Tag Archives: faith

I’ve shared it’s been a difficult season.

I've shared it's been a difficult season. I asked myself a question similar to King David's in…

Originally posted on Facebook on Friday, June 21, 2024.

I've shared it's been a difficult season.

I asked myself a question similar to King David's in Psalm 42:5, "Why are you cast down, O my soul?"

As life bears down, producing feelings of discouragement, I asked, "Where is the Power? Where is the eternal life -the inextinguishable life I'm supposed to have right now (and in the life to come) [John 11:25-26]?"

Then I found 2 Corinthians 4:7-10 to be true,

"But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.

We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;

persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed–

always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body."
— 2 Corinthians 4:7-10

This season demonstrates "the excellence of the power", that despite circumstances that would normally crush me,

I am not crushed.
I am not in despair.
I am not forsaken.
I am not destroyed.

Because of power that is obviously not my own, so that God is glorified.

Life is hard right now, but I have it (inextinguishable life).

The proof is the joy of the hope I have in Him.

Thank you, Jesus.

My Focus Should Be His House

Paul Luckett | Brainflurry.com - My Focus Should Be His House

A

safe
loving
strong
healthy
joy filled
thriving

house (people under and bound by the Husband’s name)

is the focus of a wife.

I am the bride of Christ.

I should be focused on His house.

Why wouldn’t I be?

No. Let me be real.

Why am I not?

Because I’m too busy building my own.

Because I’m in the streets, an adulterous whore, chasing what my flesh (a mind conformed to the pursuits and the ways of operating of this world) believes is a better suitor: riches, popularity, power, and pleasure apart from my Husband for my satisfaction and fulfillment.

But having been out there before, I can tell you definitively, there is nothing good in the streets.

Not one good thing.

So, how did I get here?

By being entangled with unnecessary things and having the fruitfulness of the Word choked out in my life because of the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches (Mark 4:18-19).

By worry of what I will eat, what I will drink or what I will wear and not instead seeking first (foremost) the Kingdom of God (my Husband’s house) so that every other pursuit serves the first one (what it means to “seek first”, Matthew 6:25-34).

By having my mind conformed to this world, seeing myself and measuring myself according to the world’s standards, thereby becoming self-conscious and being seduced into pursuits that profit nothing —not one good thing (Romans 6:21, 12:2).

I repent.

Focus on my Husband’s house is a constant work because the poisonous vines of the world are constantly trying to creep into my life to pull me away and overtake me.

Focus requires husbandry.

Focus requires constant pruning, a taking away of the dead, useless and invasive things that are harmful.

So then, focus requires a constant presenting myself to my Husband.

Focus requires what the Husband provides: sensitivity to the guidance of the Holy Spirit by the heart He gives and protection against its hardening by the washing in the water of the Word, and accountability through the fellowship of the beloved.

I am the bride of Christ.

I should be focused on His house.

When I have lost focus, I regain it by turning to Him.

Remembering His goodness, I return to Him.

But, if He so readily receives me again, does it even matter that I lose focus, that I am seduced away into sin (outside of the circle of love, outside the government of His house -the Kingdom of God [sin state])?

Yes.

Sin does not only offend God, it hurts me too. Sin hardens my heart, leaving scar tissue that decreases my sensitivity to His touch, His voice and His presence.

Yes, when we confess, He will forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). But the cleansing, Him lifting that scar tissue in the washing of the water by His Word, is a process that takes time to return to the intimacy and fellowship I once enjoyed.

There is no thing better than intimacy with God. It’s too precious to lose, even for a moment.

There is no place better than the House of God.

Now, I remember by the Spirit God has sent forth in the hearts of all who love Him,

“For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.”
— Psalm 84:10

In Your house, serving Your house, with You, is where I want to be.

Help me.

Cleanse my heart, O God.

Renew a steadfast spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10)

I miss You.

Thank God For Pressure

Paul Luckett | Brainflurry.com - Thank God For Pressure

“You don’t really know what you’ve got until it’s under pressure.”

“So, I thank God for pressure.”

It’s been a difficult season.

God’s getting me right this summer.

I am being prepared for the next assignment. He’s transforming me from glory to glory, more and more into the image of Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18).

I shouldn’t expect promotion without preparation.

Even Jesus learned obedience by the things that He suffered (Hebrews 5:8)

It’s been rough. I don’t like it.

But, I’m thankful.

Maintaining Focus On The Mission: A Task Evaluation Workflow

Paul Luckett | Brainflurry.com - Maintaining Focus On The Mission: A Task Evaluation Workflow

My plate has been overflowing as of late and I find myself tremendously stressed and my internal dialogue dominated by, “I have to do “.

But after a moment of prayer and bringing the thought captive to Christ, it occurred to me that the phrase “I have to do…” sounds like a great way to identify an idol.

Why do I feel like “I have to do” these things?

In many ways fear is the reason. I’m afraid that if I don’t do these things I’ll lose some security: income, a client, a job, approval, or that I won’t be loved. This fear enslaves me and drives me to do things that are neither profitable or healthy.

Also, there are times in my life when I felt “stuck” and it is usually due to me not sticking to a course of action that progresses my mission. Instead, I allow myself to be distracted and allow my time and resources to be diverted to someone else’s mission.

So, I’m starting to push back and examine the assertion that I have to do anything besides what God has commissioned me to do.

Jesus was constantly approached with the desires and priorities of others, but Jesus was singular in His focus,

“For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.”
— John 6:38

As my example, I want to be like Jesus and be successful in my mission. To do that I must first be focused on His will and secondly be centered in the security that God provides:

“And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.”
— 2 Corinthians 9:8

I believe that when I work on behalf of God, and unburden myself from debt and unnecessary things, that God will provide everything I need.

Operating from this confidence, I hope to be more intentional about what I do and more courageous about rejecting activities that do not further my mission.

There are dozens of new potential tasks that I am confronted with everyday. So, I’ve developed the following decision tree to help evaluate which of the following responses are most appropriate: Delete, Delegate, Delay, Date (schedule), Do.

And as far as advancing the mission goes, there’s a sixth “D” or category of activity: Discipline. There are some activities that I should be doing routinely (such as prayer, Bible study, communication with my wife or going to the gym) that perhaps more than anything else, contributes to progress.
#thriveday

Philosophy Is Not Faith

Paul Luckett | Brainflurry.com - Philosophy Is Not Faith

Beloved, be careful with all the -ologies and -isms. It is easy to confuse human wisdom and philosophy for faith.

With philosophy, we can stay in our heads.

But, unlike philosophy, faith requires an other person because our faith is in a Person.

So, the principal thing is a real, dynamic relationship which is characterized by an ongoing encounter with, producing a growing understanding of, an other Person.

All the -ologies and -isms may have some utility in technically describing what happens as a result of the encounter but cannot be used for technically achieving the encounter or what happens as a result of it: knowing God and being known by Him, salvation, sanctification, intimacy, or love.

All of these things, an authentic encounter and its effects, are outworkings, responses to the Person you’re relating to —all which are out of your control. It’s grace, that flows like water that you flow with, not works like points you plot.

Jesus came so that you can know God, not so you can have ideas about Him.

“Hear Him.”

Scripture is closed, but God is still speaking. The Word, through the facilitation of the Holy Spirit, trains our ear to know His voice and to hear Him.

“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
— Romans 10:17

We can really know God and have a real, living, growing relationship with Him.

It starts with humility and the Word.

Seek Him.

Not philosophy, but the person of Christ.

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”
— Hebrews 11:6

Past Choices, Present Consequences, and What They Teach Me About Proper Priorities

Paul Luckett | Brainflurry.com - Past Choices, Present Consequences, and What They Teach Me About Proper Priorities

As I stare down our children graduating and leaving our home, I look back over the past 18 – 20 years and it puts things in perspective.

A lot of urgent things happened in that time.

There were pressing issues at work that demanded my attention: emergencies, new projects, pending deadlines, bills due.

They felt big and important at the time.

But, they weren’t.

As I look at outcomes 20 years removed from their causes, it is clarifying about what is truly important. Very seldom was it the things that I thought were important.

I got a lot of it wrong.

And as I ponder these outcomes, good and bad, the things that did not seem urgent 20 years ago, were the most important: playing with my kids, kissing my wife good night, and spending Friday nights with other believers in marriage ministry.

Sowing into people are the labors that make for a harvest.

The work that seemed all important tends to only produce beautiful dead things, things with no nutritional value, with no ability to make for a healthy soul.

Wise are the words in Ecclesiastes 12:1,

“Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth,
Before the difficult days come,
And the years draw near when you say,
‘I have no pleasure in them'”

Because,

“There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.”
— Proverbs 16:25

I see in retrospect the importance of trusting and obeying God, not only when we cannot see our way but especially when we think we can, and to follow Him despite the path that seems good to us.

The decisions we make now, will be the ones we eat from in the latter days.

Looking back, I do not ever regret a single time that I followed Him and I wish I had followed Him more.

He truly does lead to green places (Psalm 23:1-6).

He truly is Lord of every harvest that I’m enjoying right now.

Peace

Paul Luckett | Brainflurry.com - Peace

Peace is not the absence of difficulty.

Peace is stability in the midst of it.

We can have peace because of the soundness of our vessel and confidence in the Captain.

Jesus is the ark.
Jesus is the Captain.

Everyone in Him has eternal life. We will never sink.
He will not lose one soul for everyone who trusts Him to guide them through this life.

From the moment we’re saved out of the waters of the shadow of death, separation from God, and accept His salvation, we enter His ship, we enter Life.

Where are we going in His ship? More abundant Life —deeper intimacy with God (John 17:3).

We’re going from Life to Life.

Nevertheless, the storms continue to rage.

But, since the day I met Him, I have never again been at risk of dying. I have inextinguishable life now, no matter how hard things get, because I am no longer separated from God.

My soul is anchored.

So, even while life can be difficult.

I have peace.

Jesus said that yielding life in others requires our death.

Jesus said that yielding life in others requires our death. "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless…

Originally posted on Facebook on Wednesday, April 24, 2024.

Jesus said that yielding life in others requires our death.

"Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain."
— John 12:24

We love quoting scripture that inspires, justifies and encourages us. But, to what end? How does it make this world any better?

Where's the light? Where's the salt? Where's the love? Where's the fruit?

For that, I need to die. It always requires death. And, it's hard. But that's the calling. That's why He says take up your cross.

But you won't readily find a sticker or plaque for that.

Aquila and Priscilla: Models For God Honoring Marriages

Paul Luckett | Brainflurry.com - Aquila and Priscilla: Models For God Honoring Marriages

Finish this sentence: “Aquila and…”

Many disciples can finish that phrase without a second’s thought.

“Aquila and Priscilla”, though scarcely mentioned in Scripture, are models for God-honoring marriages.

Namely, in this way: when you think of one, you think of the other because as they are depicted in the scripture, they are always together and act as one.

How is their marriage God honoring? Because, through their marriage, they live out the “great mystery” of Christ and the church (Ephesians 5:22-33).

Others should not see or think of us primarily as an individual.

We are betrothed to Christ.

When people see us, they should see Christ.

When people think of us, they should immediately think of Christ, because we’re always together and act as One.

That is what our marriages and lives should reflect.
#perfectourlove

Convinced But Not Converted: The Type Of Ministry That Results In Faith That Is Doomed To Fail

Paul Luckett | Brainflurry.com - Convinced But Not Converted: The Type Of Ministry That Results In Faith That Is Doomed To Fail

I remember one day my mentor and pastor, Dr. Gregory Jones was confronted with a young man looking to argue how God and religion were fantasy.

Pastor Jones answered him not one word.

I was perplexed by this. I was like isn’t this an opportunity to “convert” him? I wanted the smoke. I wanted to flex our apologetics muscle and intellectually spar with him.

I was so naive and misguided.

Even though I was preaching and studying under Pastor Jones at the time, even I wasn’t yet converted.

Because had I been, I would have known that faith comes from a life-altering moment of hearing God and believing Him. Period.

“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
— Romans 10:17

An elder brother once told me, “some lessons are taught and some others can only be caught.”

After having been converted, and having preached, and having argued for twenty plus years now

I better understand that if you can be convinced, you can be unconvinced.

The reason so many young people leave our churches, go to college and lose their religion is not because of education as so many claim, but is often because their faith was cultural or they were convinced but not converted.

No one comes to God by intellectual ascent or cultural association.

“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”
— John 1:12-13

There is only one Way: God expresses Himself, we hear Him, we believe Him and then we are saved from separation from Him.

“For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus”
— 1 Timothy 2:5

“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.'”
— John 14:6

So then, my concentration, is having His heart, using His voice and speaking His Word.

“But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you.

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.”
— John 10:26-27

Since having “caught” this, I’ve never tried to convince anyone again.

I just aim to preach and live Christ.

I am now blown away by what I didn’t see before like how Jesus drops this bomb in Luke 16:19-31.

Here, Jesus casually reveals earth-shattering truths that are key to unlocking saving faith and ministry

1. everything that is necessary to birth faith and bridge the great gulf of separation between us and God is in the Word

2. if after having shared the full counsel of God that is expressed and made clear in Jesus Christ, someone does not believe, they would have never believed and their is nothing: no argument, no miracle, no sign, not even if “one rise from the dead” that would convince them.

“But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.’ ”
— Luke 16:31

“God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son,

whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds;

who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high”
— Hebrews 1:1-3

Just focus on living and preaching Christ who reconciles us to God.

That is the one and only ministry.

Thank you Pastor Jones. I love you and I miss you.