Celebrate!

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13 (ESV)

There was a time in my life when I could really identify with the Apostle Paul in Romans 7:19. I wanted to do good, but I did the evil things I hated. I wondered why when Jesus said He came to bring abundant life (John 10:10) I never saw any of it in my own life? I kept telling myself there had to be more to life than what I was experiencing.

As it happened, one morning in church I happened to flip the bulletin over and read “Are you feeling trapped in life? Are you doing things you don't like but don't know why? Do you do many of the following behaviors? Feel responsible for other's problems and try to fix them? Always put other's needs before your own? Constantly seek approval? Easily become defensive when criticized? Have difficulty saying no? Compromise your values to stay in unhealthy relationships or serious addictions?”

Many more behaviors were mentioned. I identified with most of them. There was a group being formed with the blessing of the church that was called a 'Christian Twelve Step Recovery Program.' I'd never heard of such a thing but I was curious and went to the first meeting and found it had answers to many of my hurts, habits, and hangups from the past. I kept going back.

In my last posting I spoke about being in the fire. Sometimes God allows us to go through the fire to help us grow and mature but sometimes we put ourselves in it by jumping out of the frying pan. Today I want to speak of getting out if we put ourselves there. There is a Christian Twelve Step program called Celebrate Recovery. It is a recovery program aimed at healing the dysfunctions of the past including, but not limited to: high anxiety; co-dependency, and compulsive behaviors and addictions, from sexual, drug, alcohol to over eating. It is hope for the helpless and puts Jesus Christ in control of our lives as our Higher Power.

If you feel like your life is out of control and you want to regain your sanity,  research your nearest Celebrate Recovery group and go to a meeting. It's not a 'quick fix' to life's problems (those never work anyway), but it is a viable and useful means to wellness. You will be accepted, not judged. If it doesn't work for you you can have your pain, misery and life disorders back, free of charge. Privacy and confidentiality are paramount. “What we see here, what we say here, what hear here, remains here.”

We're only as sick as our secrets. Denial of our life issues is a slow death. But God never intended us to do life alone. The support of others going through the same things in their own recovery is chief to helping us, through Christ. If you feel you would benefit from a program like Celebrate Recovery I encourage you to find a group near you. That first step is the hardest. Call and talk to someone. Ask questions. Test it for yourself. It can work when you work it. It is help for the helpless with so much to lose while gaining so much. So, what do have to lose?

Ken

Never Forever

But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold. Job 23:10

Some of you reading this are feeling a dire stress in your life and you're feeling like you're in the fire. Some are facing the pain of separation from a loved one or divorce from a spouse. Some are stressing over children, employment, bills, death of a friend or family member, or major illnesses. Whatever it may be it feels like the fire of affliction and, believe me, the majority all of us have been there at one time or another and know how painful it can be.

Fire can be a deadly threat or it can be a useful tool. It is necessary in the refining of gold. Gold usually is mixed with other elements and cannot be fully refined without fervent heat. When the elements are melted, borax and soda ash are added to separate the gold from its other components. The job isn't finished until it's brought to its fullest perfection in the eyes of the refiner.

God sometimes needs to bring us through the fire to clear and purify areas in our lives. Even the U.S. Forestry service will do something called a prescribed burn, deliberately setting fire to overgrown trees and brush that can become fuel for a future fire. A prescribed burn's benefits to a forest can be many.

Peter says not to be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes to test you (1^st Peter 4:12). But being in the fire hurts and it's frightening. What can you do now? What did Job do? He lost everything. But during his ordeal his faith in a just and compassionate God remained. Although he did waver momentarily God lovingly and mercifully brought him back to center. He knew why he was there and was with him through the fire.  Job eventually did come out of the crucible.

If you feel like you're being poured out like gold remember the beauty and value it attains when it's done. The refiner's fire never lasts forever but it is necessary for perfecting it's fullest purpose. Coming out of the crucible will be nothing like what went in. I'm in no way diminishing your hurt but if, like Job, your faith in a just and compassionate God remains, when you've passed through the fire you'll find there will be growth, change and renewed faith. In the eyes of the Refiner you will be as good as gold.

Ken

What's Your Worth?

The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Matthew 13:44 (ESV)

Some people have difficulty weighing worth. Some don't. Like the guy who said, “One loyal friend is worth more than a thousand relatives.” Well...maybe not.

This parable of Jesus has been misinterpreted by many over the years. I misinterpreted it, too. The kingdom of heaven is God's kingdom.  Easy enough. I believed the man in the parable represented the Church and the hidden treasure was the Lord Jesus Christ. But if one keeps this chapter in context Jesus gives the answer in verse 38 where He speaks of the field being the world.

Most of us carry a very poor concept of our own worth. There could be many reasons why. But even in that God has always seen as both precious and filled with inherent worth.

When God manifested Himself in the flesh (John 1:14), the kingdom of heaven (God) was revealed in Him. So, if the field is the world then who is the man? The one who gave everything to purchase all can only be Jesus Christ. Jesus paid our debt from sin, becoming, in His own words, a ransom for many (Mark 10:45) and satisfying God's wrath against it (Romans 5:9). The final question remains; who then, is the treasure? It is His Church. It is you.

If you have asked Christ to rule in your heart you can be sure the kingdom of heaven has come to you. Your worth to God means you are that great treasure He gave all to purchase as His very own. He knows your worth. He always has. You are the one Christ paid His all to gain. In your great worth He esteemed you above His own life. When you weigh your worth in the kingdom of heaven you will find it is beyond price.

Ken

The Greatest Volunteer

When Jesus said to them “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground. (John 18:5)

Hello again. Grace and peace to you. Thank you for visiting. My sabbatical to wait on the Lord to see what He might have for my life has led me into areas of my life that by His grace have been cleansed and dismissed. He's led me full circle to my joy of sharing Christ and His willing work in our lives. I cannot keep silent concerning the things of the LORD (Jeremiah 20:9).

When I was a senior in high school I was told by many veterans, “If you're ever in the military never draw attention to yourself and never volunteer!” I got their point that to volunteer meant hardship and headache.

For years when I read the gospel accounts of Christ's arrest I believed He had no say in the matter. But recently I have come to understand that when arrested by the Romans and guards of the High Priest, Jesus surrendered voluntarily. In fact through His entire trial and crucifixion every second He had all power and control to stop it and bring devastating punishment on his accusers. But He voluntarily chose to endure it.

At His arrest His power and authority were immediately demonstrated by pushing those men to the ground. At that moment He told Peter He could call twelve legions of angels to save Him (Matthew 26:53). It is to be remembered one angel of the LORD went through the army of the Assyrians besieging Jerusalem and in one night and killed 185,000 of those attacking Jerusalem (2nd Kings 19:35). Think of what twelve legions could have done to the Earth!

Jesus said He had come at His Father's request to accomplish His will of redemption (John 12:49, Hebrews 10:7). In fact, this was the determined will of His Father before the Earth was created (Revelation 13:8). That means after His arrest He allowed everything done to Him to satisfy God's wrath against my sins and yours if we would only believe in Him (Luke 23:42,43, Acts 16:31). Everything He has done was for this purpose. Before His kingdom could come sin had to be dealt with first.

All Jesus did leading to the shedding of His blood on the cross was voluntary (Hebrews 12:2). Someone rarely would die for a righteous person but Christ died for all, the unrighteous and the righteous, for all have sinned (Romans 3:23). And He did it when He had all power and authority to say “No.” I'm glad He never listened to anyone who said, “Jesus, never volunteer for anything.” Because He did He bridged the gap for us to come approach God without the blood sacrifices commanded under the Law. He became the final blood sacrifice for us. He was the Greatest Volunteer in all history and I'm humbled and grateful that He did. Meditate on that today and let that fill you with wonder and to voluntarily take Him into your heart and mind. Blessings to you.

Ken

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2nd Timothy 4:7

Looking Down the Road

When the Apostle Paul knew his life was coming to a close he wrote a touching letter to Timothy, his son in the faith. He had likened his life and service for his LORD to a race that was well run. He was finished, from his first encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus to his death under the Roman tyrant Nero. He had positively kept faith with his calling to the very end.

This will be my final devotional thoughts blog post. I sense the LORD is leading me to a different stage of life. I'm not sure what that looks like but God is good and faithful and I rest in that. In having written devotional thoughts for more than 20 years, beginning in 1995 via email, I have labored to share sound biblical doctrine and preach Christ and Him crucified (1^st Corinthians 2:2). I am sure I have kept the faith and run my race with true belief and purpose in Christ. It is time to move down the road with the LORD and experience all the goodness He has waiting for me there. My blog site will remain available to any persons who wish to access it.

My hope is in sharing my thoughts and experiences in my walk with the LORD folks have been encouraged and edified. That was my goal in Jesus Christ. As I finish this phase of my life I encourage you with Paul's words to the Christians at Ephesus; “I keep asking that the God of our LORD Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better” (Ephesians 1:17).

Finally I say farewell until we meet again for I want you to be sure it is not the end. I shall meet and greet many of you for the first time in the coming Kingdom which our blessed LORD and Messiah will establish at His return. It has been the highest honor to have been used to build up and edify the Saints of God in Christ Jesus. Blessings and love to you all. Keep fighting the good fight O ye good and faithful servants!

Ken

And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of the and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:2 (ESV)

No Crisis of Conscience

I recently watched a video of the Gospel of Matthew. Having read this gospel hundreds of times in my lifetime it should have come as no surprise at how many times Jesus drew children to Himself to demonstrate the humility and simple faith one must have to enter the kingdom of God, but surprise me it did. In the process of His ministry Jesus continually demonstrated little children do not suffer from a crisis of conscience.

It has always amazed me that the gospel message has caused Christian scholars at times to scratch their heads in mystification yet remain simple enough for a child to understand. I recently watched a video on social media of a little girl, perhaps 4 years old at the most, explain the gospel message in amazing detail. I was reminded of children in the temple shouting to Christ “Hosanna to the Son of David!” (Matthew 21:15).

The chief priests and scribes were outraged at this and chastised Jesus asking Him “Don't you hear what these are saying?” In other words silence them. Jesus, acknowledging the children's recognition and devotion, did not rebuke them but replied “Yes; have you never read, “'Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies you have prepared praise?'” 

Living out our thoughts in the simplicity of child-like faith produces godly actions bearing spiritual fruit. Our Heavenly Father sees us as His children so why should we not let down our walls and sit on His lap? He is Abba, Daddy, so let us rest our heads against His breast and relax in His care. Laying our heads on Him means laying our burdens on Him. This is what He asks us to do (Matthew 11:28-30).

As that sweet old children's song goes, “Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight. Jesus loves the little children of the world.” Becoming as a little child in His sight is easy. As easy as laying our head on His breast and whispering “Daddy.”

Ken

He [Jesus] presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. Acts 1:3 (English Standard Version)

With Great Boldness

Easter and Passover are upon us and we speak much of the resurrection of our LORD and the silence of an empty tomb. And we should. It was the pivotal point of history and the completion of God's redemptive plan. But what followed is the continuing evidence of the eye witnessed historical event. The proof in the pudding, so to speak. 

In the past I have written much of the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. I will not go into an apology (defense) of it here. There is enough eye witness accounts by hundreds to suffice. Instead of the how let's look at the change and power it achieved. What transformed cowed and frightened disciples into Gospel dynamos? Their disbelief of Christ's resurrection turned to awe and then worship after His crucifixion and death when Jesus presented Himself to them alive bodily asking for and eating some broiled fish before them (Luke 24:41-43). He showed Himself to them; the crucifixion wounds, and told them to feel His fleshly body for they thought they were seeing a ghost (Vs 36).

This was the first testimony. Peter speaking for the disciples (we) of being on-the-scene eye witnesses of Christ's majesty (2^nd Peter 1:16). The second testimony came on the Day of Pentecost when Christ poured out upon 120 disciples the power of His Holy Spirit. It has continued among believers to this day.

Peter and John were arrested by the high priests for preaching Christ with boldness and skill. It even baffled and astonished them (Acts 4:13). How could common and uneducated men preach with such knowledge and expertise? The high priests charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. Peter boldly stood up to their threats saying “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard" (Acts 4:19-20). Even for that the writer of Acts tells us in chapter 6 (vs 7) that many of the priests too became 'obedient to the faith.' Wonder of wonders. What did they hear and see that brought them to faith? Surely it was not timid disciples faintly talking about their dead Lord but men filled with the promised power of the Holy Spirit and their Living LORD.

How does this ring true for us today? The Holy Spirit and the resurrection come hand-in-hand. Without the resurrection of Christ our faith and preaching is useless (1^st Corinthians 15:14). Without the Holy Spirit we have none of the active affects of God. But because Christ was resurrected and we have the Holy Spirit we have access to salvation, peace, boldness and power to share the Gospel, renewal and regeneration, joy, and wisdom by which we can understand God to name a few.

Easter is a marvelous season of renewal and reminder that those in Christ have eternal life right now. But it means more than just an empty tomb. It means a satisfying and personal relationship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. One we can share with gladness. This Easter when someone says to you “He is risen!” you can respond in complete confidence and boldness “He is risen indeed. And so much more.”

Ken