The Good Fight

 1 Tim 6:12
Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

In school, we would get in trouble for fighting. It did not matter who really started it, fighting was not the way that problems were resolved at school. But fighting back is not always a bad thing. We fight to protect our family and loved ones, we fight to keep our freedoms as a nation, we fight for what is right, and we fight to hold on to our faith. The good fight, the kind of fight where we put on the whole armor of God. It is not a fight of revenge or malice, it is a fight that we may lay hold on eternal life. The good fight is to believe in God, and trust Him that He will fight for us. For it is by His grace, that we are able to stay in the fight. We cannot do it on our own. Laying hold on eternal life happens when we stay true to our faith. Our faith is demonstrated when we fight to do what is right, when we fight to stay true to God’s word. To hold on to Jesus, who is the author and finisher of our faith, is what it means to lay hold on eternal life. Fighting the good fight is to surrender our lives to the one who fights for us. If you are wanting to engage in a fight, make it a good fight of faith. Fight off the temptations of Satan, any bitterness that attacks your heart, fight the temptation to speak evil of others when evil is spoken of you. We fight (wrestle) against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (Eph 6:12). Let us keep our eyes on Jesus, and trust Him to fight the good fight for us! 

Perfect Peace

Isaiah 26:3,4
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:

Perfect peace is knowing in your heart that God has everything under control. Perfect peace comes with the realization that the circumstances in your life that trouble you are working together for good and to achieve God’s purpose. Our minds are complex, and they control our emotions in many ways. Letting your mind linger on your problems only creates more stress and anxiety. There is no peace when you allow your mind to be captivated by negative thinking. Jesus said, “Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” (Mat 6:34) Perfect peace is achieved when you bring your mind into captivity to the will of Christ. Paul writes,“Bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” (2 Corinth 10:5) Satan will do all he can to keep your mind on your problems and things you have no control over. It is his work to keep you from trusting God and leaving your care with Him. Peter writes, “Casting all your care upon him; for He cares for you.” The cares of life have a way of stealing your peace. The death of a loved one, the illness of a family member, financial struggles, and strained relationships are all things that keep you from having perfect peace. A lot is being said today about our mental health and how to maintain a sound mind, but much of our troubles with our mental health are because we fail to put our trust in the One who created us and best knows our mind. He desires to renew our mind and give us the strength to overcome the things in our lives that disturb our peace. Let us practice trusting God for not only the big things in life, but also the little things that can keep us from having perfect peace. 

Learn to Live Godly

 Titus 2:11-12
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.

Jesus came not only to die for our sins and give us salvation, but He also came to change the lives of people. Changing our lifestyle, denying worldly lust and all sin does not make us righteous in the eyes of God. All our works and righteous living are but filthy rags in God’s sight. But His salvation in our heart does cause us to live differently. If such salvation does not cause one to turn away from their sinful ways, then one would have to ask if that person really repented of their sins and truly accepted Jesus into their heart. Or one may wonder if they have fully surrendered to the Lordship of Christ, and continue to live in their sinful ways. Salvation through Christ will radically change the way we live. The transformation of the heart is done instantly, but learning to live godly is a process and taught as we follow the teaching of the Bible. Only God truly knows the heart and can rightly judge a person's relationship with Jesus. But the Bible speaks of those who were pretending to be followers of Christ, and the Holy Spirit bore witness that they were not of God. Paul warns us to be aware of those who are cunning and deceitful. Speaking of false teachings of Christ. “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive”.(Eph 4:14) Jesus says they are wolves in sheep’s clothing. “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” (Mat 7:15). Though we do not judge one’s heart, we can discern one’s spirit by the fruit they bear. Do they live soberly, righteously, and godly in the world we live in today? There is a state in our relationship with God that we can be perfect in heart toward the things of God. We fall short in our humanity, but a true follower of Christ will seek to live in obedience to Christ and desire to live godly in this present world.

Nailed to the Cross

 Col 2:14
Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross.

The handwriting of ordinance was the law that spelled out what was right and wrong. It was first written in stone by the hand of God. His commandments and statues were revealed to Moses how He wanted the people of Israel to live. The sacrifices, the rituals given to God’s people all pointed to the supreme sacrifice that was provided by God when He sent His Son to earth to be nailed to a cross. His death on the cross paid the debt for our sins. Our sins were nailed to the cross. The provision was made for all, for all are born into this world with a sin nature. The fall of man (Adam and Eve) in the garden of Eden set in motion the destruction of humanity, and the curse of the human race. But God, in His love, grace and mercy made a way to escape the punishment and judgment of eternal damnation. Jesus, the Son of God, was nailed to the cross by those He loved. Sin blinded the eyes of man, and they knew not what they were doing. They nailed His hands and feet, they pierced His side, and His blood was spilled for you and me. It was our sins that put Him on the cross. We were dead in our transgression and lost without hope. He gave His life so that we could be born again and made new. This provision is made possible when we by faith, believe that He is the Son of God and accept this gift of salvation. When we believe the nails that were driven into his hands and feet were for our sins. There is forgiveness through Christ who allowed Himself to be nailed to the cross for you and me.

Love One Another

John 15:9,12

As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love…This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

Is it really possible to love others the way Jesus loved us? Jesus, the Son of God, came to earth to give His life on the cross. With His blood that He shed, He made atonement for the sins of all humankind that ever lived and those who would be born after He rose and ascended to the Father. How is it possible for us to love in such a measure? With all of our faults and humanity, Jesus said, and commanded that we are to love one another as He and the Father have loved us. Man, with all of his good intentions, is not able to accomplish this. But, with God, all things are possible (Matt 19:26). To love as God loved is not a feeling or emotion, but a choice. The choice to love comes from the Father above. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” (James 1:17) Love is a gift and fruit of the Spirit that is given to us by the Holy Spirit that is with us. As believers, we seek the Holy Spirit not only to be with us, but in us to guide us into all truth. The truth is that God is love, and with the help of His Spirit, He can lead us into this love to love one another. An example of this love was recently demonstrated by the wife of Charlie Kirk, who was shot by a man who hated the truth that Charlie was speaking. Charlie’s wife, Erika, in front of hundreds of thousands of people, publicly forgave this man. Such love is not possible with the human nature we are born with. Let us examine our hearts and ask God to search us out. To remove any shadow of hate, and fill us with His divine love. When His love is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, we are then able to fulfill His commandment, and love others as He has loved us. 

Part of the Body of Christ

 1 Corinthians 12:12
For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

How refreshing it is to meet a complete stranger and find out they also are Christians. Our hearts and spirits are seamlessly bonded together as one. We are part of the body of Christ. We may have different opinions on Bible interpretation and application, but this one thing we have in common, we belong to Christ, and are part of the family of God. As part of the body of Christ, we all have our part in building the kingdom of God. Eph. 4:11. “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers.” Everyone in the body is important. The work that God has called us to do may not seem like much when we compare it to others who have been recognized for their contributions to ministry. It is easy to think that the work we do is not significant and has little impact on the grand scheme of God’s plan. But little is much when God is in it! The little mustard seed that we plant in Jesus' name can bring glory to His name. Luke 13:19. “It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden; and it grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it.” How important it is that we be all that God wants us to be. He has not called us to do this work alone. The body of Christ works together to accomplish His purpose. He desires that we be obedient to His will for our lives, whatever that may be. God calls everyone to do their part in the work of the kingdom. Are you willing to use the gifts and talents that God has given you to make the body of Christ functional? The work you do may not be seen by others, but all things done for Jesus is important work, and God sees your heart and will reward you according to your obedience. So find your niche in the body of Christ and do it with all your heart and might. “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might”- Ecc. 9:10

Thankful for What Matters

 Psalm 100:4
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

Even during our worst days, we can think of things we can be thankful for. The fact that we are alive and breathing is enough to stop and give thanks to the creator of life. Most of us are prone to complain about the things that we have very little control over. The weather, the traffic, the workings of politics, and the price of eggs (and thank God they have come down). It sometimes takes work to give thanks in “everything” But being thankful is more than counting our blessings. It is an attitude that is grounded in how we view God. We are creatures of comfort, and often view our blessings by how comfortable we are. But I purpose to you that being THANKFUL is to look through the looking glass of the Kingdom of God. The things in this life will fade away with the passing of time. The things we should be thankful for are eternal.
 On this Thanksgiving Day, be thankful for the many blessings, family, friends, material things, and good health, but let us not forget to be thankful to God for what really matters. Be thankful for the TRUTH of His word, thankful for a HEART that can be made clean, be thankful for being an ANCHOR in the Rock of Ages, that He will NEVER leave us alone. Thankful for His KINDNESS toward us, His FAITHFULNESS  to keep us day by day, and thankful for His UNCONDITIONAL LOVE regardless of our sinful condition, and knowledge that we can have eternal LIFE, and live in His presence for eternity. BE YE THANKFUL FOR ALL THAT HE HAS DONE.