I have been thinking this week of the fleeting nature of life.  The first of the week there was a young (30 something) singer who took her own life.  I couldn’t help but reflect on the futility of what the world offers.  Here is a young woman who in the world’s eyes, at one time, “had it all”.  Fame, success, relative fortune and yet in just a few short years her life ended in extreme desperation.  She had lost her children, her life was caught up in substance abuse and the end was suicide.  What desperation for one so seemingly “successful”?

How often we forget the words of the scripture?  John 15:5 reminds us “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. “   And in John 3:5-7  “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.”  How quickly we forget?  Or is it that we have never understood that God is our only hope?

It is only when we look to God that we have the power to walk and live successfully in this life.  Paul gives us a picture of “successful” Christian living.  2 Timothy 4:1-8 “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”   We are to fight the good fight and that will cost us something—death to ourselves and living in Christ. (Phil 2:20) To walk in the spirit not the flesh. (Gal 5:16,&25) To know and follow truth not fables. That is a task that I cannot do without the presence, power and provision of the Holy Spirit of Christ Jesus.  As we look at the things that he mentions here to Timothy, the message was so important to Paul that he wrote it down for Timothy (and for us) before his death.  Generally we put great import on the final words of those we love.  Let’s receive this challenge as from our Lord Himself, which in reality it is. To preach, stand, reprove, rebuke, exhort—to do the work of God and prove ourselves faithful before HIM! Oh, to heed the call to faithful service unto God!

We will give an account.  Romans 14:10b “for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ”, and 1 Corinthians 3:12-15 “Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire”,  we see that we shall all give an account of the works we do in the flesh.  Paul contrasts 6 kinds of material-3 are flammable and 3 are inflammable.  Which works will I present before the Lord to go through the “FIRE” of judgment.  The thing we must remember is that “we shall stand before the judgment seat of Christ” , and that  “every man’s work shall be made manifest”—we will give an account to God.  Remember that both of these judgments are for believers, NOT the lost.

The warning to the lost is different and is found in Revelation 20:12-15 “And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”  There is no second chance!!!  As Jesus told Nicodemus in John 3:3 “…except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God…” and verse 5 “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” And Jesus himself asserts in John 14:6 …, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”  ONLY ONE WAY! The world is a “life” stealer!   Are we sharing the “life” of Jesus with those around us who need deliverance from this world of death?

Are we abiding in Jesus? Is He abiding in us?  Are we being salt and light in a world of darkness (see Matthew 5:13-16)?—this world is dark!  Who in our lives right this moment is on the verge of something tragic?  Are we extending hope and truth to those around us in danger?  May we be faithfully shining and seasoning the world  around us with Christ, this week, and always.

Greetings from the “flu” zone.  We’ve spent the last 3 weeks fighting the flu—the real full-blown stuff.  Zane got it first and kindly shared with me and I’ve been down for 2 weeks.  I hope last weeks letter wasn’t too far out as I wrote it with what felt like half a brain, but really felt that I needed to write it.  I hope God was able to speak through it to your hearts.  We are much better, no fever and achy-breaky pains, just this hang on cough that won’t go away.  I pray that you are well and have avoided this gruesome affliction.

As I have spent the last few weeks in a much slower pace (almost a crawl…haha), it has brought to my mind many of the blessings that we so often forget to thank God for.  We have been looking at the prayers of the scripture and I thought we’d bring this series to a close with the most wonderful prayer of Jesus in John 17—the Lord’s prayer.  The prayer that He prayed for the twelve apostles but also for us.  Since it is such a long passage we’ll just list some of the things that Jesus prayed for us, as well as the things He reveals about Himself in this passage.  I recommend that you read John 17 and then go back over this letter and let God speak to our hearts.

In verses 1-5 Jesus reveals to us His commitment to accomplish His Father’s will and that He was ready to face the cross, knowing that is why He came—to purchase our salvation.  Oh, if we could only learn to keep our eyes on Jesus and let God do His work through us.  John 4:34 tells us  “Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.” Jesus reminds us that He was about God’s work not just HIS own.  How easy it is to get on our track instead of God’s.  God is always at work around us and we must learn to recognize His hand and the voice of His Spirit leading us, and then dig in and do His work!!  I have been reminded in these days of aching and not doing much, that God is always at work in our lives.  I have been so grateful that we serve a God who,  as 1 John 4:19 reminds us,  “We love him, because He first loved us.”  What a God who loves us– “For when we were without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” Romans 5:6—that’s me. Without strength, one of the “ungodly” for which He died.

As I have been down and “without strength” I have been so grateful that we serve the God who is always at work, even when I am too weak to do anything obvious.  God’s work is so often in our hearts and minds as we press on in this difficult life. As Paul tells us in Phil 3:14 “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”  Sometimes it’s just good to “smell the roses”—in this case the “Rose of Sharon”.  To just know that HE is at work even when I can’t work much except to rest in Him and call on Him to carry me. As 1 Peter 5:7 says “Casting all your care upon Him, for He careth for you.”  Let’s just praise the God of the universe—the sovereign God who never slumbers or sleeps….Ps 121:2-3 “My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.” My God is always with me. (see Heb  13:5)

As we continue in verses 6-8, we see that Jesus has shared the Father with those that were given to Him.  Are we sharing what we know about the Father, Son and Holy Spirit with those around us? Sometimes it is hard to share God’s word and truth with those around us.  It seems that the closer others are to us the more difficult it is to share God’s truth with them.  Especially when they are not particularly receptive. In fact sometimes the ones we love most don’t want to hear that God is GOD!  Yet we must share the love of God without neglecting the fact that “SIN” is the issue. Romans  3:23 & 6:23 are ever a reminder of God’s view of sin, that “all have sinned” and HE has provided the only escape. We must call those around us to repentance and faith in Jesus—the flip sides of the same coin, so to speak.  And in John 1:12-13 “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”  Salvation is a supernatural work of God and God alone.  Oh, that we can live with such devotion to Jesus, that others will desire to know our Lord and Savior Jesus.  He is the only way.  He wanted us to know Him and He desired for us to share what we receive with the world.

As we look at verses 9-19 he prays:  calling us His own, that we would have HIS joy fulfilled in us, that He has given us HIS word and because of that word, the world will hate us (as it hated HIM), that God would keep us from evil, because we are of HIM and not of the world, that we will be sanctified (set apart for service), that we are sent into the world (as He was sent to us), and that His sanctification would be imparted to us.  As we see in 1 Peter 1:15-17 “ But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:” As our Lord is holy—we are to be holy, and to live lives of integrity and holiness—by HIS power.  What a wonder that our Lord cared so much as to pray these wonderful things for us.

As we conclude, we see the heart and desire of our Lord in verses 20 and following, we see the things Jesus asked for all who would ever believe on Him,–  that we would be one with Him, that the world would know Jesus and His love, that His love would be in us and that the world would see HIM in us.   His request for us should be our goal— to know HIM and reveal HIM to the world.  To be one with Jesus and walk worthy of His calling upon us.  May He bless and grow you this week and always.  Press on with Him, for Him and to His glory!!

As we continue to look at some of the prayers in the scripture, let’s see what Paul prayed for the Colossians in Col. 1:9-18.  This is such a powerful prayer and one that I use often in my personal praying.  It has such inspiration and we can learn so much about God from it, as well as learn what a faithful servant looks like.

Colossians 1:9-18 “For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.”  Paul was writing this to a group of people that he didn’t know.  He had only heard about their faith—and yet had such a great desire for them to know the Lord more intimately. To be instrumental in their spiritual growth.

Let’s look at the things he is praying for them—that they might be “filled” with the knowledge of GOD’s will, in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.  As the Proverbs tell us “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom….” Prov 9:10.  And as Jesus reminds us in John 15:5b “without me you can do nothing…”   Our walk with the Lord is so totally dependent on HIM, and I am to lean on HIM and depend on His grace and strength.  As we have seen continually , it is in, through and with the Lord that we accomplish that which is eternal, which pleases God, and produces great things for the Kingdom of God.  That is Paul’s prayer for his brothers in Christ and we can seek that same priority for ourselves and those that we love.

Paul’s prayer is that we would “walk worthy” of the Lord, to be pleasing and fruitful in all good works.  We are to be noted for our “goodness” toward others.  Gal 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”  Is my life marked by these works of the Spirit or the lusts of the flesh?  If  you’ll notice this says the “fruit”, singular, not plural.  Each one and all in total,  of these characteristics is an evidence that God’s Spirit is at work in me.  That is the proof that I belong to Jesus.  Ro 8:9b “Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.”  The indwelling (and working) Holy Spirit and His fruit is the evidence that I belong to Jesus and HE belongs to me.

As we practice this walk and grow in God’s word and His ways, His presence will be evident in our daily life and walk.  And we will be strengthened with all might, according to God’s power.  Praise the Lord, that it’s HIS strength that empowers us and not our own.  As Titus 3:5 says “..Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;”  we can be thankful it depends on God not our own resources.  God’s resources which grow us into servants with an attitude of endurance (toward circumstances),  and long-suffering (toward people)with joyfulness.  God will grow us into a grateful child, able to extend grace and forgiveness toward others .  James 1:2 says to “count it all joy….when you fall into various trials…”

Paul then focuses,  as Daniel did, on the attributes of God in which we can and should take all comfort and strength.—God who:

Is our Father

Makes us partakers of HIS kingdom through Christ

Delivers us from the power of darkness

Translates us into the Kingdom of His dear Son

Redeems and forgives us IN Jesus

Then Paul clearly and openly declares the deity and authority of Jesus, who is:  the image of the invisible God

the firstborn of all creation

the creator of ALL

before all things

the head of the church

the preeminent ONE of all creation!!

These are great verses to memorize and keep in our hearts to remind us of who our Jesus is and how powerful His grace is to meet our every need.  He is God!  I am to follow Him and grow in my knowledge of HIM.  By growing in knowledge of my Lord, I will accomplish Romans 8:29 “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.”  I pray that we will all seek to know Him more and be a reflection of HIS glory…..To walk worthy!!!  “ Walk in newness of LIFE!” Ro 6:4

As we looked last week at the victory that we find in Jesus and our walk with Him ,  I’d like us to learn to Know the character of our God even more. This is so dependent upon our devotion to Him and His principles which we find in scripture.   I’d like us to answer the question this week and perhaps next (as I don’t think we can get it all in at one session)—Who is YOUR God?  What do you know about Him? Are you confident in who He is and what He can do for you?  As a popular song says, “…..what he’s done for others, he’ll do for you….”.  There is an implication here that I know what He’s done for others.  Let’s look at a few of those “others” from scripture.

One of the best ways I have found to know about who and what God is can be found in the prayers of the Bible, and I’d like to look at a some of those this week.  The first is Daniel 2:19-23 “19 Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.20 Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his:21 And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:22 He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.23 I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king’s matter.”  This of course, is Daniel’s prayer of thanksgiving to God for the answer to King Nebuchadnezzar’s unknown dream.  We see that Daniel received the answer to his prayer and the prayer of his friends (check out the context and you’ll see that this was a life-threatening situation) and is overflowing with praise and gratitude.

Daniel begins this prayer with a blessing to the God of heaven—our God, our Father in heaven, the same Lord that “is my shepherd”!!!!  Is this your God?  When we know God through the blood of His son, we have the privilege of coming into HIS presence—anytime, anywhere with any request!  Daniel had a big request and He is thanking his BIG GOD for answering, and in this prayer we learn a lot about His God and OURS!!!

Let’s look at Daniel’s praise to God, in which he recounts the character of God—the God we want to know, love and be devoted to!  What does he tell us?  That we are to praise God forever and forever BECAUSE:         Wisdom and might are HIS

HE changes the times and season

HE removes and sets up kings

HE gives wisdom to the wise

HE gives knowledge to the ones of                        understanding

HE reveals the deep and secret things

HE knows what is in the darkness

Light dwells with HIM

And HE gives these to His own (Daniel in particular and us also)

So what does this mean to us?  We serve the living God of all the universe and HE holds ALL power and might, times and seasons, political circumstances, wisdom and knowledge, the deep and hidden things of the world—the dark and the light, AND He shares all these with HIS OWN!!!              So, where are you today?  Are you struggling with weakness, then remember that God is your strength.   Phil 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me”.  Don’t let the problem get your eyes off the awesome power of YOUR GOD!

Are you wrestling with the particulars of your season of life?  Focus on YOUR GOD who changes times and seasons!  Ro 8:28 “…all things work together for good, to them that love God, to them who are the called according to HIS purpose…”   1 Peter 4:10 “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”  I see no mention of age here–just good stewardship.

You can trust our God to have a purpose for YOU.  Does the political scene in which we find ourselves discourage you?  Look up!!  Luke 21:28 “….look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh”.  Let’s look for and to our Lord to use us in these  “..perilous times..”  2 Tim 3:1  And Jesus himself  prayed in John 17:1 “These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:”   He is the SOVEREIGN God of all!!!  Do you need wisdom?  Look to your God.  Do you need knowledge or understanding where you are?  Are there hidden things that you need to find?  Are you afraid of the darkness around you?  YOU need to look to the God who holds all of these things.  He is our GOD—of might, power, timings, wisdom and knowledge, He brings light to the hidden and dark things around US!  John 8:12 “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”  Are you willing to let God be in control in YOUR life?  To follow Jesus and walk in the light?  To let HIM bring glory to HIMSELF through you?  Let’s commit ourselves to be available to our Lord each day, each step of the way