Are You A Keeper?

I was impacted by an interaction recorded in the book Same Kind of Different As Me to illustrate friendship.  A man named Denver made the observation how some fishermen practice "catch and release."  They are into fishing for sport.  After catching, weighing, or taking a photo, the fish is released.  Denver had no interest in catching a fish only to release it.  Catching a whopper brought the town together to celebrate the catch and share a delicious meal.  The point driven home to me is friendship is for keeps.  If you genuinely love someone, you won't let them go.  You will always hold a friend close in your heart even if time or distance separates.

Matt Redman wrote a song titled "You Never Let Go" which enforces how God treats us all like "keepers" though we have never measured up.  As sinners we have fallen dreadfully short of His righteous standards, yet out of His love for us God embraces and adopts us as His own through the Gospel.  This divine acceptance is all of grace, and it is received when we repent and place our faith in Jesus Christ as LORD.  Jesus called His disciples friends, and all who will be His friends will keep His commands.

The chorus of Redman's song says, "Oh no, You never let go through the calm and through the storm...in every high and every low. Oh no, You never let go Lord. You never let go of me."  Our grip on God grows weak and weary as we are beset by anxieties and cares.  No matter the trial or trouble God keeps us close, and no one is able to snatch us out of God's hand.  I am in wonder of the grace of God that when we were in complete rebellion against God He pursued us and bid us draw near to Him in faith.  It is one thing to gather your little own ones in your arms, but another thing to reach out to stubborn rebels.  Push Him away, try to silence Him if you want, but as long as we live on this earth He will not stop seeking us out and calling our names.  We cannot drown out the voice of truth or comfortably numb our conscience from the Saviour who will have us for His eternal inheritance.

Fall on your face in worship, man!  David's musings echo in my soul of the excellence of the LORD in Psalm 8:3-4:  "When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained, ⁴ what is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him?"  Dust we are and to dust we will return, yet the love and life given through Christ endures forever.  1 Peter 1:3-5 says, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ⁴ to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, ⁵ who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."  All who will submit to being caught by the Gospel God deems a keeper.

God doesn't do "catch and release" when we fail.  He's a God who keeps His redeemed by His power through faith for eternal salvation.  Repentance leads to restoration of fellowship with God by His grace.  God loves and never lets go.  Should you choose to go your own way, don't be surprised when He hunts you down and speaks kindly to you.  What grace!

Identifying with Christ

Jesus came to save sinners.  Once we are freed from the power and penalty of sin, the Holy Spirit provides all we need to know and do God's will.  Living in these bodies of flesh makes it a real challenge to walk uprightly.  I am a sinner and need a Saviour, and if I have truly repented I ought not consciously sin any more.  Paul asked rhetorical questions which have obvious answers in Romans 6:1-2:  "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? ² Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?"

When we are born again through faith in Jesus Christ, we are made new.  Our bodies stay the same, but our eternal souls have been raised to new life.  We ought to make a clean break between who we were and who we are by God's grace because we now know God and find our identity in Him.  1 Corinthians 6:9-11 says, "Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, ¹⁰ nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. ¹¹ And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God."

God is able to take a thief and transform him into a man whose honesty is a reflection of His own.  He takes a fornicator burning with lust and gives him power and discipline to walk in purity.  God takes sexually immoral people and cleanses them, causing their hearts to desire to please God over self.  Drunks and extortioners and liars need not be resigned to the chains which bound them to sin and ruled their lives, for now Jesus has become their LORD and Saviour.  Having been washed of the stains of sin, our previous way of living is to be relegated to a previous life which was drowning in perdition and sinking towards eternal destruction.

Praise the LORD He is able to change us completely so we can be as God intended us to be.  The world tries many means to squish us into its mould, but no worldly mould is suitable for a child of God.  Let us reckon the old man dead and sin also dead to us.  We will not entertain or make room for it any more because now we know it leads to death.  We will not justify sin in denial of God's Word and the conviction of the Holy Spirit.  Sin slyly dolls itself up like Jezebel with her tiered head and painted face to look attractive, but let's not be fooled.  To sleep with her is to court death.  Since we love our Saviour Jesus, we will obey Him at any cost.  Jesus has paid the price for our atonement and salvation, and He also empowers us to pay the price He is worthy of daily.

God Supplies Needs

I like the occasion in scripture when Elisha provided for a widow in a miraculous (and memorable!) way.  She was unable to pay off a loan and the creditor demanded her two sons as bondslaves.  In desperation she contacted Elisha the prophet.  He said, "What do you have in the house?"  The poor woman said, "Nothing, except a pot of oil."

2 Kings 4:3-4 says, "Then he said, "Go, borrow vessels from everywhere, from all your neighbours--empty vessels; do not gather just a few. ⁴ And when you have come in, you shall shut the door behind you and your sons; then pour it into all those vessels, and set aside the full ones."  This is a strange directive, isn't it?  How could one pot of oil fill so many?  The woman wisely did not question the man of God but obeyed.  It says in verse 5, "So she went from him and shut the door behind her and her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured it out."  And pour it out she did.  As long as there was another pot to pour into, the oil continued to flow.  According to her obedience she received oil she sold and paid off the debt, delivering her sons from slavery.

One lesson we can glean from this passage is God will supply all the needs of His people, and He will do it however and whenever He wants.  We feel comfortable with money in the bank, with "liquid assets" we can utilise at our convenience so we don't have to trust God.  Having a surplus provides a sense of security the flesh craves, but often God provides strength as we need it.  We are called to trust God whether we have millions in our account or live paycheck to paycheck - even when there is no paycheck!  We make a mistake to limit God by our perceived lack because God has promised to supply our needs.  Paul affirmed in Philippians 4:19, "And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

When we have God, we have all we need.  We are able to experience the fullness of His grace when we trust and obey Him.  Praise the LORD how He can take these empty vessels and fill us with His Spirit!

Bookmarks and Commitment

Diligence is a good virtue to cultivate.  It is easy with the busyness of life to procrastinate or neglect important duties.  We start tasks with good intentions but for some reason completing them can elude us for weeks, months, and years.  We are exhorted in whatever we do in Colossians 3:23 to do it heartily as unto the LORD.  God requires stewards to be faithful, and in His strength we can do all He asks of us.

Jesus said in Luke 16:10, "He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much."  Because we are limited by time, ability, and resources, we prioritise tasks.  The completion of tasks large or small requires commitment with focused labour to that end.  It helps when we prioritise unfinished tasks (in most cases) before we embark on new ones.  Progressing and completing even a small task moves us in a positive direction.

Whenever I have a new book to read (I have a bit of a pile at the moment!), for me placing a bookmark within the pages is a commitment to finish that book.  Not all books which we begin reading are worthy of being completed, but for me the bookmark is a helpful - even a necessary reminder to finish what I have started.  Finishing a book is a little thing in the scope of life, but the words of Jesus remind me how important faithfulness and diligence are.  What we say we should do, and even a little scrap of paper sends a message I have made a commitment and should follow through.

Are there any commitments or tasks you have begun but for whatever reason have remained undone?  At the culmination of a life lived for the LORD He will commend His faithful servants.  Life is comprised of countless little jobs, and at the end of every little task done unto the LORD we can take to heart His words:  "Well done, good and faithful servant.  Enter into the joy of the LORD."  My commitment can be weak and faulty, but our God is faithful to supply our every need.  Praise the LORD He is fully committed to us and will never leave or forsake us!

Cull Those Complaints!

All people naturally have sinful tendencies and habits.  Even after we are spiritually born again life goes on in the confines of our body of flesh.  There are plenty of things we realise are sinful and displeasing to God, but there are other things which fly under our moral radar.  We are not even aware of how often we sin until God opens our eyes to see!

One thing I want to cull from my life is the tendency to complain.  Complaints may be exceedingly common and seemingly innocent, but the basis of complaining is a focus on self, a lack of acknowledgement of God's power and sovereignty, and vocal displeasure for all to hear.  It is one thing to pour out our complaints before God, but it is another thing to complain to others about our circumstances God has allowed.  Complaining is often a parade of selfishness.

Just last night I read of an occasion after God delivered the children of Israel from slavery in Egypt in Numbers 11:1-3: "Now when the people complained, it displeased the LORD; for the LORD heard it, and His anger was aroused. So the fire of the LORD burned among them, and consumed some in the outskirts of the camp. ² Then the people cried out to Moses, and when Moses prayed to the LORD, the fire was quenched. ³ So he called the name of the place Taberah, because the fire of the LORD had burned among them."  If there was ever a passage in scripture which vividly portrays God's displeasure and swift judgment for complaining, this is it.  God's people complained about all sorts of things:  lack of water, the food God supplied, that Moses took too much responsibility upon himself, that God led them through the wilderness, the threat of enemies, and on.

This passage does not tell us exactly what the people complained about, but it does say God was displeased when He heard their complaints.  Did you know complaining displeases God?  His anger burned against them and fire consumed some in the outskirts of the camp.  Moses interceded on behalf of the people when they cried out to him, and the fire was quenched.  The place was named "Taberah" or burning because God's fire had burned among them.  The lesson for me?  When I murmur against God or complain to others, God hears and it is displeasing to Him.  To this day by the grace of God I have not been consumed in flames because I am certainly guilty!  It is hard to complain without saying something, and therefore how wise it is for us to guard our hearts, minds, and mouths.  I imagine complaining is a habit in varying degrees for everyone, but it is one we ought to spare no effort to break.  Complaining is evidence something is very wrong in the heart.

David wrote in Psalm 142:1-2 how he directed his complaints not to men but to God:  "I cry out to the LORD with my voice; with my voice to the LORD I make my supplication. ² I pour out my complaint before Him; I declare before Him my trouble."  It is a good question to ask:  am I complaining to someone who can do anything about my problem?  Because God cares for us He invites us to cast our cares upon Him.  Pouring our complaints or venting our frustrations upon other people suggests we have not taken the matter sufficiently before God.  Once we have cast our cares upon Him, complaints will be replaced with praise for the One who loves and cares for us.

Like the Great Mountains

"Your righteousness is like the great mountains; Your judgments are a great deep; O LORD, You preserve man and beast."

Psalm 36:6

It is insightful to meditate upon and consider similes in the Bible.  In this instance, the righteousness of God is compared to the "great mountains."  Mountains in the physical realm can open our understanding of the spiritual nature of God's righteousness.  Though righteousness and mountains are not the same thing, this verse teaches us there are similarities between them.  To better grasp the reality of God's righteousness, how could we describe great mountains?

• Mountains are immovable and endure.  Mountains are established, solid, and trying to shift them is out of the question.  While the earth is subject to erosion over time, the mountain remains.  Tunnels have been cut through them, roads have been carved into them and even diverted around them.  God's righteousness is established like a mountain and is not subject to erosion or change.  The winds of time and the erosion of morality cannot affect God's righteousness.
• Mountains are massive and lofty.  Mountains viewed at a distance do not look imposing, but the closer one approaches the higher they appear.  The summits of the earth's tallest mountains cannot be fully seen from their base.  In a similar way the righteousness of God is past finding out.  It is greater beyond estimation and infinitely exceeds our own (so-called) righteousness.  Try to build a mountain if you like, but whatever man builds nature in time wears and breaks down.  God's righteousness is great and beyond compare.
• Mountains can be inaccessible and impassable.  Whilst great mountains can be climbed at the risk of avalanches, falling rocks, altitude sickness, whiteouts, or falls, no man can begin to scale the heights of God's righteousness.  There is no way an ordinary man can rightly claim he has attained even a fraction of righteousness by his own efforts.  No one climbs a great mountain and says "That was easy!" but attaining the glorious heights of God's righteousness is absolutely impossible for us.  One might as well try to fly to the moon by flapping his wings and having arrived survive wearing only shorts and a t-shirt.
• Mountains are picturesque and recognisable.  Notable mountains are named and their images are found in puzzles, postcards, and movies.  God's righteousness is distinct from what passes as righteousness in men, being totally perfect without a single flaw.  The righteousness of God has been revealed in His law and by the life of Jesus Christ.  The goodness and righteousness of Jesus is beyond compare in this world.  Next to Jesus the best efforts of men to live righteously resemble a hollow pit.

What else can mountains teach us about the righteousness of God?  I am glad God's righteousness endures and is granted to all sinners who repent and trust in Jesus Christ.  We can lay no claim to righteousness by our efforts, but by grace God's righteousness is imputed to all who believe - apart from the law.  Without righteousness no man can see the kingdom of God.  How great is our God and His righteousness!

Being Changed

There are times when we recognise a personal need to change, but this knowledge does not provide the ability to change.  On the strength of our resolve anyone can adapt their behaviour to various degrees, yet on the inside we remain the same people we always were.  This is one thing God can and will do in the lives of Christians:  He changes us from the inside.

Because we have been painting the bathroom, bottles of shampoo are not in their usual place.  The other day when I picked on up a bottle, I rapped my head on the fixed soap holder in the shower.  I instinctively said, "Ouch!" but I instantly discerned something was different inside me.  Years ago when I would hit my head or injured myself there would often be a flash of temper, an inner rage that surged energy into my limbs and widened my eyes.  During my life I have typically been able to "control" my temper, but it was a conscious act of the will.  When I hit my head and did not feel the familiar stirring of the flesh, and despite the discomfort of my head I rejoiced.  God opened my eyes to recognise this clear evidence He is indeed changing me.

These inner changes are a marvellous way God works in those who are born again through faith in Jesus.  The One who provides the awareness of our sinful flesh and the power of self-control also can change the way we think and feel.  He is able to transform us so we can rejoice despite pain because He has continued to shape the way we respond to problems.  He puts a love in our hearts for people years ago we would have avoided.  He opens our eyes to see our need for Him in more areas of our lives still, keeping us from pride and arrogance.  Our tendencies become more aligned with His righteous character.  Instead of reacting the way we always have or fighting to subdue the flesh, the power of the Spirit shines through with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control.

Religion is something many people work at, but a relationship with the Almighty God through faith in Jesus means He begins to work inside us to make us new.  Jesus is able to heal, deliver, restore, save, strengthen, and help us because He is the living God.  There is no heart too hard or mind too stubborn He cannot change.  The God who brings all sin to light is able to overcome and stamp out the most habitual sins and transform us into His image.  God used a little thing like bumping my head to provide insight into the miraculous work He is doing in my life, and He also wants to work in your life in ways you cannot imagine for good.  Seeing this has caused me to pray for more changes, and I know in His time these prayers will be answered according to His Word because He is trustworthy.

Praise the LORD who changes us for good!

Restricted by Affections

"O Corinthians! We have spoken openly to you, our heart is wide open. ¹² You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections."

2 Corinthians 6:11-12

The apostle Paul had been instrumental in preaching the Gospel and instructing the church in Corinth.  He chose to support his own pastoral ministry by making tents so no one could accuse him of using the Gospel to enrich himself financially.  At times the choice to support himself backfired in one sense, for some viewed this tradesman as being without proper credentials to teach.  But Paul had authority from God and spoke the truth in love, even when it stung.  There were some in the Corinthian church who aligned themselves with other teachers to oppose Paul and claimed his attempts to deal with sin and promote unity was an overreach.  Like a teenage son or daughter eager to throw off the authority of parents they feel are too controlling, they resented Paul's involvement.

Paul responded to these murmurings and false accusations wisely.  He held forth a principle which is widely applicable to people in the church today.  He said, "You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections."  It is very easy to find fault with others, to blame others for our lack of satisfaction or status.  There are many people who desire to have a particular role in ministry - to be a pastor, worship, or study leader - and when this opportunity is not given they believe they are being held back from something they are called to and capable of.  Paul's leadership was solid and biblical, but some saw his involvement as meddlesome and controlling.  Paul asserted he was not restricting anyone, but the people were restricted by their own affections.

It is likely far easier to give Paul the benefit of the doubt than people we know personally.  It is possible to sin by scheming to manipulate or control others, but Paul's statement is instructive for all who feel they are being unfairly "restricted" by others:  to a degree we are being restricted by our own affections.  Consider this example:  a boy feels unfairly treated because his parents will not allow him to go to a party where there will be underage drinking.  He wants to be with his friends; he desires acceptance and seeks fun.  His parents have his good in mind, but he cannot see it because he is being kept from what he craves.  If he loved his parents and trusted them, he would be thankful they were looking out for his well-being instead of being resentful.  "You never let me have any fun!" he shouts.  His affections blind him to his parent's love and therefore remains restricted to his narrow, short-sighted view.  He is locked in a cage of bitterness for his trouble, and even when he physically leaves home he cannot escape it.

Godliness with contentment is great gain, and this is something as followers of Jesus we all must practically learn.  The purpose of this post is not to cast judgment on your feelings or situation, but to hold forth the everlasting truth of God's Word:  do you believe verse 12 has been or can be relevant to your life personally?  Is it possible you have not been restricted by God or others but instead have been restricted by your own affections?  No one likes to feel cramped and hemmed in, and it is natural for us to want to throw off restrictions and do as we like.  Yet at the same time the Bible is clear in whatever state we are to be content - whether married, unmarried, as a member of a "dysfunctional" family or church, regardless if the government is democratic or communistic, or if you have the role in church you desire.  Those Jesus has made free are free indeed, for where the Spirit of the LORD is there is freedom.  When we invite God to govern our affections and humble ourselves under His rule we discover true liberty.

God Will

At the dawn of a new year, many people seize the opportunity to make resolutions.  Whether or not they tend to stick is beside the point!  It is not just a new year which can motivate a person to promise or pledge to do things differently.  For some it may be ill-fitting pants which lead to more regular exercise.  It could be a close call behind the wheel which prompts someone to stop drink-driving.  A decision to change doesn't always end with the desired change, but few positive changes in life occur without acknowledging we need to change.  The human will is incredibly strong, but it doesn't mean we always do what we say we will.

A couple things I love about God is He is good and He does not change.  When He says He will do something, He will.  It may not look like anything is happening, and it may seem like an eternity before progress is made.  God will always be true to His Word, and when we meet His conditions we can place our complete confidence in Him.  This morning I read a wonderful thing for us to say we will do (and actually follow through) in Psalm 91:2:  "I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust."  Upon legal tender used in the United States it is written, "In God We Trust."  Have you discovered trusting God is not something to say but to do?  The amazing thing is when we place our faith in God He will follow through without fail to render to us specific blessings out of His grace.

Later in Psalm 91 the voice of the passage changes.  Instead of speaking about God from the third person, it shifts to the first person voice.  God has resolved in Psalm 91:14-16, "Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. ¹⁵ He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. ¹⁶  With long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation."  See all the things God has promised to do for all who trust in Him?  I will deliver him; I will set him on high; I will answer his prayers; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver and honour him; I will satisfy him with long life; I will show him My salvation.  Will you speak of the LORD and trust in Him?  Blessings beyond count and compare are given by God to all who do so!  Let us be ever resolute in faith as we depend upon God's strength, and praise God all He says He will do.