Doing What is Most Important

Every year we come up with resolutions for our future to change ourselves in mind, health, finances, activities—what we think will give us the most benefit.  Some of our aspirations are quite noteworthy, some not so much; some we can attain, most are easily given up. 

Ask yourself:  “What is the greatest thing I can do for myself that will make everything else fall into place?”  Brace yourself, and be open for a second or two.  Maybe it is as simple as following a Law that God told Moses to write; a law so important that Jesus gave an answer to a man’s question, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” 

To this, Jesus replied: 

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”

~Deuteronomy 6:5; Matthew 22:37, Mark 12:30

The Lord’s word to you this very moment, as it was yesterday and will be tomorrow is simple.  If you love the Lord—He who is love, the essence and creator of life and giver of mercy, grace, peace, and love—then your heart’s desire will be given to you when you love him with all your being. For you see, at the heart of love is obedience, to obey love fulfills all things and fills all need.

Oh, that I do what is most important,

 

Owen <><

The Reason the Son of God Appeared…

I enjoy Christmas, the tree, lights, Santa, and all the wonderful things we know—and, what we have made Christmas to be.  It isn’t so much about a helpless baby in a manger; it is a threat to the evil one’s, Satan’s, desire to rule.  Jesus’ human birth, the incarnation of the Son of God, reveals the glory of our King, our eternal hope, and the Spirit’s power to overcome all that is against us as we live doing what matters through Christ. 

“The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work.”  

~ 1 John 3:8

The gifts in the nativity are gold, frankincense nor myrrh—the gift not found under a tree nor in need of a ribbon, is Christ the King, the glory of our salvation, our hope, and the power that will “destroy the devil's work.” 

 

The next nativity you see look for more than a helpless infant.  Look and see God’s greatest gift.  There in the midst of holiday clamor is the Anointed One, the incarnation of God, He who is life through the resurrection, the light that overwhelms the darkness of evil and sin; and the One who holds the power to destroy the devil's work and bind him forever.
 

Receive the gift, the power of Christmas.

Owen  

The Inn Keeper's Decision

No matter how one may express it; you either have room in your heart or reject the gift that Christmas represents.
Imagine yourself as the inn keeper, whom Joseph and Mary approached for a place to receive the birth of Christ.  You either have room for Christ, or not.  Jesus either is invited into your midst and very heart and spirit,  into your very midst, or not—having him near, allowing him some small place is to reject him. 

 

Simply put, invite Christ in or tell him to move along.

 

“She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”  ~Luke 2:7

 

It is more than a nativity scene it is an eternal message:

“Anyone who believes in the Son of God has this testimony in his heart. Anyone who does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because he has not believed the testimony God has given about his Son.”  ~1 John 5:10

 

Merry Christmas,

Owen

Do Not Hesitate

Often in prayer, or any situation, the Spirit of the Lord speaks into your very soul, your very essence of being and thought.  How do you respond?  You know what was just whispered into your heart was in direct response to the moment.  When thoughts out of your normal attitude nudge you to get up, overcome barriers, and capture the moment to reveal Christ enters your heat:  do not hesitate—that is God talking to you.  

“While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the

Spirit said to him,
‘Simon, three men are looking for you.
So get up and go downstairs.
Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.’”
~ Acts 10:19-20

Peter had trouble being a guest and sharing the table fare with non-Jewish, non-Hebrew, unclean gentiles.  What he had to overcome was changing his thinking and do what God’s Spirit had whispered into his heart. 

Peter submitted to the whisper of the Lord’s Spirit. 
Then, what happened?
He got up, and did not hesitate to accept an invitation.

Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet,

and worshiped him.  But Peter took him up, saying,

“Stand up: I myself also am a man.”

Acts 10:25-26

Peter was welcomed into the home of Cornelius, a good man who gave to the poor and sought God, a Roman Centurion and of all things, a gentile!

Peter shared the Gospel of Jesus Christ to Cornelius and others at his house.

“While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised [the Jewish] believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles.”  (vv. 44-46).   

Do not hesitate: overrule your reservations—submit to doing what God’s Holy Spirit plants in you, and today you will reveal the gospel of Christ to someone who is perishing.       

Get up, … Don’t Hesitate,

Owen <><

Read Acts 10

Glorify the Lord: Generation to Generation

“My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.
…His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.”   Luke 1:46-50

A young teenager gave us the wisdom above, a girl who was bout fourteen, maybe sixteen.  She was from a poor and dusty little town called Nazareth; her name was Mary. 

 

Her testimony was, “my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.”  What you speak will become a precursor, the very foundation to the legacy you will leave to future generations.  Every child (or adult) you are near can be influenced – you can tell them about the love of God through Jesus and the comfort of the Holy Sprit; or leave a legacy of frivolous, vain things that remain in this world. You have a choice.  The words you speak have impact, just as the teenage girl, Mary said, “from generation to generation.” 

Your words and influence have everlasting impact, do you lift up life in Christ, whereby the Lord’s “mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation”? 

You have the floor, … speak your “peace”.

Bless you,
Owen <><

The Truth is this…

The Truth is this, …, says Rev. Andrew Murray—and so lives Jesus!

“The truth is this: Unless pride dies in you then nothing of heaven can live in you.” 

—Andrew Murray
         
How do we go from the pride of “me-me-me” to being “yes, Lord, yes” is a matter of attitude.
We are to think like Jesus—God’s Holy Spirit is within the born again—our task becomes one of transformation: changing our thinking process to be the same a Christ (see Romans 12:2).  As we read in the Word of truth: 

“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:

Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death —
even death on a cross!”                             

—Apostle Paul, Philippians 2:5-8

“Humility, the place of entire dependence on God, is, from the very nature of things, the first duty and the highest virtue of the Christian.”  —Andrew Murray

Consider, if you will, without humility, one cannot confess they need Christ. 

You cannot think that:
1) You are not good enough for God (pride of self-pity).
2) You a strong and good enough on your own (pride of self-worth)
3) You don’t need God, humankind’s beliefs are good (pride of self-humanist-truth)

Filling yourself with pride leaves no room for God’s love, mercy, grace, and Spirit to fill you.

“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”  — James 4:10

Don’t be down, … be lifted up in all humility!

Owen <><

Gospel: Thing of Compassion Or Ugliness

“Biblical orthodoxy without compassion is surely the ugliest thing in the world.”
—Francis Schaeffer

When Jesus “saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things” (Mark 6:34).  Just as easily, Jesus could have condemned the crowd for their sins and preached judgment due to that sin.  He would have been correct, or as Schaeffer says, within “Biblical orthodoxy.” 

 

But, Jesus “began teaching them many things.”  

 

No doubt, He taught things about heaven, things about salvation, things about grace, and things about eternity with God.  Christ’s compassion, I’m sure, included teaching things that would keep one eternally lost and without the Shepherd.  It is compassion for the lost that lets you see great things as God’s Spirit enables your witness and words to teach things with Biblical orthodoxy—in a way that isn’t “the ugliest thing in the world.”    

Teaching many things—for your eternity,

Owen <><

 

Compassion for someone to live in the eternal presence of God is the basis of Jesus’ desire (Luke 19:10) and the task He has given you and me (Mt 28:18-20, Acts 1:8). 

Rooftop Whisper

We have a Hollywood vision of how we hear God speak. In the scene you are deluged in a blinding light, then a booming voice of thunder emanates from behind a veil of smoke as the Almighty speaks—a scene not unlike going before the Wizard of Oz. 
Jesus taught differently, saying: 

What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight;

what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs.     ~ Matthew 10:27

The Lord speaks loudest in a quiet moment—as you pray in stillness before starting your day.
God will “tell you in the dark” what catches your breath, by what is “whispered in your ear.”
 

Into your spirit is placed encouragement, comfort, and an urgent message of good news to be shared—the whisper burns in your soul something that is too good to keep hidden in a dark closet.  ...
You have to take it out into “the daylight,” where you can “proclaim from the roofs” the message for all to receive.

Job heard such a whisper that resonated through him like thunder, he proclaimed, “...how faint the whisper we hear of him! Who then can understand the thunder of his power?” (Job 26:14).  Take time in quiet conversation—out of the noise of Hollywood’s bright lights—listen, then get up on the roof and proclaim, broadcast, declare the thunder—whispered in your ear. … …

 

 

 

Pssst,
Owen <><

Are You Boastful?!?

Do you get boastful about how things go well in life?
Do you brag about how life’s stumbles and blows do not justify your attitude?
Do you unashamedly tell everyone of life’s success poured out over you—only because of the compassion, grace, and loving protection of your Lord Jesus Christ?

King David loudly sang, and asked you and me to embrace the same attitude in life as he did:

“My soul will boast in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice.

Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together.”                   ~ Psalm 34:2-3

The more bragging on what God has done, is doing, and will do in your life will reflect your steps being in His will, living and fulfilling His ways; and yes, we’ll see the swagger in your step as you live by the Spirit and keep in step with the Spirit (Gal 5:25).   The swagger in your walk is to the rhythm of the song you sing, the song of great redemption and glorifying God, exalting him to be the glory of all things.    

So, let’s be like David, a man with a lot of problems, nonetheless the same man who sang of a life in which we are “boast in the Lord, … exalt his name” … not for his pleasure nor special recognition, but to “let the afflicted hear and rejoice” — it is our faith in Christ and praise of Him that reveals, the heart of your praise, the good news — people receive your praises of Christ’s redemption, and desire it, unlike complaining.   

How about a little bragging on Jesus, and have a good day,

Owen <><
 

One More Thought—When the Apostle Paul had a problem in life he tells us this story:

“Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.”  ~ 2 Corinthians 12:8-9

From Unanswered to Answered Prayers

The only time my prayers are never answered is on the golf course.  ~ Billy Graham

Prayers can go unanswered.  But, is Rev. Graham referring to unanswered prayers that truly matter, those that change lives and honor God?  Being honest, while fishing I’ve prayed to catch the biggest fish of my life, well, that may have been answered, but the fish I’ve caught weren’t the size I had in mind.  Success on the golf course, in a fishing boat, or while playing the games of life are not about things that matter.  Jesus did say, “I will do whatever you ask,” (John 14:13a).  So, why can’t I make a hole in one or catch a world record fish?  After all, Jesus did promise a lot.

 

Let’s read ALL that he said in John 14:12-14:

“I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.  And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father.  You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.”

The next time you are doing what you like, and in prayer seeking what you want, ask yourself:  “Am I living a faith that puts what Jesus did as a desire of my heart, are my prayers focused on bringing glory, the fame, to God the Father in the Name—with the same heart—of the Son?”  Give that a try, then as you pray, be ready to go from living in disappointment to living a life full of answers.     

 

 

Praying your heart is overrunning with the desires of Christ Jesus,

Owen <><

“The most eloquent prayer is the prayer through hands that heal and bless.” ~Billy Graham

How Can I Lack Nothing?!?

Perseverance must finish its work
       so that you may be mature and complete,
       not lacking anything. ~ James 1:4

There is a work that must finish in you as a Christ follower.  If you are to become mature and complete, then perseverance’s patience must finish its work in you.  Once this work is done, a Christian will lack nothing—becoming complete …yes, lacking nothing! 

 

So, what do you need to do to lack nothing? 

What is it do you need to do to become perfect, mature and complete? 

 

First, perseverance is of God, as He completes His work to fill Christ’s perfection in you—it’s not what you do, “it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose” (Philippians 2:13).  In God’s unceasing love and patience toward you is why He perseveres with accomplishing a good work in you (Phil. 1:6), ensuring that you won’t be lacking maturity in Christ.  Last, the finished work comes only when, in humility and surrender to the work of God’s Spirit can you be complete.  What then?  Then, you will not lack anything in God’s will for you.

In God's Perseverance,  

 

Owen <><

 

 

~ Hebrews 13:20-21: 

May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

 

There is a Reason for Redundancy:

“The Lord Almighty has a day in store for all the proud and lofty,
for all that is exalted (and they will be humbled),…”                       ~Isaiah 2:12

“For whoever exalts himself will be humbled,
and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”                                ~Matthew 23:12
...
“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled,
and he who humbles himself will be exalted."                                  ~Luke 14:11

“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled,
and he who humbles himself will be exalted."                                  ~ Luke 18:14
                                                                         
 

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

 
"I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children,

you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Therefore, whoever humbles himself
like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."

~ Matthew 18:3-4

 

Being humble is to place all trust, complete dependence, in God, from the simplicity of daily provision to the miracle of salvation, there are no personal efforts that will allow me to walk through heaven’s gates and into the presence of God Almighty, the humble, Lord Jesus Christ. 

~ Owen <><  ... (Philippians 2:5-11)

 

Need a Shovel?

I read a comment on Scripture that triggered within me a question to ask myself. How should I live the gospel, how do I “walk in the footsteps of the faith” (Rom 4:12) and keep in step with God’s Spirit (Gal. 5:25)?  If I am to live the gospel by faith in Christ, shouldn’t I breathe and live out life in complete humble dependence upon my Father God?

The statement that triggered how to live by faith in God was this: 

 

“Christ said we could move mountains if we only had faith.

But He didn't say we wouldn't need a shovel.” 

 

 

 But this is what Jesus did say in Matthew 17:20:

 

“Because you have so little faith.

I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain,

'Move from here to there' and it will move.

Nothing will be impossible for you."

It takes complete humility to accept God’s Word, to trust Him fully in all things, and to know that your faith has hope, not a task to do what God doesn’t. 

 

 

It is by faith that mountains will move, that barriers will be torn down, and the Holy Spirit’s enablement is given to do all things through Christ – by faith alone in the One who spoke the promise:

“Nothing will be impossible for you." 

 

I will follow the Lord’s, and not man’s wisdom.  I will cling to Jesus’ declaration, "all things are possible with God" (Mark 10:27) – no tools or effort needed by me, I’m humble enough to admit that God has control and that I am NOT.    

All faith through Christ alone,

Owen <><

No Smell of Smoke – A Taste of Fruit

If a miracle occurs in our life … GREAT!
Miracle or not, serving God faithfully is how the fruit He desires is harvested.

Such is revealed in the life of three young Hebrew men with faith in God.  King Nebuchadnezzar threatened them of death in a furnace, as punishment for not bowing to the idols of his kingdom, to this they replied “we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us.”  The king was true to his threat.   

As the three were thrown into the fire, some soldiers carrying out the order were killed by the fire, and then other soldiers exclaimed, “’Look! … four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed,’ … [they] came out of the fire, …not harmed … not scorched, and … no smell of fire on them.”   

The sight prompted the King to say, “They trusted in him and defied the king's command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.” The result was for Nebuchadnezzar have a change of heart, saying “no other god can save in this way.” 

The fruit of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego wasn’t their deliverance from the furnace by a miracle, but how their faithfulness revealed the power of grace by the Lord’s presence with them.  That presence brings something more than the miracle itself, it brings change into someone’s heart, the fruit God desires, and that is doing what matters.

That others don't smell of smoke, but are a miracle of Christ's fruit, 

Owen <><

Know your Word of God, go Read Daniel 3

P.S. YES! Christ Jesus was with us from the beginning (John 1:1-2), He was with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; and by faith God is with you - Christ's Spirit in you.