Jibbooo

Of course by now, everyone has heard the Carolina representative’s outburst and everyone has their own opinion on whether he was out of line or justified or amusing or insulting (personally, I find it highly amusing yet very disrespectful to the seat of President)  Either way, it doesn’t matter (or at least its not the point I’m trying to get across).  I was struck by some verses today that seem to apply to this matter:

Ephesians 4:25-32   Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another. ²⁶ “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, ²⁷ nor give place to the devil. ²⁸ Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. ²⁹ Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. ³⁰ And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. ³¹ Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. ³² And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

It seems that country is in turmoil right now.  We have politicians telling us convenient, partial truths. We have misinformed and uninformed citizens crying out in ignorance and anger.  We have kids shooting and stabbing one another in schools.  How did this country reach this stage?  I think we’ve gotten away from love.  We’ve walked away from God’s word.  Whether you’re a Christ follower or not … can’t we all in the least do verse 32:  And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.   If we would simply learn to be kind and forgive others, our country could begin to return to being a leader in the world.  As it is now, the nations of the world are in awe of our power and wealth, but not of the ways we live and treat each other.

We all know that we are made up of 3 parts:  body, mind, and spirit.  Most of the time we all walk around with our body or feelings dictating what we do (should I eat? I feel tired).  Other times, our mind is in control (I need to study for this test.  I should exercise because its keeps my body healthy).  But when do we let our spirit decide what we should do?  If we did let our spirit take control … what are the desires of the spirit?

Matthew 26:41

Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

What is our spirit willing to do that our minds and bodies aren’t willing to do?  It says our flesh is weak.  Our bodies and minds are limited.  Our spirit working in line with God’s will is indeed very strong.

Could we fellowship in greater intimacy with Jesus?   Could we pray on a whole other level?  Could we access power of Jesus to deliver healings?  Could we be like the guy Paul mentions that is caught up to the 3rd heaven?  Might we be truly be able to walk around in pure joy?

Ephesians 4:23-24

and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, ²⁴ and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

So, how do I reverse the order?  To put my spirit man in charge of my mind and body?   We know the things of the spirit do not make sense to the mind.  Will I have to do something foolish and offend my mind in order to allow my spirit have control?

God, renew my spirit with the new creation I received and am still receiving through salvation.  Teach me how to access and enter Your kingdom by giving my spirit man control over my body and mind.

So I was recently reading a book about faith (a great book by the way called “The Good Fight of Faith” by Alan Vincent) … and in the book, he describes some of the symbolism in the bible.  One of the examples he refers to is where Jesus curses the fig tree because it was not bearing any fruit.  Alan’s point goes on to illustrate how the fig symbolizes religion.

When I say “religion” I am referring to man’s construct of rituals and laws designed to make us feel adequate in God’s sight (even though only the blood of Jesus can do that).  We feel that if we go to church enough or do enough good things that we will somehow be justified in God’s eyes.

Genesis 3:7

Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings.

So, anyways, I read this verse this morning, which reminded me of Alan’s concept of the “fig” as a symbol of religion and if you’ll recall what happened after God has his little run-in with Adam and Eve after they’ve eaten of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, God replaces their fig leaves (religion … our self-prescribed solution to cover our nakedness and fallen/sinful status) with tunics of skin.  After the original sin, mankind tried to “cover” himself with his own remedy: fig leaves (religion) instead of coming to God for forgiveness and the true remedy for sin.

How much greater is God’s covering for our sin, than religion?

Success means many things to many people.  I won’t attempt to define what success is, but rather how can I be assured that I will achieve it?  Is it hard work? great wisdom? great timing? great partners/coworkers?

I was reading about Joseph in Genesis today and these verses struck me about his situation:

Genesis 39

² The LORD was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. ³ And his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD made all he did to prosper in his hand. ⁴ So Joseph found favor in his sight, and served him. Then he made him overseer of his house, and all that he had he put under his authority.

The secret I see is that if the Lord is with you, you are successful.  The Lord is the one who prospers us.  The One who gives us favor and blessing.   And here is the irony of this great “success” story.  Joseph is a slave.  How can you be a slave and be successful?  God doesn’t determine success the same way as the world sees success.  God saw Joseph’s success long before the world did.

The key point to success is what Joseph did with it:  “and served him“.  The success from the Lord leads us to be servants to those around us, both those over us and under us.

I really liked the verse from today’s Daily Bread:

Psalm 119:133 – Direct my steps by Your Word, and let no iniquity have dominion over me.

Usually I go on to read the whole chapter that the DB’s verse is from, but since I didn’t really feel like reading hundreds of verses in Psalm 119, I randomly jumped to John 15 … which is the vine and branches parable.  I found some tidbits that go along with the psalm verse that encourages me to continue to stay in the Word:

John 15:7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. ⁸ By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

So, I’m praying Colossian 3:16 for myself, that the Word will dwell in me richly so that:

1. my steps will directed
2. sin will not have dominion over me
3. I can ask whatever I desire and it will be done for me
4. that the Father will be glorified
5. that I will bear fruit
6. and I will known as one of Christ’s disciples
7. I will be filled with wisdom and teaching
8. I will be corrected and admonished in what the Lord wants from me

Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

So, I encourage everyone to stay in the Word of God so that He who began a good work in us will carry it on to completion.