Posts tagged Promises of God

40 Days of Preparation Day 21

Mar16
2012 Leave a Comment Written by Warner Smith

Today, Friday March 16, 2012, is the twenty-first day of preparing our hearts, souls and minds for the most high of all Christian holy days, Easter Sunday. Today I need to “put off” lust and “put on” pure desires. The most famous mention of “lust” in Scripture is by Jesus when He said:

27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Matthew 5:27–28 (NIV)

Jesus’ teaching on adultery takes many by surprise. Many have tried to find an alternate meaning in this passage, especially men.  Based on my extensive study of the Scriptures I can announce that this verse means what it says. The Jewish people of Jesus’ time thought that they were morally and ethically superior to individuals from other societies because they were the recipients and interpreters of the law of Moses.

Jesus is teaching in this passage that the ethical standards in His kingdom are much higher than those of the Pharisees and the other Jews in His audience. Jesus states that this is His intent earlier in this passage:

20 “For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:20 (NASB)

Thus, I need to “put off” lust and “put on” pure desires. This teaching presents any honest observer with an obvious question, “How do we achieve such high ethical standards while living in a fallen world?” By allowing God the Holy Spirit to live in and through us.  While we will continue to sin, we are to cease practicing sin.

Peter explains how we are able to achieve living by Jesus’ higher ethical standard of the kingdom.

4 . . . He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust. 2 Peter 1:4 (NASB)

Peter is teaching us that through God’s promises we become partakers of His divine nature. When I have this nature I am able to “put off” lust and “put on” pure desires. While sin will still plagues me in this life I am to be in the process of becoming like Christ as I am being sanctified. This sanctification process will ultimately lead us to escape the corruption of this world.

Why should I be concerned about this sanctification process? Because it is God’s will!

3 It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, 5 not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God; 6 and that in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him. The Lord will punish men for all such sins, as we have already told you and warned you. 7 For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. 8 Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit. 1 Thessalonians 4:3–8 (NIV)

Did you get that? The sanctification process is not automatic. It requires you and I to “avoid” and “learn to control.”  We are to avoid sexual immorality, which comes from my lust, so I need to “put off” lust. Peter says more, however, I must also learn to control my body so as to be holy and honorable, so in addition to “putting off” lust I need to also “put on” pure desires. To reject this instruction Peter says is to reject God.

Our society is continually being built on those who use their bodies in dishonorable ways. The porn industry made $10.0 billion in revenue in the latest year I could find statistics       (bigger than the NFL, the NBA and Major League Baseball combined) and General Motors, AOL Time Warner and Marriott quietly share the profits.

  • 89% of porn is created in the U.S.
  • $2.84 billion in revenue was generated from U.S. porn websites in 2006
  • $89/second is spent on porn
  • 72% of porn viewers are men
  • 260 new porn sites go online daily

Young girls are being continually bombarded with messages by the media that their bodies are not the right size or shape.

  • Girls are becoming weight conscious as young as 8 years old
  • 80% of 9 year old’s are on diets
  • Eating disorders have grown 400% since 1970
  • 27% of the girls felt that the media pressures them to have a perfect body (Survey by Teen People magazine).

While this may not be popular, I am coming to realize more and more that a proper understanding of biblical stewardship must extend beyond our bank accounts and time management to include our physical bodies as well.

The primary motivation for you and I to “put off” lust and “put on” pure desires is not for our own salvation, however.  Our primary motivation is to be vessels of honor which are fit for our Master’s use.

21 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. 22 Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 2 Timothy 2:21–22 (NASB)

One purpose of our salvation is to become sanctified, so that we may be glorified and enter God’s presence.

People who claim to be saved yet do not change their lifestyles misunderstand the doctrine of salvation.  They are confusing God’s offer of salvation with the purchase of fire insurance.  Too many think that by simply praying a prayer they will be eternally secure from suffering the fires of hell. Such thinking represents a serious misunderstanding of God’s offer of grace.

God saves me independently of my works, however, because I am saved I have come to love God so that I no longer have the same desires which I once had and now seek to honor Him by my works. Living life in the same manner with the same desires after my salvation as I did before I received the gift of God’s saving grace indicates that I have never been genuinely converted.  Whenever someone is genuinely converted their old desires change, sometimes abruptly and sometimes over time, but old desires change; being replaced by new godly desires which lead us to desire to be a vessel of honor, sanctified, useful and prepared for His good work from a pure heart.

This desire to be holy as God is holy, or said another way to become sanctified, causes me to “put off” lust and to “put on” pure desires.

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40 Days of Preparation Day 19

Mar14
2012 Leave a Comment Written by Warner Smith

Today, Wednesday March 14, 2012, is the nineteenth day of preparing our hearts, souls and minds for the most high of all Christian holy days, Easter Sunday. Today I need to “put off” worry and “put on” trust. To quote my cousin Mike:

“Worrying does not take away tomorrow’s troubles; it takes away today’s peace!”

Whenever you are I worry we are practicing negative meditation. The Hebrew word which conveys the concept of meditation is based on the idea of rumination. Cattle are ruminants. That means cattle chew the cud. When a cow swallows a mouthful of grass it will later regurgitate it and chew it again. It will repeat this process again and again until it gets the most nutrients possible from the blades of grass it consumes.

Christian meditation is a spiritual process whereby we mentally remember a Bible verse over and over so that we may maximize the truth which we may obtain from it.  Worry is negative meditation where we focus and refocus on all that might possibly go wrong.  Christian meditation brings us peace worry brings us fear.

As we prepare ourselves today I ask you to “put off” worry and “put on” trust. Jesus clearly teaches us that worry has no place in our Christian character.

25 “For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 “Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? 27 “And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? 28 “And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, 29 yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. 30 “But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! 31 “Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ 32 “For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. Matthew 6:25–32 (NASB)

The basic idea Jesus is communicating is that we have no power to change any of the circumstances of our lives through worry. His Father already knows what we need and we should trust Him and not waste our lives worrying about those things over which we have no control. In this Bible passage Jesus is clearly teaching us that the focus of our thinking should be on trusting our Heavenly Father rather than worrying.

In fact Jesus’ teaching is much stronger than to simply suggest we not worry about food, the length of our lives, or clothing.  He tells us not even to worry about how we will answer those who prosecute us when we are on trial for our lives because of our faith in Him.

19 “But when they hand you over, do not worry about how or what you are to say; for it will be given you in that hour what you are to say. Matthew 10:19 (NASB)

In another parable Jesus teaches us that worrying about the things of this life actually choke God’s Word making it ineffective and unfruitful in our lives.

22 “And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. Matthew 13:22 (NASB)

Could it be that those who claim that they cannot understand God’s Word, or that it does not work for them have missed this basic point. Perhaps such individuals worry reveals their lack of trust. The apostle Peter also tells us that we should cast our cares, or anxieties, or worries upon God because we can trust Him.  Why? He cares for us!

7 casting all your care upon Him, because He cares about you. 1 Peter 5:7 (HCSB)

The apostle Paul clarifies the teaching about worry. Paul tells us that instead of worrying we should instead petition God through prayer while thanking Him all the while for the requests we make.

6 Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6 (HCSB)

To thank God in advance of receiving that for which we have asked should not be misunderstood as the false teaching “name it, claim it.”  Instead, Paul is telling us that we should trust God so much, and worry so little. Whenever we ask God to supply our needs in prayer we should be so confident that God cares for us, and will supply our needs (as Jesus has taught us) that from this confidence in God springs our natural thanksgiving, even before we have received anything we have asked for in prayer.

Join me please today in “putting off” worry and “putting on” trust in God. Because God knows what we need before we ask. He is also completely reliable and worthy not only of our thanks, but also of our praise!

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40 Days of Preparation Day 11

Mar06
2012 Leave a Comment Written by Warner Smith

Today, Tuesday March 6, 2012, is the eleventh day of preparing our hearts, souls and minds for the most high of all Christian holy days, Easter Sunday. Today I need to “put off” discontentment and “put on” contentment. One means to help you and I recognize the seriousness with which we must deal with putting off discontentment is to ask ourselves “for what purpose do I do work?” If the answer is to provide for my family’s needs then I must ask a further question. “How much is enough?” According to my Economics 101 instructor the basic needs of a human are “food, clothing, and shelter.”

I believe that too many of us in America today suffer with an incessant need for “more!”  It really doesn’t matter what we are discussing we want “more” of it. At the root of this desire for “more” is the basic problem of a lack of contentment or discontentment. As we prepare ourselves today I ask you to consider the areas of your life with which you are discontented. You may discover that those are the same areas over which Jesus may not have complete control.  You and I need to ask God to take these aspects of our life and have His way in the whole of our lives.

The children of Israel became discontented after waiting 40 days for Moses to return from meeting with God on Mount Sinai.  Their discontentment led them to grievous sin!  While the sin of the nation of America does not take this particular form, we are guilty of our own types of idolatry. According to this passage from The Message Bible the root cause of Israel’s sin was discontentment.

6 The same thing could happen to us. We must be on guard so that we never get caught up in wanting our own way as they did. 7 And we must not turn our religion into a circus as they did—“First the people partied, then they threw a dance.” 8 We must not be sexually promiscuous—they paid for that, remember, with 23,000 deaths in one day! 9 We must never try to get Christ to serve us instead of us serving him; they tried it, and God launched an epidemic of poisonous snakes. 10 We must be careful not to stir up discontent; discontent destroyed them. 1 Corinthians 10:6–10 (MSG)

I believe that discontentment is destroying our nation today and many Christian families along with it.  The danger of discontentment is further illustrated in The Message Bible in the following text.

14 Work at getting along with each other and with God. Otherwise you’ll never get so much as a glimpse of God. 15 Make sure no one gets left out of God’s generosity. Keep a sharp eye out for weeds of bitter discontent. A thistle or two gone to seed can ruin a whole garden in no time. 16 Watch out for the Esau syndrome: trading away God’s lifelong gift in order to satisfy a short-term appetite. 17 You well know how Esau later regretted that impulsive act and wanted God’s blessing—but by then it was too late, tears or no tears. Hebrews 12:14–17 (MSG)

That discontentment has led many in our nation to be guilty of this “Esau syndrome” is evidenced each day as our politicians haggle over how to cut spending from this year’s federal budget all the while acknowledging that a failure to do so will burden our children and grandchildren with crippling debt.

You and I are also guilty of this “Esau syndrome” each time we borrow from the future to pay for pleasures and conveniences in the present.  It is discontentment which fuels our debtor economy and has led America to become a debtor nation made up of debtor citizens. You and I need to put off “discontentment” and put on “contentment.”

You say you are debt free and therefore have no problem with being discontented. Perhaps the following verse will enlighten you. Are you guilty of grumbling or complaining? If so the root of these expressions is being discontented. Jude warns us that there are individuals within our churches who are discontented and grumble because deep down they are really seeking their own way and not God’s.

16 These people are discontented grumblers, walking according to their desires; their mouths utter arrogant words, flattering people for their own advantage. Jude 16 (HCSB)

I have come to understand that many times in my life when I have prayed that phrase in the Lord’s Prayer “thy will be done on Earth, as it is in heaven” that I really did not mean it.  Instead, had I been more honest I would have prayed “my will be done in heaven as it is also done on Earth.”

When I truly learn and except that God’s will is best for me, for you and for everyone, then and only then, can I become truly contented.  It is in this state of contentment that I can trust God to meet my needs and can cease attempting to serve both God and money (Matthew 6:24). The Hebrew writer explains it this way;

5 Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,” Hebrews 13:5 (NASB)

Indeed the apostle Paul says it very well when he states;

6 Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, 1 Timothy 6:6 (ESV)

Yet, for you or I to experience this great gain in godliness we must learn to be content with what we have and quit seeking to constantly gain more and more for our own selfish purposes.

8 If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. 1 Timothy 6:8 (NASB)

Perhaps the greatest New Testament passage which deals with learning to be content with what one has is contained in the letter which Paul wrote to the church at Philippi while he was imprisoned in Rome. Paul writes;

10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 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 [being content] whether facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:10–13 (ESV)

How as Paul learned this great secret of being content?  He tells us in 2 Corinthians.

7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:7–10 (ESV)

Scholars have written many pages trying to convince one another of what exactly was Paul’s “thorn in the flesh.” I do not intend to add my voice to theirs. Instead, I want to focus your attention upon the effects which Paul says this “thorn in the flesh” wrought in his character.

Paul says that this “thorn in the flesh” taught him to be “content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities.” It is precisely weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities which you and I seek to insure ourselves against by every means possible in our daily lives.  Our society is built upon the “pursuit of happiness”  precisely by preventing such troubling personal experiences to befall any one of our citizens. Yet, Paul teaches us that whenever he was experiencing these things we naturally seek to avoid he discovered that during those times he was strong with the Lord.

I need to put off “discontentment” and put on “contentment!”  As I do so I must learn to strive for less of this worlds goods and for more, much much more of God and the things of God.

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40 Days of Preparation Day 10

Mar05
2012 Leave a Comment Written by Warner Smith

Today, Monday March 5, 20112, is the tenth day of preparing our hearts, souls and minds for the most high of all Christian holy days, Easter Sunday. We are 25 percent through our 40 Days of Preparation.  Today we will discuss why I need to “put off”complaining and “put on” praise.

If you’ve ever read the Old Testament account of God leading the children of Israel out of Egyptian bondage to the promised land it is hard not to notice that the children of Israel seem to be natural complainers. It is very easy with hindsight which the Scriptures provide us to condemn them for their complaining and grumbling toward God and Moses. If  we were honest with ourselves however, we must admit that we too are natural complainers.  It is clear from the teaching of Scripture that a complaining attitude is unpleasing to God. We each have much to learn from the following passage.

1 Now the people became like those who complain of adversity in the hearing of the Lord; and when the Lord heard it, His anger was kindled, and the fire of the Lord burned among them and consumed some of the outskirts of the camp. Numbers 11:1 (NASB)

Do you agree with me that were the Lord to burn up the outskirts of our cities, towns, neighborhoods, cul-de-sacs, or yards each time we were to exhibit the attitude of complaining due to the adversity of life that this would be a scorched earth. While I would like to think that were the Lord to burn up my yard I would learn my lesson; an honest assessment of my life experience would suggest otherwise.  The apostle James suggest that we should not complain against one another because God who is our judge is near.

9 Do not complain, brethren, against one another, so that you yourselves may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing right at the door. James 5:9 (NASB)

Paul teaches that we are to do everything without complaining or arguing.

14 Do everything without complaining or arguing, Philippians 2:14

I don’t know about your house but were my family to apply this verse literally to our household I’m not certain that anything would ever get done. I’m fairly certain that were we to apply this verse literally to the work of our church very little would be accomplished.  So you can see by these two statements of fact that I need to “put off” complaining and “put on” praise.

We praise God for who He is.  Whenever I praise Him I am removing my focus from the menial and placing it on the eternal. When I stop to consider who God is if I am His child I will naturally give Him praise. I believe that this is why the writer of Hebrews instructs us to give continually to God a sacrifice of praise.

15 Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Hebrews 13:15 (ESV)

By placing praise to God upon my lips I am removing complaining and grumbling which displease God and am instead placing upon my lips a sacrifice of praise which in the words of the Old Testament KJV are “a sweet savor unto the Lord.”

In in addition to replacing complaining with praise I am placing myself in a position which will bring us blessing and not judgment from the Lord.  One way to accomplish this is that whenever you feel tempted to complain or are feeling despondent, sing a song of praise. It is one of the best ways to experience calm and contentment when life becomes bleak.

Today as you “put off” complaining and “put on” praise why not sing?  Sing loud and proud for all to hear!  Oh you say you can’t sing, well neither can I. The Bible does not say that only those who can sing well, may sing, but rather to “make a joyful noise unto the Lord.”

4 Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth: Make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise. Psalm 98:4 (KJV)

See I was not kidding, the text actually says “make a joyful noise” so however horribly your singing is anyone’s singing qualifies as noise. For your singing to qualify as praise you just must sing joyfully. So today as as you join me in “putting off” complaining and “putting on” praise lets sing, loudly, proudly and most importantly joyfully, and according to the clear teaching of Scripture God will be praised!

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40 Days of Preparation Day 9

Mar04
2012 Leave a Comment Written by Warner Smith

Today, Sunday March 4, 2012, is the ninth day of preparing our hearts, souls and minds for the most high of all Christian holy days, Easter Sunday. Today I need to “put off” complacency and “put on” zeal.  In Isaiah we have a prophecy against ancient Israel which reveals God’s view of complacency.

9 Rise up, you women who are at ease, hear my voice; you complacent daughters, give ear to my speech. 10 In little more than a year you will shudder, you complacent women; for the grape harvest fails, the fruit harvest will not come. 11 Tremble, you women who are at ease, shudder, you complacent ones; strip, and make yourselves bare, and tie sackcloth around your waist. Isaiah 32:9–11 (ESV)

Isaiah is pronouncing judgment on the nation of Israel (and in this text particularly the women of Israel) for turning from God and becoming complacent because they have great wealth. Complacency is condemned precisely because these women have accepted security from things instead of trusting their security to God. Each of us who are residents of the materialistic culture that is America need to heed this warning against complacency and replace it with zeal, not a zeal for things but zeal for God.

This picture of being at ease and complacent is also an accurate description of the great part of the church in America today. Rather than being zealous for God and the things of God we are guilty of having become complacent. Therefore, I individually and the church corporately need to “put off” complacency and “put on” zeal!

Zeal means to exhibit “great energy or enthusiasm for a cause or objective.”  One way to determine whether or not you have become complacent is to think about what excites you. Do you become excited and enthusiastic for sports, entertainment, making money, making love or laying on the couch while watching TV. When I am more enthusiastic about these things than I am the things of God I have become complacent. A sign that you may have become complacent in your practice of Christianity is when prayer, Bible study, worship, service, and evangelism are viewed by you as chores which must be done rather than opportunities to bring glory to your Lord.  Each one of us must be vigilant in replacing complacency with zeal.

According to the apostle Paul in the book of Romans zeal is a product of leadership. While motivating God’s people to do God’s work is primarily the work of the Holy Spirit according to this passage, one of the means which God the Holy Spirit accomplishes this work is through the spiritual gift of leadership. This means that if you hold any position in the leadership of the church you particularly must guard against, or “put off” complacency and “put on” zeal. If those who lead are not excited then how can anyone expect those who follow to be enthusiastic.

8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. 9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Romans 12:8–11 (ESV)

Paul goes on to pronounce a principle which applies to all Christians whether or not they are gifted with the gift of leadership. We are not to be slothful or lazy as regards to zeal.  In other words when it comes to serving God I should be enthusiastic and excited and never guilty of being lazy. When we consider the purpose for our service this becomes considerably easier.

10 For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe. 1 Timothy 4:10 (ESV)

I serve and minister to others because of the hope of my own salvation which has been placed in me by the Savior of the world. This hope within me is there particularly because I believe in Him.  Such a task and such a Savior not only deserve my very best, but He never deserves me to become complacent or lack a proper enthusiasm.  Therefore, I need to “put off” complacency and “put on” zeal!

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