Life

You know me inside and out, you know every bone in my body; You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, how I was sculpted from nothing into something. Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth; all the stages of my life were spread out before you, the days of my life all prepared before I'd even lived one day. Your thoughts — how rare, how beautiful! God, I'll never comprehend them! (Psalm 139:15-17).1

I was born on Tuesday, October 7, 1958. At 8:20 AM, I breathed my first breath of life. I was born a basic barbarian with a nature of sin in my spirit and with a mind empty and clueless about life.
 
As a child I absorbed my surroundings. The influences of my father and mother set patterns in my life. Some were good, others were hurtful, and in later years had to be broken. My young mind gained concepts of self, of how to relate to others, and thankfully I was taught that there is an unseen God that reveals Himself through His word, and that we should worship Him and honor Him with all we do.

My mother taught me to read the Bible, to pray, and to respect others and their property. My father taught me the value of honesty, integrity, and of being truthful always. He taught me to work hard, to spend my money wisely, and to tithe. Mom and Dad taught me by example the golden rule: do unto others what you would have them do to you.

As I aged I learned that I am responsible for all my actions and the choices they produce. In a large measure, God gives us what we draw to ourselves as a result of our choices. Some influences I had no control over when I was young, but I learned that I must choose to resist and change the ones that produce hurtful effects in me and towards others through me.

Near age 18, I fully committed my life to Jesus, being restored to fellowship with Him, and then receiving the baptism with the Holy Spirit. The principle purpose of my life changed from self-centeredness to seeking to live to please the One who redeemed my life from hell now and later.

At age 18, the Father called me to preach His Word. Since then the passion of my life has been to obey Him. Though I fail Him often, I ask Him for His grace to help my weaknesses, and His power to enable me to fulfill His will.

He created me as an eternal human spirit. One day, He will call me to Himself to live with Him in heaven, either in the rapture of the church or through the doorway of physical death. My goal in life is to be pleasing to Him, follow His plan for my life, and to one day hear Him speak over me the words, well done, good and faithful servant.

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1.  (from THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language © 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved.)

Can People See Your Love for Them by Your Actions?

We know that we have passed from death to life because we love the brethren. He who does not love His brother abides in death (1 John 3:14).

The last two days, I have talked about the life of God, (Greek Zoe, which is deposited in the believer when born again. This life has the ability to change a person’s character!

The first manifestation of the life of God is love. Not the natural human love that everybody has (phileo is the Greek word), but (Greek) agape, which is unconditional, self-sacrificial love. This agape is a direct manifestation of Zoe. Only believers have access to this love. It is supposed to be the trademark of Christianity. It is sad that so few allow it to govern their behavior.
 
Jesus said that all would know that we’re His disciples by this agape. You’ll find that as you grow spiritually, this love will dominate you more and more. You see, there is no spiritual growth without growth in love. God is love, and the closer and more intimate you get to Him, the more this love nature will manifest in your life.
 
Walking in the Spirit is really letting this love nature rule daily life. From the time you get up in the morning, until the time you go to bed, your success with God today will be determined by how much you allow this love nature to rule your being. IF you allow it, agape will mellow out the harshness that has crept into life. It will enable you to love the unlovely and selfish. It will enable you to overlook the petty faults of others.
 
This agape love will cure friction in the home, and will enable you to walk in peace with all people. It is the ultimate social grace.

Above all you do today, make it a goal to be love led, love dominated. You’ll stand out in the crowd if you do. People will be drawn to this love in you. They will ask questions. And the Father will bless them through you.

I’m going to end with a quote from 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, which gives a fine description of the love nature of the Father. Take a moment to refresh your mind as to the attributes of this God nature. Let it loose today!
     
Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily.
It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God's love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong]. It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail. Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening]. Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end] (1 Corinthians 13:4-8).

The Life of Jesus is in You!

Always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh (2 Corinthians 4:10-11).

As I mentioned yesterday, Zoe is the life of God manifested in the believer in the new birth. It is the nature of God placed within the believer. Given opportunity, this life will begin to crowd out the works of the flesh, and will produce stability and fruitfulness in the believer.

This life must be nurtured and not ignored. Believers that ignore this Zoe life and refuse to do the things necessary to cause it to grow remain spiritual infants, with the carnality ruling their lives.
 
The food that nurtures this life of God is the Word! As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that you may grow thereby (1 Peter 2:2). Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word that proceeds from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4). I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth More than my necessary food (Job 23:12). The Word causes us to be partakers of the Divine Nature (2 Peter 1:3-4)!
 
The Word causes the life of God in you to grow. Doubt, fear, selfishness, unforgiveness, irritability, worry, lusts of the flesh, uncontrolled anger, lack of self-control, unrest, impatience etc., are signs of spiritual malnourishment. If you have these symptoms, the cure is a rich diet of the Word so you’ll grow spiritually!
 
If you’ll allow this Zoe to grow and rule you, it will work its way in the fabric of your life and change you habits, your dominant thoughts, you desires, your relationships, your interests, and your job performance. It will move you to be a better father, mother, husband, wife, employee, manager, friend, and you’ll be motivated by love in all you do.
 
When thinking about this Zoe life, the Lord reminded me of some centipede grass I planted in the yard of a house I had built years ago. I sowed some centipede grass seed in along with the fescue grass that I had planted for quick ground cover. It took some time, but the centipede eventually crowded out the fescue, and hindered weed growth too! And that’s what Zoe will do if you allow it to grow in your life. It will begin to choke the “weeds” of the flesh and the world that seek to rob you of spiritual vitality! In fact, it will not cease to worm its way into all your dealings in life, and will move you to change areas that you’re slack in.

Zoe, the life God, brings a life of change to the believer. Let it loose in you today by treating the Word as the spiritual food that it is to you. If you do, the Divine nature will rise up and eventually overwhelm the weakness in your life so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in your body!

A Supernatural Life!

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16). In Him was life, and the life was the light of men (John 1:4).

The Greek word for life in the above verses is Zoe, and is pronounced Zoa. It means life in the absolute sense; life as God has it; the life of God. It’s an astounding thought that in the new birth God actually places into our spirit His own life and nature! A number of references in the New Testament (particularly in the book of John) translate this word Zoe as everlasting life or eternal life. It refers to a quality of life, not a quantity. As a boy I thought that the eternal life my pastor preached about was living forever. But no, it’s a nature that comes to indwell the child of God!

Notice in the above verse that in Him was life, and the life was the light of men. Light stands for development, illumination, help, and progress. The light was the development of man. This life opens man’s dark spirit and mind to endless possibilities in life regarding natural and spiritual things! In this Zoe life that we receive in the new birth is the wisdom of God and the mind of Christ that will direct us in all the affairs of life.
 
You may note historically that after Martin Luther received the revelation that the just shall live by faith  in the 1500’s that the world came out of the dark ages and the industrial age began. No country has needed a patent law until eternal life was found there. This light shining inside of man through the new birth has (I believe) been the catalyst for the industrial age. I believe that the progress that we’ve had as a relatively young nation in the US is due to the enlightenment that comes in the new birth to the spirit of man. Our founders craved religious freedom and some had been born again. An impetus to create, to explore, to improve, to aid, to help, to solace, and to better mankind is placed deep within the spirit of man by this Zoe God life within!

In personal life, when received and allowed to grow, this Zoe will transform behavior, taking the mediocre, and pushing it into excellence. This life breaks habits and forms new ones. It presses its bearers to mold to their convictions to honor God and the Word, and pushes rebellion and sin away and in its place creates freedom, joy, liberty, and purity.
 
This Zoe must be allowed to develop and grow or it will not produce change. It thrives when the person who possesses it feeds on the Word of God and becomes prayerful. It is stymied and hindered when a person ignores it, pushing it aside for the lusts of the flesh and the attitudes of the current age.
 
If you’ve received Zoe through the new birth, take time each day to feed it with the Word. As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the Word that you may grow thereby (1 Peter 2:2). Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word that proceeds out of the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4). Given nourishment through God’s Word and prayer, this Zoe life will grow like a seed, eventually crowding out the “weeds” of the works of the flesh in a human and will little by little begin to produce Christlikeness in a person’s life.
 
Zoe is awesome. Don’t ignore it in you! Allow it to thrive, and it will take you places you never thought you’d go in life! We’ll continue this tomorrow!

Wise Friendship

In his book Spiritual Leadership, J. Oswald Sanders made this comment: The kind of person you are five years from now will be determined by the kinds of books you read, and the friends you entertain. We become what we absorb. We learn by observation, association, and influence. We often develop like thinking, mannerisms and habits of those with whom we closely associate. We must choose our friends wisely.
 
I was hurt by a friend once as a child and my mother told me that some people are fair weather friends. They are just friends when things go well. Then she mentioned this verse to me in Proverbs 17:17: A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. It’s a great strength to have a person who will stick with you when the going gets tough.

Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful (Proverbs 27:6). The best type of friend to have is the person who will tell you honestly what you need to hear, not what you want to hear. That type of friend is worth more than any amount of money to you. They could help save your life from hurt and ruin. The flatterer is only looking out for himself.

Friends can be closer than family. A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24). There is always the risk of being rejected when you open yourself up to another person. But in the end, you’ll be better off by taking that risk. Good friends enrich life. Proverbs 27:17 reads: As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend. A person who makes the most out of life will secure the help of others. A good friend will be real with you.
 
I’ve learned to choose my close friends carefully. Yes, Jesus was a friend to sinners. So sure, we should be friendly to the unbeliever and to the person who has different values with us. But we must be careful that we don’t compromise our convictions for the sake of friendship. If you are close friends with those who compromise repeatedly with the world, the flesh, and the devil, then your own sense of values will be affected and you may compromise too.

When I came to the Lord over 36 years ago I had to make a hard decision. Some of my closest friends had been in my life since childhood. We shared many like experiences and values. But when I solidly committed my life to Jesus, things changed.

Their values crossed mine. Their compromise was an affront to my walk with God. I no longer found their risqué jokes funny. Their personal lifestyle grieved me. When I would bear my heart about what Jesus had done in my life, and how He had changed Me, they became quiet and at other times sarcastic. I was faced with a difficult decision. Change my close relationship with these friends or lose my spiritual gains. It was an emotional and difficult decision; but it was right. The history of my life now proves that.

I’ll leave you with this quote from the Amplified Bible from 1 Corinthians 15:33. One of the most important things in life is to choose friends wisely; friends who really care about your best interest.  Be bold enough to make the necessary changes.
   
Do not be so deceived and misled! Evil companionships (communion, associations) corrupt and deprave good manners and morals and character.

Say No to Fear!

The fear of the wicked will come upon him, and the desire of the righteous will be granted (Proverbs 10:24).

Fear and doubt are the twin enemies of the believer. Fear attracts the enemy the way faith attracts God! Fear is really faith in the negative. It is believing the wrong thing.

The enemy can smell fear a mile away! Job’s problems were a result of his allowing fear into his life. For the thing I greatly feared has come upon me, and what I dreaded has happened to me (Job 3:25). Satan had spoken to God about Job and was taunting God about Job and his faith. The Lord told Satan that Job was already in his hands. How? Job had opened the door for Satan to rob and steal and kill through fear. The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe (Proverbs 29:25).
 
Fear is never the will of God! When an angel had a message for an individual it was usually prefaced with fear not!  Face your fears today and refuse to give in to them. Resist them with the Word of God! God hasn’t given us a spirit that cowers to fear. He has given us a spirit of power, and of love and of a sound mind.

Fear can be an acronym for False Evidence Appearing Real. Satan is a master of disguise. He’ll wrap a problem up in fear and make you thing there’s no way out. It’s a bluff and a lie! Faith in the Word is the answer to fear! Commit yourself to the Father, believe you receive when you pray, and refuse to allow fear to dominate you.

Years ago I was on a missions trip and the ministry we were working with had a airplane that took the volunteer workers to the missions site. The plane crashed in bad weather while we were there and I was one of those who went to the sight to help survivors. When I arrived at the crash site and saw the plane wreckage, a strong fear suddenly grabbed me. At the same time, I heard the words; you better cancel that next missions trip you’ve planned. This may happen again (I had another trip planned a couple of months away).

Intuitively I knew that this fear was the enemy speaking. I immediately spoke out loud; I will not live my life in fear! I will go on the next trip and I won’t be afraid!  As soon as the words came out of my mouth, the fear disappeared.
 
Never yield to fear. Commit you way to the Lord. Stand in faith. Speak God’s Word and refuse to yield to circumstance. The Word is the antidote to fear. Meditate on the Word instead of the fear thoughts that come. Find scripture that specifically refutes the lies and think on them!
 
Since God is for you, your enemies don’t stand a chance! Walk by faith and not by sight! We are more than conquerors!  Fear not!

A Giving Mindset

There is one who scatters, yet increases more; And there is one who withholds more than is right, But it leads to poverty. The generous soul will be made rich, And he who waters will also be watered himself (Proverbs 11:24-25).

  

The principles of the kingdom of God are often contrary to natural principles and human thinking. In the kingdom of God to live you must die; to lead you must serve; to be first, you must be last; and to receive you must give!

  

The mind is trained to think logically. It’s not logical to receive by giving, but that’s the way the kingdom operates. We must train ourselves to value kingdom principles and we must renew our minds to what the Father values. Faith in the kingdom principles of the Word of God will bring increase to your life!

  

God’s method of increase in our lives is through our giving. Giving opens us up to the wisdom of God, the windows of heaven, and begins the principle of blessing in our lives. Notice the scriptures:

    

But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully (2 Corinthians 9:6). Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness (2 Corinthians 9:10).

Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you (Luke 6:38). Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap (Galatians 6:7). Honor the Lord with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase; So your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine (Proverbs 3:9-10).

Jesus said that our giving would lay up treasures in heaven for us, and that our giving reveals where our heart is (Matthew 6: 19-21).

 

Make a decision today to be a giver, a scatterer, a sower, a blesser! Don’t wait for excess. Give now! Give with expectation. He gives seed to the sower.   He who observes the wind [and waits for all conditions to be favorable] will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap (Ecclesiastes 11:4 – Amplified).

 

Put your faith to work in God’s principles. Expect the wisdom of God, the favor of God, and the blessings of God to be upon you. Expect the works of your hands to be blessed! Expect to receive. When you do, don’t eat all of your seed! Sow some more. It’s a never ending process. It’s a foundational principle in the kingdom of God. The principle of giving will revolutionize your life!