Not Outward but Inward
Father, how many times have You met me here? I’ve long lost count but You know. This has been an anchor for me. Through ups and downs, it has kept me tethered to You. I have drifted in the past, but it’s never let me get too far. Thank You for Your hand in it all. Thank You for Your unrelenting love.
Romans 2:25-29 (<<click here to read the passage)
I realize that some have been totally turned off by all that has been going on since Queen Elizabeth’s passing. They are tired of hearing about all the inner workings of royalty and the transition of “power”, such as it is. I find it interesting myself, though I must admit that I’ve only been keeping tabs on a news story here and there.
But as I was reading through today’s text, a thought came to me. For millennia, in Great Britain and many other countries over time, leadership of this nature has passed from generation to generation – father or mother to son or daughter, whatever the case may have been. At the center of it all – plain and simple – was bloodline. Where a father may have been a very strong all-around leader – great with decisions, wise in his dealings, fair in his judgments, gifted in his military strategies – his heir, who took things into his hands upon his father’s death, could very well have been entirely incompetent on all fronts. All countries have suffered from very poor leadership at some time or another.
Just because an individual was of royal birth, just because they had been around and gone through all the pomp and circumstance of living in such an environment, does not mean that they automatically have what it takes to lead as their forebearers have.
Paul plainly states in verse 28,
For you are not a true Jew just because you were born of Jewish parents or because you have gone through the ceremony of circumcision.
Just because my father and mother gave themselves over to the Lord and faithfully obeyed his directives for their lives, does not mean that I “inherit” their salvation. Just because I might be capable of parroting their actions and vocabulary when it comes to “Christian” living does not mean that I am automatically a Christian. Their influence upon my life is of great importance but unless I embrace for myself that intimate relationship with God, all my words and actions are worthless.
Each of us is responsible for ourselves…no one else. I cannot make decisions for anyone but myself. My wife makes her own decisions. My son makes his own decisions. All the men and women of my congregations are responsible for making their own decisions. I can only point them in the right direction. And they should question even that, assuring within themselves – in light of the Holy Spirit’s leading – that I have spoken the truth.
Circumcision was an outward sign of a Jew’s relationship with God, but Paul made it very clear that that wasn’t enough. True circumcision was more than an external and physical act. To be a true Jew – and for that matter a true Christian – it is being one inwardly; and [true] circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by [the fulfillment of] the letter [of the Law]. His praise is not from men, but from God. v29 AMP
Lord Jesus, may we all yield to You. We cannot enter a relationship with You based on anyone else’s relationship with You. It is our decision and ours alone.
Oct 12th, 2022, Wed, 7:45 pm
They Blaspheme God’s Name Because of You
Thank You, Father, for Your active participation in our lives. When we are struggling with which way to go, we turn, and You are there! A prayer answered that had yet to be spoken! All praise to our loving, Heavenly Father!
Romans 2:17-29 (<<click here to read the passage)
OK, this is a very hard question to ask and an even more difficult question to answer… Does the world around us blaspheme God’s name because of us? Or maybe because of Christians in general?
In this particular passage, Paul exclaims in verse 24,
“The Gentiles blaspheme the name of God because of you.”
For some perspective, Paul here is quoting the prophet, Isaiah. (Isaiah 52:5 – from the Greek version of the Hebrew Scriptures. Most New Testament quotes of Old Testament passages are shared from the Greek translations of those passages.) So, this wasn’t a new problem. Keep in mind that when both Isaiah and Paul said it, they were speaking to the Jews. Anyone who wasn’t a Jew was a Gentile. But when we read it, we can definitely apply it to ourselves – believers in Christ, with the Gentiles being understood to be unbelievers.
My Life Application Study Bible makes it pretty clear.
Despite our knowledge of God’s will, we are guilty because we, too, refuse to live by it. Those of us who have grown up in Christian families may know what God’s Word says. But Paul says that if we do not live up to what we know, we are no better off than unbelievers.
In essence, it goes on to say, that we need to teach ourselves, not others, by God’s word. Many believers know the law so well that we’ve also learned how to excuse our own actions while criticizing others.
Where we get into trouble is thinking that the “law” is just a set of rules. God’s word is far more than that…it is a guide on maintaining a relationship with Him. Without that relationship, we cannot please God.
Think about some of Jesus’ teachings. We know that we are not to steal, but in Mark 7:9-13 He clearly points out that even when we withhold something that rightfully belongs to someone else, that is stealing.
We know that adultery is wrong but in Matthew 5:27-28 Jesus exclaims that anyone who even looks at another person with lust in their eyes has already committed adultery with them in their heart.
Here is the line that needs to be drawn. Before we accuse others, we must look at ourselves and see if sin, in any form, exists within us.
But before you ready yourself to move on while thinking to yourself, “So and so should sure see this!”, hold on just a moment.
It seems that in our current culture Christians are working overtime to see how much “Christianity” they can literally, forcibly ram down people’s throats. The mentality is that they don’t care at all who you are or what you believe but you will abide by what I believe and that’s that! And the result?
“The Gentiles blaspheme the name of God because of you.”
Read the Gospels, all four of them, and you will not find a single example of Jesus living that way. He never once forced Himself on them. He loved them. He died for them as much as He died for us. Live as Jesus lived. Love as Jesus loved. Amen.
Oct 11th, 2022, Tues, 1:18 pm
The Velveteen Rabbit and My Bible
Father, as usual, this Sunday has been full and my body and mind are feeling it! You’ve already been at work in my heart and mind and I am ready for what You have for me this evening. Amen.
********
Are you familiar with The Velveteen Rabbit? It’s a book by Margery Williams, and interestingly enough, it was originally published 100 years ago this year! It chronicles the story of a stuffed rabbit’s desire to become real through the love of his owner, a young boy. Initially, he pays the rabbit no mind, but after losing his favorite toy, his nanny puts the velveteen rabbit with him in bed.
From that point on the two are inseparable and over time the rabbit begins to show the wear of the boy’s love. He becomes shabbier and shabbier. Though that is the case, the boy’s love does not fade.
The story continues, but for my intent and purposes, I’m stopping there.
Wow, if you can see the study Bible that I use for writing my blog. It is hardbound, but it is extremely worn. My dust cover is in pieces. Part of the hardbound spine is not attached. The binding is holding up, but the front board cover is just holding on by the glue cementing it to the inside paper cover.
I could replace it. I suppose I could cover it with tape. Like we used to do in school, I could take a brown paper bag and make a cover for it once I had taped it. But at least at this point, I’m keeping it just the way it is.
It is worn. It is shabby and getting shabbier every day.
Here’s what is important, the way it looks does not affect what is inside – what is inside of it… and what is inside of me. God’s Word is not limited to the physicalness of that book. Regardless of how worn it gets, it will always be alive, impacting, and life-changing.
The Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 3:16-17,
All Scripture is God-breathed [given by divine inspiration] and is profitable for instruction, for conviction [of sin], for correction [of error and restoration to obedience], for training in righteousness [learning to live in conformity to God’s will, both publicly and privately—behaving honorably with personal integrity and moral courage]; so that the man of God (i.e. all believers whether man, woman, or child) may be complete and proficient, outfitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work. AMP
So, my challenge for you is to strive to make sure at least one of your Bibles is a shabby one. Oh, and by the way, this is a DIY project – Do It Yourself! No cheating!
This is not a short-term project. I do my best to take care of my Bible but it gets used a lot! It’s been my go-to Bible since the beginning of my MoreThanUseless blog – so for 7 years, it has had regular use! And, I tell you what, I wouldn’t change a thing! Wear your Bible out and you won’t…at least not spiritually!
Oct 9th, 2022, Sun, 7:23 pm
Dependent
Father, enable me to be usable where I am. Sometimes I feel unusable due to my thickness of head. I’m not trying to be uncooperative, but I would ask that You remove anything that would inhibit my ability to act in ways pleasing to You. Amen.
********
From experience, I know that the devotional – The Valley of Vision – has so much to offer. I interject portions here and there but this time I’d like to put forth part of a prayer entitled Love to Jesus. These are all taken from the writings of the Puritans hundreds of years ago, but so often their thoughts are my thoughts. The Lord continues to speak through them.
I’m going to try something a little different. What they wrote is in indented, italicized blue and my thoughts are in black. Feel free to comment!
It is fitting thou shouldest not regard me,
….for I am vile and selfish;
I am a sinner, as we all are sinners. We are predisposed to sin – our thoughts, our words, our actions. Is there any part of us that is not vile or selfish?
You, Lord Jesus, are pure and holy to the uttermost, the way things are sin cannot exist in Your presence but You, as only You could have done, made a way for me.
….yet… despite my vileness
……………I seek thee,
….and when I find thee there is no wrath to devour me,
….but only sweet love.
Sweet love! Nothing else could do the work that it accomplishes!
Thou dost stand as a rock between the scorching sun and my soul,
….and I live under the cool lee-side as one elect.
I deserve the “scorching”. I have earned it in my rebellion. It does not impact You, but You stand as my shield, my wall, my protector! Your grace enables me to live and serve You as a chosen one!
When my mind acts without thee
….it spins nothing but deceit and delusion;
When my affections act without thee
….nothing is seen but dead works.
O how I need thee to abide in me,
….for I have no natural eyes to see thee,
….but I live by faith in one whose face to me
……..is brighter than a thousand suns!
One of the many things that I have come to understand in my journey by Your side (and oft times I must be reminded of them, for I am prone to wander) is that the only way to truly, victoriously make this journey is proclaimed in the line that says, “O how I need thee to abide in me”.
I am incapable in my own strength – I fall without You. I cannot last a single day without temptation luring me to yield to the simplest of lures. I need Your strength to stand strong.
I am inept in loving with my limited love – I lash out. I far too often reflect the world in its anger and selfish ambition. Compassion is in short supply. Patience is quickly diminished. You loving through me is the only hope I have. In some cases, it may be the only hope others have of seeing Your love for them.
Lord Jesus, I am totally dependent upon You. May I never forget. I plead that You will never cease to remind me, moment by moment, that You alone are my Savior. And that is not just because of Your sacrifice 2000 years ago, but You are my Savior incalculable times throughout every day! All praise to You!
Oct 6th, 2022, Thurs, 6:58 pm
Secret Lives
An excerpt from The Love of Jesus from The Valley of Vision:
If traces of Christ’s love-artistry be upon me,
….may he work on with his divine brush
….until the complete image be obtained
….and I be made a perfect copy of him, my Master.
Romans 2:1-16 (<<click here to read the passage)
Maybe you’ve heard this one before, but it teaches us a few lessons.
Mildred, the church gossip and self-appointed monitor of the church’s morals, kept sticking her nose into other people’s business. Several members disapproved of her extra-curricular activities but feared her enough to maintain their silence.
She made a mistake, however, when she accused George, a new member, of being a “drinker” after she saw his old truck parked in front of the town’s only bar one afternoon.
She emphatically told George in the presence of several others, that whoever saw it there would know what he was doing.
George, a man of few words, stared at her for a moment and just turned and walked away. He didn’t explain, defend, or deny. He said nothing.
Later that evening, George quietly parked his truck in front of Mildred’s house…walked home…and left it there all night.
Even an “implied” secret life can get us into trouble. But in reality, it is only genuine secret lives for which we will be held accountable.
Paul states in verse 16,
And this is the message I proclaim—that the day is coming when God, through Christ Jesus, will judge everyone’s secret life. NLT
I’d be surprised that anyone would not have some sort of secret life. We all have thoughts and desires that we would be reluctant to share with the world.
Now it’s easy to automatically jump to bad secret lives, but I can guarantee that many people live good secret lives, as well. People who do unsung acts of kindness, helping others in need. And they do it all behind the scenes, always avoiding detection of the recipients or the world around them.
Jesus talked about this in Matthew 6:1-4,
“Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.” NLT
That’s the good…but we must be wary of leading secret lives that we would want no one to know about because of their leaning towards – or wallowing in – sin. I’m not going to list those for as I said, I’d be surprised that anyone would not have some sort of secret life. So, I think we could fill in those blanks pretty readily.
I am not shirking off responsibility on our part for without doubt those things need to be addressed. Our relationships with Christ will never move forward if we keep those things lingering beneath the surface of our lives
The author of Hebrews 12 encourages us to “throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” vs1b-2 NIV
May that be our prayer, knowing that the day is coming…
Oct 5th, 2022, Wed, 7:06 pm