional, spiritual, or physical trial. In other words if you are facing any kind of duress, "pray".

Once again, it is great to talk wth people you can trust but some just want to talk and talk and never deal with their struggles. They just want the attention. James is saying, it doesn't matter what you are going through, if you really want answers, pray!

But the word for prayer here is more than throw up a few words to God. James word choice means much more than that, he is saying, "bring whatever your trouble is to God but be prepared to do whatever or give up whatever the Holy Spirit is speaking to you, then you will gain your freedom from your troubles.

In other words, if you have a struggle you are facing, talk with God about it, listen to Him, and expect to make changes in your life that He tells you to do, that will answer your need.

God has answers for all of our problems but we miss out on His answers because we throw up a simple prayer and expect Him to magically handle it, what He is expects, if we ask for answer is for us to wait for the answer and do what He tells us to do.

Got troubles? Wait for the answer, then do what He tells you to do. It simply a matter of God not only answering your trouble, but teaching you how to avoid it and overcome it in the future.

December 6 - Thought for the day....winning battles

Every day we are in a battle. Some it begins with simply fighting to get out of bed. Others a battle to get motivated. For others it can be a series of personal attacks that happen against their nature and/or character throughout the day. We all end up in some kind of battle. Our battles could be internal or external but we will face something today.

Paul gives us a list of the armor of God and in his mention of these armaments he says this.

"above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one."

Paul tells us to "take" the shield which is to say, we always have a choice to pick up faith and run with it, not in our own strength but His through us.

Paul is saying here, let your faith always go ahead of you in the battle. Faith is simply saying, "God I am afraid, I am having doubts, I am struggling" or whatever but then also saying "But God I want to trust you through this, help me!"

We win battles not by our strength, power, wisdom or whatever but instead by His. Pick up your faith today. Be honest with God about your fears and doubts and He will pick you up and get you through it all! You will win every time.