Living is God's Favor Is So Cool!

I so love living in God's favor.  And I think it is the small things that I appreciate the most!

I exercise almost every day.  A few days ago it was like God tapped me on the shoulder and said why don't you add in that one exercise you used to do.  I immediately knew what exercise He meant and added it to the routine.

A few days later I notice that a minor physical issue that had been bugging me was almost gone.  As I thought things through I could see how the new exercise would have a direct effect on the issue but it was never a connection that I would have made on my own.  How cool is that?

Now I know there are a lot of people who would say that is just coincidence and if that is what they choose to believe that is fine.  I however prefer to give God all the credit because I think it is a great example of what a positive effect living in God's providence can have on our daily lives. 

"Therefore do not pray for this people…" Did I read that correctly?

Jeremiah 7:16-17(NKJV)

16“Therefore do not pray for this people, nor lift up a cry or prayer for them, nor make intercession to Me; for I will not hear you. 

17Do you not see what they do in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem? 

Isn't that interesting.  Here is an example where God actually tells us not to pray for someone.  And why does he say not to pray for them?  Because He, God, will not hear. 

It seems these people have gone and pissed God off to the point that He is done with them. 

Now I'm not suggesting that we start deciding who to pray for and who not to pray for.  Not suggesting that at all.

What I am suggesting is that it appears that you can push God too far.  Like any good parent God may say "enough is enough!"

Something to think about.

Give Cheerfully or Don’t Bother Giving at all...

...in my opinion.  It is really just another heart issue.  To not give cheerfully indicates an ungrateful heart in my opinion.

 We decided long ago that all that we have we have because of God.  He gave us the ability to do what we do and He gave us the opportunities to use our skills.  Therefore any times He tells us to give we do it cheerfully. 

2 Corinthians 9:6-9(NKJV)

6But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 

7So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. 

8And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. 

9As it is written:      “He has dispersed abroad,     He has given to the poor;     His righteousness endures forever.” £

Do All Poor Deserve Charity? What Does the Bible Say?

How do we square these two passages from Paul?
 

2 Thessalonians 3:10-12(NKJV)

10For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. 

11For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. 

12Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.

Vs.

2 Corinthians 8:13-15(NKJV)

13For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened; 

14but by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may supply their lack, that their abundance also may supply your lack—that there may be equality. 

15As it is written, “He who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack.” £

The first one is pretty clear.  You don't work you don't eat.  The second one seems to contradict the first by saying that you need to supply "their lack from your abundance".  There is no qualifier about the need to work. 

So which is it?

This is an example of why you need to take the Bible in it's entirety.  Many people think that any and all poor are entitled to charity no matter what the circumstances.  I don't think that is true Scripturally.  Let me explain.

 In the example above Paul makes a distinction in his statement.  It explains why some people don't deserve to be fed if they don't work.

1For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. 

12Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.

Paul seems to be saying that there are some out there who don't work even though they have the ability, which would generally make them poor wouldn't it?  And those people who are able but don't work don't deserve to be fed.  Now the reasoning is open to speculation but I bet it goes something like this.

The reason they don't deserve charity is that their poverty and lack of food is of their own making.  They have the ability to feed themselves but choose not to.  They go around stirring up trouble instead.  (The disorderly busybody reference)

Contrast that with people who just focus on the Scriptures that say feed the poor with no qualifiers. 

The example above in not the only verse in the Bible that defines who should receive charity but I'll let you look for some of the others on your own.  And let me be vary clear.  I'm not against helping those truly in need.  Just not interested in helping the lazy. 

"If you are using the Bible to hurt people…" Oh how silly!

Have you ever seen a meme on Facebook that says something like "If you are using the Bible to hurt people you are using it wrong"?  Those who post it seem to use it as a way to deflect criticism of sinful or evil behavior.  This kind of goes right along with the whole Kumbaya Jesus belief.  

I would respectfully disagree.  The Bible tells us that one of it's uses it for correction.
 

2 Timothy 3:16-17(NKJV)

16All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 

17that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

I think this example from Paul's second letter to the Corinthians provides a great example to refute the FB meme. 

2 Corinthians 7:8-11(NKJV)

8For even if I made you sorry with my letter, I do not regret it; though I did regret it. For I perceive that the same epistle made you sorry, though only for a while. 

9Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing. 

10For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. 

11For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it produced in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication! In all things you proved yourselves to be clear in this matter. 

Notice that Paul addresses the whole "hurt" thing by explaining that the sorrow (hurt) was a necessary part of the whole process of repentance, and repentance leads to salvation. 

Seems pretty clear to me. 

Is God's Mercy Automatic?

A lot of people seem to think that God's mercy is automatic.  I don't believe it is.   Take a look.

Jeremiah 3:12-13(NKJV)

12Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say:      ‘Return, backsliding Israel,’ says the Lord;     ‘I will not cause My anger to fall on you.     For I am merciful,’ says the Lord;     ‘I will not remain angry forever.

13    Only acknowledge your iniquity,     That you have transgressed against the Lord your God,     And have scattered your charms     To alien deities under every green tree,      And you have not obeyed My voice,’ says the Lord.

There is usually a requirement to receive God's mercy.  As an example, to receive salvation which is the biggest mercy of all we first need to accept Jesus as our Savior.  

I believe the same hold true in most other cases.  Whenever we cross God He will offer us mercy provided that we acknowledge our iniquities.  In other words, once we apologize to God we are then eligible for His mercy.

Make sense?

The Letter or the Spirit?

Which is more important?  The letter or the Spirit of the law?  Here is a Scripture that addresses the issue

2 Corinthians 3:6(NKJV)

6who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the £Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

The reason I bring this up is that the accepted dogma is that we have to specifically ask Jesus to come into our lives to receive salvation.  The whole believe in your heart and speak it with your mouth thing.

But I have found other Scriptures where Jesus is speaking and He seems to say something different.  Here is an example.

Luke 10:25-28(NKJV)

25And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”

26He said to him, “What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?”

27So he answered and said, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ £ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’”£

28And He said to him, “You have answered rightly; do this and you will live.”

Here it seems to be saying, love God and be a good person.  Jesus says "...do this and you will live.".  So which is it?

2 Corinthians 3:16-18(NKJV)

16Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 

17Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 

18But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

I'm not sure this adds any clarity to it but here is my take on the whole thing. 

Jesus seems to focus a lot on the heart.  Where is your heart.  If your heart is right I believe that Jesus will call it good.  But why take the chance.  Say the words, accept Jesus and remove any doubt.  You'll be glad you did!

Here's why you don't want to be an enemy of God!

I have written in the past about my belief that there is no such thing as Kumbaya Jesus.  It's not just live and let live.  God takes it personally when someone rejects Jesus.  When someone rejects Jesus Scripture tells us that they have just declared themselves enemies of God. 

Here are some great verses that tell what God does to His enemies.
 

Isaiah 66:6(NKJV)

6    The sound of noise from the city!      A voice from the temple!     The voice of the Lord,     Who fully repays His enemies!

He repays them in full.  What does that mean exactly?  I believe it means that they get no mercy as long as they stay enemies of God.  They get the full punishment. 

Now God will always accept them back when they ask for forgiveness and invite Jesus in but as long as they stay declared enemies of God they will bear the consequences of that choice. 

Isaiah 66:15-16(NKJV)

15    For behold, the Lord will come with fire     And with His chariots, like a whirlwind,     To render His anger with fury,     And His rebuke with flames of fire.

16    For by fire and by His sword     The Lord will judge all flesh;     And the slain of the Lord shall be many.

Doesn't sound like He is going to be non too gentle about it.

Isaiah 66:23-24(NKJV)

23    And it shall come to pass     That from one New Moon to another,     And from one Sabbath to another,     All flesh shall come to worship before Me,” says the Lord.

24    “And they shall go forth and look      Upon the corpses of the men     Who have transgressed against Me.     For their worm does not die,     And their fire is not quenched.     They shall be an abhorrence to all flesh.”

Wow!!!

Personally I would rather follow Jesus.  Not because of the punishment if I don't, but simply because I've seen how much greater life is with Him in my life.

How about you? 

No Rest In My Spirit

I find this a bit confusing.  Paul says that there was a door opened to him by Jesus but Paul had a troubled spirit so chose not to go through the door opened by Jesus.

2 Corinthians 2:12-13(NKJV)

12Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened to me by the Lord, 

13I had no rest in my spirit, because I did not find Titus my brother; but taking my leave of them, I departed for Macedonia.

So you mean to tell me that Paul decided he knew better than Jesus what Paul needed? 

I take a somewhat different approach.  If I feel God has led me to that point and I have peace in my spirit then I believe that is from God.  If I don't have a spirit of peace I don't believe that it is from God.  That is why I find this confusing. 

"For our boasting is this:…."

Not that I have the time to do it but it would be interesting to read the Bible in it's original languages.  Some things just don't translate well and are a bit confusing.  Here is an example.

2 Corinthians 1:12-13(NKJV)

12For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, and more abundantly toward you. 

13For we are not writing any other things to you than what you read or understand. Now I trust you will understand, even to the end 

I have no problem with what they are boasting about.  I think those are worthy things.  What I think is confusing is the way it starts.  Just to be clear, this is Paul writing.   

He starts out by saying "For our boasting".  Well isn't boasting really bragging about something that we are proud of?  And doesn't Scripture tell us not to be prideful? 

This is the type of thing that I mean by lost in translation.  I wonder if pride is really the best word to use here to convey the meaning of the original text.  Let's look at the definition of pride.

Pride

1. a high or inordinate opinion of one's own dignity, importance, merit, or superiority, whether as cherished in the mind or as displayed in bearing, conduct, etc.
2. the state or feeling of being proud.
3. a becoming or dignified sense of what is due to oneself or one's position or character; self-respect; self-esteem.
4. pleasure or satisfaction taken in something done by or belonging to oneself or believed to reflect credit upon oneself:

           civic pride.

5. something that causes a person or persons to be proud:

           His art collection was the pride of the family.

6. the best of a group, class, society, etc.:

           This bull is the pride of the herd.

7. the most flourishing state or period:

           in the pride of adulthood.

Pasted from <http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/pride>

I've highlighted two particular definitions.  I think most of us would agree that the first definition is what the Scriptural admonition against being prideful is warning against.  

On the other hand I don't think there is anything at all wrong with definition number 3.  Scripture tells us that we should love our neighbors as ourselves.  That indicates that we should love ourselves.  Self respect and self esteem are part of the package of loving ourselves in my opinion. 

I think this is yet again proof that the Bible is a book of balance and to fully understand it you need to take it in it's entirety.  The other thing you need to fully understand Scripture is the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

How do you get that?  By accepting Jesus into you life.  Have you done that yet?  If not why not right now?  Just have a conversation with Jesus.  "Dear Jesus…."

Is Paul Contradicting Himself Here?

Take a look at these two verse.  Both things that Paul said and both from the same book and chapter.

1 Corinthians 16:13-14(NKJV)

13Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. 

14Let all that you do be done with love.
 

1 Corinthians 16:22(NKJV)

22If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be £accursed. O£ Lord, come!

How can you begin to reconcile the second statement with the first?  It doesn't seem very loving to curse someone just because they have rejected Christ does it?  After all even Jesus said to love your enemies didn't he?
 

Do those sound like some of the questions we get from non-Christians?

Let's think it through.  Who does the Bible say we should love with all of our hearts, minds, and souls?  God and Jesus. 

So if someone rejects God and Jesus who we love so much is it wrong to say that they should suffer some consequences?  Especially since God Himself tells us that is exactly what will happen?  God says that when they reject Jesus they have declared themselves an enemy of God and they will feel God's wrath on judgement day. 

So that takes us to love your enemies.  Jesus says love your enemies.  Therefore I think it is safe to presume that Jesus will do the same.  Love His enemies.  But does that mean that Jesus didn't fight back against His enemies?  Does that mean that Jesus just meekly accepted his enemies views? 

Not in the Bible I read it doesn't.  Since Jesus tells us to love our enemies I think it is fair to look to Him for the examples of what that means. 

When I look at Jesus as He interacts with His enemies I see a guy getting angry and overturning the money tables.  How is that loving?  I see a guy that refuses to play silly word games with people who are not sincerely seeking but are just trying to play gotcha.  How is that loving?

I'll tell you how.  It is loving from the standpoint that He continues to challenge them to see that they are wrong.  It is loving from the standpoint that Jesus will always take them back and forgive them if they will simply seek Him out and ask their forgiveness.

But does loving mean always accepting and never correcting?  Not from what I see.   

"...and it displeased Him That there was no justice."

Justice seems to be a big thing with God.

Isaiah 59:15(NKJV)

15    So truth fails,     And he who departs from evil makes himself a prey.      Then the Lord saw it, and it displeased Him     That there was no justice.

So why do we have so many people including Christians who have thrown justice to the wayside in favor of class warfare? 

Isaiah 59:2-4(NKJV)

2    But your iniquities have separated you from your God;     And your sins have hidden His face from you,     So that He will not hear.

3    For your hands are defiled with blood,     And your fingers with iniquity;     Your lips have spoken lies,     Your tongue has muttered perversity.

4    No one calls for justice,      Nor does any plead for truth.     They trust in empty words and speak lies;     They conceive evil and bring forth iniquity.

Instead we hear about things like "social justice".  Just because one person has more than another person some people consider that "unjust".  Social justice is meant to favor the "less fortunate" over the "more fortunate", again under the assumption that just because one person has more than the other, that in and of itself is somehow unjust.

But is that Biblical?  I personally don't think so.  There are many valid reason why one person might have more than another.  The simplest of reasons is that one person may simply work harder than the other person.  Is it unjust that the person who works harder has more?  Not according to God's word!

However is it unjust to favor the poor over the rich just because of the disparity of wealth?  I think there is plenty of Scripture that says so.  The first thing that comes to mind is the 10th Commandment.

10)  You shall not covet.

In addition look at what the Bible says about showing favoritism to the poor.  The Bible specifically cites that as a perversion of justice. 
 

Leviticus 19:15(NKJV)

15‘You shall do no injustice in judgment. You shall not be partial to the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty. In righteousness you shall judge your neighbor. 

Some things in the Bible just make me chuckle!

The Bible was written long ago so there are many generational differences in speech patters.  That leads to some things that just sound really funny to the modern ear.  Here is an example.

Isaiah 60:16(NKJV)

16    You shall drink the milk of the Gentiles,     And milk the breast of kings;     You shall know that I, the Lord, am your Savior     And your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.

Milk the breast of kings?  How does that work exactly?  :)

You mean they don't all get a trophy?

One of the things I love about my daily walk is that there are always new things to discover and learn.  I try to look for guidance in all areas of my life when I read Scripture. 

I wrote the other day "Run the Race Baby!" which was about what I view as society's false belief  that competition is bad and all should get trophies because "at least they tried".   

Today I found another verse that I think backs up my belief that competition is good and not all should get trophies or honors.  Check this out and see if you agree. 

1 Corinthians 12:25-26(NKJV)

25that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. 

26And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

Notice that it doesn't say "if one member is honored" all should be honored.  It says "if one member is honored" the others should be happy for that person.

Big difference in my opinion!

"...that you were enriched in everything by Him…"

Notice that it doesn't say you were enriched in some things by Him (Jesus).  It says you were enriched in everything by Jesus!

1 Corinthians 1:4-9(NKJV)

4I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus, 

5that you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge, 

6even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you, 

7so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, 

8who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

9God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

"...do all to the glory of God."

 

1 Corinthians 10:31(NKJV)

31Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 

I can't think of a better piece of advice.  Can you?

Run the race baby!!!

This has always been a foundational verse for me. 

1 Corinthians 9:24(NKJV)

24Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. 

I think it is a great answer to those in society today who think that competition is bad and that we should reward all of our kids with trophies and ribbons just for competing.  That we should keep score when the kids are playing soccer, basketball, etc. 

Seems to me that Scripture takes a different view. 

In addition I just think it is a great life verse in the general sense of it telling us to do our very best at everything that we do.  In other words be a winner in life!