Originally posted on Facebook on Wednesday, June 29, 2022.

In light of recent events, it's hard but stand firm believer.

The Bible can be trusted.

We, as believers, should not reason or orient ourselves based on anything apart from God's Word, no matter how badly Christians around us get it wrong or how compelling worldly arguments may be. (Romans 1:16-17, Ephesians 6:15, Hebrews 10:38)

The Word is the authoritative guide to Life, but without the revelation of the Holy Spirit, its meaning is closed to us. Reading, quoting, teaching and preaching scripture without the illumination of the Holy Spirit is how we, with such confidence that we're right, assert things that are so tragically wrong. (Deuteronomy 29:29, Matthew 11:25, I Corinthians 2:14)

The Word and the Spirit are complete, sufficient for all areas of life and need no extra-biblical supplement. (II Peter 1:3)

They also perfectly agree. The Spirit will never give anything that contradicts the Word. Evaluating statements against scripture is how we test things. (John 16:12-15, 1 Corinthians 14:32, 1 John 4:1-6)

To understand what the Word for any situation or season is, we must be careful not to proudly presume but to humble ourselves and ask God for understanding of the scripture and for wisdom. He gives it generously without risk of rejection. (James 1:5-8, 4:6)

Don't be distracted by the raging waves, those to your left and your right or even the "church". Look to Jesus, the Word in flesh and trust Him, alone.

Originally posted on Facebook on Monday, June 27, 2022.

The problem is that men make God out to be like themselves and think that He would regard authority the way a man would, "to lord it over others." (Mark 10:42)

But, what did Jesus do with His bride? "He called His disciples together and gave them power and authority" (Luke 9:1, Mark 6:7, Matthew 10:1) and in the regeneration, "We shall rule with Him" (2 Timothy 2:12)

Everything God gives us, whether resources, revelation or authority is for the reconciliation of creation and the protection and provision for ALL that are in His house. (Matthew 24:45)

Do we even know why man was given authority in the first place? The fall. (Genesis 3:1) In God's lovingkindness, even in cursing as He was administering His righteous judgement, He had redemption in view and provided "covering" –making the family a military unit to effectively fight against an Enemy that our sin gave power to, to cover (preserve) us until the Chief Shepherd appears (Isaiah 11, John 10, Revelations 21).

Until then, we war. And, I don't know about you, but I want my wife, the woman who's in the foxhole with me, to be empowered, equipped and fully capable of fighting alongside me.

Originally posted on Facebook on Sunday, June 5, 2022.

You don't have to be prominent to be important.

There are impurities in my thinking that disrupt my peace and destroy my productivity.

Jesus referred to these as leaven.

Among which is the idea that I have to be prominent to be important.

Jesus warned us about this. “Beware of the scribes, who desire to go around in long robes, love greetings in the marketplaces, the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts"
-Luke 20:46

This sort of thinking breeds self-seeking, making me a slave to what is momentary and does not satisfy (disturbing my peace). It also places undue emphasis on me as an individual rather than as a member of a larger whole, dividing me from those to whom and from whom edification should flow (destroying my productivity).

But this is the mind of Christ,

"And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another."
-I Corinthians 12:23-25

So, my prayer today is:

"Father, give me a heart like Christ's, that thinks of prominence as nothing to be sought or held on to, not being preoccupied with oneself (even how they or their work is perceived), but is humble, simply living in service to the Whole, trusting You with their obedience. (Philippians 2:3-11)

Therefore, give me a heart
that does not need to be seen,
that does not need to be applauded,
that does not need likes on social media,
that does not need to signal my importance through titles such as president of this, founder of that or through possessions such as houses, cars or clothes,
that does not need "important" work but a heart that is content peeling potatoes in Your name.

Give me a heart that is glad, yes rejoices, just to be at Your table, regardless of where I sit.

Give me a heart that is satisfied with You alone.

I confess that I do not have this heart. I still desire worldly acceptance and approval. I repent and ask for Your heart believing this is Your will, therefore having full confidence that You can and You will grant my petition, believing that I will receive it without doubting, I ask these things for Your Son Jesus' sake and in His name I pray.

Amen."