FREE TO SUCCEED

Do you want to be a success?  As the old year passes and the New Year approaches we often take stock of how we did during the past year and determine to do better in the next.  This is the reason for New Year’s resolutions.  Often we see humorous comics and cartoons regarding how people seldom keep New Year’s resolutions.  I read an article once about how gym membership jumps every January as people determine they will lose the weight they put on over the holidays, and then how it drops dramatically in February and March because people let other things take priority.  The article mentioned that the people who maintained their gym membership and exercise regime were ones who joined and exercised with a partner.  Friends will urge each other on to be successful.  So, let me ask again, “Do you want to be successful?”

“Even as [in His love] He chose us [actually picked us out for Himself as His own] in Christ before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy (consecrated and set apart for Him) and blameless in His sight, even above reproach, before Him in love.  For He foreordained us (destined us, planned in love for us) to be adopted (revealed) as His own children through Jesus Christ, in accordance with the purpose of His will [because it pleased Him…” –Ephesians 1:4-5 AMP

When we believe in Jesus we are adopted into the family of God but that does not mean we are perfect nor does it guarantee a successful walk in Christ.  What makes the difference is that instead of “going it alone” we choose to partner with Him.  When He is our partner He strengthens us where we are weak, where we are lacking, and where we cannot measure up.  He makes us free to succeed.

So what is the main force that prevents our success?  The thing that ties us down and strangles us is sin.  Partnering with the Lord wipes out all our sins.  They are gone and we are no longer hindered; we are free to succeed.

“Your sins were like a big cloud, but I wiped them all away.  Your sins are gone, like a cloud that disappeared into thin air.  I rescued and protected you, so come back to me.”  -Isaiah 44:22 ERV

Yet, Jesus partners with us by adopting us into His family to free us from sin.  Partnering means that two parties work together for a common goal.  When we accept Jesus and what He did and continues to do for us, He adopts us into His family.  He makes us free to be fully accepted by God and walk with Him in success.

“So Jesus said to the Jews who believed in him, ‘If you continue to accept and obey my teaching, you are really my followers. You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.’  They answered, ‘We are Abraham’s descendants. And we have never been slaves. So why do you say that we will be free.’  Jesus said, “The truth is, everyone who sins is a slave—a slave to sin.  A slave does not stay with a family forever. But a son belongs to the family forever.  So if the Son makes you free, you are really free.”  -John 8:31-35 ERV

Is it that simple?  It IS that simple!  Believe Jesus.  That is our part, believing on Him.  He sets us free from sin.  That is His part, setting us free.  This is the partnership.  Does that mean that we never sin again?  We do have the tendency to sin, but He has freed us from the chains of sin that have held us down so when tempted all we have to do is cry out to Him for help.  What does He do?  He sets us free; all we have to do is walk in that freedom.  Each time we walk in that freedom it makes overcoming the next temptation a little easier.  We find our desires align up with those of Jesus.  The goodness manifested by His working that freedom from sin in our lives will reach out to everyone around us to share Jesus so He can meet their needs to be free as well.

“Awaiting and looking for the [fulfillment, the realization of our] blessed hope, even the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed One), who gave Himself on our behalf that He might redeem us (purchase our freedom) from all iniquity and purify for Himself a people [to be peculiarly His own, people who are] eager and enthusiastic about [living a life that is good and filled with] beneficial deeds.”  -Titus 2:13-14 AMP

In conclusion:  let me ask you again, “Do you want to be a success?”  Then quit trying to change by your own efforts, partner with Jesus, and let Him set you free from sin.

“So repent (change your mind and purpose); turn around and return [to God], that your sins may be erased (blotted out, wiped clean), that times of refreshing (of recovering from the effects of heat, of reviving with fresh air) may come from the presence of the Lord;” -Acts 3:19 AMP

HATEMONGERS

Hatemonger (Heyt-muhng-ger):  one who kindles hatred, enmity, or prejudice in others; one who arouses hatred for others; A person who encourages hatred towards a person or group of people; one who disparages or belittles the worth of someone or something.

This past political year has been a year of turmoil and bubbling resentment that has turned to outright hatred.  I have sat amazed as I heard politicians say bitter and wicked things about their opponents.  These same politicians turned their bitter banter against the families of their opponents next.  Eventually they started saying derogatory things about people groups they perceived their opponents supported or were related to.  I am sure you all remember some of the following comments:

“Mexicans, South and Latin America…are killers and rapists…”

“Melania Trump is not an American Citizen.”

“Jeb Bush has to like the Mexican illegals because of his wife.”

 “Sadly, because president Obama has done such a poor job as president, you won’t see another black president for generations!”

“Trump hates women.”

The bitter rhetoric became so repeated and strong we saw supporters of one candidate disrupt or attack supporters of the other candidate, protestors attacking protestors, and sadly even the following situation:

“Two brothers reportedly attacked a 58-year-old Hispanic homeless man in Boston, breaking his nose and urinating on him, in mid-August. They allegedly told police they targeted the man because of his ethnicity and added, “Donald Trump was right, all these illegals need to be deported,” (08-19-15 –Boston Globe).

How this must grieve our Heavenly Father’s heart!  How it SHOULD grieve each believer’s heart!!

“A heart filled with anger has no room for love.”  -Joan Lunden

 I am reminded about what God’s Word says about the things hatemongers say:

And He was saying, “That which proceeds out of the man, that is what defiles the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness. – Mark 7:20-22 NASB

But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.  For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: - Matthew 15:18-19 KJV

A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh. – Luke 6:45 KJV

This helps me understand that when I hear such hateful rhetoric coming from someone, even politicians, then I know that there is evilness in his (or her) heart.  It gives me pause as to whether to vote for them.  Ironically almost every politician in this past presidential race has spoken hatefully of those they ran against.  All those politicians (and anyone for that matter) who spoke in resentment, hate, and anger will now be responsible before God for what they said

“You serpent’s brood, how can you say anything good out of your evil hearts? For a man’s words depend on what fills his heart. A good man gives out good—from the goodness stored in his heart; a bad man gives out evil—from his store of evil. I tell you that men will have to answer at the day of judgment for every careless word they utter—for it is your words that will acquit you, and your words that will condemn you.” – Matthew 12:34-37 JB Phillips

Now that the election is over you would think that things would settle down, but they have not.  I still see the news media quoting angry rhetoric from those who lost and those who won.  I still see an average of ten to fifteen posts on Facebook each day saying how bad this person or that person is.  My warning to each person who passes on these hateful things is that you “will have to answer at the day of judgment for every careless word” you utter, write, or repost, “for it is your words that will acquit you, and your words that will condemn you.”

“But the goal of our instruction is love [which springs] from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Some individuals have wandered away from these things into empty arguments and useless discussions, - 1 Tim 1:5-6 AMP

Take a moment before you speak, write, or re-post to ask the Lord, “Lord Jesus, should I write this?  Should I say this?  Should I re-post this?”  Make each occasion you have to share on social media count eternally by conducting “yourself with wisdom in your interactions with outsiders (non-believers), make the most of each opportunity [treating it as something precious]. Let your speech at all times be gracious and pleasant, seasoned with salt, so that you will know how to answer each one [who questions you]. – Col 4:5-6 AMP

When we conduct ourselves in the light of Colossians 4 then we are sharing the love of Jesus; we are like cities on a hill in the dark of night with all our lights on – beacons to the darkened sinful world in need of a Savior.  When we do this there is no room for hatemongering.

“Hatred paralyzes life;love releases it.
Hatred confuses life;
love harmonizes it.
Hatred darkens life;
love illuminates it.”  -Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

GRACE GOGGLES - by Dana Austin © 12-05-16

A friend of mine posted this on her Facebook page and I was so moved by the post, with her permission I am posting it here on my blog; be blessed:

GRACE GOGGLES

I have worn glasses since I was 6 years old.....at present, my vision is -525 in both eyes....lol...I swear I might have some pairs of glasses that look as old as the picture you see here. I learned very quickly that the first thing I would need to reach for in the morning -- before I even got out of bed -- was my glasses. To this day, I cannot even think to walk across the room to the bathroom or in the kitchen without them. I inadvertently will bump into walls or miss the door -- knock things over -- even things I know are there....all because my vision is not corrected and I cannot see what is in front of my clearly. I remember when I was young, there was a night when I fell asleep with my glasses on, and my mom asked me if I did it on purpose so I could actually see Prince Charming when he showed up in my dreams....lol....I still have to wear either contacts or glasses at all times....when driving, when walking in the store...for reading, or feeding my pets....for simply being able to see the face and expressions of the person I am speaking to even though they are three feet away from me.....my glasses correct my vision and allow me to see clearly the things I would not be able to....and goodness, I am so thankful for the clarity my glasses bring so I can see with as close to perfect vision as I can.

I often talk about my grace goggles......they are similar to my own real glasses, and when I can remember to put them on, I see with "God" vision......in other words, I see others the way GOD sees them.....and I see me the way GOD sees ME.....we each desperately need grace.....from God and from each other....and my grace goggles provide the proper and corrected vision to match what God would see.

Grace -- that is a word jam-packed with meaning, and don't underestimate its incredible value.....Grace always wins....always. Grace (in Christian belief) is the free and unmerited favor of God.....and we are supposed to pass that along to fellow believers and also to nonbelievers.....oh, gosh, it can be difficult when I want to stay mad or not forgive...."But God" models grace...."But God" repeatedly forgives...."But God" continually loves with no interruption...."But God, -- but God -- but God!!!"

He is SO GOOD! So today, and every day, grace goggles it is....simply because I choose to put them on......so grateful He loves me in spite of my flaws...each and every one of them....and because of that, I can then pass it on to someone else who needs grace....because, let's face it, we ALL need grace......"But God."

THE VOICE OF THANKSGIVING

“Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; test my heart and my mind. for Your loving-kindness is before my eyes, and I have walked in Your truth [faithfully].  I do not sit with false persons, nor fellowship with pretenders; I hate the company of evildoers and will not sit with the wicked.  I will wash my hands in innocence, and go about Your altar, O Lord, that I may make the voice of thanksgiving heard and may tell of all Your wondrous works.”  Psalm 26:2-7 AMP

Yes, this is the time of the year that our thoughts turn toward visiting family, having a delicious meal with turkey, dressing, and all the trimmings.  We traditionally recollect the story of thanksgiving:  the Wampanoag Indians brought the berries and game, the Pilgrims brought vegetables and desserts.  They joined together in what would probably be the last true show of friendship between the two races for more than one hundred years.  The Wampanoag Indians and the Pilgrims gave thanks for their harvest and new friends.

I urge you, brothers and sisters in the Lord, as you enjoy happy times with friends and family this Thursday to also take time to get quietly before the Lord and thank Him for it all.  For without Him you truly are nothing and would have nothing (John 15:5).  Express your love and adoration to Him NOT for what He has done for you but for Who He IS (Psalm 68:35), and tell Him how grateful you are for all He has done for you (Ephesians 5:20). 

I guess Colossians 3 exemplifies this season best: “And above all these [put on] love and enfold yourselves with the bond of perfectness [which binds everything together completely in ideal harmony].  And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ’s] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always].”  Colossians 3:14-16 AMP