Tag Archives: Philippians

The snare of indifference and discontentment

Posted on January 14, 2014 by | Comments Off on The snare of indifference and discontentment

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Yesterday afternoon, as I left the community college campus, I got a good look at the inside of my car.  As I was putting my things in the back seat, a pen fell out of my book and onto the floorboard and that is when it hit me how dirty the interior of my car had gotten.  A soda bottle in the floorboard, small leaves and grass, and small pebbles and dirt nearly completely cover both the back and front floorboards. Dust covers the dashboard, a thin layer of film covers the inside of the windshield, and the ashtray is full of pennies.  I hadn’t realized that I had let the car get so bad until that moment.  And then, I began to realize that the problem was not the cold weather or the lack of time to keep the car clean – the problem was I had lost perspective.

Yes, the car I drive is a 2003 Ford Taurus.  It’s a stock model, nothing fancy – but it is the car that God provided for me when I needed it.  It may not have been my first choice, the color, or even the type of car I wanted; God didn’t provide for my wants but provided more than adequately for my needs. The apostle Paul has even told us about the bountiful grace of the Lord Jesus Christ: But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). God promises us that he will meet our needs when we depend upon his provision. The apostle Paul also wrote Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee (Hebrews 13:5) and But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content (I Timothy 6:6-8). What more should I have wanted? I had God’s promise that he would provide for my needs, that he would remain beside me, and he has remained faithful to do those things, yet I willingly chose to treat his provisions for me with a careless attitude.

During the earthly ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ, he even taught those who were willing to listen of their importance in the eyes of God: Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things (Matthew 6:26-32).

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God’s absolute judgment

Posted on January 3, 2014 by | Comments Off on God’s absolute judgment

Gold Lady Justice, in Brugge, Belgium.

Across our nation, there is a statue that adorns many courthouses across the land – the statue, Lady Justice – is seen as being the perfect representation of the ideals of American jurisprudence. She is blindfolded, and in one hand holds up a balance, while holding a sword in the other. Our nation takes great pride in the dispensation of justice.  Phrases such as “justice is blind” and “equal protection under the law” are taught in nearly every high school civics class across the country.  Recently, I heard some people in my community talking about various local judges; one was considered a “good judge” because he was deemed as understanding, cared about people and always tried to find a way to give them a second chance.  The other judge was seen as evil, wicked and uncaring because he does not give second chances and always gives the criminal the harshest penalties that the law allows.

Just as the three people were discussing the implementation of man’s idea of justice, we have all come across people that try and view God’s implementation of justice in similar fashion.  The world (and some so-called “Christian” denominations) have the idea that God weighs your good and bad deeds and as long as your good deeds outweigh the bad, then you’ll get into Heaven.  This is far from the truth; in fact, Jesus taught against this very thing: And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions (Matthew 19:16-22).

Overall, this young man was what the world would be considered a decent, good man.  It was not his great deeds, his good and wholesome lifestyle, or even his great wealth that would keep him from eternal life.  The thing that would keep him from gaining eternal life was his lack of obedience and faith – the young man loved his wealth and the prestige and security that comes with it.  Instead of depending upon the Lord Jesus Christ and the promise that even the apostle Paul understood, But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19), this young man took great comfort in relying on his own works, his own hands, and his own understanding. He didn’t want to hear the teachings of Jesus: 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 (Matthew 6:19-21).

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Preparing for the onset of temptation

Posted on January 2, 2014 by | Comments Off on Preparing for the onset of temptation

reading-bible_2316_1024x805Anyone that knows me will tell you that, besides the disabilities I have as a result of my military service, I rarely get sick. This time of the year—during the middle of winter—is one of the two times a year I  either will catch a sinus infection or the flu. As Michelle can tell you, I do not make a good patient; I am grouchy, whiny, want to be left alone, and crave only coffee.  If you are like me, I can usually tell when I am about to come down with some sort of bug.  As soon as I feel the tickle in my sinus cavities, I begin drinking gallons of orange juice, taking both daytime and nighttime cold medications, and hosing down the house in disinfectant in anticipation of the cold.

I began thinking that if I do all of these things—the taking of cold medications, drinking juice, and everything else on just the idea of getting the cold, why don’t we take the same precautions when it comes to dealing with sin in our lives? Sure, there are no pills, no special spray, or ointment that alleviates our fleshly nature from wanting to sin.  Even the apostle Paul had to deal with the realities of the flesh drawn to the lusts and desires of the world; it is for this very reason Paul wrote For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me (Romans 7:14-20). Make no mistake about what Paul is warning every Christian about—there is a real battle going on within the hearts of every born-again believer. As long as you live within this body of clay, you’ll fight the fight. You’ll feel the pull of the flesh; sometimes you’ll emerge victorious by the leading of the Holy Spirit.  Other times, you’ll end up face first in the dirt at the feet of the Lord Jesus Christ asking for forgiveness.

Just as we prepare to face the cold and flu season we can also prepare ourselves to face our temptations that so readily play to the appetite of our flesh. There are some things we can do to prepare ourselves in facing our temptations:

  • Study the Bible: This is where learning to resist the temptations of the flesh begins.  David wrote, Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee (Psalms 119:11). As a child of God, it should be our desire to want to seek God’s counsel in all that we do.  When we read the Bible, it begins to manifest itself in our hearts; it will give us strength to resist the temptations to sin. Even the Lord Jesus Christ quoted scripture when he was tempted by Satan.  Memorize a verse or two and when you feel the temptations of sin approaching, recite the verses and find comfort and strength enough to resist what Satan has to offer.
  • Pray for ourselves and others: Within the book of James there are two scriptures that should cause every Christian to want a better and stronger prayer life: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much (James 5:15-16). Add to this verse the understanding of the apostle Paul, Pray without ceasing (I Thessalonians 5:17) and Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God (Philippians 4:6), it becomes clear we should always be near to our Heavenly Father through prayer.  It is through prayer that we can call upon His grace and mercy to sustain us during times of temptation.
  • Avoid the things that tempt us to sin: Solomon, heralded as the wisest of all kings, wrote, Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away (Proverbs 4:14-15) and Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil (Proverbs 4:27). This is some sound  advice for anyone who wants to resist the temptation to sin. When we find ourselves being tempted or committing sin, we have often put ourselves within the situation that led us to being tempted.  Avoid the places and people who offer us easy access to the things that tempt us to sin.  Avoid being placed in situations where the temptation to sin will override our ability to resist.  In other words, be aware of our surroundings.
  • Make an effort to be at church or with other Christians: Again, turning to the writings of the apostle Paul, Christians are encouraged to spend time with others of the faith: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching (Hebrews 10:25). Even the Lord Jesus Christ encourages us to seek the companionship of other Christians: For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them (Matthew 18:20). Quite simply, there is safety in numbers.  When we are regularly attending church it can strengthen our resolve to resist the temptations of sin.  And when we are not in church, we can still seek His assurances and strength by associating ourselves with other Christians.  We are less likely to cave to our fleshly weaknesses when we are in the presence of other Christians.
  • Sing a song to the Lord: There’s something about singing a song simply to praise and bring honor to God that elevates even the most tempted soul.  David wrote, While I live will I praise the LORD: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being (Psalms 146:2) and Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of my mercy (Psalms 59:17). It does not matter if you sing a hymn known by millions or a song you are making up on the spot—but let your heart sing to the goodness of the Lord   Jesus Christ!  When we are singing praises to God I honestly believe that the Lord Jesus Christ bends a little to hear the song from our hearts.  The apostle Paul understood this and even encouraged us to offer such praise to Him: By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name (Hebrews 13:15). Want to make devils tremble? When you’re tempted to sin, let Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me, ring from your lips and heart.
  • Know our adversary and don’t surrender: The apostle Peter warns us to Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour (I Peter 5:8).  James urges us to Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you (James 4:7). We must be aware of the things that appeal to our flesh and realize that the devil knows these weaknesses we have too. He knows when we are at our weakest and knows just how much he needs to push.  The Lord Jesus Christ promises us that if we will resist this pressure, then Satan will flee from us—and the reason is not because of anything we are doing, but because we are allowing Christ to work through us by submitting to His perfect will. Satan has no power as long as we resist temptation.

Knowing how to prepare to face temptations actually can serve to strengthen our walk with the Lord Jesus Christ.  It is important that each day we make a conscious effort to keep our walk with the Lord Jesus Christ as close as we possibly can.  Only then can we enjoy the perfect peace and joy that Christ can bring.

[Because of current copyright laws in the United States, and even though I am the author of this devotional, it is required that I indicate that this was originally published in the January 2014 edition of Gospel Light Baptist Church newsletter, available at http://www.glbcky.com.]

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