DEW REFRESHMENT CALL- THURSDAY, AUGUST 24: TRY THE SPIRIT BY THE SPIRIT?

I like the Message bible translation of Job 28:12-19:

“But where, oh where, will they find Wisdom? Where does Insight hide? Mortals don’t have a clue, haven’t the slightest idea where to look. Earth’s depths say, ‘It’s not here’; ocean deeps echo, ‘Never heard of it.’ It can’t be bought with the finest gold; no amount of silver can get it. Even famous Ophir gold can’t buy it, not even diamonds and sapphires. Neither gold, nor emeralds are comparable; extravagant jewelry can’t touch it. Pearl necklaces and ruby bracelets—why bother? None of this is even a down payment on Wisdom! Pile gold and African diamonds as high as you will, they can’t hold a candle to Wisdom."

We need wisdom today to discern truth-- whether from well-meaning improvisation or outright lies.

James 1:5 says “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”

Proverbs 8:12 says, “I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion.”

Proverbs 9:10 says “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”

So many people fail to take God’s inspired word seriously. The Bible says “Make fun of wisdom, and you will never find it. But if you have understanding, knowledge comes easily.”

There’s nothing like the current political climate to send Americans to their knees, back to church, and back to the Word of God.  Curious and anxious people all over the world want and seek truth. They seek teachers, professors, experts, scholars, and spiritual types to help them make sense out of life. And many people take advantage of the vulnerability and gullibility of truth seekers. So many people are overrun with messages from conferences, workshops, weekly studies and convocations that they can begin their own religious libraries.  If something sounds good, and aligns with what they want to think or believe, many people are sold, drink the Kool-aid, repeat whatever the heard as fact (just because someone famous said it), and don’t even bother to see if what they heard lines up with the word of God. 

2 Timothy 4:3offers a sobering look at today's spiritual climate. 
"...For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear."

A clear indication of the validity of any religious experience or exercise isn’t whether you cried, ran, shouted, foamed at the mouth, hit the floor, spoke in tongues, or plunked down a heave offering while a preacher was speaking. The validity and authenticity of a religious experience lies in the manner in which it affects your view of the Word of God. Does it draw you to it, or cause you to doubt, question, add, subtract, water it down or abandon it altogether?

When you hear a sermon, speech, teaching, song, poem, or affirmation, does it confirm the Word of God, or cause you to smirk and scratch your head? 

People have said it forever (just like they've said "absent from the body, present with the Lord" and "God helps those who help themselves") but The Bible does not say "try the spirit by the spirit". This is not an emotional test. It is not a denominational test. It is not a superficial test based on fashion or form. It is not a man-made test based on opinion or philosophies. We don’t have the capacity or authority to create this kind of test. That’s God’s domain. It’s HIS word that provides all of the criteria we need to know whether what we hear and experience is of God. All we have to ask is  “What does the Word say?” 

In the often used passage about tithing, Micah 3:10, God himself says “prove me”. In other words, test me, conduct an experiment if you will—do your part, carry out your duties, and see if I will not faithfully reward your adherence to my Word! God isn’t afraid, or offended! It's not a game or a trick. He is confident about the truth of what he says! He’s not worried about his people verifying what he says! He knows it’s right! He wants us to be right and wise concerning his promises! 

Matthew 13:54 tells us that when Jesus began teaching the people in the synagogue in his own home town, they were amazed. Some even asked, “Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?”  Had they recognized who he was; had they received him as the Messiah, they wouldn’t have had to ask. His very existence; the trajectory of his life fulfilled the Law that they all were taught and knew, and yet they still were skeptical of him and rejected him!

How do we behave when we have religious experiences, hear people expound on the word of God, or hear people introduce new ideas and doctrines? Do we know enough of the Word ourselves to discern whether a speaker, and his or her words echo the heart of God?  When we are lonely, weak, disappointed, anxious, afraid, desperate, troubled, or confused, it is easy to be emotionally moved by a fiery sermon, a personal testimony, or seeming miracle, but just like the local news we hear, we have an obligation to fact check what we hear before we apply it to our lives, adopt it as truth, or share it. 

Everyone cannot pray for you, lay hands on you, or speak into your life. It is imperative that you know the word of God for yourself! It's wonderful when others pray for you, but why do you discount the effectiveness of your own prayer? God is available to you, too. He wants to hear you from you, too! 

The Bible says “All Scripture is God-breathed; is given by inspiration of God and is useful, is profitable for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.” These days with technology, even if you can't read, you can still hear the word of God. Even if you have difficulty with the language of the King James Version of the Bible, there are translations in practically every known language. 

Proverbs admonishes us to “Make our ears attentive to wisdom, Incline our hearts to understanding”.

“How CAN we hear without a preacher and how CAN he preach except he be sent? By whom? By God! Unfortunately, many see the pulpit as a side gig, are NOT led by the Holy spirit, send themselves, mishandle the Word of God, and deceive many!

The Lord himself told the prophet Jeremiah,"The prophets are prophesying falsehood in My name. I have neither sent them nor commanded them nor spoken to them; they are prophesying to you a false vision, divination, futility and the deception of their own minds”.

How can people who are eager for the word of God be protected? What recourse do they have? Do not believe everyone who claims to speak with the authority of God!

Matthew 7:15 says, “Beware of false prophets”!

1 Thessalonians 5:20-21 says “Do not treat prophecies with contempt, but test all things. Hold fast to what is good.”

Fact checking; searching for yourself doesn’t mean you don’t love or have confidence in your leader! It means you are obedient to the word of God!

Galatians 3:4 says, “Let me put this question to you: How did your new life begin? Was it by working your heads off to please God? Or was it by responding to God’s Message to you? Are you going to continue this craziness? For only crazy people would think they could complete by their own efforts what was begun by God. If you weren’t smart enough or strong enough to begin it, how do you suppose you could perfect it? Did you go through this whole painful learning process for nothing? It is not yet a total loss, but it certainly will be if you keep this up!”

And what was IT? Trying to be redeemed by anything other than the blood of the Lamb. Putting your faith in anything other than the finished work of Christ on Calvary. Expecting to be blessed by diluting or modifying the Word of God.

Anyone who preaches anything contrary to the word of God while calling him or herself a servant of God is in error. 1 John 4:1-2 is clear—“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you will know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God.” 

Jeremiah warned the people of his day, "For from the least of them even to the greatest of them, Everyone is greedy for gain, And from the prophet even to the priest Everyone deals falsely”. 

EVERYONE?

Wow.

I can’t say it enough, you have to pray for wisdom and understanding and cultivate a relationship with God for yourself! Leadership, and mentoring are great concepts, but never check your brain at the door. Know who and what you are emulating, parroting, or following. Never be afraid to question, to read and study and search. The Word of God is your measuring stick. It is your proof. It is your primary source.

Any religious teaching that is birthed without regard for the Word of God should be viewed as shady. Not a single discerning believer, who actually studies the Word, will receive shady, opportunistic, manipulative fluff as Gospel! It doesn’t matter how much you were moved by what you heard, or how "good" service was! Sometimes we are fed empty foolishness and fanfare as opposed to substance and truth, and go away thinking we’ve “had church”. What did you HEAR? Cliches and catchy rhyming phrases? Unintelligible hooping and hollering? Public dissing and targeting of people in the congregation couched in a sermon? Empty promises? Pleas for cash wrapped up in oppressive, scary mandates, predictions, and regulations because somebody forgot to pay the church electric bill? WHAT DID YOU HEAR? Was it THE Bible? Unless you can identify book, chapter and verse, consider whatever you heard a nice fairy tale, and put it on the shelf with the rest of the fiction.  You might as well have skipped "church" and gone to the movies.

There is nothing new under the Sun!

Watch out for puffed up, title-driven people who equate themselves and their credentials with the apostles and leaders of the early church. Watch out for people who spew self-chosen ideals, rules, and doctrines that sound great, but don’t emanate from God. Ignorance of the Word is one thing. That can be fixed. People can be taught. Outright, purposeful mangling of the Word for one’s own selfish or ambitious purposes is another. THE only way to deal with a con, liar or someone who mishandles the word of God is from a distance! Don’t argue or debate, or get frustrated with them. Don’t waste your time or energy trying to sway him or her. When someone is bent on lying, they can’t serve you anything other than deception and confusion. You can pray that they get their minds right, but don’t let them influence yours. It’s not like there’s only two Bibles in the world and they're under lock, chain and key. Bibles are EVERYWHERE! READ!!!!!! Ask for wisdom! READ FOR YOURSELF!!! Your soul is at stake, and anyone who misleads people using the Word of God should be very afraid!

Jesus said, “If you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples. Then you will KNOW the truth, and the truth will make you free.”

The Spirit of Truth seals the promises of God within the hearts of believers, helps us conform to the image of Christ, indwells believers—literally takes up residence,  intercedes on our behalf, it leads, reveals, commands, guides, directs, appoints,  communicates, testifies, and doesn’t speak of itself. It doesn’t embellish! Even THE Spirit defers to, and speaks ONLY the unadulterated, unvarnished, un-fooled-around-with will and way of God. 

It is imperative that those who profess to speak for God do the same.

Be wise.

Stick to the script.

#DEW4U

#JUSTKEEPGOING

"NEWNESS OF LIFE" DEW REFRESHMENT CALL- THURSDAY AUGUST 17

Scholar and theologian Matthew Henry asked, “What can be a stronger motive against sin, than the love of Christ? Shall we sin against so much goodness, and such love?”

In Paul’s letter to the Romans, 6:1-4 he asked, “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace might increase? May it never be! How shall we who died to sin, still live in it? Or, do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? Therefore, we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that, as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.”  

Jewish leaders of his day were appalled, and demanded that the apostle Paul explain himself! They wanted to know if his philosophy of being saved by God’s grace, as opposed to merely following of the Law of Moses, was tantamount to a pass to living a sinful life. They wanted to know if the Jesus he preached about encouraged followers to live any old kind of way, so that more and more grace could be extended toward them.  

Paul was clear that the response to God’s grace was certainly not to live as wildly as possible.  He asked, “Should we continue in sin so that grace can abound?” Paul’s emphatic answer was “God forbid!” The thought of taking advantage of God’s grace isn’t a welcomed one in the mind of one to whom great love has been demonstrated. The characteristic that marks the life of someone who professes Christ is not defiant and rebellious, but obedient and compliant.  God's faithful promises to us are much more powerful and effective at annihilating sin, than our fickle promises to God. Matthew Henry wrote, “Sin may struggle in a real believer, and create him a great deal of trouble, but it shall not have dominion; it may vex him, but it shall not rule over him”

So many believe it is impossible for human beings to change; impossible to let go of words, actions, and behaviors that are not pleasing to the Lord, and that’s simply not true. The Bible says that we can do all things through Christ. Just the thought of that should give us great strength, hope and assurance.

For anyone who has experienced the love of God and his grace, it is impossible not to acknowledge what needs to change. We know what needs to go altogether, and make a conscious decision to turn from deliberately offending God. The answer to Paul’s question, “shall we who died to sin continue live in it” is “No way!

Those who are “baptized into Christ Jesus” by pledging allegiance to him, having faith in him, and accepting him as Lord of our lives are forever linked not only with him, but with His death and resurrection. Basking in wrongdoing is no longer an option. We are symbolically and spiritually “buried” with Christ and then “resurrected”-- raised with him, to “walk in newness of life”

I like this definition of the word “new”: “already existing, but seen, experienced or acquired for the first time.” No matter how old we are; no matter how old our mistakes are, in Christ we can start again! Perhaps for us, every day is a new opportunity for a do-over, but we have to remember that it is the finished work of Christ that matters most. He did the work. We don’t have to add or embellish just take advantage of the help God offers and the grace he has freely given.

We have a new lease on life when we embrace God's promises. We love God, his word, his promises, his commandments and gratefully acknowledge that we are conformed to His image. We are new creatures, and have new hearts, minds, conversation, standards, goals, views, presents and futures.  

Baptism is a powerful sacrament. It is also a visible indication of a person’s desire to experience new life. By the same baptism which publicly ushers us into Christ’s death, we are also ushered into his burial.  To leave a deceased body unburied is the height of humiliation. It was necessary and fitting for Jesus after "dying for our sins according to the Scriptures, to descend into hell. It was the final, humiliating part of the plan of salvation. It was the last link to the life he gave for all mankind, and so we, by virtue of being "buried with Him by our baptism into His death," also disassociate ourselves from our own, old, unredeemed, sinful state.

If our old nature, our old state, now dead and buried with Christ, was completely sinful, the new nature requires a holy life. Each time we have even the slightest inclination to return to anything that threatened separation from God; anything that we know was wrong, caused us pain, stress, grief, and shame, we make a mockery of being alive with Christ to newness of life.

Baptism teaches the necessity of dying to sin; dying to ungodly and unholy lives, and of rising to walk with God in newness of life. The “old” man, is crucified with Christ. Even in a broken, wounded state, it still struggles for attention, control and fights for life, but anything that is not pleasing to our holy God has got to go. We have grace. We have faith. We live for Christ and experience great joy as we serve him. The Bible says “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creation. Old things are passed away, and all things are become new”. Notice those two verbs in the same sentence—“are” and “become”.  Is it possible to be something, and begin to be something at the same time? Yes! Being and becoming new creations in Christ—that’s our desire. It is ongoing, and it looks good on us!

Father, we thank you that you didn’t just abandon us; give up on us and leave us without the will to want to be and do better.  We thank you for the gift and opportunity to be new creations in Christ. Thank you that all things are become new. Thank you for loving us enough to forgive, and for the capacity to be conformed to your image. Thank you for knowing all about us, and still wanting fellowship with us.  Thank you for reminding us in your word that we are no longer under law, but under grace. Thank you for the assurance that we can bear temptation. Thank you for loving, saving, redeeming and having compassion toward us.  Like David we ask you to “Establish our footsteps in Your word” . Help us to never, ever take your grace for granted. We thank you for your presence, guidance, wisdom and faithfulness, and your promise to never leave or forsake us as we walk in newness of life.

Amen.

DEW REFRESHMENT CALL AUGUST 10, 2017: MAKING DECISIONS FOR OTHERS

Someone in my county government thought it would be a good idea if trash was picked up once per week. I guess it was a revenue-saving measure, but it amazes me what ends up on the chopping block when it’s time to save money—the stuff that people actually need.

No one bothered to ask the community how decreasing trash removal would work for everyone in a place where raccoons, opossum, deer, and trash cans with insecure lids were everywhere. Now, we have new, larger trash bins, akin to the existing recycle bins, to hold (hopefully) what has accumulated from Tuesday to Tuesday. If you miss those trucks, though, shame on ya. They won't be coming again on Friday like they used to.

Every day, decisions are made that will affect others and those decisions are based on what someone thinks, believes, and knows. Although their intentions may be as good as gold, how close are the decision makers to what is actually going on? How often is it proven that decision makers are woefully out of touch? Will they be affected by the decision, or are they just eager to implement it without considering the consequences?

I read that there are three major types of theories of decision-making:

1. normative theories which inform us how a reasonable, mature, rational person should behave
 

    2. descriptive theories that describe and embody how individuals of any ilk do behave, and

  

    3. descriptive theories that instruct us how to behave based on our own cognitive, physical, or personal  limitations. 

    There’s a concept that exists and is studied in Psychology called “subjective desirability”. It’s what is commonly known as  preferences.  Our individual preferences, whether they are born out of heredity, tradition, education, or socialization, are a big part of our decision-making process. Our personal preferences come into play even when we’re making decisions for other people. That can be sticky and tricky. When tasked with making decisions for others, to avoid conflict, accusations of  insensitivity, spite, bias, unfairness or being woefully uncaring and disconnected, we have to ask ourselves,

       1.Whose best interests are being considered?  Mine or             theirs?

2. Do I know enough about the people involved or the situation to make a sound decision?

3. Have I considered asking for input from the people who will be impacted by the decision I make, or do I not respect them enough to even ask?

4. Am I on a power trip? Do I care about the outcome and impact of my decision?

5. Am I seeking the maximum benefit for all, or being a selfish jerk or bully?

6. Am I making wise decisions or imposing hardship upon others while I enjoy satisfaction and comfort?

7. Is it about the good of the organization, group, or project, or do I just want my way?

I cannot make decisions for you without knowing how it’s going to affect everything concerning you. I can't turn a blind eye. I have to care. If I can't, or won't be righteous about it, perhaps I'm not the one who should have the final say. The decisions I make for you will determine everything from whether I’m actually in touch with you, or even if I like you! I can’t be so consumed with what I want, or what I think is right, normal or reasonable, that I ignore your needs. 

There is a very good book written by Gary Chapman titled The Five Love Languages. One  premise Chapman explores is that we tend to love people the way we want to based on our needs, and not how they need to be loved. We figure that people ought to be happy with the way we treat them, what we do for them, and the decisions we make. We get mad, offended and perplexed when they aren't, but do we bother to learn them enough to make sure our efforts aren't a waste of time for ourselves and a disappointment to the people we are serving, helping, governing, leading, or sharing space with? Do we really care about how others feel or what they really need, or do we operate with our own agendas and impose what we think is best for them and demand that they like it? We can have the best intentions where another person is concerned and still be all wrong in our decisions concerning them.

Again, that’s where caring comes in. We have to care how the decisions we make are going to impact people. What’s best, good, or preferable for me may not be what’s best for you—and I have to esteem you enough to acknowledge that.

A lack of empathy characterizes those decisions that fail to take into account the well-being of others. If I want to be happy, what on Earth makes me think others don’t want the same?

The “too bad” that I declare to someone else won’t sound good when I hear it when I least want to. When making decisions for other people, the first thing to be remembered is simple: They’re people and they matter.

#justkeepgoing

#DEW4U

TUESDAY THOUGHTS: END OF THE DAY

I don't know a single soul in North Korea, and I don't think anyone there knows me. 

I've never been there, but I'm sure that like me, there are people who are just trying to make it each day; take care of their responsibilities; attend to the needs of their families; stay out of trouble; do what they can to be of assistance, and offer encouragement to others. 

Now it seems we are one covfefe away from disaster, and we haven't even met.

The president said "...best not..." 

Wow. 

Just...wow. 

If that didn't remind me of my late Aunt Lillian...only she used to say "bet' not"...and when she said it, we knew she wasn't playing...which would make all that tough-apocalyptic-Hollywood-type-talk I heard on the news today a little unnerving-- if not, of course for Philippians 4:6-7. 

I guess if there was something to be anxious about, nuclear war would be right at the top of the list, but my favorite passage of scripture reads, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God^; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." 

"Nothing, Lord?" I asked Him. "Really? Okay, then. Nothing it is".

My other end of the day favorite is Psalm 4:8.

"I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety."

I like that--safety that is--but still, I just find it fascinating anytime people who could do something about a situation; who could bring calm; who could just at least quash madness, confusion, and controversy with one move or one word, decide not to. 

Maybe they know something that everyone else doesn't. 

Maybe they don't care. 

Maybe they're following orders. 

Maybe there's a bigger picture, that I can't see, that makes all of the ridiculousness necessary. 

Maybe I shouldn't even have an expectation of, or desire consistent peace and love, and happy, happy joy joy. 

Maybe that's not realistic. 

Maybe I've forgotten that this isn't Heaven, and should remember that "this, too shall pass".

I guess our nation's leaders are just going to sit back and watch this sideshow play out with the rest of us. It certainly has proved to be fodder for comedians everywhere. It would be entertaining and even hilarious, if not for the fact that it's not a show. 

I wonder what the family members of leaders are saying to them. I imagine some of them screaming, "Can't you do something?" 

Are their sheepish replies, "You'd think so, huh? But my hands are tied."

...or is it that many of their hands are dirty?

Sometimes,  I wish certain world leaders would just stop professing to speak for everyone, and just admit that they don't really care about the welfare of the average Joe.  
Warmongers. 

Bullies. 

Narcissists. 

Ugh. 

I wish there was a law that demanded that some world leaders don boxing gloves, climb into a boxing ring, duke it out, and stop allowing their loose lips, arrogance, pride, ignorance, hatred, and lack of discipline to cause so much suffering to the innocent people they say they represent. 

So many leaders are good at making enemies out of people who have no interest in war. 

Why won't the cowards just stop instigating and posturing and fight among themselves, and leave the rest of the world in peace?

A person's  unresolved issues really do show up and show out when they're handed a little power. But then, in so many nations, the "king" who the people have ruling over them, is the king they asked for, wanted, and chose. 

When the king starts wiling out and demonstrating he has no integrity or loyalty to anyone, it's too late for a do-over. 

So what's left to do? 

1 Timothy 2:1-3 presents a challenge. 

Paul's letter probably challenged poor Timothy, too when he read it. 

After all, the king who Paul admonished him to pray for, was none other than that peculiar Nero. Nevertheless, he wrote, "I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior…” 

I like peace and quiet. 

Soooo, maybe it's time to pray for that guy in spite of how we feel; in spite of how desperately many would love to see him stripped of his authority; in spite of how much we miss not being lied to, embarrassed, and dumbfounded EVERY time we turn on the news.

I know I'm tired of cringing every day. 

Prayer, it is.