God Clothes

Col. 3:12-14  So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline (patience)...And regardless of what else you put on, wear love.  It's your basic all-purpose garment.  Never be without it. (MSG)

What we wear says a lot about us.  You might say it offers others a glimpse of who we are.  We dress a certain way for a job interview, to go to work and even to play.  Always being careful to dress so as to convey the appropriate message for whatever the occasion.  Our wardrobe is our witness.

As Christians, we have a special God-picked wardrobe.  Our God clothes.  These attributes of compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength (meekness) and discipline (patience) convey and confirm to others that we have indeed been chosen by God to live out a new life of love.  If we are so careful to put on earthly clothes that define us as people, how much more then should we be concerned about the clothes we put on or "wear" that define us as believers?  When others look at our lives, do they see our God clothes?  I guarantee that by wearing what He has selected for us, we will not only stand out but will have quite an impact on those around us.

Understand, however, that we can still opt to wear something else.  Indifference instead of compassion, cruelty instead of kindness, pride instead of humility, arrogance instead of quiet strength and impatience instead of discipline.  And sometimes, regrettably we do.  But fortunately, when that happens, we can always repent, go back and dress again.  Just think about how many times in the course of a single day we are given the choice of what to "wear" and the opportunity to offer others a glimpse into the life of a sincere Christian. 

There is one garment in particular we are told never to be without.  Love.  After all, that's who He is.  And He is who we are to represent.  The garment of love is not to be worn only on special occasions but rather worn every day.  It will never wear out or be ill-fitting and will always be appropriate and in style.

So as we set out to face each day, may we be mindful of what we choose to wear.  May it always be something from our God-picked wardrobe.  Our God clothes.


Sock Monkey Snippet:  Our wardrobe is our witness.

Such Great Faith

Lk. 7:9  When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, "I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!" (NIV)

Jesus was approached by the Jewish elders.  They were sent (out of respect) by a Roman centurion whose servant was near death.  The elders, in their efforts to persuade Jesus to visit the centurion's home, pointed out that this particular Roman was a friend of the Jews (unlike most Romans) and had even built them a synagogue.  Because of this work, they reasoned, he deserved (v.4) a favor, a healing for his servant.  He was worthy.  It was almost as if the elders were suggesting that Jesus was somehow indebted to this centurion.

So, Jesus went with them.  But before He actually got to the house and the sick servant, He received a message from the centurion that we are told caused Him to marvel at the man.  Other translations say Jesus admired him and was taken back by him.  Exactly what was it that Jesus could determine about him?

First, he recognized the authority of Jesus (v.8).  The centurion knew with absolute certainty that Jesus' words would be spoken and His will would be done (v.7).  Great confidence produces great faith.  Second, he recognized his own unworthiness (v.6).  He realized that nothing he could ever do on his own would make him deserving of God's favor and blessing.  You see, it wasn't a matter of deserving but rather one of believing.  Humility accompanied his faith and, as a result, Jesus was moved to heal the servant.

Is it possible for God to marvel at us in the same way today?  Yes.  If, in humility, we have the same faith borne out of absolute, unwavering confidence and conviction in His authority, should we not expect the same results?  God will marvel and God will move when He sees such great faith!


Sock Monkey Snippet:  It isn't a matter of deserving but rather of believing.

Giants and Grasshoppers

Numbers 13:33 "There we saw the giants (the descendants of Anak came from the giants); and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight." (NIV)

Following God's instruction, Moses sent twelve men to spy out Canaan, the promised land.  When they returned, all of the men confirmed and agreed that, indeed, it was a land of supernatural abundance with one small problem.  Well actually and literally it was a giant problem.  It almost seems like a fairy tale when we read about giants.  Yet we must understand these inhabitants of the land as real, formidable, even life-threatening problems to any who would dare confront them.  So, they stood between God's promise and God's people.

Simply put, giants are formidable, sometimes even life-threatening obstacles.  And they are still around today, standing between God's promises and His people.  We can face giants in our finances, in our health and in our relationships.  Seemingly insurmountable, intimidating obstacles that cause us to view ourselves as grasshoppers, so much smaller than the giants.

How we deal with them depends on whether or not we believe we can overtake them.  It is interesting to note that only two of the twelve were convinced that God was on their side (Num. 14:9).  So, not surprisingly, these were the only two who believed they were able to overcome the giants and take possession of the land.  If we are to believe we can overcome, then we must also believe that God is on our side.  When we believe that, we will no longer see ourselves as grasshoppers.  We will not be overcome but rather be over comers, moving beyond any giant we may face, able to receive the amazing abundance and blessings of a promise-keeping God.


Sock Monkey Snippet:  Believe you can overtake any giant.  God is on your side.

An Everlasting Love

Jer. 31:3  "...I have loved you with an everlasting love..." (NIV)

"...I've never quit loving you and never will.  Expect love, love and more love!" (MSG)

During a recent doctor's office visit, I noticed a pamphlet in the waiting room magazine rack entitled "Five Wishes".  On the cover, below the bold print title, were listed five wishes that a person might want to make known to his or her family.  Just to give you an example, one of them was, "Who do I want to be in charge of making medical decisions for me if I am not able?".  But the one wish I read that made me stop and think was simply, "What do I want (wish) my family to know?".

At first, I thought  about things like life insurance policies, retirement and bank account information.  And that stuff is necessary and important.  But the more I thought about this wish, I began to think about the most important thing I could tell them.  The one thing I would want them to remember more than anything else and forever.  I would want them to know my heart.  Not what we had materially but what we had relationally.

I came to the conclusion that I would want each of them to know how much I loved them from the first day they came into my life until the last.  And then some.  And all along the way, no matter what happened in life, I had never quit loving them and never would.  Although I'm sure mothers feel this way too, I believe this love to be very much that of a father for his family, for his children. I know it is mine.  I hope my family expects love, love and more love from me.

Our Father in heaven expresses His unconditional, inexhaustible love for us in the same way.  If there is one wish the Father would want His children, His family to know, I think this verse says it best.  I've always loved you, I never quit loving you and I never will!  Expect My love.


Sock Monkey Snippet:  God loves you. 

Did, Does and Will

2 Cor. 1:10  ...who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us,...

What I love about this passage is that it covers all the bases.  In it are contained the past, present and future tenses of God's rescuing power.  He did deliver us, He does deliver us and He will deliver us.

In the previous verse, Paul recalls an extreme situation, scholars debate as to exactly what that situation was, in which the apostles feared for their very lives.  They didn't think they were going to make it.  Certainly not in their own strength.  So, they had no choice but to trust in Him.  A God who raises the dead, who can rescue from the most extreme of all situations.  A resurrecting God.  And it was this past rescuing that caused Paul to acknowledge God's ability to rescue today and tomorrow as well.  In such a God, it only makes sense to trust, hope and expect.  He is our Resurrection and our Rescuer.  Yesterday, today and forever.

Can you recall a situation in your own life that you didn't think you were going to survive?  Can you look back on it now and know without a doubt that only God was able to rescue you from it or bring you through it?  Do you see your daily trials and tribulations as opportunities for Him to rescue yet again?  Finally, do you trust Him and realize your future is being overseen by the One mighty enough to raise and rescue even the dead?  He did, does and will deliver us always.


Sock Monkey Snippet:  Trust in God to deliver you always.

Nothing Back

1 Pet. 2:23  He never did one thing wrong.  Not once said anything amiss.  They called Him every name in the book and He said nothing back.  He suffered in silence, content to let God set things right.  (MSG)

We are not perfect.  We all make mistakes.  We all say and do things we later regret.  And so when we suffer the consequences of our words and actions, we accept those consequences and understand that we deserved them.  But it is a completely different situation when we are treated poorly or wrongly accused when we don't deserve it.  To accept such treatment without retaliating or defending ourselves goes against our human nature.  Everything in us wants to rise up and lash out at those who would seek to hurt or destroy us.  And often times, we do just that.

Jesus was perfect.  In word and deed.  And so, it is absolutely mind-boggling that, standing before Pilate, He responded to mistreatment and accusations in such an unexpected way.  He said nothing back (Mt. 27;12, Mk. 15:3).  No one would have been more justified in responding with righteous anger than He.  And yet, demonstrating incredible restraint, He said nothing back.  Why?

First, Scripture tells us (1 Pet. 2:21) that Jesus suffered everything that came His way so that we would know it could be done, that it was indeed possible.  Verse 20 of The Message translation says, "But if you're treated badly for good behavior and continue in spite of it to be a good servant, that is what counts with God."  Yes, it can be done.  Jesus showed us how.  No, it isn't easy.  But it counts with God.  Secondly, it tells us that He suffered in silence being content to let God set things right.  That is to say, Jesus was content to let His Father be His Judge.

How then should we respond to being treated poorly and to being wrongfully accused and maligned?  What should we give in return?  Nothing back.


Sock Monkey Snippet:  Continue in spite of how you are being treated and let God be your Judge.

The Recipe for Happiness

Phil. 4:11-13  I've learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances...I've found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or empty.  Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.  (MSG)

I suppose if you were to ask most people what would make them happy in life, they would say money or maybe good health.  A few might say power, influence or position.  But are these really the things that give true and lasting happiness?  If so, then why are some happy with so little while other are miserable with so much?  Why are some able to rejoice even in the midst of suffering and in the absence of comfort?

If we are, as Paul discovered, to be content in whatever state we are in, then our happiness has to be predicated on something else.  Something other than our circumstances.  Something other than our condition.  It has to be based on a connection. 

Jesus described Himself (Jn. 15) as the Vine to which we are to be connected.  Why?  Because apart from Him, we can do NOTHING.  Paul understood that being connected to Christ guaranteed him the strength and sufficiency to make it through ANYTHING!  A Divine Connection was more important and valuable to him than a desired condition.  And maintaining it was his recipe for happiness in any situation. What's yours?


Sock Monkey Snippet:  Seek a Divine Connection rather than a desired condition.

Expectation

Lk. 2:16  And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

What expectations did you have for this holiday season?  Did you expect to relax and spend time with your family?  Did you expect a special time of celebration in your local church?  Did you expect to shovel snow?  We all had a preconceived plan of how we thought things would play out.  And perhaps things went according to OUR plan and perhaps not.  The truth is, OUR expectations aren't always met.

The expectation that many Jewish people had of the coming Messiah was one of a Mighty Warrior and Conquering King who would establish His Kingdom by force.  So, an innocent child, a rumored Messiah, born in a manger,  probably left many scratching their heads.  Things weren't quite going according to THEIR plan.  What they thought was not what they got.  Of course we can see and understand from our perspective in time, that regardless of THEIR plan, God gave His best.  His only Son.  According to HIS plan.

The new year is almost upon us and we all have expectations of how we would like to see it unfold.  But whether or not it goes according to our PRECONCEIVED plan, rest assured that it will most certainly go according to God's PREORDAINED plan.  And He wants only the best for us.  With that knowledge, may we be encouraged and find peace as we begin 2013.  Happy New Year!


Sock Monkey Snippet:  Expect God's best in 2013.

The Value of Love

1 Cor. 13:8  Love never fails...

Most of us are familiar with the "love" chapter found in 1 Corinthians.  We read it often and usually hear it recited in some form or another at most wedding ceremonies.  Lately, the Holy Spirit has been speaking these three particular words to my heart.  Love never fails.

The Greek word for "fails" is ekpipto.  It literally means to fall off like a leaf or flower.  Paul was writing that, unlike the other spiritual gifts he mentioned, love will never cease to exist.  It will never stop being effective.  It will never fall away like that leaf or flower but rather will always flourish.  The value of love is found in its permanence.  It is not temporary.  It is forever.  Love never runs out or gets used up because it exists in an inexhaustible, endless supply that is incapable of being tried beyond what it can endure or cover.  No matter what, it can not be lost.  Love will never go away.

God is love (1 Jn. 4:8).  The two are synonymous.  How easy, and appropriate, to understand Him in the context of being always flourishing, always effective and always there for us in endless, inexhaustible supply.  God's love for us is forever.  He never fails!


Sock Monkey Snippet:  God's love is forever.

An Excellent Spirit

Then this Daniel distinguished himself...because an excellent spirit was in him  Dan.6:3

Throughout an entire kingdom, a single man was known for his (spiritual) understanding and great wisdom.  The Holy Spirit, found in him, distinguished Daniel from all others.  So much so that he was sought after by the king and queen, those in the highest positions of authority and leadership.  How amazing and life-changing the Holy Spirit must be to affect a person's life so profoundly!

The Holy Spirit is an evident spirit.  He got Daniel noticed.  The Holy Spirit is an enabling spirit.  He enabled Daniel to see things, to understand them and to be wise.  The Holy Spirit is an excelling spirit.  He caused Daniel to be promoted.  The king, we are told, even gave thought to setting him over the whole realm.

As believers, this same, excellent Holy Spirit is found in us.  He gives us wisdom and understanding.  He can and should affect our work, our home, our communities and, yes, even our countries.  Our entire kingdoms!  He will distinguish us and we will be noticed by others, including those in positions of authority and leadership.  He will promote us.

Indeed, the Holy Spirit is amazing and life-changing.  Profoundly affecting us all.  He is Spiritus Dei Amplior, the Spirit of God more abundantly in us, an excellent spirit.


Sock Monkey Snippet:  We have an Excellent Spirit.

Something Bigger

Eph. 3:20  God can do anything, you know - far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! (MSG)

Living on a secluded, narrow farm lane usually makes for a quiet, uneventful, traffic-free weekend.  Any visitors we get, if you want to call them that, are usually just lost and in need of directions back to civilization.  Well, this weekend was different.  As I was doing yard work, and much to my surprise and downright amazement, a tractor trailer truck delivering lumber to the neighboring farm came down the lane.  Given the narrowness of the roadway, I couldn't believe it had actually gotten to our farm and was amazed that anybody thought it was a good idea to bring such a big truck back such a small road in the first place.  All that aside, now the question became how to turn the truck around since our lane is a dead end.  The driver tried his best but ended up stuck in a very difficult place between farm buildings and perched on a hill with no traction.  Not good.  Efforts by the driver, and at this point the neighboring farmer who got the lumber, to free the truck were in vain. Neither had anything big enough to deal with the problem.

My point in having told you the story is this.

When faced with a problem, difficult situation or an obstacle in life and having tried all we know to overcome, sometimes we fail in our own strength and perhaps even give up.  But we need to realize that we always have access to something, or I should say Someone, bigger.  The Israelites had Someone bigger than the Red Sea that stood between them and the Promised Land.  David had Someone bigger than Goliath.  And you and I have that same Someone, too!  Someone bigger than any obstacle or problem we may encounter.  I read this statement recently.  "Don't tell God you have a big problem, tell your problem you have a big God."  And we do.

Just in case your wondering, a "bigger" tow truck eventually came and was able to move the tractor trailer rig back on to the roadway.

Remember there is always Someone bigger than your problem.

Now I'm looking forward to my next quiet, uneventful weekend.


Sock Monkey Snippet:  God is bigger than any problem.

Kingdom Insight

Mt. 13:11  ...it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.

This was Jesus' response when questioned by His disciples as to why He spoke to the multitude in parables.  Parables were explanations of spiritual truths (mysteries) using stories and, at first, I thought it unusual and even unfair that some people were given (kingdom) insight/understanding into what He said while others were not.  Then I realized that it was not about His willingness to give but rather about their willingness or readiness to receive.  Those among the crowd who didn't understand the deeper spiritual truths in Jesus' parables were either not yet ready or, sadly, not willing to do so.  How often we read in Scripture of those with hardened hearts.  They have eyes but don't see and ears but don't hear, nor do they understand (v.13).  They made a willful choice to reject what God was prepared to give them.  So all they heard was a story.  Only those whose hearts were ready and receptive were given the gift of understanding and insight into God's kingdom.

Light is available to all.  But whether or not we choose to acknowledge it is up to us.  It gives great vision to some but blinds others.  We can close our eyes to it and turn away from it, or we can embrace it and use it to help us see.  The light is always there but the choice of what to do with it is always ours.

There are two types of knowledge.  The first comes from understanding with our head.  So, it is possible to have great knowledge of earthly things and yet be completely ignorant of spiritual things.  We don't have to look far to find some very smart people who know so very little (or nothing at all) about the kingdom of God.  And for many, this kingdom ignorance is a willful choice they've made.  The second type of knowledge comes from understanding with a ready and receptive heart.  And it is this condition in our heart that allows us to receive the kingdom insight which God is so freely willing to give.  Heart readiness produces heavenly revelation.

"Whenever someone has a ready heart for this, the insights and understandings flow freely."  Mt. 13:12 MSG

Let us rejoice and thank God today for a very special gift.  It has been given to us to know mysteries.  He has blessed us with understanding and insight into His kingdom through a ready and receptive heart.


Sock Monkey Snippet:  We have been given kingdom insight.

Through Our Hands

Acts 5:12  And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people.

After Jesus ascended into heaven to be with the Father, the Holy Spirit came on the day of Pentecost and empowered the apostles (Acts 1:8).  They were given power for a purpose.  And what exactly was that purpose?  The same verse in Acts (1:8) gives the answer.  To be His witnesses.

It is interesting to note that the Greek word used for witnesses is "martus" from which we get our English word martyr.  We tend to think of a martyr as a person who suffers greatly, maybe even to death, for a particular reason or cause.  And certainly many early followers of Christ did that.  But the translation of a witness as simply a record or evidence of Christ suggests that lives committed to Him can bear witness not only in times of suffering and persecution but also in times of peace and prosperity as well.  In other words, an entire life, regardless of circumstance, can and should bear witness or present evidence of Him.

The Holy Spirit power was given to the apostles so that they could complete the work for which they were called.  And this power was indeed demonstrated.  Through their hands, signs and wonders were done.

Our lives each have a unique God-ordained plan and purpose, as did the lives of the apostles, and we have been given the same Holy Spirit power in order to complete the work for which we have been called.  Regardless of our life circumstances, we too are to be His witnesses.  Just like the apostles were.  Can others see evidence of Christ in our lives and by our witness?  We have been given power for a purpose.  So what signs and wonders are being done through our hands?


Sock Monkey Snippet:  Through our hands, signs and wonders are done.

No Denying It

2 Tim. 2:13  If we are faithless. He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.

Peter said to Jesus, "Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!" (Matt. 26:35).  No greater promise can be made than one for which an individual is willing to sacrifice his life to keep.  Peter, as a man, spoke these words intending to be true to them, to himself and to Jesus even if it cost him his life.  And yet despite so great a promise and assurance of his faithfulness, Jesus knew that Peter was just a man.  And like any other, when faced with adversity, trouble or affliction, was capable of being unfaithful and denying the very words he spoke and promises he made.  And as we all know, he did.  Not only once, but three times!

Faithfulness is a quality we appreciate.  A quality that God appreciates.  And yet when faced with hardships, we too, like Peter, can be miserably unfaithful.  To ourselves, to our friends and family, and most importantly to God.  Yes, we are capable of hurting even those closest to us because we are all men.

What then are we to make of the words of Jesus and the promises He made?  Numbers 23:19 tells us that God is not a man.  Therefore, He cannot lie or break His word nor can He change His mind concerning what He has spoken or promised!  We can know with complete certainty that what He said, He will do!  Because He is God and by His very nature He cannot deny Himself.  He cannot behave in a manner contrary to who He is.  He is faithful no matter what the circumstances may or will ever be.  If He said it, He'll do it.  If He promised it, He'll fulfill it.  In Whom then shall we trust?

Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me.  And there is no denying it!


Sock Monkey Snippet:  Because He is God, He is always faithful.

The Product of Our Association

1 Jn. 3:2  ...when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.


People influence our lives.  And we influence their lives, too.  Through relationships or associations, transformation occurs in us.  Sometimes it is immediately noticeable but usually change is a gradual process.  We take on, let's say inherit, their characteristics.  Association brings assimilation.  Simply put, we rub off on each other.

Negative, angry, bitter people can actually cause us to act and feel the same way they do.  Conversely, positive, happy and contented people can produce these same attitudes in us.  People either build us up or bring us down.  We need to always be mindful of the effect others are having on our lives and the effect we are having on theirs.

This particular verse speaks of our association or relationship with Jesus.  It is relevant in our everyday earthly lives and will certainly one day be relevant in our eternal heavenly ones.  Take a minute and think about how absolutely necessary and critically important this relationship really is.

When we seek His presence in this life, we will find Him (Jer. 29:13).  He reveals Himself to us.  Through assimilation then, we take on or inherit His characteristics and become (more) loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle and self-controlled.  Manifesting the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23).  Partaking in the divine nature (2 Pet. 1:4).  Jesus rubs off on us!  Abiding in His presence causes us to become more Christ-like and we are wonderfully transformed.  His presence in our lives, without fail, produces a change in us.

One day, when Christ returns, that is to say He is finally or ultimately revealed, our most important of all associations, with Him, will produce the most glorious result.  We will experience the fullness of what we were created to be and receive our incorruptible inheritance (1 Pet. 1:4).  We will truly and totally be like Him because we will see Him and be with Him.  Forever becoming the product of our association!


Sock Monkey Snippet:  Association brings assimilation.

Walking Worthy

Eph. 4:1-2  I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness, with longsuffering bearing with one another in love...

We are called Christians.  And with that comes a certain expectation by others and by ourselves of how we should act or live our lives.  Certainly, even though we are Christians, we are far from perfect and should never claim to be.  But I think, with God's help, we have a responsibility to do our best to conduct ourselves in a manner that would be pleasing to Him and glorify Him.  This is what the apostle Paul calls "walking worthy".  He declares that our label as Christians should not only be fitting but evident and our lives a daily demonstration of our calling.

Paul offers three characteristics of "worthy walking" believers.  First, we need to be humble (lowly) and not prideful.  Always esteeming others better than ourselves (Phil. 2:3).  Second, we must be meek and not provokable.  We must possess a mild and forgiving spirit (2 Cor. 10:1, Gal. 5:23).  And finally, we must be longsuffering and not perturbed.  Patience is easily lost and often hard to find.  All too quickly and easily we find faults and shortcomings in others while forgetting that we too have them.  We must bear with one another in "agape" or unconditional love despite our flaws.

These three characteristics aren't idealistic and unachievable.  They do not require superhuman ability or suffering, just an everyday conscious effort to employ.  They are not "loud" virtues and as such do not draw attention to themselves.  The Barnes Bible Commentary, on these verses, says it best.

"It is not by great deeds only, not by great sufferings only; it is by the daily and quiet virtues of life (the walking worthy as I see it) that good is to be done; and in this all may be useful."


Sock Monkey Snippet:  Walk worthy of your calling.

Endurance

Heb. 12:1  Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin that so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us...

Endurance is necessary in order to be successful at racing.  It is the ability to bear pain and hardships, to continue or to last despite adverse conditions, fatigue or stress.

In high school, I remember having to run a mile in order to get a passing grade in gym class.  Three times around our stadium track.  Piece of cake...or so I thought.  I began the first lap with lots of energy, speed and with the best of intentions.  The slower second lap, however, felt as though I had somehow been invisibly weighted down.  The third, and final lap, even more so.  My endurance was being tested.  Fortunately, I was able to persevere and to finish.

Every race is begun with the best of intentions.  With the goal of finishing first and taking the prize.  With the expectation of performing at our best.  But inevitably, somewhere during the course of the race, we encounter obstacles, expected or unexpected.  Visible or invisible.  Opportunities to become weary and discouraged.  Those twists, turns or issues which confront us that we must push through in order to finish.  And it is by enduring that we will succeed.

As Christians, we have a course set before us.  An endurance race to run.  One, like any other race, with it's share of hardships, hindrances and hurts.  Opportunities to sin, to become weary and discouraged and even to quit.  We can be slowed down or even stopped completely by them.  But be encouraged by Paul (and me) and know that there are others who have gone before us and have endured.  More than perhaps we ever will.  And by One, in particular, who has endured more than us all.  He endured the punishment for our sin and an agonizing death on a cross (Heb. 12:2).  And finished the race.  How can it be done?  Endurance.


Sock Monkey Snippet:  By enduring, we will succeed.

Only A Fool

Ps. 14:1  The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God."  They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none who does good.

There once was a rich and prosperous man named Nabal (1 Sam. 25).  He had lots of sheep and goats spread out over the countryside of Carmel.  David and his men, being in the same area, treated Nabal's shepherds well, never stole from them or harmed them.  In fact, they protected them such that Scripture says the shepherds felt as safe out in the open as if they were living in a walled city.  And Nabal knew it.  Yet when David asked Nabal to share food with them, Nabal rudely and insultingly refused.  He acted against his own knowledge, against what he knew in his heart to be right and true.  Believing there would be no consequence or judgment from anyone for his behavior.  That's what a fool does.  The name Nabal actually means "fool".  Understand the difference between an ignorant man and a fool.  An ignorant man lacks knowledge but a fool ignores it.   

Our verse from Psalms describes a sinner as a fool, one whose hardened heart causes him to act against his knowledge and understanding of God and His Word.  The wickedness of sin causes him to act contrary to what he knows to be right and true.  The sinner chooses, not ignorantly but foolishly, to believe that God will not judge him for his sin.  He doesn't deny God's existence but rather chooses to ignore His dominion.  He allows his blatant, willful sinning to be that which has dominion (Ps. 19:13) over him.

We all will someday be judged (Heb. 9:27) according to our knowledge and understanding of God and His Word.  In fact, Scripture tells us that His Word will reveal the thoughts and intents of our hearts (Heb. 4:12).  Our actions, that is to say our lives, should acknowledge not only His existence but His dominion over us.  Who will choose to ignore such knowledge?  Only a fool.


Sock Monkey Snippet:  Acknowledge His existence and His dominion.

Praising Wholeheartedly

Ps. 9:1  I will praise you, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works.

Whether at work or play, we have a choice concerning how we perform any given activity or task.  And by "perform" let's understand that I mean to describe sincere intentions and not to suggest some sort of staged, superficial response.  We can be completely apathetic and indifferent, we can be halfhearted, or we can embrace what we do wholeheartedly.  In the end, our performance (in this case, our praise) will reveal our passion.  Show me someone who does something wholeheartedly and I'll show you someone with a passion.

The Free Dictionary gives three characteristics when defining a person who is wholehearted.  This person is:

1.  Unconditionally committed.  No matter what, they have determined that what they are doing is worth the investment of time and effort.  Consistently.

2.  Unstintingly devoted.  That is to say their devotion is without limit or bounds.  Extravagant yet singularly focused.

3.  Unreservedly enthusiastic.  Their enthusiasm and energy are apparent, sincere and can even be contagious.

So, when it comes to praising God, in church or anywhere else, where do I see myself?  Am I indifferent or lukewarm?  Or, like David, is my praise really wholehearted?

I want my praise to be a consistent and unconditional investment of my time and effort regardless of my circumstances (Ps. 34:1).  I want it to be extravagant (Mk. 14:3) like the fragrant oil poured on Jesus from the alabaster box, singularly focused on my Lord.  I want my praise to be enthusiastic and apparent, with no rock needing to sing God's praises for me (Lk. 19:40).  I want these things not that I might gain attention but that I might glorify the One who is so deserving and worthy to be praised.  I want my praise to be more than an hour in church every week.  I want it to be every day in the life I lead.  With my whole heart for my whole life.  I want to be found by Him praising wholeheartedly!


Sock Monkey Snippet:  Your praise will reveal your passion.

God Understands

Heb. 2:17-18  Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.  For in that He Himself has suffered being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.

Often times when discussing our tests, trials or afflictions with others we say, "You don't understand."  Others are not experiencing what we are.  They are not feeling what we are.  How could they possibly even begin to understand what we are experiencing or feeling?  And, truthfully, they can't.  Unless they themselves have had the same experiences or feelings and as much as they try to console or comfort us, it's hard for us to accept their consolation having the knowledge that they don't and can't really understand.  Their understanding is not borne out of their experience.

These two verses from Hebrews, tell us of a God who completely understands.  When Jesus came to earth, He was fully man and fully God.  His human nature allowed Him to understand tests, trials and afflictions by His own experience just like we do.  His understanding of our suffering was indeed borne out of His own. 

Jesus, as a man, was despised and rejected by others (Isa. 53:3), acquainted ("yada") with grief (some translations say sickness or disease) (Isa. 53:3), treated badly and unfairly (Isa. 53:7), misunderstood by His own family (Mt. 3:21), falsely accused (Mt. 11:15, 26:59) and even had unreliable friends (Mt. 26:40).  He knew suffering.

In Scripture, we see the words "know" or "knew" translated from the Hebrew word "yada" which means to understand, particularly through or by experience.  For example:

Ps.103:14  For He knows (understands) our frame; He remembers that we are dust.

Jesus understands us because in all things He had to be made and to suffer like us.

Take comfort in the midst of your test, trial or affliction because although those around you may not understand it, God understands!


Sock Monkey Snippet:  He understands our suffering because He suffered.