How Are We to Live? OR Becoming what You Are

 My wife Rosie's recent hearing loss has impacted us both immensely. It has drawn her closer to the Lord in looking for answers and seeking His strength. In doing so, she has been spending literally hours in the Word and listening to John Macarthur sermons. Her newfound "love" of the scriptures and closer relationship with God has brought to light my need for a new commitment to my walk with Him. We have started listening and studying together several sermon series by Macarthur. The first series we did together was on the believers armor which we listened to on our recent trip to Iowa. The second one which I'd like to share with you here is the first two hours on a study of our Christian walk.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory. Ephesians 1:3-14  This passage is about our positional truth (the things God has done for us). This is our calling.

Because of who we are (our positional truth), this is how we are to live. As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Ephesians 4:1 Macarthur pointed out, "If this is our doctrine, this is how we should be living." This bit of truth was experiential for me, but hearing it said made it almost an "ah-ha" moment. Has all of my life reflected who I am in Christ?

Macarthur continued, "Until we walk worthy, God is not glorified in our lives, the church can not fully function, and therefore the world can not see Jesus Christ." Conviction was starting to do it's work now. I realized I needed to make some changes in my life.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform 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. Romans 12: 1-2

Macarthur talked about how the word of God needs to be studied "so we can live it". God brought this truth to me early in my recovery from the sin of alcoholism. Truth needs to become part of us so it becomes automatic in our responses to life around us. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.  Psalm 119:11 This verse tells me that unless I know God's word in my heart (His truth and precepts are a part of who I am), I can't not sin. John really made it clear by saying; "being void of understanding means you are defenseless. If we do not know, we will be victimized."

My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding—indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. Proverbs 2:1-5

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, Colossians 1:9-10 Knowledge of God's word is essential to praising God and good works.

and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Colossians 3:10

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen. II Peter 3:18

 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. II Timothy 3:16-17

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Colossians 3:1-4

Read Ephesians 1:3-14 (at the top of the page) again. Taking an honest look at yourself, does this high calling seem out of reach, maybe a bit unattainable? John said; "Our high position demands a lowly walk. Walk means daily conduct or lifestyle. Let your lifestyle be worthy of your calling." “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 Has God been talking to you and have you have been resisting? Go to the cross, God is good all the time and He has promised to bring you from where ever you are to His truth gently.

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. 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, Ephesians 3:14-20

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:2

So, concerning this calling, what is it, and who called you to Christ? You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. John 15:16

The following is another quote from John Macaurthur and I have inserted my name where he put his and ask you to do the same. It will give you a new perspective. "I am a Christian because the sovereign almighty God, creator and ruler of the universe, wrote my name in a book before the world was created and said; "Rich Ganzel, I the eternal, holy, righteous God of the universe, choose you to spend forever in my presence." That adds a huge amount of response and commitment on my part.  A high calling, being a child of God - walk worthy. That's all that matters." Emphasis mine.

Vertical focus, not horizontal!

Step Into the Water

As I was contemplating what to write about, the thought came to me that the tradition of making resolutions should, (as Christians are concerned) be at Easter time, not New Years.

Supposedly, a key element to a New Years Resolution is that it is made in anticipation of the New Year, and new beginnings. Well, Easter is all about new beginnings!

Our Heavenly Father, bringing Jesus back to life, having victory over sin and death, gave us a new life for eternity. Sending us (those who are in Christ by faith) the Holy Spirit to lead us through the process of sanctification and enabling us to obey Scripture, and be in cooperation with the Spirit.

By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. Romans 6:2-4 ~ For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit. Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. Romans 8:3-5

But faith without works is dead! Faith and deeds go together! As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. James 2:26 By chance, has the Holy Spirit been speaking to you about being involved at church? Tithing? Reaching out to your 

neighbor? Sharing the good news with a co-worker or helping someone in need?

These thoughts reminded me of a song by The Cathedrals called Step Into The Water. The chorus and first verse go like this:

Step into the water
Wade out a little bit deeper
Wet your feet in the water of His love
Step into the water
Wade out a little bit deeper
Come join angels singing praise to the Lamb of God

1. It's time we, the people, stand up for what is right
It's time we squared our shoulders back and raised our swords to fight
For the Bible is my weapon and the Spirit is my shield
The Church needs more of its members to be workers in the field

By experience, I have found that most of the time, it takes a step of faith to do something the Holy Spirit is leading us to do. Spiritual growth involves stretching, which can be uncomfortable and even scary at times. Human beings love being comfortable, staying in "our bubble" so to speak. 

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. I Peter 4:10-11

Step into the water - its just fine.

Vertical focus, not horizontal!

The Front Lines of Life

It makes sense that if the Bible is God speaking to us, then “the Holy Spirit comes to us through the Word” as Martin Luther has said. His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. II Peter 1:3-4 By no human effort do we obtain the needs of life or sanctification. It’s only by God’s grace, power and magnificent promises that we continue on in this corrupt world brought on by lust. Our sanctification comes through believing in (having faith) God and His promise’s. It would only make sense then, that we should be putting in front of us on a continual basis, those magnificent promise’s of which just a few I’ll enter here.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.  For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.  And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?  He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all--how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?  Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.  Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died--more than that, who was raised to life--is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?  As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."  No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.  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.  Romans 8:28-39 Every true believer will be glorified and absolutely nothing can stop this. We are protected in God’s care and love and are assured that God will ultimately perfect us.

 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will. Romans 8:26-27 Prayer, true prayer, involves submission to the will of God. It is the cry of the believer’s heart to his heavenly Father to do what is right and best. If I am God’s child, if truly I know him and trust him, I want what he has purposed. I bow to him, surrendering my will to his will, my desires to his purpose, my pleasure to his glory, knowing that his will is best. We can be assured that the Holy Spirit prays within us with groanings too deep for words.

Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.  Hebrews 4:16 We can find mercy and grace in the time of need at the throne of grace. Don’t go elsewhere…..go to God in prayer.

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. James 1:5  Without finding fault, God imparts wisdom to us if we ask!

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Ephesians 6:10-18 God promises us courage and victory.

If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. John 15:7 God answers prayer.

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. Do not be like the horse or the mule,  which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you. Psalms 32:8-9 Our Lord promises to guide us.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 How many of us are too busy with the stress’s of life to stop and bow before our Father in prayer and petition? God promises us peace of mind when we come to Him.

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. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. II Corinthians 12:8-10  We may not always know what is best in our lives for the glory of God and for the good of our own souls. His grace is adequate (more than enough) for our every need and through our weakness God’s strength is revealed.

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:28-29 Trusting in God brings rest and peace for our soul’s. He encourages us by telling us that he is a gentle and humble provider.

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you. So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" Hebrews 13:5-6 He will never abandon us and will be with us always!

But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior,  Titus 3:4-6 The act of salvation through Jesus Christ is an accomplished fact. It has nothing to do with anything we have done or can do.

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, II Timothy 1:7-8 If God through the Holy Spirit woo’s people to Him, then He will connect us with seekers, and empowers us as we witness. The Holy Spirit then convicts people after we witness. God has given us a spirit of power, love and self-discipline (courage). God does the work, we are the messenger.

Are you on the front lines?

Vertical focus, not horizontal!

  

CONFIDENCE AND PEACE

God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. Psalm 46:1-3 Our country and the world around us is changing very rapidly. Chatter abounds on radio, television, internet blogs, and social networking services concerning current events moving in directions contrary to the world and country we have all grown up in. Buzz words like socialism, one world government, financial meltdown, and domestic terrorism  can bring about thoughts of a bleak future, filled with fear and uncertainty. But these verses bring us an incredible mind balloon of where we as Christians should get our confidence from. Would a financial meltdown mean anything if the mountains on earth tremble and fall into the depths of the sea? Socialism becomes unimportant when compared to the mountains quaking because of the oceans roaring. Our confidence comes not from the things of this world, but from the knowledge and truth that our God, creator of the universe, is our protector and our strength.

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts. The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Psalm 46 4-7 In contrast to the crumbling and whooshing of an out of control world, the never changing God of Jacob brings happiness and contentment. Those of us (believers) who live in the city of God can not be moved even when the world is falling apart, he is our refuge, he speaks and earth wastes away.

Come and see the works of the Lord, the desolations he has brought on the earth. He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear, he burns the shields with fire. “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Psalm 46 8-11 Behold the evidence of what God has done on the earth, the ruin he has brought forth on those who go against him. If we reflect deeply on what the Bible tells us of how God has intervened for his people, then his next command should be our response. “Be still” - I like the New American Standard translation on these two words—”Stop striving” (striving: to struggle vigorously). Relax, chill out, take it easy, allow the one to whom (in the end) every knee will bow bring you contentment, courage, and rest!

I read a great line today that someone came up with some time ago. It says; “Fear not tomorrow, God is already there.” God has always been there for us and he will always be there for us! But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:33-34 Jesus had just finished telling his disciples how he takes care of his creation (grass of the fields and birds of the air), and how much more he can take care of them. When I am in fear, I am typically mulling over the “what if’s” in my future, looking ahead with anxiety and dread. But, when I turn my attention to the Father and his promises, as I spend time with Him in prayer, as I examine the virtues of His character, as I meditate on what His Word says about Him, peace can become my experience. The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in You. Trust in the LORD forever, for in God the LORD, we have an everlasting Rock. Isaiah 26:3-4

Our confidence comes from the knowledge of God’s power and love for us.

Vertical focus, not horizontal!

Don't Be Tricked

The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. II Corinthians 10:4-5

      In this passage, Paul is responding to critics and false teachers  who had thrown accusations at him, of which, that he lived and operated by worldly standards. The strongholds that he talks about (arguments and every pretension) are conclusions, or rationalizations (rational-lies?) that start in the mind and then are worked out in life as action directed at repelling the knowledge of God.

This sounds like something we today call denial. We believe the lies, they become part of us and we live them out, thinking we are not sinning! Can anyone relate? What areas of your life has the Holy Spirit been convicting you about that you have been resisting? Are you using the weapons of the world to combat the conviction of God almighty? Our culture is all about minimizing righteous thinking and lifting up the needs of the individual. It’s got to make us feel good! So, instead of responding to the prompting of our loving God (which might be painful, take some work, time, and dedication), we look horizontal for something easy, pleasurable, something to make us feel good.

How can we fight against these rationalizations that start in the mind and fool us into wrong thinking and sinful behaviors? How do we take captive (like a prisoner of war) every thought and make it obey Christ? Essentially, to be taken captive, we have to surrender do we not? We allow our minds to be controlled by Him and not ourselves. Surrender involves a heart that wants to please God and bring glory to Him in everything we think and do. It is not about bringing glory to ourselves by saying and doing the “right” things to look like we are living a life for Him, as this brings us back to the “rational-lies” syndrome or denial (sin). “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” James 4:7-10 [emphases mine] Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:10-12 [emphases mine]

We only fool ourselves in denial. God knows our every thought, and eventually, our actions that come from these strongholds bear fruit that is seen by others. If we were to obey the wisdom and precepts that God desires and has freely given us, we could save ourselves the embarrassment and shame that comes with that fruit. So walk forward in confidence knowing;

being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6

Vertical focus—not horizontal!

A CALL TO PRAISE HIM

Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases; he redeems my life from the pit and crowns me with love and compassion. He satisfies my desires with good things, so that my youth is renewed like the eagle's. The LORD works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed. He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel; The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust. As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more. But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD’S love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children—with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts. The LORD has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all. Praise the LORD, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word. Praise the LORD all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will. Praise the LORD, all his works everywhere in his dominion. Praise the LORD, O my soul. Psalm 103

There are many advantages for those who fear the LORD. He is the creator of the universe and places beyond our imagination: forgiveness of sin, recovery from sickness, deliverance from eternal death, abundant lovingkindness, mercy and food to sustain life. He gives satisfaction in life and blesses us with the zest for life even in the later years.

See now that I myself am He! There is no god besides me. I put to death and I bring to life, I have wounded and I will heal, and no one can deliver from my hand. Deuteronomy 32:39

Literally, the ability to breath air is in His hands! The fly speck on the window of an 80 story glass skyscraper helps my minds eye visually compare what my  own effort can bring about in any given situation in my life.

Read the Psalm passage again, then read it again, then one more time making it become part of your heart. It brings into focus all that he does for us and what our response should be. A call to praise him with all our heart, mind and soul without any thought of what life has brought our way whether enjoyable or challenging. God is great! God is good, all the time!

  Are you leaning on a worldly crutch? Look heavenward, Vertical focus—Not horizontal!