Let Us Purify

 

“…let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.”

—2 Corinthians 7:1b

When the Apostle Paul wrote to the believers gathered in the church at Corinth, he was writing to people with whom he had developed a very close relationship over the time he had lived among them. He knew them by name. He had been in their homes. He knew what he had taught them. He knew what he expected of them.

When he wrote his first letter to them, he was writing out of both heartbreak and more than a little anger. They had seemed to forget what he had taught them and broken down into various cliques. They had allowed sin to creep into their fellowship—gross sexual sin. So, Paul chastised them, gave them some specific instructions regarding how to deal with a wide variety of issues that were dividing their church, and offered wise counsel bathed in much prayer.

As a result of repenting of their sin, acting in accordance with Paul’s instruction, and renewing their commitment to follow Jesus only, the church in Corinth experienced revival—a coming to life again. So, by the time Paul writes his second letter to them, he is able to commend them for what they have done.

But, Paul also urges them to move forward in their spiritual formation. After all, they—like all Christians—want to grow in their faith and become more and more like Jesus. In this quest for holiness, Paul offered some very encouraging words recorded in 2 Corinthians 7:1:

Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.

These are words that apply to us today. As we begin another day in our walk with God, let us take Paul’s advice and apply it to our own lives. Let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit. Then, let us perfect our holiness out of reverence for the very God who loves us.

The Holy Spirit will nudge us always in the right direction. We need to tune our spiritual ears to receive that nudging and obediently follow the Spirit’s direction. Then, and only then, will we experience the fullness of joy that is ours in Christ. Holiness is not something to be feared or avoided. Rather, holiness is a key to the greatest possible joy—joy that lasts for all eternity.

 

Based on a blog originally posted on Thursday, September 22, 2016

_{Copyright © 2022 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

We Belong

 

“So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.”

—Romans 14:8b

Belonging is an important goal for many people. That’s why they join various clubs and organizations. It’s even why some people join a particular political party, or attend a particular church. It is within our human nature to want to be part of something much bigger than we are.

Some people, no matter how hard they may try, never seem to fit into a group. They never really feel as if they belong. Sometimes this is because of some physical difference they may have. It could also be because they are less intelligent, or more intelligent, than most people. It may be because they have never really learned how to become socialized. There are a host of reasons. But, some people just never seem to belong.

I imagine there were times in the life of the Apostle Paul when he felt he did not belong. He had once been a prominent Pharisee, very certain of his beliefs, and very ardent in his defense of Judaism. He persecuted these new Christian believers because he felt they were committing heresy against the Jewish faith.

But then, on the road to Damascus, Saul of Tarsus—as he was then known—had an encounter with the living Lord Jesus Christ. That encounter miraculously transformed Saul’s life. He got a new name and a new heart and a new purpose for his life.

For a while, Paul was no longer accepted by his Jewish friends, and the Christians weren’t ready to receive him either. After all, not long ago he had been arresting them and supervising their stonings. I’m quite certain Paul remembered those days when he wrote the words contained in Romans 14:8:

If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.

For a moment, just imagine: this faithful disciple of the Jewish faith had now become a champion of new life in Christ. Even as Christ had redeemed Paul, so He had also given Paul a completely new life—a life of service and responsibility in Christ’s Kingdom here on earth.

It is good for us to remember, as we start another day, that God has chosen us to belong to Himself. He has redeemed us and given us a totally new life in Him. We belong to Him. Nothing can change that. And, we should be most grateful and most humbled by that knowledge, as we go out into a needy world with a message of hope for all who cross our pathway.

 

Based on a blog originally posted on Wednesday, September 21, 2016

_{Copyright © 2022 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Answer the Door!

 

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”

—Revelation 3:14 and 20

The house is full of people busily engaged in their very own, personal activities. Suddenly, there’s a knock at the door. At first, no one responds. The person standing outside the door knocks again. From somewhere in the bowels of the residence a shrill voice rings out: “For goodness sake, will someone please answer the door?”

Has that ever happened at your house? It certainly has happened at mine. In fact as a relatively small boy, I can remember that it was my job to answer the door. That likely wouldn’t happen today. But, it was a different time and a different place, many, many years ago. And, we had a very secure outer storm door that was always locked, so I could see who was at the door and they could not enter if I didn’t unlock that outer door.

Now, what if the person responding to the shrill command went to the door and found Jesus waiting on the doorstep? That’s the word picture that the Apostle John creates in Revelation 3:14 and 20:

“To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

In Chapters 2 and 3 of the Book of Revelation, John presents God’s special message, through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to the seven churches in Asia. Each of these churches represents the very nature of our churches today. If we want to read this special message and try to figure out which church represents the one we belong to today, all we have to do is read these two chapters.

What would you do if Jesus suddenly appeared on your doorstep? That’s a question that each of us needs to consider. In fact, through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit, Jesus lives in our hearts. Do we really act and speak as if He was present with us?

I don’t know about you. But, I can tell you that, sadly, I need a constant reminder that Jesus is with me. Sometimes I look back on something I did, or something I said, or something I thought, and I shudder when I remember that Jesus was all too aware of my behavior. I think that’s a healthy motivator to learn—and it is a learning process—how to live, act, speak, and think in a more God-pleasing way.

In fact, I’m going to redouble my efforts this day, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to live, act, speak, and think in a more appropriate way. I know it will be hard. But, surely, such obedience will please our Savior and Lord. Will you consider joining me in this effort in your own life?

 

Based on a blog originally posted on Tuesday, September 20, 2016

_{Copyright © 2022 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

The Handiwork of God

 

“For we are God’s handiwork…”

—Ephesians 2:10a

God is certainly a master artist. In every aspect of the universe that He has created, we can see His handiwork. The precise way in which He has crafted all things is utterly astounding.

This is all the more true when we examine the human beings that God has formed out of the dust of the earth. The amazing intricacies of the human body are completely mind boggling. Our bodily systems function with such care and accuracy that even with all the advances in medical science, doctors readily admit that they only know a minimal amount of how all the systems of the body function together with such captivating complexity.

We who believe in God, through His Son the Lord Jesus Christ, should recognize how wonderful it truly is that God has chosen us to belong to Himself. He not only created us as astonishing works of art, He has loved us with His everlasting love and desires to have us as His companions for all eternity. The Apostle Paul tried to capture the amazement he felt when he considered what God had done when he wrote these words in Ephesians 2:10:

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Not only did God create us in such an amazing way and with such breathtaking qualities, He did so in order that we might represent Him to a desperately needy world. God has given us good works to do in His Name. He will open the door for us to perform those good works in such a way that our efforts will bring honor to Him. That is a wonderful blessing in our lives and one for which we should daily praise this God who loves us so very much.

 

Based on a blog originally posted on Monday, September 19, 2016

_{Copyright © 2022 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Honoring God

 

“Therefore honor God with your bodies.”

—1 Corinthians 6:20b

We who believe in Jesus and the life-transforming power that He lovingly supplies all those who believe on His Name, desire to honor Him with all four of our human modalities: our heart, soul, mind, and strength—or our emotional modality, our spiritual modality, our intellectual modality, and our physical modality. We consciously make an effort to study the Bible, pray, and become more and more aware of the nudging of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

But, in an age where body-consciousness has played such a devastating role in so many people’s lives, I wonder if we ever really grasp that we are to honor God with our bodies—our physical modality—as well as with our hearts, souls, and minds. Notice what the Apostle Paul writes to the Church at Corinth in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20:

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

We have often heard people tell us that our bodies are “temples.” I don’t know that the people who often use such a phrase realize that the temple they refer to is a temple where God resides, through the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit.

There is a very good reason why we should honor God with our physical modality, our bodies: He dwells within us when we believe in Jesus. So, let’s examine our lives today and make certain that whatever we do with our bodies gives due recognition that God lives within us. Our bodies are indeed temples where the very God of the universe dwells. That is reason enough for us to honor God with our bodies, as well as with our hearts, souls, and minds.

 

Based on a blog originally posted on Friday, September 16, 2016

_{Copyright © 2022 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Rejoicing in Following the Rules

 

“I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches.”

—Psalm 119:14

When we were very young children, we first began to learn about rules and regulations. Likely no one sat down with us, got out a book of rules, and tried to educate us as to which behaviors were acceptable and which were not. But, we did, in fact, very soon learn that some ways we behaved would reap punishment and other ways we behaved would reap praise. And thus, learning began to take place.

Some people never like rules. They approach all rules as restrictive means to hold them back from experiencing the fullness of life. Other people see rules as boundaries that create a relatively safe environment in which to live. If a person decides to obey the rules, then he or she may live a relatively peaceful and safe life. So, for some the rules are a barrier to freedom. To others the rules set them free to enjoy life within a protective boundary created by the rules. Clearly the Psalmist was in this latter group of people when he wrote these words recorded in Psalm 119:14:

I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches.

I wonder—as we go through each day—do we rejoice in following the rules God has laid out in His written Word, the Bible. Or, do we see such rules as impediments to our freedom?

If we believe that God knows what’s best for us, then we can join with the Psalmist and rejoice at the freedom and protection the rules God has given us provide. I do believe I am going to stake my claim with those who follow the rules and “rejoice in those rules as one rejoices in great riches.” How about you?

 

Based on a blog originally posted on Thursday, September 15, 2016

_{Copyright © 2022 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Refuge and Strength

 

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”

—Psalm 46:1

Over the several years this blog has existed, I’ve made it quite clear how much I enjoy the music of the “modern harmony” groups Take 6 and also the Heritage Singers. Both groups have recorded one of my more favorite pieces, written by Ralph Carmichael, that contains these lyrics:

There is a quiet place, far from the rapid pace
Where God can soothe my troubled mind

Sheltered by tree and flower
There in my quiet hour with Him, my cares are left behind

Whether a garden small, or on a mountain tall
New strength and courage there I find

Then from this quiet place I go to prepare to face
A new day with love for all mankind

Whether a garden small, or on a mountain tall
New strength and courage there I find

Then from this quiet place I go to prepare to face
A new day with love for all mankind.

Everyone needs some place where he or she can find refuge from the storms of life. We need a place where we can quiet our minds and hearts from the “noise” around us in our bustling society and decadent culture. We need to find somewhere that provides solace and silence—a place where our souls can drink deeply from a pool of rich refreshment. The Psalmist well understood this need when he wrote these words recorded in Psalm 46:1:

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

Yes! In God we find such a quiet place. We can draw strength from God’s everlasting love and we can draw encouragement, peace, solace, and comfort from the refuge He provides.

Let us, this day and every day, seek time alone with God. When we come into His Presence, let’s speak lovingly to Him, call Him “Father,” and rest in the shadow of His protective and loving arms.

Here’s a version of this song by Take 6:

And, here’s another version of this song by the late Max Mace and the Heritage Singers:

 

Based on a blog originally posted on Wednesday, September 14, 2016

_{Copyright © 2022 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Worth More Than Sparrows

 

“Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”

—Luke 12:6-7

Our current culture has a very interesting set of “rules” that people use to measure the value and worth of any particular individual. Physical beauty certainly ranks very high on that list. Possessing wealth also gives a person certain cultural credit. Providing entertainment in either a fairly serious or totally bizarre way also earns a person cultural points toward value and worth.

Intellect ranks quite a bit lower on this current cultural scale of individual worth. So does qualities once greatly revered: honesty, faithfulness, truthfulness, dependability, helpfulness, kindness, graciousness, and—well I could go on and on.

Fortunately, we who belong to God through His precious Son, Jesus, do not have our value measured by the measuring stick of the current cultural norms. Our true value is determined by the God who loves us. Jesus Himself made a critically important statement about our inherent value to His Father in the words recorded by Dr. Luke in Luke 12:6-7:

Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

God considers us to have inestimable value and worth. He never forgets us. He holds us closely within His mind and heart. He grants us the privilege of being His dearly loved children. We are heirs with Christ of the Kingdom of God.

Furthermore, God has chosen us to represent Him here on this earth. We are His royal ambassadors to this earthly kingdom of darkness and need. In other words, our value is so high that it cannot be measured.

No, we may not live up to the measuring stick of the current culture. But, in the everlasting heavenly and eternal culture, no one possesses more favor with God than we do. And, that, dear ones, is reason enough to begin this day with praise on our lips and joy in our hearts.

 

Based on a blog originally posted on Tuesday, September 13, 2016

_{Copyright © 2022 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Crowning the Humble

 

“For the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with victory.”

—Psalm 149:4

Occasionally, my very wise father would listen carefully to what someone would say to him and later declare to me, his young son, “That man is humbly proud.” I admit that I puzzled over that statement once I became old enough to think about what the word “humble” meant. How in the world could someone actually be “humbly proud”?

At first, I attributed the irony of that statement to my father’s lack of formal education—he dropped out of school part way through the tenth grade. But, as I grew even older, I saw many signs that my dad was really a very smart, even brilliant, man. He had made it a point to become a voracious reader. He had a wide range of interests. Trained as a journeyman carpenter who later became a very successful salesman of hotel and restaurant supplies, he had great skill with both his hands and also with his ability to engage people in conversation. So, what about this “humbly proud” idea?

The word “humble” is defined as “not proud or haughty; not arrogant or assertive; reflecting, expressing, or offered in a spirit of deference or submission.” In contrast, the word “proud” is defined as “feeling or showing pride: as having or displaying excessive self-esteem, much pleased, exultant; having proper self-respect; marked by stateliness, magnificent; giving reason for pride, glorious; vigorous, spirited.”

Could someone have the qualities of both these words? If someone spoke in a non-arrogant, non-assertive way that gave deference or submission and, yet, spoke in a way that displayed pride in some event in a stately and self-respecting way, then it seems as if a person could indeed be “humbly proud.” In fact, “humble pride” is probably the very best way to be proud.

A parent could certain be “humbly proud” of the accomplishments of his or her child. A mentor could be “humbly proud” of the achievement of someone that he or she had helped along the way to greater maturity and greater encouragement in reaching a goal.

As Christians, we can, and must, be “humbly proud” that before the foundation of the earth God chose us to belong to Himself. We did not deserve His choosing us. There is nothing in us that would commend us to God, nor anything in us that makes us in any way worthy of His love. Yet, we can feel justifiable pride that God loves us enough to choose us. Thus, we can celebrate, with “humble pride” that we belong to the Creator of Universe, the God above all gods, the Triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

The Psalmist expressed this thought of “humble pride” in these words recorded in Psalm 149:4:

For the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with victory.

Let us this new day seek to maintain a “humbly proud” attitude when we consider what God has done for us. Humble, in that nothing that He has done came about as a result of anything that we did, nor that we deserved. Proud, in that He did, indeed, choose us to be recipients of His mercy, grace, and love—and that He has given us a charge to be His ambassadors to everyone who crosses the pathway of our lives.

 

Based on a blog originally posted on Monday, September 12, 2016

_{Copyright © 2022 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Judge, Lawgiver, King, and Savior

 

“For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king; it is he who will save us.”

—Isaiah 33:22

Do you play different roles in the different aspects of your life? You probably do. You may be daughter, wife, mother, business leader, Sunday School teacher, Girl Scout leader, and many, many other roles. You may be son, husband, father, auto mechanic, church Trustee Board member, Boy Scout leader, fantasy football league manager, and many other roles. Almost every person—man or woman, married or single, employed, looking for work, or retired—has numerous roles he or she must play in his or her life.

As we fulfill the responsibilities of each of our roles, we do so with as much competence as our talents and abilities and our level of commitment to the task at hand permits. Some of the roles we play we enjoy immensely and devote the appropriate amount of time to that role. Other roles may not provide as much enjoyment for us and we budget our time accordingly.

Fortunately, God, who loves us with His everlasting love, has an unlimited depth of commitment to us, His dear children. In the many roles He plays in our lives He always gives us His all. That secures for us the very best of His mercy, grace, and love. The Prophet Isaiah declared the level of God’s devotion to us when he wrote these words in Isaiah 33:22:

For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king; it is he who will save us.

We should begin this day with great thanksgiving for the many roles that God plays in our lives. We live and move and have our being at His good pleasure. He has chosen us to belong to Himself. And, He continually works in our lives to sustain us—particularly as we go forth each day as His ambassadors into a troubled and needy world.

 

Based on a blog originally posted on Friday, September 9, 2016

_{Copyright © 2022 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

True and Eternal

 

“All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal.”

—Psalm 119:160

For far too many months now, we’ve been smack in the middle of a political season as yet another political election looms on the horizon. Naturally, these kinds of seasons bring the politicians out of the woodwork spewing their carefully crafted and poll-tested rhetoric.

I don’t mean to come across quite as cynical as these written words may strike you, but I find it very difficult to trust people of the political class. The whole truth often seems elusive, bathed in a fog of spin and half-verified ideology. At least the whole truth seems decidedly missing from most political conversations.

I don’t know about you, but I really value “truth.” In fact, when someone tells me something that I later learn was a partial truth or an outright lie, I often become very frustrated. Certainly within the household of faith there is absolutely no place whatsoever for partial truths. In fact, one of the most dangerous problems to assail church leaders occurs when they drop a veil of secrecy over their activities, and bend what they declare as “truth” to fit some narrative they have agreed upon in advance that does not represent the entire, transparent truth.

The God who has called us to Himself before the foundation of the earth is One who always tells the truth. He does not lie. He does not bend the truth to fit some false narrative. He is Truth! The Psalmist confirms the truthfulness and power of God when he writes these words in Psalm 119:160:

All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal.

God is truth. And, we, His people, should always be people of truth. We should not lie. We should not bend or otherwise distort the truth. We should not spin the facts to support a false or deceptive narrative. We should rest on the reality of full transparency in all our dealings with each other and with the people who cross our pathway in the world.

Let us decide this day to speak the truth without hesitation, without spin, without any shading of the meaning. And, let us do so in love, extending mercy and grace to all with whom we communicate.

 

Based on a blog originally posted on Thursday, September 8, 2016

_{Copyright © 2022 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Call to Me

 

“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”

—Jeremiah 33:3

Have you ever spoken to someone in technical support or telephoned a friend to help you with a computer problem? At the end of the conversation, did that person say, “If you have any more questions, please call me?”

If he or she said those helpful words, a flood of relief may well have washed over you. You knew you could reconnect if you needed more help. It gave you a feeling of freedom that you could depend on someone who knew more than you did about how something worked.

In our lives as believers in the life-transforming power of the risen Lord Jesus Christ, we have an eternal help line available to us. We first look for help in the “Manual”—the Bible, God’s written Word. Next, we can connect with other believers and ask them for what they may think about a particular situation. But, most importantly of all, we can ask God in prayer to give us the direction we need. We do not have to remain trapped in the darkness. We can seek God’s Light for every situation we may encounter. The Prophet Jeremiah expressed this wonderful fact this way in Jeremiah 33:2-3:

“This is what the Lord says, he who made the earth, the Lord who formed it and established it—the Lord is his name: ‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’”

No matter what wisdom, knowledge, understanding, or experience we may lack, we can connect with a source of knowledge that has limitless ability to shed Light on the confusion and darkness of any situation. And, as we begin another day, we should take comfort from knowing that the same God who loves us with His everlasting love, also stands ready to help us whenever we ask Him to do so.

 

Based on a blog originally posted on Wednesday, September 7, 2016

_{Copyright © 2022 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Light-giving Words

 

“The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.”

—Psalm 119:130

As I began to think about this blog post and as I reviewed the Scripture verse for today, I had to stop and ask myself whether my words give “light” or “darkness.”

I have always had a far-too-quick a response to virtually any stimulus that I perceive as negatively affecting my person. For example, I get very frustrated every time I hear certain political commentary on the television. One good friend has suggested that I simply stop watching the news and commentary programs. While I realize that offers a possible solution, I also know that I intend to remain informed about what’s going on in the world.

More than my occasional frustration flares, I’m far more concerned about whether the words I say in my normal talking bring “light” or “darkness” into my conversations. Does my all-too-quick spirit of frustration harm others because I am not speaking words that would bring “light”? I know one thing, the Psalmist, in speaking about God, made it very clear in Psalm 119:130:

The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.

If God’s words give “light,” shouldn’t our words give “light,” as well? I think they should. And, I think that is a good thing on which to focus at the beginning of this new day: making certain our words bring “light” rather than “darkness” into every situation. I feel this challenge very strongly and I hope you do, too.

 

Based on a blog originally posted on Tuesday, September 6, 2016

_{Copyright © 2022 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Look at the Heart

 

“ The Lord does not look at the things people look at.”

—1 Samuel 16:7a

Were you a gorgeously beautiful child? Some children are breathtakingly beautiful. Sometimes, when these children grow older, some of that cherubic beauty begins to fade a bit. Others, who start out in this life very beautiful, retain that beauty all their lives.

My sister-in-law, who graduated to heaven at the age of 67 after an 18-month battle with multiple myeloma, was a very beautiful child. She was one who most certainly retained that beauty as she grew older. In fact, she remained a strikingly beautiful woman all the days of her earthly life. Unlike some beautiful women who seem to develop an overextended ego, my sister-in-law did not consider herself beautiful at all. And, that was part of the charm and grace that surrounded her being. Added to her physical beauty, she had a sweet and loving spirit, and she was a very devoted servant of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The world often fawns over beautiful people. In fact, I cannot imagine the pressure placed on young girls and young women by all the advertising that lifts the attainment of physical beauty onto a pedestal. We men do not seem to have quite so much pressure. In fact, men seem to have a built-in safety mechanism that prevents them from feeling bad about themselves—even when there are many obvious reasons that they should feel bad about themselves.

Whenever I see some “hunk” on television, I remember a very brief conversation I once overheard at the firehouse where I was on duty one night. Some magnificent physical specimen of a man came on the TV screen and the sound track punctuated his appearance by oohs and ahs of women’s voices. One of the firefighters turned to another and declared, “Yeah, but can he take a hydrant?” (Referring to one of the many quite tricky tasks that firefighters have to perform within seconds of arriving at the scene of a working fire.)

In choosing the first king of Israel, Samuel had a daunting task. God had told him to carefully examine the sons of the shepherd, Jesse. In so doing, each son appeared before Samuel and God told Samuel which son to choose. When one particularly handsome, tall, and strong son appeared, the conversation Samuel had with God is recorded in 1 Samuel 16:7:

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

I don’t know about you, but as someone who lacks virtually any physical attractiveness, I have always taken comfort in that declaration by God. But then, I remember how blackened my heart is by the sin I inherited from Adam and the sins I’ve committed on my own. How grateful I am that my sins are covered by the blood of my Savior. When God looks at my heart, He sees the blood of His precious Son and knows that I am a child He has chosen to belong to him.

Most of us will never win a beauty contest—not that there is necessarily anything at all wrong with those who do win such contests. But, when it comes to “belonging,” we who follow Jesus have achieved the highest level of belonging possible: we belong to the Great King. And that, dear ones, should make us truly rejoice.

 

Based on a blog originally posted on Monday, September 5, 2016

_{Copyright © 2022 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

More Than Listen: Do!

 

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves, Do what it says.”

—James 1:22

Whenever we receive an instruction from someone, we may intend to listen carefully, but at least once in a while our attention wanders and we miss some really important information. Research tells us that some individuals have a very hard time receiving instruction of any kind from someone they do not like. Research also has shown that some people become more easily distracted than others.

For example, a spot on the necktie of the instructor may cause some people to focus on that spot, wonder how it got there, and totally miss what the instructor shares with the class. Similarly, a man with a very busy beard may distract some people who wonder if something lives inside that facial hair tangle. They focus all their attention on that beard because they don’t want to miss anything that might pop out of the beard.

Even more troubling to sincere instructors are those who seem to listen very carefully to the instruction. These attentive ones may even take extensive notes. But, when it comes to putting the instructions into practice, it’s as if they never heard a word the instructor told them. They simply ignore the very helpful and necessary details the instructor so painstakingly shared.

The Apostle James addresses his fellow believers in the Lord Jesus Christ about this very topic in James 1:22:

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

It’s not enough to focus our attention on what our pastor or priest shares during his weekly message. Nor is it enough to simply read God’s written Word, the Bible, every day. Unless we put into practice what God tells us to do, we miss the mark entirely.

Let’s make this day a “Day of Action.” Let’s determine to not only listen to what our loving God says to us through His written Word and through His servants, let’s do what He says. We will be far better off if we become doers of His written Word and not mere “listeners.”

 

Based on a blog originally posted on Friday, September 2, 2016

_{Copyright © 2022 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

God Is Our Shield

 

“You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word.”

—Psalm 119:114

When someone attacks us physically, the very first, almost automatic, reaction is to raise our hands and arms and try to shield our head and face from injury. Even in a war zone, soldiers wear helmets and body armor. The body armor protects the major mass of their human form, while the helmet protects their head.

In battles of yesteryear, soldiers carried shields to be able to fed off the arrows flung at them by their enemies. The shield did require them to hold it with one of their hands, so they only had the other hand free to fight. Some higher ranking soldiers had young men who acted as shield-bearers to carry their heavy shields until they needed that protection in battle.

In our battle against our enemy, Satan, God has given us the most marvelous shield: Himself. As the Psalmist declares in Psalm 119:114:

You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word.

God is the one who shields us from the deadly arrows that Satan flings at us. Yes, we do experience the trauma of life’s woes. But, we cannot be fatally wounded, as long as we trust God to protect us from the fiery darts.

Let us go out into this day with confidence, knowing that God will shield us from the severe attacks of the enemy. We can trust Him to guard us and guide us all through the day.

 

Based on a blog originally posted on Thursday, September 1, 2016

_{Copyright © 2022 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Born of God

 

“Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.”

—John 1:12-13

In order to get to know people, we often ask them about their heritage: their nationality, what their parents did for a living, where they grew up, where they’ve lived, and so forth. That kind of information helps us find ways of connecting with each other and share common experiences.

For the one who believes in eternal life through the power of the risen Lord Jesus Christ and has determined to become His disciple, God gives us a whole new way of looking at our heritage. While our earthly parentage still has great importance, and while where we’ve lived and the experiences we’ve gone through in this life have definitely shaped who we are, it is all the more important to understand that we have a spiritual heritage that trumps everything else. The Apostle John explained it this way in John 1:12-13:

Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

We who believe in Jesus have been born of God. Wow! I don’t know how that reality strikes you, but it makes shivers of joy jump up and down my spine. For while I realize that in and of myself I am not worthy of the least of God’s favor, the fact that, before the foundation of the earth, He chose me to belong to Himself brings great comfort and overwhelming joy.

Let us determine to live this day in the security we have that comes from knowing that we are born of God. We belong to Him. He has given us new birth through the sacrifice of His one and only Son, Jesus, on that cruel Roman cross of torture and death. As a result, what a joy is ours!

 

Based on a blog originally posted on Wednesday, August 31, 2016

_{Copyright © 2022 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Shining the Light

 

“You are the light of the world.”

—Matthew 5:14a

One of the scariest experiences occurs when the electricity fails at night and the clouds cover any light from the sky. While our eyes try to adjust to the loss of light, we really can’t see where we intend to go. When the power goes out, many a stubbed toe has resulted from stumbling around in the dark.

In the spiritual world, the only genuine and sustaining Light comes from God through His Son, Jesus. Indeed, Jesus is the Light of the world. As His dearly loved children, we become “Light Bearers,” carrying the Light of Christ into the sin-darkened and needy world.

I imagine that is why Jesus told His disciples—in Matthew 5:14 and 16—exactly how He wanted them (and us) to live:

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Any goodness in our lives comes from our relationship with God through Christ. Therefore, when we do good and show God’s love to someone, we bear the Light of Christ into the darkness that would completely consume everything around it. Because of our relationship with God, we must not purposely hide the Light that we have received from Him.

Daily, including today, the Holy Spirit nudges us when we should cheerfully shine the Light of Christ into the darkness around us. Let’s determine to become ever-increasingly aware of those nudgings, and then bravely do exactly what Jesus wants us to do: boldly shine His Light.

 

Based on a blog originally posted on Tuesday, August 30, 2016

_{Copyright © 2022 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Follow Directions

 

“I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have preserved my life.”

—Psalm 119:93

Years ago I heard a story about a man who traveled to New York City by train in order to meet with a potential client. He had never visited the Big Apple, so it was quite an eye-opening experience for him. When the time came for him to return to Grand Central Station to catch his train ride home, he suddenly seemed lost in the midst of the crowded sidewalks. Seeing a police officer on horseback, he caught the officer’s attention and asked him for directions to the train station.

“Do you see that intersection about three blocks ahead? When you reach that point, go to the left and you’ll be right.”

“Are you sure,” asked the puzzled visitor. “I would have sworn that I should turn to the right.”

“Okay,” replied the policeman. “It’s up to you. When you reach that intersection three blocks ahead, go to the right and you’ll be left.”

Proper directions always guide our pathway, if we will only listen, remember, and obey. That seems like a reasonable assumption to make. And, it is exactly the point the Psalmist wants to impress on those who would sing the Psalm he wrote, as recorded in Psalm 119:93:

I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have preserved my life.

When we read God’s written Word, the Bible, and learn about those things that God expects us to do in obedience to His perfect will for our lives, we should pay close attention, remember what God has said, and then obey His instructions. If we do that, we will certainly find that following those directions has preserved our lives. Through good times and bad times, obeying God’s instructions will ultimately bring us to the place God wants us to be.

As we begin a new day, let’s make this a day of obedience in our walk with God. We will please Him and we will greatly benefit ourselves.

 

Based on a blog originally posted on Monday, August 29, 2016

_{Copyright © 2022 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

His Ear Is Tuned

 

“Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.”

—Psalm 116:2

Have you ever known someone who can hear a tune, sit down at the piano, or pick up a guitar, and play that tune? We say such a person has “a good ear.” It’s really a way of saying that person has been gifted with musical intelligence.

Other musicians have to practice very, very hard to learn complicated pieces of music. They, too, may have musical intelligence. But, that musical intelligence expresses itself in a different way than the person who can “play by ear.”

Having a good, listening ear is certainly an admirable quality. We all like to talk with someone who clearly is intent on listening carefully to what we have to say. Such a person gives us a sense of well-being because we realize that person cares enough to really concentrate on what we’re saying. It would not be inappropriate to declare that such an intent listener also has a “good ear.” The Psalmist gives special praise to God with the words recorded in Psalm 116:1-2:

I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.

God is a truly great listener. His ear is tuned to the voices of His dearly loved children. When we come to him in prayer, we can be assured that He hears us. He listens very attentively to all that we say to Him. His love is expressed in many ways—but it is very clearly expressed through His listening ear. Yes, God has a really “good ear.”

As we begin this day, we need to remember that God always waits patiently to listen to us. We should take every opportunity to set aside time to speak with Him. We should share with God our innermost thoughts, needs, desires, triumphs, joys, as well as our sorrows. His “good ear” waits to be filled with the sound of our voices. In fact, He’s waiting to hear from us right now.

 

Based on a blog originally posted on Friday, August 26, 2016

_{Copyright © 2022 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Connecting to "The Cloud"

 

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us…”

—Hebrews 12:1

Millions upon millions of “Christ’s-ones”—Christians—have crossed over from this world into the arms of Jesus in the last nearly 2,000 years since His death and resurrection. Each one of these dear ones has a testimony of a life transformed by the power of the living Lord Jesus Christ.

The writer of the Book of Hebrews liked to think of these now departed ones as a “great cloud of witnesses.” Notice what he writes in Hebrews 12:1:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us…

Likening our Christian walk to a race that takes place before a large crowd of onlookers, this author urges us to get rid of anything that hinders our progress. He accurately portrays our besetting sins—those sins we refuse to put aside—as something that entangles us and greatly hinders our forward motion. Imagine how difficult it would be to run a race clinging to a briefcase, or to a bag of rocks, or with a vile snake wrapped around our legs.

Let us take to heart these words and determine to set aside anything that stands in the way of our forward spiritual progress. Let’s allow the Holy Spirit to reveal which sins we cling to and to give us the will to let them go.

It will be a grand and new day when we push forward to the cheers of that great cloud of witnesses. Yes, it truly will.

 

Based on a blog originally posted on Thursday, August 25, 2016

_{Copyright © 2022 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

A Leap of Faith

 

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”

—Hebrews 11:1

The novel began this way:

He looked across the room and saw her. For the first time in his life, his heart skipped a beat. He got a funny feeling in the pit of his stomach. He couldn’t take his eyes off her. Every part of her intrigued him. He could see her talking with her friends. The way the corner of her mouth twinkled when she smiled. That casual way she nervously touched the back of her neck as she talked. He was smitten.

He was at first afraid to approach her. He never really knew what to say to girls. They always seemed to react so negatively to him. But, he was in love. His heart propelled him across the room. He took a leap of faith and spoke to her.

“Hi!” he said. “My name is Jimmy.”

A lot of romance novels begin this way. The glance across the room, the quickening of the pulse, and finally, the protagonist takes the leap of faith. We talk a lot about faith in our normal conversation. Sometimes we interchange the word “faith” with the word “hope.” But faith is the more powerful word. There is an assurance that drives the word “faith” that the word “hope” just doesn’t quite possess.

In our lives as Christian believers, faith plays a very important part in our spiritual formation. The writer of the Book of Hebrews expresses this quite well when he writes in Hebrews 11:1:

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

Faith has a confidence behind it. It is a confidence in the Christian borne out of the urgings of the indwelling Holy Spirit. The Spirit prompts us to place confidence in what our soul longs to see come to pass. Even though we cannot physically see that for which we earnestly desire, the Holy Spirit gives us calm assurance that what God has promised He will do.

Let’s dedicate ourselves this day to resting fully in the faith we have in the God who loves us with His everlasting love. He has given us an enormously precious investment when He sent His one and only Son, Jesus, to die in our place. God will accomplish in our lives exactly what He has promised. We can count on Him.

 

Based on a blog originally posted on Wednesday, August 24, 2016

_{Copyright © 2022 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}