Upholding All Things

According to Colossians 1:15-20, all things were created in order that we know the creator and come to faith in Him. Jesus, “Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high. (Hebrews 1:3). Jesus prayed in John 17:17 that God the Father sanctify us through His truth: His word is truth. Jesus states in John 14:6 that He is the way, the truth, and the life and that no man cometh unto the Father, but by Him. When a man really loves a woman, he desires that she first notice him and that she would progress to greater levels of intimate knowledge of him until finally they become one. He will sacrifice himself unselfishly for his bride's sake. I see it as being the same with God’s love for us. “The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” (Jeremiah 31:3). Oh how I love Jesus, because, He first loved me.

Reflections (Matthew 5:16)

My justification is assured since I have believed on Jesus and my glorification is assured at His return. Sanctification, then, is an ongoing process which requires something of me and is the focus of my spiritual development and maintenance. Thank God I have divine omnipotent help and I am not alone in meeting the task! It is not an easy project and there is no fast track. But God is perfect and cannot fail. My hope is in Jesus Christ.

I pray that I have a greater hunger and thirst for the righteousness of God tomorrow than I have had hitherto. This time to focus solely upon spiritual and conscious communion with God is as vital to my existence as oxygen and perhaps more valuable ultimately. In order to integrate a balanced, thoughtful, full-orbed, mature Christian spirituality, I must not get out of bed until I have prayed and acknowledged my complete dependence upon Christ, and inquire what devotional activities might be immediately scheduled into my schedule for this day to insure that I spend more quality time with the Lord. The well organized person manages his time wisely. So should I make certain I have scheduled (spent) my time with the Lord each day and be careful to guard that time jealously, not having neglected to do all else as unto Him in an attitude of selfless love that might please Him. This is the stewardship God desires for me to exercise in this life. God is jealous for His people and I pray to become ever more desirous of His pleasure in my life.

I would also endeavor to meet any and all instances of conflict, pain, or potential confusion, whenever they occur, with the immediate response of prayer, praise, and worship however brief. I will be mindful not to allow worldly entertainment, a career, or even church duties and ministry to outweigh my time in the secret place each day, knowing that God desires to meet and nourish me in that stillness as much as I desire His presence. If it can ever be said that I have completely surrendered to God every hour of any given day, I will ask Him to make me more like Christ more consistently and continually until I am forever in His presence (like Enoch). I pray that I will always pray for a greater hunger and desire to get closer and communicate more consistently with God and that I will progress steadily in this direction. “Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.” (Proverbs 4:25, 27)

I have learned that I must respect the most valuable resource I have and that this resource, namely prayer, must be put to a good use on a daily and hourly basis. This is crucial in order that my faith fail not and that my effectiveness in evangelism and ministry increase and be continually renewed and strengthened. In this way I hope to know Jesus more perfectly and make Him more perfectly known. This is the only way I will be able to say that in Christ I live and move and have my being. This is the only way I will accomplish the coveted goal of remaining more consistently connected to the true vine in my daily life.

Whip It "Before the Butter Sits Too Long" (DEVO 1980)

“So stir up the gift of God that is in thee” (2 Timothy 1:6, KJV) Or, in the words of DEVO, “now whip it into shape, shape it up, get straight, go forward, move ahead, try to detect it, it's not too late to whip it, whip it good.” Paul said in Philippians 3:14, “I press on toward the goal.” My personal experience is that I cannot let down my guard for one moment without it adversely affecting my spiritual life, the absolute top priority. It is not legalism for me to realize that I cannot forgo prayer to watch another repeat of Law & Order, or let the filthy language of anytime television into my ear gate without damage. “For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” (Galatians 6:8) Darkness and sin are always at the door actively seeking an entrance. If I am not this moment pushing myself towards righteousness, I am slipping into darkness. Sin is actively killing us whenever we cease to actively mortify the deeds of the body. Let us keep praying, Brethren. The whole point of this race is to finish it, having been declared blameless by our Savior who has risen and is at the right hand of God making intercession for us right now. Devotion is love in action and I believe it naturally leads us outwards to be witnesses unto Jesus, knowing Him and making Him known. Evangelism then is more about multiplication than addition. May God bless the friends I may lose by writing this...

And After He Had Prayed

As we interact with the world of others, we need to divert attention away from ourselves and towards God, His Word, and His will. Also, as the two forces make contact, I want to make sure I am so in touch with the Spirit of God at that moment that I am the spiritually influential one and not the one being spiritually influenced. The meaning of being holy is that as believers we should be set apart from the world. Romans 12:1-2 is a daily instruction and must precede my going therefore into all nations baptizing in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. In that order and daily nourished, as a living epistle I am then able to be a light to folks still in spiritual darkness. If I am not in the proper spiritual condition and state of mind myself, I am but a blind man trying to lead the blind. That is why constant prayer for my own steadfastness in faith precedes my going out. This does not mean, however, that I never intend to go out, but that I would rather go with as much of God’s leading and empowerment as possible. Once we have daily received the Bread of Life, we interact with all men (as we have opportunity) that we may win some. Moses said unto God, in Exodus 33:15 “If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.” I pray to be in the right place at the right time always for the right reason. I look to God for this direction lest I lean to my own understanding.

More Living Water Please

A well-rounded spirituality includes realizing that, “The earth is the LORD's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.” (Psalm 24:1). The fear (holy reverence) of the Lord is not only the beginning of wisdom, but is also an aspect of the holy life that will keep me mindful of God’s presence, God’s Word, my total dependency upon His grace, mercy, and omnipotent power in every aspect of my life. This world is not my home. I have to be willing to forego some of the time consuming dainty meats of this world in order to finish this race and hold the beginning of my confidence steadfast unto the end, overcoming stress, unbelief, and the cares of this world. (Hebrews 3:14) I am praying each day for full growth that leads to action, studying to show myself approved unto God (2 Tim 2:15) while realizing that the most important prayer is that my faith never fail. (Luke 22:32) A balanced, full-orbed Christian spirituality would be in vain otherwise. Matthew 7:22, 23 illustrates the ultimate futility of not staying connected to the true vine, abiding in Christ with Christ in me just as He is in the Father and the Father is in Him. The Word of God begs for a constant, close, intimate contact throughout our walk with Him. I want to cultivate that more and more in my life, day by day, hour by hour, and minute by minute. Not able to live a monastic life, the challenge is greater for me but not impossible. I have achieved a much greater balance just by severely limiting television in the daily routine. I am praying for more and more time in the secret place of prayer.