Month: April 2016

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Proof of Adoption Part IV

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (Phil 1:21)
 
For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;
Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me (Phil 1:29&30)
 
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
 
Being that we are in a political season right now we hear many claims and promises from those who are running, and when these candidates are asked if they are Christian they all give their reasons as to why they believe they are. I always cringe at this because they have no concept of what it means to say you are a Christ follower. However what is even more concerning, for a lot of people make this same claim, is why do  they feel right in making this claim? It comes back to us, the Church. We live so weak a testimony being mixed with the world that there is not a clear distinction between believers and non believers. So though I cringe at hearing politicians claiming to be Christian, I am more grieved at the reason as to why they, or anybody else can make that claim if they are not truly born again.
“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Talking about making a clear line between belief and non belief. If we lived out this verse on the human stage of life, there would be no question about what it means to be Christian. If our complete focus would be on what actions bring me closer to Christ as opposed to what actions make me more socially accepted. That would clearly demonstrate the difference and our peers would quickly see that we march to a different drum. Soon the invitations to have a drink and hang out would end. Our life style and our conversation would not mix.
I have never “fit” well into social settings, even in High School as Student Body President I ate lunch alone with the exception of a few Christians who were not afraid to be seen with me. The whole school staff and student body knew where I stood. The position gave me much opportunity to share my faith. I was never weird, but I didn’t hide my faith either. Whatever was good about me, whatever was kind, whatever was loving, I wanted people to know that it was because of Christ, not me. I knew over 1/3 of the student body by name and many more by face but I still ate about half of my lunches alone. The half of the time I spent counseling other students. Some of the cutest girls on campus, who I would have loved to have dated, would come to me with their boy problems. It was the weirdest thing. A few would take me up on coming to church ( which was my definition of a date), but most would not.
” and to die is gain.” The more of me that dies, the more I gain. In the world of the Spirit, something must die for something else to live. As I grow closer to Christ the desires of the flesh begin to lessen and some even die. Conversely, as I stray from the faith, as the light dims the darkness grows until the light of faith is finally extinguished. Both lives cannot exist in one soul. As Jesus said, “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon ( Matt.6:24).” In context mammon represents the cares and ambitions of the world that our flesh values because of our insecurities ( think about that for a bit. Our insecurities play a huge role).
“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also ( Matt. 6:19-21)” “Therefore keep your heart with all diligence for from it flows the springs of life ( Proverbs 4:23). So right now, in this moment, where is your heart?  Is it aligned with Christ, or the world? Are you lukewarm and caught in the middle? Know yourself for the consequences are eternal and repent if any part of you is not with Christ. Yet know that as long as we live in this earthly tent, we will always have struggles with our flesh. However what Christ seeks is not perfection but a solid decision to be His and to seek Him, that’s our part; His part is to sanctify the whole of us – a task far too great for any of us to take on. 
“For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;”
We have a society that is overly bent on “my rights.” The basis for this was employer abuse and prejudice. Yet like many good causes, they ineveribly become tinted and now we have people claiming they have rights when all that is being asked of them is to put in an honest day’s work. It doesn’t take much to ruffle peoples feathers.
I am a fan of the Slyvester Stallon boxing movies (Rocky),  and in one of his later movies he is telling his son, who now is a teenager, that “it is not so much how hard you can hit, but how hard you can be hit and get up again.” There is a verse in Proverbs 24:16  that states “that a righteous man ( or woman) falls several times but gets up again.” Since it has been given to us to suffer for Christ, what is the temper of our steel? If people look at us wrong do we consider that suffering for Christ, or is it more than that? I view suffering in two categories, one that is internal and one that is external. Internally, I have weaknesses inherit to my sin nature. They can be lusts, temper, envy, impatience, ego etc., that are not Godly and do not represent Christ. Much of these responses surface by just living life. These carnal emotions come across our heart and mind and how we deal with them is what matters and truly determines the temper of our steel ( our commitment to Christ). At times our responses are even a surprise to us, we say ” I don’t know why I got so put out.” However our responses are not a surprise to God, and God allows these trials to occur to introduce me to me. Often the man in the mirror thinks quiet highly of himself ( or herself) and these trials are God’s way of showing us the real person inside. The purpose is to cause us to surrender “our rights,” the gods of this world that we lay claim to and adhere to so dearly. Through the trials these god’s fail to give us peace, direction or lasting contentment be they the gods of finances, fame, possessions, vanity, or relationships etc. And in releasing them we finally see them for what they are.
 God seeks to purify us by using these trials and uses these trials to make us wholly His, His Bride. I call these the internal battles were fear, lust, anger, disappointment, depression etc. are defeated by righteousness and truth, by justice and peace, until His Throne fully reigns in us. We become heirs conquered by Grace ( no longer my efforts but His) Truth ( no false idols, only the one true God) and Love ( the full acceptance and surrender to His love without the need in me to earn it, or to feel worthy of it, for I will never be. The acceptance of His love is the true foundation of humility from where true inner strenght comes from. So few truly find it and operate from it, yet it is the core of the Spirit).
As I seek to mature in Him these internal battles, the voices within me are quieted and only one voice and desire becomes dominant. As humility grows in me humility makes God bigger, my problems smaller and peoples imperfection, weakness and tempers much easier to handle. It becomes a “no big deal” scenario as opposed to “how dare they say that to me etc.,” which is the wrong reaction each and every time. For the flesh/pride is exercising what it takes as its rights. Yet recall that Christ surrendered all His rights for us, we are to do likewise.
“Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.”
“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:”
External persecution deals with my life and the values I live by convicting others to the
point that I anger them, though I do nothing directly to them to cause an offense, other than being a Christian. This can be a minor annoyance to them or it can become a major problem. I find that if I love people by treating them with respect, I am accepted for the most part even though they do not share my belief. I welcome most people into my life which drops their barriers, allowing me to know them, however my beliefs keep them at a “respectable friendship bases.” Unless they seek to know more about Christ that is were we stay. If they are open to Christ then our relationship becomes more sincere, we become friends. Living a strong conviction of Christ and people themselves will determine where they want you to be in their lives. Yet know this, that though they won’t invite you to hang out with them, if a problem arises they will pick you over their hang out friends, just like the girls in high school chose me over their friends, which has been the pattern my whole life.
Father God,
Thank you for this study. Grow within a desire to be close to You. Let humility become that which I see as the means and the quality that brings me into a deeper walk with You. Help me to become free of my fears, insecurities and jealousies knowing that I am absolutely complete in You, lacking nothing. Thank you and Amen
Move Forward in His Grace – Arthur
Arthur Navarrette
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Proof of Adoption (Part III)

“Proof of Adoption” Part III
Philippians 2:19-22
But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state.For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.
For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s.
But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel.

 
Philippians 2:29-30
Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation:
Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me ( referring to Epaphroditus)

As we continue our study on the ” Proof of Adoption,” I trust it has been insightful in giving us an outline of what it means to truly live at the conscience level with God as our Father. We express so much truth with our lips e.g ” I trust the Lord,” but actually live so little of it out, hence our anxieties and worry. In Quantum Physics, which I know very little of, it speaks of different dimensions of existence that are accessed through “portals.” According to Quantum Physics these portals exist all around us and we access them through our conscienceness, leading us into different dimensions of conscience ness. Biblically it can be explained this way. In Colossians 3:1-2, “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” Without getting too weird, this is an aspect of quantum physics. Via our conscience being in agreement with the Holy Spirit we have access to a new realm (new portal) ” where Christ is sitting.” Present tense, meaning this is for us now, not just when we are passed from this life. I believe this is a problem with us. We read these kind of versus that are somewhat ethereal and we mentally catalog them into “this must mean when I am in heaven,” because we can not relate to them now, but many are for today.
However our problem is explained in Romans 8:5-7,  “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. To ” set their mind ( conscience) on the things of the flesh,” is to live absent from ” life and peace,” and ” to be carnally minded is death,” that in itself is another portal that opens us up to further dimensions of slavery that eventually lead to death. When you think about how Christ gave His life for us you realize that  He did all that He could do to keep us from this. Quantum Physics actually agrees with the scriptures in proving that other dimensions do exist that cannot be measured through normal science. Physically we cannot access them because of the limitation we experience living in a flesh and body existence. However our conscience is not confined. Yet we confine our conscience because we allow the limitations of the flesh e.g., temptations and carnal desires to interpret our world. Therefore the cravings and desires of the flesh become our reality and it is what controls our conscience. However it does not have to be this way. If we “live according to the Spirit,”  we can experience “life and peace” and not “death.  In short, just because our bodies are limited it does not mean our conscience has to be.
1 Corinthians 2:16
For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ
 
Romans 12:1-2

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed ( the Greek word for this is metamorphosis)  by the renewing ( renew qualitatively) of your mind, that you may prove (discern) what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

 
1 Peter 1:13-16
Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”
Is this how we perceive our Christian walk? And if we truly accepted Christ was it Him we accepted or was it in one of His many watered down versions that make Him more human and fun? We are always trying to make God more human thereby allowing us to continue to live according to the flesh, living life on our terms, as such who needs repentance? However God is always trying to make us more like Him, holy, and only those who have trusted in the work of the Cross can be sanctified. How greatly do we hurt ourselves when we do not perceive the Holiness of God; and how foolish and prideful man is to ever think he can become like God.
For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state. This was a great commendation for Timothy, but a sad comment about other believers, “no man likeminded.” There was something unique about Timothy that truly should be unique with all of us. “For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s.” We call it an agenda. Those that assisted him during this period apparently had their own agenda. Maybe their thoughts were, “Hanging out with Paul will give me major cudos with the local pastors/ believers and maybe some of his ‘magic’ will rub off on me” etc. I can only imagine what Paul faced. Yet not with Timothy. Timothy had no care for himself, no agenda other than Christ’s agenda. Timothy was content in just knowing Christ and that Christ knew him. Helping Paul with his ministry was probably way more than he ever dreamed that he would be doing. How about us, are we like Timothy?  And if we are followers of Christ, which Christ is it? Is it the Christ that is on stage proclaiming the Gospel in front of large crowds and healing people, or is it  the Christ that is washing people’s feet. Timothy didn’t seem to care, it was all Christ.
But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel.  The word to serve “douleuo” is very similar to the word used for slave, someone who has no rights. However this word expresses a choice, a willingness to serve. Timothy was a “bond servant” to Paul because he was first a bond servant to Christ. Therefore serving Paul was not a task to be reckoned with, it was a joy for he did it as unto Christ – the key to a successful Christian life and ministry. Timothy found his identity in his Savior, and as such was counted worthy to serve Paul, were as others perphaps used it to gain positioning and fame for themselves.
“Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me ( referring to Epaphroditus, a prominent believer commissioned by the Phillipian Church to aid Paul).” When your single focus is to know and serve Christ self sacrificing is not a big deal. This dimension of spiritual life is when Christ is absolutely so real that worldly affairs and values pale in comparison. We as a church body need to grow to this maturity.  Reality no longer becomes what you perceive with your eyes but what you perceive in faith. For in living a life of faith you no longer have the values that the world maintains and says you need to be happy. Your reality and values are literally out of this world.
When in the human experience there is a wall in front of you, whether it be a physical wall or a  wall, such as  a lack of finances, sickness, or relationship problems etc., in the spirit there is no wall. It is hard on us for sure, but  the Holy Spirit is not hindered. These concerns  He uses to mature our faith. And with respect to healing, the greatest healing we can receive is the healing of our heart. When we truly and profoundly know that God loves us. Worry, guilt, anxiety, stress etc., which all can make you sick, cannot control us when we intimately know of  His love. Same with finances, relationship problems, there’s always hope when His love becomes our constant, our go to refuge in times of trouble.
The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

 
Bottomline and the greatest life one can have is when we start actually living as “joint heirs with Christ.” Call it a spiritual portal or an “entering into the fellowship of the saints that have gone before,” or just spiritual maturity but this is the place where freedom is regardless of sickness or health, money or the lack thereof, or a host of many other things. As joint heirs with Christ there are no boundaries, no limits other than what we limit ourselves to for the love of Christ, and no enemy too great or problem too hard that prayer, Christ and our faith cannot conquer. Amen!
Father God,
Thank you for this challenging message. Let me see that the road to faith is wide open to me if I am willing to forsake self and the world to follow just You. It’s not an easy road, it’s not a free road, for faith comes at a cost, death to my flesh and self centered ambitions, however there is nothing I can live for here that has greater consequences and or benefits than a life of faith. Help me to clearly see that. Thank you and Amen
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The proof of adoption (Part II)

“The proof of adoption” Part II  Philippians 2: 12 – 15)
Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
 
 
“Do all things without murmurings and disputings:” Nothing takes the shine off a good employee than to have them start murmuring and disputing with me. It becomes an issue that I seek to resolve quickly. A discontented employee can effect the overall morale of a company and if I am not able to resolve the problem ( most of the time I can) then that employee’s time with me is limited. The same thing happens on a social basis. When we murmur and dispute no one really wants to be around us. A negative person just takes the life out of a day and the day is hard enough as it is. This attitude not only effects our social life but our personal lives as well. We become a lead weight to our family. Proverbs in 27:15 says, “ A continual dripping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike.”  And this is not just true of women, but of men as well. It doesn’t take long before our list of friends becomes limited to just three people, me,myself and I.
The word for murmur in the Greek is “Gogguzo.” It is considered an onomtapoeic word, meaning the word sounds like what it is defining. When we are discontent we grumble in a low indiscreet voice, like the rumbling of our stomach when we ate something that didn’t agree with us, such is this word. “Disputings” as defined by Webster’s Dictionary is the action part of murmuring. It is when you take your discontent to the next level becoming vocal and speaking back to your employer, manager and or spouse. And it’s worse in the home. It can become an escalating problem that if not dealt with early can lead to job termination or to divorce.
What is really a tragedy is that it doesn’t have to happen. When we set our eyes and heart on the things of this world to make us happy, be it our spouses, our jobs or something other than the Lord, we are setting ourselves up to be disappointed. It is not my spouses job to make me happy, nor is my job suppose to fulfill me. It’s great when are relationships are on track and  we enjoy our jobs, but people are human and bad days come and go and the job at times can be a hassle. Nothing is perfect and to seek to get our identity and sense of purpose from earthly things is to make a serious mistake. So then how are we supposed to be? The sun is a great analogy for this. It is self energizing as God has made it to be, as He himself is. As He is continually loving, kind, forgiving etc., the early morning sun is continually warming all that it touches though it be 92.95 million miles away! To abide in the sun’s rays is to experience it’s  warmth and to abide in Christ is to experience His love and to be changed by it. Our abiding in Him keeps us from seeking approval, identity or love from other people who are just as much in need of God’s love as we are. To be fulfilled by the Lord not only completes us but It allows us to enjoy our jobs and not make work an idol. In doing life right we become His ambassadors, able to give out love and warm just as He does.
A couple Vidas pass I wrote how my disappointments were God’s appointments to bring me closer to Him. From the drowning of my brother and taking personal blame for it, to the disappointments in my career; working for boss’s that only knew how to yell. The road that I have travelled would not have been the one I would have chosen for myself. Much of my life direction has been the result of my responsibility to provide for my family and circumstances bending me this way or that way.  Not  so much and “open road” where I had choice. These same disappointments are lived out through the pages of scripture. Moses,  40 years prince of Egypt, then 40 years a sheepherder, an occupation that the Egyptians  despised ( that must have been really tough on his ego), to the final 40 years of leading Israel. Then there’s David, a rising star in the Israel army. A commander of men at around 21 years of age until the people began to praise David more than King Saul. Now because of Saul’s jealousies he became an outcast, a runaway, hiding in caves and living in enemy territory. One time to escape death from an enemy King he had to pretend  to be insane.  And Saul who became Paul the apostle, spent  three years in the desert unlearning everything he was taught and relearning it via the Holy Spirit. He who was once viewed as the next High Priest, a most coveted position ( this is my opinion) became nothing, in fact he was worse than nothing in the eyes of his Jewish contemporaries who now believed he should be stoned to death.
However, what did God do through and because of these disappointments? How did these disappointments become God’s appointment for them? I can go on to talk about Ruth the Moabites, a group of people that were not ” chosen” yet because of Ruth’s very honorable character she became wife to Boaz baring him a son who was grandfather to King David, the blood line of Jesus our Messiah. And Sarah, barren most of her life and Rachal also barren until God gave them a son. What did God do through the pain and disappointment that these women experienced? You may be in a season of disappointments, but how big is your God?
Therefore let us “Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;” 

 

When we receive trials and hardship without complaining or becoming offended, thinking we are ” entitled” to a better life, we “

shine as lights in the world.”

When we maintain hope because we look to a life that is not just limited to this life, we are living a life that is worth takening note of. To truly say “

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Roman’s 8:28) 

is to finally enter into what it means to be a Christ follower.
Father God,
Thank you for this devotional. There has been much written about being content, both from a secular point of view and a Godly point of view. Yet the truth lies with You alone. Therefore  let my life be a simple life, were I walk with and commune with You as a son with a Father or as a daughter with a Father. If I was not granted a physical example of that in my life, let me perceive it supernaturally. Thank you and Amen
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Easter

Easter – A few comments ( Easter came fast so there probably are some misspelled words ).
John 18:11-13

“Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?
Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him,
And led him away to Annas first; “

 
Matthew 27:46
And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, 
 
 
Matthew 27:51-54

And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;
And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,
And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.
Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.

 
With the business of Easter I want to keep this brief, as well as wish everyone a blessed Easter. For in that the Lord has risen, we truly have a hope that is eternal that the events in this world cannot take away. Our hope is completely independent of the affairs of this life, for it is God himself who keeps it.
There are countless sermons that can be preached, and should be preached, from the account of the Lord’s Crucifixion and the events leading up to it and the events afterwards. In reviewing the account I have selected these very few versus and in studying them some truths become very evident.
“the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?” What is the evidence that I am a believer, is it not that I obey my Father? Christ is our chief example of what it means to obey, for He obeyed unto death. I find that our commitment to the Lord can be quit shallow. As long as things go well, we are all in. However take away the blessings, usher in “Job’s trials” or mundane work as Moses had tending sheep for forty years, or having your life threatened by an insane King and our story changes. We have such a comfortable life here  compared to most of the world, that we interpret comfort and ease as a sign of God’s blessing. What if the opposite was true? That trials and afflictions was when the Chief Designer of our soul actually had his hands on us as He carefully is molding us in the fire, removing the dross and shaping us into a ring that represents the vow of marriage? What then would be our attitude towards trials and severe hardship, would it change?
“Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound
him,” To bind the hands of the Almighty who just by speaking knocked them over. He created the universe and all that is in it with the spoken power of His Word, only man did He ” fashion into His own image Gensis 2:7 ( the word ” to fashion” implies the use of His hands).  Puny man, so ignorant of who is in their presence. God forgive us when through our ignorance we too bind His hands through disbelief.
“Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” I have often wondered about this verse. What was the emotion, the feeling when God became two distinct entities? It had never happened before in eternity past nor would it ever happen again in eternity future. An emotion, a feeling that the God head had never experienced. I know the pain of being separated from a love one, it really hurts! I would rather be hit hard than to try to live with a broken heart. Fortunately for humanity that the Trinity became reunited once again after death, after the ultimate sacrifice was paid.
“And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom;” Glory to God, the evidence of our sin paid in full. No longer would my sin be a curtain ( separation) between my Lord and me. That with a repentant heart I myself can come to the throne with the blood of the Lamb ushering me in. The curtain was torn by God’s own hands, from top to bottom, not from bottom to top. Such a freedom we have knowing that we do not need to be controlled by our sin nature. Amen
“Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.” This was enough evidence to bring this harden man to acknowledging Christ as God’s Son. Yet the Pharisee’s had the same evidence and they would not believe. They even went so far as to take money from the temple treasury, tithes of the people, and pay the soldiers that had witnessed the rolling away of the tombstone to lie. Amazing what disbelief/ pride will go to avoid repenting. Is Christ this day truly God’s redemption/ redeemer for your life and if not, why? Evidence is not lacking. We have more historical data concerning Christ than many personalities that we studied in school and believe that they existed so it is not a lack of evidence as much as it is a lack of belief and a willingness to repent of our sin. God help us to see clearly and to see how much harm we bring to ourselves when we refuse to agree with God. As Jesus said to Thomas,…
John 20:23-24
“But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.
The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.
And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace, be unto you.
Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.
And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed
are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.” May we be of those “who have not seen but believe.”
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The proof of adoption

“The proof of adoption” ( Philippians 2: 12 – 15)
Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
“…but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” The test of loyalty is not how we perform when we are being watched, but how we perform when we are not. So in the absence of any watchful eye (humanly speaking)  how do we live out our Christianity?
My employees have been with me for years, some for over 25 years and we are more like a family than employer/ employee. The ones who I have needed to terminate through the years have showed themselves unappreciative of my trust in them. They really end up firing themselves. Grace is very similar. It is there for the taking, but it is meant to aid us and help us in our walk, not abuse it and see how close to the boundaries of sin we can get. We have a saying,”better to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission.” To look at grace in that way, in my opinion, you are already in sin. Grace is NEVER given to see how close I can get to my lust and desires, but grace is given to see how close I can get to God’s Holiness. And when those really tough weaknesses come up and we struggle to resist but fail, grace is there with no condemnation.
If you have ever gone fresh water fishing, you know you use lighter fishing tackle as compared to salt water fishing. With the lighter tackle it is amazing what a fight a fish can put up. You swear it’s at least 10lbs – it’s the whopper that got away! However when you finally see it, you realize it is only one pound of pure fight. In fighting carnal desires we need to be the same. Regardless of our maturity in Christ we need to give it all we have. It is not so much how much we know (head knowledge) as much as our desire ( our heart ) to want to be holy and pure before the Lord. Another saying (I like sayings), “It’s not so much the size of the dog in the fight that matters, but the size of the fight in the dog.” ” Size of the dog” could be likened to head knowledge. ” The fight of the dog” is our heart, our fighting desire to remain pure. Paul was not a tall man, but with respect to purity he more than made up for what he lacked in stature; he ran lean and mean. Christ resisted sin to the shedding of his own blood; I think we can definitely give it more fight.
“….work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”
The context of this verse has been debated throughout the centuries. Is salvation by grace or is it based on my efforts? On the surface it seems as though it’s up to me. However, when interpreting scriptures that are somewhat questionable one must look not at the one verse, but exhaust the topic in its entirety thoroughly cross referencing scriptures. Without doing our due diligence we can get ourselves into trouble by preaching or believing something that is not the gospel. We can end up living on the wrong side of grace making our lives more difficult and those around us as well.
In studying the Greek for “work out,” (katergazomai) it means to exert effort. And agreeably the Christian life does take effort. Paul in Phillipians 3:14 uses the example of a runner straining with all his might to cross the finish line first, “ I press ( exert effort, strain) toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.  In 1 Corinthians 9 he continues the analogy of running, but now he also introduces boxing, “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but only one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air ( analogy to boxing) But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be disqualified.” 
 “I keep under my body,” is the concept of mastering the carnal desires with one rendering giving the definition of giving yourself a black eye. The context of both these words are forceful, dealing with the effort and dedication to govern over the fleshly appetites; lust, pride, anger, jealousies and the like. We must rule over these or be ruled by them, and if we become ruled by them then Christ death be for nought. So again what is our role with respect to our salvation? Are we saving ourselves? Prior to Christ the door of the Kingdom was closed; afterwards it was open, “the veil was torn.” That’s grace; that I as a sinner, which I will always be on this side of heaven, can now be ushered into the presence of the Almighty through prayer and be accounted as His son by grace being indwelt by the Holy Spirit. That would never have happened without Christ. He has open the door to salvation and by faith and receiving his atonement for my sin I enter in. There is no amount of work I could ever do to be holy enough for God. God is compassionate that’s true, but He is utterly Holy and to forget that and think that through belief in spiritual like sayings  and kind deeds I can save myself is to play the fool.
 
For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
So my concern is not for my salvation, my concern and responsibility is to live out what salvation is – what does it look like? For that we must give our best effort; there’s no spoiled children here. Christ agonized in His death to defeat sin, we in full confidence knowing that our salvation awaits us, must do the same in resisting sin. Apply the truth of God’s Word to our life till the truth becomes part of our life. Feelings no matter how strong, do not govern or define who we are in Christ, God’s Word and our faith does. He says it, I believe it, and with the help of the Holy Spirit we do it, or come as close to doing it. So there is no contradiction, “God is at work within me to will and to do according to His good plans for me (Phil 2:13)”  and I in agreement with Him I’m working out His good plans. We work along side the Holy Spirit, seeking to rule over our carnal desires.
 
“…with fear and trembling.” “Perfect love casts out all fear,” so it is not the fear that God is going to get me, but a deep reverence. I have been entrusted with a great treasure that cost my Savior His life. Now because of placing my faith in Christ and receiving Him as my Savior I am indwelt by the Holy Spirit. I do not want to be found unworthy of such honor, or fall short.  God help me for I am but flesh; and though that be true, fire and power dwell within me and that also is equally as true. I seek to nurture that nature within me so as to defeat my carnal desires and exalt holiness. Whatever our struggles are we need to identify with the scriptures that speak to those struggles, meditate upon them, agreeing with them and not justifying our actions. In so doing we give the Holy Spirit the ammunition He need’s to strengthen our inner man. That is how we become “more than conquerors through Christ who strengthens us ( Romans 10:37) .” No magic, just faith, study and a commitment to purity and hard work.
Personal note;

Some lust or insecurities are so strong that it is hard to believe that victory is possible. From a man who has dealt with feelings as such, take my word that God’s Word will win. Continue to
keep meditating upon the specific verses that deal with you lust or insecurity. It is tempting to justify them because these emotions can be so strong but if God’s Word says otherwise it’s sin. People make the terrible mistake of talking the Bible down so they can justify their sin. If you do this you will never experience freedom or have the joy or peace that comes from walking in harmony with The Lord. So if the Word calls it out as a sin, then sin it is. However the good news is if God calls it a sin then He will provide the means to free you from it. Know that all lust typically stem from insecurities. Solve the insecurity by allowing God’s love to heal or fulfill that area in your life and the lust loses its strenght.
All lust are rivaling for your worship. Once I realized that, then I was more able to become free of it because I refused to worship anything but God. The two natures duel in us for lordship. The flesh looks to the world to fill our innate emptiness and need of love, while the Spirit seeks God’s rule and love in us and we decide who rules by the daily decisions we make with what we chose to see and take in. That’s why daily times with God or as often as you can is so vital to a victorious Christian life. It’s no fun getting beat up all the time, knowing that it’s wrong but falling for it every time. Great verses to read are Roman’s 6-8. I spent a couple years reading these verses till these verses were in me.
Father God,
Thank you for this time in study. To call us to holiness is to call us to yourself. As a car is designed to run on gas, we are designed to run on holiness. Guilt feelings, regrets and or mistakes are not how You designed us to live. Our best place in life bar none is next to You. Help us to not only agree with that in our thoughts, but believe it in our hearts.
Thank you and Amen
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Resolutions to Live By (Part IV)

“Resolutions to Live By” Part IV ( Philippians 3:11&14)
Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
 
“If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” 
If we were to attend a class on how to be successful, what topics do you think the speaker would talk on? If I was that speaker I would title my speech, “The Four Pillars of Success.” However, before we get started, let’s define success. Success is much more than just wealth. For example, I do not consider it successful if in the process of growing your business or your career you end up divorcing your wife, causing hurt to her and injuring your kids. You then remarry and have more children or the second spouse has children and they reap the benefits of the foundation the first family endured so you could be successful. That is not success to me; I consider that a failure that only God can redeem. I have known and been acquainted with a number of people who fit this scenario. Reference Malachi 2:14-16.
So now that we have defined at least one example of what success is not, lets state the four pillars that I believe make for a successful person. One would be, know your field. Be as learned in your field as you can be, and never stop learning. Distinguish yourself from the pack – consider writing in a journal/magazine that targets your business base. Two is the willingness to work hard, really hard, however there’s a caveat to this one. Your family can tell the difference of whether you work to live ( providing for them), or you live for work ( providing for yourself). This is a huge shift in our soul and the later are the seeds of a divorce. So if this is you currently, stop, get your priority right with Christ before you lose everything. Business is not your god, Christ is, if you truly are a believer. If you are understanding from these devotionals that you are on the outside of faith, read John 3 and send me an email. It would be my privilege to speak with you.
 Third pillar would be, be honest. I cannot tell you how many clients have said to me in our first appointment that they feel they can trust me. There is a sense that a client picks up, whether you are being transparent and honest with them or not. That “sixth sense” that we pick up on when we met someone is very telling of the person. Do you ever wonder what is the six sense that people pick up from you? I so rely on the Holy Spirit for this one. I focus on being His ambassador and helping my client and allow the Lord to do the rest. The final one that carries as much weight as all the others, is stay focused. So tempting to do this thing and that  just to earn a buck, especially when your first starting out. We end up becoming a jack of all trades but a master of none. It is when we are a master of one that our careers take off. Those who appreciate a job well done and willing to pay for your service, will become your clients. So stay focused.
Some of us are very successful in our careers because we follow these four tenants or something similar. However, the problem is we do not transfer them over to our Christian walk – Paul did. He by trade was a tent maker and had opportunity I’m sure to make a good life for himself, read the following.
 
“After these things Paul departed from Athens and came to Corinth;
And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla;
And because he was of the same craft, he stayed with them, and worked; for by their occupation they were tentmakers.”
Knowing Paul, I’m sure he was a great tent maker. He along with Priscilla and Acquilla could have grown their tent making business, opening up more  shops, hiring employees etc., but they didn’t, why? That was not their focus. Their focus was on Christ and spreading the gospel. Therefore the question to ask is, what is our focus? I understand we have families, jobs, marriages etc., that require time and care, but when the question is asked, who do we live for, what is our answer?
 If I say I live for Christ does that mean I exclude all the rest? Not at all, I fulfill my responsibilities better because I look to Christ to be my strenght. To love through me as well as to give me the wisdom I need to do my job, be a husband, employer, dad, grandpa etc. In , alI the aspects of my life I am the better, not worse because Christ is first. The contrary would mean I seek to do it all on my own strenght. This can become exhausting, hence a contributing factor to marriage breakups, conflict at work, as well as excessive stress, drinking, illness etc. In Christ we are winners, regardless of our position here. Bringing Christ into every situation should cause us to do better, giving our best effort as well as improving our interpersonal relationships with others. With Christ at the helm, favor is gained before God and man.
Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:
So shalt thou find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
Proverbs 3:4) 
Next verse, “Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.” There is a purpose and an intent for our lives. Our life should not be carelessly lived, but lived with absolute conviction that what I do as an ambassador for Christ matters, first starting with me knowing Christ. I didn’t use to feel this way. My company started out with commercial maintenance and one of our big accounts were a chain of movie theaters. The work was initially degrading, walking around picking up trash out of the planter beds aside from the normal work of mowing the lawns, checking sprinklers, pruning etc. was part of our duties. I really disliked picking up trash. I would tell the Lord your wasting my time, I could be preaching, teaching your people. Nothing changed, never got that call from God, so putting food on the table was what I had to do and picking up trash was part of it.
Finally through a series of more emotional  crisis the day came when I got over myself and my attitude changed completely. I picked up trash among all the other duties because I wanted my sites to not only have healthy lawns and bushes, but I wanted them clean. There was a purpose in picking up trash “for Christ.” He was working within me the heart of a servant, for humility was needful. We apprehend (to grasp, seize, exert or strain)  as Christ followers through much self denial. As “Christ did not consider it a thing to be grasped to be in the likeness of God, but humbled himself and that even to the Cross,” ( paraphrased, Phil. 2:8) what then should be our response? A willingness to crucify our flesh to attain unto what Christ has apprenhended  us for, no?
In the first movie of Karate Kid it shows Myagee putting Danielson to painting his house and taking his jacket off and putting it back on, things that seemed so useless and distant from the goal of leaning Karate. One day being absolutely upset and not believing that Myagee was ever  going to teach him Karate, he began to leave. Myagee then engaged him in some attack moves saying “jacket on, jacket off” and Danielson realized that he was practicing Karate the whole time. My picking up trash was working in me a far greater work that I did not see at the time. Christ was using it to mold into me a humble  heart, the heart of a servant that would honor Him. We see this same instruction in scripture. A classic example was Moses, prince of Egypt tending sheep for forty years. He was in training to lead the nation Israel. Now I pick up trash wherever I’m at, walking into the grocery store etc., just because it feels good to do so.
 I would like to read our final  verse in reverse order, ” I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. If 

by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.” The word “dioko” press, has several meanings; to prosecute, pursue, strain, exert, or persecute. It is a strong word that speaks of paying the price so as to gain “The Pearl of Great Price.”  This now becomes true Christianity, as it was and is meant to be lived. I use to sing a song at church camp ” the world behind me the Cross in front of me, no turning back, no turning back.”  How we live life matters, but who we live our life for matters more. May God give us the vision to see eternity as Paul saw it, “

If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.”

 
Father God,
 Thank you for this challenging devotional and how You use the mundane things of our life, even the things we dislike to form Christ like attitudes in us. Let not what I do be the definition of who I am, but let the definition of who I am be who I am becoming in You.  You call me your son, therefore let me live as one. Thank you and Amen
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Resolutions to Live By (Part III)

“Resolutions to Live by” Part III  ( Philp. 3 :6-11)
 
But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
 
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus ( vs. 14). 
 
“for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,” For our society, loss  (Zemiioo) is a hard concept to grasp. We are all about gaining and acquiring. Normally we only lose something if we replace it with something better. Even so, parting is tough. I sometimes think that the three car garage concept was designed to give us extra storage for stuff that “someday” we might use. We even pay storage sites to store our extra stuff. Regardless of how our society is geared, to suffer loss for Christ is needful for growth. When The Lord puts His finger on one of our idols and says, “either it goes or I go,” we are presented with a choice. For The Lord will have His Throne in us, and He  will have His Bride free from all her sin, liberated from all her idols. Therefore we must decide, are we willing to be His Bride, choosing no other? 
Have you noticed how some Christians never grow, they warm a pew but that’s about it. They are just  like the Israelite’s going around Mt. Sinai for forty years. The Israelite’s  murmured and complained, never happy with the Lord’s provision. They were always looking back to Eygpt,  which represented the world as well as their bondage which they never seemed to acknowledge. They would not trust The Lord, so that generation died in the wilderness. Such a waste of time and life, spending their lives wandering in the desert accomplishing nothing. I am concerned that some of us are doing the same. We must be willing to suffer loss of whatever Christ calls into account and count it (assign it) as dung, literally manure so that we may “kendano” Christ (to make the choice to gain).
And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: The words to “be found” is made up of 3 definitions. Eu – means easily, peri – means around or surround (like in the word perimeter) and histemi – which means to stand and or abide. It even means convenant. All together we have the rendering that means to be readily surrounded and or standing in Him. Our justification is based on the covenant He made with us, not trusting in our own efforts to make us right before Him. This is so hard for us, for we innately we want to think of ourselves as being a good. However being good is not“the righteousness which is of God by faith:” To say that righteousness and goodness are the same is like saying a whale  and a guppie are the same. There is no comparison between these two, nor is there between righteousness ( akin to Holiness) and being good. To truly accept that I am a sinner in need of God’s forgiveness and atoning work in my life is to take a major step forward. It is to put God in His rightful place as Holy, and Lord, and me as His son or daughter by grace daily dependent upon His  work in my life. When God is in His rightful place, my problems become smaller and solvable, and life starts becoming enjoyable.
That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; It is interesting to me that Paul connected death and life together in the same sentence with the end goal to know Him. We always want to keep a distance between us and suffering, especially if it involves death. There was a three year period in my life that I literally cried every day. The trial was beyond me. Nothing of my maturity in Christ gave me the strenght to bare it. My faith pointed me in the right direction, but to have hope was a different story. However through the course of that period I had a recurring vision of a man digging a well. I clearly saw how shallow the well was prior to digging and how limited it was to hold water. I also saw how deep it was becoming and how much more water it was holding, and it’s depth was growing. I didn’t understand the vision until I asked The Lord. He revealed to me that it was me, my heart. God needed only what a broken heart could provide, broken soil where the ground was made wet by my tears. He knew my pain, for He Himself was made perfect through His suffering. It was as if my broken heart allowed Him to make short work of this period in my life. I literally felt as if someone was digging in my heart. It was so painful, yet His Spirit was growing steadily in me.
At the end of those years I was a much stronger man, having seen God not only do miracles for my family, but miracles within me. During this period I witnessed answers to my prayers weekly, building my courage and confidence. I began to get a little bold with God and told Him to “bring it on;” for if my suffering would help my family, I was more than willing and wanting to go through it. Another recurring word picture was that of cattle getting branded. I saw myself tied on a table with my chest exposed and a hot iron being seared into it. I screamed, and fought  to get off the table but to no avail – I could not move. My  strenght  ended and  there was no fight left in me. I was forced to receive the pain as it penetrated deep within me. It was like being in a nightmare, I was waiting to wake up. However I could not get away from it. As in the vision of the man digging a well and me accepting the pain, I too accepted this pain as I witnessed God’s presence growing in me and comforting me. I welcomed the holiness that was being developed; I was winning – both personally and with my family.
That period in my life has not been repeated, though I have gone through many tough times. I
liken that period to a severe boot camp that prepared me for whatever the future would bring. To be “made conformable unto his death”  is a necessary requirement to enjoy
“the power of his resurrection.” There are no short cuts to maturing in faith. The price of death to my flesh and its desires must be paid if I am to intimately know His presence.
He alone is reward enough, but Paul speaks of ” If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.” The end goal and glory for any true believer is this, and how do we get there? “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” This is one of my most cherished Bible verses, we well save it for next time. To grasp this verse as well as what was shared is to revamp your whole Christian walk; shaking off the dust and bringing life and fire back into our souls.
Father God,
I have only shared this very painful period of my life with only a few people. I pray that in sharing with my brothers and sisters that they would not be scared, but gain courage, hope and a willingness to go through the purifying fires. For all that burns is hay, wood and stubble, the things of the flesh, and that which is eternal, faith, is purified.  Let us count the cost knowing that every tear is cherished by You, and worth it. Thank you and Amen
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Resolutions to Live By (Part II)

“Resolutions to Live by” Part II  ( Philp. 3 :6-11)
 
But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
 
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus ( vs. 14). 
We have been discussing the application of these verses which is backwards from our normal method. Normally we study the original language and then make application. So with these next Vida’s I want to get into the original language of specific key words and see what we can learn, starting with the first verse. It is going to be an eye opener, but first a story for context.
“But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.” I do not know how many of us are living the life we had envisioned for ourselves while we were in college, I know I’m not. I desired to work in a large wholesale nursery where I could experience all the different faucets of it and have room for advancement. My desire was to work myself up the corporate ladder as I proved that I was capable of the tasks given me. It was a perfect fit for me, between my love of plants and leadership ( I was Student Body President in High School). My first interview was at Hines Wholesale Nursery and I was hired. I was very active in my high school and being Student Body President sold the deal ( wasn’t sure why, as opposed to more schooling, but I was glad it did). It also excited me that the nursery had been bought by the corporate giant Weyerhauser. In my first five years of working in the corporate nursery I worked in 4 different departments and by the time I was 21 I was overseeing 13 acres of liner stock (baby  plants). This was the very heart of this 600 acre nursery. I had 40 employees that answered to me, many the age of my parents.
Every summer the nursery offered a student program giving college students the opportunity to work at the nursery. They spent two weeks in each department and every two weeks through the summer I had 3 interns. They always looked at me with questioning eyes, as if to say your too young to be in this position. I got this look from everyone who I was introduced to, I understood. However I took my job seriously, much like Joseph with Potipher and David, when at 21 years of age, was leading a division of the Israel army into war. These God fearing young men were my inspiration and my prayer daily was,”God give me your wisdom and use me.”
Things moved along well career wise. I got promoted and was sent to Vacaville to manage all the inventory in a 200 acre nursery. A new site for Hines. That’s a lot of plants and responsibility! I was viewed by the Irvine nursery as the shining star and was often told by those who I worked with that they were glad I was going to Vacaville to keep things straight. Vacaville was beautiful with  its rolling hills and miles and miles of country, so very much unlike Orange Country. Prior to transferring I got married and while in Vacaville we had our first child. I was so glad to get out of So.Cal., however work was tough. I had to prove myself again as I was viewed as too young to have so much responsibility. There were many a day I had to exert my authority with people much older than me. I did not like doing that but I understood until they knew me, I would not have their respect. In time we settled, however I was still viewed as the transplant from Irvine Hines. At times this worked to my advantage because they knew, that I knew, all the “powers to be” and could call them at anytime. However after 6 years Weyerhauser decided to sell the nursery. We were told that some of us were going to be sent back to Southern Cal. I was certain that I would be one of them. I knew my counterpart in Irvine, he was responsible for training me, I also knew he needed help – I did not want to go back. I began interviewing at all the nurseries in Northern Ca., and the one that had the position I wanted was located in Fresno. We interviewed and I was hired.
I was both happy and sad. I felt I was going backwards in my career, leaving the corporate world for a father/son operation. They were so backward in everything they did that it took me a year to get them up to speed. I always liked walking the nursery in the evening when everyone was gone as I planned for the next day; I often wondered if I had made a mistake. However God’s presence was growing in my life. As field supervisor of a small nursery I made decisions from production to plant practices. Often I  had to explain to the owners as to why things were done as such. My best friends were the salesmen who would tell me that ever since I took over field operations that the plants sold themselves. My response was the same each time, tell the owners.
During one lunch time I read the verse we are studying, “what things were gain to me I counted as loss for the surpassing knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord.” I knew this verse, having read Paul’s testimony many times before, but this time it was personal; I finally understood. My corporate ambition was me trying to fulfill me, and we all do this. Whether it is through our jobs, our family, or a special activity, there is always something we do and or strive for to give us that sense of identity, that my life matters. I knew that the Holy Spirit was asking me to surrender my corporate ambition and to make Him my ambition. I accepted His invitation, making Him my Great Prize. From corporate ambition to Christ’s ambition in me and for me. It was as if I was born again, again. Though scripturally we are taught we are “reborn” once, I have also experienced several “A-HAH”moments in my life and this definitely was one of them. I grew a mile during that 30 minute lunch period. As I look back on that year’s events, The Lord had been “engineering” this moment. It was wonderful, I felt so free from all my “driving” ambitions ( a type A problem) and from feeling the pressure to become somebody.
His presence was deepening in me as I sought Him in greater earnestness. I understood that whatever pushed me closer to Christ was what I wanted, be it blessing or trial, they both had there purpose. Everything settled in me; I felt solid. I felt like a puzzle that had finally been put together correctly. I was even happy, something that I had not been for some time. I was 30 years old. I began to teach  Spanish Bible studies to the men as they would ask me why I was so different. We met in the evenings, as I did not feel right about witnessing on the job. This lasted for about two years until the owner found out. He was so mad that I was “indoctrinating” his men that I knew my job was on the line. I began to interview again, but now in Northern Cal. During our stay in Fresno  our second daughter was born so Fresno would always be remembered as such, plus where I became God’s man. I got hired at a wholesale nursery in Roseville. I was so delighted to head back to what I considered home.
I could continue to tell my story but enough has been said to give us context to our verse. Now I want to study this verse in detail and make application.
“But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,”
The words “gain and loss” are accounting terms. Paul, as it were, is taking account of all his assets, all his accomplishments, schooling ( which he had Ivy League education), his position in the Pharisees (which I believe he was going to become the next High Priest) as though they were written in the asset column of his life and he puts a big X through them and transfers them over to the loss column as he writes Jesus Christ into the asset column of his life. All those accomplishments could not give him the joy, the peace, or the love that knowing Jesus Christ did. His life prior was always a life of striving, seeking to prove to himself and to others that he was capable and worthy. Sound familiar?
 In Christ all that striving ends, as once and for all His love settles the question of our worth. Christ is able and fully capable to work in us and through us and cause us to fill good about who we are, and who we are becoming. As I’ve said before, His love is a game changer. And though I often speak of His love, I am concerned that many of us truly do not know it. If you are growing in Christ, then that deep knowing will come as you continue to seek Him.  If you are not growing and you truly remember a day when you were born again, then you are lukewarm.
I was lukewarm one time in my life, never to be again, by the grace of God.  Jesus says in Revelations 2:4, “Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.” To have left my first love means I have replaced Him with something or someone else, not a smart move. And in Revelations 3:15&16, “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth.” Just as lukewarm water is distasteful and we spit it out, so a lukewarm life is the same to the Lord. And why, or what causes this condition, “Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:” To be “lukewarm” means we have a high view of ourselves and a low view of Christ. It also means that our worship and desire are for the things and people of this world and not for God. We are lukewarm because just like water, we have two opposing streams entering into us and they each cancel out the other. We have not “Counted the Cost,” and there is not a more miserable person on the face of the earth than a lukewarm Christian. 
Counted is to consider, to give serious thought, but it also has the interesting definition of appointing, assigning, giving an order. It’s as if one looks at their list of accomplishments and assigns them, one by one to the lost column as knowing Christ becomes so much more meaningful, and this works for failures as well. To look at my failures and defeats and to see that in Christ they all have had a purpose, as it was those defeats God used to bring me to Him. He now would become my success – my Great Prize. Everything changes, from loser to victor because He gives my life purpose, direction and meaning.
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become (ing) new ( 2Cor. 5:17).
 
 
We need to continue our discussion in the following Vida, but for now we have said enough. However in ending, I would leave us with a lyric of one of my favorite songs, “The art of losing myself to bring You praise.” This was Paul’s goal, and it needs to be ours as well.
Father God,
We were made by You and for You; to know You and grow in relationship with You is our highest goal and purpose. To do this is to live in harmony with everything that we are and are meant to be. Help us to understand this one single truth. Thank you and Amen
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Resolutions to Live By (Part I)

“Resolutions to Live By” Philippians 3:6-8 (Part 1)
“Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; ( he was in an “elite club” if you will, his ” pedigree” was the top of the top)
Concerning zeal ( for the Jewish faith) persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless (He conformed himself to the law with a passion and he saw Christianity as a threat to Judaism and was determined to stop it. However, his life was radically changed – read Acts 8&9)

But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
Yea doubtless, I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
 
Paul was no ordinary guy. He was definitely a determined individual – goal oriented and a type A  personality. He was purposeful in setting his goals and he accomplished them. He derived his importance and self esteem (prior to salvation) from meeting his goals. Such are type A personalities; I myself am a type A personality. I remember in the early days of running the business I drove my men to work, including myself. I worked along side them and every fifteen minute segments  I  mentally measured its production. I had so much self made stress ( one of several downfalls of this personality type) that one of my vendors, a friend, remarked that I was going to give myself a heart attack.  Since he was a friend, I took his advice. Made a few adjustments, but I still measured the minutes. However the adjustments did make me alittle more human and less of a machine. And though I took his advice, I still maintained a tight hold on production and ended up firing about a third of my crew (now for the third time).
This time however it was harder on me, for I was firing people I worked side by side with. I asked The Lord if it was me, am I expecting too much? He impressed upon me that I needed to return back to the management style that He taught me as a young man; to “rule over men in the fear of the Lord ( 2 Samuel 23:3) which meant I had to trust the Lord with the business, every aspect of it. It is one thing to trust the Lord when you are managing for someone else, it requires a much deeper trust when it’s your name on the line for everything – from the quality of work to the bills you owe. I agreed with Him in my spirit and in so doing it brought  me back to my roots, helping me immensely, making me human once again. Trusting Him with the business would be a process that He would test me in, but I was pointed in the right direction. What really helped was seeing His hand in the business, from the little day to day things, as well as in the big things. From helping me gain new contracts, as well as granting me the wisdom to get my “to do list” completed each day – a big deal for a type A. He was my Senior partner/ Heavenly Father and I was his son, together we would run His business in a way that honored Him and cared for people by putting out an excellent product.
 Sadly, and something I had to deal with, was the pride I did derive from being able to work like a machine. To be able to discipline my actions and thoughts to accomplish all the work we did. I had 15 employees and it was just me and the men. Lisa paid the bills, but I did all the rest. That was fifteen years ago. Much has changed since then, I now have an assistant that helps me, but the biggest change has been me. I no longer live for  accomplishments or efficiency, or take pride in being able to work like a machine ( I see that as stupid now, life’s too short), but I live for Christ. I still enjoy working, being disciplined and efficiently using time, that’s gjust being a good steward and being business smart, however my self- esteem does not come from work, it comes from my relationship to The Lord.  I also enjoy the interaction I have with my men and have worked very hard to cultivate good relationships with them. That is what matters now and I look for opportunities for Christ to use me with my clients and vendors.
 My work has become my “tent job.” Just like Paul made tents to provide for his own needs, yet through making tents he had several opportunities to share Christ and or invite his clients to the evening Bible studies he taught (Acts 18:1-4). And so is my work, and so is your work. It is where we “rub shoulders” with our co- workers and/or clients,  giving opportunity for Christ to be seen in our  lives. Possibly even to invite them to an evening Bible study or to church, or to share Vida4U with them. It is super important that we realize these opportunities and be looking for them. We cannot afford to be worldly minded by getting caught up in the daily hassles and issues of life. To be able to see past that, trust God with it and to comprehend what is really at stake. We are advocates or ambassadors for Christ as Paul says and every interaction is an opportunity for Christ to gain ground in the lives and souls of the people we deal with; be it our sons or daughters, husband/wife, co- workers or clients etc., we are to be a “fragrance” for Christ, 2 Corinthians 2:15

“For we are unto God a sweet savor of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:”

“But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.” We must start here, square one and grow in this truth. If we do not believe this, practice this, we are not going anywhere. We are just simply playing “Christian,” that’s all. There is no reality to our faith, no connection to Christ, or seeing the workings of the Holy Spirit in our daily lives. Our faith can be viewed as a charade and this can’t be, for the price of faith is way too costly. Our time with God is our foundation. Even group Bible studies, fellowships, and church cannot replace our personal devotions with God. They collectively work together to promote balanced growth, however it seems that when our schedules are too busy, it’s our quiet time with The Lord that gets set aside. For some reason we think our time with God is optional, it’s not. People say you can’t take the Bible literally and maybe that discourages us from reading it? I liken this statement to a parent telling their children, “I am going to teach you right from wrong so your life prospers and your happy, wise and safe…. But don’t take anything I say literately, you can pick and chose what you want to believe.”  What a confusing message that would be to our children. We would never do that to our kids, nor does God do that to us – hence the need to read the scriptures. So maybe an attitude adjustment towards God’s Word needs to be made that will cause us to prioritize it. We will not grow solidly otherwise.
Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: Jesus told a couple parables in Matthew 13. It was regarding the heart attitude and mind set we need to have so as to grow strong in our faith, “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:

Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.”

( Matthew 13:44-46).
The parables begs the question, do we know who and what we have in Jesus? If not, it is no wonder that we struggle in our faith and find ourselves more devoted to materialism or our jobs etc., than to the Lord. It is no mystery that we do the things that are most important to us.
“for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,” Think on all these  verses and we will comment next week on them adding clarity by going into the Greek definitions. This Vida is my personal narrative on how these verses have impacted my life. In closing, ask yourself, have you suffered loss because of your faith in Christ? We will continue our discussion in the next Vida.
Father God,
Thank you for this study. May you become our pearl of great prize, our treasure that makes us willing to sell it all to gain more of You. Reveal to us what idol or idols we have placed above You. We may not even know it, so we give you permission to reveal it to us. Help us to be of a humble enough spirit to acknowledge it, as well as have the wisdom to surrender it over to You. Magnify Yourself in us Lord. Thank you and Amen
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New Year’s Resolution

“New Year’s Resolution”
As we start the New Year it is customary for new resolutions to be made. We take account of ourselves and say, “I need to quit smoking, or drink less coffee, or eat better or exercise more or date better people or be more patient with the kids etc.” There are countless things we could seek to improve on or change, but can we stick to it? I know the first couple of months at the gym it is super busy, however by March it has thinned out and by April, we the regulars, have the gym back to ourselves. What happened to all those people with their earnest resolutions? It is my opinion that their resolutions were not “deep enough.” They did not deal with the whole man. Foundational to all of us are our souls, our inner person and the world we live in and rub shoulders with largely ignores its importance. The emphasis is always on the outward and aside from this shallow value system, life is just busy. Therefore unless we are purposeful with our time with God ( which our spirit equals 1/3 of our person) there will be no time to pursue Him. We get caught up in the demands and minutia of life. How do we prevent that from happening to us? We talk about un-cluttering our closets, garages etc., the same is true with our life. And to determine what we keep and or continue to do and what to discard or stop doing is based on our internal values; who we want to be as people. This takes serious thought, for our decisions should be life changing.
Did you know that the apostle Paul made a New Year’s Resolution list? Well actually I don’t think he waited till the New Year, but it is a very comprehensive list that is filled with thought and conviction. There is nothing shallow or superficial about his list and in studying his writings, I am convinced that he through the help of the Holy Spirit, kept them.  In Phillipians 3:6 – 14 we find this extensive list, or we could even call it his personal constitution. As with legal or civil matters, we do not  change the constitution, we conform ourselves to it; such should be the seriousness of our resolutions. Here’s Paul’s, I’ll give us a little background first…
“Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; ( he was in an “elite club” if you will, his ” pedigree” was the top of the top)
Concerning zeal ( for the Jewish faith) persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless ( he conformed himself to the law with a passion and he saw Christianity as a threat against Judiasm and he was determined to stop it, but his life was radically changed, read Acts 8&9)
But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead
Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
Brethren, (again, as in, “I will repeat” ) I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
 
“…Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an example ( vs.17). “
 
Amen, that is quite a constitution to live by. As a Pharisee, Paul was serious about his faith. As a Christian he was just as serious if not more so, and that I believe is part of our problem; the majority of us do not take our faith serious enough. Scripture teaches we are to count or consider the cost. However we hear that God loves us and Christ paid for our sins and we think, “Great, I got Eternity in the bag,” and we go on and flirt with the world, compromising our faith and values.  We never clearly separate ourselves from the world rather we get caught up in the per suits of our own wants and desires (materialism) but not God’s.
The word divorce has terrible consequences to a family, however in this application it is exactly what we need to do. We need to divorce ourselves from the world. In a divorce both parents still need to talk working out matters regarding the children. However aside from that there is a clear division between them. We still need to interact with the world, but what are their ambitions, desires and values, we are not to take on, rather Christ’s values and desires.
What the world uses to fulfill their inner needs, or what they do to make themselves feel good about who they are etc., is not what we do. We drink at one well and one well only, the well of God’s love. It is always Holy, Lovely and Satisfying. We need nothing more. To not do this is to make ourselves vulnerable to the world’s calling, especially since 1/3 of our person is the man or woman of the flesh, our carnal nature. The fleshly cravings live inside of us. It’s like the movie ” Sleeping with the enemy.” We not only sleep but do everything else as well and its voice grows louder the more we stay away from God’s well of love. Here’s a poem that in a few words  summarizes what I am trying to say.
We must lose ourselves to find ourselves…
We must lose our pride to find God Grace…
We must lose our rights to live in God’s…
We must lose our idols to find the one true God…
We must lose our self ambition to encounter God’s….
We must lose to win, for in God’s economy the currency is faith…
We must lose all that we clutch so tightly to gain what the Father seeks to give us. Without this step of faith our Christian Walk will always be anemic; lacking power, conviction, peace and joy, is that how we want to live? I know I don’t; I refuse to live like that. There is no price I am not willing to pay to be closer to Christ. Some costs have been easy to pay, others difficult requiring the help of the Holy Spirit and so will be the future.
We will revisit these verses in following Vida’s to get a clearer understanding of what Paul is saying. This is an overview, big picture look at Paul’s resolutions.
Father God,
I see how much room there is in me for growing closer to You. I realize now that most of my Christian life that what I thought was faith was nothing more than a ” lukewarm,” half hearted commitment on my part. Forgive me Father, for You are truly worth all my efforts. Help me to divorce myself completely from the world and be wholly Yours. Thank you and Amen