Category: Discipleship Essentials

Overcoming Abandonment

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This article is related to a series entitled Wonderful Counseling. It addresses how to overcome abandonment.

All bondage is based on a lie.

This goes back to the garden of Eden where Satan seduced Adam and Eve to open the door to bondage and death by believing multiple lies. Satan convinced them that God did not have their best interests at heart and that disobeying him would not result in death. You know the rest of the story. Ever since then Satan, whom Jesus called the “father of lies,” has been hard at work convincing each generation to believe lies instead of God’s truth, which is found in the Bible and in the person of Jesus the Messiah.

One of the most devastating and predominant lies comes under the general category of abandonment.

Adam and Eve abandoned God when they chose to follow the interloper instead of their Creator, which resulted in God’s casting them out of the garden, sentencing them to a life of hardship, and cutting them off from the source of eternal life. However, God never truly abandoned them. In words spoken to the serpent just after the exposing of Adam’s and Eve’s sin, God gave all of us the promise that one of Eve’s descendants would defeat Satan.

And I will cause hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.” Genesis 3:15 (NLT)

This is the very first Bible verse related to the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the fulfillment of that promise. The Hebrew word translated “strike” can also mean “bruise” or “crush.” Paul wrote thousands of years later that God’s people will play a part in Satan’s ultimate and utter defeat, when he penned these words: “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.” (Romans 16:20 NLT) If I were translating the Genesis passage, I probably would word it thusly: “He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” Satan indeed struck Jesus at the cross, but that strike did not ultimately kill him. Instead God the Father raised him from the dead and gave him authority over all things, including Satan. Satan was defeated on the cross, but we are still in the middle of “mopping up” operations. God is using his people to finally and completely crush the devil.

The LORD said to my Lord, “Sit in the place of honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.” Psalm 110:1 (NLT)

We also learn from that Genesis verse that God has a line of people and Satan has one. God has separated out for himself people from the beginning of time.

God chose the ones who would belong to him before he created the world.

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. 4  Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. 5  God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. Ephesians 1:3-5 (NLT)

This passage strikes a death blow at the lie-based stronghold named abandonment. It does not matter whether we have been abandoned by our parents, spouses, or anyone else. If we become followers of Christ, the Bible tells us that it was because God chose us, not because we chose him.

For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me, and at the last day I will raise them up. John 6:44 (NLT)

No one has the innate spiritual ability to come to Christ without being drawn by the Father via his Holy Spirit. If you are a follower of Christ it is because God knew you and chose you to be his before he made the world. It means that he sent his Son to die for you and afterward sent his Spirit to draw you to Christ. He worked in you to open your heart to the gospel, resulting in your being able to properly respond in repentance and faith.

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9  Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 10  For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:8-10 (NLT)

Once we come to Christ by faith, we are sealed with the Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee that God will complete or finish what he began on Calvary.

And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. 14  The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him. Ephesians 1:13-14 (NLT)

Sometimes parents reject their own children. Often marriage partners become disillusioned or embittered with their spouses and abandon them.

God never becomes disillusioned with us because he knew all about us before he created and redeemed us.

There is nothing we may say or do that will catch him by surprise. When Jesus died for us, he saw us completely – the good, the bad, and the ugly, and he said a resounding “yes” to our heavenly Father’s choice of us to be in his eternal family.

Jesus will never reject or abandon those for whom he died.

Never will you hear our Lord say, “Oops, my bad. I made a mistake choosing you.” Instead he boldly declared the following words.

...those the Father has given me will come to me, and I will never reject them. John 6:37 (NLT)

If you are a person who continually battles with the inner belief that you will ultimately be rejected and abandoned by those you love, that stronghold is no doubt based on past experience with disloyal people. It is likely that you participated in the lie by preemptively abandoning others before they could do it to you. You have been deeply wounded, which set the stage for believing the lie that even God will abandon you. It is not true. God will never leave you or forsake you. (Joshua 1:5 and Hebrews 13:5)

I have called you back from the ends of the earth, saying, ‘You are my servant.’ For I have chosen you and will not throw you away. 10  Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:9-10 (NLT)
 
Prayer to Overcome Abandonment

Father God, I now realize that I have believed the lie that everyone I love and even you will eventually abandon me. Forgive me for thinking that you are like people who have rejected and left me. Thank you that you chose me to be your child before you created the world. Thank you for sending Jesus to pay the penalty for my sins so that I could be reconciled to you. Thank you for sending your Spirit to work inside me to make me open to the gospel. Thank you for sending those persons who shared the good news about Jesus with me. Thank you for those you sent to pray for me and disciple me. Thank you that you sealed me with your Holy Spirit, which guarantees that you will complete in my life what you began when you will one day raise me from the dead to dwell with you forever. I now renounce the generational lie of abandonment. I repent for believing that lie and acting in accordance with it. I believe that you set me from from these things. Help me to show love and loyalty to you and others for the rest of my life. Amen.

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The Key to Stress Free Living

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The key to stress free living is pretty simple. We only need to give God control of our lives.

The author of the Letter to the Hebrews listed repentance from dead works as one of the six foundational doctrines of Christ. (Hebrews 6:1 NASB) Dead works can be defined as our human efforts to make ourselves look good in God’s and people’s eyes through our words and behavior.

We are unable to put ourselves in a right standing with God through our own effort. The prophet Isaiah warned us that the attempt to do so is repulsive to God.

For all of us have become like one who is unclean, And all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment; And all of us wither like a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. Isaiah 64:6 (NASB)

Nevertheless, we deceive ourselves into thinking that we can make a few adjustments, try harder, and turn things around spiritually, not realizing that everything originating out of self is a dead work.

Anything that does not originate with God’s Spirit and derive from faith is a dead work.

Sin is much deeper than words, acts, and attitudes. It infects us to the core and is part of what we inherited from our forefathers due to the Fall. When we are born, we come into this world as little sin factories. No matter how hard we try to overcome this inherited condition, we will fail.

For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin. Romans 7:14 (NASB)

That which originates in our own human effort is called the “flesh,” as opposed to that which originates in God, which is called the Spirit.

It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life. John 6:63 (NASB)

Religion is mostly man’s attempt to gain and maintain a right relationship with God through human effort, which is a dead work. Religion approaches the sin problem and its resultant separation from God in one of two ways. It might deny there is a problem, as do Eastern religions which insist that both good and evil exist in God (Yin and Yang) and should not concern us. (e.g. Star Wars “the Force,” Buddhism, modern psychiatry, and various perversions of Christianity). This approach insists that God does not condemn anyone and salvation consists in coming to that realization. Basically, I’m okay and you’re okay. We don’t need a Savior because we are not separated from God. It is all an illusion, and Jesus died needlessly.

Those who deny that sin is a problem may gain a counterfeit and illusory form of peace, but will still have to account to God for their sinful condition and acts.

The other end of the spectrum is found in the Jewish Law of Moses. Under this system, by keeping God’s laws we gain access to God’s favor and blessing. This approach recognizes that sin is real, separates us from God, and causes death, but insists that we can work hard at keeping God’s commands and earn a right standing with God.

But the Apostle Paul explained that the purpose of the Law is to reveal our hopeless condition and the impossibility of gaining a right standing with God through keeping its requirements.

Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God? May it never be! For if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been based on law. 22  But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. 23  But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed. 24  Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. Galatians 3:21-24 (NASB)

Those who fall for the deception that a right standing with God can be achieved through self-effort either become religious zealots and intolerant of those who fall short of their standards or demoralized when they finally come to end of their striving with the realization that it is a hopeless endeavor.

When we choose this second option, there is no possibility of rest for our souls because we can never be good enough to clear the bar of God’s perfect holiness.

That is why we need a Savior and repentance from all self-effort.

The Essence of Sin: The Self-Directed Life

At its core, sin originates in a mistrust of God. Satan induced Adam and Eve to doubt God’s goodness. The result was their attempt to become independent from him. Sin is a rebellious self-aggrandizing attempt to make our own decisions, run our own lives, and impose our own rules – to be little gods. Satan deceived Adam and Eve into thinking that they could throw off the Creator’s built in limitations on our lives and “be like God” – needing nothing.

Because of the generational aspect of sin, the allure of living a self-directed life pulls at the heart of every person and is the essence of sin.

Repentance and the God-Directed Life

The gospel calls people back into alignment with God’s original plan – living in harmony with God and his will.

Through faith in Christ, we can be forgiven of our rebellion and come back into God’s family and blessing. We can experience his life inside us through the indwelling Holy Spirit. But for this to happen, we must repent. Because of our pride, it is deeply humbling for us to admit our need for God and to obey him; nevertheless, it is the most rewarding way to live. We think that becoming servants of God will strip us of our dignity and freedom and deprive us of some of the things that bring delight to our lives. This is the lie that Satan set up with our first parents and still pulls at us today.

Jesus, the perfect God-man, lived the way God intended. In his own words:

...“I tell you the solemn truth, the Son can do nothing on his own initiative, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, the Son does likewise. John 5:19 (NET1)

When Jesus calls people to repent and enter God’s kingdom, he challenges us to turn away from the vain attempt to direct our own lives and to embrace His rule.

Repentance requires us to stop playing God and to acknowledge the rightful ruler, Jesus the Lord.

The Gospel and Christ’s Lordship

Paul understood that Jesus is both Lord and Savior. He calls us to confess that Jesus is Lord and believe in our hearts that he is the risen Savior – the Lamb of God.

The gospel challenges and invites us to repent (make Jesus Lord) and believe (receive salvation) – to surrender our “rights” and receive God’s blessings.

...because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9 (NET1)

Confessing that Jesus is Lord is the most fundamental act of repentance. Doing so opens the door to receive all the benefits he died and rose to win for us. That begins a lifelong journey of daily surrender to God’s will.

The Restful Life

Attempting to direct our own lives creates stress that we were not designed to carry.

We do not have the wisdom, knowledge, or power to live self-directed lives. Repentance opens the door to life as God intended it to be. Jesus invites us to:

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke on you and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and my load is not hard to carry.” Matthew 11:28-30 (NET1)

Confessing that Jesus is the Lord is the gateway into the blessings he won for us on the cross, which include a life of rest by faith.

We are able to cease from religiously striving to be right with God when we accept that he won that privilege for us through his own perfect life.

So there is a special rest still waiting for the people of God. 10  For all who have entered into God’s rest have rested from their labors, just as God did after creating the world. Hebrews 4:9-10 (NLT)

The Lordship of Christ is an absolutely crucial part of the Gospel, requiring us to repent from the self-directed life, which Paul calls the “flesh,” which God refuses to bless, since it is an abomination to him.

So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh— 13  for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body [repenting], you will live. 14  For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. Romans 8:12-14 (NASB)

The only life that can receive the fullness of God’s blessing is the life that we live in cooperation with and dependence upon the Holy Spirit. Surrender to Jesus the Lord is the narrow door through which Gospel blessings are accessed.

Application

If you have never made a conscious decision to surrender every aspect of your being to Jesus, now is the time. This will include the following: relationships, time, money, health, your future, security, provision, self-image and fulfillment – everything, even life itself. Do this and you will begin to experience true freedom and a new level of rest.

In the same way therefore not one of you can be my disciple if he does not renounce all his own possessions. Luke 14:33 (NET1)

The Greek word translated “renounce” means to “say good-bye.” Say good-bye to everything that stands between you and a full surrender to Jesus. Say hello to the Spirit-led life and the rest that comes from being in a right relationship with God.

Prayer

Jesus, I am tired of trying to direct my own life. Please forgive me for living independently from you. I surrender myself and all I have to you. Thank you for forgiving my sins and including me in your forever family and blessings. Thank you for sending your Holy Spirit to live inside me. I look forward to seeing what you will do with my life. Have your way in me from this day forward. Amen.

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You Are Not Alone

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One of the greatest encouragements when we find ourselves in difficult situations is to know we are not alone. Sin isolates us from God and each other. So does fear. Christmas is the annual celebration of the coming of Emmanuel – God with Us. There is no greater truth in the Bible than the amazing good news that, because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, we need no longer be alone. Emmanuel has made it possible for us to not only know God and his forgiveness, but to experience what it is like to have him actually live inside us! (John 14:17)

Jesus promised his disciples that he would not leave us as orphans (John 14:18), or, as Paul described it – “without God in the world.” (Ephesians 2:12).

Without Christ people are hopelessly alone, but with him we are never left on our own.

God’s answer to Moses’ fear was that he would be with him. (Exodus 3:12) King David knew this glorious truth, too (Psalm 23:4), as did the prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 41:10). When the disciples were afraid in the midst of the storm on the Sea of Galilee, Jesus comforted them with these words:

...“It is I; do not be afraid.” John 6:20 (ESV)

I prefer the translator’s note in the New Living Translation: “Do not be afraid. The I AM is here.” Jesus, the perfect representation of the Great I AM, the Creator-Sustainer-Redeemer-Righteous Judge and King, transcends all that seeks to attack and intimidate us.

Every fear must bow the knee to Jesus.

King David put it wonderfully.

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. 4  In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me? Psalm 56:3-4 (ESV)

We all feel fear from time to time. When this happens, we must choose to put our trust and confidence in God. When we do this, fear must go. It is often a battle, but it is one we can and must win.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27 (ESV)

We let our hearts be afraid when we forget that the Great I Am is with us. With him at our side and inside of us, we truly have nothing to fear.

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When Life Gets Crazy, Go Here

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What should we do when life gets crazy? We will be a lot happier if we learn this important truth: God is still in charge and is working everything out for our good and his glory, if we belong to him.

He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the sons of Israel. Psalm 103:7 (NASB)

There is a big difference between observing a person’s activity and understanding his or her reasoning and motivation.

When we merely observe what God does, we may never mature in faith; whereas, if we know God’s heart and ways, we more easily come to trust him and get in step with his purposes in our lives.

When we do not know God’s heart, we will likely misread what he allows to happen to us and those we love. We may find ourselves at cross purposes with God and harboring resentment against him, neither of which is good. What can we hang on to when life gets confusing and crazy?

King David was a man who endured a lot of serious adversity in his life. At times, his life was severely threatened. He learned to retreat into a secret place of faith. Being a big time worshiper and song writer, he penned this prayer:

Make me know Your ways, O LORD; Teach me Your paths. Psalm 25:4 (NASB)

If we love God, we will naturally desire to know him better, which means we will grow in our understanding of his ways and purposes. Thankfully, our Lord is more than willing to share his heart with us, as is revealed in these inspired words written by David.

I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you. 9  Do not be as the horse or as the mule which have no understanding, Whose trappings include bit and bridle to hold them in check, Otherwise they will not come near to you. Psalm 32:8-9 (NASB)

Jesus said that his sheep will hear his voice. (John 10:27) Followers of Christ can be sure that God will always guide us in life. The Good Shepherd leads us in the paths of righteousness. (Psalm 23:3) Our responsibility is to trust that God always will faithfully lead and keep us, even when we are not sure where he is taking us or why.

The ability to eventually see the deeper purposes of God in any situation depends on our trusting him implicitly.

When God withholds understanding…

Man’s steps are ordained by the LORD, How then can man understand his way? Proverbs 20:24 (NASB)

Sometimes God deliberately does not tell us what he is doing in our lives in order to develop our faith in his faithfulness; nevertheless, we can always have an understanding of his ways to keep us properly oriented.

We know from Scripture that God is working in every child of God to transform him or her into Christ’s image. If God is doing nothing else in my life, he is doing that.

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. 29  For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren... Romans 8:28-29 (NASB)

From God’s perspective, which is the only one that really counts, God uses everything in life to demonstrate his love and wisdom and move us toward the goal of our bringing him glory. In the process, he transforms us from the inside out, making us more and more like Jesus in words, thoughts, and actions.

The Humility Factor

One of the most essential character qualities that God works in his children is humility. He has fashioned things so that only the humble can thrive in his kingdom. Those who always want to be “in charge” and “in the know” will be frustrated. Those who are humble enough to trust God during confusion, fear, and adversity bring glory to God by maintaining faith and joy continually.

God asks us to cooperate with him in the process of forming humility in our character. One way for us to do this is to discipline ourselves to trust and praise God at all times.

I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2  My soul will make its boast in the LORD; The humble will hear it and rejoice. 3  O magnify the LORD with me, And let us exalt His name together. Psalm 34:1-3 (NASB)

Praise is a sure sign of our trust in God. Faith leads to praise. Praise also builds faith. I find that, when I give thanks to God for difficult things that he has allowed in my life, my faith rises to the occasion. Faith allows us to trust in the Lord at all times, even when it is difficult to understand why.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. 6  In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NASB)

If we know nothing else, we can bank on these truths.

  1. God is sovereign and working all things to his desired ends.
  2. He loves us past comprehension and is working things for our good.
  3. If we humbly trust him during times of trials and testing, even when we don’t know exactly what he is doing, it will bring him glory and us joy.
  4. The more we learn to trust in God’s faithfulness, the greater our transformation into becoming like Jesus.
  5. If we choose to make the sacrifice of praise during difficulties, it will glorify God and strengthen our faith.

So there we have it! When things go crazy, we should retreat into the confidence that God is still in charge and is working things for our good.

If we choose to praise God during the worst of times, we bring glory to him and faith will arise in our hearts. People who have confidence in God in difficult times are what the Bible calls overcomers. Why not start becoming one of those today?

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Why it is impossible for some people to understand and believe the truth

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Jesus said some very interesting things about why people reject truth in the 8th chapter of John’s Gospel. The Jewish leaders for the most part opposed Jesus to the point of plotting to kill him. John records some conversations between our Lord and those leaders which highlight the tension and antagonism between them. Being a prophet, Jesus did not shy away from telling the truth to people, even when it produced a furious response. Below are some reasons the Lord gave why people refuse to listen to the truth.

Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. 32  And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 33  “But we are descendants of Abraham,” they said. “We have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean, ‘You will be set free’?” 34  Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin. 35  A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family forever. 36  So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free. 37  Yes, I realize that you are descendants of Abraham. And yet some of you are trying to kill me because there’s no room in your hearts for my message. 38  I am telling you what I saw when I was with my Father. But you are following the advice of your father.” John 8:31-38 (NLT)
  • The first reason that the Jewish leaders resisted truth was because it revealed that they had a sin problem. When we refuse to admit our need for God’s help it erects a barrier to the truth. The pride behind this refusal did not allow truth to enter their hearts. Jesus said that there was “no room in your hearts for my message.” The proud refusal to acknowledge our sin and turn to God for help is behind our hatred of truth.
  • Secondly, his listeners were tuned in to the devil. We get our information from somewhere – either God or someone else. In the garden of Eden, after God found Adam and Eve hiding from him, he asked them, “Who told you you were naked?” Satan has been speaking into the hearts of men, women, and children ever since. Jesus told the Jewish leaders that their inability to hear God’s words indicated they were listening to the devil. If we love the devil’s lies, there is no room in our hearts for God’s truth. (2 Thessalonians 2:10)
“Our father is Abraham!” they declared. “No,” Jesus replied, “for if you were really the children of Abraham, you would follow his example. 40  Instead, you are trying to kill me because I told you the truth, which I heard from God. Abraham never did such a thing. 41  No, you are imitating your real father.” They replied, “We aren’t illegitimate children! God himself is our true Father.” 42  Jesus told them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, because I have come to you from God. I am not here on my own, but he sent me. 43  Why can’t you understand what I am saying? It’s because you can’t even hear me! 44  For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45  So when I tell the truth, you just naturally don’t believe me! 46  Which of you can truthfully accuse me of sin? And since I am telling you the truth, why don’t you believe me? 47  Anyone who belongs to God listens gladly to the words of God. But you don’t listen because you don’t belong to God.” John 8:39-47 (NLT)
  • Thirdly, people hate truth because they are not related to God. Although every person can claim God is his or her Creator, only people who have been born again by the Spirit can say that they are God’s children. Until we are born of the Spirit, there is no affinity between us and God. We cannot love the truth because nothing in us loves truth. We naturally believe lies because our “father” is the father of lies.

None of us can love God’s truth unless the Spirit of God does an internal work to change us on the inside, which is the essence of the New Covenant.

“The day is coming,” says the LORD, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah. 32  This covenant will not be like the one I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand and brought them out of the land of Egypt. They broke that covenant, though I loved them as a husband loves his wife,” says the LORD. 33  “But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel on that day,” says the LORD. “I will put my instructions deep within them, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 34  And they will not need to teach their neighbors, nor will they need to teach their relatives, saying, ‘You should know the LORD.’ For everyone, from the least to the greatest, will know me already,” says the LORD. “And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins.” Jeremiah 31:31-34 (NLT)

If people have no interest in the gospel or are hostile to it, we can be sure that they have no room in their hearts for God’s message because their father is the devil and they are only able to hear lies.

We should never give up on them, however. God is able to use the power contained in the Word of God to transform hearts through the internal work of the Holy Spirit. Who knows? We may be given the privilege of sharing the Good News with a Paul, someone who is initially hostile but in whom God is working. That would have been I. Thank God my wife did not easily give up!

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Are We Open to the Holy Spirit Showing Us the Truth?

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One of the most basic problems with humanity is our propensity to believe lies.

This was first manifest in the Garden of Eden when Eve readily fell for the serpent’s lies that God is untrustworthy, sin will go unpunished, and disobedience will not produce death. (Genesis 3:4-6) After this calamitous event, Satan gained an advantage over us. Our minds, which were already capable of quickly being deceived, became darkened through sin, making it even easier for us to be deceived. 

So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, 18  being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; Ephesians 4:17-18 (NASB)

This horrible condition is the result of sin’s effect upon the heart.

A hardened heart is incapable of perceiving truth and engaging in faith without the help of the Holy Spirit.

At that time Jesus said, "I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants. 26  "Yes, Father, for this way was well-pleasing in Your sight. 27  "All things have been handed over to Me by My Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father; nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. Matthew 11:25-27 (NASB)

Jesus made it perfectly clear that it is impossible to know who he is without the revelation that comes from the Spirit of God.

One of the earmarks of hardness of heart is a refusal to acknowledge our helplessness to know God without the Spirit’s help.

It is downright humbling and unnerving to grasp that we are unable to save ourselves. We do not like being dependent on someone we cannot control. In addition, we fear that God may not be willing to help us. We may come to him asking him to reveal Christ to us, but he may refuse. This is another lie from the Father of Lies in whom dwells no truth at all. Jesus told us plainly that all who come to him will find him. Period.

All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. John 6:37 (ESV)

Let us use some logic. If a person comes to Christ and asks him to reveal himself to him or her, that means, according the verse above, that the Father gave that person to Christ. Are you tracking with me? If not, reread the verse.

Therefore, if we ask God to reveal Christ to us, he will do it. Jesus will never cast away any honest seeker.

The following verse confirms this marvelous truth.

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8  "For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Matthew 7:7-8 (NASB)

As Jesus walked this earth during the years of his public ministry, he engaged in a process of discipling his followers to know him. He taught them the true meaning of God’s Word, demonstrated God’s character, and showed them how to operate in the power of God’s Spirit through healings, miracles, and deliverance from demonic oppression. All the while, he depended and waited upon the Holy Spirit to reveal truth to his disciples.

At times he expressed amazement at their inability to grasp God’s truth with hearts filled with faith.

When He got into the boat, His disciples followed Him. 24  And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being covered with the waves; but Jesus Himself was asleep. 25  And they came to Him and woke Him, saying, "Save us, Lord; we are perishing!" 26  He *said to them, "Why are you afraid, you men of little faith?" Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it became perfectly calm. 27  The men were amazed, and said, "What kind of a man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?" Matthew 8:23-27 (NASB)

At other times, he praised them for being open to the Spirit.

Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 17  And Jesus said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. Matthew 16:16-17 (NASB)

Our initial coming to Christ and acknowledgment of his lordship requires the work of God’s Spirit in our lives.

Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus is accursed"; and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:3 (NASB)

Every successive unfolding of truth also requires the Holy Spirit’s work.

The Spirit’s interpretation of the Scriptures is often at odds with ours, and we will find ourselves resisting God and his truth, unless we bow the knee to the Spirit.

Early on in church history, those Jewish followers of Christ who refused to bow to the Spirit found themselves opposing the fundamental truth of justification by faith. In Christ, those who believe no longer must fulfill the outward Old Covenant rite of circumcision to be counted among the righteous. Faith alone in Christ’s finished work is all that is required now because Christ fulfilled the Law on our behalf. When we put our faith and allegiance in him, the righteousness associated with his perfect obedience unto death is transferred to us. There is nothing undone. We are complete in Christ.

For Peter to begin to grasp this truth required the Holy Spirit to repeat a vision three times, which meaning he did not immediately grasp. It was only when Cornelius’ servants arrived requesting his presence in their Gentile home that Peter’s understanding began to be opened. The revelation was complete when he watched Jesus baptize Cornelius and his family in the Spirit, proving they were indeed God’s children and justified in his sight without ever being circumcised. Some people, whom history calls the Judaizers, never understood justification  by faith because their hearts were hardened against the Spirit of truth.

Stephen, the first martyr, laid this judgment on his murderers just before they stoned him.

You men who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears are always resisting the Holy Spirit; you are doing just as your fathers did. Acts 7:51 (NASB)

In the Last Days in which we live, we need the Holy Spirit and his gifts more than ever. If we do not learn to appreciate and listen to his voice, we are going to miss out on so much. The first coming of Christ was so fundamentally different from what the Bible scholars of that day expected that they found themselves opposing and ultimately murdering the promised Messiah.

Is it not reasonable to assume that Christ’s Second Coming and everything that will immediately precede it may be contrary the expectations of today’s Bible scholars?

God never ceases to amaze and surprise, and I feel confident that he will continue to do so right up to the end.

Do not be among those who think we have their doctrine and theology so finely tuned that we are incapable of being corrected. That would put us in the camp of the Pharisees. There is nothing much that is more dangerous than a smug student of the Bible who is closed to receiving new insight from the Spirit. The Holy Spirit is able to open our eyes to wondrous things in God’s Word that far exceed our narrow expectations and interpretations. Be assured that he will never contradict God’s truth, but he will unfold its depths and breadth causing us to worship our Lord all the more!

Prayer

Lord God, I acknowledge my ongoing dependence upon you for revelation, understanding, and the ability to believe and obey. I welcome you into my life afresh. Open my heart, eyes, and ears to see, hear, understand, and obey all that you have for me. I do not want to miss out on anything you are doing in these last days because my heart was hard. Allow me to walk with you without hindrance. Amen.

But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true—it is not a lie. So just as he has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ. 1 John 2:27 (NLT)
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Spiritual Authority in Times of Crisis

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Times of crisis reveal who people truly are and what they believe and value.

Crises are God-given times for the promotion of those who have faith in Christ and revelation from the Spirit and the exposure of those who operate by human reasoning alone or from previously disguised corrupt motives. The American Revolution had such an effect upon the people of who lived in the colonies, and we are in such a crisis. It is estimated that only 3% of the American populace actually fought to win our liberties. More broadly, those who identified themselves as Patriots were likely 40-55% of the population. Loyalists comprised another 15-25%; while 30-45% remained uncommitted. In my own family, my 5th great grandfather, Jeffrey Beck Jr., fought with patriot militia in NC, but my 6th GGF, his Dad, Jeffrey Beck Sr., remained a loyalist, who supported the Crown by allowing Tory military leader David Fanning to use his ford over Deep River. We cannot know people’s hearts or motives. Perhaps he had no choice in the matter. To his credit, my 6th GGF fought with the Regulators at the Battle of Alamance in 1771 against government corruption; so, he was not a coward. He took an oath of allegiance to King George in the aftermath of that failed cause and remained loyal to his oath for the rest of his life. He raised his minor children, who were still living in the home during the Revolution, to be loyalists, which caused further family discord over the years. My point is that the American Revolution was a type of civil war that pitted neighbors and family members against one another, depending on where they came down on the issues according to their convictions. Everyone had to choose where they stood on the matter, and it was costly, sometimes fatal. When the war ended, patriots were rewarded with undying appreciation and honor for their willingness to put everything on the line for the fledgling nation. Loyalists suffered the consequences of their choice, too, and the uncommitted were likely held in some measure of contempt by those who risked everything in the courage of their convictions. The uncommitted hedged their bets, hoping to come out well, no matter which side won.

Jesus had something to say about such an uncommitted position.

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. 25  If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. Matthew 16:24-25 (NLT)

Peter Block, in his book The Answer to How Is Yes, makes the point that we should not do things based on being able to figure out ahead of time if we are able to accomplish them. Rather, we should do the right thing, no matter what the cost, trusting that God will show us how to proceed once we start.

Faith launches out in seemingly impossible circumstances because it is the right thing to do, regardless of the potential pitfalls or dangers.

Those who fought as patriots took on impossible odds because they believed it was the right thing to do. Those who remained loyal to Britain probably also believed it was the right thing to do, and those who were the odds makers back then would have bet on Britain being the victor. Those who refused to commit to either side either had conscientious objections, did not understand what was at stake, or were simply afraid to pay the cost of making a stand.

The current election crisis is producing just such a scenario. We are in the midst of an attempted takeover of our nation by communist / globalist forces, and it is time for patriots to take a stand. Many are already standing with our president against seemingly insurmountable odds. Sadly others are avowed supporters of the coup attempt, either as knowledgeable Leftists or what the Communists call “useful idiots,” who have no idea what they are doing. A far greater number of people are either apathetic, confused, misinformed, or afraid to make a stand. Once this crisis has been resolved, there will be a reckoning and a reward, depending on who wins. God is revealing hearts in politics, families, and the church. Nothing will be the same after this is over.

I have friends who justify having a neutral attitude toward this conflict by proposing that it is more important to focus on the Lordship of Christ and the priority of the gospel. They seem to be overly concerned that any involvement in politics is putting a false hope in a human being, instead of trusting in God. This translates into refusing to publicly support Donald Trump and passively accepting whatever happens in the election, even if it is a fraudulent steal.

In my opinion, this is may be a misguided form of Pietism, which thinks that politics is dirty and anti-God and should be avoided. By holding this position, it reveals that they have accepted the Left’s doctrine of the separation of church and state and have become irrelevant in practical matters. Another less likely possibility is that this is nothing but well-articulated cowardice. If I knew an evil man had determined to kidnap, rape, and enslave my wife, you would think me a coward if I did not defend her with my life. If I told you that I was not going to get involved because I wanted to make sure that I kept my eyes on Jesus, rather than place my hopes on keeping my wife, you would rightly lose respect for me. Although this is an imperfect analogy, in a similar way forces are at work in our nation right now that are making a determined attempt to capture America and transform her into a socialist / globalist hell hole, stripping her citizens of their God-given rights and freedoms and destroying what our forefathers fought to create and preserve.

Those who maintain neutrality in such a time as this either do not understand what is happening, do not care, are too proud to admit they were wrong, or are afraid to make a stand. That is harsh, but I think it is accurate.

When Paul traveled to Rome in Acts 27 to appear before Caesar, the Roman Centurion who was in charge of the expedition made a poor choice to set sail too late in the year, even though Paul warned him that it would lead to disaster. Paul had no authority to make decisions. He was a prisoner who could only appeal to the person who did. His appeal was denied. Interestingly, the only person who had heard God speak regarding the matter was Paul. Everyone else was operating merely by their human reasoning, not knowing that a crisis in the form of a storm would soon expose their poverty of understanding. When the storm enveloped the ship which carried over 200 people, the Bible says that over time everyone abandoned hope of surviving, everyone, that is, except Paul. Here is what Acts records.

No one had eaten for a long time. Finally, Paul called the crew together and said, “Men, you should have listened to me in the first place and not left Crete. You would have avoided all this damage and loss. 22  But take courage! None of you will lose your lives, even though the ship will go down. 23  For last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me, 24  and he said, ‘Don’t be afraid, Paul, for you will surely stand trial before Caesar! What’s more, God in his goodness has granted safety to everyone sailing with you.’ 25  So take courage! For I believe God. It will be just as he said. 26  But we will be shipwrecked on an island.” Acts 27:21-26 (NLT)

God told Paul what would happen, which gave him insight and authority to know what to do in the crisis. In their hopelessness, confusion, and fear, the Centurion, crew, and passengers put their hope in Paul’s words and the revelation God had given him.

In times of crisis, those who hear God and operate in wisdom and faith are elevated into leadership.

Because the Centurion had the wisdom and humility to listen to Paul, everyone on the ship was saved. The crisis elevated Paul to a position of authority because in that moment his faith and ability to hear God provided everyone with hope and direction. He alone had something worthwhile to say. It is no different today.

Lots of people are saying lots of things about our current election crisis. Most of it is mindless blather and worthless to those who need to know what God says and wants us to do. We should be listening to those who have heard God and have faith. They are the only ones who have spiritual authority and something to say.

When King Jehoshaphat led the army of Israel into battle against seemingly insurmountable odds, here is what he told to them.

...“Listen to me, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Believe in the LORD your God, and you will be able to stand firm. Believe in his prophets, and you will succeed.” 2 Chronicles 20:20 (NLT)

We are in just such a time now. It is vital for us to believe the prophets, and the ones that I trust are saying that we should keep believing that God will pull this out for President Trump because much bigger things are at stake here than who is our next president. It is not a Republican – Democrat thing. It is a kingdom of God matter. Our Constitutional form or government may not survive under a Democratic presidency. Our freedoms may become a thing of the past. America’s call and destiny to take the gospel of Jesus Christ to the nations could be thwarted. I believe that God still has plans for our nation, despite our many sins. If we will turn to him in repentance and faith, he will forgive us, save us, and give us a glorious restart as a nation. If we lose this battle, we will enter a very dark time.

Jesus said:

And He said to them, "O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Luke 24:25 (NASB)

I issue a call to the Body of Christ today: step out of the gray shadow land of neutrality. Be either “hot” or “cold,” not “lukewarm.” If God has not spoken to your heart about the election, listen to those who have heard God. God is raising up prophetic leaders to help us through this crisis. Let us not miss this opportunity to be more than “sunshine” patriots. Let us be those who risk it all because it is the right thing to do. May God help us and grant us mercy.

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Seeing Death from God’s Perspective

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Anyone who has lost of loved one understands the pain and loss that accompanies death. The Apostle Paul, a man whose life was frequently in jeopardy due to his fearless proclamation of the gospel, penned these comforting words for us to ponder.

“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” 1 Corinthians 15:55 (ESV)

Sin is the mortal sting that causes death. 

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; 57 but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:56–57 (NASB95)

Adam’s sin led to his death as God promised and Satan denied (Genesis 2:17). It also led to the death of all his posterity, thanks to the laws of inheritance and reaping and sowing. But our Lord Jesus undid that horrible outcome by absorbing our guilt and the consequences of our sin, at least for those who put their faith and allegiance in him. 

For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. 1 Corinthians 15:22 (NASB95)

Some of us suffer from a deeply seated fear of death that robs us of joy and holds us in bondage.

The author of the Letter to the Hebrews gives us the welcome news that Jesus confronted this problem head on to liberate all of us who have been held captive by this fear.

Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15  and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. Hebrews 2:14-15 (ESV)

Christ took our sin upon Himself. He actually became sin and received the attached judgment of death, so that we could become righteousness before God.

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV)

As a result, we who believe have been blessed in many ways, including being given eternal life in the Spirit. Now, as Jesus taught, even though we die physically, we shall live spiritually. In fact, in reality we shall never die because He is the Resurrection and will someday raise our physical bodies back to life.

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26  and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25-26 (ESV)

Jesus is now the Lord of Life as well as Lord over death. He has the keys of hell and death. Our lives and physical death are now exclusively under His authority. What then is physical death for the believer?

How we view death will greatly influence whether we fear it or not.

Death no longer should be viewed as a final separation or end, but as a homecoming and a beginning. The Bible tells us that God regards the death of His saints as a precious thing. (Psalm 116:15) The Hebrew word here means “precious, splendid, rare, or weighty.”

For God, physical death is his opportunity to welcome us into a new realm and dimension of life in which we can more fully enjoy Him and He, us.

Look at what Paul wrote.

So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, 7  for we walk by faith, not by sight. 8  Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9  So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. 2 Corinthians 5:6-9 (ESV)

Paul actually looked forward to his own demise because he had already been given a glimpse of what awaited him in the heavenly realms. If we could see as clearly as Paul did, we would never fear death.

May God open our eyes to the true nature of physical death – a doorway to life eternal in the very presence of God.

Jesus could not wait to get back to His Father. We really have little idea yet of how good our homecoming will be!

But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”— 1 Corinthians 2:9 (ESV)

If you are facing death, now is the time to meditate on Christ’s victory over death on our behalf. Now is the time to allow God’s peace that passes understanding in invade your life. We can listen to the voice of the Good Shepherd speaking to us the same words he spoke to Martha.

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26  and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25-26 (ESV)

Do we believe this? The things we are facing or will face eventually are designed to provide a setting for the Spirit of God to reveal to us personally that Jesus is our Life which never ends and is absolutely fulfilling – eternal, resurrection life.

So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8  All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9  I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. 10  The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. John 10:7-10 (ESV)

A confrontation with death, then, is actually an invitation from God to know the Lord Jesus Christ as the Resurrection and the Life. The light shines most brightly in the worst darkness.

SeeingGodsSmile nooksizeThis chapter is taken from my book, Seeing God’s Smile When Life Is Difficult, which can be ordered from Amazon. This book is designed to help people through severe trials, but is helpful to all who wish to live by overcoming faith.

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What Are We Waiting For?

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Sometimes we are waiting for the perfect scenario to share the gospel, instead of stepping out in faith to see what the Holy Spirit might do. The disciples ask Jesus to eat something, but he replied that he had food of which they knew nothing. As they wondered aloud what he meant…

Then Jesus explained: “My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work. 35  You know the saying, ‘Four months between planting and harvest.’ But I say, wake up and look around. The fields are already ripe for harvest. 36  The harvesters are paid good wages, and the fruit they harvest is people brought to eternal life. What joy awaits both the planter and the harvester alike! 37  You know the saying, ‘One plants and another harvests.’ And it’s true. 38  I sent you to harvest where you didn’t plant; others had already done the work, and now you will get to gather the harvest.” John 4:34-38 (NLT)

Principle: What Are We Waiting For?

The disciples were asleep to the opportunities for sharing the gospel that were all around them.

There is a joy that is associated with sharing the gospel and leading people to faith in Christ that is more satisfying than food. In another place, Jesus told his followers about this.

In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away! Luke 15:7 (NLT)

Most of the church seems to find their satisfaction in hanging around other believers. If you are reading this article, I hope it is because you feel the pull to be an ambassador for Christ who ventures out of the comfort and safety of the local church to search out those who are open to the gospel. If you are, be encouraged by Jesus’ words. Whether or not we are in the midst of an awakening, the harvest is ripe. There are people whom the Holy Spirit has prepared to hear and believe the Good News!

Being Christ’s ambassador is perhaps the most satisfying occupation in the world.

It was more important to our Lord than food. May the Spirit of God awaken us to the opportunities around us. May he give us the love and boldness to engage people. May he equip and inspire us to operate in the supernatural realm of the gifts of the Spirit, and may he give us success in effectively sharing the gospel. If all that happens, the only thing that remains is to disciple our converts to become just as we are – followers of Christ and fishers of men.

Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” Matthew 4:19 (NLT)
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Don’t Wait Until You’re Ready

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Some might have thought that the woman at the well was not ready to share the gospel, but not Jesus. She abandoned her water jar to go round up the rest of the village to come meet Jesus.

Just then his disciples came back. They were shocked to find him talking to a woman, but none of them had the nerve to ask, “What do you want with her?” or “Why are you talking to her?” 28  The woman left her water jar beside the well and ran back to the village, telling everyone, 29  “Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did! Could he possibly be the Messiah?” 30  So the people came streaming from the village to see him. John 4:27-30 (NLT)

Principle: Don’t Wait Until You’re Ready

Many new believers imagine that they should wait until that magical day when they finally will be ready and fully equipped to share the gospel. This is partly the fault of the church. We think that sharing the gospel is more to do with having our doctrine right than it is with being “on fire” for Christ. It is partly our fault for buying into the notion that it is better to say nothing at all than risk making a mistake.

The Samaritan woman did not know much, but God used her to bring the entire village to Christ.

And this is not the only time that Jesus commissioned a new convert to be an evangelist. The Gerasene man whom Jesus delivered from many demons was immediately put into service, too.

As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon possessed begged to go with him. 19  But Jesus said, “No, go home to your family, and tell them everything the Lord has done for you and how merciful he has been.” 20  So the man started off to visit the Ten Towns of that region and began to proclaim the great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed at what he told them. Mark 5:18-20 (NLT)

Didn’t Jesus realize that it is dangerous to put a new convert into the ministry, especially one who had been so unstable?

By the time we are thoroughly trained to properly share the gospel, we likely have lost contact with many of the people who most need to hear our message. This is because we stop “hanging around” with unbelievers and spend all our time with other Christians at church meetings.

The most opportune time for us to share our faith is when we first come to Christ, before our unbelieving friends relegate us to the “weird Christian” category.

Another reason we should start sharing our faith immediately is that we likely never will be quite so enthusiastic about Christ as when we are first saved. Some call this “first love” or the “honeymoon” period of Christianity. This is not to say it should be this way, but it often is. By the time disciples are thoroughly trained, they often have  picked up plenty of excuses for not be evangelistic and become quite comfortable simply going to church, rather than actively sharing the gospel. I call this Great Commission drift.

Most of the American church is more in love with comfort than with sharing the gospel.

The night I came to Christ, I immediately began telling my friends that I just met Christ and that he is real. That is about all I knew, but it was worth sharing. Over time I have added to my knowledge and understanding of who Christ is and what he did for us, but my fire to share the gospel has never been stronger than it was on the very first night.

Don’t wait until you’re “ready”. Start sharing the gospel and never stop.

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