Another Look at Simplicity (Micah 6:8)

I enjoy being around people who can keep things simple. So many of us make all of life so complicated, so those who know how to simplify help us. Just as that is true in everyday life, it is also true in our Christian lives. Simplicity is a good thing!

We talked about the basics yesterday as recorded in Jesus’ words to love God and love people. I’d like to think about those basics again today. But instead of Jesus’ words, let’s look at one of the Old Testament prophets.

God’s Spirit has drawn my mind to Micah, an Old Testament prophet who knew how to simplify things. He listened to God’s Spirit at work in His life and gave us simple instruction. Here is what he said: He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God?

Do justly. Simplicity begins with always trying to do the right thing-the just thing. That’s not complicated, especially for those of us who know the indwelling Spirit of God. It may sometimes be hard, but it is not complicated.

Love mercy. It is an interesting little word that means compassion or forbearance. It isn’t complicated. Even when offended, God leads us to show mercy. That is not unlike His treatment of us. Where would we be without God’s mercy in our lives? Loving to show mercy may not be easy, but it is not complicated.

Walk humbly with your God. Simplicity perfected is living with God in a big “G” and little “i” relationship. He’s God; we are not. He is worthy of our complete devotion. We offer that devotion in humble gratitude because we understand the big “G” and little “i” character of our walk with God. It is not always easy, but it is not complicated.

Perhaps you and I need to take a step back from all the complications of life and pursue the simplicity of Micah 6:8. Sometimes we want to solve all the big problems before we manage the simple things. I wonder if all the big problems would exist if we lived out the simple things. — John Strain is our weekend Freedom Fighter contributor and is Senior Pastor at First Baptist Toms River

God’s WORD for YOU: Psalm 79-80; Proverbs 10; Romans 11:1-18

Great Quote: My greatest help in Christ is that moment by moment I can pass my distress over to him. — George Verwer

Working on the Basics (Matthew 22:34-40)

Christianity is not nearly as complicated as so many of us make it. I am reminded of something Luke says about the Christians of the early church in Acts 2:46&47. “So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.”

Those early disciples learned the value of some simple things like loving God and loving one another. Perhaps some of them had heard Jesus’ words in Matthew 22:37-40: “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ “This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ “On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

Living like Jesus and seeing His life grow in us doesn’t have to go beyond simplicity. He wrapped it all up for us with these words recorded by Matthew. Love God and love people. It is that simple. We too often try to figure out all the intricacies of doctrine and look for some new teaching. Let’s forego all the “deep” things and go back to the basics. Love God and love people. God has reminded me this week that I need to do that. Perhaps you need the reminder, too.
Loving God is not as complicated as it sounds. We prove that we love God by obeying His instructions. We have power to obey those instructions because God’s Spirit lives in us to help us obey. It is that simple. We may struggle with obedience because of the residue of the flesh. That is why God gives us others to walk the journey with us. We live in communities of faith that put us shoulder to shoulder with others who are trying to get the basics down . . . just as we try. We encourage each other and learn from each other.

Loving people is not all that complicated either. God’s Spirit empowers us to love as we are loved. The more we learn how much God loves us, the better we can love even those who might not be so lovely. Jesus showed us how to do it in His life. As we walk with Him, abide in Him, and learn from Him, we learn to love as He loved.

Love God and love people. Do it with “simplicity of heart.” Keep working on the basics, and the complicated stuff will fall into place. — John Strain is Senior Pastor First Baptist of Toms River

God’s WORD for YOU: Psalm 77-78; Proverbs 9; Romans 10

Great Quote: “…Jesus showed us what God really wants to cleanse and purify-our hearts. Christ’s transforming work on the cross helps us to break free from desires that hold us in bondage. As we submit to God, we become like Christ, no longer wanting to offend God. Out of gratitude we obey Him from the inside out.” Tremper Longman, Reading the Bible with Heart and Mind

PUTTING SIN TO DEATH

“Turn (depart) from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.” (Psalm 34:14)

How can you put to death the ruling power of sin in the deeds of your body? Both negative and positive ways: “turn/depart” = negative; “do good” = positive. You need to TURN “from” and TURN “to” in putting sin to death.

From TEMPTATION: (1 Corinthians 10:13) there is no temptation beyond your ability to overcome. God makes a way to escape every time. Temptation is not sin – you have a choice to turn from temptation.

To TRUST: (Proverbs 3:5-6) it is necessary to turn to trust in Christ. You yield to temptation when you don’t really trust God that He will provide for the need that leads you into sin: drugs – what for? Steal – what for? Illicit sex – what for? Cheat – what for? Gossip – what for? Doing for yourself means God won’t do for you. So, turn to trust.

From UNRIGHTEOUSNESS: (Zephaniah 3:5) God does no unrighteousness. He brings justice to light through His Word. The unjust knows no shame. Unrighteousness is the lack of right in every area of your daily life: work ethics, entertainment, relationships, money, worship. Turn…

To UNDERSTANDING: (1 John 5:20) Jesus gives you understanding to know right – in order to know Him who is true. You are IN Him! Turn to understand that.

From RAGS: (Isaiah 64:6) all your self-righteous acts are like filthy rags, and you will shrivel up life a leaf and be blown away by your unrighteousness. Do you wonder why everything is messed up? Turn from your rags!

To RICHES: (Ephesians 2:6-7) you are rich! You are already raised up in God’s mind to sit in the heavens. You have the riches of His grace and kindness. Why chase the world to gain rags? Turn to riches!

From NATURAL: (Romans 6:19) in human terms, you are a member of a body. In your flesh, you are weak and you fall. You are a slave to uncleanness in your habits. In wickedness there are no laws, rules, regulations or restrictions. Turn from the natural man.

To NEW: (Ephesians 4:23-24) be renewed in your attitudes which begin in your mind. Put on (which involves the action of choices) the new man (created to be like God) in righteousness and holiness. Turn to the new!

Put sin to death today: TURN – from temptation to trust; from unrighteousness to understanding; from rags to riches; from the natural to the new. Have a victorious day! Jack Noel serves at the Colony of Mercy as a Chaplain.

God’s WORD for YOU: Psalms 79-80; Proverbs 8; Romans 11:1-18

Great Quote: A Methodist (Christian) is one who loves the Lord his God with all his heart, with all his soul, with all his mind, and with all his strength. God is the joy of his heart, and the desire of his soul, which is continually crying, ‘Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth whom I desire besides thee.’ My God and my all! ‘Thou art the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.’ He is therefore happy in God; yea, always happy, as having in him a well of water springing up unto everlasting life, and over-flowing his soul with peace and joy. Perfect love living now cast out fear, he rejoices evermore. Yea, his joy is full, and all his bones cry out, ‘Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who, according to his abundant mercy, hath begotten me again unto a living hope of an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, reserved in heaven for me. — John Wesley

Signs? What Signs?

Then Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will by no means believe”. John 4:48

When I was a kid growing up around an Italian household some everyday occurrences were taken as a “sign”. A fork would fall to the floor and my grandmother would say “Companies coming and they will hungry. I better get something cooking.” Well, who could it be? I had some pretty cool aunt’s and uncle’s at one time so like a puppy dog my ears would perk up and I would start to look out the window. And wait. And wait. Then dinner would be ready and my grandmother would try and have us eat everything in one shot. The only problem with this was the company. Where were they to help us eat all this food? Oh well. More for us I guess?

I also could never understand the meaning of when the right hand would itch. It was taken as a sign that you would be receiving money. Well my hand still itches and I am no Donald Trump. Praise the Lord!!

My point here is that there were signs that had been interrupted to mean something but nothing would happen. But I believed they would happen. Not too long ago I ignored the sign that said 25mph. But when I got pulled over I had to believe that I was travelling well beyond what the sign said. It was a little sign surrounded by branches but I, well, just disobeyed. Oops. Lost some money but earn some points for that. (Just for the record, my wife was not as visibly angry at me as I was at me.)

Now how many of you Brothers reading this are looking for a sign so you can believe? You’re in a spot in your life where you have been praying for Jesus to give you a sign or some sort of signal that He acknowledges you. I have been there saying my occasional “foxhole prayer” as well. You know what…the only sign to see is The Cross. And at times I fail to see it…or dare I say…just not look to it. It’s not a little sign hidden by branches so what’s my excuse. There is none.

As I travel through the everyday I am bombarded by signs. None of them have the depth or the power of The Cross. The Cross does not encourage me to buy something nor does it tell me how fast to go. It does not blink or change its color. It does however give me direction and wisdom. But most importantly it tells me to yield. Just like He yielded. That’s the sign. For me. What about you? What does it say to you? — Chris Hughes is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy

God’s WORD for YOU: Psalm 72-73; Proverbs 7; Romans 9:1-15

Great Quote: Your worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the reach of God’s grace. And your best days are never so good that you are beyond the need of God’s grace. — Anonymous

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THE CROSS IN PRAYER
“In that day you will ask in my name …” John 16:26

Today’s Freedom Fighter comes from the pen of Oswald Chambers — My Utmost for His Highest:

“We often think of the Cross of Christ as something we have to get THROUGH, yet we get THROUGH for purpose of getting INTO it. The Cross represents only one thing for us — complete, entire, absolute identification with the Lord Jesus Christ — and there is NOTHING in which this identification is more real to us than in prayer.

‘Your Father knows the things you had need of BEFORE you ask Him’ (Matthew 6:8). Then why should we ask? The point of prayer is not to get answers from God, but to have perfect and complete oneness with Him. If we pray only because we want answers, we will become irritated and angry with God. We receive an answer every time we pray, but it does not always come in the way WE expect, and our spiritual irritation shows our refusal to identify ourselves truly with our Lord in prayer. We are not here to PROVE that God answers prayer, but to be living trophies of His grace.

‘ … I do not say to you that I shall pray the Father for you; for the Father Himself loves you …” (John 16:26-27) Have you reached such a level of intimacy with God that the only thing that can account for your prayer life is that it has become one with the prayer life of Jesus Christ? Has our Lord exchanged your life with His vital life? If so, then ‘in that day’ you will be also so closely identified with Jesus that there will be no distinction.

When prayer seems to be unanswered, beware of trying to place the blame of someone else. That is always a trap of Satan. When you seem to have no answer, there is always a reason — for God uses these times to give you deep personal instruction, and it is not for anyone else but you.”

Good word for today. I needed to hear that today. — Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK

God’s WORD for YOU: Psalm 70-71; Proverbs 6; Romans 8:22-39

Great Quote: God is more anxious to bless us than we are to be blessed. More anxious to give us wisdom, strength and peace than we are to take them. We are the ones who are reluctant not God. — Richard C. Halverson

THE EYES OF THE LORD

“For the ways of a man are before the eyes of the Lord, and He watches all his paths.” Proverbs 5:21

This week at the Colony of Mercy, the theme of the week is “Man’s Greatest Temptation” which covers the area of sexual sin. The men work through four weeks of teaching by Bruce Wilkinson from his book, “Personal Holiness in Times of Temptation.” If you never have read Bruce’s book, it is a must read for every Christian man.

In preparation for sharing God’s Word at the Colony Chapel on Sunday morning, I did a study on temptation which is a topic we had addressed on many occasions in our Freedom Fighter emails. I reminded the man that no matter what age we might be, what status in life, it isn’t a question of IF we will face temptation, but when.

We will face temptation from the world, the flesh and the devil. We will be tempted just like the first Adam was tempted as well as the second Adam, Jesus Christ. Remember that the devil tempted both through the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life.

This morning in daily reading from Proverbs I was in chapter 5 (I read a chapter a day!) which is the passage that warns about lust and adultery. At the end of the chapter, Solomon puts the whole issue into perspective with these words: “For the ways of a man are BEFORE the eyes of the Lord, and HE watches ALL his paths.” (Proverbs 5:21)

One of the ways the enemy tries to trip us up is to believe the omniscient God does not really know what is going on. He tried to get Adam and Eve to believe that, and in fact, if you remember when they finally ate the apple they hid thinking God wouldn’t find them. The reality is that God knew exactly where they were.

The big disconnect in our lives is that we too think that God doesn’t know what we are up to. He does. He knows, weighs and sees every one of our thoughts, deeds, words and actions. NOTHING escapes His eye. If you don’t believe me — read Psalm 139 — you will see how INTIMATELY He is acquainted with you.

Next time you face temptation, remember these words from Ecclesiastes 12:13-14: The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to EVERY person. For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.”

If we keep Proverbs 5:21 and Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 written on the hard drive of our minds, we are going to be victorious when we face temptation. That in itself could be one of the “ways of escape” that God has promised us in 1 Corinthians 10:13. Think about it! — Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK

God’s Word for YOU: Psalm 68-69; Proverbs 5; Romans 8:1-21

PRAISE YOUR WAY OUT

“Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him.”
(Psalm 33:1)

Our team of missionaries was based at a church in one of the rougher parts of London. We decided to put on an “international night.” We printed up invitations, and spent a week on the streets encouraging the locals to come. Our plan was to spend most of the evening entertaining them, then to ease our way into the Gospel. When the big night came, about thirty guests had responded. Half of them were young teens, and most of these had been drinking heavily and sniffing glue.

We gave it our best shot. The Swiss guy was funny, and the Korean flag dance was great, but our visitors were just mocking. Later on, in broken English a young Korean called Peter, (we couldn’t pronounce his real name), tried to share his testimony. Someone threw a can of coke at him. Peter looked up and said, “Before I Christian, Me, one punch, You, heaven!” From that point on, anything could have happened. I was the preacher that night, and due up after Peter. Why me? I recalled the words of a friend, “You will find yourself in situations that you just can’t pray your way out of; but you can always praise your way out.”

And so I did. In a room that was about to explode, I found God. I told him how much I loved Him. I thanked Him for taking me from the sewer and filling my life with joy. I told Him what an honour it was to be in this place, on this night. I was absolutely lost in His presence. When someone tapped me and said, “You’re up,” the room was calm. The ring leaders had left. They must have gotten bored. Those that remained settled in and I spoke for fifteen minutes on The Good Shepherd. The end of the story is that three people came to know Jesus that night as Saviour and Lord. Wow!

And so now I can say to you, “You will find yourself in situations that you just can’t pray your way out of; but you can always praise your way out.” There is never a time when it is not fitting for the upright to praise Him. That includes in anything that you face today. Chris Thompson is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and serves as a church planter in England with his wife, Pam. Today’s devotion is from REAL VICTORY FOR REAL LIFE.

God’s Word for Today: Psalms 66-67; Romans 7

Great Quote: Who can deny that it is necessary that this most excellent gift of patience, which a believer has received from God, be developed by practice, so that he becomes sure and convinced of it? For otherwise men would never esteem it as it deserves. But if God himself acts justly when he prevents such virtues from becoming obscure and useless by offering us an occasion to exercise them, then this must be the best of rea­sons for trying the saints, for without affliction they would have no patience. [John Calvin]

Learning to Walk the Walk (1 John 1:5-9)

I asked you yesterday to think with me about walking as Jesus walked. That simple concept is the expectation that comes with knowing Jesus as Lord and Savior. To say we follow Jesus when we do not walk as He walked puts us in conflict with the clear teaching of Scripture. That walk with Jesus (when we walk like Him) will see our lives marked by holiness, love, and continuing exposure to God’s Word.

It occurred to me that we might need to think about how this “walking like He walked” develops in our lives. Knowing what we are supposed to do and how to do it is not always the same thing. Since John gave us the instruction to walk as He walked, I thought I would spend some time in 1 John and try to discover some help for the walk. Here is what I found

The first thing I noticed, in 1 John 1:5&6 is that we avoid darkness. If we were reading Paul’s writings, we would hear him telling us to “put off the works of darkness.” To walk as Jesus walked means that we are actively engaged in getting rid of the darkness. We do that by living a life increasingly yielded to the Holy Spirit. People who walk as Jesus walked refuse to tolerate darkness in their lives.

I also noticed that those who want to walk as He walked live in the light. (1 John 1:7) We choose light. We pursue light. We thrive on the light. Again, if we were listening to Paul, we would hear him tell us to “put on the new man.” Part of the yielding to the Holy Spirit draws darkness out of us. Yielding also brings light into us-the kind of light that empowers us to walk as Jesus walked.

John also tells us that those who want to walk as Jesus walked must get rid of darkness when it slips into our lives. Since we are not yet perfect, we struggle. A friend of mine, Dick Burr, speaks of “the residue of the flesh” that continually tries to stir up the old nature. We deal with that residue by readily confessing our sin when it comes into our lives. Be sure to read 1 John 1:8-10.

These things are not the sum total that will help us walk as He walked. They provide a good start for us, however. We avoid darkness at all costs. We diligently pursue the light of God’s Word and work in our lives. We confess our sin when darkness rears its ugly head.

Join me in the life-long effort to walk as He walked. It is Jesus’ expectation for each of our lives. — Pastor John Strain is senior Pastor First Baptist Toms River

God’s WORD for YOU: Psalm 63-65; Romans 6

Great Quote: God’s ability to perform is far beyond our prayers – even our greatest prayers! I have recently been thinking of some of the requests I have made of Him innumerable times in my prayers. And what have I requested? I have asked for a cupful, while He owns the entire ocean! I have asked for one simple ray of light, while He holds the sun! My best asking falls immeasurably short of my Father’s ability to give, which is far beyond what we could ever ask. – John Henry Jowett

Join us this week to hear Dr. David Epstein, Senior Pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, New York City. Check out the our website for details: www.americaskeswick.org

“Walking the Walk” (1 John 2:6)

A relationship with Jesus Christ brings some expectations with it. In my opinion, one of the big problems with American Christianity is that many of us ignore those expectations. We live as though Jesus just wants to save us without any concern for how we live.

Let me ask you to consider one verse of Scripture that addresses the issue. “He who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk just as He walked.” (1 John 2:6) The Apostle John lays it out for us clearly. No follower of Jesus has any reason to misunderstand. If we say we walk with Jesus (abide with Him), then we need to live the way He lived (walk as He walked).

Allow me to suggest some things about Jesus life that ought to show in our lives when we try to walk as He walked. Jesus walked in holiness. He lived a life marked by purity-without sin. All of us know that we will not live completely without sin. Too many of us, though, pursue holiness only lightly, if at all. Choosing to walk as Jesus walked brings with it the expectation of holiness.

Jesus also walked in love. He loved His Father. He loved children. He loved the men who learned from Him. He loved the people to whom He ministered. He even loved those who rejected Him. Do you remember Jesus weeping over Jerusalem? Jesus didn’t just love. He told us that we, too, must love. In a day when Christians live in so much conflict, where is the love? Choosing to walk as Jesus walked brings with it the expectation of love.

Jesus also walked in the Word. He knew the Word, and He knew how to use the Word for good. When tempted by Satan, He went to the Word. When challenged by skeptics, He gave them the Word. He introduced His ministry by taking His hearers to the Word. He integrated the Word of God into every facet of His life. Choosing to walk as Jesus walked brings with it the expectation that you and I will know and apply God’s Word to our lives . . . all of our lives.

Claiming to walk with Jesus is not enough. We who say we walk with Him must meet the standard of God’s Word. That standard says that those who say they walk with Jesus ought to walk as Jesus walked. That leaves each of us with one question: How are we doing? — Pastor John Strain is Senior Pastor First Baptist Toms River

God’s WORD for YOU: Psalm 60-62; Romans 5

Great Quote “I realize that I am not used to the image of God throwing a party. It seems to contradict the solemnity and seriousness I have always attached to God. But when I think about the ways in which Jesus describes God’s Kingdom, a joyful banquet is often at its center…This invitation to a meal is an invitation to intimacy with God…Celebration belongs to God’s Kingdom. God not only offers forgiveness, reconciliation, and healing, but wants to lift up these gifts as a source of joy for all who witness them.” Henri Nouwen, The Return of the Prodigal Son

PRAYING SCRIPTURE FOR OTHERS

Years ago I heard a great message by Dr. John Maxwell on praying Scripture back to the Father. It has been something that I have frequently done in my quiet time. It is a powerful exercise that I highly recommend.

Recently I read Henry Blackaby’s book, EXPERIENCING PRAYER WITH JESUS — The Power of His Presence and Power. In his book, he provides a list of Scriptures that can be used to pray for others in your life. I thought it might be helpful for you and me:

For Your Spouse:
Colossians 3:12-24; Psalm 119:33-40; Philippians 1:9-11; 1 Corinthians 13:1-7; 1 Peter 3:8-9; 1 John 5:18; Philippians 4:6-7

For Your Children:
Psalm 119:37; Luke 1:15; Luke 2:52; Proverbs 3:3-4; 1 Samuel 2:26; 1 Samuel 1:28; 1 Samuel 2:18; Psalm 8:2; Isaiah 54:13; Titus 3:1-2; Proverbs 20:11; Luke 2:40; Colossians 3:2; Psalm 22:9-10

For Your Friends and Extended Family:
2 Timothy 1:7; 2 Timothy 2:15; 1 Corinthians 15:58; James 3:17-18; 1 Timothy 4:12; 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12; Matthew 6:13 (with 2 Thessalonians 3:3; James 4:7-10; and John 17:15); Numbers 6:24-26; Deuteronomy 6:5; Philippians 4:8

For Your Pastors and Leaders:
Isaiah 11:2; 1 Timothy 3:2-7, 11; 2 Chronicles 15:7,2; 2 Timothy 2:24-26; 1 Timothy 3:11; 1 Peter 4:11; Luke 24:45; Ephesians 3:14-4:3; Acts 14:22; Acts 18:24-25

One of our dear friends has cards like this that she uses on her walk. A good exercise for the body and the soul! Hope this is a helpful suggestion for you today. — Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s KESWICK

God’s WORD for TODAY: Psalm 57-59; Romans 4

Great Quote: If we try to contemplate God without having turned the face of our inner self entirely in His direction, we will end up inevitably by contemplating ourselves, and we will perhaps plunge into the abyss of warm darkness which is our own sensible nature. That is not a darkness in which one can safely remain passive. — Thomas Merton