Clean Yourself Up!

 

“Get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.”

—James 1:21

After years and years of observing the moral decline in our nation, I still find times when I am shocked by the language, visual images, crude jokes, suggestive attire, disrespectful behavior, and generally immoral attitude of more and more people in our land.

As Christians, God intends for us to take a stand against evil, not to be drawn into the midst of it and relish the depravity around us. That’s why the Apostle James wrote these words found in James 1:21:

Get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

Since he wrote these words in the first century A.D., imagine what he would think of our world today? He would probably faint dead away at the sound of the words people speak aloud, the suggestiveness of our clothing, the coarseness of our behavior, and our choices for entertainment. I can hardly imagine how shocked James would feel.

But, we can, and should, do our part to stand against evil. How many Christian women watch “The Bachelor” or similar programs? How many Christian men leer at the attire of most women who appear on their television screens? How many Christians have fallen prey to pornography, or gambling, or excessive use of alcoholic beverages, or telling dirty jokes, or …?

I know, I know, this is not at all a popular topic. But, you see, I know my own heart. I know how enticing some of the sin of our present age can become. Nevertheless, the call from the Apostle James seems quite clear to me. And, if you’re honest, doesn’t it speak to you, as well?

As we begin another day, while we bask in God’s love for us, let’s not forget the responsibilities we have as His ambassadors to a truly troubled world. When we choose our entertainment, or our clothing, or any other behavior, let’s think more carefully about what would honor Him the most. If we do that, we will be much better off.

 

_{Copyright © 2018 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

The Reward for Obedience

 

“If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love.”

—John 15:10

Compared to children today, my childhood was severely disadvantaged. Why? Because today, children often receive rewards for good behavior. In my childhood, I was expected to obey without any reward. The obedience was its own reward. Can you imagine that?

If you are anywhere near my own age, you are laughing right now. You grew up the same way I did. We were not bribed to behave. We were simply expected to behave. If anything, we were warned of dire consequences if we failed to behave.

But, even in God’s economy, obedience to His will and His written Word have some startlingly real benefits. Note these words of Jesus, as recorded in John 15:10:

“If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love.”

Obedience secures our place connected to the vine of God’s love and grace. Not that we can do anything to earn God’s love. Quite to the contrary—God gives us His love freely. But, for our own benefit, our own nourishment, our own health, we need to remain connected to the vine of God’s divine provision. That’s what John 15 is all about.

As we begin this new day, let’s take time to read through John 15. As we read the words of Jesus, let’s rejoice that in our obedience we choose to remain connected to the nourishing vine of God’s love and grace.

 

_{Copyright © 2018 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Guard His Name

 

“God exalted him [Jesus] to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every other name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

—Philippians 2:9-11

How often do you hear the name of Jesus during your daily activities? How often is His name used as a curse word, or a word of exclamation, or a word of surprise?

We live in an ever-coarsening culture. In my daily work at an insurance company for nearly 30 years, I heard the name of Jesus dozens of times a day. Never once was His name spoken of in love, affection, honor, or praise. It was always—always—a curse word.

And, do you know what the saddest part such a constant exposure to an improper use of the name of our Lord has on one’s life? To my absolute horror, in a moment of surprise or unanticipated pain, I would utter His name in a dishonoring way myself! How terrible that, having heard my Savior’s name used improperly so often, the improper use of His name found its way into my own vocabulary. Shameful! Absolutely shameful!

That’s the danger of living in an ever-coarsening world. Oh that the Holy Spirit would guard our ears and our minds to deafen us to such a besmirching of the greatest of all names, the name of Jesus.

Instead, we should embrace the words of the Apostle Paul, as recorded in Philippians 2:9-11:

God exalted him [Jesus] to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every other name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

May this new day be a day wherein we determine to make the name of our Savior precious, magnificent, and one we will not dishonor. May we guard our tongues, our hearts, and our minds. May the name of Jesus become so important to us that we would never use His name as a curse.

Cleanse our minds, hearts, and mouths, O Lord. Let our lips only speak words of truth and praise. Help us in our weakness and forgive our foolish ways. For the sake of your Son, Jesus. Amen.

 

_{Copyright © 2018 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Bread of Life

 

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

—Matthew 4:4

A familiar hymn, written by an anonymous author in 1661 and often sung during Holy Communion, includes these lyrics:

O Bread of Life from heaven,
To saints and angels given;
O manna from above!
The souls that hunger, feed Thou,
The hearts that seek Thee, lead Thou,
With Thy sweet, tender love.

O fount of grace redeeming,
O river ever streaming
From Jesus’ holy side!
Come Thou, Thyself bestowing
On thirsting souls, and flowing
Till all are satisfied.

We love You, Jesus, tender,
In all Your hidden splendor
Within these means of grace.
Oh, let the veil be riven,
And our clear eye in Heaven
Behold Your glory face to face.

The longing expressed in this hymn parallels the very words Jesus spoke, as recorded in Matthew 4:4:

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

God’s Word—both the Living Word, Jesus, and the written Word, the Bible—offers sustenance for our needy and hungry souls. As we begin another day, let’s take time to feed on God’s Word today.

We can spend time reading the Bible and, thus, devour the written Word. We can spend time in prayer and thus feed on the Living Word, as our Savior hears our conversation with Him and acts graciously on our behalf.

How blessed we are to be so loved by God.

 

_{Copyright © 2018 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Nothing Is Too Hard For God

 

“Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.”

—Jeremiah 32:17

Have you ever started a task and, after a great deal of effort, finally had to admit that the task has become just too hard for you to accomplish?

I confess that in my younger days that rarely happened. I have a rather stubborn streak. No matter how difficult something became, I could usually push my way through until I either accomplished the task or irreparably broke some part or object involved in the task.

That is definitely no longer the case. I am an old man now. Actually, I have been an “old man” physically since I suffered a decline in my health in 2003. There are many, many tasks that I used to accomplish with ease that I simply can no longer do.

A bit more than two years ago, my wife and I found ourselves in the process of getting ready to move from our home to a much smaller Garden Home at an “Old Geezer Community” on the other side of town. Frankly, as much as I may disparage this move in my blog posts, the place to which we moved has turned out really quite nice. We made the correct decision at just the right time in our lives.

Certainly the people who run this graduated care facility seem extraordinarily kind, gracious, and helpful. Even after the intervening years, I write about this move with somewhat of a heavy heart because I had to discard nearly 90 percent of my cherished personal possessions. They simply won’t fit in the new place. In reality, they represent only “things” and do not have genuine importance. Nevertheless, I lament having to get rid of them.

For example, on one particular weekend—with the help of one of my brothers-in-law and nephew, along with two friends from my church—we carted over 1,000 pounds of electronic gear to a special recycling facility. This included 17 computers. Yes, that’s right—17 computers. I also had two ancient televisions, numerous radios, some cassette duplicating equipment, all kinds of test equipment, and other electronic gadgets and gizmos accumulated over a lifetime. I even had an 8-track tape cartridge deck. Remember them? They were all the rage in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

My point is that without the help of others, I am no longer able to do many things. Fortunately, God has provided people who are so very gracious, kind, and willing to help me.

Sometimes, even in our spiritual lives, we may get to the place where we say, “I just can’t do this.” Fortunately, we don’t have to do it by ourselves. God has given us the all-powerful Holy Spirit to help us. As the Prophet Jeremiah declared in Jeremiah 32:17:

Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.

As we begin another day, let’s remember that nothing is too hard for God. He is able to do more than we dare even ask or think (Ephesians 3:20). That should encourage each of us.

 

_{Copyright © 2018 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

He Will Complete It

 

“He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

—Philippians 1:

If you’ve ever had a house built, or renovated one, you know that a most frustrating part of such a process occurs when, sometimes, the contractor proves unreliable. I have dear friends who have been trying to get their house renovated for nearly four years. They have employed their fourth or fifth contractor. Along the way, each previous contractor has seriously dropped the ball.

In such a circumstance, it seems appropriate to wonder why a contractor who began the work can’t see it through all the way to the completion of the project. That’s a reasonable question. And, the answer speaks to the unreliability of some people, their failure to properly plan the allocation of their time, their inability to price a job so that the income from it will exceed their expenses by an appropriate amount, and their lack of interest in their professional responsibility to maintain their own reputation.

Fortunately, in our walk with God, through His Son, Jesus, we have the One who not only began the relationship with us, but will see that relationship all the way through to the ultimate joy of uniting us with Himself for all eternity.

As the Apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 1:6:

He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

As we begin another new day, let’s relax into the arms of our Lord and Savior, knowing that He will complete the work He has begun in us.

By the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit, God will direct our pathway, prompt us to lay aside besetting sins, open up opportunities for us to serve Him, and shield us from the enemy’s attacks.

What more could we possible ask?

 

_{Copyright © 2018 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Learning Contentment

 

“… I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.-”

—Philippians 4:11

Have you ever found yourself in the midst of chaos and noticed one individual sitting apart from everyone else with a peaceful look, even a slight smile, on his or her face? That person has found contentment.

I used to quickly acknowledge that I have never felt truly content. I am a driven person. I have felt “driven” as long as I can remember. I believe my decided lack of contentment—along with an overwhelming amount of God’s grace and blessing—has driven me to succeed in many of my endeavors over the years of my life.

But, in my dotage, I am looking back over my life and shaking my head from side to side. I am wondering if—with all the frenetic activity that has marked my life, all the drive, all the lack of contentment—I have actually accomplished anything of lasting value. You might call it the introspective musings of an old man. And, likely, you would be right.

But these days, I long to be in the position of the Apostle Paul when he wrote these words found in the last half of Philippians 4:11:

… I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.

I have yet to fully learn that lesson. Though, when I think carefully about it, I do believe I am closer to learning that lesson now than I have ever been before in my life.

As we begin another day, let’s examine whether we have learned how to be content no matter the circumstances in which we find ourselves. If the answer is “no,” then we likely need to ask God to show us the pathway to contentment. if the answer is “yes,” then we need to praise God for the valuable lesson He has taught us. In either case, examining ourselves for the presence of genuine contentment offers us a most worthy exercise.

 

_{Copyright © 2018 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

This Is Why I Love You, Lord

 

“I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word.”

—Psalm 138:2

For those of us who believe in the life-transforming power of God through His Son, Jesus, worship is a very natural part of our devotion to God.

While some may suggest that the word “worship” covers almost anything that a believer does with God in mind, I have always preferred to think of worship as a very focused time, specifically set aside, to spend time telling God how much we appreciate Him simply for Who He is.

I do not believe that worship should focus on what God has done for us, or on sharing with God our requests of Him. Instead, worship at its best should solely focus on all of the attributes of God that He has revealed to us in His Word. And, worship should also focus on the way He has applied His attributes to our personal lives. In effect, we are telling God: “Please let me list for you these reasons why I love you…”

While I don’t really want to present my view as too dogmatic about the nature of worship, I do take note that, throughout the Psalms, the various writers often do exactly what I’m suggesting. They tend to focus on the qualities or attributes of God that bring them delight in their personal lives.

For example, note what King David writes in Psalm 138:2:

I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word.

Here King David acknowledges that God’s qualities, or attributes, of love and faithfulness inspire David to bow down and worship God. David also acknowledges that a unique quality of God is that He, God, has exalted His name and His word above all things.

As we start another new day, let’s take a few moments to simply express to God what we love about Him. I know that He delights in the praise of His people. So, God will enjoy hearing what we have to say, just as we inwardly enjoy it when someone shares with us what they love about us.

 

_{Copyright © 2018 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

The Perfect Shield

 

“As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.”

—Psalm 18:30

When a solider comes under enemy fire, he or she wants to take cover under the best possible shield. That protection allows the soldier to regroup, take stock, check his or her ammunition, and prepare to mount yet another offensive against the enemy.

So it is in the life of a Christian. We all too often come under attack of the enemy. Satan desires to destroy us. He wants to shake our faith. He wants to disillusion us. He wants to mar our walk with God.

But, when we come under this attack, God offers us the best possible protection. The New International Version of the Bible describes it this way in 2 Samual 22:1:

David sang to the Lord the words of this song, when the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul.

David sings quite a lot. In fact, every Psalm that David wrote is truly a song. Notice what David sang in Psalm 18:30:

As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.

Today, if you feel the enemy is attacking you, take refuge in the protection that God offers you. He will gladly shield you from the most vicious arrows of Satan’s attack. His love will enfold you. He will soothe and dress any wounds you may have received. And, rejoice in His loving arms. He is your God and you belong to Him.

 

_{Copyright © 2018 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Staying Power

 

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.”

—Matthew 24:35

Among the many things that we search for in our lives is something that we can count on, no matter what. We look for things that have a certain permanence or staying power.

Maybe that “something” is a friendship that has stood the test of time. Perhaps it is some knowledge that you have acquired over the course of your career on which you base your reputation. Perhaps, as a mom or dad, you look at the success of your children as validation for your worth and value. Their success in life has the kind of permanence that you look for when you want something with staying power.

As believers in the life-transforming power of the Lord Jesus Christ, we also have an eternal staying power available to us in God’s precious written Word, the Bible. Jesus declares this in His own words, as recorded in Matthew 24:35:

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

There is no better reason to study God’s written Word than this statement of Jesus. Because His written Word has staying power, God wants us to read, study, and meditate on what He says to us through His written Word. He has given us His Holy Spirit to aid us in our understanding of Scripture. So, we do not have to find our way through the Bible, as if we were trudging along a road on a dark, moonless night.

Let’s begin this new day by honoring God’s provision. Let’s determine to read, study, and meditate on God’s written Word. And, as the Holy Spirit enables us, let’s share what we learn when He nudges us to do so. We never know how God’s Truth from His written Word might bring His glorious light into the heart of someone we encounter along the pathway of life.

 

_{Copyright © 2018 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Make His Greatness Known

 

“Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done and proclaim that his name is exalted.”

—Isaiah 12:4

If we look very carefully over the history of the United States, from the landing of the colonists to the most recent past, we cannot help but see the loving, caring hand of God upon our nation.

Oh, I know that many so-called “Progressive Christians” deny that the United States has been a nation blessed by God. They point to the many sins that they believe our nation has committed. “How could God choose to bless the USA more than any other nation?” they ask.

No matter what these naysayers assert, I continue to believe there is ample evidence that God has treated our nation far more lovingly than the vast majority of other nations down through history. Has He always been pleased with the way we have responded to Him? No, sadly, we have often displeased Him.

Still and all, we have much for which to thank and praise Him. In fact, we have much for which we can give testimony to the rest of the nations about the goodness of God. That’s why it is so important for us to pray for a great, sweeping revival that will move the people in the USA to return to the God of our forefathers and acknowledge His loving hand upon us.

The Prophet Isaiah desired the very same kind of revival for the southern kingdom of Judah. That’s why he wrote these words, as recorded in Isaiah 12:4:

Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done and proclaim that his name is exalted.

As an new day begins, we will have ample opportunity to declare how good God has been to our nation, and to us personally. Let’s not hesitate to share what God has done, whenever the Holy Spirit nudges us to do so.

 

_{Copyright © 2018 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Curing a Deceitful Heart

 

The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? “I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve.”

—Jeremiah 17:9-10

Contrary to what many in the world believe, humans are not basically good. I know that may come as a shock to some. But, all we need to do is look around us at the behavior of even very young children to realize that human kind’s natural bent is to do what is disobedient, wrong, even evil.

As believers in the life-changing message of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, we know why this is. First man, Adam, through his disobedience to God’s only command, brought willful sin upon himself and all who followed him. That sin curse has been passed down, generation to generation, so that all humans are born with the taint of sin.

But, God has given us the possibility of a cleansing from sin. He has chosen humans to belong to Himself through His mercy, grace, and unfailing love. God expresses His love through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus, on the cross to pay the penalty for sin.

The Prophet Jeremiah, in the forth-telling of God’s truth, shared this reality and these words from God, as recorded in Jeremiah 17:9-10:

The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? “I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve.”

The “deed” that matters most is the acknowledgement of God’s gift of salvation. The Holy Spirit reveals this gift and humans, once enlightened, can acknowledge what God has already done for them. His cleansing power vanquishes the power of sin.

As the sun rises on a new day, let’s rejoice that God has chosen to reveal Himself to us and given us salvation through His Son. Our sins are covered by Christ’s precious blood. And, that’s truly good news.

 

_{Copyright © 2018 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Our Identity

 

“By the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.”

—Romans 12:3

When you look in the mirror what do you see?

I’m told that, if you’re a woman, you are seldom, if ever, satisfied with the image you see in the mirror. While people that love you dearly may look at you with a fondness that surpasses what you might even imagine, what you see in the mirror is flaws.

I wish that were not so. I wish that women would see themselves the way God sees them: as the beautiful, smart, loving, and kind examples of His mercy, grace, and abiding love that they are.

Likewise, if you’re a man, you may look in a mirror and see only the qualities that mark you as a “real” man. Reportedly, men don’t necessarily see their flaws the way women see theirs. In fact, men often tend to see themselves in a much better light than others see them.

I know that sometimes I am startled when I look in a mirror. Or, more so, when I walk past a storefront window and see all of me at the same time, I am often shocked. “You are a truly ugly, fat man,” I will say to myself.

While most of the time I probably think far more highly of myself than reality, that brief glimpse in the storefront window quickly dispels any notion I have about my own attractiveness.

Again, that is not how God sees me. And, while I may have difficulty comprehending His reality for me, I am so very grateful that it’s true.

The Apostle Paul offers these words of instruction, found in Romans 12:3:

By the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.

Our identity, that is our true identity, is found in the Lord Jesus Christ. We need to strive to see ourselves through His eyes. His love for us does not cloud His vision. Rather, His love for us gives Him the clearest possible vision when He looks at us.

As we move out into another day, let’s remember that our identity is not judged by any mirror, nor by what anyone may think about us. Rather, our identity is determined by God’s view of us—seen through His eyes of love. And that, dear ones, should bring each of us great comfort.

 

_{Copyright © 2018 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

On that Day...

 

“The Lord will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one Lord, and his name the only name.”

—Zechariah 14:9

Adrian “Buddy” King has written the words and music to a gospel song that has become quite famous in certain Evangelical circles. Though likely not written for this purpose, the song has found its way into the repertoire of soloists who sing at funerals.

The words celebrate that day when Christ’s second coming ushers in the new heaven and the new earth. Here are those words:

A Great day is coming
Heavens gates will open wide,
And all who love the Lord will enter in;
To join with their loved ones who in Jesus Christ have died;
Our eternal life in Heaven to begin.
And the Lord Himself will greet us on that great and glorious day.
And with the smile of the proudest Father He’ll look at us and say:

“Welcome Home Children!
This is the place I’ve prepared for you.
Welcome home children, now that your work on earth is through.
Welcome home children, you who have followed so faithfully
Welcome home children!
Welcome home children!
Here where I am you shall always be
Forever rejoicing with me.”

The sentiment of this song is a sweet reminder of that day when we will all gather in heaven to spend eternity with our God and with each other.

Unlike all other religions in the world, Christianity does not require its believers to work their way into eternal life. Rather, God has provided the one and only way through His Son Jesus. God has done everything. We are chosen by Him for eternity. The Holy Spirit reveals this great truth to us. And, the Spirit enables us to receive God’s precious gift.

But, a very important truth contained in this reality is that on that day, God’s reign will be revealed to everyone. Notice what the Prophet Zechariah proclaimed, as recorded in Zechariah 14:9:

The Lord will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one Lord, and his name the only name.

That phrase, “on that day,” is a very powerful phrase. It speaks of the culmination of one age and the beginning of a new and eternal age. All old things will pass away. All things will become new.

As we start another day of life, let’s remember that we are only passing through this world on our way to the best possible world. Our task here is to lovingly, patiently, and very respectfully share the good news of that great new world.

As we encounter people today, let’s be keenly aware of the nudging of the Holy Spirit when He wants us to say a word in behalf of God’s Kingdom.

No more precious opportunity should consume us than the opportunity to represent well the God who loves us so very much.

In case you are not familiar with the song I mentioned in this blog post, here is Myrna White singing Larry Mayfield’s arrangement of this song:

 

_{Copyright © 2018 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Fulfilling Our Purpose

 

“The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O Lord, endures forever— do not abandon the works of your hands.”

—Psalm 138:8

As you have moved along the pathway of your life, have you ever had someone who took a special interest in you and gave you either very specific help or served as an example that you could emulate to make yourself a better, more disciplined person? Sometimes, we call such an individual a “mentor.”

Some mentorships are deliberate and purposeful relationships. Other times, a person might serve as a mentor without even realizing the effect that he or she is having on the person observing his or her life.

In our walk with God, we have in Him the perfect mentor. He is keenly aware that He has set an example for us through the life and testimony of His precious Son, Jesus. He has also given us the Holy Spirit to live within us and guide us every step of the way.

King David was always keenly aware that God had opened up a special way for Him. He sensed God’s divine Presence. It gave David an assurance, but also developed within him a hopefulness when he looked at the future. Notice what David writes in Psalm 138:8:

The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O Lord, endures forever—do not abandon the works of your hands.

In this Psalm of prayer, David acknowledges the role God plays in his life. But, David also recognizes how prone he is to failure because he is, after all, just a sinful human being. So, David prays that God will not abandon him, even when David falls short of God’s perfect will for him.

We can live our lives with the calm assurance that God will never leave us nor forsake us. And, we can certainly recognize His divine Presence in our lives. All we need to do is look around and see His mighty hand helping us along the pathway He has laid out before us.

Let’s begin this new day with the awareness that God is our very special mentor. He wants the best for us and will always provide the blessings we need in every situation. That should give us confidence to live bold lives of service to Him.

 

_{Copyright © 2018 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

A Patient Keeper of Promises

 

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

—2 Peter 3:9

Twenty-eight years ago, an Evangelical Christian organization was formed with the name “Promise Keepers.” Quoting a portion of the entry on Wikipedia:

Promise Keepers was founded in 1990 by Bill McCartney, then the head football coach at the University of Colorado Boulder.

According to the group’s website, McCartney got the inspiration for Promise Keepers on March 20, 1990, during a conversation with Dave Wardell, while both were attending a Fellowship of Christian Athletes banquet in Pueblo, Colorado.

He envisioned his home stadium, Boulder's Folsom Field, would be used as a gathering “…for training and teaching on what it means to be godly men.”

In July 1990, 72 men met at Boulder Valley Christian Church in Boulder to organize what would be Promise Keepers’ first event at University of Colorado’s Event Center. From that point, the Promise Keepers’ membership gradually grew.

By the time of the first official PK conference in July 1991, approximately 4,200 attended. The organization was incorporated as a nonprofit in the state of Colorado in December 1990.

Someone you know may have attended a Promise Keeper’s rally. Whether the organization was fully effective in reaching its goal could be debated. But, for a time at least, it had a significant and prominent influence on behalf of the Kingdom of God.

There are certainly great advantages for Christian men who keep their promises to God and to others. But, they were not the first true promise keepers. Notice what the Apostle Peter writes, as recorded in 2 Peter 3:9:

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

God is a promise-keeping God. And, He is not at all slow about doing so. In addition, as this verse explains, God is very patient with those that He has chosen to belong to Himself.

As we begin another day, it is good for us to remember how loving, patient, and kind our God is toward us. And, because He is a promise-keeping God, we can become promise-keeping people.

Let’s determine to strive for that goal this day. It would be very good if Christians all over the world were known as promise-keeping people.

 

_{Copyright © 2018 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Finding One's Life

 

“…whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.”

—Matthew 16:25

Have you ever encountered someone about whom it was said, “He’s a man on the way up the ladder!”? Or, “She’s a woman destined for bigger and better things, as she rises higher and higher in this company!” Both of these statements express a kind of ambition that few individuals seem to have.

Having worked in the corporate world most of my adult life, I have observed just such men and women headed for the top. Many times, they worked harder, put in longer hours, and sacrificed their personal lives to achieve ever higher success. Sometimes they pursued advanced degrees at the same time they were making a name for themselves in the halls of their corporation.

Many times, these driven individuals also sacrificed relationships and greatly devalued the people around them. Sometimes, they even harmed other people to get one rung higher up the ladder toward “success.”

Success in the Kingdom of God does not at all mimic the success of our current secular age. In the Kingdom, it’s not about personal achievement. Instead, in the Kingdom it’s all about surrender to God’s perfect will.

Jesus spoke these words, as recorded in Matthew 16:25:

“…whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.”

As Christians, we “find” our true lives when we surrender our imperfect and faulty human wills to God’s perfect and divine will. We give up the worldly measure of success for the heavenly measure of success. Instead of striving to become leaders, we strive to become servants. In fact, Scripture refers to us Christians as “bond slaves.”

I’ve written extensively in past blog posts about our role as “bond slaves.” The Apostle Paul describes the early church leaders as “…bond slaves of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.” (1 Corinthians 4:1) Paul is drawing a parallel to the instructions found in Deuteronomy 15:16-17.

Furthermore, as I have explained in those other blog posts, a “steward” is a slave elevated to a position of responsibility in his or her master’s kingdom. Still a slave, a steward thinks only of what would be in his or her master’s best interest.

We gain our lives when we give our lives fully to Jesus. No matter what we do each day, at work or at home, our lives belong to God through Christ when we surrender to His perfect will and obediently do what He wishes us to do.

As we begin another day, let’s determine to ask the Holy Spirit to help us surrender ourselves daily to God’s perfect will for us. If we do, we will experience a fullness of life that can hardly be adequately described. And, the joy we will feel will certainly overwhelm us.

 

_{Copyright © 2018 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Set Aside Your Grudge

 

“Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.”

—Leviticus 19:18

It is almost impossible to make your way through life without having someone do something that significantly offends or harms you.

I’m not talking about the kind of thin-skinned offense that so many in our culture seem to have toward public words of politicians, or individuals who speak out in behalf of some cause in which they believe.

No, I’m talking about the kind of offense that occurs when someone you know, or even love and trust, does something or says something that truly harms you in some way.

The question when such an offense happens is: How will you respond?

For years, when someone took very hurtful action against me in word or deed, I wrote them off. I sealed them up in an impenetrable mental shell and, from that day forward, acted as if they didn’t exist. They were dead to me. I did not speak about them. I did not tell anyone what they had done. I just treated them as if they were dead. And, in fact, they were “dead” to me.

But, that is clearly not the way that God intends us to act toward our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Of course, if Jesus’ instruction in Matthew 18:15-17 was scrupulously followed, the number of genuine offenses would be significantly reduced, if not totally eliminated.

Nevertheless, if a brother or sister does something to harm us, we must respond in a loving, forgiving way.

The root of this behavior on our part comes from the Old Testament Jewish Law. Notice what Moses records in Leviticus 19:18:

Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.

As “Christ’s-ones,” the term “our people” would refer to our brothers and sisters in Christ. We should never seek revenge nor bear a grudge against a fellow believer.

But, realistically, it is wise for us to develop such a forgiving spirit that we also stand ready to forgive anyone who harms us.

In previous blog posts, I have written about the nature of forgiveness. So, let me simply state here that forgiveness only becomes effective when the one who created the offense asks for forgiveness. But, that does not diminish our responsibility to remain ready and willing to forgive, whether the offender asks for forgiveness or not.

So, at the beginning of another new day, let’s be ones who maintain a spirit of forgiveness. Let’s not hold a grudge or seek revenge against those who harm us.

Certainly, if we do this—as hard as that may be—we will truly be walking in the footsteps of Jesus.

 

_{Copyright © 2018 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

No Hiding

 

““Am I only a God nearby,” declares the Lord, “and not a God far away? Who can hide in secret places so that I cannot see them?” declares the Lord. “Do not I fill heaven and earth?” declares the Lord.”

—Jeremiah 23:23-24

In my own simplistic way, I have always marveled at people who do not believe in God. I cannot understand how they can look around at everyone and everything in this world and not believe that the hand of a great Creator is clearly evident.

I have also remained fascinated by people who think that God does not see everything they do, hear every word they speak, and know every thought they have. The power of God is so great that it is impossible for anyone to hide from His divine Presence.

The prophet Jeremiah understood all too well that we cannot hide from God. Notice what he wrote in Jeremiah 23:23-24:

“Am I only a God nearby,” declares the Lord, “and not a God far away? Who can hide in secret places so that I cannot see them?” declares the Lord. “Do not I fill heaven and earth?” declares the Lord.

Part of the wonder for we who believe in God through Christ is that we know He is always with us. He sees everything that has happened and He sees everything that ever will happen.

He knows us more deeply, more thoroughly, more completely than anyone can know us. No matter where we may go, He is there, too.

In the same way that God is everywhere present, His love is also present everywhere. The love He has for us is all-pervasive. And, we benefit tremendously from the certainty of His overwhelming love for us.

As we begin a new day, let’s take just a moment to stop and quietly let the love of God flow into us, so that all through this day that same love will flow out of us and touch the lives of those around us.

As instruments of His grace to those who connect with us along the road of life, we can be such an enormously positive influence. And, what a wonderful and joyful opportunity that is.

 

_{Copyright © 2018 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Faithful Protector

 

“The Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.”

—2 Thessalonians 3:3

Growing up, as an older brother or sister, did you protect one of your younger siblings from some outside person who wanted to tease or attack your brother or sister? Or, were you a younger brother or sister who found a protector in your older sibling?

As an only adopted child, I never had a sibling-protector. But, I recognize that one of the blessings of growing up in a large family comes from the sense of protection that one may feel from the intrusion of outsiders. Families are often places of safe haven. Or, at least they should be.

In writing to the Christians gathered in Thessalonica, the Apostle Paul reminded them that God is a faithful protector. Note these words from 2 Thessalonians 3:3:

The Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.

God is our strength and our protector. Do those words have a familiar ring to them? They should. King David often included such words in his Psalms.

David knew, Paul knew, and we should know that the ever-faithful God, who loves us with His eternal love, stands by our side. He will give us the strength we need and the protection from the attacks of our enemy, Satan.

Many times, the trials we experience in life come to test us—to try our faith. God will always enable us to surrender to His love and care. He will increase our faith and relish in our dependence upon Him. He will keep us safe and protect us from the harm Satan wishes to dish out.

Let’s praise God and rejoice this day that He is our faithful protector. And, let’s rest in His loving arms, by faith, knowing that He will strengthen us all throughout this new day.

 

_{Copyright © 2018 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Up! Up! And, Away!

 

“Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and will not be faint.”

—Isaiah 40:31

Sometimes, when we stand at ground level, there are just some things that we cannot see clearly. But, when we find a vantage point that is significantly elevated above ground, then we can see a big enough picture to understand what’s happening around us.

In these days, when depressing thoughts seem to always lurk just around the next corner, it helps if we can gain perspective by soaring to the heights and discover a new vantage point with a better view. This is exactly what the Prophet Isaiah wanted to convey when he wrote the words recorded in Isaiah 40:31:

Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and will not be faint.

In another translation, this verse begins: “They who wait upon the Lord…” True hope does, in fact, embody itself in waiting on and trusting in God. So, it is reasonable to understand when we face the annoying trials of life that we can and should wait on God, trust in Him, and let Him be the one to solve our problems.

No better vantage point exists than that of the high-soaring eagle. If you ever have the opportunity to watch an eagle, you will note that it rarely flaps its wings. Rather, it takes advantage of the aerodynamic design of its wingspan to allow it to float—to soar—very silently and gracefully high in the sky.

That kind of quiet patience is what we need to face each day. This new day, being no exception, affords us yet another opportunity to wait patiently and quietly on God.

Let’s do exactly that, as we turn the trials in our lives over to His loving care. We will be so much better off if we do so.

 

_{Copyright © 2018 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Perfect Surveillance

 

“The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”

—Psalm 121:7-8

It has become quite common in our society to see video cameras installed in various places to provide surveillance. Some cities have even instituted programs whereby they have installed video cameras throughout the entire city. Supposedly, it helps deter crime. Or, at the very least, it helps law enforcement officials gather evidence after a crime occurs.

A once-popular television program that has now concluded its several-year run, “Person of Interest,” was based on the idea that the government is watching us wherever we go. A super computer armed with artificial intelligence software is making decisions about our well-being.

But, what if there really was something or someone who did, indeed, provide perfect surveillance? That One watches us continually and provides for our safety and protection.

One of the Psalms of Ascent, Psalm 121, describes exactly this kind of perfect surveillance, as recorded in Psalm 121:7-8:

The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

The God who loves us with His unfailing love does keep us under His perfect surveillance. He watches over us, sees our coming and our going, and He keeps us from all harm. The enemy desires to destroy us, but God rules and overrules in our lives to keep us under His loving care.

As we begin this day, let’s be ever more conscious of God’s divine care. As we keep our eyes open for God’s hand on our lives, let’s be aware of any of the following:

• Any obvious answer to prayer, or…
  
  
• Any special evidence of God’s care, or…
  
  
• Any help to do God’s work in the world, or…
  
  
• Any unusual linkage or timing

By watching for these sightings of God’s divine love and care, we will improve our own confidence that God truly is watching out for us.

 

_{Copyright © 2018 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Sheltered by God

 

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”

—Psalm :91:1

When Christians face the storms of life—and such storms come to everyone at some time or another—we can take genuine comfort from knowing that God shelters us. His sheltering protection keeps the vilest part of the storm from consuming us.

We may feel that the trial we are facing could not possibly be any worse than it is. But, in reality, God’s loving care for us will always keep us from the maximum force of Satan’s attack.

If we look at the patriarch Job, we will see someone who suffered so great a loss that we can hardly imagine what that might be like. Yet, Job strove mightily to remain a faithful servant of God. And, as it turns out in the end, God was there beside Job all the time.

God was enabling Job to resist the temptation to throw in the towel and give up. Even when faced with bad advice from seemingly well-meaning friends, Job held strongly to what he believed was true. God sheltered Job from the devastating and unimaginable attack that Satan really wanted to unleash.

So, it is with us. We can take great hope from the words of the Psalmist, who declares in Psalm :91:1:

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

God’s eternal love will overshadow all of the difficulty we may experience in this life. After we pass through a time of fiery trial, we can look back and see how God has ruled in our favor. His shadow has protected us. He has kept us hidden in the impenetrable rock of His divine will.

Let’s begin this new day by thanking God for His Presence. Let us praise Him that He is a God of protection, of love, and of grace. And, let’s take every opportunity that the Holy Spirit may open up for us to share what God continues to do for us with those who cross our pathway.

 

_{Copyright © 2018 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}