The Great Pretender

Today I was speaking with someone telling them about the amazing things God has done in my life- things that can only be attributed to God. They kept exclaiming how unbelievable it was, and I was so excited thinking that perhaps today was the day they could deny Him no longer. Then I mentioned a specific concerning one of my medical miracles, and they latched on to it. "Well, that has happened for me too!" Yet, as they explained their situation I saw how easily Satan can sway those who are his to believe in his "miracles" too. Yes, he has the power on this earth to bless people to blind them. How infuriating!!


I find comfort in two very important things though:
1.) 2 Timothy 2:19a "Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, having this inscription: The Lord knows those who are His..." I can save no one, and if the Lord chooses this person as a precious child of His, He will make it so.
2.) My God wins in the end. John 16:33 Jesus says, "I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world."

Make Every Effort: Useless

Useless

2 Peter 1:8-9

 For His divine power has given us everything required 

for life and godliness, 

through the knowledge of Him who called us

 by His own glory and goodness.

   By these He has given us very great and precious promises, 

so that through them you may share in the divine nature,

escaping the corruption that is in the world because of evil desires.

   

For this very reason,

 make every effort to supplement your 

faith with goodness, 

goodness with knowledge, 

   knowledge with self-control, 

self-control with endurance, 

endurance with godliness, 

   godliness with brotherly affection, 

and brotherly affection with love.

   For if these qualities are yours 

and are increasing, 

they will keep you from being 

useless or unfruitful 

in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

   The person who lacks these things 

is blind and shortsighted, 

and has forgotten the cleansing from his past sins. 

   

Therefore, brothers, make every effort 

to confirm your calling and election, 

because if you do these things 

you will never stumble.

   For in this way, 

entry into the eternal kingdom of 

our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ 

will be richly supplied to you.

2 Peter 1:3-11

If there is one thing that makes me shudder, it's the thought of being useless. I am a doer, and like to get things done without waisting time. I've caught myself saying to Kevin too many times, "Well, it would make more sense to do "X" in this way..." Efficiency and quality are important to me. How much more so they should be when concerning God!

God is saying, "Hey, if you truly love Me and want to be of any service to Me these are the things you should do."  2 Timothy 2: 20-26 begins by giving us another way to look at it. "Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver bowls, but also those of wood and earthenware, some for special use, some for ordinary. So if anyone purifies himself form these things, he will be a special instrument, set apart, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work..." It goes on to give more examples of how to be of use in God's kingdom. Stop and consider your walk with Christ. Are you a special gold or silver bowl shiny with use, or have you become a bit tarnished?

We also don't want to be considered blind, shortsighted, or forgetful. Jesus Christ paid an enormous price for us freely by living as a human for 33 years and then dieing a horrendous death on the cross while God's wrath was poured out on Him for the wrong you and I have done. How could we show Him we have forgotten that grace? The Gospels are full of examples of Jesus telling the religious leaders of the time that they just didn't get it. They were blinded to the Truth. Matthew 15:1-20 John 12:37-43

Paul has encouraged us not to be come like them by giving us a list of steps to take to open our eyes and see the usefulness within. Perhaps at times when we begin to notice our sight is failing, we need to come to the Savior to be healed and reminded of His glory and worth. Then let us go wash and rejoice, singing His praises before men! John 9

Blessed Are: The Gentle

Blessed are the gentle, because they will inherit the earth.
Matthew 5:5

Doesn't that sound like a verse anyone could get behind? Whether Buddhist, Muslim, Taoist, Christian, or any other religion which promotes any form of peace, this statement in and of itself could be agreed upon by most religious people.

However, the gentleness which inherits the earth will not be one we can obtain on our own. This is a gift we receive from the Spirit as we try to imitate Christ Jesus in our lives. Jesus says in Matthew 11:29, "All of you, take up My yoke and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for yourselves."

We often wonder why it is we need to be gentle though. Wouldn't it be easier if we could beat someone over the head with our Christianity? Yes. It would. That is why it is so important to be gentle. It shows gentleness as a gift from God in difficult situations instead of a work of self.


Here are some examples from Scripture where we are told to be gentle when it would normally be difficult:

Galatians 6:1 "Brothers, if someone is caught in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual should restore such a person with a gentle spirit, watching out for yourselves so you won't be tempted."
- Human Response: Judge and look down upon that person.

1 Thessalonians 2:7 "Although we could have been a burden as Christ's apostles, instead we were gentle among you, as a nursing mother nurtures her own children."
- Human Response: Take what is our right and what we are owed.

2 Timothy 2:24-25 "The Lord's slave must not quarrel, but must be gentle to everyone, able to teach, and patience, instructing his opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them repentance to know the truth."
- Human Response: Have the last word.

1 Peter 3:3-4 "Your beauty should not consist of outward things like elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold ornaments or fine clothes; instead it should consist of the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very valuable in God's eyes."
- Human Response: Our outward appearance is #1, no matter the consequences

Take some time to have an inward beauty treatment. The special today? Gentleness.