Cornerstone

In Luke 9 Jesus and the disciples went through Samaria to spread the gospel message. When John saw that no one believed, he said, “Do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them like Elijah did?” Jesus said, “you don’t know what spirit you’re asking. I did not come to destroy but to save.” He had said in John 10:10, “The thief cometh not but for to steal and to kill and to destroy. I am come that they might have life and have it more abundantly.”

Jesus confronted the Pharisees who thought that they were righteous because of their own good works. They thought that everyone else was condemned for not keeping the letter of the Old Testament law. However, Jesus said in John 3:16-17, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”

In Matthew 16, Jesus had returned from Caesarea and asked his disciples, “Whom do men say that I am?” They said, some say that you’re John the Baptist or Elijah or one of the prophets returned from the dead. Then Jesus asked them, “But whom say ye that I am?” This is the central diagnostic question for followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. Peter answered Jesus’ question: “Thou art the Christ, the son of the Living God.” Jesus said, “Flesh and blood has not revealed this to you but my Father in heaven.”
He said to Peter, “Thou art Peter, a little stone, but upon this rock, Petra, the foundation stone, I myself will build my church.” Jesus Christ himself, The stone which the builders rejected is the foundation stone to those who believe and a stone of stumbling to those who believe not.

If Jesus said, “Why should I let you into heaven?,” What would you answer? Men look on the outward appearance but God looks on the heart. Like the Pharisees of Jesus’ day, Most people think that they will enter heaven because of their good works. They think to themselves, if the good I’ve done outweighs the bad, then God will let me into heaven. However, Jesus said, “there is none good, no not one.” The Apostle Paul said, “In my flesh dwelleth no good thing.” He said that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Therefore the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through his son Jesus Christ. For Jesus Christ who was without sin became the perfect sacrifice for sin on our behalf that we may be made the righteousness of God in him.

In Colossians 1, Jesus Christ holds all things together. He himself is the cornerstone, the foundation and the stone of alignment… the reference point and measuring standard upon which the whole building of God’s church is founded.

Individual believers within the church are living stones, built into God’s temple…the dwelling place of the living God. 1 Peter 2:5-7 says, “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 6. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. 7. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner…”

1 Peter 2:9 continues, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:”

We’ve been called as a chosen generation, a royal priesthood. The priest is the one who speaks to God on behalf of God’s people. The priest is the spokesman for the people whom God has called. According to Romans 12, we’re to offer our bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God which is our reasonable call to worship.

The Church is the assembly of believers, the body of Christ. The church is the dwelling place, the temple of the living God. Even though there are many denominations and different congregations, we have been called to the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace.

In Mark 9:38, John said to Jesus, we saw someone casting out devils in your name and we told them to stop because they didn’t follow us. Jesus said, “Why did you say that? Ether they are for us or they are against us. If they are casting out devils in my name then they are for us.”

The distractions of the world around us will turn our hearts from the light of the truth of the Word. When we focus on the affairs of this world and the divisiveness and confusion all around us, the devil will ensnare us and pull us into the darkness of strife and contention. The darkness will separate our hearts from our fellowship with God. Where there is strife and division there is confusion and every evil work. However, the word of God says, set your affection on things above, not on things of this world. For that which is seen is temporal but that which is unseen is eternal.

It’s important to remember that Jesus the Christ, the son of the living God, is the foundation of the church and the church is the pillar and ground of the truth. Churches call men to attend regularly, to serve diligently, and to give generously. However, man looks on the deeds, behaviors, works, and outward appearances, whereas God looks upon the heart.

Churches stopped growing about fifty years ago. Churches began competing for members and pulling people from other churches. They stole members from other churches by giving them more entertaining music and more eloquent and appealing “prosperity gospel” preaching. They began preaching a social gospel and appealing to peoples’ pride by focusing on “what’s in it for me.” The church stopped growing by converting unbelievers to the church of the living God by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.

In the Old Testament, God judged Israel when they turned their hearts away from God’s commandments. When they intermarried with pagans and pursued other gods, the true God gave them up to their vanity and their own devices. They became prey for the devil and his purpose… to steal, kill and to destroy.

The church in the time of Peter like today’s church was struggling though hard times. The church was persecuted and the believers were marked out as deviant from the norms of the politically correct culture. However, the darker the night the brighter the light shines.

There can be no victory without a battle…. Our battle is not against flesh and blood. Our battle is a spiritual battle for the hearts and minds of God’s elect. Men say that the recent election was the most important election of our times. However, from God’s perspective, the most important election is our election of God.

Peter wrote in 2 Peter 1:10, ““Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:”
What are “these things?” These are the things in 2 Peter 1:4-7: “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 5. And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6. And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7. And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.”

As the church, the called out, the elect of God, our Father has given us his gracious gift of Holy Spirit. In Christ our cornerstone, He has given us all things pertaining to life and godliness. His ultimate purpose is that we would be blessed by blessing Him….

…that as living stones, we may live to the praise of the glory of His grace!
Your brother in Christ,
Michael

A Higher Standard

Isaiah 55 says God’s ways are higher than our ways and his thoughts than our thoughts. His word is the higher standard. The characteristic of God according to the Old Testament is loving kindness and tender mercy. His steadfast love is singularly significant… His love is remarkable and extraordinary… a higher standard than the standard of this world.

In Matthew 5 Jesus said, “you have heard that you should love your neighbor and hate your enemy.” This is the world’s standard. However Jesus continued, “but I say love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you and despitefully use you.” Why? Because unconditional love is the nature of God himself. God wants to reproduce his children “after his kind.” He loves us despite the fact that we were unlovable. He has given us his love with mercy and grace even though we do not deserve it. He loved us not because we were deserving but because God is love…. not because of who we are but because of who He is.

According to Acts 1:8, Jesus said, when the Holy Spirit is come upon you, you shall receive power from on high and you shall be witnesses unto me. The power from on high is the power to overcome the power of this world. Anyone can resent and wish evil upon their enemies. However the power of the Holy Spirit is to love the unlovable and to forgive the unforgivable. This is the love wherewith he loved us, for in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for the ungodly.

The love of God is remarkable, uncommon, and above the standard of this world. Jesus said, therefore be ye perfect as your father is perfect. The perfection is not in our own power. The perfection is in the power of the Holy Spirit… the spirit of God in Christ in you the hope of glory. For in Christ he has made unto us wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption. Our perfection is not in our sinful nature that we inherited from Adam. Instead, our perfection is in the righteousness of Christ we inherited from God when we were born again of his Holy Spirit… born again not of corruptible seed but of incorruptible by the word of God which liveth and abideth forever.

Jesus said, a new commandment I give to you… that ye love one another. The ability to love one another is a gift he gave to us. The purpose is that we shall be his witnesses… that those who do not know Christ can witness the love of God which is not of this world. Therefore encourage one another to love and good deeds.

Even churches seem to be in competition and strife against other churches. However, 1 Corinthians 13 is the higher standard. The “charity checklist” for the love of God begins in verse 4: Love is patient, love is kind. It’s never selfish or rude. It’s not prideful or touchy. Love rejoices with the success and blessings of others. It rejoices whenever truth wins out. Love beareth all things, believeth all things , hopeth all things, endureth all things. Love never faileth.

Today’s worldly standard of political correctness says, “I have the right not to be offended.” The world will trick us to criticize, condemn, and complain. However, the love of God is not easily provoked and thinketh no evil. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man cometh unto the Father except by me.” According to John 15 Jesus Christ is the standard. He said, “Unless the branch abides in the vine, the branch cannot bear fruit. I am the vine and ye are the branches.”

Outside of Christ, the Christian life is impossible. Unless we have the power of Christ in us, we cannot forgive the unforgivable and love the unlovable…. not even ourselves. If our love doesn’t carry us above ourselves, then it’s not the love of God. As the apostle Paul said, “in my flesh dwelleth no good thing.”

Oswald Chambers said, “After being born again of God’s spirit, I found myself on a mission to abide in Christ in every area of my life… to bring all thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ. I don’t need to change and arrange my circumstances. Jesus himself found himself in the circumstances where God planted him. He always did his father’s will. Therefore seek the Lord while he may be found. In the early stages of a new Christian’s walk, it’s a deliberate effort. Then as we mature, abiding in Him becomes second nature.”

Pastor Pete remembers when the Irvine Boys and Girl’s Club where his church was meeting had a change of direction. Their director said, “I’m sorry but in six months, we’ll need to use our auditorium for a different purpose than the assembly hall where your church meets.” Pete could tell that this man was concerned for the continuation of Pete’s congregation. Pete assured him, “we’re so thankful for your generosity in allowing our church to meet here these many years. You made the right decision. God will take care of the needs of our congregation. He will provide a place for us to meet. God will bless your decision to proceed in the direction he’s given you.” The director said, “Thank you for your kind Christian response.”

As men of God we have not been called to stand against the standards of this world. Instead, we have been called to be witnesses for Christ of God’s grace, forgiveness, mercy, and compassion. These are the qualities of the unconditional love of God which is His righteous standard. We cannot love in our own power. However of Him are we in Christ Jesus who was made unto us God’s wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption. In Christ we were called to His higher standard… as Jesus said, “to love one another even as I have loved you.”

God works all things for good to those who love him and are called according to His purpose. The lyrics to the song, “Is He worthy?”, are appropriate to remember God’s remarkable love wherewith he loved us…. for his love is His nature, not ours. Because He loved us we can love Him… The greatest blessing is not in the blessings, but that we have the high and holy privilege of loving Him…

“Is He Worthy?” Lyrics by Andrew Peterson:

Do you feel the world is broken? (We do)
Do you feel the shadows deepen? (We do)
But do you know that all the dark won’t stop the light from getting through? (We do)
Do you wish that you could see it all made new? (We do)
Is all creation groaning? (It is)
Is a new creation coming? (It is)
Is the glory of the Lord to be the light within our midst? (It is)
Is it good that we remind ourselves of this? (It is)
Is anyone worthy? Is anyone whole?
Is anyone able to break the seal and open the scroll?
The Lion of Judah who conquered the grave
He is David’s root and the Lamb who died to ransom the slave
Is He worthy? Is He worthy
Of all blessing and honor and glory?
Is He worthy of this?
He is
Does the Father truly love us? (He does)
Does the Spirit move among us? (He does)
And does Jesus, our Messiah, hold forever those He loves? (He does)
Does our God intend to dwell again with us? (He does)
Is anyone worthy? Is anyone whole?
Is anyone able to break the seal and open the scroll?
The Lion of Judah who conquered the grave
He is David’s root and the Lamb who died to ransom the slave
From every people and tribe (People and tribe)
Every nation and tongue (Every nation and tongue)
He has made us a kingdom and priests to God
To reign with the Son
Is He worthy? Is He worthy
Of all blessing and honor and glory?
Is He worthy? Is He worthy?
Is He worthy of this?
He is, He is…

…Is He worthy of all blessing and honor and glory? He is! He Is!

The blessing is not in the blessings, but in blessing Him…
…That we may ever live to the praise of the glory of His grace!
Your brother in Christ,
Michael

Inflection Point

It’s easy to be caught up in current events and the affairs of this world. Psalm 73 is an appropriate reflection for our day and time and hour. God has brought us to this point in time so that we can see from His perspective to understand the situations and times of the world around us. Oswald Chambers said, “When the crisis comes and courage is required, God expects his men to have such confidence in Him that they will be the reliable ones.”

The battle raging around us and within us is a spiritual battle. Ephesians 6 says we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against spiritual wickedness from on high. The battlefield is not for territory or to gain a military advantage against our enemies. Instead it is a battle for hearts and minds. Therefore, in order to fight the spiritual battle, put on the whole armor of God that we may be able to stand in (this) the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

According to Isaiah 55: God’s ways are not our ways and his thoughts are not our thoughts. As high as the heavens are above the earth, so far above our thoughts are His thoughts, and His ways above our ways. As Christian Men of God, our challenge is in Proverbs 3:5-6: Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.

In a time of trial similar to ours, God inspired Asaph, King David’s record keeper and historian to record these words in Psalm 73:
1. TRULY God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.
2. But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.
3. For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4. For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm.
5. They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.
6. Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.
7. Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.
8. They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.
9. They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.
10. Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them.
11. And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?
12. Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.
13. Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.
14. For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.
15. If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.
16. When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me;
17. Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.
18. Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction.
19. How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.
20. As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.
21. Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.
22. So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.
23. Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.
24. Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.
25. Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.
26. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
27. For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.
28. But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.

To look at others is repressing; to look around is distressing; to look in the mirror is depressing; but to look at Jesus is truly blessing. God has a purpose that we don’t see in the world around us. His plan and his purpose will eventually be revealed…. but not now. All things work together for good to those who love God and who are called according to His purpose.

Unto the pure in heart all things are pure… for God himself is pure. Man looks at outward appearances… the world and the troubles of the world… the lust of the eyes, and the lust of the flesh, and the deceitful pride of life, but God looks on the heart.

To look around us at the prosperity of the wicked we’ll be filled with envy and jealousy. We’ll be consumed with the lust (overdesires) of the flesh. When we lust after the things of this world, the devil has us in his snare. A heart filled with jealousy, envy, contention, strife and worldly desire is a heart that is given over to the purposes of the wicked one. For the thief cometh not but for to steal, to kill and to destroy God’s blessings.

The devil will trick us into focusing on our sins and our sin nature. He’ll ask us “have you given enough, studied the Word enough, prayed enough, served enough, loved enough?” When is enough enough? He’ll focus our attention on our shortcomings… our sins of omission… things that we could have, should have and would have done. These sins are the result of our sin nature, the nature of the flesh that we inherited from Adam.

In Psalm 73, there is an inflection point… a change of direction… a point of repentance. When we look around we’ll be stressed, distressed, and depressed. However when we look unto the Lord, we’ll be blessed.

The point of repentance, of turning from the lust of the flesh unto the Lord is in verse 17, “Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end. Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction.” God showed the Psalmist the just reward of the wicked… their ultimate payoff. They are here today and gone tomorrow, in a moment… instantaneously, they and their evil thoughts, intents, and ways shall be destroyed.

However, It is not God’s wish for any to perish, but that all would be saved and come unto a knowledge of the truth. He sent His son Jesus Christ not to condemn the world but that the world through him might be saved.

When the Psalmist considered the so-called blessings of the wicked, he was like a foolish beast. But from the moment when he entered into the Lord’s sanctuary, he was continually with his Lord. According to Psalm 1, Blessed is the man who walketh not isn’t he counsel of the ungodly…. nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord and in His law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree that is planted by the rivers of waters, that bringeth forth his fruit in due season. His leaf also shall not wither and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

In the evil day, we’ll be tempted to let go of the things that really matter… keeping ourselves in his proximity and connecting our hearts with God’s heart. The Lord won’t let me go even when I’m close to letting go… I came close to falling but the Lord held me up.

Jesus said, I am come to declare the acceptable day of the Lord. When we walk not in the counsel of the ungodly and surround ourselves in the presence of the Lord, he will keep us in perfect peace. Even when we don’t feel connected to him, he keeps us in his holy hand. As the Apostle Paul said, I am apprehended (taken hold of) for that which he has taken hold of me. For God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

The psalmist concludes, the nearness of God is my good. In his presence there is comfort and peace… there is blessing, not in the blessings but in blessing Him… that I may tell of thy works.. of thy steadfast loving kindness and tender mercy…

… That despite the tribulation of this world, we would live to the praise of the glory of His grace!
Your brother in Christ,
Michael

Reflections of 2020

It’s important to look back on our lives to see how God has brought us to this point in time. We need to assess our personal life stories in the context of His-Story for Jesus Christ himself is the cross-roads of the history of mankind.

Most of us will be glad to see 2020 in our rear view mirrors. We were blind-sided at the beginning of 2020. We didn’t foresee 2020 with 20/20 foresight and the pressures of the pestilence, pandemic, panic and pandemonium we’ve endured… but God did. God orchestrates all things to work together for good to those who love him and are called according to His purpose.

What was God’s plan and purpose for 2020? Looking back on the past eventful year with 20/20 hindsight, we reflect that part of His purpose for 2020 is that we would learn the meaning of love and hope. According to Romans 5:3 tribulation (mental pressure) worketh (proves, tests, and refines and confirms) patience (endurance) and patience experience (proven quality or tested character) and experience hope (of future promises not yet attained) and hope maketh not ashamed (of having endured the testing) for the love of God (His merciful, gracious and steadfast unconditional love) is shed abroad in (gushes out of) our hearts by the Holy Spirit which is given to us.

There is nothing new under the sun. Today’s times are similar to Paul’s day In 2 Timothy 3 when he wrote to Timothy his dear “son in the faith” by God’s revelation:
1. THIS know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3. Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4. Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5. Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away…

7. (They are) Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth…

10. But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,
11. Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.
12. Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”
13. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
14. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
15. And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17. That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

In the history of this world there have only been two nations that were founded upon the Word of God. The first was Israel and the second was the United States of America. America’s founding fathers wrote the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution “in firm reliance upon Divine Providence” in order to secure God’s “blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity.” God is faithful to His Word. He is no respecter of persons. However, he is a respecter of His Word. God will bare his mighty arm when men to him are loyal according to the truth of His revealed word.

There is a four part requirement in order for individuals and nations to hear from God. This prescription is in 2 Chronicles 7:14. The healing of the land according to the Word of God starts with humility. Then His people can pray, and seek God’s face, and turn from their wicked ways. When we as God’s people do these four things, Then shall we hear our Father’s voice from heaven. He will hear our prayer and heal our land.

Pete recalls that when he was a missionary in Europe before the fall of the iron curtain, he visited Warsaw where there was only one western-style department store. Communist Block stores were infamous for shortages of basic necessities. When a shipment of womens’ underwear arrived at the department store, the women fought over the undergarments. They were desperate for what we Westerners consider the little insignificant things of this life.

What is it that’s really important? Paul said in Philippians 3:
10. “I press toward the mark of the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
11. If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
12. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend (take hold of) that for which also I am apprehended of (taken hold of by) Christ Jesus.
13. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14. I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

A spiritual dissatisfaction with the things of this world and a hunger and thirst after righteousness is the prerequisite that allows God to fill us with the power of His Holy Spirit. When men are asked, “Do you pray enough, Give enough, Spend time in the Word of God enough, serve your church enough, or love your wife and children enough?”, most men will look down and say, “enough is never enough.” This is why Paul said, I am taken hold of so that I might take hold of that for which I have been taken hold. That I might take hold of the fullness of the completeness and sufficiency of my Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul said I haven’t attained yet…. I haven’t been perfected in the flesh. According to 1 Corinthians 13, God keeps no record of wrongs done. The love of God “thinketh no evil… it does not charge to our account evil for evil. When our Heavenly Father sees those who have received his gift of salvation, he doesn’t see the imperfection of our flesh, instead he sees the righteousness of his gracious gift of his Holy Spirit… For of Him are ye in Christ Jesus who was made unto us wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption.

Oswald Chambers said, “When God sees wrong in a man, he doesn’t say, “go fix it.” The root of our problem is not our performance. The root of our problem is our sin nature that we inherited from Adam. Jesus said, “there is none good (in the flesh) no, not one.” As Martin Luther wrote, “did we in our own flesh confide, our battle would be losing, were not the Right Man on our side, the man of God’s own choosing. Doth ask who that may be? Christ Jesus it is he, Lord Jesus Christ his name, from age to age the same, and he must win the battle.

Repentance starts with humility. We must forsake our own selves in order to approach God with a broken and a contrite heart. When Jesus saw the Pharisees proudly performing eloquent prayers, he said, “They think they will be heard for their great swelling words of vanity and for their much speaking. They have their own reward: the praise of men and glorifying themselves.” Then Jesus said, “consider the despised tax collector. He went into his closet, beat his chest, and prayed, “Lord have mercy on me, a sinner.” Which prayer do you think God heard?”

The Voices in our heads often reflect the accusations of this world. An excerpt from the song “You Say” by Lauren Daigle says, “I keep fighting voices in my mind that say, “I’m not enough…. I will never measure up.” Lord….You say I am loved when I can’t feel a thing. You say I am strong when I think I am weak. You say I am held when I think I’m falling short. When I don’t belong, you say I am yours! What you say of me, I believe!

The spiritual battlefield is in the mind. In whom do we find our worth? In whom do we find our identity? For we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against spiritual wickedness from on high. Therefore, Put on the whole armor of God that we may be able to stand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. … take up the shield of believing faith that we may quench all the fiery darts (evil accusations) of the wicked one.

We didn’t see 2020 with 20/20 foresight but God did. He wasn’t blind sided. He wasn’t surprised. We’ll be glad to see 2020 with 20/20 hindsight. We anticipate 2021 so that we can look back on 2020 in our rear view mirrors to praise and glorify our Father for having brought us through trials and pressures of 2020 to teach us the meaning of hope and love.

What’s important in 2021? The story of Mary and Martha is an illustration of what really matters. Martha was upset that her sister Mary wasn’t helping her serve their guests. However, Jesus said, “Mary has chosen that better thing”… to sit at the feet of her Lord to hear the word of God.

The important thing is to align our vertical priorities. Our relationship with God and his son our Lord Jesus Christ is our most important priority. Our consumer culture tells us to long for belongings. Our minds tell us that we should also long to belong. If we be-longing for belongings and belonging, the most important question is “to whom do I belong?” The phrase “man of God” is the genitive of possession. It means God’s man. The important thing about Christianity is not who we are but whose we are! Therefore I press toward the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus…

…That we may ever live to the praise of the glory of His grace!
Your brother in Christ,
Michael