Purposeful Worship

 

“God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

—John 4:24

If you carefully examine every other religion in our world today, you will find one common theme. They all require their adherents to express their worship by specific action on the part of the worshippers. The one exception is Christianity.

Despite what many unbelievers may think, Christianity does not make any requirements of specific action or behavior in order to receive the benefits from the Triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Rather, Christianity believes that God is the giver of every good and perfect gift. (James 1:17).

It is God who has chosen us to receive His free gift of salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the one who has called us to Himself through the Holy Spirit. He is the one who vouchsafes our eternal home in heaven. Our faith springs forth in response to these marvelous gifts that God has given to us.

When we worship God, we express to Him that He has great worth—worth beyond measure. But we do not express this worship by our behavior. Rather, we express our worship to God by communicating with Him in the spiritual realm. In so doing, we express our belief in His inestimable value in a manner quite apart from some prescribed behavior.

Jesus reminded His disciples that we are to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30). As I’ve explained many times, that expresses our love for God using all four of our human modalities: emotional, spiritual, intellectual, and physical. But, it’s an expression outside of the normal, temporal realm. It is an expression that occurs in the spiritual world.

Notice how Jesus explained it, as found in John 4:24:

“God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

So, as we begin another day, let’s make certain we take every opportunity that God opens up for us to dispel the idea that Christianity is a religion of rules and regulations. We “Christ’s-ones” are not like the Jewish Pharisees and Sadducees of old who constructed a long list of dos and don’ts. By so doing they significantly complicated the original instructions God gave them in the Pentateuch—the first five books of the Old Testament.

Instead, we should freely share that our worship of God consists of the spiritual connection He has forged with us through His precious Son, Jesus. Thus, Christianity is not a religion of rules. It is a religion of grace—God’s grace, freely given to us. And, that, dear ones, should make all the difference.

 

_{Copyright © 2017 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Suit Up!

 

“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.”

—Ephesians 6:12-13

When a fire alarm signal comes into the firehouse, the firefighters snap into action. The very first thing they do, in order to properly prepare to respond to the fire, is to don their turnout gear.

In our modern times, the turnout gear consists of an insulated fire coat and bunker pants, a helmet with face shield, sturdy gloves, protective boots with metal toes and sole plates to deflect any sharp object the firefighters may encounter, and self-contained breathing apparatus that will allow the firefighters to breathe safely in smoke and toxic fumes.

Only when they have donned the appropriate protective clothing can they mount the fire apparatus and proceed to the scene of the fire.

Upon arrival, they can begin to implement the Recommended Operating Procedure for the type of fire they have encountered. The safety of the firefighters is of utmost important.

So it is with those of us who follow Jesus. We must first of all recognize that we are engaged in a spiritual warfare against the powers of evil. Before we can enter the fray, we must don our protective gear to guarantee our safety during the battle.

The Apostle Paul spoke every eloquently about this, as recorded in Ephesians 6:12-13:

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.

As we begin another day, we need to remain aware that we are not simply skipping along through life without a care in the world. Rather, we are engaged in a daily spiritual warfare against an already-defeated foe. We need to carefully slip on our protective gear before we venture out onto the battlefield. We will be so much better off if we do.

 

_{Copyright © 2017 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Lifted Up

 

“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”

—James 4:10

Almost everyone, at some time in their lives, strives for acceptance, recognition, and praise. We only need to observe young children in their Kindergarten classroom to see the many different ways they vie for attention. Whether a child always raises his or her hand to be the one answering the teacher’s question, or sulks in the corner hoping the teacher will come to investigate his or her funk, each child longs for the spotlight that validates who they are as a person.

In our adult lives, we still strive for recognition in some way. Even those adults who tell themselves that they don’t really care at all what others think about them, do truly care, deep down inside. God made us as creatures who long for a connection that says, “You’re worthy! You’re special! You’re not invisible! You’re loved!”

My background in studying Psychology always forces me to analyze, even over-analyze, the way that I relate to others. Many times, I find myself lamenting the way I have behaved, wishing I could be the kind of “cool, groovy, and aloof” individual that does not telegraph quite so much neediness. At my advanced age, I realize that “I am who I am” with little hope of changing by my own efforts. To give me some comfort, I tell myself that at least I recognize most of my many flaws and particularly the rather poor way I relate to others. Yet, sometimes, the longing for acceptance and love seems overwhelming to me.

The Apostle James understood what it meant to long for acceptance, recognition, and praise. He was, after all, the half-brother of the Lord Jesus Christ. A son of Mary and Joseph—with an apology to my dear Roman Catholic, Anglican, and Lutheran friends who believe Mary remained perpetually a virgin—he had initially rejected the claims of his mother’s first born child. But, the Holy Spirit was relentless and eventually James acknowledged the gift that God had given to him through God’s son, Jesus. To many people, James was looked on as an afterthought. How could he possibly compare to his magnificent half-brother?

Notice what James writes in James 4:10:

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

So, the key to acceptance, recognition, and praise—and even to be truly loved—is to become humble. This seems like a perfect task for the Holy Spirit.

As we begin a new day, surely He can come alongside us and help us learn to become truly humble. I don’t know about you, but I really—really—need His help in this regard.

 

_{Copyright © 2017 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

What Are You Thinking?

 

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy— think about such things.”

—Philippians 4:8

One of my earliest memories of a sermon in church—I was probably six or seven years old—is of a visiting evangelist preaching about our thought life. I know child development experts say that a six- or seven-year-old cannot understand such an abstract concept as a “thought life.” But, I clearly remember at least feeling I understood what he meant when he said, “What you think about, you become.”

In those days, I was thinking a lot about radio broadcasting. I had seen a black and white television program—black and white because we only had a black and white TV—that took the viewers on a tour of a radio station. I was fascinated with what I saw: the audio control console, the microphones, the turntables, the reel-to-reel tape recorders, the record library, the day book of commercials for the announcer to read, the teletype machine from the Associate Press news wire, and more. All of these fascinated me. I thought about and dreamed about radio broadcasting almost constantly.

Eventually, I began to read books about radio and radio stations. And, by God’s grace, I had an opportunity to visit a radio station and become an intern there—a subject about which I have written extensively on this blog.

The fact remains that what I thought about became the way I chose to live my life. If you take a moment and look back over the years you’ve been alive, I think you will discover that this is true of you, too. What we think about, we become.

The Apostle Paul felt this was so important that he penned these words, recorded in Philippians 4:8:

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Why does the Apostle want us to think about true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy things? Because what we think about, we become.

Here’s one concrete example. In my lifetime, our society in the United States has become highly sexualized. While sexuality is an important part of human life, it has moved from the bedroom to the boardroom. Every conceivable product is sold using sexual imagery or innuendo.

Furthermore, once relegated to an under-the-counter, nearly forbidden pastime, pornography has become one of the fastest growing industries in our economy. This comes as a result of our society being bombarded by subtle, and not so subtle, sexual messages nearly continually. You see, what we think about, we become.

As we start a new day, we need to remember that with what we choose to fill our minds will control our pathway in life. If we purposely fill our minds with only things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy, we will become someone who is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy.

Can you even imagine what a positive change that would be?

 

_{Copyright © 2017 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Gentle Restoration

 

“Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.”

—Galatians 6:1

God expects us to watch out for our brothers and sisters in Christ. We are, after all, members of the same family. Just as we look out for the members of our human family, so God desires that we stand ready to jump to the aid of our spiritual family.

One of the most difficult tasks comes forward when we must deal with a spiritual family member who has fallen into habitual, persistent sin. In the most loving and gentle way, we must come alongside our brother or sister in Christ and very kindly encourage him or her to confess the sin, repent of the sin, make restitution for the sin, and become restored to fellowship with the loving God.

The Apostle Paul offered some very important counsel to the Christians gathered in the church at Galatia when he wrote these words found in Galatians 6:1:

Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.

In gently restoring our beloved brother or sister in Christ, we always must be extremely careful that our actions do not lead us into sin. That’s why this restoration process is normally best done by two or three believers working together as a team to express God’s love in a way that is winsome and pure toward the one who has fallen into sin.

One of the greatest expressions of love that we can offer to our fellow believers is embodied in our concern for their spiritual welfare. When any of our spiritual family members fall into sin, that falling affects the entire body of believers. That’s why God wants us to yield ourselves to each other in a mutual accountability relationship.

There is no question that a big part of spiritual formation and godly maturity arises when we give ourselves wholeheartedly to the concern and care for our fellow believers.

 

_{Copyright © 2017 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

A Generous God

 

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”

—James 1:5

The Bible often makes reference to what might well be called the “thought process” or “decision-making process” of human beings. It categorizes this process as having four components: wisdom, knowledge, insight, and understanding.

These four terms may seem quite similar. But, each one specifically addresses a quite different part of the reasoning potential of men, women, boys, and girls. In order to experience the fullness of our human potential, we must seek for and develop each of these components.

Fortunately, we have a great source from which we may obtain wisdom, knowledge, insight, and understanding. We can ask the God who loves us to supply the measure of these components that He knows we need to live productive, useful, and effective lives.

The Apostle James addresses the first of these components using the words found in James 1:5:

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

Do you have some decisions you must make today? If so, as this new day begins, why not begin by asking God for wisdom. After all, He knows everything that can possibly be known. And, He knows these things from their beginning to their ending.

Let’s not hesitate to ask God for wisdom. We will be far better off if we do.

 

_{Copyright © 2017 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Why Not Ask?

 

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”

—Matthew 7:7-8

Have you ever very much wanted to ask someone for something, but felt such hesitation that you ultimately withheld your asking? Then, did you examine why you were hesitant to ask?

Were you afraid that your asking would cause the person you ask to respond with anger, or disdain, or dismissal? Did you think that by asking you would end up even worse off than you were before you asked? Did you fear that your asking would reveal too much of who you were, or what you were concerned about, or what your needs were?

Jesus addressed this dilemma with very profound words, as He made an effort to try to teach His disciples a way to process such matters. You will probably recognize these words found in Matthew 7:7-8:

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

God is the One from whom we should never shy away when motivated to make a request. He always wants to hear from His dearly loved children. He cares about every aspect of our lives.

As we begin another day, let’s determine to ask, seek, and knock whenever we feel the need to do so. We can do this because God loves us and waits to hear from us.

 

_{Copyright © 2017 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Choosing What You Will Sow

 

“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.”

—Galatians 6:7-8

I had a very interesting problem with the back lawn of the house that I owned until four months ago.

In February of 2001, when we looked at lots in the subdivision where we eventually lived for 16 years, the real estate agent directed us up to the top of a hill overlooking Lake Erie. At that time only one house had been built on what would become a five-house cul-de-sac. We had our choice of four lots.

The lot we chose had a rather spectacular view looking down the hill toward the Lake, which was about three miles north. It turned out to be the largest lot in the subdivision at a slightly bigger 0.65 acres compared to most of the other lots at 0.50 acres. Thus, it had the largest backyard.

Over the intervening 16 years, because we were downwind from the Gospel Hill Golf Course, an interesting phenomenon had occurred in our backyard. As most golfers know, golf courses use a variety of very special grass seeds. One of them produces very hearty and resilient grass.

Over the years, some of that seed had blown down the hill into our backyard. So, our yard became a combination of two markedly different kinds of grass. Throughout the yard there were patches of regular grass interspersed with irregular shaped patches of golf course grass. It made our yard look strange, to say the least.

To fix the problem would take removal of the existing sod and replacing it with a very hearty species of sod that would not allow the golf course grass to take root. But, our landscape company told us that it wouldn’t take too long before the golf course grass would again appear as patches on our back lawn. It’s all about the kind of seed that’s sown and the prevailing wind.

The kind of seed we sow in life is very important, too. Notice these words from the Apostle Paul found in Galatians 6:7-8:

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

As we begin another day, we need to pay attention to the kind of “seed” we are sowing in our lives. We should want to sow seeds of goodness, kindness, mercy, grace, and love. That’s what Jesus would do. As His followers, we should do the same.

 

_{Copyright © 2017 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Testing Results

 

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.-”

—James 1:2-3

During the course of my fifty years in fire protection, I have read many testing reports from the two major nationally recognize testing laboratories: Underwriters Laboratories Inc. and Factory Mutual Approvals. I had the honor of serving on both the UL Fire Council and the UL Burglary Protection Council during the latter years of my active fire protection career.

In reading these test reports, I am always amazed at certain subtle aspects that constrain the use of a product. In testing, we are always looking for how a product or service responds to the test. But sometimes, other factors intervene.

For example, heat detectors used in fire alarm systems have a maximum spacing in the United States of 50 feet on center. In contrast, in Canada the maximum spacing for the very same detector might be 70 feet on center. Why?

In the United States, the actual fire test room where these detectors are subjected to a test fire can only physically accommodate a maximum spacing of 50 feet on center. While in Canada, the fire test room at UL of Canada can physically accommodate a maximum spacing of 70 feet on center. So, the listing by UL in the United States for those heat detectors is constrained to 50 feet on center.

In our lives, we are subjected to testing all the time. We may not consciously realize it, but the circumstances of our lives continually subject us to testing and trials. The measure of our success is how we respond.

For example, I am tested daily with small, rather insignificant events that provoke me to respond in either a calm, godly fashion, or to respond with anger and frustration. My natural human nature is wired to respond with anger and frustration. It takes an abundant outpouring of God’s grace and a conscious submission of my will to God in order to respond to the smallest annoyances in a calm, godly manner. As you might well imagine, I fail far more times than I pass this daily testing.

Even in my almost constant state of shame over my inability to do what I know I must do to respond in the right way, I still rarely catch my response quickly enough to turn it toward the way God would want me to respond. Thus, I become very weary with the testing—even though my constant failure shows me how very much I need to be continually put to the test.

The Apostle James offered these words of instruction in James 1:2-3:

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.

Since we are all still “works in progress” we should greet this new day fully aware that many times during the unfolding of this day we will be tested. We should also consider it a joy to receive that testing as yet another opportunity to learn how to live godly lives.

So, let’s strike out into today determined to allow the Holy Spirit to guide our responses to the testing that we might learn how to bend our wills to His perfect will. That’s our assignment for this day. I wonder, are we ready to accept it with joy? I surely hope so.

 

_{Copyright © 2017 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

The Bottom Line

 

“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”

—Matthew 7:12

The world is watching everyone who claims to belong to Jesus. They watch to see how we behave.

Do we show kindness? Are we loving in the way we speak and act? Do we keep our promises? Do we reach out to help others? Do we put aside pet sins, while still showing respect to those who may have a different view of such things? The list of the items to which the world holds us to account goes on and on and on.

Many times, we tend to forget that we are being watched. It is much easier to just go about living our lives without the burden of having to live like the One we follow. After all, He was tempted in every way like we are, but He didn’t sin (Hebrews 4:15). He was God, for goodness sake. Of course He wouldn’t sin. But, we—well we are still stained by sin, so it shouldn’t surprise the world that we slip from time to time.

And yet, the words of Jesus keep calling us to a radically different lifestyle. We are truly people who should manifest the characteristics of our Lord and Savior. Please note what Jesus told His followers in Matthew 7:12:

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

As we go out into this day, we can consciously and purposefully determine to treat others in the very same way we would want them to treat us. We can manifest the characteristics of the One to whom we belong. If we do, we will surely please this One who died that we might have everlasting life.

 

_{Copyright © 2017 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Way of Escape

 

“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”

—1 Corinthians 10:13

As a fire protection engineer, I am all too keenly aware of the many requirements levied by the International Building Code and the International Fire Code on the design, construction, and maintenance of the means of egress from a building. As a civilian, you may think of these as the “exits” from a building. And, you would be suitably amazed and impressed by the hundreds of regulations that go into making certain people can escape from a building during an emergency.

Finding a way out of trouble is a very, very important matter. It is just as true in the spiritual realm as it is in the physical realm. That likely explains why the Apostle Paul took such care to describe to the Christians gathered in the church at Corinth how they could escape from the temptation to commit sins.

Please notice what Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 10:13:

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

Temptations will always come our way as long as we live on this earth. They come as a result of the sin nature we inherited through our parents from Adam. But, we do not need to yield to those temptations.

God has always given us a means of “safe egress” from our temptations. In fact, part of the role the Holy Spirit plays in our lives is to nudge us toward the exit that God has provided.

As we begin a new day, let’s look at each temptation that may come our way as something from which we can escape. Let’s be aware of how the Holy Spirit may be opening up that way of escape. Then, let’s take full advantage of our way out.

 

_{Copyright © 2017 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Blameless and Pure

 

“Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, ‘children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.’”

—Philippians 2:14-15

I’ve never been a fan of football. In fact, I thoroughly and completely dislike football. In spite of my dislike for football, I had the privilege of working side-by-side with one of the very best play-by-play announcers I have ever heard.

Floyd Henderson was the sports announcer for the radio station in my hometown where I spent a great deal of time from age twelve until I graduated from high school. Floyd would often invite me to accompany him to the press box for games and eventually encouraged me to provide some color commentary while he took a break.

Through my association with Floyd, through my other work at the radio station, and through observing my classmates who played on the football team, I took note of those players’ generally arrogant, selfish, and extremely disrespectful attitude toward women.

There was one notable exception—a truly humble, smart, and kind young man who played center. But, he became what my math professor in college called “the exception that proved the rule.”

The qualities that the majority of the football players exhibited could never be classified as “blameless and pure.” But then, in our society today there is very little in our culture that can be considered “blameless and pure.” Even among people who claim to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, there is a great deal of impurity and plenty of places in which to place blame. This is true in my own life and may even be true in your life, as well.

The whole idea that the Christian lifestyle is counter-cultural has eluded most Christians today. But, I do see some glimmers of hope among the Millennials.

While a relatively small percentage of Millennials seem interested in Christianity, those who are interested seem to embrace wholeheartedly the kinds of qualities that the Apostle Paul was talking about when he wrote to the Christians at Philippi, as recorded in Philippians 2:14-16:

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.”

Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.

May I be so bold as to suggest that as we begin another day, we strive to follow Paul’s advice.

Let us put aside our grumbling and become blameless and pure. Let us allow the Holy Spirit to perform His miracle of grace in our lives that will move us toward holiness. In this process of sanctification, the Holy Spirit will lead and guide us. So, let’s surrender to His leading this day and every day.

 

_{Copyright © 2017 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Which Path Will We Follow?

 

“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”

—Galatians 5:16

Most everyone has heard or read the famous poem by Robert Frost entitled “The Road Not Taken.” The last three lines of the final verse read:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Frost’s poem has inspired many people, including the late notable psychiatrist, Dr. M. Scott Peck, who became a follower of Jesus later in his life. Peck wrote several books that have helped many people.

Two of his most famous books include: The Road Less Traveled: A New Psychology of Love, Traditional Values and Spiritual Growth and People of the Lie: The Hope For Healing Human Evil.

Peck examines the way God has created our human wills—free to make choices and free to receive the consequences of those choices. Peck asserts that the bending of a human’s will to the leading of the Holy Spirit is the only way that a human can overcome the temptation to sin brought forward from Adam in each human being.

The Apostle Paul set forth these wise words in Galatians 5:16:

So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

The key to walking away from sin is to grasp the hand of the Holy Spirit, who dwells within all those who follow Christ, and allow the Spirit to lead the way out of sin’s destructive pathway.

As we begin a new day, we will be assailed on all sides by temptation to follow our selfish, sinful human wills. Let us determine this day to hang on to the Holy Spirit and follow His leading. We will be so much better off if we do.

 

_{Copyright © 2017 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Proof of Discipleship

 

“To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, ‘If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’”

—John 8:31-32

Scripture clearly tells us that we are not to judge others (Matthew 7:1-2). Scripture also tells us that we will know who really belongs to Jesus by the presence of the fruit of the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance (Galatians 5:22-23).

When we examine our own hearts, how do we know if we really are disciples of the Most High God? Jesus offered these words, as recorded in John 8:31-32:

To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

One of the reasons that we study God’s Word, the Bible, is that it is, in fact, God’s Truth. It tells us about God, what He has lovingly done for us, and what He requires of us.

The Old Testament narrates the relationship of God to His chosen people. The New Testament tells us about the loving plan that God executed to save those He had chosen to belong to Himself—both Jews and Gentiles. Through Jesus our sins are forgiven and our eternal destiny is secured.

To live for God, to follow Christ, to allow the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us along the pathway God has provided for us—all of these are encapsulated in Jesus’ instruction.

So, as we begin another new day, let us continue to learn about God and His will for us by studying His Word. Let’s communicate with Him in prayer. Let’s listen with our spiritual ears for the leading of the Holy Spirit to mark the pathway of our lives.

By doing this, we will truly show that we are Christ’s very own disciples. And that, dear ones, is the very best we can ever be.

 

_{Copyright © 2017 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Evidence of Love

 

“Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.”

—1 John 4:20-21

Most followers of Jesus recognize that God’s love is expressed through His Son principally by Christ’s death on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. We also see countless examples in Scripture where Jesus directly showed His love for others in the most compassionate way.

If we are to be marked by this same love—breathed into us by the Holy Spirit—what evidence do we show that we love God and love others? I think I know the answer.

In his first letter to the new Christians scattered across the Middle Eastern landscape, the Apostle John wrote these words, as recorded in 1 John 4:20-21:

Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.

It seems clear that we show our love for God by loving our brothers and sisters in Christ. Once we have allowed the Holy Spirit to fill us with love for our fellow believers, He will then prompt us to allow that love to spill over so that it touches the lives of everyone who crosses our pathway.

We love because God first loved us. Could it possibly be that simple? Yes, I think it could.

 

_{Copyright © 2017 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Reconciled to Reconcile

 

“…that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.-”

—2 Corinthians 5:19-20

I hear a lot these days about reconciliation: racial reconciliation, religious reconciliation, civil reconciliation, marital reconciliation, even political reconciliation. I don’t hear nearly as much about spiritual reconciliation. And yet, spiritual reconciliation is at the heart of every other kind of reconciliation.

The whole basis for reconciliation is really a matter of the heart. It begins when we realize that we need to be reconciled to God. He has opened up the pathway of reconciliation through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. He has reached down to us. He has declared that He wants us to become reconciled. And then, He has provided the means for reconciliation.

If we want to reconcile a marriage, we must first become reconciled to God. If we want to reconcile political differences, we must first become reconciled to God. If we want to reconcile between the different factions within a church, we must first become reconciled to God.

The Apostle Paul knew that the Corinthians needed reconciliation—reconciliation with God and with each other. That’s why he wrote these words found in 2 Corinthians 5:19-20:

…that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.

We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.

The natural outcome of reconciliation to God is that we become His ambassadors. I write often about this responsibility in my blog. That’s because far too few Christians realize they are, in fact, God’s ambassadors.

We need to learn, by the gentle teaching of the Holy Spirit, how to become proper ambassadors. Then, we need to reach out in an ambassadorial and reconciliatory way to those who cross our pathway.

Maybe, we should start doing this today? It’s certainly worth considering.

 

_{Copyright © 2017 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Clothed in Christ

 

“So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

—Galatians 3:26-28

Did you ever think about the fact that, as a Christian, you are clothed in Christ? I know, it is a bit of a strange thought.

Helen Kromer, who wrote the lyrics to the wonderful musical For Heaven’s Sake, captured this thought so very well in a song entitled “I’m Nothing, Nobody, No One!” She writes, in part:

I’m nothing, I’m nobody, no one.
But, Christ has made something of me.
So I’ll put on His flesh and I’ll walk in His bones.
And a part of His body I’ll be.

The whole idea that we, as Christ’s ambassadors, become His fleshly Presence is an amazing thought. The Apostle Paul captured this very well in Galatians 3:26-28:

So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

As we walk out into the beginning of a new day, let’s remember that, to everyone we meet, we are Jesus. We are the embodiment of His Spirit. We bring His mercy, grace, and unfailing love into every situation we encounter. We bring His peace, His joy, and His comfort to everyone who needs a kind word, a gentle touch, a warm embrace, a smile, or a caring heart.

 

_{Copyright © 2017 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Too Busy to Worry

 

“The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid.”

—Psalm 118:6a

I used to be too busy to worry. I have always had a tendency to act like a “workaholic.” Even as a teenager I used up every waking hour of the day in some activity or another. Especially on weekends, I liked the fact that every Saturday night was planned out for me.

Two Saturday nights a month we had Youth for Christ rallies. Led by a dynamic young man in his early thirties, Ted Hess, we had over 200 young people gather in one of the churches for a time of singing, skits, a brief devotional, and fellowship.

The two other Saturday nights each month we had Youth Fellowship activities sponsored by my local church, Hill Memorial Evangelical United Brethren Church. Our youth leaders, Tom and Sandy Bolles and Jean and Dale Hutton, always had a wonderful program of activities. We went bowling, roller skating, caroling at Christmas, and a host of other neat activities. We also had some very intense Bible studies led by Isabel Young—a lady in the church who had attended Bible School.

On the occasion when there were five Saturdays, I was totally lost on that fifth Saturday. No Youth for Christ, no Youth Fellowship, nothing. I imagine the youth leaders breathed a sigh of relief on those special few Saturdays each year. But, I was beside myself.

In all that busyness, I was too engaged, too busy, to worry. I didn’t really worry about anything.

Even as an adult, I filled my days and weekends with as many activities as possible. I kept busy and had little to worry about. But then, everything changed.

In 1998, I became gravely ill. By 2003, I had to retire on disability. My health became too fragile for my liking and I begin to be consumed with worry that persists to this day.

The Psalmist understood how easy it is for people to become weighed down by worry. Notice what he wrote in Psalm 118:5-6:

When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord; he brought me into a spacious place. The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?

I find myself crying out to the Lord more and more, longing to be brought into that spacious place. He often gives me very concrete signs that He is at work in my life and in my circumstances.

I realize a certain amount of difficulty is just part of life. But, I am still learning, after all these years of walking with Him, to trust that He is always in control and He has my best interests at heart.

I suggest we go out into this new day confident that God hears our cries for help. He is quick to come and give us aid through His Holy Spirit. We simply need to learn to trust Him. I need that reminder, and maybe you do, too.

 

_{Copyright © 2017 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

A State of Being

 

But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

—1 Peter 1:15-16

Whether we realize it or not, every moment of every day we exist in a state of being. We are present both within our own minds and also within the physical world in which we live. What we often don’t consider is that we also exist in the spiritual world, as well.

Sometimes, for a moment or two, we may also live in the past. Something triggers a memory. Perhaps it’s the scent of a particular perfume or cologne. Maybe it’s a song on the radio. It could be a particular taste, or the sound of someone’s voice. Suddenly we’re transported back in time to savor some experience in our past.

Of course, not all memories are pleasant ones. A major aspect of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is the extremely violent and unpleasant memories that can be triggered at almost any moment. This trip back in time lands the person in the middle of some horrible situation that took place long ago. He or she can remember all the input from the five senses and can even be tricked by his or her mind into believing that he or she is back in that terrible situation.

As I suggested earlier, most of us recognize our state of being in the physical world and in the confines of our own mind. But, we often don’t understand or even perceive our existence in the spiritual world.

As believers in the life-transforming power of Jesus, we belong to God through Christ. Our foundational spiritual world is fully anchored in Jesus for all eternity. That’s where we are truly and eternally present. And, because we belong in this godly spiritual world, part of our quest in this life is to allow the Holy Spirit to move us toward holiness.

To some Christians, that may sound confusing, or even scary. They may think of holiness as living in some kind of monastic setting with little to do all day but read the Bible and pray.

But, in the spiritual world to which we belong, we are actually warriors and ambassadors in this world—representing our Great King Jesus. We battle against sin in our own lives and we represent His Majesty wherever we go.

In light of this spiritual state of being, is it any wonder that the Apostle Peter wrote these precious words to the early church, as found in 1 Peter 1:15-16:

But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

As we begin another day of life, let’s keep in mind that we are present in this physical world, in the innermost sanctum of our minds, and also in the eternal, spiritual world. Let’s allow the Holy Spirit to nudges us, in that gentle way of His, toward holiness.

It will not be nearly as painful as we might think, if we accept the need to bend our selfish human will to His divine will. And, it will reap great rewards both now and in eternity.

 

_{Copyright © 2017 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Where is Your Heart?

 

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

—Matthew 6:21

I want to invite you to stop for just a moment and think about what it is that you treasure the most?

Is it your family? Your home? Your car? Your job? Your position in society? Your family name? The church you attend?

Or, is it something or someone quite beyond any of the people or things on this list? It is quite important for you to know, really know, what you treasure the most.

I used to treasure my mind. Doesn’t that sound rather silly? Nevertheless, it’s true.

I knew that I seemed to grasp things just a little bit quicker than some other people. I could look at a machine and know instantly how it worked. I could read a book about a subject and absorb both the apparent information and some of the subtle information that was hidden beneath the surface. I could watch someone perform a task and then mimic what they did with little additional coaching.

Compounding the use of this seemingly natural ability was the fact that I was both physically and socially awkward. I was very uncoordinated, so I couldn’t do well in any sports activities. I was grossly overweight, so I did not have the strength and stamina of most “ordinary” people. I was painfully shy, didn’t interact well in social situations, and often was misperceived or misinterpreted.

Even so, I treasured my mind and truly believed it was a gift from God—one that I had better use well in order to please the One who had so graciously given that gift.

However, as I grew older, I learned that treasuring my mind was more than a little self-focused. I began to see that there was a way of making a decision about what I would truly treasure that would push out the boundaries beyond my puny self.

I’m quite sure it was Jesus’ words that first pushed me to consider the value in treasuring something beyond my own horizon. The Apostle Matthew captured these words of Jesus in Matthew 6:19-21:

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

I suddenly became aware that whatever I chose to treasure would also capture my heart. Apparently Jesus felt it was an important enough concept that He needed to make certain His disciples understood this great truth: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

As we begin a new day, let’s make certain that whatever we treasure is carefully chosen. We do well to choose to treasure things or people that have the glow of eternity. Then, our heart will follow.

While we do not want to become “so heavenly minded that we’re no earthly good,” we do want to make certain that our greatest treasure resides in something reflective of the “Kingdom of God and of His Christ”—to borrow a phrase from Revelation 11:15 and from Handel’s The Messiah.

We will all be so much better off if we choose carefully what we treasure the most.

 

_{Copyright © 2017 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}