Fueling Your Emotion

But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. Genesis 50:20

An After Dinner discussion…

These children would be better off if we just let them die and then they would go right to heaven.”

The children being referred to were those who live in extreme poverty around the world. Expounding upon his thought the talker continued, “Same with abortion…aren’t these babies going to Heaven? Why should we interfere with that?”

I listened.

Stunned by the remark my eyes rolled back and closed. Simultaneously my head flopped back into the sofa. Then, in less than a second’s time, anger-provoked adrenalin surged up my spine. My neck stiffened, my eyes opened, and my tongue slipped out to moistening my lips, a signal to my brain that my mouth was clear for takeoff.

The Voice of Reason

Does God talk to you?

He talks to me.

I can’t explain it adequately, but He does. His voice doesn’t seem to be audible, but to say, “God speaks softly to my heart,” isn’t an accurate statement either. All I know is that He does speak and that He spoke to me on this occasion.

What did He tell me?

“Don’t say it.”

It was enough.

I knew what He meant. I didn’t argue with God. I exhaled silently so as not to sigh, I relaxed my neck, and sealed my lips.

Be angry, and do not sin. Ephesians 4:26

It was another reminder for me that emotions are God-given, and when used properly they serve to facilitate interaction with God through His Holy Spirit. In other words, ‘emotion always leads to choice, choice can lead to Jesus, and in Jesus we will have a solution.’ There is an alternative to anger and it is not merely to be un-angry, but to recognize the opportunity it brings to be submissive and obedient to the Holy Spirit.

And Not Only Anger

How many emotions are there?  No one can say with certainty. A short list of emotions just starting with the letter A might include these:

• Able
• Adequate
• Adoration
• Affection
• Aggravation
• Aggressiveness
• Agitation
• Agony
• Alarm
• Alienation
• Amazement
• Amusement
• Anger
• Anguish
• Annoyance
• Anticipation
• Anxiety
• Anxious
• Apathy
• Apprehensive
• Arousal
• Astonishment
• Awe

When we perceive that emotions can be experienced concurrently, we begin to appreciate how the number of emotional combinations is incomprehensible. If you have you ever angrily or anxiously or amusingly anticipated something, you understand this. Well, know also that while our emotions are characteristically unique, they are common in their singular Divine purse: to bring us to Jesus.

And God never demands that we choose Jesus, but rather consistently affirms that He is the wisest choice.

Choices  

No one acts on an emotion until they have chosen to act on it.  Sometimes our reactions are so quick we suppose the action and the emotion are one and the same, but they’re not. Emotions are not actions until they have been fueled. Having said that, some of us do fuel our emotions before we experience them. This of course is foolishness.  It’s like lighting the fuse before you’ve constructed the firecracker.

So, it begs the question, “What are you using to fuel your emotions, or more accurately, ‘Who’ are you using to fuel your emotions?”

God asks us too,

Are you angry? Are you amused? Are you able? Wonderful! Here is the choice that will bring Me honor, glory, and praise.”

All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. Colossians 1:16b-18

Consider the Colossians passage.

• Does the phrase ‘all things’ include our emotions?
• Does Jesus have preeminence over our emotions?
• Who or what fuels your emotions?
• How’s that working out for you?

~ ~ ~

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• The Extraordinary Power of the Holy Spirit (youthzeal.wordpress.com)
• Good Advice: Watch Your Mouth!! (verticalviewer.wordpress.com)

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Teaspoons and Tankers

There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead. 1 Corinthians 15:41-42

Have you ever wondered what awaits us in Heaven and how rewards from the Father will be made manifest. One thing we know for certain — we will all be pleased.  We will all be pleased because the vessel we ultimately show up with will be filled. But what of this vessel?  Cannot both a thimble and a boxcar be filled; a teaspoon and a tanker?

The Apostle Paul points out that while each star in the Heavens is indeed glorious, they are not the same size.  Some are mere specks, others are enormous. The issue then becomes not if we will shine for Jesus, but how brightly will we do so. For eternity, and for His glory, we have the choice of becoming celestial midgets or celestial giants.

Does it matter?

Some might say it doesn’t matter—as long as they get to heaven they will be ecstatic. This is true! All who make it to Heaven will be overjoyed, regardless of their capacity to be filled or how intense their glow. However, I suggest to you that an attitude such as this is short-sighted and yes, rather selfish.

No Tears in Heaven

Who told you that?

And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:3-4

2 Timothy 4:8 and 1 Corinthians 4:5 speak of a judgement that is coming for the believer; not one of condemnation, but of recognition.  In Heaven and before the Throne, there will be for us a time of remembrance; a review of what we did with the giftings and time we were allotted.  Inevitability, there will much sorrow.  Why?  Because we will see just how much time and energy we wasted on stuff that has no eternal value.   Make no mistake about it, every believer will fall short and some will fall shorter than others.

Now You Know

The reality is [that] God’s truth changes people and if His truth isn’t changing you, the likelihood is that don’t believe it. If that’s the case, you probably believe in something else.  Could it be self-centeredness, self-indulgence, or self-worship? Quite possibly.

Remember 

What a Christian does during his earthly walk determines the kind of vessel he or she presents to the Lord for filling.  Selfishness shrinks us and faithfulness enlarges us.

In other words, it is our privilege  to shine on earth for Jesus.  We don’t have to, we get to.   The brighter we shine on earth, for His glory, the brighter we will shine in Heaven.

Those who are wise shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness Like the stars forever and ever. Daniel 12:3

Shine Brighter!

Who is getting the glory for what you have done today? 

Teaspoon or tanker: it’s a choice we make. Choose wisely because the decision you make will last forever.

Comments?

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Rob Bell is a Universalist — He Said it Himself

Rob Bell is a Universalist

I just heard him say it on the ‘Live Stream‘ (recorded) of his ‘Love Wins’ interview. When asked if he was a universalist, BELL said, “No, if you mean by universalist there is a giant cosmic arm that sweeps you in (to heaven) whether you want to be there or not…(but) if you mean…all sorts of people (religion/beliefs) who want to be there, (then) yes.”

He said yes.

Bell then manipulates the words of Christ to say that Jesus would agree with his preposterous statement, saying, “This was central to His (Jesus’) teaching.”

Towards the end of the interview Bell alludes to a Bible passage regarding a gate (to heaven) that has been left open and, “Wink, wink, nudge, nudge,” there’s another way to get into Heaven besides absolute faith in Christ Jesus.

What Bible is Rob Bell reading?

But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed. Galatians 1:8-9

There you have it folks, Rob Bell is a false teacher — wildly popular, but nevertheless, a false teacher. The Bible could not be any clearer — only those who believe and follow Jesus the Christ get to Heaven. To make matters worse, Bell claims the reality of a hell ‘right now’ on earth saying, “We see hell on earth all around us all the time.” Later on in the interview he adds, “Hell is real…we see it (on earth) everyday.”

Things might be awful (at times) Mr. Bell, but this is NOT hell.

Later on, an audience member (a pastor) was confused if Bell meant there was no real hell (not on earth, but a place of condemnation), and Bell completely side-stepped the question, only making a reference to his ‘hell on earth’ conception (Bell took a moment to talk about a group at his church where people can freely discuss their stories of the earthly hell that they have gone through).

The interviewer then puts to Bell the hypothetical scenario that she is an atheist, albeit a ‘good person;’ “Am I going to heaven?” she asks.

Bell answers the question by proclaiming, “The essence of His (Jesus) Gospel is, ‘Trust Me, I’ll take care of it.'”

He adds, “Jesus is exclusive,” citing John 14:6, where Jesus says, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me,’ but then says that Jesus is also inclusive (speaking for Jesus now), “Be careful, I’m doing something for everybody.”

That’s heresy folks — he essentially just called Jesus a liar.

The interviewer, a Jew, shares that she is offended by the concept of Jesus being the only way (the mechanism, as she puts it), to which Bell responds that there is a lot of ‘space’ in the Bible (unsaid things) where (the implication is) we can fill in the blanks.

It seems apparent that Bell spends more time reading the white parts of the Bible then the black parts.

Bell is then asked if it is works or grace that gets a person to Heaven. Amazingly (and inaccurately) Bell responds, “Ultimately, we’re all okay.”

When asked why others thinks his latest book is so controversial, Bell says, “As soon as you say to this little club, the orthodox ones, ‘I think it (the path to salvation) might be a little wider than that,’ you’re threatening whole systems…the Christian (path) is wide and leaves lots of room for variant perspectives…it’s very diverse and wide.”

Not according to my Bible…

Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. Matthew 7:13-14

Bell then said that the way the Christian thinks and the way that he lives, that’s the good news (the Gospel). No it’s not. The Gospel message is all about Jesus, His dying on a cross for our sins and His resurrection–it has nothing whatsoever to do with what we do and everything to do with what He did!

Finally, another member of the audience raised yet another question about hell. Bell puts forth a scenario where a person (at an altar call) rejects an offer to receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, and then leaves church and gets run over by a car. Bell says that its a common belief that God would then condemn that person. He adds that if this were true and if God were a man, “We would have Him arrested,” implying that a loving God would never do such a thing.

Folks, I didn’t want to watch this interview. I already sensed that Rob Bell was a liar and a false teacher, but in fairness, I had based my opinion on what other scholars had said about him. I thought it was best that I check it out for myself. So I did.

Bell’s own words condemn him.

Don’t take my word for it, watch the interview yourself HERE.

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6

I would recommend that we shun Rob Bell. His teachings and his books have no place whatsoever in the Christian realm or the body of Christ, His church. Ignore him and pray for him.

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Silencing satan

And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, he is in your hand, but spare his life.” …In all this Job did not sin with his lips. Job 2:6 + 10

We’re all familiar with the story of Job; how God partially removed His hand of protection in order that satan could wreak havoc on his life. As a result Job loses almost everything: his wealth, his health, his livelihood, and his entire family, except of course for his wife (satan can be so cruel sometimes).

Behind all of Job’s misery we will get a foretaste of God’s purpose; beyond the misery we catch a glimpse of God’s blessing. The awesome reality is that every bit of the suffering, whether it is in Job’s life or our own, will make perfect sense when we get to Heaven.

And I heard another from the altar saying, “Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are Your judgments.” Revelation 16:7

Apparently Job understood the doctrine. All the garbage that comes our way serves a much greater and divine purpose. Understandably that purpose might not make any sense at all now, but when we see Jesus face-to-face, we will all proclaim, “Righteous and true are Your ways!” Therein lies our hope!

In the Meantime

In the meantime how should we handle adversity? How should we respond to the news we have lost our job, we have cancer, or a loved one has died tragically? Consider what Job did:

Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped. Job 1:20

Job was sorrowful, but in his sorrow he worshipped the Lord. In so doing Job blessed the Lord and was given the opportunity (by example) to be a great witness for the Lord. However, as the text picks up in chapter two, we see that satan is at it again—Job is afflicted with boils all over his body. What Job did next silenced satan for the remaining forty chapters of the book.

In all this Job did not sin with his lips. Job 2:10

Not only didn’t Job curse God (or anyone else for that matter) he didn’t complain about his situation—he kept his mouth shut. That gives me great pause. Is that my testimony? When someone wrongs me or if things are not going my way, do I lash out at whoever I believe is responsible or do I remain silent? More importantly, which reaction is pleasing to God? Which one has the potential to silence satan?

Do all things without complaining and disputing… Philippians 2:14

I’m tempted to say that everyone complains; it is our nature, but that’s only half the truth—complaining isn’t our nature, it’s our sin-nature; when we complain we are in sin. I admit that complaining has a certain degree of satisfaction associated with it, but knowing that satan is silenced when I keep my silence is much more satisfying. Wouldn’t you agree?

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These ramblings are typically (but not always) a byproduct inspired by God through my personal Bible study at SearchLight with Pastor Jon Courson and with my pastor at Calvary Chapel Coastlands.

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Standing on the Promises

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:1-2

What Promises?

I’m talking about the promises from God as a result of having been justified by our faith in God and the resurrection of His Son. In the precious light of the fabulous news the Apostle Paul reveals to us in Romans chapter four, we have peace with God, access to God, and joy in God.

We are at peace with the Father because we believe what Jesus accomplished on the cross was sufficient appeasement for our sin. By that same faith we have been given access to the Father by the power of His Holy Spirit. And finally, we rejoice because we know by faith our Heavenly hope is a sure guarantee; a done-deal. Fundamentally, the war with God is over—He is not angry, annoyed, or disappointed in us, for having been justified, He sees us in our glorified state.

How Can That Be?

This doctrine is vitally important towards the serenity and sanity of every believer, so pay attention. ‘How can the Lord see us in our glorified state when we have not yet received our glorified bodies? Let’s go back to Genesis and Abraham for that answer.

(As it is written, “I have made you a father of many nations”) in the presence of Him whom he believed–God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did… Romans 4:17

When the Lord told Abraham these things they had not yet happen, but He makes the statement in a tense that implies the event already was. In other words, Abraham at age 100 has yet to father a child, but God talks about him as if these countless nations already were.

(I know that whatever God does, It shall be forever. Nothing can be added to it, And nothing taken from it. God does it, that men should fear before Him. That which is has already been, And what is to be has already been… Ecclesiastes 3:14-15a

God has essentially told Abraham, “That which is has already been, and what is to be has already been.” It is an incredible premise and only one that God could accomplish—not only can God see the beginning from the end, He is able to operate in both realms simultaneously. Only God can give a future promise and then proclaim it as if it has already occurred. Think about that the next time you pray for a healing of some kind.

(For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. Romans 8:29-30

God can, in a sense, see the entire parade as if viewing it from the Goodyear blimp. Although the analogy is flawed, it loosely demonstrates how He can see the beginning and the end concurrently and how He is able to forecast with perfect accuracy to the person below what lies ahead. God can say, “You have seen the Underdog balloon,” before we have seen it, because He knows it is only a matter of time before we do. From our limited perspective we can only realize that which is directly in front of us, but by faith we are able to take God at His word. When we do, we are justified, and when we are justified, we are seen by God as glorified. If you believe that by faith, it should bring you much peace, access, and joy!

(Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. Hebrews 11:1-3

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Factor-In Heaven

And I saw something like a sea of glass mingled with fire, and those who have the victory over the beast, over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God. Revelation 15:2

Losers

The Tribulation is going to be a horrible time and persecution against the Christian is going to be at an all-time high. Oh, these persecuted believers are not you and I, for the church has been raptured by this time, but those who have been ‘left behind’ and came to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior during the period of the Tribulation. Without a doubt, these pre-and-post martyred saints will be seen as losersby the heathens that supported and/or carried-out these barbaric punishments.

Factoring Heaven into the Equation

While it is true (that) much of the Book of Revelation is forewarning, this portion of the volume is a sneak-preview into Heaven for those, who with patience, endure. It serves to remind those who will suffer on Earth that their future hope and victory lies in Heaven. Let every believer know that in everything we do, Heaven needs to be factored into the equation. My heart aches for every Christian who suffers because they have lost this focus and also for every non-believer who endures the pain of life without any prospective hope whatsoever.

…Because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel…To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Colossians 1:5 + 27

Do You Have This Hope

If you do, then my prayer is that your heart would ache for the unsaved, with each day your search spotlighting divine appointments to keep. If you do not have this hope, then I suspect it is no accident that you find yourself reading this blog today. This is the time for you to turn away from worthless pursuits and turn towards eternal salvation found in Christ Jesus alone.

So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” 1 Corinthians 15:54

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Earth: God’s ‘Crown’ Shoppe

Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying: “You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will (for thy pleasure, KJV) they exist and were created.” Revelation 4:9-11Your Hat Says a Lot About You

There are five crowns available to us that are spoken of in God’s Word. There may in fact be more, but the Bible mentions only these five. The crown of righteousness in 2 Timothy 4:8, the crown of life in James 3:3, the crown of glory in 1 Peter 5:2-4, the crown of rejoicing in 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20, and the crown of the martyr (also called the crown of life) in Revelation 2:10. These five crowns are only available in one place and during one occasion: our time here on earth There are no crown shoppes in Heaven.

“So what, ” we might say, “I don’t need any crowns.”

As Long as I Get to Heaven, I’ll Be Happy

Have you ever said that? I know I have. I even went as far to say that I would be happy cleaning the toilets in Heaven, just as long as I get there. The truth is that if I do wind-up cleaning heavenly toilets (not that there are any), I will be eternally happy, but we should know that God has so much more in store for us.

The crowns we obtain on earth designate what it is we will be doing in heaven and for our Lord. While it’s true we cast them at the feet of Jesus, the removing of our hat(s) in no way diminishes that which we have achieved by God’s grace. Does a five star general lose his position when he removes his ‘general hat’ when he is before the president of the United States? Certainly not. The hat is removed in respect for the one who is in charge and to the one who provides his power and authority. In the casting of our crowns we are making similar declarations, but to a much greater degree.

Still Not Sure?

Are you still not sure we should be striving for crowns on earth? The Apostle Paul would remind us, that whether we like it or not, we (Christians) are in the game so, we might as well play to win. This ultimate prize is everlasting.

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown…press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 1 Corinthians 9:24-25, Philippians 3:14

God’s Plan Revealed

God’s plan is outlined in the last sentence of today’s passage. In case there was any doubt whatsoever, His creation was designed for worship and for His own pleasure. To the degree we can do this now is to the same degree we can experience Heaven on earth as we patiently wait to be with Him forever.

Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven…And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Matthew 6:10 and 16:10

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This is Fascinating

Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne. And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald. Revelation 4:2-3

When We All Get to Heaven

In this Revelation from Jesus, John makes mention of the ‘One’ who sits on the throne, but how can we be certain the One he is speaking of is in fact the One and only Jesus Christ? In an amazing way, the Old Testament confirms who the Seated One is and we see it in the jasper and sardius stones. Consider this passage from Exodus 28 which speaks of Aaron, the high priest’s breastplate…

“You shall make the breastplate of judgment…And you shall put settings of stones in it, four rows of stones: The first row shall be a sardius, a topaz, and an emerald; this shall be the first row; the second row shall be a turquoise, a sapphire, and a diamond; the third row, a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst; and the fourth row, a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper. Exodus 28: 15, 17-20

Check This Out

The first stone on Aaron’s breastplate is the sardius and as we read the entire Exodus account we see that it represents the first son of the first tribe; it is the ‘alpha’ stone if you will. The first son of the first tribe is Ruben and his name literally means, ‘Behold a son.’

The last stone to be placed on Aaron’s plate is the jasper and it represents the last son of the last tribe, essentially making it the ‘omega’ stone. The last son and tribe is of course Benjamin and his name means, ‘Son of my right hand.’

When we assemble the whole picture, we are left with the One on the throne being the ‘Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last, God’s only Son, the Son that sits at His right hand.’

Finally, we notice that Jesus is sitting on the throne; He is not standing, He is not walking back and forth. Jesus is sitting because His work is done, or as He put it, “It is finished.” Jesus, our Great Councilor, sits in much the same manner an attorney sits after he has wrapped up his summation and concluded his case before the judge.

The Promise of God’s Grace

Jesus will be surrounded by a rainbow—the same rainbow we first saw after the flood in the time of Noah. That rainbow of course speaks of His grace covenant that He maintains for us. His throne is a throne of grace, not works, and therefore we will not hesitate to approach our Lord and our Savior on that magnificent day!

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4 :16

 

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Are You In Love

Are You In LoveBut you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. Jude 20 & 21

What does it mean to stay in the love of God? Is this somehow a suggestion from Jude that there is something we can do to make God love us more? And if that is the case, is there then something we can do, or perhaps ‘not do’ that will make God love us less? The answer is no–Romans 5:8 proclaims that He (God) demonstrated His love toward us while> we were still sinners. In other words, God’s love is a done-deal; all that is left for us to do is to receive it.

Either is our Father in Heaven is akin to some store-front Santa Claus. Nowhere in the Bible does it declare that we might bring God a wish-list and He will then check a list to see if in fact we have been naughty or nice. Having said that, do not be deceived—there is a list (of some sort), but Colossians 2:14 thankfully reminds us that for those who are in Christ, the list has been blotted-out and wiped clean. I am very comforted by that truth.

Having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.

A Dry Well

So what has come about when we are not feeling God’s love; what is it that has occurred when His blessings have seemingly dried up? Could it be that we were naughty or is it because we lack faith? It is neither of those things for God’s love for us is absolutely unconditional.

If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself. 2 Timothy 2:13

I love that verse! There is nothing I can do (or not do) to keep God from loving me. God is not operating some huge love-spigot, turning it on and off according to my behavior—that baby is on full-bore all the time. The problem is more likely (as my pastor likes to put it) that we have moved from, ‘under the spout where the blessings come out.’

It is much like the conversation between husband and wife as they drive along in the old pick-up truck with the bench seat. With forehead planted against the passenger-side window; unfocused eyes staring beyond the landscape she laments, “How come we never sit close anymore…you know, with your arm around my shoulder as you drive?”

His response from behind the wheel is simple and direct, “I haven’t gone anywhere.”

Either Has God

This very same verse (from Jude 20 & 21) provides the solution for bless-less-ness, or how to get back beneath the spout where these blessings continually flow. First, Jude tells us, we are to build up our faith. We know what this looks like–Romans 10:17 declares, “That faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” It stands to reason the more we hear the stronger the faith.

We then learn that praying in the Holy Spirit keeps us in the surge We may pray in solitude, but we should never pray alone. Invite the Holy Spirit into your prayers to both inspire the direction of your prayer and also to interpret to the Father what it is your heart is really trying to say. We Christians have a nasty habit of praying for what we want rather than what we need—all the more reason to embrace God’s Spirit to filter our petitions

Finally, our focus needs to be on Jesus and our eternal home. We truly must live as if Christ’s return is imminent or that our last breath is but moments away. If you knew Jesus was about to ring your doorbell, would you be rushing to open the door or to change the TV channel?

To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Colossians 1:27

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