Beauty in Holiness

Today I was reflecting in my devotions on the holiness of God. It is this holiness that makes him beautiful.

Psalms 29:2 - "Give unto the Lord the glory due to His name;
Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness." (NKJV)

True beauty is not outward but inward. Yet, we spend so much time on the outward and neglect the inner beauty. True beauty is the holiness of God shining through us.

If you are wanting to attract others to you, they will be drawn to you by your holiness. Any who are attracted to you by your outward appearance alone, you don't want them. Then there will be those few who are repulsed by your holiness and you are better off without them.

Are people drawn to you because of your holiness? What kind of people are attracted to you?

God's D-Day

Things were pretty messed up in the world into which the Savior was born so many years ago. The nation of Israel was under the oppressive boot-heel of the Romans. They had no rights, they paid oppressive taxes, and justice was non-existent.  But, “when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son…”  (Gal. 4:4)  The world was a mess, but God was working out His eternal plans.

God is working out His eternal plans right now, in 2015.  He has not been caught off guard. In fact, the plan He is at work in executing today, is the exact same plan He initiated more than 2000 years ago. Here is the plan:

For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given;

And the government will be upon His shoulder.

And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of His government and peace

There will be no end,

Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,

To order it and establish it with judgment and justice

From that time forward, even forever.

The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.  (Isaiah 9:6-7)

These are not just comforting words that appear on Christmas Cards. The whole idea of Christmas is not quite as peaceful and tranquil as the sentiment of the season might indicate.  Yes, we rejoice, yes we take comfort, yes we receive hope because He has come.  But, this coming that we celebrate each December was God’s D-Day invasion on the shores of a world held under the control of an evil power. It was the beachhead by heaven that would soon spread to the whole world. Our Champion, Jesus Chris, came to do mortal combat with the enemy and win our freedom.   A child is born (Mary’s child, a man), a Son is given (God’s Son, Emmanuel), and THE GOVERNMENT shall be upon His shoulder.  Do you see it?  The Kingdom of God is a government headed by Jesus Christ our Lord! After the description of Him, and how this Kingdom would be far different than the oppressive government of Satan, we read: “Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.” (Isaiah 9:7)

He is still the Lord!  He is still on the throne. The difference is that His ever-expanding Kingdom is bigger now than it has ever been before. Of the increase of His government and peace…there will be no end! The guarantee of this is the zeal of our very own Lord. He will do what He says He will do.

We are, it would seem, nearing the end of the struggle of the ages between the Kingdom of Light and the kingdom of darkness.  The outcome is sure. Though nations rage and people imagine vain things, He remains our Champion, our King and the Lord of all lords.

Child Likeness

I love reading the gospels. There are so many profound statements that Jesus made. One of these is found in Mark 10:15 - "Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”
We need:
Simple & unwavering faith that is uncluttered.
Simple love that is unconditional.
Simple hope that believes all things are possible.
Simple trust in the father's love and security.
Simple eagerness to please the father.
Simple wholeheartedness - not holding back.

QUENCHING THE WORK OF GOD

In Mark 5:1-20 - We find a story where Jesus delivers a man from demon possession and sends the evil spirits to go into a herd of pigs that results in all the pigs being drowned.

After the people of the area see this great power displayed, they ask Jesus to leave their area because they were fearful. I believe they were fearful on two levels. The first being that they couldn't comprehend the power and workings of Jesus. Secondly, they feared further loss. As result, instead of embracing the work of Jesus and rejoicing in the mans deliverance, they rejected it.

Many non-believers and believers do the same thing. When God (Holy Spirit) does something that doesn't fit into their theological belief (box), they quench the Holy Spirit or out right reject it as not being from God. Also, when it is uncomfortable to them or inconveniences them, they don't accept the work of the Lord. If it is going to disrupt their personal life or hinder them from accomplishing their personal objectives, they ignore the work of God or out right reject it.

We must be open to the work of God and embrace the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. We must not be fearful, quench or reject the work of the Lord when:
- we don't understand the work.
- it does not fit into our nice little belief box.
- it disrupts our life.

Choking The Word of God

In Mark 4:1-20, we find the parable of the sower who sows the Gospel message (Word of God) and the different responses and effects of the Word on the hearts and lives of those who hear it. Yet, I would like to focus only on one of the results which we find in verses 7,18-19.

v. 7 - "Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain."
v. 18-19 - " Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; ¹⁹ but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.


Let us first look at the worries of life. How can the worries of life choke the Word of God in our lives?
Worries will cause us to look at our problems which in turn will cause us to lose our focus on God. The end results are: less time in God's Word and meaningful prayer, our faith and hope in God is choked, our strength is sapped.

Secondly, let us look at the deceitfulness of wealth. The desire to have more money and things often distract us from spending time in church and our personal devotional life. Also, those who allow this to dominate them will often ignore certain truths in God's Word in order to obtain these things. Often they will put things above relationships. If your primary goal is the pursuit of things, it will lead to worry and have a negative impact our spiritual lives.

Thirdly, the desire for other things. I put this separate from deceitfulness of wealth because it encompasses more than this. It includes the desire to obtain status, position, honor and to be in control. The scripture says that He opposes the proud and gives grace to the humble. If these things reign in our hearts it will choke the spiritual life out of us. It will cause us to compromise God's Word to obtain them. Also, it is a desire for ungodly and unhealthy relationships, which will stifle the Word of God in us and cause us to do things contrary to God's Word.

When we allow these things to wrap around our heart, it will choke Jesus, the Word of God in our lives. We will not bear much fruit or any fruit. These things stifle hope, faith and love which are the only things of lasting value.

Sound Doctrine

As the church of the living God, we are to be the pillar and foundation of truth. (I Timothy 3:15) The world is preaching tolerance & pressuring us to compromise the truths in God's Word. In church history, you will see at times the church has put great importance on doctrine and other times a total neglect of doctrine.

I find that many churches in the United States are no longer putting enough importance on church doctrine and teaching in the name of love and tolerance. In the name of freedom and free choice the church often neglects sound Bible teaching. Every one has the right to believe and act as they feel God would lead them. (key word here is "I" and "Feel") In fear of hurting people's feelings or God forbid that they might leave the church because they don't agree or feel uncomfortable, we often tone down strong teaching and give water downed preaching.

We in the church have often fallen into the western trap of individuality and independence void of sound doctrine. Some believe it is all about me, God, the Holy Spirit, and Jesus as my buddy.

I Timothy 4:1 - "The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons."

I Timothy 4:16 - " Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers."

The word "doctrine" is mentioned 6 times in the Epistles and the word "teach or teaching" is mentioned  54 times. The word "instruction" is mentioned 13 times.

Let us as a church watch our lives and doctrine closely. Right living is dependent on sound teaching and doctrine accompanied by the Holy Spirit.

BECOMING A SPIRITUAL BEGGAR

Blessed are the poor in spirit. Matthew 5:3

One who is poor in spirit has complete dependency on God.

I. Spiritual beggars are:

            A. Ones who do nothing on their own. John 5:19

            B. Ones who only does what the Father does.

            C. Ones who remain in Christ. John 15:5

            D. Ones who know that good itself does not dwell in him. Romans 7:18

II. When we present ourselves empty to God, he fills us up. 2 Kings 4:1-7

            A. More emptiness, more heaven resources.

            B. When your emptiness stops, so does heaven resources.

III. Take what you receive and share with others.

Dan Carl Message