Greetings to you all from the Brittain household.  What a lovely time to be alive and well on planet earth.  To know and trust our own Lord Jesus for “life and godliness through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue.”(2 Peter 1:3)  The spring is finally among us if on a yo-yo basis—hot today cold tomorrow, but then that’s what spring does.  It has been lovely to be out and about seeing God’s beautiful creation come into bloom again and I thought we’d take this week and maybe a couple more to look at our blooming for Jesus, particularly Spiritual Gifts.  I think this season of new growth would be an excellent time to evaluate or re-evaluate how we are using our blessed gifts that God has given to us.

 

I would like to share the passages that deal with spiritual gifts and help us look at them and how they are manifest in our lives.  Since it would be too lengthy to list all the scriptures each week, I’ll spend this first week just mentioning all four of the main passages that deal with the gifts, and then go on to investigate each one to see how they apply to us individually as well as corporately (as the church-in general, the body of Christ and more specifically the local churches,  I’ll explain this as we go along).   The four main passages are 1 Peter 4:10-11; Ephesians 4:7-16; Romans 12:3-8(+9-13 for clarity); and 1 Corinthians 12:4-14 (chapters 12-14 for clarity).  We will begin with the general teachings and then go to the specifics.  Not an exhaustive study of the gifts but a deep look at the gifts, what they are, how they are to be used and by whom, as well as the priority of gifts and hopefully the identification of our own gifts.

 

We will begin with 1 Peter 4:10-11 “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”  Peter gives us here a general description of the gifts of the Spirit, as well as their source and purpose.  These are very important, as oft-times God’s gifts are misused and abused for the benefit of other than GOD! Let’s just follow the text here—Who receives the gift/gifts? Every believer receives a gift from God when they are saved (we will see later in 1 Cor. 12 that they are received as the manifestation of the indwelling Holy Spirit, but for now we’ll just look at Peter’s declaration.)  It is also noteworthy that the gifts are received not self-imposed.  They are to be used to minister to one another (the body of Christ), not for self-glory or self-gratification.  Peter also classifies the gifts here into two general groups—speaking gifts and serving gifts.  This makes understanding the gifts more simple, especially when we look later at the individual and specific gifts that are given.

Just as significantly here, we see the all-important purpose of the gifts in our lives, as well as the general method in which they are to be used.  Peter shows us here that we are simply “stewards” of the gifts that we have received—they are not ours to use as we please, but God’s gifts to us for a Holy purpose.  We also need to note that they are received by God’s GRACE—not according to human merit or ability.  God doesn’t ‘call the equipped, He equips the called’!!  Continuing, we see that if our gift is a speaking gift we are to use it to speak “GOD’S” words not our own—oh doesn’t that sting for some of us some of the time!!  It sure does me!  We are to diligently strive to have “clean” lips (as Isaiah indicated in Isaiah 6—he was of a  people of unclean lips and God changed that for him).  Oh, if we could just learn to let the Spirit guide our hearts and guard our tongues.  James 3:2 “…… If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.”  How many hurts could be avoided if we would but pause and check to see if the words about to come out of our mouth are from God?  Remember we talked about Philippians 4:8 in that regard—check those thoughts at the door of our minds “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”  I am so grateful for God’s grace, forgiveness and cleansing!!  But we need to work on that “preventive” end more than the “repentant” end and with the Spirit’s help we can. 

Next we see that if our gifts are service/ministry gifts we have the same obligation as those with speaking gifts.  We are to serve as of the “ability which God giveth”, knowing as Jesus himself reminded us in John 15:5,  “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.”   It is imperative that we remember where our gifts originate and why we were given them; so that “God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”  It is vital to our Christian walk and ministry, whether speaking or serving, that we keep our eyes “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith;……” Hebrews 12:2.  And Paul also aptly states in Romans 11:33-36 “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! 34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counselor? 35 Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? 36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.”  It’s all of Him–through Him–to Him…..may we remember from whence we have come and where we are going.  As Jesus said in John 14,  “let not your hearts be troubled……if I go…..I will come again….and receive you unto myself…….that where I AM…. you may be also…..”  Let’s walk in the confidence of Jesus, submit and yield to His Spirit and bear fruit as He works in and through us.  May these thoughts encourage you to seek His face and find your gifting and fulfill it—God is constantly at work around us, let’s join HIM!!  Have a blessed and glorious week of communion with the Savior and we’ll continue next week.  And it’s ok to study ahead….

 

Blessed and happy greetings to you on this Holy Resurrection Day.  I hope that you have had a glorious day in the Lord today!!!  What an inexpressible privilege to celebrate the Risen Lord—Jesus!!  Praise God we serve a LIVING Savior not a dead and powerless man or idol!!

We have been talking about holiness and confidence in our risen Lord and I would like to share more thoughts with you this week in this vein.  I believe we are called to examine ourselves, our beliefs and our practices on a continuous basis.  That is what I’d like us to do this week as we’ve been focused on the risen Lord and our celebration of His resurrection. Deuteronomy 8:2 “And thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.”  Romans 12:2 reminds us of our call,  “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” and 2 Corinthians 13:5 “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?”  Galatians 6:4 “But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.”  May we be reminded of our obligation to examine ourselves continually—God does!

What does all of this have to do with idolatry, you might ask?  Well, let’s look and see. I’d like to start with several scriptures that show us God’s perspective toward idolatry, with the understanding that “idolatry” means “extreme admiration, love or reverence for something or someone…”.  A good place to start is the Ten Commandments, the 1^st is “Thou shalt have no other “gods” before me”; the 2^nd “Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image….”; and the 3^rd “Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them nor serve them…”!!!  The first three of the Ten Commandments call us to exclusive faithfulness to our God, and the rejection of anyone or anything that competes with Him and His place. Galatians 5:19-20 lists “idolatry” among the works of the flesh, in contrast to the works of the Spirit; “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, …..,”.   God takes idolatry seriously, and I believe we should also.

With this said, let’s look at our celebration of “Easter” or Resurrection Sunday.  The time when we, as Christians, celebrate the fact that our Lord was raised from the dead!!!  As I have thought on this of late and been looking around us, I made some disturbing observations. In our desire to “reach others”, are we compromising our faithfulness and devotion to God and allowing hints of, and even blatant acts of idolatry entry into our worship?  I would much rather spend this time sharing light and encouraging words for us but I feel compelled to call us to “holiness” and faithfulness before our “jealous” God.  Exodus 34:14 “For thou shalt worship no other god: for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:” What are we calling people to when we celebrate Christian Holidays?  Are we more interested in an “Easter Bunny” with a basket in his hand, or a Savior with SCARS in His?  Are we more defensive about a jolly “elf in a red suit”, or the Babe in the manger/our Emmanuel—God with us?  Pretend or reality? What are we offering the world?  Temporary myths or eternal HOPE in Jesus?

I was in a very prestigious church recently and the first thing I saw when we entered the door was two large bunnies and a basket with ‘Easter eggs’ in it.  A little farther down the hall was a tree covered with ‘Easter eggs’ hung on it’s branches.  Not a cross in sight!  Not a representation of the empty tomb but lots of bunnies and eggs all around!!  I was shocked and disappointed, to say the least!  There was a time in our American culture when the church presented Christ and Him crucified and risen again, and the ‘Easter Bunny’ was a thing that relegated to each family’s discretion within their own homes.  The ‘make believe’ balanced by parents who shared the ‘TRUTH” about Jesus with their own children.  Those who weren’t Christians obviously weren’t concerned about Jesus and that is to be expected.  But we are the ones with the “GOOD NEWS”—why not share the truth rather than fables?

As I looked in the papers, the mailers and other advertisements from many churches these last few weeks, I saw that many if not most had as much or more emphasis on the ‘Easter egg’ hunt, or the candy or other frivolous “bunny” activities.  What price are we willing to pay to supposedly “reach” people?  It grieves my heart to see that we have opened the door of the church to more and more of the world.  Why is the gospel itself not sufficient for us today?

Paul reminds us,  “For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified”, 1 Corinthians 2:2, and in Acts 4:10 Peter proclaimed “Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.”   Paul and Peter stood on the truth of the “Gospel” and Christ alone—Hope in the resurrected LORD.  What about us?

Why do we find it so necessary to bring the “world” (idolatry) into our churches to attract the world?  Jesus himself told us in Matthew 6:24 (& Luke 16:13) “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. “  Which master are we serving?  Where do we draw the line?   I’m not talking about “make believe” and children’s “fairy tales” and ‘nursery rhymes’ in general—but I am talking about the church trying to reach the world with the “world’s tools” rather than Jesus Christ and Him crucified.  If ours is the “good news” why do we keep reaching back into the world for something to “appeal” to lost people?  They need Jesus not more of the world!!  I pray that we will search our hearts and that we will determine to keep ourselves holy.  1 John 5:21 “Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen” and Jude 1:21 & 24-25 “Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life….24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, 25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen..”  I simply add my AMEN.

 

Well, looks like old “Phil” really missed it this year.  Here we are the week before Easter/Resurrection Sunday and we’re still having snow and ice all over the place.  Oh well, how reassuring to know that our God is in charge of all things and doesn’t need a ground hog to advise HIM.  Aren’t you glad we serve the sovereign creator of the universe, and He never makes mistakes and had our redemption and us in mind when He created the world?  That fills my heart and soul with praise.  Ephesians 1:4 “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love…”  Jesus reminds us that He has chosen us John 15:6 “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.”

God also tells us that not only did He chose us but He determined to send Jesus, His beloved Son before the need arose, because He knew we would fail and He created us anyway and had already provided a way for our reclamation and redemption.  In John 17:4 Jesus prays, “Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.”  We see here that Jesus existed before “creation”, but in Colossians 1:13-17 Paul tells us that Jesus was not only present before “creation”, but He was a part of creating all that exists.   “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.”  Also in 1 Peter 1:20 we see that His position as “redeemer” existed before as well, “Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,”.    How humbling to know that God loved me and planned for me the way to salvation-Jesus- before I was born and then called me unto Himself in His Son, Jesus Christ.

Isn’t it sad that we so often get “puffed up” in ourselves, our good Christian selves, instead of humbling ourselves before God and others?  What do we have to “puff-up” about?  Jesus reminds us in John 15:5 “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 1 Corinthians 2:2 says “For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.”   It’s only and always about JESUS!!!   And as we approach the season of HIS SACRIFICE, what better time to remind ourselves of HIM, and all that He has done, is doing and continues to do for us until His return-Philippians 1:6 “And being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you, will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”

In Daniel 3:16-18 “ Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.” We see three men so confident in their God and devoted to obey and do HIS will that they defied the king’s edict and voiced their absolute confidence in God’s ability to deliver, but also boldly declared that even if God chose not to deliver them “out of “ the fire they would still trust HIM and not kneel (to the world).  What kind of confidence do we have in the risen Lord?  Paul reminds us that “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13.  And Hebrews 12:2 “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”   Our confidence is ONLY and ALWAYS in what Christ did at Calvary and all that He is doing now through the Holy Spirit, who indwells all true believers.

So how about some practical help to keep our eyes on Jesus?  First- Romans 12:1-2 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”  We must commit ourselves to be the servants of Jesus and be aware of the enticements of the world and not conform to them.  Rather remembering 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.”, walking “worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God….” Col. 1:10.  And as Paul declares before Felix in Acts 24:16 “And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void to offence toward God, and toward men.”  As we think this week of the coming celebration of the glorious RESURRECTION of our Lord Jesus Christ, may we “keep our eyes fixed on Jesus” as we daily (moment by moment) “offer ourselves a living sacrifice” and “walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing” that God might be glorified in our lives.  That others might be drawn to the Savior by our lives of love, devotion and holiness toward God and men.  May you have a glorious week of celebration, remembering the price that bought our salvation—the body and the blood of Jesus.  BUT PRAISE GOD HE AROSE—HE IS ALIVE –AND HE IS COMING SOON.  Even so Lord Jesus, come quickly.

 

Bible Ballistics: Holiness!!!  Volume 1 No. 18

Exodus 3:5-6  “And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground. 6 Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.”

Holiness!!!  Because of things that I have seen and heard lately, I feel compelled to talk about the “Holiness” of God.  I’ve done a lot of soul-searching and wrestling with my own heart and conscience about the way things seem to be, as well as how we perceive and reflect God’s truth to the world, and I feel completely compelled to share my thoughts with you.  I pray that you will receive them and judge the things that I share here today (as always) by the Word of God.

You might wonder, “Why do we need to deal with the “holiness” of God?”  Of course every one knows that “God” is “Holy”.  Right?  Well, I hope to examine our view of God, His holiness and whether or not we reflect the true Holiness of God.  Do we show His character and His words in our every day lives?  Who or what are we really showing to the world?

Recent events have really burdened me to call us to account as to whether we are a TRUE reflection of the Holy God that we serve?  What does the world think about God if their opinion is based on our behavior, our words, and our actions –the things that we say and do, especially in a public venue, especially in our churches!?  I was in a “church” situation some time ago and was so overwhelmed by the things that I heard from the “pulpit” that I feel compelled to share some of the things that disturbed me and ask you to question for yourself if they disturb you.

I would like to relate some of the things which caused me such consternation.  As kind and comforting things were being shared about an individual,  things began to be said referring to “heaven”.  Most of the comments had nothing to do with the “Biblical” description, the truth and hope of heaven, but more about making heaven sound like a perfect pasture on the back 40, where cowboys (or cowgirls or anyone) can continue to do what they’ve always done, but with no disturbances or interferences from difficulties.  Heaven was described and portrayed as an opportunity to do as one pleases, as is done in this life.  As if just adding Jesus’ name onto any activity, inappropriate behavior, or anything ‘fun’ makes it OK with GOD.

“Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.”  James 4:4

Jokes and stories were shared that had to have “bleeps” (you know the use of blankety-blank…) as the language being recounted was inappropriate.  Why mention such stories in church in the first place?  Even more importantly why would one who claims to belong to Jesus want to use such language, or to imply approval of such  behavior and the use of such language, thus implying God must also approve.  After all none of us is “perfect”, all of us are a little ‘rough around the edges’.  Not an excuse that I think God accepts!

Not one mention of wanting to see Jesus, who gave Himself for our salvation and the privilege to enter heaven.  Not one mention of being in God’s presence. Not one mention of heaven being the place where we “worship a Holy God” and praise and thank Him for sending Jesus to save us through His death on the cross,

“....how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;”. 1 Cor 15:3b

Yes, there was a call for people to “invite Jesus to be ‘boss’ of their lives” but no mention of repentance, faith or any allusion to the life-transforming power of Jesus—not one picture to the those listening, of what “God” has done, can do, and does in and through those who trust Jesus for salvation!

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new..”   2 Cor. 5:17

Yes we are all a work in progress but do we reflect that “Christ liveth in me….” (Gal. 2:20)? 

Now, please don’t misunderstand me, I think people should be applauded for the good things they have done and accomplished in their lives.  But when we claim the name of Jesus, shouldn’t that call us to be a reflection of His glory—of His Spirit at work in us.

Psalm 118:14 tells us “ The Lord is my strength and song, and HE has become MY SALVATION.”   Implied here is the idea of realizing that it is no longer my life but Christ’s.  Just as Paul says in Gal 2:20:

“I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me, and the life that I NOW live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

We are called to reflect Christ living in us—to let Him be seen in all we say and do.  That is, or should be, our goal!

It seems that rather than calling others to the word of God and the truth of what God says about heaven, many would rather paint a picture of the ‘big roundup’ in the sky where no one will be bothered with any regard for God or His service again.  Just a great continuation of our present activities with no annoyances, including God!.  We are farm people and I love the agricultural life but when and where did we get the right to change heavenly things into earthly things?  Jesus tells us in the Lord’s Prayer (Matt 6:9+ & Luke 11:2+) that we are to pray,  “Hallowed by THY name, THY kingdom come, THY will be done, on earth AS IT IS IN HEAVEN” (NOT VICE VERSA).  We are called to be “conformed to the image of HIS SON” (See Romans 8:28-29), when instead we, as a culture, seem to be “conforming God into our image”.  What has happened to us?

Have we come so far from “Biblical” truth that we don’t even know what God’s word says?  It seems that we have so “paraphrased, rationalized, corrected, improved and modernized” the Bible that we don’t know the difference between God’s Word/Words and our “opinion” of what God says?  Why not rather proclaim God’s word “without apology” or “adjustment” to what He has said clearly and plainly.  My heart grieves that we have come so far in this direction that no one even notices the error.  In a large crowd of people who were laughing and accepting all that was being said, it appeared that we two (my husband and myself) were part of only a “few” not laughing at the things being said.  I was grieved NOT amused.

Not to be taking scripture out of context myself, but I think there is a parallel we can apply in the passage in Revelation 22:18-19 that “If any man shall add unto these things……….if any man shall take away from the words of the book……” God promises judgment to those who would change “HIS” Word!  I tremble to think that we are behaving so ignorantly of God’s Word and don’t realize that we are bringing ourselves, our churches and those who hear us, into judgment before a HOLY GOD because we aren’t willing to stand on the Word of God, and let it stand for itself!!!

Oh, how my heart longs to see our people-God’s people- once again become people of THE WORD.   In the many of our past letters we have looked over and over again at God’s call on us.

2 Timothy 2:15 “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

2 Timothy 3:16-17 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works”.  

1 Corinthians 3:10-11 “According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”

Only One Way–Jesus!  Only One standard–the Word of God!  In Matthew 24:35;Mark 13:31;Luke 21:33 all three gospels record what Jesus Himself said “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away”  

My main obligation as a child of God is to bring Him glory, and when I am born again, His Spirit will control my life as I yield to Him,  as Colossians 1:27 reminds us:

“To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:”

That is Christ IN me, IN you, if you have been born again by the Spirit of God!  For as Jesus said in John 15:

“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.”  John 15:5

It’s all about Jesus, and that should be our total strength and purpose for living our lives in this world.

“For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.”  Romans 11:36

May we all be willing to examine our “view” of God’s Holiness and Glory and may we be willing to give the world a true picture of our Sovereign God of all.  As Paul said in Philippians 1:21 “For TO ME to live IS Christ and to die is gain.”

Am I standing on the word–

or fables–

traditions–

opinions–

or the deceptions of the enemy?

Am I honoring the HOLY GOD that I claim to love and serve?

Am I speaking HIS Word or mine?

I can join the Psalmist and pray earnestly–

“Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.”  Psalm 119:133

I  felt truly burdened to share these things with you all, and I pray that God will use them to speak to your heart and mine!  Have a blessed week in the Lord and please know I am always open to your comments.

 

 

 

Spring–with it, come and go weather, snow one day and mid-70’s the next, blustery winds….  Oh, well, isn’t that what spring is, especially in Oklahoma.  After all Puxsutawney Phil told us we’d have an early spring.  Of course I do believe in God, not the government, the weatherman nor “Phil”, the ground hog.  Isn’t it amazing the things that we will believe in or claim to believe in?!!  I am so glad that we who follow Jesus, serve the unchangeable, sovereign, creator God of the universe, aren’t you?

What then should be our focus from day to day?  Paul gives us some great advise and a wonderful example in 1 Corinthians 2:1-10 “And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.”  Oh, that we could be so single-minded as Paul—to know and trust God’s wisdom.

As we look at the words of verse 10, we see two of my favorite words in all of scripture—“But God”!!!  Oh, how wonderful those two little words are when we know the Savior.  In Genesis 45:8 we see Joseph proclaiming a wonderful principle “So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.”, and 50:20 “But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.” After all that Joseph had been through he understood that God had a plan—even 13 years after his dreams as a 17 year-old, God brought them to fulfillment.

Samson, after he had fought a great battle was in need of water and we see the principle again in Judges 15:19a  “But God clave an hollow place that was in the jaw, and there came water thereout; and when he had drunk, his spirit came again, and he revived:” Our needs create a canvas on which God paints a picture of His sovereign power and His love for all the world to see.  In 1 Samuel 23:14 David experiences the principle, “And David abode in the wilderness in strong holds, and remained in a mountain in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God delivered him not into his hand.”.  There is no safer place to be than in the center of God’s will.  Why would our focus be distracted from such a God?  Well, we all know that we live in a crazy world that is continually trying (and much too often succeeding) to distract us from the God we love.

We can see this provision of our God in Psalm 73:26 “My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.”   Oh, to learn to trust and know that this is the God we serve!!  Yet sometimes God uses this principle to teach us hard lessons or to correct us, as Jonah saw in Jonah 4:7 “But God prepared a worm when the morning rose the next day, and it smote the gourd that it withered.” Do I have any gourds that God needs to cut down to help me focus on HIS purpose?  Or do I need to remember that I am forgiven? The Pharisees in Luke 5:21 rebuked Jesus –“And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone? “; and Jesus goes on in verse 24 to answer their rebuke “But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house.”  Oh, praise HIS name He does forgive our sins and that good news, and the opportunity to share it should ever be our “focus”.

‘Focusing’ on this God who knows us in and out, let’s look at Luke 16:15 “And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God”.  Am I justifying myself or following the Spirit’s direction and “esteeming” that which pleases God? Where is my focus?  Do I remember what HE has done for me? 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.”  Praise God for our new life in Christ— extended to us by God Himself.  Peter reminds us that when we follow God, He will reveal His will and way for and to us, Acts 10:28 “And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.”  God opens His arms to all and Peter made that known to all those around him.

Finishing our perusal of ‘focus’, Paul says in Romans 6:17 “But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.”  And one of our beginning verses , “2….. I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.”  Finally, Paul gives a capsule version of our ‘focus’—the gospel, in I Corinthian 15:3-5 “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve..:”  Let’s remember that God is ‘my strength’ (2 Sam 22:33),  but I am expected to be planting (sharing the gospel and reaching out to others) as I go.  May we each have a week filled with ‘FOCUS’ on the opportunities to share and minister JESUS to the world, especially those right around us.