Thursday, December 28, 2017

News of a Kingdom

An angel appeared to Mary, telling her of a son she would have. The Angel said, “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne … he will reign over …, and of his kingdom there will be no end” (Luke 1:32-33).  Jesus comes to reveal a throne without glitter, only the light of truth about of the only kingdom recognized by the Lord God Almighty.  His.  A kingdom that was, is, and is to come – God’s kingdom is here and now.

As Jesus spoke God’s Word and ministered on earth he declared to His disciples, followers, “I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom,” (Luke 22:29-30) – God’s kingdom.  God’s kingdom is assigned to the people of God … praise God, the followers of Christ are established this very moment within the Kingdom!  This is because of “Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom” (2 Tim. 4:1) has made believers to be citizens.  As such, to this world ambassadors of the gospel (2 Corinthians 5:20).  With the inclusion of the kingdom, God gave a “charge,” or commission to “preach the word” (2 Tim. 4:1-2) of God’s truth.  The Word in Spirit and Scripture – the good news, the gospel of salvation in Christ alone (John 14:6). 

Only by God’s Word, the living and active Word, can we share the truth of the kingdom’s hope.  The truth of becoming a part of the Kingdom of God, established in Christ Jesus alone Who’s Kingdom is eternal; it was for yesterday, is for today, and will be forevermore.

Enter the Kingdom,
Owen <><

Wednesday, December 6, 2017

Where Does Conscience Lie?

Our conscience is the one thing that seemingly wells up within us as to the goodness of our acts in life.  From the very core of our conscious we draw regret or satisfaction in response to our decisions, actions, and words in life.
 
In “Murder on the Orient Express,” a soul-searching question is asked by Detective Hercule Poirot.  After pondering the bond between bitter, vengeful souls who plotted and carried out an elaborate murder, Poirot ponders aloud, “Where does conscience lie?”  However, Jesus has the answer to Poirot’s question.  If we do evil, those things that wrench the very soul of a person, then “your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!” (Matt. 6:23).  Within us is a battle, a spiritual war (Acts 6:12) that determines the perimeter in which Light can penetrate, repelling the invasion of darkness. 

The Apostle Paul responds out of his own conscience, proclaiming, “I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man” (Acts 24:16).  How do we keep our conscience clear?  How does our conscience not have regret?  How is our conscience light filled and not in the darkness of evil?  Again, Paul taught all who follow Christ to “not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Rom. 12:2). 

We make it difficult, yet God has given us his perfect will in an answer, “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!" (Eph. 3:20-21).  But, we still ask, “Where does conscience lie?”  We make it difficult, yet God has given us his perfect will in an answer, “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work

Where does conscience lie?  Within us, in our very soul, within a human being created by the true and righteous God.  Our conscience responds to God’s Spirit or another spirit who battles with God. 

Living by our conscience within,

Owen <><

Friday, October 13, 2017

Withered

Early one morning Jesus was hungry, he saw a healthy looking fig tree with all of its leaves.  As he looked up He saw that it had not produce fruit, although it was fig season.  His response was to say to it, “May you never bear fruit again!”  Then, “Immediately the tree withered.”  The disciples were amazed as to how quickly the tree withered away to nothing.  (Matthew 21:19-20).

We Christians are like a fruit tree in season.  The Lord is continuous in bearing fruit for us, such as answering prayer.  I am reminded how God operates.  He never lets us down.  He is continuous in his love and favor.  As Apostle John shows us heaven, we see how God works; there we see the “tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month” (Rev. 22:2).  The Lord is non-stop, “24 x 7,” all day every day, all year every year, pouring out upon us.  In humility we simply receiver all He gives.  
Notice, God gives always.  Your fruit bowl may not be full this moment and it may take a while to get all the fruit you need to do accomplish God’s will for you.  Like Israel in the wilderness, they received quail and manna daily, enough nourishment for them to make it to the Promised Land, where God wanted them to be.  God provides.  Sometimes not as much as you wanted at once and neither as fast as you want.  But, in his will and his promise he does provide.

God answers prayer.  In example, you pray for cake.  Our Lord Almighty answer does not come in an instant, but over a few days.  First you receive some eggs, then some oil and butter, and them the chocolate for your favorite cake.  But, you want more.  You assume God has not answered your prayer.  Then a delivery truck comes with not only a pan and cooking utensils but also a new oven – more than you needed!  But, it is not the cake you prayed for!  You get frustrated and leave the kitchen.

God sees another fig tree with leaves and nothing else.


Just a thought,
Owen <><  

Sunday, October 1, 2017

Lift Your Head Up

When we think of being Christlike there is a tendency to think it being something we make ourselves do and not reflecting who Christ is, and who is in us.  As Ken Sande writes, “There is more to being like Jesus than simply recognizing weaknesses and confessing sin.”  When Christ Jesus came in human form he lived in the midst of our afflictions, but is that a reflection weakness?  What we forget is that Jesus was with us “in the appearance of a man,” he was incarnate, God revealed in human flesh and, yet, the fullness of God’s love, power, grace, and presence came among us.   

He had power, but yielded love and mercy. He raised the dead. He healed the crippled. He healed the sick, a woman with blood issues, and leapers.  He had power over life and death.

As for sin, he recognized it, yet was not subject to it. He was in the midst of a sinful world, but Jesus was without sin – that is how He was able to deliver righteousness to us, there is no other way. He had power sin and the father of lies and the liar’s demons. Jesus, in human “weakness,” warned Satan of twisting God’s word into temptation, rejecting the devil. Jesus had the power to cast demons out of people they had possessed. 
 
Where was there a reason for shame and where was weakness? Not to be found.  Only good, truth, and righteousness was with him in power.  So, was he weak and hanging his head in shame. I don’t think so.  Christ Jesus’ power reigned in humility and power. 

What did or does God give you when confessing Christ and following Jesus? He has justified us, making us righteous.  His Spirit has empowered you.

 
Lift Your Head Up,
Owen <><     

 
Following are a few verses given in order of above devotional, there are many more you can find:  Philippians 2:6-7; Hebrews 4:15; John 10:7, 14: Matthew 4:1-1; 1Matthew 1:34, 39; Romans 8:9-15, Galatians 4:6  

Saturday, September 2, 2017

Life Is Hard Then You Die

Life is hard then, you die.  Or, so says a proverb of our world. 
This proverb reveals a bleak outlook on every breath one takes and the lack of there being any hope.  There is no hope of anything being good.  Everything is hard and no such thing as an easy button.  Only lament, grief that life is hard.  Then the letdown, it all ends with our last breath.

Life can be hard as the world’s proverb says.  I have my list of stuff that I admit to feeling defeated in or mad about or both.  It is hard to move on.  It is a mixture of things more than one thing that eats at us.  And, yes, then we all die.  However, God created us to live forever and not a hard, bad life (John 10:10).  God has rolled out a plan, it was revealed when Jesus Christ came to us. When Jesus was with he had come “to seek and save the lost” (Luke 19:10).  I know we are lost when we see life as pitiful and see the world through a lens of an empty heart.  All we can say in life without the love of Christ is, “Life is hard; then you die.”  That is a sad state of mind to have.  We waste a wonderful life given to us by God.

As I read the Bible I see an answer from the Apostle Paul.  I am sure he thought about this, and yes he had a very hard life.  Paul shared his heart with what the Holy Spirit had comforted him with, he wrote, “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us” (Rom. 8:18).  It is “not worth” the effort to wallow in the bad stuff.  We will see God, when we do His “glory … will be revealed in us.”  That is the blessed hope!  So, yes we will die, but there is a glory, which is being with God in what is our true home.

Do you believe that God, Christ Jesus loves you and came for you?  Then confess him to others, pray and ask for his comfort.  Then, live a life that is good and full of hope in Christ.  As you do, “rejoice and be glad and give him glory!” (Rev. 19:7)   As God answers your prayer His Spirit comforts you in the world we live, where “life is hard,” but, note hopeless.
 
I love you,
Owen <><




“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 8:38-39).

Thursday, August 24, 2017

When Darkness Lurks Let Your Light Shine

Too often we shiver and shriek, then back ourselves into a corner when things look the worse.  It seems that fear has its greatest moment and the evil one’s work to shines brightly.

We often feel attacked when all we did was to:  gather to worship; gently allow others to know about our life and how it is Jesus that enriches our life.  We think about the encouragement of Jesus’ love when he expressed, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10).  We forget the other part of that same verse by John.  The part where the evil one lurks in the darkness to pounce out on his mission, because he, “the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.”

With that in mind we get discouraged when life is not abundantly overflowing with the supply of our needs, all things pleasing, and unthreatening.  If we witness about Christ someone may respond with negative comments, we think that is persecution.  So, we are silent and only desire the overflowing “stuff.”  Satan laughs and floods life with darkness – he won, no need to send demons.  

If life is without tension, it is not due to your weakness.  Christ in you is the power to overthrow evil.  To not witness of Christ is silence and that is of no threat to the evil one.  When we know the Bible, and its story about Jesus and the early followers (church) we know that they faced trials, in fact, persecution – we shouldn’t think that won’t happen to us (see Matt. 5:11-12, 2 Cor. 4:7-11; 2 Thess. 3:2-4).  Remember, bad does happen in this world, it is due to satan, he is evil –


BUT, we in Christ we have had Jesus pray for us, and God answers prayer, Jesus prayed, “I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world.  My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one”  (John 17:14-15).

 
The presence of Christ is with you,
let Him be herd of and seen in all you do,
 
Owen <><

Know your hope and enablement, read John 17:6-26 – Jesus’ prayer.

Tuesday, July 18, 2017

In Bad Company

We, the contemporary church folks, have become great socializers with one another.  Not much different than the many Christians over the past century who have been good at “fellowshipping with fellow saints.”  We have become good at the avoidance of those who are not the same as us, the non-followers of Christ – historically called sinners. 

What is interesting is that Jesus was known as a friend of sinners.

Jesus joined those disrespected by and shunned by the religious crowd.  But, Jesus spoke of himself as “The Son of Man [who] came eating and drinking, and you the [religious crowd] say, 'Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners'” (Luke 7:34).  Are we indeed followers of Christ?  Are we a religious crowd that only marginally embraces those we deem immoral, a. k. a. sinners?

Would it hurt our stature in the church to be seen at dinner or in the home of someone other than church friends?  Remember, it was Jesus who “came to seek and save the lost” (Luke 19:10).  Should we be seeking the lost?  We do follow His lead, right?    

Just a thought,
Owen   

Read Luke 7:36-50, 19:1-10
 
 

Wednesday, June 21, 2017

Closer to God

The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”  ~ Acts 23:11
 

This was a very powerful moment in Paul’s life.  I know you realize that by the time Paul begun his ministry, Jesus had already ascended into heaven.  Now, as Jesus “stood near,” at least twenty to twenty-two years since the resurrection and eighteen to twenty years since Paul’s conversion (Acts 9), his three years in Arabia (Gal. 1:16b-18), and two missionary journeys (roughly 36-54 A.D.) before he was now in custody.  But Now! Jesus stood beside him.  

Then, as now, to desire Jesus to stand by your side, as he did with Paul, is not only a longing, but a moment when He pours out encouragement to you, acknowledges your witness of Christ, and tells you what to do next.  Yes, the Lord has expectations of you.  That’s what the Lord Jesus did for Paul in the above verse. 
So how does that come about?  The Lord fulfills such an intense bond when through prayer and worship as you turn yourself and determine to be in His presence.  Then you are empowered to carry out his work – this requires being in tune with God’s Spirit. 

But where does it begin?  Let God become intimate, drop you shield – the excuses for being afraid and ignoring His holy presence and voice (that whisper you hear).  Allow God’s spirit to manifest through you as you never thought could happen.  Fear keeps you from doing God’s will; you are afraid to do what God has asked.  Remember, you cannot claim the Scriptures if they don’t guide you. 
 
Paul lived and reminds you, as a Christ follower, “we have an obligationbut it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” (Romans 8:12-15).

Trembling and yet closer to Christ’s will,
Owen <><    

Saturday, June 3, 2017

History and Now


Luke wrote a history of the early church called “Acts.”
 

It is the beginning of an unending story of the Acts of the Holy Spirit,” through all believers of, followers of Christ.

 

The power – the gifts endowed by the Holy Spirit – is the Spirit enablement to go and witness Christ Jesus.

 

 
HOW YOU DOING WITH THAT?
I hope with openness to God's Spirit and as a witness of Christ:

Urging you on,
Owen




Monday, May 29, 2017

I Never Thought About It

For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him?”
~ 1 Corinthians 2:11

The world has changed.  We have to accept it as it is, to like or dislike it isn’t the task, but accept that change is no longer coming, it is here.  Can anyone, anywhere truly live in a Christian nation?  We do find it easy to give comment on the lifestyles and irreverence toward God reflected by society.  What is our response?  Do we ever give … thought … leading to tears over the emptiness of those who surround us?  Our focus narrows on people’s indifference of Godly living, no weighing the result of being without Christ.  Never giving thought to sharing what God offers for them.

I share because of an awakening given me years ago.  I asked a man about having Christ in his life.  His answer stunned me, and changed me.  He gave me an honest answer when he said,
 
 "I never thought about it."
 
We live in a society not thinking of God.  I had believed that everyone had thought about God, including salvation through Christ.  An honest man without Christ had taught me a valuable lesson.  The truth in Jesus’ words to me, you, are to be a witness and teach about Him (Matt. 28:18-20, Acts 1:8).  There is a need to think on how to approach those who have never been given an opportunity to think on the story of Christ.  Why?  They have not heard it.  Now I understand.  Others must learn the gospel story of Christ.  Paul learned and then exclaimed “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” (Rom. 10:15).  It may take days, months, a year or more to tell someone about Christ, but when God’s Spirit whispers, “Ask now,” ask, the reply you will hear is, “I’ve been thinking … … …”

Giving thought to emptiness,
Owen <><

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”  ~ Col. 3:2

Thursday, May 25, 2017

In the Wind’s Current

If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.”
Galatians 5:25

Before being encouraged to “walk by [or in] the Spirit” we are reminded by Apostle Paul that everyone who belongs to Christ are to live “crucified” to the desires of self.  Eugene Peterson reflects on the walk in the Spirit in this way, “Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives” (Galatians 5:25 The Message). 

How do we move through life as a community and as individuals who follow Christ?  First, we need to recall that God is a Spirit and that all of our reverence, obedience, worship flows through our spirit with God (see John 4:24).  God operates and accomplishes his will through Spirit within a spiritual realm.  Our response then is first and foremost in spirit.  Thus, God’s Spirit flows and we must be in tune to the current in the “river of life” (Rev. 2:1-2).  God, then, “as a directional current encourages the church to stay in step with the Spirit [and] keeps us moving at the same pace the Spirit is taking” (Carolyn Tennant, “Catch the Wind of the Spirit”).

Chesapeake Bay:
I set sail to the “Wind’s current.”  
Living life in the flow of God’s Spirit, verses our daily grind and struggle, is why Jude shares that we are to encourage each other in the faith as we “pray in the power of the Holy Spirit” (v 20); we are also encouraged to “pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests” (Eph. 6:18).  To communicate with God is to pray, a foundation of our spiritual life, each of us are spiritual being.  We have a spirit and we were made to walk in unison with Spirit.  From the moment God created people we were not left as a clump of organic material, God gave His breath, also translated as wind or spirit, of life and we “became a living being” (Gen. 2:7, 1 Cor. 15:45).  As we walk the journey of life we are to flow in the “current” of God’s Spirit, we are in other words to “live … [and] walk by the Spirit.”  In the Spirit is where we hear the whisper of God’s will, “experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand” (Philippians 4:7 NLT) and learn what His good desire is for us and how we are to serve others.

Swept away in the current,
Owen <><

Saturday, May 13, 2017

We Only Hear About the Bad People

I was enjoying a ride through ranch country to my favorite lake when I realized I had poorly planned.  I heard a whop-whop-whop sound like a helicopter; then, I saw and experienced, for the first time ever, my tire tread on my boat trailer separating and going down the road.  I found myself without my tools, jack, and failed to recognize my tires were aging on my boat trailer; bad planning on my part.  But, things didn’t go bad.  I pulled off the road and the land owner came out and asked if he could help; he went by “RJ.”  Before I knew it, a jack and tools were produced and he had my demolished tire in the back of his truck and we were on our way to a tire shop in Wayne, Oklahoma.

I had good conversations with RJ and those at the tire shop we arrived at.  After RJ helped me get the tire on and would not accept any help for his kindness, I proceeded back to the tire shop and replaced the other tire on my boat trailer.  No more ill prepared chances for me.  

As I finished up business I mentioned to the owner how good his employees were to me and how and kind RJ was.  He looked up from his paperwork and said, “We only hear about the bad people, never the good people like RJ and the majority of folks.”  He continued, “That’s why I always read Proverbs a couple or more times a year.  I read my Bible every day, but it is so easy to read Proverbs in a month, it has thirty-one chapters, you know.”  We talked a while, as we did, he continually mentioned his church and he then said, “Proverbs is important, anytime a young person asks me what they need to read in the Bible I tell them, ‘Read the book of John and Proverbs, read Proverbs a couple of times.’ I tell them Proverbs is important because it teaches us how we should live.”

As my business ended, I departed a very feeling good inside due to a wonderful conversation with a good man in a simple conversation, having been served by good people, and most of all I had been helped by a kind, good man, RJ.  Lastly, I and you need to remember the great book of wisdom, Proverbs:

“For the Lord gives wisdom;
from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;
he stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
he is a shield to those who walk in integrity,
guarding the paths of justice
and watching over the way of his saints.
Then you will understand righteousness and justice and equity, every good path;
for wisdom will come into your heart,
and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul;
discretion will watch over you,
understanding will guard you, …”
~ Proverbs 2:6-11

Blessing, goodness, and wisdom be with you,
Owen <><

Friday, April 28, 2017

The Spirit of Truth seeks us!

Jesus testifies that
I AM He, the Way who is Truth.

Searching, we need to know the Way ...
He seeks to save us, the lost.

The Spirit of Truth seeks us!
The only true Seeker is the One …
Who came to “seek and save” us.

Jesus testifies I AM Truth.
We, the lost, need Truth to lead us,
That we may follow the Way …
Then, each of us may hear Truth...
and become “a follower of the Way.”




I admit that I worship the God of our fathers
as a follower of the Way,”
Owen <><

Reading the Word of God that stirs my heart in:
John 14:6 – Luke 19:10 – Acts 24:14

Monday, April 10, 2017

St Augustine wrote words that remain relevant personally to you, to all of us, today:

“it is not we who possess the Truth after having sought it,
but the Truth that seeks us out and possesses us.” 

The truth seeks us!  St Augustine’s words remind me what Jesus said, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost” (Luke 19:10).  As Christ seeks, faith accepts his truth, then “You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you.”  However, sadly “if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ” (Romans 8:9).  To receive salvation or “have the Spirit of Christ” is to “belong to Christ.”  This work of Chairs, as St Augustine expressed, “Truth that seeks us out and possesses us.” 

Jesus is God himself (John 8:58) and he testifies of himself as the “Truth” who is God (John 14:6-7).  Today God still “seeks us out” as his Holy Spirit is sent to convict you, everyone to turn to God (John 16:5-11).  This is not new; the story of God is a message of how He has been seeking people from the very beginning. 
 

Jesus has come for you, let Truth possess you,  
Owen <><     

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” (John 14:6-7 ESV)

Tuesday, April 4, 2017

Worship: Is there a best way?

I was fortunate to have Dr. Elmer Towns as a professor, he expressed how “True worship upsets the way we have lived, and demands more sacrifice from the worshipper. True worship never allows us to remain the same person we were before we came into the presence of God.”

You can find such a place, a place within the presence with God.  I have learned as I follow Christ in life that many people worship different. But guess what, the manner does not matter. The essence of worship is not engaging softly in hymns, in the manner of respondent liturgy, outward robustness of charismatic celebration, nor in the stillness of silence.  It is all that, and more.

Worship is not the expression, but inward change from an encounter with the Lord God Almighty.  When you walk away from worship my hope is that your life is as Towns notes, upset – and your life is changed. Worship brings change, a heart seeking truth, a willingness to be obedient to the whisper of God’s Spirit instilling God’s will for you.  Apostle Paul expressed it like this, “I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God — this is your spiritual act of worship” (Romans 12:1).  Worship is a sacrifice, without such, one only engages for the appearance religion, not for the manifestation of Christ’s Spirit. Worship is the awe of God when you have found yourself embraced by Christ.
 
Jesus taught the woman at the well a lesson that holds a tremendous impact for you today.  Always be mindful of what Jesus spoke to her about.  The act of spiritual worship, to which He opened her eyes to how “true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.  God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:23b-24).
 
Don’t stop singing, lifting hands, expressing liturgy, shouting, sitting in silence, standing, or falling prostrate before the Lord.  But continue to “worship in spirit and truth.”  Empty yourself of self and be refilled and immersed within God, who is Spirit. 
 
Thinking of you, praying you are blessed in worship,
Owen <><

            

Sunday, March 5, 2017

We can be a Patchwork or Renewed, Which are you?

No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment,
for the patch tears away from the garment, and a worse tear is made.”     (Jesus, Mathew 9:16)

You and I manage and rework everything in life with a goal of making things better.  Our life and job, even relationships, are often a patchwork of trying to make things better.  It comes as no shock that Scripture settles into the soul of people, such as Lesslie Newbigin, who remind us that “You can’t renew things by patching. You have to accept the fact that the old is old, and you have to be ready for what is radically new.”  Life ends up ripping apart when we respond by sewing together a patchwork of fragmented fixes.  Let the change rooted in the Lord’s desire for you become a truth.  God works by pouring out a holy influence of change over you, a change to change, not patch, you and give you an opportunity to “have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10).

Paul reminds Christ followers that “truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life” (Eph. 4:21-22) and, thereby, be new in Christ – there must be change, not a patch job.  Paul continues, with a something we to accept, you and I are “to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness” (vv. 23-24).  That’s a lot of effort to believe and ask God to renew your mind.  But, to accept the new God has prepared for you is to open a door that is for something more than you were, are, or ever hoped to find by with a new patch.  The Lord Jesus has placed His Spirit in you with an empowering gift that enables you to know how to “be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2).  Know God’s will for you, it’s not a patch, but perfect renewal for living the abundant life.  

Transformed by the Spirit and not by my patchwork,
Owen <><

Wednesday, February 15, 2017

Without Humility

Consider if you will, that without humility you or I cannot confess the need of Christ. How can we ask for a Savior unless we surrender our pride at the feet of the One we need?

Humility is formed in us when we have complete reliance on God, turn our minds toward the Lord and change by thinking like Jesus. This is an undertaking that gives glory to God, it is a worthy task to undertake as we are being transformed in our soul, as a change in our thinking becomes more like that of Christ (see Romans 12:2)—to be like Christ who "humbled himself" for us on the cross (Philippians 2:5-8).

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


Owen <><
 
 

Monday, February 13, 2017

Afterward You Will Understand


The night before Jesus was arrested and taken away to be crucified, He taught, embrace in a fellowship meal, and shared the first Lord’s Supper or Communion with his disciples.  Before their meal, Jesus washed his disciples’ feet, teaching them Godly leadership, born of humility.  That wasn’t an easy feeling for the disciples, their teacher and Lord was washing their feet—they didn’t understand.  Peter asked why, Jesus had a reply.

“What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” ~ John 13:7

They would understand even less before the night was over, especially when he said he would leave them. Emptiness and confusion fell upon the disciples. Is this is a familiar feeling for you at times?  I admit to it; it’s not being angry, blaming God, nor anyone; you’re just confused and needing to understand the why and what now questions. 

We, as the disciples long ago, step out every day to start being the Church afresh.  It is confusing, we seem to forget Jesus’ teachings are easy and let the world’s ways press down on our shoulders.  Today as when Christ’s resurrected, Jesus gave the disciples answers and hope, as he had promised, “afterward you will understand.”  Every day we move forward serving, asking why, confused, sometimes fearful, and no, we don’t understand.  Jesus has the same answer to our turmoil, “but afterward you will understand.”
As we keep asking and doing God’s will, we understand.


Moving toward the next answer,
Owen <><

Saturday, February 4, 2017

Breathe of Reason

In life there is one thing important to discover, the essence of breathing for more than your physical life.  Paul described life unashamedly as an “eager expectation and hope … with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death” (Phil. 1:20).  That is an expression of certainty in one’s identity, a reflection of who you are now and will be in Christ Jesus.

As Paul grew older the pain from his beatings, his afflictions, and weariness in life he nonetheless knew that “to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (v21).   But, to be in Christ is to be like Christ, a servant to the very end.  That time for the end of earthly life is determined by God alone, not any personal desire.  Paul knew that living “means fruitful labor, but he was “hard pressed” in a desire for life or death, he knew to “be with Christ … is far better” (22-23).
Then Paul says “but,” a big word of change to desire and opinion of what should or should not be in the soul of a person.  He knew Christ had a reason for him in every moment and every breath.  Just as the Lord has a reason (call if you will) for all of us.  The Spirit of God whispers into our hearts the desire and purpose we all have in common.  Paul knew in his heart that it is better to “remain in the flesh [because doing so] is more necessary on your account” (24).  Such a desire is the same reason God has said, “I am with you.”  Paul now expresses that he is “Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus” (26).  God has custom-built each of us to witness and guide people in a life immersed in Christ.  We have purpose in life.  As Rick Warren wrote, “It’s not about you,” we must all realize it is about serving those who you can tell about Jesus and mentor how to live in Christ.

I was doing something I enjoy one day.  As I stepped out a doorway onto a porch I saw then said to an elderly man, “How's it going?”  He replied, "I'm upright and sucking air.”  I learned a lesson in that moment, the importance of breath.  To breathe is a commodity we have been given for a short time. 
While we do activities that we like, or don’t like, it is in those moments that our breath allows words and deeds that are important to someone, eternally important.

My point, every breath must count—breathe, with reason.

Alive, breathing in Christ,
Owen <><

From:  Philippians 1:20-26 ESV

Monday, January 30, 2017

Bold Confidence


After the resurrection Jesus appeared to the saints and “they worshiped him.” He “said to them, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” that authority and power is why you can “therefore and make disciples of all nations. Jesus ensured us that his presence anoints the faithful with authority; in turn we can be bold and live with confidence because “I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:17-20)

As the church grew, the saints prayed, asking our Lord God “grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” What a request!  They prayed with confidence to be bold witnesses and enabled to reveal God’s power to heal and His Spirit’s work by signs and wonders.  It was undoubtedly an answer of yes from God, because after “they had had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.” (Acts 4:29-31)

The presence of Christ ensures the enabling of the Holy Spirit with us—this reveals strength not of this world.  The Holy Spirit within and upon us is Christ’s presence, the endowment of authority “to heal” and witness Christ with “signs and wonders.”  In the same way, we have confidence to bring the Word of truth.  God’s power enables us to be bold.  Christ’s presence brings authority by his Spirit’s ever present enabling, makes each follower of Christ a conduit of God’s power—that is why you and I are confident, therefore, bold in your witness and prayer—“Such is the confidence that we have through Christ” (2 Corinthians 3:4).

Bold, confident in Christ’s authority,

Owen <><

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