√ Reality Check

Hebrews Chapter 8

Scripture: Hebrews 8:10-12
This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel
after that time, declares the Lord.
I will put my laws in their minds
and write them on their hearts.
I will be their God,
and they will be my people.
No longer will a man teach his neighbor,
or a man his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,'
because they will all know me,
from the least of them to the greatest.
For I will forgive their wickedness
and will remember their sins no more."

Observation: This is a great passage of scripture. It tells us that God has given us His Spirit to know His will and His ways. The power of this is incredible. The Word of God is always there to reveal God’s plan for mankind and to give us words of life but we also have God’s words written in our hearts. We can know what to do, how to live, and what is pleasing or not pleasing to God. I have the presence of God living in me and giving me rhema words that reveal God’s direction for my life. These words don’t take the place of God’s commandments or make them null and void. Instead the law in my heart and mind will bring God’s Word to an even greater focus in my life. If the word is silent on any issue I have the laws of God in me to lead and guide me in the right way. My sin has been removed, God lives in me and I can know His leading from my heart and my mind! This is awesome; I can know what to do. I can know how to live.

Application: I don’t have to always wonder if I am doing the right thing I can receive the witness of the Holy Spirit. I don’t have to wonder what the word would say if I can’t find it, because the Word is in me and will direct me. God’s law in me will explain, and not only tell me what the word says but will guide me in following its instruction. The Word is for me to know and understand and live! The logos, The written word of God and the rhema, the revealed word of God, will bear witness of God’s laws in me through the presence of the Holy Spirit within me.

Prayer: Thank You Heavenly Father for depositing your precious Word in us. And thank you for giving us your Holy Spirit to teach us about the laws you have written in our hearts and minds. I want to listen, learn and follow your leading today.

Posted by Reality Check at 4:21 PM | Permalink | Comments

Hebrews Chapter 7

Scripture: Hebrews 7:26-28 (N.I.V.)
"Such a high priest meets our need - one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself. For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever."

Observation: How well do you remember your fairy tales? Do you remember how they began and ended? Usually the beginning was, "Once upon a time" and the ending typically was, "And they lived happily ever after." How naive, right? That's not the way life is. Life is not like some sitcom or television drama that gets solved at the end of every show. You know where everyone is happy and everything is once again right in the world. I always do want the good guys to win and the bad guys to pay for their crimes, but come on let's get a big dose of reality that is not how life works, right? Hebrews chapter 7 is in some respects like the telling of a fairy tale. There is this character named Melchizedek who is known as the King of Salem (Peace) and a priest of the Most High God. He greets Abram (not Abraham yet) after Abram has battled the kings in Genesis chapter 14 and gives him bread and wine (like communion) and blesses Abram. Abram in turn give Melchizedek a tithe of all the spoils of the battle. This Melchizedek represents Christ who became our perfect High Priest. We have no background information about Melchizedek at all and that speaks to Jesus' eternal and changeless characteristics. Since Abram paid homage to Melchizedek, it makes him supelevities the Levites who were the priest of Israel that came from Abraham through Isaac, then Jacob, then Levi. Jesus was not a descendant of Levi but from Judah so was outside the priestly order like Melchizedek. The priesthood of Levi could not however eradicate the sin of the world but only treat it. The priest of Levi in fact, had to atone for their own sin before they could care for the sins of the people of Israel. The world needed a priest out of the order of Melchizedek who could save us from our sin or really deliver us from sin and its eternal consequences. We needed a super high priest (one who had never sinned himself). We needed a champion who could redeem us. The law and the Levitical priesthood could reveal and treat our problem but could never cure us. Hebrews chapter 7:26 -28 tells us that Jesus was our hero, our champion, our Savior. He was able to not only represent us as our high priest but also become our substitute, the perfect sacrifice for our sin. What really makes this; a "And they lived happily ever after" story, is that our hero Jesus could settle our sin issue once and for all! He was able to take care of the sin of our past, the sin that we are currently involved in and the sin we will commit in the future. Now that is a happy ending! And these accomplishments of this hero of ours can never be challenged or his triumph reversed. In fact, he lives to be our hero and champion every day (see 7:25). Wow, what a story! Aren't you glad it is true!

Application: I want to live in victory over sin and today's circumstances. I am not held captive any more. My sin has been removed as far as the east is from the west, once and for all. I am not a victim but a victor. I will in the strength of my hero say No! I will triumph over evil today and will approach today's circumstances in the power of my Champion; in His might and ability.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for your victory. Thank you for being my High Priest. Thank you for removing my sin and giving me your righteousness. I want to walk in your power and might today, living in triumph over both sin and circumstances. Help me to yield to your voice and give me the boldness to obey your commands.

Posted by Reality Check at 10:44 AM | Permalink | Comments

Hebrews Chapter 6

Scripture: Hebrews 6:19-20 (Amplified Bible)
“[Now] we have this [hope] as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul [it cannot slip and it cannot break down under whoever steps out upon it--a hope] that reaches farther and enters into [the very certainty of the Presence] within the veil, Where Jesus has entered in for us [in advance], a Forerunner having become a High Priest forever after the order (with the rank) of Melchizedek.”

Observation: We have all heard the phrase, “there are no guarantees in life.” In that phrase is a sense of fear that conveys that you can never be sure what may happen in your life. The author of the book of Hebrews is telling us in Chapter 6, that we can count on what Jesus accomplished for us through his life, death and resurrection (the second covenant). In fact, God Himself has given an oath to us in His own name that Jesus as our High Priest has forever guaranteed us access to our Heavenly Father (see 4:14-16). Who Jesus is and all that He has accomplished for us as our High Priest can be an anchor to our soul. No matter what the storms of life throw at us today we can in confidence know that we can run to God and recieve all that we need to hang on and survive.

For Further Insight:
To appreciate the power of the meaning of Hebrews 6:19-20, we have to understand how Israel was instructed to approach the presence of God that rested behind the veil of the holy of holies, in the tabernacle of Israel (see Leviticus 16:2). The high priest was only allowed to enter the holy of holies once a year on the Day of Atonement. There were certain garments that the high priest had to wear and certain procedures that had to be followed. To disregard God’s instructions meant certain death. Even to approach the tabernacle without reverence and godly fear meant death (see Leviticus 10:1-7). Jesus as our High Priest has forever made atonement for us and through his sacrificial death the veil was torn (opened) to give us guaranteed access to the presence of the Father. All the promises of the second covenant are assured through Jesus whose blood upon the mercy seat took care of our sins once and for all.

Application: I can come boldly (4:16) to the throne of God to be in the presence of God. How can I give this privilege away or ever denounce the work of Jesus for me? I have been given the privilege to house the very presence of God. I have been given the privilege of living in the provision and blessings of God every day. Everything that God is has been placed at my disposal. This gift, given through the blood of Jesus, is not to be exploited for my own desires or take for granted. I must yield myself today to God; to allow His will and His work to be demonstrated by my life. I can live today with an anchor of hope, holding securely my place with God despite the storms of life!

Prayer: Thank you Jesus for securing for me an eternal covenant with All Mighty God. Help me today, to walk securely in what you have provided for me! No matter what life throws at me I know that you are there! May my choices today, my reactions to life give you glory.

Posted by Reality Check at 12:45 PM | Permalink | Comments

Hebrews Chapter 5

Scripture: Hebrews 5:7-8
"who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear, though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered."

Observation: These two verses immediately jumped out to me. Jesus cried out to his heavenly Father in the garden of Gethsemane, “Abba, (Daddy) Father all things are possible for You. Take this cup from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will” Mark 14:36. Hebrews 5:7 states that God heard his prayer because of his godly fear. This is very interesting because the Father did not take the crucifixion away for Jesus at all. Maybe Jesus prayer that was most important was not the “take this cup from me part but instead was the “but what you will part.” It is obvious that Jesus wanted the suffering of his trial and the crucifixion to be removed. As a human who wouldn’t? It is interesting though, that the other prayer he offered really nullifies his first request. “Not my will but yours be done.” He didn’t want to do it, and he admitted it! But verse 8 tells us that he learned obedience by suffering; that is surrendering his will to his Father’s. Jesus’ prayer was answered; the Fathers will was done.

Application: I am seeing here that there is nothing wrong with expressing my will and desires. I mean really being honest with God. It is not like he doesn’t know the truth anyway. I don’t think the announcement of my humanness is such a surprise to Jesus. After all chapter 4:15 tells us that he has been there done that and bought the T-shirt. He understands how I feel. He knows what I am going through. His example to me is to surrender to the will of our Heavenly Father. To trust that God’s will is always the best despite the outcome. I need to trust that my obedience to God’s will, will answer every prayer that I could ever offer. I don’t think that God is disappointed with my fear; instead I believe that he expects me to give it to him and trust him with my life. I have not been given a spirit of fear (II Timothy 1:7).

Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me to be honest like you before Father God and then to submit to His will. Help me to see the truth and live in the truth that my Heavenly Father’s will is always the best for me, because I am in relationship with you and you are Love and Goodness itself.

Posted by Reality Check at 12:08 PM | Permalink | Comments

Hebrews Chapter 4


Scripture: Hebrews Chapter 4:1 & 11 (New International Version)
1) Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it.

11) Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience.

Scripture: Hebrews Chapter 4:1 & 11 (Amplified Bible)
1) THEREFORE, WHILE the promise of entering His rest still holds and is offered [today], let us be afraid [to distrust it], lest any of you should think he has come too late and has come short of [reaching] it.

11) Let us therefore be zealous and exert ourselves and strive diligently to enter that rest [of God, to know and experience it for ourselves], that no one may fall or perish by the same kind of unbelief and disobedience [into which those in the wilderness fell].

Observation: Today I listed my verses from two different versions. The Amplified Bible expands the meaning of the verses using the Greek text. You can see those in the parenthesis of the verses. I am not claiming to be a Biblical scholar at all in this journal but simply citing my observations. I believe that the flow of Hebrews chapter 4 is a continuation of chapter 3. In chapter 4 the author of Hebrews is still writing about the unbelief of the Israelites that kept them from entering the Promise Land. It is his desire that none of his readers also miss entering God’s rest. The promise land was the obvious destination of rest for the Israelites but to those of the second covenant it is more than a physical place. Chapter 4 refers to a promise of rest instead of a promised land. The Greek word for promise here refers to the announcement of what is available with an assurance that it will be done. This rest is a definite thing not a mere possibility. I don’t believe that this rest is simply an eternal place. I believe that this rest refers to living by faith in the finished work of the cross. The illustrations of rest are of a place where everything is finished, where nothing else is done (verses 4 &10). We do not strive to earn our salvation or keep it. If we strive for anything it is to not try to earn our salvation or try to maintain it (verse 11). The rhema word mentioned in verse 12 is to make sure that we are allowing the work of our High Priest (Jesus) to be enough for us. The rhema word is to be active in us, telling us who we are in Christ and revealing the finished work of Christ in our lives. What our High Priest accomplished for us was completed at the cross when he uttered “it is finished.” It is the provision of our High Priest that enables us to run to the throne to obtain mercy and grace in our time of need (verse16). I need grace and mercy not when I have it all together but when I am struggling and need God’s deliverance. We have a perfect High Priest that understands what we are going through and he is there in his finished work for us to trust (rest) and obey. He is a good God and His way is enough!

Application: I must renew my mind continuously to stay in Christ provision for me. That is never an excuse for sin in my life or to live in any disobedience. I do believe however, that when this chapter refers to disobedience it is referring to unbelief in Jesus’ provision being enough (verse 6 & 11). The “rest” is allowing my faith in Christ, my High Priest to be the source for my walk with God. My works will follow my faith not be a substitute for it. The nation of Israel thought they could name their own God’s and distrust that God’s provision was enough. I don’t want to make the same mistake. I MUST know who I am in Christ because I know what he provided for me on the cross. I have to go to Jesus and lean on him completely to deliver me from temptation.

Prayer: Lord, let your rhema word dwell in me and be enough. May I trust in you completely as enough. May I follow Matthew 11: 28-30 and come to you for rest for your yoke is easy and your burden is light.

Matthew 11:28-30 (New International Version)
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Posted by Reality Check at 10:06 PM | Permalink | Comments

Hebrews Chapter 3

Scripture: Hebrews 3:12-14 (Contemporary English Version)
12My friends, watch out! Don't let evil thoughts or doubts make any of you turn from the living God. 13You must encourage one another each day. And you must keep on while there is still a time that can be called "today." If you don't, then sin may fool some of you and make you stubborn. 14We were sure about Christ when we first became his people. So let's hold tightly to our faith until the end.

Observation: How many times in the last 10 years or so, have we heard people chant, “God is good, all the time. All the time God is good!” What are we basing this on? Perhaps our remarks are based upon what we have observed during our lifetime or perhaps our words are just a cliché. The children of Israel saw God’s goodness for 40 years and still they did not trust in Him as a good God, or as a perfect provider. Look at Hebrews chapter three, their sin was unbelief (verses 12, 19). Have you asked yourself what that really means? Look at verse 9; they saw God’s hand of provision for 40 years and still they doubted his goodness every time something happened to them. Their sin was unbelief which started from doubting God’s goodness, which is denying the very nature of God. In verse 10, God says, “…they have not known My ways.” Doubting the goodness of God is also what started Eve down the wrong path and led to all of mankind’s sin. I had a professor in Bible College that used to tell us, “sin is the suppression of the truth.” I guess from the standpoint of this chapter that he was right. When the Israelites doubted that God had their best interest in mind they sought other god’s. Remember they were slaves who were miraculously delivered by God from Egypt and from the God’s of Egypt, but on Sinai when Moses didn’t return soon enough from his visit with God, the people erected a god of Egypt and worshiped it as their deliverer. Now that is a serious suppression of the truth and a total denial of the goodness of God!

Application: How many times do I doubt the goodness of God by complaining about my own life? Either God is a good provider who I can trust completely or I have UNBELIEF! Verse 14, is huge! I HAVE TO ASK IF I AM STILL TRUSTING JESUS AS MY SAVIOR or trusting in myself to take care of my salvation? This salvation is more than just spiritual salvation. It is physical, emotional, and provisional as well. Jesus is more than a way to escape the penalty of our sin. Jesus is our very life. We need Him for life itself. We are in covenant with God as our sole provider for everything that we have and need in our life. We are in partnership with the “All Mighty.” I have to ask if I doubt the goodness of God and if I try to provide for myself as God? I need to ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to me the truth of my relationship. Am I a person who trust in God or complains?

Prayer: Oh Lord, by the power of the Holy Spirit show me if I am resting in the complete provision of my Savior or denying His goodness in my whining and complaining?

Posted by Reality Check at 4:31 PM | Permalink | Comments

Hebrews Chapter 2

Scripture: Hebrews 2:3-4 (New Living Translation)
“What makes us think that we can escape if we are indifferent to this great salvation that was announced by the Lord Jesus himself? It was passed on to us by those who heard him speak, and God verified the message by signs and wonders and various miracles and by giving gifts of the Holy Spirit whenever he chose to do so.”

Observation: Last week I had the opportunity to be in North Carolina with my son who was in the A.A.U. 10 and under National Baseball Tournament. It was awesome watching them play. They were 6-2 and came in fourth place. After their first game the coaches had an evening meeting with all the players and told them that in order to play up to their potential they were going to have to depend on their coaches to direct the strategy for the game. When they were on base the coach gave the runner and the batter signs to tell then what to do. To the runner the signs tell them to steal the base or to stay on the base. To the batter the signs tell him to hit and run, bunt or hit away. Each player has to follow the signs and if one of them are missed it could result in an easy out. If the signs are picked up and followed the result is usually positive and often results in a run. The boys grabbed a hold of this instruction and on the next day they only left three boys stranded on the basses. We went on a roll and the team remained undefeated until the last day of the tournament.

The reason I started out with this story is that is sets up this second chapter of Hebrews so perfectly. The author of the book of Hebrews, after telling us who Jesus is in chapter one, calls out to the readers of the book and tells them that they better not miss the signs that revealed who this Jesus was and still is! If they were responsible to read the signs and catch hold of the law, the first covenant given through the angels, (verses 1-2) how much more important is it to not miss the signs of the second covenant given through God Himself! Jesus alone mediates the second covenant and to receive the blessings of the second covenant you must come through him! To understand his (Jesus) life, to see the signs, is to receive all that God did for us through him (Jesus). Jesus became a man in order to be our high priest and his life reveals God’s love for us and God’s provision through Jesus for our sins. Follow the signs that Jesus gives and receive the benefits of the second covenant. Look at chapter 2, verse 17-18.

Hebrews 2:17-18 (New Living Translation)
Therefore, it was necessary for Jesus to be in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. He then could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people. Since he himself has gone through suffering and temptation, he is able to help us when we are being tempted.

Application: I want to catch all the signs and not miss seeing Jesus. I want to grasp again the fulfillment of the first covenant. I want to have a new appreciation for my Savior. I want to better comprehend how Jesus understands what I go through. I want to trust him more during temptation and know his presence and accept his deliverance.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, give me a new understanding of who you are! I want to see anew the signs of the second covenant given to me. Help me to sense your presence during temptation and know that you understand what I am going through and then trust in your way for deliverance!

Posted by Reality Check at 11:25 AM | Permalink | Comments

Hebrews Chapter 1

Scripture: Hebrews 1: 3-4 “The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.”

Observation: There is a song entitled, Jesus Lover of My Soul (It’s All About You) that states,

“It’s all about You, Jesus, and all of this is for You for your glory and your fame. It’s not about me as if you should do things my way. You alone are God and I surrender to Your ways."

What do you say to a people who have worshiped a whole system of living, whose religion was not just about worshipping a deity but consumed every area of their life, and convince them that none of it means anything without Jesus? That is the perspective of the author of the book of Hebrews. That is what he is doing in this book. He never nullifies the law or the tenets of Judaism but explains all of them from the perspective of the work of Christ. The work of the new covenant is the key to understanding Christ and His fulfilling the old covenant. Our religion or beliefs mean nothing without the work of God’s Son. The author of Hebrews must walk his readers through Judaism and explain the purpose and plan of the Father through Jesus His Son. Like the song states no one else in History is like Jesus because all of history belongs to Him. With the authors explanation in this book all of us can see both the richness of the Old covenant and its practices but also the fulfillment that Jesus has given us in the new covenant.

Application: Do I have a deep understanding and an appreciation for the richness of Judaism and the work of the old covenant? Without it I will never appreciate and understand fully the life and work of Jesus, the Christ, the Messiah. Do I see Jesus with the appreciation he deserves? He is the Messiah and that means so much. He is God. I want to understand this book for more than just a spiritual journal. I want to have a deeper appreciation and insight into Jesus’ fulfillment of the old covenant.

Prayer: Lord, teach me again through this book. Reveal Jesus, who you are and may I see you through the old covenant like never before. Jesus, I want to see you with a new understanding and a new appreciation of who you are!

Jesus, Lover Of My Soul (It's All About You)
Written by: Paul Oakley

It's all about You, Jesus
And all this is for You
For Your glory and Your fame
It's not about me
As if You should do things my way
You alone are God
and I surrender
To Your ways
Jesus, lover of my soul
All consuming fire is in Your gaze
Jesus, I want You to know
I will follow You all my days
For no one else in history is like You
And history itself belongs to You
Alpha and Omega,
You have loved me
And I will spend eternity with You

© 1995
· EMI Christian Music
· Kingsway's Thankyou Music
CCLI# 1545484

Posted by Reality Check at 9:01 AM | Permalink | Comments

James Chapter 5

Reading this Chapter was like looking at a section in Proverbs. There were several thoughts that in themselves would have warranted selection. To choose only one is a hard task but I have found this verse fascinating for awhile.

Scripture: James 5:4 (The New American Standard Version) “Behold, the pay of the laborers who mowed your fields, and which has been withheld by you, cries out against you; and the outcry of those who did the harvesting has reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth” (The Lord of the Host).

Observation: The word mercenary usually refers to a soldier who serves in an army not because of a cause but for hire. These soldiers were often hired so the sons of rich people would not have to fight. Just think, you could pay someone to fight in your place and if they died, oh well, your son had technically served his time and if you stopped paying the family of your mercenary what could anyone do? How unjust! A friend of mine was struck by this verse. We were serving as full time staff with Youth for Christ and we had to raise our salaries as missionaries. We would communicate the great need of reaching a generation of “throw away kids” and people would be moved but when it came to supporting us they were often very hesitant or would not honor their commitment. People would talk about how bad this generation was and we would tell them that God was working in incredible ways. They thought that was great as long as “those kids” did not come to their church. My friend stated that as Christians we are all responsible to see our neighbor’s need and help them. We are all called to reach the lost and yet it is easier for people to pay others to do it. Now that would not be so bad, for missionaries are called to go, but then aren’t we responsible to support them? If we prosper while they struggle aren’t we held responsible. Shouldn’t we be working together? How can we share in a harvest that cost us NOTHING! We so often felt like unpaid mercenaries. As full time Christian workers we are called to trust God that He will provide for our needs and to not be bitter or resentful of others. Fortunately for us, God does show up and He produces a harvest but without the whole bodies support “the Church” is not functioning properly! We are all called to share the load so we can be a part of the harvest.

Application: This is pretty obvious for me. As a pastor, I too am being asked to reexamine my efforts to support others, especially missionaries. How often are my personal needs or the needs of my church my only focus? How am I contributing to others who are doing the work of the harvest? I also must ask myself, how I am responding to others when they think, as a pastor, I am for hire to do what God has also given them the responsibility to do?

Prayer: Lord, I want to be a part of a bigger picture. I want to share in your harvest all over the world. I don’t want to ever be a bitter or a resentful minister. You are so good and you are my provider. Please continue to surround me with big kingdom people who want to partner together, for the fields are white unto harvest. Send us more laborers Lord, leaders who will reproduce other harvesters! Amen.

Posted by Reality Check at 6:29 AM | Permalink | Comments

James Chapter 4

Scripture: James 4:1-3 (The Message) “"Where do you think all these appalling wars and quarrels come from? Do you think they just happen? Think again. They come about because you want your own way, and fight for it deep inside yourselves. You lust for what you don't have and are willing to kill to get it. You want what isn't yours and will risk violence to get your hands on it. You wouldn't think of just asking God for it, would you? And why not? Because you know you'd be asking for what you have no right to. You're spoiled children, each wanting your own way."

Observation: James chapter 4 continues the thoughts from chapter 3:16 -– 18. Verse 16 (N.I.V.) states,
"For where you have envy and self ambition there you will find disorder and every evil practice."

This is contrasted with verse 17 where you can see someone who is humble in nature. Verse 17 states,
"But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace- loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere."

These two verses are the set up for Chapter 4:1-3, where we can read what selfish people create; CONFLICT! These are people who are their own god, who are always taking care of themselves and who are always making sure that they get theirs! They are adulterers which means they are cheating on their beloved. Remember that James is writing to believers (see 1:1) and they are cheating on God by looking out for themselves. These believers go out and selfishly get things for themselves not even asking their God to provide for them or even trusting that he has given them just what they need. They are never happy or content for they think what they need will fulfill them but it cannot and they are always looking for more. They are SPOILED little Christians always looking out for themselves. Even when they do ask God for things it is only to fulfill their own wants and needs. They cannot think of anyone else because the very nature affairffaire is all about fulfilling your own needs, your own pleasures. This get mine attitude is what Satan used to tempt Eve. You know; the God is holding out on you attitude that states, "“that you better get it for yourself."” This is the creed of the world; to look out for number one and do it yourself, because if you don'’t help yourself nobody else will. But even through all of this selfishness, James declares that God will give us grace if will humble ourselves. Unlike Adam and Eve we have to resist "“the deceiver"” and give ourselves to Jehovah Jireh, our provider. We need to repent, which means "“to turn the head back"” to look at Jesus again as our Great Shepherd and in humility realize that everything that we need comes from "“the Father of lights"” (see 1:17). This whole stream of thought in James chapter 4, is form James chapter 1 verses 12 - 18 all over again and when you look again at chapter 1, think about the temptation in the garden in light of these two chapters in James.

Application: How many times do I want and want and want some more. I am like the world not trusting in the goodness and the provision of God but doing it my way. If I think I need it or want it I go get it, I or pout that God has held out on me. I spend so much time feeling like the world has more than me that I am being slighted in some way. God has been teaching me that I have to trust Him to be my Father, my Abba Daddy. He is teaching me that I am in covenant with Him and that He will provide for me abundantly (Eph 3:20). I also am learning to ask Him for my needs and to be a blessing to others with what He provides. I cannot judge what others have or what I do not have but humble myself and allow God to decide what my tomorrow looks like.

Prayer: Abba Daddy, help me to trust you. Show me my adultery and how I seek for myself and don'’t trust you! Keep teaching me to ask you and trust you to be my sole provider. Lord I want to walk in the humbleness of trusting you for my provision for you blessings are without comparison.

Posted by Reality Check at 8:34 AM | Permalink | Comments

James Chapter 3

It is the little things in life that count the most. James chapter three talks about the way we control our tongue or really the things that we say.

Scripture: James 3:2 (The Amplified Bible)
“For we all often stumble and fall and offend in many things. And if anyone does not offend in speech [never says the wrong things], he is a fully developed character and a perfect man, able to control his whole body and to curb his entire nature.”

Observation: The tongue is such a small part of our anatomy and yet it is the most powerful muscle we have. With it, kingdoms have risen and fallen. With it, enduring and lifelong relationships have been forged or destroyed. How many times have I thought, “why did I say that” or “I should say something?” Too many times I have gotten myself in trouble by just opening up my big mouth and saying something stupid or insensitive. With my mouth I have hurt the people I love the most and damaged relationships just by saying the wrong thing or not saying anything at all. The tongue is very accurate as an instrument of conveying what is really happening inside of us. James says that someone who can control their words is really a “perfect” person. This refers to what is happening to them on the inside. Not in their physical bodies but in their minds and self thoughts. Our words are a form of self-speak, in that, we say what we are feeling, what is really in our hearts. Read what Luke 6:45 says;

“The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.”

James is telling us that the more “perfect” we are will indicate how secure we are in Christ. It will show how mature we are in understanding just who we are in Christ. James is telling us that our state of wholeness inside will control what we say.

Application: The practical part of this is so simple and yet so overwhelming. Will I continue to allow God to do a work in me? Will I ask the Holy Spirit to expose the places of hurt inside of me? Hurting people will hurt people. Out of my own pain and insecurity I wound others. I can try to exercise self control but that will simply be an attempt of futility. Sooner or later my pain will spill out of my mouth. I would rather surrender to the Holy Spirit and ask Him to help me listen to His promptings of being quiet or speaking up. When I fail to listen I need to go and deal with my damaging speech and ask forgiveness and immediately seek reconciliation. I need the love of Jesus in my speech not for flattery (I Cor. 13:1). I need to allow my speech to be an instrument of God for encouragement and direction, to bless others and never to curse God’s creation.

Prayer: Oh God, may I hear you today and obey! Help me to be silent or speak your words of life. Help me to give life with my speech and never to take away from it. Reveal my hurt and insecurities and help me to trust that my circumstances are an instrument that you are using to make me more whole. Amen.

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James Chapter Two
This title might seem out of place but when you read todays journal you will understand that really knowing that your loved will change the way that you live!

Scripture: James 2:8
(New Living Translation)
“If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing right.”

Observation: There are a lot of good verses to choose from in this chapter. I could have picked verses about partiality or I could have decided to use a verse about faith and works. The reason I chose verse eight is that I believe that this verse really ties the whole chapter together. Without love there is nothing. God is Love! He is not partial not wanting anyone to perish (II Peter 3:9). To show partiality is to deny the love that god has for us. If you really think about it, the way God could treat us is way beyond making us sit on the floor. Paul writes in Romans chapter 3:10-18, that no one deserves anything from God except His judgment. The law described the love that God demanded that we have for one another. If I covet from my neighbor I don’t trust what God has given me and I don’t want my neighbor to be blessed. Instead I want what they have for myself. The law required that we treat people in the way that God through His love would have them be treated (see Romans 13:8-10). I can say that I have faith but if God’s love is not being demonstrated by my works than my faith is useless for I have never understood what God’s love means to me personally. Faith and works working together will reveal that I truly “get it”, that I am operating in the “liberty” that God’s love has given me (see verse 12 and 1:25).

Application: The way I treat people really reveals the measure of the freedom of God’s love that I am living in. When I am partial to others I am demonstrating that I fear that there are certain things I must do or a certain way I must look in order for God to treat me special. If my works are not demonstrating the way that God has loved me than I have no faith in God’s love for me at all. That means I am still bound by my performance. I perform for rich people and treat poor people poorly because I feel that the rich can give me benefits. I have not understood that God took all of us poor beggars and gave us life. When we take care of the poor we honor what God did for us. When we cater to the rich we are judging that looks and performance is what counts. What you honor speaks of your ideals! My works (actions) reveal that I have faith or really to whom my faith is in.

Prayer: Oh Lord God, I see in so many ways that I still am in performance mode. My works must demonstrate that your love has rescued me. My works must reveal that I needed your love as much as anyone! Without demonstrating your works of love my faith is useless. (I Corinthians 13) Today help me to love others as myself (as you love me).

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James Chapter One

This is a very hard chapter to choose just one verse from. I could spend at least a month teaching from this chapter. I have chosen verse 5 as my verse.

Scripture:
James 1:5 (N.I.V.) “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”

James 1:5 (N.L.T.) “If you need wisdom--if you want to know what God wants you to do--ask him, and he will gladly tell you. He will not resent your asking.”

Observation:
I have used this verse so many times especially when I am doing counseling, need to know about scripture or just to make a tough decision. The answer doesn’t always come immediately but it always comes. If you need an answer God will give it to you. I love what the N.L.T. states; “He will not resent your asking.” We often have a stigma about asking questions. As a child we wear our parents out by asking too many questions. Think about when you were in school, the kid that keeps asking questions gets in trouble for just asking questions. But God doesn’t care how many questions we ask. In fact, I believe that He actually loves our questions. He is never annoyed and he never grows weary of our inquiries. I have even had an image of my Heavenly Father, like a Geppetto (from Pinocchio) looking man, actually smiling and looking thrilled with my questions. The look on His face was that He was proud that I wasn’t afraid to ask and that He actually thought I was smart for even doing it. Wow! That is a much different image than feeling like you are bothering someone or annoying them with your stupid questions. I don’t have to earn the right to ask God questions nor the right to have them answered.

Application:
I have learned so much just by asking! If I don’t understand something in the Word of God I ask the Holy Spirit to explain it to me. If I need to have an answer about some decision or issue in my life I ask for wisdom. God helps me know what to do or tells me to go ahead and not worry about making a wrong decision. That is just incredible! The next verse though, verse 6 says to not doubt that the answer will come. I have to go on with my life but believe that sooner or later I will get my answer. I have been reading the Word and there the answer will be. I have heard other conversations or somebody preaching or teaching and boom I will be prompted in my thoughts that I just heard my answer. I have been watching movies or even television and suddenly I will hear the answer. I have received answers in so many ways and sometimes they have not arrived for a long time but if you don’t doubt but just believe and wait, the answer will come! I especially appreciate the fact that God will help you when you are counseling with someone or someone has asked you a really tough question. Come on, how would I know what to say? I ask God for wisdom and it is unbelievable the things that will come to me. Remember Solomon asked for wisdom and that was the most important request that he made. Jesus is wisdom, and He knows what is happening in the persons thoughts and in their lives (see I Corinthians 2:10-16).

Prayer:
Lord, I want to thank you that you are so faithful to answer our questions. I am so grateful that my questions do not bother you. I am constantly amazed that I can ask as many questions as I need. I am blown away that you actually encourage me to ask. I want to have an even greater relationship with you. I need to constantly remember that I can ask questions. I need to remember that you are the source of all truth therefore the provider of true wisdom. I worship you for the kind and gentle ways that you teach your children.

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This week we will be looking at the book of James. This information came from http://www.landmark-lakewood.org/james.htm

Introduction To The Book of James

James is the first of the five epistles called "general" in their titles (James, 1 and 2 Peter, 1 John, and Jude). These epistles were addressed not to individual churches, as were most of Paul's epistles, but to Christians in general and to Jewish Christians in particular. The book is characterized by its hard-hitting, practical spirituality. Each of the five chapters is packed with pointed illustrations and reminders designed to motivate the wills and hearts of believers to grasp a truth once taught by Jesus: "A tree is known by its fruit" (Matt 12:33).

Author:
The author identifies himself as "James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ" (1:1). At least five personalities named JAMES appear in the New Testament. The author of this epistle is James, the Lord's physical half-brother. Apparently neither a disciple nor an apostle during Jesus' lifetime, he is first mentioned in Mark 6:3, where he is listed as the first (oldest) of Jesus' four younger half-brothers. After the ascension of Jesus, James became the pastor of the church in Jerusalem (Acts 15:13; 1 Cor 15:7; Gal 2:9)-a position he must have occupied for nearly 30 years, until his martyrdom, according to church tradition. This James is probably the author of the epistle that bears his name. He refers to himself simply as "James," with no explanation added. This indicates he was well-known to his readers. He calls himself a "servant" rather than an apostle; and he begins the epistle with the same "greetings" (1:1) with which he begins the apostolic decree following the Council of Jerusalem (Acts 15:23).

Time Period:
The epistle of James may be presumed to be very early, possibly the first epistle to Christians. This is indicated by the early martyrdom of James, according to tradition in the year A.D. 62. Many more substantial reasons, however, are adduced from the internal evidence. The epistle shows no trace of the distinctive references concerning the relationship of Gentile converts to the law of Moses, which resulted in the Jerusalem Council of Acts 15, over which James presided. The general absence of doctrine in the epistle, its Palestinian atmosphere, and its OT flavor combine to substantiate this view. The epistle shows no evidence of the fall of Jerusalem.

Theme:
The Epistle of James is a sturdy, compact letter on practical spirituality. For James, the acid test of true religion is in the doing rather than in the hearing, "believing," or speaking. James exalts genuineness of faith, and is quick to encourage the lowly that God gives grace to the humble (4:6), wisdom to the ignorant (1:5), salvation to the sinner (1:21), and the kingdom to the poor (2:5). He is equally quick to condemn counterfeit religion which would substitute theory for practice, and he does so with biting sarcasm. True religion is doing the right thing in one's everyday life. In this respect James echoes clearly the ethical teaching of Jesus, especially as it is recorded in the Sermon on the Mount (Matt 5-7). "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven" (Matt 7:21).

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Galatians 6

Scripture= Galatians 6:7-9 (New Living Translation)

(7) “Don't be misled. Remember that you can't ignore God and get away with it. You will always reap what you sow! (8) Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful desires will harvest the consequences of decay and death. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. (9) So don't get tired of doing what is good. Don't get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time.”

Observation= When you read these three verses there really is a very simple principle at work here. What you sow you are going to reap. Every farmer knows that if he plants peas he will harvest peas. If he plants corn he will harvest corn. What comes up out of the ground doesn’t surprise him. He really knows what to expect. He also knows that the condition of the crop depends on how well he tends to the crop. If he doesn’t weed or water or get rid of the bugs his crop could be severely damaged. I guess the one thing that I tend to forget is, what I am sowing today will be what I have tomorrow or the next day or some time in the future. I am living today what I sowed in my past. Sometimes it is immediate, for example; if I say something to someone and they respond back to me. Sometimes the turn around takes years to occur but there is always a return! So we can’t give up for the turn around, the harvest will come. If I sow in love to others I will receive love from someone in return. If I am mean to others I probably will sow loneliness in my past. It is like a person who never writes letters to anyone and is surprised that no one writes to him.

Application= The application of this passage is very direct. I must examine what I am sowing. If I surrender my will to the Lord just think how God can use me to plant seeds. I can be a sower for my own desires, to please myself or I can be used of God to sow His will and nature into the lives of others. I am going to plant seeds that act is inevitable. The only issue is who is choosing the seeds that I sow. I want to be someone who plants the right seeds and then is faithful to tend to their care. I know that God is the one that supplies the rain but I don’t want my actions and thoughts to cause weeds to grow over the new crops. I don’t want to allow bugs to attack the crops so I must be my brother and sisters keeper. The hardest thing for me is to be conscious that I am sowing today for tomorrow and what I have today I have sown earlier. It could that today I am sowing something in my life that I might not see until next year or even later. In some ways it is also like preparing for your future or retirement, what you do today will have an effect on the rest of your life. The truth about sowing and reaping is that I also am having an impact on the lives of others as well.

Prayer= Lord Jesus, help me listen to the Holy Spirit today and sow your seeds into the lives of those around me. Help me to do your will and not be selfish. Please help me not to react selfishly but to trust you and sow in faith that you are my provider. You hold my reputation, my life and self esteem in your hands. All I am is in you! Let me sow your seeds of loving kindness (grace) into the people around me today.

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To walk with Christ and understand His grace will produce an overwhelming feeling that you owe God something. The law will tell you that you must repay God with your good works and righteous living. If we see that all that God did for us was out of His love and that righteousness was given to us as a gift we will produce good works from our love for Him. The debt we owe is love because it was all for love that God gave us His Son. For only love could make a way for our salvation. See the song "All for Love" at the end of the prayer.

Galatians 5


S= Galatians 5:3 And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law.

Galatians5:6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.

Galatians 5:13-14 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

O= Today I used three verses that really stuck out to me. They seem to feed off each other. If we try to maintain the law then we are forced to feel the whole weight of the law. What accompanies the law is guilt, shame and condemnation. Under the law there is always a sense of being driven and never doing enough. You are always feeling that you have somehow done something wrong. Look at verse 3 in The Message;

“I am emphatic about this. The moment any one of you submits to circumcision or any other rule-keeping system, at that same moment Christ's hard-won gift of freedom is squandered. I repeat my warning: The person who accepts the ways of circumcision trades all the advantages of the free life in Christ for the obligations of the slave life of the law.”

Jesus said in Mt. 11:28-30, that our walk with him would be “rest”. When you walk in the law you are obsessed with your actions and self absorbed in your own conduct. Even when you extend love to others it becomes a work to earn something or prove your worth. The Gospel is not about our efforts at all. Paul uses circumcision to illustrate that point (see Romans 2:25-29). The Gospel is about the love of God being expressed in His mercy, forgiveness, grace and power. Our walk is based upon the covenant of love that we have through faith in Jesus. This love covenant does produce a response in us that will motivate us to love others. When we love others it should not be to earn God’s love. Our acts of love should be in response to His love for us (I John 4:19). The law reveals the perfection of God and the Word of God states that God is love (I John 4:16). The law is fulfilled when we take the love of God that was given to accomplish our salvation and we freely give that same love to others.

A= When I feel the weight of the law on me, I need to thank God that I am free from the law because of the love God has for me. I need to take those feelings of not being good enough and never doing all the right things and simply love others. I need to love others not to earn any favor but to renew my mind that I am favored! I am free to love not out of a sense of debt but from a heart of gratitude!


P= Lord, remind me of the gift of your life. You died for me and offered your life in my place. I want to have a debt of love not payback. When I feel legalism crushing down on me, may I serve others selflessly without regard for any return. Help me to remind myself that your love given to others is a sign of a soul set free!


All For Love
by Hillsong United
album: Look To You (2005), God He Reigns (2005)

All for love the Father gave
For only love could make a way
All for love the heavens cried
For love was crucified

Oh how many times have I broken Your heart
But still You forgive
If only I ask
And how many times have You heard me pray
Draw near to me

Everything I need is You
My beginning, my forever
Everything I need is You

Let me sing all for love
I will join the angels song
Ever holy is the Lord
King of Glory
King of all

All for a love a Saviour prayed
Abba Father have Your way
Though they know not what they do
Let the Cross draw man to You

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Galatians 4

S= Galatians 4:12 “Brethren, I urge you to become like me, for I became like you, You have not injured me at all.”

O= This was a different verse to choose but it stuck out to me. Paul, the former Jewish pharisee, is asking the gentile Christians to become like him. But Paul is not asking them to become Jewish proselytes or even Jewish believers. Paul is asking them to identify with him in that he is free from the law. He has stepped away from the way of the law as away to earn righteousness. Paul is speaking to people who had never followed the dietary laws or the sacrificial system. These were people who never knew the Jewish feast and festivals or had followed the Sabbath restrictions. These gentiles were free to follow Christ alone. This is all they knew; Christ, His death and resurrection and the infilling of the Holy Spirit. That was all they needed. Now they were thinking that they had missed out on something, that something was wrong with their walk with Christ. They were acting like somehow they were short on the requirements for salvation. The sad thing was that these gentile believers had not missed anything but in fact they had a better understanding of Grace than Paul had. Paul had to unlearn the law to be free and they were stepping back into the bondage that the Gospel had freed all mankind from! How Paul must have ached to see this happening.

A= What I thought of with these observations was a Christian without a worldly testimony. You know what I mean, someone who grew up without rebellion against God or their parents or without sex, drugs or rock and roll and somehow feeling like they have no testimony. It is like they need to tell people how bad they were in order to give God glory for their life. I mean when you think about it, isn’t really more of a testimony never to have ever got involved in any of those things? Did this person really miss anything? No, they are much better off knowing that they have remained pure, or respectful, or sober. Their life is the real testimony and a tribute to making the right choices. I should live the “right way” because the Holy Spirit is directing my thoughts and behavior not to earn anything with God. The “right way” is; trusting that faith in Christ will be enough to save me and sanctify me. Does that mean that there are not rights and wrongs or dos and don’ts? No, but those standards don’t earn my salvation they just reveal that Christ is my Lord and I am living in obedience to the Holy Spirit. The standards I am referring to affect the heart. These standards are inwardly motivated and affect my outward actions they cannot be outward postures that only mask my inward condition.

P= Lord, let me see what is important to you. Let me hear your will spoken to me through your precious Spirit and then be obedient. Let me never take grace for granted and never add to myself or others the thought that somehow anything can be added to the gospel!

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Galatians 2

S= Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me.

O= This is one of my favorite verses in the Bible. It is the mantra of a crucified life. Verses 16-21 are incredible! No flesh is justified by obeying the law but that doesn’t mean that we have open season to live however we want. The law does set a standard of living but not to save us! The law reveals our sin and points out how an impossible a standard God has set before us! God has placed His Spirit in us so we will know His laws and be able to follow them. We do have freedom from the law but a life of sin will kill us. We are crucified with Christ when we accept His death as the payment of our sins. We then accept His resurrected life as our life. This is a walk of faith because every day we will feel the pull to justify ourselves through the rules or live as we want and satisfy our own selfish desires. We walk according to verse 20, a walk of faith, daily trusting that Jesus will be our life; that His provision for our sin will cover all our sin, that His life will empower us and that because of His love for us He will never forsake us when we fail! (Please read Romans chapter 6)

A= I need to walk in what Christ has done for me. Every day I must understand that I am dead to my sin nature, that it has been crucified with Christ. It has no power over me. I must then rely on Christ to empower me to live out my day in His ability. His love is what makes the difference. He is not waiting for me to make a mistake but instead is there with me, in me, cheering me on and giving me everything I need to live a life that is pleasing to Him. I need Him for everything if I am dead. I can’t go back and trust the sin life that once used to empower me. That life brings death. I must live in the life that Jesus brings. That life gives life, not just to me but to all of those around me who will accept it!

P=Dear Father in Heaven, today I want to walk by faith in the life that I have been given in Christ! Father, you provided this life for me and Jesus you purchased it with your life. Today Jesus, by your precious Holy Spirit, help to see your life verses the old life, and help me to walk by faith in it. Thank you for loving me and dying for me and thank you for giving me your life. May those around me see your life in me!

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This is one of my favorite New Testament books because it is such a reminder to trust in Grace and Grace alone! There are always several verses to choose from each day but the Holy Spirit always knows which one will be just what we need for that day. That’s the power of Grace!

Galatians 1

S= Galatians 1:10 “For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.

O= Paul hits the ground running in this letter to the churches of Galatia. There are not the greetings and introductions of his other letters. Paul gets down to business right away in verse 6 and tells the readers of this letter that he has heard that they are turning away from the truth of the gospel of Christ! Any gospel other than the one he preached to them he says is really know gospel at all! Paul states that whoever preaches any other gospel (even Paul himself) different than the one he gave to them should be cursed from all forms of life, spiritual and physical. Verse 10, is a verse that has hit me between the eyes many times. It is so easy to cater to those who you can see with your eyes and have immediate contact with. God can seem so removed and we begin to be controlled by people’s opinions of us. This verse is also about more than this; it is about the Gospel itself. Many people think that if grace is preached that you will give people license to sin. Paul talks about this in Romans 6:1ff. Paul has been accused of preaching grace because it is what people want to hear. I have found that this is not the case. People would rather have a formula to follow, something to do rather than to just trust and accept the free gift of God’s grace. Somehow we don’t want to admit that we are powerless and in total need of a savior and a sanctifier. If I think that somehow, someway things do depend on me then I can feel like I am paying God back or acknowledging in some way that He made a good choice in choosing me. We have been given something as a gift that we do not deserve and can NEVER pay back; grace must be accepted and lived out daily!

A= I don’t ever want to try and overcome grace or take it for granted. This doesn’t allow me to have either an anything goes attitude or a works mentality. I also cannot be afraid to preach Grace even if I am accused of weakening the Word of God. I have been told, “there is more to the Bible than grace.” May it never be so! Grace alone! I cannot worry about what people say. I want to live under grace as one who understands what God has done for me and filled with continual wonder, never hesitate to tell others about the incredible goodness of my God!

P= Lord, show me your grace again and again! Please don’t ever let me grow complacent to its power or its favor. It is a precious gift Lord Jesus that you paid for at a great price. Thank you for allowing grace to fall like rain upon me! May I faithfully, being full of gratitude, share in love the good news!

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Ephesians 6

S= Ephesians 6:10 "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might."

O= I chose verse 10 because it is the pivotal verse between the verses 1-9 and 11-24. It really is the finale of this letter to the Ephesians. Paul has been writing to them that they ARE, as the church, the physical body of Christ. The church is able to combat the enemy and all the principalities and powers that align themselves against the church. I feel like the first part of this chapter is really a prerequisite for entering into spiritual warfare. Authority and structure are an important truth in engaging in spiritual warfare. Chapter 5 ended by talking about submission and chapter 6 continues that theme. In the home and really in the work place, if we equate Paul's words about being a servant and a master with our workplace, there is a certain flow of things. This flow of submission and behavior has to do with realms of authority over us and below us. If we are going to engage in spiritual warfare we had bettersynchin sync with the powers over us and under us or we will not be able to flow in the spiritual authority that has been given to us through Christ! It is amazing that in all the times that I have looked at this passage I have never grasped that we wage warfare through our prayers and that it take all kinds of prayers to be successful in our battles.

A= Wow, this is a big one... Am I in the Flow? First, I need to ask myself, am I where I need to be with my parents? Am I giving them honor? I am being hit between the eyes on this. I see that by calling them and making sure that I consistently include them in my life that this is a way of honoring them! It is not just about loving them and respecting them. Secondly, I have to ask if I am provoking my children in any way. Do I live simply operate in a do it my way posture or am I taking the necessary time to impart into them Godly wisdom? The third series of questions that I must ask is, how am I with those who work for me and those who are over me? Am I treating them with respect and honor? Do I model, honor of my superiors, to those who work with me? And last, am I using prayer to wage warfare against the enemies of Christ? Am I learning how to do this and sticking to it? No, I have not done this very effectively at all!

P= Lord, you have laid a lot on me today! Holy Spirit, please help me put into practice calling my parents more frequently. Help me to make sure that I take the time to impart into my children your wisdom and ways. To show them what it means to submit to you by spending more time with them. Show me how to better honor those over me. And most of all help me to learn how to engage in warfare through prayer.

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This Chapter of Ephesians challenges us to come out of the shadows and to walk in the light of who we are in Christ. Enjoy your day and don’t forget to put your cologne or perfume on. Read on to see what this means…

Ephesians 5

S= Ephesians 5:2 “And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.”

O= Verse two really stuck out to me as I read this passage. The image is a sacrifice made to God with the fragrance of the sacrifice rising to the nostrils of the Father. Now at first that seems really strange and I thought, burning flesh is kind of sick, but there were more than one kind of sacrifice offered to God. Leviticus Chapters 1-7 gives these examples. The phrase “sweet smelling aroma” was not referring to the smell of the sacrifice as much as to the intent and purpose of the sacrifice (see Lev. 3:16). The priest also used oil and spices as incense but this referred not just to the scent of the incense but also to the offering of it to God. As I look at this passage I am impressed with the contrast that Paul creates between those who are “imitators of God”, “dear children” of God, “children of light”, those “wise”, and those who walk in “submission”. My sacrifice to the Holy Spirit to live as Christ here on the earth is a sweet smelling offering to my heavenly Father! It seems as a contrast that to live out my own life for myself, governed by my own will and selfish desires is a life that literally stinks before God.

A= There is a difference between those who live surrendered to the will of God as directed by the Holy Spirit and those who live their life for themselves as the world does. The contrast of the list of things mentioned in this chapter all point to the pleasing of self or taking for yourself and not living as a sacrifice or living a life submitted to the will and nature of the heavenly Father as Jesus lived. As we desire to follow the will of the Father under the direction of the Holy Spirit we will walk more and more in the light and we will look like Jesus. The More We Allow Ourselves to Live In the Shadows the More Unrecognizable Jesus Will Be! My life is to be like a light that people can use to find their way out of a dark place. Do my actions and words reflect the light or am I a shadow person? I don’t realize that when I covet things that other people have that this is pulling me into the shadows and dimming the light of Jesus in me! When I am not in harmony with Jan and submitting to her leadership when I should be and when I am not submitting to the Father to care for her and to be the spiritual leader of my household, I am dimming the light of Christ and stepping back into the shadows. It is hard to walk in the light because I am always exposed! The shadows seem more comfortable. I need to remember that in the shadows my life begins to rot like death and not give off a scent that is pleasing to my God! In the light is the scent of Life, the scent of My Savior!

P= Father, in the name and power of Jesus show me my shadow lands. Holy Spirit, you are the teacher and the counselor, please reveal to me how I smell? Show me where I need to step full out into the light!

Posted by Reality Check at 7:59 AM | Permalink | Comments

Are we predictable? Can you count on the behavior of the body of Christ, the church? Are we known for the way we encourage one another? Do we represent our Lord corporately in our behavior? Are we unstoppable?

Ephesians 4

S= Ephesians 4:13 "till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;..."

O= This chapter really talks about the way the body is supposed to look and to function. Because of who we are in Christ we represent Him to the world. We are His body here on this earth. If we are representing Him we must be in unity. The body of Christ must operate in love and love will continue to strengthen areenergizeize the body. If the body is going to represent Christ in its love for each other then there are certain ways we are to treat each other. The way we talk to one another should show our love. That we are honest with each other even through hurt and anger reveals love. The body of Christ should always be seen as an organism that is constantly encouraging itself. When the body of Christ is in conflict with one another it allows the enemy to gain entrance into the body. Conflict within the body of Christ grieves the Holy Spirit because He cannot function to display the natural characteristics of Christ body.

A= For application of this passage I thought of the Green Bay Packers of the 1960's. I was just a boy but I remember watching them play and hearing the adults talk about them. Vice Lombardi was their coach and by the standards of todays modern N.F.L. their offense was pretty simple. You knew what they were going to do; you just had to stop them. When they lined up to run you knew where they were going and more often than not, who would even carry the ball. Their attitude was quite simply, try and stop us! Lombardi believed that if everyone did their job that no one could stop them! Every week the game plan was the same. They were very predictable. You knew when you played the Packers this is what they were going to do. Whether they would pass or run you knew what was coming and you had to stop them. The body of Christ should be as predictable, always based in love and always extending grace to one another. We should be known for continuously building each other up. We should always be honest with each other and talk through our disappointment and anger with forgiveness and understanding. If we are one in this way the devil cannot stop us. We can say here we come try to stop us! I need to be predictable as a child of God. My behavior has to be what is right, what is led by the Holy Spirit. The predictability is that no matter the situation I will do whatever the Holy Spirit is asking me to do! If the body of Christ is living in this way serving Christ, what can stop us?

P= Lord, may I stay in unity with my brothers and sisters. May I represent you in love and encouragement. Even in conflict may my actions be for the purpose of edification. May I not hinder in any way, precious Holy Spirit, your demonstration of Gods love through me!

Posted by Reality Check at 9:23 AM | Permalink | Comments

This is already our third day in the book of Ephesians and today we will read that we have been given power over all that the world and the devil may through at us! Enjoy and be strong!

Ephesians 3

S= Ephesians 3:10…“to the intent that now the manifest wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places.” Vs.16 “that He would grant you according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through the Spirit in the inner man.”

O= I don’t think that I have really seen this verse in all the times that I have read this passage. Paul is saying that God’s plan of salvation that came through the children of Israel, in Christ, was always intended to reach all peoples (gentiles). It was a mystery (wonder) that God intended for all mankind to be included in His family. This family is called “the church” and we now have the responsibility to make known the manifold wisdom of God to all the earth, including all the powers of this world and the kingdom of darkness that rules this world. The word manifold means; much, varied, and many colored. It reminds me of looking at the Grand Canyon at sunrise or sunset with its limitless colors. How could you possibly describe what you are seeing or try to include everything in a painting? It would be futile. You would never be able to capture it all on canvass and would simply limit it. The church has the opportunity to display the limitless power and scope of God’s majesty, glory and love. Through the relationship that we have with the Father, in Christ, we reveal the plan and heart of God. This is to be demonstrated in us through the power of God. That’s why Paul’s prayer for the church, in verse 16, expresses Paul’s desire that the church, through the Holy Spirit, would become mighty by God’s power. We “the church” can demonstrate the limitless power of God!

A= Do we really believe that we have this power or do we live like we are powerless against whatever the world throws against us. Our lives are a continuous demonstration of God’s grace and power to others. We have at our disposal whatever power is necessary to oppose all the forces of darkness. Even our very lives are a demonstration of the power of God’s grace. I don’t want to live as a victim but as a victor! To rescue people from the kingdom of this world and demonstrate God’s love for all!

P= Lord, may I walk in the power that you have given to the Church. Show me that I don’t have to feel picked on, helpless or defeated. May I demonstrate God’s power to rescue His creation and defeat our enemy.

Posted by Reality Check at 6:48 AM | Permalink | Comments

This is day two, and I want you to be amazed that your destiny has been prepared for you before the world was even created. You are a one of a kind creation of our heavenly Father's goodness, creativity and love. You are the living church of Jesus Christ!

Ephesians 2

S= Ephesians 2:10 “For we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” 2:15 “…so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace,”

O= The Greek word for workmanship is poiema. We get our word poem from this word. It is the word that is used to describe what an artist creates. Verse 15 tells us that God created in Himself a new creation from the chosen of Israel and from the Gentiles. The Greek word for new means something that didn’t exist before. It refers to form and substance not new in time. This creation is by a God who loved us “greatly” (vs.4), even when we wanted nothing to do with Him (vss.2-3). In Christ we became a new entity, that God had already given a specific destiny even before we knew Him. We were not only destined for good works but since we were created by a craftsman we were actually designed to produce these good works! God saw good in us through Christ and instilled into our destiny an ability to fulfill His plans through us! We have, in fact, become the “good work”. We are like a beautiful hand crafted building(church), whose architect is God the Father. Christ has become our cornerstone, the model from which all of us have been made, and we are an entire building that represents the Father in all His beauty, wonder, goodness and glory. We should be like a “Wonder of the World” or a “Wonder of God”!

A= If I have been created for these good works then God has put everything I need to do them in me. I am a new creation under the blessing and power of the old and the new covenants. I have a relationship with God that Abraham had as “the friend of God” and that Jesus had as “the beloved son of God.” Together with my brothers and sisters in Christ I represent the Heavenly Father. I reflect His glory and need to embrace all the other parts of this beautiful temple (the church), that represents God. I am capable of the works of God and should be offering myself to others so that they can meet and see my God!

P= Father, today make me mindful again of just who I am. Help me to remember that I reflect you. Help me to operate in the “good works” that you have designed me for. Thank you for your mercy that forgave me, your grace that saved me and your love that sustains me!

P.S. Happy Independence Day! FREEDOM!!! Enjoy the day with your family and launch a few fireworks for me.

Posted by Reality Check at 8:23 AM | Permalink | Comments

Welcome to day one. This is an exciting time to study the word of God! Remember as "the church" we have been tranformed into "the body of Christ."Let the Apostle Paul through the power of the Holy Spirit show you today what your Heavenly has done for you!

Ephesians 1

S= Ephesians 1:3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,”

O= The words “blessed us with every spiritual blessing” are hard to comprehend. What does this mean? I also see that these blessings have been given to us in heavenly places. Through out the entire chapter the same things kept jumping out to me, the pronouns! Vs. 4- He chose us in Him, before Him. Vs. 5- to Himself, of His will. Vs. 6- His grace, He made us. Vs. 7- In Him, His blood, His grace. Vs.8- He made. Vs. 9- His will, His good pleasure, He purposed in Himself. Vs. 10- He might gather, in Him. Vs. 11- In Him, purpose of Him, the counsel of His will. Vs. 12- His glory. Vs. 13- In Him, vs. 14- His glory. Vs. 17- the knowledge of Him. Vs. 18- His calling, His inheritance. Vs. 19- His power, His power. Vs. 20- He worked in Christ, He raised Him, seated Him. Vs. 22- He put, under His feet, gave Him to be head. Vs. 23- His body, the fullness of Him. Every spiritual blessing - everything that God is, has been offered to us and every hindrance to us receiving it has been dealt with, and everything these blessings can insure and accomplish has been turned over to us. It is apparent that our Heavenly Father wanted us to lack nothing in our identity or ability. He has supplied us with EVERYTHING and then has EMPOWERED us. We were chosen, created and then reclaimed (adopted), recreated, recharged and now we represent Christ as His body here on earth.

A= When I looked at this passage I was reminded of a when as kids we were chosen to be on a team to play some game. It was always a dilemma, when would you be chosen… it didn’t always depend on your ability but as often it was popularity or some other factor. All of these choices in some way referred to your self worth. Choose me… don’t let me be the kid that the team was stuck with. I mean even if I am chosen last at least I wasn’t the kid that nobody wanted! In some respects we told God that we didn’t want to be on His team and He chose us any way! We were always a part of His plans. Nobody is ever just left over. In fact, we are able to become just like "the Most Valuable Player" because He has equipped us with the same gifts, talents and abilities that the greatest player ever had, Jesus himself! We are now called out to play for our heavenly Father in Jesus’ place.

P= Father, thank you for choosing me. I am glad to be on your team. I want to allow your power and your life to be seen in me. Everything is in you and comes from you. Let me see today who I am in you, Holy Spirit please keep speaking into my life today that I AM BLESSED!!!

Posted by Reality Check at 10:59 AM | Permalink | Comments