Ending Strong

Starting strong doesn’t always mean that you will end strong.  I read a blog on this subject this morning and on other occasions so I thought I would add my two cents, so to speak, on the subject.  It always hurts to start out strong and then end up a failure when you know you could have ended the same way you started, but along the way you began to compromise or became lackadaisical or allowed something to hinder your progress.  I think we can all think of someone that fits into this category, if not we ourselves.

I remember doing a job for a company as the supervisor, starting out strong with great approval and popularity, but ending up humiliated because of pride and arrogance on my part.  I let the popularity and approval go to my head and I allowed pride to keep me from doing what I should have done and counted on others to do what was my own responsibility to do.  

There have been numerous people in our government that started out strong and popular with very good reputations but ended up failures with terrible tarnished reputations.  I’m not going to name anyone in the government because my purpose is not to run down anyone but to point out what can happen if we are not careful how we conduct ourselves and our affairs.

To bring this over to the Christian realm there are evangelists, pastors and teachers that started out strong and ended in total defeat because of some of the bad choices they made, and being in the public eye brought shame on themselves and the God they served and the church also.  The Bible speaks of people that started out strong and popular but in the end were failures.  

One who comes to mind is Saul the first King of Israel; he started out strong and was very popular, he was by worldly standards the ideal person to be a king.  But judging from outward experience is not always a good gauge to follow when promoting a person to an important position and Saul was no exception.  Although he looked promising outwardly, Saul had a rebellious character and often rebelled against God and in the end was rejected by God as King.

Then there was King Asa Baasha, you can read the way he started out in 2 Chronicles 15.  King Asa started out very strong, bringing honor to God in all he did, but in the end he forgot God and depended on the King of Syria and was confronted by the Prophet Hanami who was sent by God.  Read what it says about this in 16:7-9, “And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said to him: ‘Because you have relied on the king of Syria, and have not relied on the Lord your God, therefore the army of the king of Syria has escaped from your hand. Were the Ethiopians and the Lubim not a huge army with very many chariots and horsemen? Yet, because you relied on the Lord, He delivered them into your hand. For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. In this you have done foolishly; therefore from now on you shall have wars.’”

And this was King Asa’s reaction to what he heard, it is in 16:10-12, “Then Asa was angry with the seer, and put him in prison, for he was enraged at him because of this. And Asa oppressed some of the people at that time. Note that the acts of Asa, first and last, are indeed written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel. And in the thirty-ninth year of his reign, Asa became diseased in his feet, and his malady was severe; yet in his disease he did not seek the Lord, but the physicians.”

Then he died a broken and bitter man, but the outcome could have been so different if he would have repented and turned back to the Lord.  This tragedy could happen to anyone of us, so be careful, there are many ways we can start out strong and end up tragically. 

There are some things that can cause our downfall mentioned in 1 Corinthians 10:1-13:

“Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ. But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.

Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, ‘The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.’ Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell; nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents; nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer. Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.

Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”

I hope this helps you to finish strong, but if you do fall into one of these areas or some other sin in your walk with the Lord and are made aware of it, don’t let pride disqualify you and knock you out of your good standing; humble yourself before the Lord and repent and confess your sin and continue your good standing with the Lord.  Something to think about and may the good Lord bless you and yours and may your day be a blessed one.

Listening and Doing

Do you ever wonder why some people go to doctors or counselors?  They go because they need help, that is a no brainer, but if all they do is receive information and never act on it they might as well have stayed home.  It seems like many people go to doctors for help but they don’t take the medicine prescribed or the advice given.  The same thing happens with counselors, people do not heed their advice or implement what they have to say in their lives.  In most cases it takes a lot of money to go see a doctor or a counselor but many don’t seem to trust either so they spend their money and receive little benefit.

If we take this into the Christian realm, the same thing happens in many cases.  James addresses this issue in God’s Word in James 1:19-27, “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless. Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.”

When we enter the freedom experience of being born-again through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, we come to Him terminally ill stricken with a disease called sin, with all its side effects which include all the baggage we carried around.  At that point Jesus not only is our Savior but He is our physician, defender, counselor, healer, provider, sustainer, teacher and the guardian of our souls and much more.  We are set free from the slavery of sin and if we stay firm in the faith, not being moved from our position in the Lord, we will spend eternity with Him someday.

In the meantime, we have His love letter which is God’s Word, so we will know how to live a victorious Christian life.  In God’s Word there are many promises and instructions that we need to get into our hearts because if it is just head knowledge it will not change our lives.  Too many times we read or hear the Word but it stays in the head and we don’t apply it to our lives and we don’t grow in the faith as we should.  James was encouraging the 12 tribes that were scattered because of the persecution to put their faith into action and not to just be hearers only and I think this advice is for all believers also.  

I think the advice that Paul gave the Corinthian church in 2 Corinthians 7:1 is also very good advice for the church today, “Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”

It is a shame that so many of us hear the Word but don’t allow it to change our lives by putting it into practice, hiding it in our hearts, putting ourselves in the same category as the man who looks in the mirror and turns away and forgets what he looks like.  I believe most of us are guilty of this at some point or other, but that is no excuse, we need to take responsibility for ourselves and live what we proclaim to be true in our lives.  It is important to be good listeners and focus on what others are saying to us so that we can be a blessing to them.  Sometimes we are guilty of talking too much, missing some important things that others are saying.  It is easy to get the wrong message if we are not listening intently and then we get angry at what we think we hear instead of what was really intended.  Much of our anger comes from misunderstandings and that does not please God.  If every believer lived the truth they heard, what a difference it would make in the world we live in.  Something to think about, have a blessed day and don’t forget to thank and praise the Lord!!     

Temptation

Temptation seems to be a normal part of a believer’s life.  We live in a time where sin and temptation seem to dominate our whole society, a society where many seem to call evil, good and good, evil, where deception seems to be the norm.  It seems like lying is accepted as truth and truth is a thing to be mocked and scorned, where it is taught that there are no truths or absolutes but whatever is true for you is true and whatever someone else thinks is true is true for them.  Sin and temptation have always been a part of society but the closer we get to the Lord’s return, the evil one is unleashing his wrath on the believers in the form of sin and temptation.  God’s Word says that the evil one comes but to kill, steal and destroy.

As a believer this is not a time to be complacent, it is a time to stand firm in the faith with the whole armor of God in place, as it says in Ephesians 6:10-18:

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.”

The church needs to take a stand and live as redeemed people in a fallen and sin saturated world.  The church needs to be filled with the Holy Spirit’s power so that we can tear down the strongholds of the enemy in communities and towns where we live, resisting temptation and sin.  We need to be set apart from the world and be separate; read what God’s Word says in Romans 12:1-2, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

It is so important that we renew our minds so that we know what the good and perfect and just will of God is, so that we can walk in them.  Read what it says in 2 Corinthians 6:14-18:

“Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said:

‘I will dwell in them

And walk among them.

I will be their God,

And they shall be My people.’

Therefore

‘Come out from among them

And be separate, says the Lord.

Do not touch what is unclean,

And I will receive you.

I will be a Father to you,

And you shall be My sons and daughters,

Says the Lord Almighty.’”

Believers need to stand strong, not compromising, but setting an example that others can follow.  We can’t allow ourselves to shrink back but we need to be striving for perfection, resisting the evil one so that he will flee from us.  Think of this, if we don’t stand for something we will fall for anything, so let’s stand and not be moved or give into despair when the temptation comes.  

Jesus was also tempted (tested) but He stood His ground and did not waver, you can read about this in Matthew 4:1-11:

“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, ‘If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.’

But He answered and said, ‘It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’

Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, ‘If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written:

‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’

and,

‘In their hands they shall bear you up,

Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’

Jesus said to him, ‘It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’

Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, ‘All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.’

Then Jesus said to him, ‘Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’

Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.”

Jesus came back with the Word saying, “it is written!!”  Jesus knew the Word and so should we, so that we will be able to use it when we are tempted.  

I want to wrap this up with this, Psalms 119:9-16,

“How can a young man cleanse his way?

By taking heed according to Your word.

With my whole heart I have sought You;

Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments!

Your word I have hidden in my heart,

That I might not sin against You.

Blessed are You, O Lord!

Teach me Your statutes.

With my lips I have declared

All the judgments of Your mouth.

I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies,

As much as in all riches.

I will meditate on Your precepts,

And contemplate Your ways.

I will delight myself in Your statutes;

I will not forget Your word.”

Read, study and memorize the Word.  Enough said, I think you got the point.  I have given you something to think about, I hope it will bless and encourage you.  Have a great day and God bless!!   

Problems and Trials

These things seem to be universal and everyone has their share of them.  Some seem to have more than others and of course people handle them differently.  The response varies in individuals from accepting the blame, to blaming others to blaming the evil one and also blaming God.  Many times, if we were honest, we would have to admit that many of the problems that seem to plague us are brought on because of the decisions we make and they turn into trials that can overwhelm us for many years.

I remember being in debt for many years because of my spending problem; spending money I didn’t have and buying on credit cards which made it so easy to attain what I wanted and not what I needed, and whose fault was it but my own.  This habit has caused many problems in many marriages.  Now it would have been easy to blame the credit card manufacturers who provided the credit cards and make them so available to most anyone that wants one.  I could have blamed the evil one for tempting me to get the credit card in the first place and I also could have blamed God for not stopping me from getting the card.  Even though I could have blamed my problem on all of the above, the truth was it was no one’s fault but my own.  If we would just take responsibly for our own actions there would be far less divorces and even crime, violence and wars, arguments and fights that take place every day.  Actions have consequences that we need to accept and then act on them and move on, learning from what we have previously done.

God’s Word makes it very clear that we will reap what we sow in Galatians 6:7-8, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.”  

This happens to all people no matter where they find themselves, it is a universal truth.  Believers face trials for the testing of their faith at times and they can and are meant to be beneficial to you, if you respond to them in the right way.  These are things we don’t necessarily bring on ourselves but are for the testing of our faith and can result in patience and longsuffering, which is needed to be victorious in our Christian walk.

Read what it says about trials in James 1:2-4, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”

If we are honest, most of us don’t count it a joyful thing when we face trials or temptations, we just want them to be over as quickly as possible.  We will never know what our character is truly like, or how we would respond under pressure, if we didn’t face any trials in our walk with the Lord.  Instead of complaining and griping about the things we face, we should try to see them as opportunities for growth.  It would be good to ask the Lord to help you overcome your problems and trials with a good, positive outcome in a way that will honor Him.

When we face trials, as believers, we would do good to remember these words in Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

I hope this has been an encouragement and a blessing and a help to you.  May the good Lord bless you and yours and may you have a super day and don’t forget to thank and praise the Lord!!