Peter's Pen 1Peter 4:1-2

1Pe 4:1-2  Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,  (2)  so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God.

Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh,

arm yourselves with the same way of thinking,

for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin

so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God.


What was this, “way of thinking”?  I consider the following to be indicative of what is intended here.

Luk 22:42  saying, "Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done."

Php 2:5-8  Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,  (6)  who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,  (7)  but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.  (8)  And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Death will come to us all (save His return).  Whether our death is in Christ and for the cause of Christ we can but wonder.  However, it is our duty to be readying ourselves for that possibility.

Yet, death for Him is not all we must have His mind concerning.   Yet, His mind concerning death is not all we should have – emulate.

Php 1:29-30  For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake,  (30)  engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.

Suffering.  You must know that in seeking to mortify (kill) the flesh you will suffer.  Inside and out you will suffer.  The flesh has no interest in dying nor even lessening its bid for control.  So, though we can expect tribulations in and from the world, so too can we expect tribulations in and from the flesh.

We must so frame our hearts and our minds that we are not knocked off balance or out of our lane by the attacks from the flesh.  Our minds must accept that we have the hope of heaven, the promise of heaven, but, as yet, we do not have heaven.  It is the firm assurance of heaven that should keep us steady in our course.
Look upon and pray upon the mind of Christ.

Luk 22:42  saying, "Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done."

We read this passage and we miss a key word.  “Nevertheless!”  It is no shame to ask for deliverance as long as we are willing to accept “No,” for the answer.  It is no shame to feel trepidation, even fear in the face of that which is frightening as long as we are willing to trust in His strength.  It is no shame to pray, “remove this cup,” if we are willing to drink the dregs if it be His will and way.

This is the mind of Christ.  This is the will of God that we take hold and make our own, the mind of Christ.  So simple yet so hard that it takes the power of God to achieve.  The very thought of it is frighteningly wonderful – terrifyingly wonderful – but wonderful nonetheless.

And how is it to be done?  By submission and the obedience submission requires.  By asking and asking again.  By the hard work of study and prayer, fellowship and worship.

We must MUST be about our duty – the duty of renewing our minds under the tutelage of the Holy Spirit and by the Lord’s strength.  This is our only hope to be being conformed to His likeness.  If we fail in this, if we delay, hesitate, defer, then we will fulfill our mission poorly, if at all.

Pray that we will be convicted, that we will repent and that we will move forward in His power that He might be glorified in us and among unbelievers.

Wow - He's awesome!

Had a "business" meeting I was anxious about.  I was getting a little obsessed about it and kept rehearsing it in my mind.  of course this made doing anything else very difficult.

So I prayed - I simply told God that I was really tired of  "chewing" on it and that it was distracting me from other things he had given me to do.  I told Him quite plainly that I needed Him to take it out of my mind.  I told Him that I had concluded that it was something He had to deal with because obviously I was not getting anywhere.

The next day and then the morning of the meeting every time the meeting came to mind I found myself distracted away from it to do something constructive - something I could do.

Patti asked me how I was doing and I had to tell her that every time the meeting came to mind I seemed to forget it almost immediately.  it was like nothing I've ever experienced.

I went to the meeting with very little so say - and that I felt very calm about.  I said my "thing" and shut-up.  Once i had said my "piece" I was encouraging and gracious and calm.

What was so very interesting is that when I made my points there was no opposition or argument.  I said what I believed I needed to say and the meeting went on to other things.  that was absolutely un-expected.

Now maybe "my piece" was just ignored of blown-off but that was of no concern to me.  I had a peace and confidence that could only have one source.

Oh, the ramifications of the meeting and "my piece" may be used to injure me but ya know, I really can't work up any true concern about it.  I left the meeting in His hands and he did, in my view, a great job.  so, I'll leave the results of the meeting with Him as well and just keep doing what He hands me to do.

Now I know me well enough to know that I'll find something else to get all anxious about - but I also know that I'll have that meeting to remember and rest in.

Peter's pen is in edit and This and That(s) are in the works - thank you all for at least peaking at the blog - it's a real encouragement.
Michel
ms@tc2v1.com

092612

Good morning.....  Another day with an interesting meeting.  Blogs will get up'- but later.  Thanks for stopping in and reading.

This and That Who spoke? 092412

A comment.  A simple statement.  I don’t think it was ill-meant.  I assume it was chiding or jokingly made.  And yet how deep and broad the wound.

But, the question I wrestle with is, “Who spoke?”  Was it a dart from Satan or a goad from God?  Was it indeed a message to wound or a message to convict?  Who spoke?  Why the wound?  Is it my frailty that was hit or my falseness, my fantasy?

Have you ever experienced this type of wound? 

Perhaps, when we are being refined by God, He allows such to happen to keep us humble.  Perhaps He allows one of Satan’s darts to get through so we might think on the issue raised.  Perhaps He wants us to understand the power even innocent words have and pray for the power to tame our own tongues.

Who spoke?

What purpose for the message?

The comment certainly “pushed my buttons,” but who was doing the pushing and for what end?

When we are low in our spirits Satan sees it and it is his nature to take advantage of it.  But God too will use our lowness to get His message through.  Who spoke?  How does one discern the answer?

Am I as false as I feel?  Am I the sham and deception I feel like?  Am I, contrary to assurances of those most closely affected, wasting my time and serving myself and not Him?

Just the other day I was reading in a Puritan work about how when we are low we can rejoice if we do what we have to do and do it faithfully.  I was encouraged in my trust of Him and that which He has given me time and ability to do.  Yet it only took a moment to turn that light into darkness.  It only took a simple comment to raise doubt and crate confusion.  It only took a comment to resurrect a sense of shame and hypocrisy.

I don’t know where this event will take me.  I have no idea what the conclusion of the matter will be in my life.  I only know that right now it is all I can feel and it has called much into question that I had believed I had worked through.

It has re-enforced the point that James makes about the tongue but I hesitate to take that high ground and stop at that.  Yes, there is a point there and a good one but, who spoke and what was the meaning of the message?

The sense of melancholy, which is my nature, is increased fourfold.  But this is my flesh – I think, I hope.

We live, hopefully, by certain well examined conclusions.  When they are challenged we should consult the Word, the Spirit and wise brothers and sisters.  When our conclusions have been repeatedly affirmed, when no alternative is clear, no other opportunity offered how we respond when the challenge is offered from an unexpected direction.

Indeed the sense of falseness and hypocrisy, the sense of being wrong and having been wrong for some time is crushing.

Yes, we must be oh so careful in what we say but what about our hearing?  How does one determine who is speaking? 

I don’t believe God allows such things to happen capriciously.  He does not taunt us.  So, when things like this happen, what is the point, the lesson the purpose?  Right now I don’t know or at least I don’t want to know and yet I am compelled to question and seek the answer.  Who spoke?  To what end?

Oh how I want to see this as a prodding of some thorn in my flesh – for it certainly touched what I believe God has given me to keep me humble.  How I want to know this is Him keeping me from rushing to some great endeavor He has not called me to.   But the fear is that I am being told that I have been wrong and wrong for a long time.

All I am able to do right now is to trust that he will show me who spoke.  All I am able to do right now is to turn inward, prayerfully, and wait His answer.

To answer, “Why art thou cast down,” all I have is, “I don’t really know – and I am afraid to know.”

Am I alone in this?  Do any of you have those times when someone speaks and you are confounded and confused?  Have you had someone speak and sweep you into despair?  

Have you had someone speak and turn what you thought were evidences into indictments?

All I can pray now is that He will guide me through this to the truth and while He does so He will sustain me to be about that which He has given me to do.  Because if I am and have been wrong – if it was indeed Him telling me to move on then what I am about will have to stop or at least be radically changed.  That’s OK if it is His will and I pray that I am not obstinately clinging to past conclusions – but I still ask, “Who spoke?”

This and That: Contentment 092412

But contentment does not come in that way, it does not come, I say, by adding to what you want, but by subtracting from your desires. It is all one to a Christian, whether I get up to what I would have, or get my desires down to what I have, either to attain what I do desire, or to bring down my desires to what I have already attained. 

Burroughs, Jeremiah (2010-07-05). The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment (Kindle Locations 504-506).  . Kindle Edition.

Having entered the fray with covetousness it seemed good to add a dash of contentment to the mix.  In Burroughs’ work you will find much to guide you, challenge you and comfort you.

The above quote, I take as guidance, challenge and comfort.  Since it is my mis-guided or mis-motivated desires that so plague me in the area of covetousness it makes sense that addressing them is part of the way to contentment.

BUT – I would have you know that just knowing how to learn (and it must be learned) to be content is not enough.  We must attend the class, study the material and take the test.  Contentment comes through learning.

Paul writes:

Php 4:11-13  Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.  (12)  I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.  (13)  I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Whatever part of the course in contentment I am in (as we do not all start at the same point or progress at the same rate) the absolute key to the learning is Christ.  It is only His strength that keeps me in the course.  It is only His Word that helps me learn the lessons.  It is only His wisdom that enables me to rightly apply His cure to the condition.  It is not only, “all of /Christ,” it is “only of Christ.”

Contentment is having what I want or wanting what I have in absolute submission to the will and providence of God.  A crumb from our King is as glorious a gift as a coronet.  This we must labor to understand and implant in our hearts.  But that only comes through Him, our strength.

In this early stage of moving out of covetousness and into contentment the most difficult thing is to accept the depth of the corruption of the heart.  The ways, means and measure of the covetousness that lives in the flesh is terrifyingly large.  You cut one root only to find another and another and yet another still.  You cease to covet X and you find half the victory is wrapped up in coveting Y and Z is lurking just out of sight.

I was once told that there were really only 9 individual commandments because the 10^th, “thou shalt not covet,” simply meant that we would not even want to do the preceding 9. 

We are caught up in the world’s expectation of more, bigger and better and the shame of it is that we serve the One to whom it all belongs.  If one gets what they covet from a thief (Satan) it is not the same as getting it from the true owner.  Satan will give you what you want especially if it draws you away from God.  God will not give you what you cannot benefit from.  To whom would you go for a cure?  Patient “0” or the best doctor you could find – or the One who controls every disease and comfort?

If you would be content you must get to heaven for only there will we find absolute contentment?  Here, in this veil of tears, we must constantly and consistently, in the strength of our Savior, strive after it; one time laying hold of it another missing.

Heb 13:5-6  Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."  (6)  So we can confidently say, "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?"

Here is the bottom line of contentment.  He has promised to never leave of FORSAKE us.

Forsake:  By implication, to leave in the lurch, desert, abandon.

1Ch 28:20  Then David said to Solomon his son, "Be strong and courageous and do it. Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed, for the LORD God, even my God, is with you. He will not leave you or forsake you, until all the work for the service of the house of the LORD is finished.

In the end, it all goes back to the heart:

If the heart of a man is fashioned to his circumstances, he may have as much contentment as if his circumstances were fashioned to his heart.

Burroughs, Jeremiah (2010-07-05). The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment (Kindle Locations 510-511).  . Kindle Edition.

God can, and will, change my heart and/or my circumstances.  I can really do neither – at least not if I am submitted to Him.  That I am never without my Redeemer and that he will never “leave me in a lurch,” is the truth upon which I must place my feet and the truth I must work into my heart.

Learning contentment does not come easy. The flesh, finding covetousness a most useful tool, fights tooth and talon to keep it alive and active.  It will not go peacefully and so, in dealing with it, we will have to accept the tribulation, the fight, and the blows.  The object is not to tame it or to convert it but to kill it.  It is a fight to the death – its death - for all being said, it cannot kill us.  It can cripple and maim but it can never kill.

Isa 35:4  Say to those who have an anxious heart, "Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you."

The world is infinitely deceived in thinking that contentment lies in having more than we already have. Here lies the bottom and root of all contentment, when there is an evenness and proportion between our hearts and our circumstances.

Burroughs, Jeremiah (2010-07-05). The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment (Kindle Locations 514-515).  . Kindle Edition.

This and That: Coveting 092312

I consider covetousness as the most generally prevailing and ensnaring sin, by which professors of the gospel, in our materialistic society, are hindered in their spiritual progress. A disposition deeply rooted in our fallen nature, strengthened by the custom of all around us, the power of habit, and the fascinating charm of wealth-is not easily counteracted.  

The language of faith, when in exercise, will not be, "What is most conducive to my temporal ease and prosperity?" But "What will give me the best opportunity of glorifying him, who has bought me with his blood, and called me out of darkness into his marvelous light?

John Newton July 1725 1807

Luk 12:15 And he said to them, "Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."

Rom 7:8 But sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness. For apart from the law, sin lies dead.

Eph 5:3  But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints.

Col 3:5-6  Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.  (6)  On account of these the wrath of God is coming.

Covetousness:  pleonexía; from pleíōn, more, and échō to;  to want more.

Yesterday Patti and I went looking at computers.  Hers, being about 6 years old is on its last legs and we are selling stuff to get her a new one.  Between editing my blogs and working on her photography it’s about time she had a new machine.  Being able to do this is a blessing.

But – the looking, for me, was crushing.  I did not realize the covetousness that yet lingered in my heart until we started the search.  Trying to get an answer to, “what is the bare minimum she needs?” from a salesman was like pulling teeth.  Of course he recommended the “on sale” super machine with all the bells and whistles she doesn’t need.

However that wasn’t the problem.  The problem was that as we looked I found myself growing dissatisfied with my computer.  Now my computer meets all the needs of which I can think.  Needing little more than a machine on which I can do my writing and the occasional Power Point presentation I actually probably have more than I need.  That’s just the fact.

Yet as I looked I lusted and as I lusted I could literally feel myself slipping into turmoil over not being able to have the latest and greatest, coolest and neatest.  Why?  Well, at the root is my fallenness.  Next is my lack of examining me heart for this covetousness.  Finally it is the good old:  1Jn 2:16 “the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions.”

I did not have a need, I knew I did not have a need and yet somehow I felt irritated that I could not get what I did not need.  I felt insufficient, less than, hindered, hampered even cheated.  Now, is that nuts or what?  Well, it’s nuts but it is also sin.

How can we (ok, I) begin to root out this, as Newton calls it, “most generally prevailing and ensnaring sin?”

Newton writes, “The principle of this evil is so strong in us, and so powerfully nourished by almost everything around us, that it is seldom suppressed, but by a course of sharp discipline.”

Newton writes well when he writes: 

I am where he has placed me; and the calling in which his mercy found me, (if it be a lawful one,) is that in which, for the present, I am to abide, as the best for me. When it ceases to be so, I may depend upon him to appoint me another. But, until then, I desire to be contented with such things as I have, and to be thankful for them. He knows my frame, my feelings, my needs, and my trials; he permits, yes, invites me to cast all my cares upon him. He assures me that he cares for me, and therefore I only wish to do or to suffer according to his will today, and to leave the concerns of tomorrow in his hands. While I live-may I live for him! And when I die-may I go to him! May his grace be sufficient for me-and all shall be well."

The key in the above quote, at least for me is his comment, “I desire to be contented with such things as I have, and to be thankful for them.” 

Since James tells us that, Jas 4:1  “. . . .Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?”  I must conclude that it is my “passions,” that is “pleasures” that are the, or at least a, source of my stumbling.  So I have to ask, what brings me pleasure?  Is it staying in vogue?  Keeping up with the Joneses?  Having the latest and greatest? 

I have to confess it must be.  And I must repent.  But repentance comes hard for it, in this case, must be continuous and consistent.  I must fix my heart and mind on engaging this failing and examine as minutely as possible what I allow to bring me pleasure.  What makes me feel OK, safe, secure, valuable, meaningful and good enough?

Here again, Newton provides a key: 

“He knows my frame, my feelings, my needs, and my trials; he permits, yes, invites me to cast all my cares upon him. He assures me that he cares for me, and therefore I only wish to do or to suffer according to his will today, and to leave the concerns of tomorrow in his hands.”

I would only add one thing to this; that I remember and be grateful that He provides me with not only everything I need as I need it but, what I want if I need it.  So as well as wishing to do or to suffer according to His will, I also wish to have or not have what He wills.  Everything outside of that can hardly be counted a blessing.

A favorite, and until now obviously meaningless prayer of mine has been.  “Dear God please do not allow me to want that which You do not want me to want.”  I have to take that prayer more seriously, trusting Him to work in my mind and heart to make it so.

Jesus asks us: Mar 8:36 For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?  From this I must learn to ask, when I sense covetousness stirring, “Of what benefit would this be to my soul?”

If our Redeemer and Sustainer can be counted on to provide a way out of temptation how much more will He provide what we need, be it computers, cars, cash or cookies, for us to effectively do the work He has given us to do?

So, if like me you struggle against covetousness.  If it surpasses you by sniping or ambush press your attack in the strength of the Lord.  Say, “No, no, a million times no!”  And trust that your desire to overcome, to be free of this, “most generally prevailing and ensnaring sin,” is His as well.

This and That Heart Keeping 092112

Duties Included in Keeping the Heart

Flavel, John (2010-08-03). Keeping the Heart. Kindle Edition.

1.    Frequent observation of the frame of the heart.  The heart can never be kept until its case be examined and understood.

Proust wrote, “No man is a mystery, except to himself.”

How many times have you thought, “I can’t believe I did/said that!”  Well, there ya go.  We need to examine our hearts regularly.  But we need help to do it well.  We talk of being able to do all things through Christ who is our strength.  Well, here’s one of the “all things” we avoid. 

Means:  Make a list.

·         What makes you laugh?  What makes you cry?  What hurts you and provokes anger?  What brings you satisfaction?  What brings you security?  What do you ache for?  What do you fear?

·         Which of those things are in line with your profession – or not?

·         Why?

2.    It includes deep humiliation for heart evils and disorders.

OK, “humiliation” is a tough word – but it is also a good intervention word.  Flavel is talking about what you may have just discovered in the above exercise.  These “evils” and “disorders” have to be robbed of their power in your heart and the best way for that to happen is to lay them out before God.

Consider the sacrifice Christ made for those things.  Consider how He did so to enable you to humiliate them – to see and acknowledge their shameful presence in your heart.  BUT – do so ONLY if you are firmly aware of the fact of God’s grace in your life.

This isn’t about beating yourself up.  It is about beating the bugs out of the rug – the evil and disorder out of your heart.  Denial is so easy and so seeing becomes hard.  Denial is so easy and so dealing with evils and disorders is so messy.  The longer the evil and disorder remains denied the longer it works against your growth, stability and comfort.

I knew a man who after a year of literally living on OTC indigestion medicine finally went to the doctor.  To his horror, he had stomach cancer and it was too late to really do anything curative about it.  So it is with the evils and disorders that live in our hearts – though we are alive “in” Christ these things make our hearts dead to Him.  They are like the veil in the Temple were it to be repaired.  We cannot fully know the comfort and security of being His because of these things.

Means:  From the list take the evils and disorders you find to the throne of grace. 

·         Confess them and confess their hurtfulness to your spiritual health. 

·         Ask God to help you to begin to remove (humiliate) them. 

·         Ask Him where to start. 

·         Perhaps even keep a list in your wallet or purse so that when you pray you can always have a reminder of your deep heart need

3.    It includes earnest supplication and instant prayer for purifying and rectifying grace when sin has defiled and disordered the heart.  “Whatever thou deny me: give me a heart to fear thee, to love and delight in thee.”

This is praying “for.”  Above we took the load to Him.  Here we ask for what we need, “purifying and rectifying grace.”

Means:  Good ole regular and strong, “on your knees” prayer.

·         Make use of David’s prayers such as we find in Psalm 23 and following.

·         Make use of the recorded prayers of others as can be found in the book, Puritan Prayers.

Thou hast struck a heavy blow at my pride, at the false god of self, and I lie in pieces before Thee. But Thou hast given me another master and lord, Thy Son, Jesus, and now my heart is turned towards holiness, my life speeds as an arrow from a bow towards complete obedience to Thee. Help me in all my doings to put down sin day. Grant me grace to bear Thy will without repining, and delight to be not only chiselled, squared, or fashioned, but separated from the old rock where I have been embedded so long, and lifted from the quarry to the upper air, where I may be built in Christ for ever.  Anonymous (2010-07-01). Puritan Prayers (Kindle Locations 105-110).  . Kindle Edition.

·         Write out your prayers.

4.    It includes the imposing of strong engagements upon ourselves to walk more carefully with God, and avoid the occasions whereby the heart may be induced to sin.

This is head work.  How do you avoid those things which encourage, sustain or implant evils and disorders in your mind?  It is not only a matter of what you decide to forego or abstain from, but a matter of what you will take up, engage in and practice.

What will you choose to replace that which you find to your detriment?  How will you fill the minutes, the hours?  What will serve you to your benefit and growth in godliness?

These are not “laws,” but choices.  These do not determine “if” you are His but rather “how” you are His and how you give His Spirit the means and opportunity to heal, restore and strengthen you.  It can be as simple as not watching a TV show to as complex of breaking off an relationship.

Where upon your path do you stumble?  What is it that you stumble over?  Who is it that is a stumbling block to you?  These are the things concerning which you need to make strong resolutions – choices.

Though God can use these things, He cannot bless them.  Their use is limited to His conviction of your heart.  The blessing comes from taking the medicine He prescribes.  Though the medicine taste bitter, even nasty, we know it is all and only for our good and His glory.

Means:  Make a list, pray about where to begin and then begin.  Do so being as gentle and gracious with yourself as is He.

·         Who

·         What

·         When

·         Where

Choices have two ends: the choice to “not,” and the choice to “do.”  As we choose to not we must choose to do.  In that list, make a column of what will replace that which you have marked for elimination.  Prayer, study, fellowship with other believers, worship – all these are good and godly replacements.

Our modern age supplies us with countless opportunities for choosing good things (as it does for evil).  I know that when all else fails I listen to sermons by Alistair Begg or read books written by one of the Puritans.  These choices may not be for you, they are but two options.

5.    It includes a constant and holy jealousy over our own hearts.  He that will keep his heart must eat and drink with fear, rejoice with fear, and pass the whole time of his sojourning here in fear. All this is little enough to keep the heart from sin.

This is a choice as well.  You must choose to save your heart for God and godly things and resent that which works against it. 

You who are fathers – would you have less concern for your heart as you would for the safety and purity of your children – your daughter?  You mothers, would you feed your newborn from a dirty bottle?  Young people, would you allow harm and evil to come to your dearest friends?  So, as you would wish yourself to be in regards to these who are so dear to you – be so to your own heart.

Pray to live knowing that it is not only your heart, but it is His as well.  Think of the price He has paid so you might walk after Him in security and confidence.  Would you cheat on one who was so dedicated to you, who had given so much for you?  Consider those times when someone you considered close shunned or betrayed you – what was that pain like?

Or think of something in which or of which you place great meaning.  Would you allow someone to damage or destroy it?  Are you cautious about who uses it – perhaps even who sees it?  What greater meaning can any “thing” have than the redemption of your heart and His promise of His provision?

It is not sin to be selfish with your heart which He has redeemed.  It is sin to allow it to be used and abused, tarnished or torn by sin and the agents of sin.  We may give our hearts to others through Him but for no other reason than His service.

Means:  Who or what would draw your heart from you – from Him?  They have no such right, no such authority.

·         Keep your heart from their influence and certainly from their grasp.

6.    It includes the realizing of God’s presence with us, and setting the Lord always before us.

This well could have been the first on the list for it is certainly the most important.  The old quip that “character is what a man is when no one is watching,” is not off the mark.

God is always watching – and He knows our suffering and difficulties.  He knows our grief.  He knows our needs.  He knows our weakness.

He wants His highest good for our lives here as well as in heaven. 

It is hard to really understand, but true that God is our truest friend.  He will never forsake or abandon us.  He is always at work for our betterment in His grace and glory.

He is the one who can not only search our hearts, but heal them and strengthen them as well.

Urged by my need, invited by Thy promises, called by Thy Spirit, I enter Thy presence, worshipping Thee with godly fear, awed by Thy majesty, greatness, glory, but encouraged by Thy love.  Anonymous (2010-07-01). Puritan Prayers (Kindle Locations 121-122).  . Kindle Edition.

Bless me by revealing to me more of His saving merits, by causing Thy goodness to pass before me, by speaking peace to my contrite heart; strengthen me to give Thee no rest untiI Christ shall reign supreme within me in every thought, word, and deed, in a faith that purifies the heart, overcomes the world, works by love, fastens me to Thee, and ever clings to the cross.  Anonymous (2010-07-01). Puritan Prayers (Kindle Locations 125-128).  . Kindle Edition.

Peter’s Pen 1st Peter 3:12-22

1Pe 3:12-22  For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil." 

God sees you and hears you.  But if you, even as His, do evil, He has to oppose that and discipline you.

(13)  Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 

Uhhhhh – well, people will think I am weird, a fanatic, off the deep end……?  But if the truth is indeed true – then what consequence can there be but zealousness?  And if there is not a zealousness, what does that tell us about our view of the truth?  Uhhhh….

(14)  But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 

OK – but . . . . .   I don’t want to suffer for doing good – I want goodies, kudos for doing good – isn’t the way it works?  Oh, no – that’s “karma,” not Christ – oops, my bad.

Wait – suffer and be blessed?  That takes some thought.  Can I ask that I be blessed by the absence of the suffering?  Oh wait – I forgot, 1 Peter 2:19-25 ---- Oops!!

Fear?  There’s fear attached to doing good?  Maybe that’s why the idea of karma is popular under many guises. 

(15)  but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,  (16)  having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 

Ok – when someone asks you why you have that stupid grin on your face when you are reviled and persecuted – you need to be ready to tell them, respectfully and gently. 

Ahhh – there’s that “good conscience,” thing – again with the heart health.  I need to know in my heart that I am truly suffering for doing good – looking to honor Christ as my Lord.

I shouldn’t be suffering because I am an obnoxious pain – or an arrogant irritant – but for doing good – for honoring Christ.

Oh – really – “when” I am slandered for my “good” behavior.  Oh that’s gonna be fun – but Oh, yeah, they did that to Him, too – even on the cross they did that to Him - 1 Peter 2:19-25 ---- Oops!!

(17)  For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil. 

Oh??  God’s will might be that I suffer for doing good?  Gee, that’s a happy thought!  But, wait – if I suffer for doing evil and I claim Christ as Lord, don’t I have a much bigger problem??  Oh.

(18)  For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,  

Not fair!  Here I am worrying about suffering for doing good and that being God’s will and bam – here’s the cross thing.  But that’s the whole point isn’t it?  1 Peter 2:19-25 ---- 

Oops!!

(19)  in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison,  (20)  because they formerly did not obey, when God's patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. 

Uhhh – if God is so gracious – how can I be less so?

(21)  Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 

How can I not want to do good to ALL when I am the beneficiary of such a great gift?  How can I suffer myself to be and do less than my Redeemer? 

(22)  who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.

Here is the power to live for and as Him.  All things are subject to Him – especially me.  I have nothing to lose and I have gained much.  He is in control and if I trust Him as good and righteous and holy and gracious, then I will indeed desire to grow in my doing good to ALL – especially those who are blind and without hope in the world.

This and That: Just on my mind. 091912

Psa 42:11  Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.

Here’s the conundrum:  How do we know it is our soul and not our flesh that is “cast down?”

We all get bummed out, anxious, sad and even find ourselves in turmoil.  But is it because of some factor related to our walk or is it because our flesh is not satisfied?

I know, it all related to our faith but it is critical that we examine our turmoil as to its source.

Ok – me – my favorite bad example.  I have a situation which can end in something good, something bad or just remain the same.  It’s a situation on which I have labored hard, told the truth (even though they didn’t want to hear it) and been faithful to Him.  In anticipation of the meeting I have today I am cast down.  Why?

Well, my flesh wants the kudos and rewards that we espect to come from having done a task  well and with ingrity.  My flesh thinks that I ought to get “goodies,” for having done this task with such diligence.  Anticipating a bad outcome my flesh gets angry and bitter.  Anticipating things staying the same my flesh is disgruntled but OK.  Anticipating the bad result my pride and fleshly expectations want to argue with god for the better result – and the meeting isn’t for seven hours.

My flesh operates according to the “myths” the world offers.  Work hard, do good and good things will result.  Always tell the truth and good things will result.  Yeah, tell it to Paul!

My flesh is always looking for its own advantage and benefit.  It carries a sense of being “owed” something.  It believes it deserves good stuff and when it does not get it – the pity party starts.

There are two factors at work here.  When I was growing up  and even into my adult years I was part of a family but not.  I was once asked to describe my role in my family and I replied, “Invisible.”  I spent a lot of my life asking, “When is it my turn to get the attention and care?”  “When is it my turn to be the center of attention?”  The reasons are a long story--------

That flesh-wound has stayed with me and plagued me for all my years.  So when I find myself in turmoil, when I have a sense of my soul being cast down that’s the first place I go.  Typically I find that that flesh-wound is the source of my discontent.

We all have flesh-wounds we carry that affect our affections (feelings and perceptions).  What we need to do is to identify them well enough to be able to discern when they are at the root of our turmoil or discontent.

Now, you may ask why this flesh wound has not been healed.  I have no idea.  It has grown less effective but it is still there.  Perhaps it is a left-handed blessing.  Perhaps it serves His purpose in my life or the lives of those I serve. 

The cousin to my question is, “Why is this happening to me?”  both questions are worth examining for our God is sovereign and nothing happens by chance.  There is a purpose for every trial, every temptation.  Of that we can be sure

But the bottom line is, “Is it a question or a complaint?”  Am I seeking God’s will and purpose or am I  grousing because either don’t have what I want or have something I don’t want?

How much of the energy behind my turmoil comes from the spirit and how much from the flesh?  How much is about Him and how much is about me?  am I disquieted or dissatisfied?

If I am disquieted I feel pretty good about it being from my spirit.  If I am dissatisfied I am pretty sure it’s my flesh.

Why nit-pick?  The solution of both is of course to draw near to Him. But my spirit needs to grow and my flesh needs to, as the Puritans said, “be mortified,” or die.

So discerning which of the two has the most energy and influence is important.  It will guide my prayer and other duties.  It will make me alert to temptation and sin as well as the blessings of discipline and training.

You may respond, “Why worry about it, trust God and move on.”  Well, that’s all well and good but it does matter – it matters whether the mass in one’s abdomen is a cyst, tumor or a mass due to diverticulitis.  The first two need surgery the other needs medication.   My spirit needs communion with God in prayer, study, fellowship and worship.  The other, just needs to die.

So, as I prepare for my meeting I have to examine my spirit qand the source of its turmoil.  In this case the flesh wins.  Regardless of the “news” I get I was faithful to Him and hopefully I honored Him in the work I did.  How can I be uneasy because of that?  What I am uneasy about is how “they” reacted to my work and how that will affect my future provision.  But, my future provision was never in their hands anyway so whatever the result the One who has always been in charge is still in charge.

So my prayers are directed more to the killing of the flesh than to the preferred results.  God knows quite well what I want – but – more comforting – God well knows what I need.

Any questions?

3 hours 'till the meeting - everybody pray!!  ;-}}}}}

Peter’s Pen 1st Peter 3:9-12

1Pe 3:9-12  Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.  (10)  For "Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit;  (11)  let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.  (12)  For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."

Do not - For to this you were called – For – For – But

Vs. 9 & 10

We are called to turn away from evil AND do good – by seeking peace – even pursuing it.

“Called,” – great word.  Indicates being called by name.  We were “named” to turn away from evil.  That evil referred to here is repaying evil with evil.  Curse for curse.  Reviling for reviling.

I wonder when we lost that?  There is just too much returning evil for evil going on from within the Body of Christ.  Yeah, there are the wing-nuts who claim Christ and use that for an excuse to hate – but are they really believers?  I doubt it.

But – in our private conversations how much anger – indeed evil - do we speak of those who oppose, revile and/or do evil to believers and the cause of Christ?

Early on, the very name “Christian” was a reproach, a type of reviling and yet we don’t see any return of that reviling coming from the believers. 

Now please don’t go thinking that if you are not cursing those who hate you, then you are doing ok.  Ambivalence towards our enemies is just as big an evil.  Dismissing, ignoring, much less making snide and hurtful comments (especially among ourselves), is just as bad.  It may be an indirect return of evil but it is evil.

We are to bless!  We are told that if we “love” (agapao) life (zoe/ a kind of life – our life in Christ) then we will labor to keep our, “tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit;  let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.”

Ahhh the tongue.  See James 3. No, really, look it up and read it – three times at least.

Jas 3:9-10  With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.  (10)  From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.

Any questions?  What part of, “ought not to be,” is hard to grasp?

Mat 15:18  But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person.

Does that help you, “get it”?

This is not a matter of “doing,” as much as it is a matter of the heart. 

So, how’s your heart?  Check your mouth and you’ll get the scoop!  Actually, consider what you think and don’t say – that’s a good indicator.

So how do we get our hearts right?

Let me get at this left-handedly.

1Co 7:36-38  If anyone thinks that he is not behaving properly toward his betrothed, if his passions are strong, and it has to be, let him do as he wishes: let them marry--it is no sin.  (37)  But whoever is firmly established in his heart, being under no necessity but having his desire under control, and has determined this in his heart, to keep her as his betrothed, he will do well.  (38)  So then he who marries his betrothed does well, and he who refrains from marriage will do even better.

Three things about a healthy heart:

• It is firmly established – set upon and under the sovereignty of God.
• It is under control – both by the believer and the Spirit.
• It is determined – both by the believer and the Spirit and the Word.

We have new hearts.  We have old flesh.  They don’t get along.  But the flesh has only the power and influence we give it.  The Spirit is more powerful.  The flesh can provoke but the Spirit controls – or does He?  That you must ask God, yourself and your faith family.

If the worst thing you say about unbelievers – especially those who revile you – is that they need to be redeemed – then you have said all you can appropriately say.  When you allow the flesh to launch you into either thoughts of speech that demeans, insults or devalues an unbeliever – especially one who opposed you – you have gone too far. 

Look, unbelievers are exactly the way they are supposed to be, sinful.  I don’t really concern myself with WHAT there sinfulness looks like and I certainly can’t allow my personal prejudices allow me to vilify anyone – they are simply sinners – just like me without Christ.  The only critical difference is that I have the power of the Holy Spirit and the Word to work God’s ways into my life through Christ.  I am free of the bondage to sin, they aren’t.  They don’t and aren’t – so I do not ever expect Christian behavior or opinions, etc. from those who are not His.  Regardless of how we “feel” about their sin – their “lostness” is their biggest – BIGGEST problem and should be our main, if not only, concern.

How do we ‘bless” them?  By prayer, by kindness, by helping, by sharing the Gospel; and to do that we have to ask God to work in our hearts so that we are heart-broken for them, about them and with them.  

This and That 091012b Oh, be careful but proud

When men have had enlargements in their expressions, and especially when they apprehend that others are satisfied or affected therewith, they are apt to have a secret self-pleasing in what they have done; which, before they are aware, turns into pride and a noxious elation of mind. 

Owen, John (2011-09-27). Grace and Duty of Being Spiritually Minded [Illustrated] (Kindle Locations 747-749).  . Kindle Edition.

From praise to pride is a very short journey.

From kudos to conceit is a just a step.

From glorifying Him to glorifying ourselves doesn’t take much of a nudge.

Doing works of ministry should certainly make us feel good.  But it is the good of the instrument not the good of the player.  I have heard the most beautiful music come from a simple Penny Whistle as well as a costly clarinet.  It was not the instrument but the musician.

Paul writes:  “In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to be proud of my work for God.” Rom 15:17

See, there is a humble and godly pride.  It is a pride of the instrument – the one through whom God makes His music.  It is, “in Christ!”

But it is also a danger.  The danger is when we allow ourselves to be carried away from the source – the means – the power of our performance. 

We all have skills and talents and they may or may not be our “spiritual gifts.”  But they are all gifts.  I work hard to differentiate between my skills and my “gifts.”  Though I thank God for them both they are not all given for the same use.  Yes, they are given for the purpose of glorifying God but they are not all useful in the works of ministry He has called us to.

Because of my upbringing and experience I have a lot of things I can do and do well.  The danger comes when I decide which are for His glory and which are just there.

I know this sounds strange but what talents etc., I use in my work and how I use them is not the same as when I am about His work.  Yes I know He is in it all but I discern a difference as I use them.  It is hard to explain but just because I can “X” does not mean He wants “X” to be of any importance in my work for Him. 

Pride comes in when I assume that I should use a talent or skill just because I can and in doing that I keep someone else from being able to use their gifts in His service.  Even when I think I might do it better, or especially when I think I might do it better, pride is there and I must sit still.

OK this is OOC (out of context) but the principle has helped me:

1Co 10:23-24  "All things are lawful," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful," but not all things build up.  (24)  Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.

Let me give you an extreme example.  I was given my first gun and taught to shoot when I was still in diapers.  I am a certified Revolver Master Marksman.  Now, pray tell, how do I use that for His glory?  I know I can think of lots of ways that skill might be used but there is no direct connection for me.

On the other hand, I was forced to take part in musicals and plays when I was very young.  Now understand I am a terminal introvert – so, at times I was whipped because I didn’t want to participate.  But, I learned to “do” extroverted things.  So, I use those skills in my work and my ministry.  Yeah, it’s hard to correlate being forced to do something with it being a “gift,” but it was – and is.

I have been told that I can be intimidating.  Now, when I was in law enforcement, that was a good thing – but “in Him,” not so much.

There are, what I call, seed gifts (no that’s not biblical) that have produced skills, talents and abilities that have are “gifts.”  The “acorn” isn’t the gift but the “oak” is.

I want you to know something I “think.”  I think that if you look back at both the blessings and trials that He has provided you will see the “acorns.”  Then, look for the “oaks.”  I have worked with a lot of brothers and sister who, at some point in their lives, experienced horrible things.  I have noticed that they are so focused on the trauma that they miss the “oak” in the yard. 

That of which many are ashamed can be used by Him to His glory in His work.

2Co 1:3-4  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,  (4)  who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

That’s just one way he uses our “acorns” to grow “oaks.”  But remember, we are not to take pride in our having been comforted rather we are to take pride in the comforter.

2Ti 2:20-21  Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable.  (21)  Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.

With Paul, let us:  :  “In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to be proud of my work for God.” Rom 15:17