“How strange a chequer-work of Providence is the life of man! and by what secret differing springs are the affections hurried about as differing circumstances present! Today we love what tomorrow we hate; today we seek what tomorrow we shun; today we desire what tomorrow we fear; nay, even tremble at the apprehensions of.” Robinson Crusoe, 119
Robinson Crusoe made this observation after being shipwrecked on a deserted island and living there alone for 15 years-all that time longing for the sight of another human being-he saw a single unidentified foot print in the sand and he was immediately taken with fear. Instead of rescue, his thoughts went to his possible destruction at the hands of savages, forgetting that God had protected and provided for him all that time, and he was afraid for his life.
It is so easy to allow our circumstances to dictate our outlook on life. One minute we are excited and happy because all is going well, and the next we despair and lose hope because some calamity has struck. Yet there is a better way. The way of faith, hope and love brings a stability and security that will see us through the most terrible storms that life could possibly throw at us.
Dr. Radmacher talks about this in his book The Disciplemaker. He says, “The more I know of what God is like, the more I am able to believe Him.” This is faith, which then leads to hope. “Second, I will then find myself having hope in His promises because ‘He is faithful that promised’ (Heb 10:23).” This is how a believer can remain firm in any circumstance. Our hope isn’t contingent on our circumstances but on the One who controls everything. Since He is faithful we can rest in the fact that He wants what is best for us. This in turn will grow a love in us for the Father and for those around us.
How do we know that He wants what’s best for us? We know this because we know Him and we know Him by spending quality time with Him and we spend time with Him by studying His word and spending time in prayer. This is the way for us to not be shaken by each new circumstance as it comes our way, by knowing Him and putting our faith in His promises.
By Wesley Baker
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Monday, August 23, 2010
Spiritual Blessings
I believe that everyone desires to be blessed. Who would not want to be on the receiving end of a kind act, an undeserved favor or perhaps just good fortune and some timely circumstances? Even the unbeliever desires to be blessed.
But what does it mean to be blessed by God?
In God’s Word it says,
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.”
–Ephesians 1:3
In this passage, Paul writes that our Heavenly Father (God) has blessed us (the believer) with EVERY spiritual blessing in Christ. Not just one or two blessings, but EVERY spiritual blessing. God is not trying to hold back certain blessings from us. He wants us to know EVERY spiritual blessing in Christ so that spiritually, all of our inward needs are met.
So what are these Spiritual blessings?
They are the blessings that result from God’s amazing grace and His love toward those He has chosen. They include eternal life, adoption as sons and daughters, forgiveness of sins, an inheritance, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and more. Spiritual blessings are eternal and secure, giving you everything you need for living the abundant life in Christ. They help you to have true hope, peace and contentment, while granting you all things needed to stand equipped against darkness, to be spiritually nourished, to receive instruction, even preparing you for death on earth. Spiritual blessings give you every provision for every circumstance…they are sufficient because Christ is sufficient. He alone is the source of every spiritual blessing that you have been
blessed with.
But here lies the problem…we often become more interested in receiving earthly blessings than possessing our spiritual ones. If a believer is more satisfied in earthly blessings, then he becomes carnally minded. An earthly blessing is temporary and is usually based on something physical, circumstantial, or materialistic. Yes, these blessings are well received and often more than we deserve, bringing us to our knees in thankfulness… but how often do we find ourselves asking God to bless us with this or with that? Here’s a comparative look at a few blessings from both sides. Ask yourself, what you would rather be blessed with…
a new HEART or a new television?
to be a CO-HEIR to the throne or to have a position of authority at work?
eternal CROWNS & REWARDS or a million dollar bankroll?
a love RELATIONSHIP with Christ or a close relationship with a friend?
Our focus needs to be on knowing and reaping the benefits of EVERY spiritual blessing rather than the earthly blessings. For if we have no appreciation for spiritual blessings, then ultimately we are living at the level of animals. Existing to eat, sleep, survive, reproduce and to entertain ourselves. But we are not animals, we are made in the image of God and He has a purpose for our lives. He wants to bless us and to show us His great loving character, so that we can understand and experience Christ our King at a deeper level. And if God does graciously decide to shower earthly blessings our way, be grateful, giving praise to a kind and loving Lord.
By Micah Williams
But what does it mean to be blessed by God?
In God’s Word it says,
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.”
–Ephesians 1:3
In this passage, Paul writes that our Heavenly Father (God) has blessed us (the believer) with EVERY spiritual blessing in Christ. Not just one or two blessings, but EVERY spiritual blessing. God is not trying to hold back certain blessings from us. He wants us to know EVERY spiritual blessing in Christ so that spiritually, all of our inward needs are met.
So what are these Spiritual blessings?
They are the blessings that result from God’s amazing grace and His love toward those He has chosen. They include eternal life, adoption as sons and daughters, forgiveness of sins, an inheritance, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and more. Spiritual blessings are eternal and secure, giving you everything you need for living the abundant life in Christ. They help you to have true hope, peace and contentment, while granting you all things needed to stand equipped against darkness, to be spiritually nourished, to receive instruction, even preparing you for death on earth. Spiritual blessings give you every provision for every circumstance…they are sufficient because Christ is sufficient. He alone is the source of every spiritual blessing that you have been
blessed with.
But here lies the problem…we often become more interested in receiving earthly blessings than possessing our spiritual ones. If a believer is more satisfied in earthly blessings, then he becomes carnally minded. An earthly blessing is temporary and is usually based on something physical, circumstantial, or materialistic. Yes, these blessings are well received and often more than we deserve, bringing us to our knees in thankfulness… but how often do we find ourselves asking God to bless us with this or with that? Here’s a comparative look at a few blessings from both sides. Ask yourself, what you would rather be blessed with…
a new HEART or a new television?
to be a CO-HEIR to the throne or to have a position of authority at work?
eternal CROWNS & REWARDS or a million dollar bankroll?
a love RELATIONSHIP with Christ or a close relationship with a friend?
Our focus needs to be on knowing and reaping the benefits of EVERY spiritual blessing rather than the earthly blessings. For if we have no appreciation for spiritual blessings, then ultimately we are living at the level of animals. Existing to eat, sleep, survive, reproduce and to entertain ourselves. But we are not animals, we are made in the image of God and He has a purpose for our lives. He wants to bless us and to show us His great loving character, so that we can understand and experience Christ our King at a deeper level. And if God does graciously decide to shower earthly blessings our way, be grateful, giving praise to a kind and loving Lord.
By Micah Williams
Friday, August 13, 2010
Trusting God in the Everyday
...But the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake; 12 and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.
1 Kings 19:11b-12
We often are disappointed when things don't seem to go the way we expect. We look for big flashing signs of God's work in our lives and forget that He uses every little thing to mold us into His image. The painful, dry times are often as important as the mountain top experiences where life seems so clear and good. God is always working, but often we find ourselves waiting for great revelations and lose heart when they seldom appear. God does use the major events in our lives, but He is always working in the everyday.
We must learn to trust His infinite wisdom. The Father has a plan for each of us and it will unfold in His timing. We must learn to seek God in the here and now, and in the everyday. Don't look for those mountain top highs, or run from the valley lows. They will come in their time, but stay focused on what the Father is doing in you now. He never stops working in us.
Sometimes we wait on the Lord, but not in the way He has asked us too-trusting Him-but we wait to act because we want a sign, or clarity, or some revelation. If we are always focused on the big things, or the waiting for this revelation we may miss the "still small voice." When God whispers we need to be listening intently in order to hear Him. I think He speaks in a whisper more than we know. Often times the whisper is drowned out by so much chaos as we seek God in our own strength. We can only hear God when we finally set ourselves and our own plans aside and humbly come before Him. We are meant to be in a constant state of listening to the Father.
We are normally in a constant state of trying to figure this or that problem out. The Father doesn't want us to solve our own problems, but to put them in His hands for His help. We are the ones who create the problems when we try to live in our own strength. How can we then solve the problems in that same "strength"? We are woefully inadequate and that is the place our Father wants us. Humbled, and reliant on Him in all things.
Trust His plan for you. Don't try and solve your own problems, but place them in His gentle hands. Meet the Father in the here and now and trust Him in the everyday.
1 Kings 19:11b-12
We often are disappointed when things don't seem to go the way we expect. We look for big flashing signs of God's work in our lives and forget that He uses every little thing to mold us into His image. The painful, dry times are often as important as the mountain top experiences where life seems so clear and good. God is always working, but often we find ourselves waiting for great revelations and lose heart when they seldom appear. God does use the major events in our lives, but He is always working in the everyday.
We must learn to trust His infinite wisdom. The Father has a plan for each of us and it will unfold in His timing. We must learn to seek God in the here and now, and in the everyday. Don't look for those mountain top highs, or run from the valley lows. They will come in their time, but stay focused on what the Father is doing in you now. He never stops working in us.
Sometimes we wait on the Lord, but not in the way He has asked us too-trusting Him-but we wait to act because we want a sign, or clarity, or some revelation. If we are always focused on the big things, or the waiting for this revelation we may miss the "still small voice." When God whispers we need to be listening intently in order to hear Him. I think He speaks in a whisper more than we know. Often times the whisper is drowned out by so much chaos as we seek God in our own strength. We can only hear God when we finally set ourselves and our own plans aside and humbly come before Him. We are meant to be in a constant state of listening to the Father.
We are normally in a constant state of trying to figure this or that problem out. The Father doesn't want us to solve our own problems, but to put them in His hands for His help. We are the ones who create the problems when we try to live in our own strength. How can we then solve the problems in that same "strength"? We are woefully inadequate and that is the place our Father wants us. Humbled, and reliant on Him in all things.
Trust His plan for you. Don't try and solve your own problems, but place them in His gentle hands. Meet the Father in the here and now and trust Him in the everyday.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Love that Passes Knowledge
I'm sorry I didn't post last week. I will try to post more consistently in the future. -Wesley
To know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
~Ephesians 3:19
Paul is praying this beautiful prayer on the behalf of the church in Ephesus. He emphasizes that “to know the love of Christ,” is our ultimate goal. When we see and understand how much Christ loves us it changes us from the inside out. This is how we can be filled with the "fullness of God," which is "the abundance of gifts that flows from God"(Nelson Study Bible).
If this love passes knowledge can we know it? Paul isn't talking about understanding this love completely or breaking down the theology of it all, but knowing it intimately, as two lovers know each other. This only comes from spending quality time together. We can do this by being honest with God. He knows our thoughts already, but often we act as though He doesn't and we hide ourselves from Him. Only when we are open and honest with God can we grow to know Him intimately. As we are honest with Him we begin to know His love.
Christ's greatest act of love towards us was His willingness to suffer and die for each of our sins.
This video is VERY GRAPHIC (this is my disclaimer) but it is the reality of what Christ went through on our behalf. He suffered not only great physical but also emotional pain in order to make a way for us to be in relationship with the Father. This is the love which passes knowledge. Who can understand why anyone would be willing to suffer what Christ did for us who were unrepentant sinners?
Please watch this at your discretion. If you do watch it, let it draw you into His pain and reveal to you just how much HE LOVES US.
By Wesley Baker
To know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
~Ephesians 3:19
Paul is praying this beautiful prayer on the behalf of the church in Ephesus. He emphasizes that “to know the love of Christ,” is our ultimate goal. When we see and understand how much Christ loves us it changes us from the inside out. This is how we can be filled with the "fullness of God," which is "the abundance of gifts that flows from God"(Nelson Study Bible).
If this love passes knowledge can we know it? Paul isn't talking about understanding this love completely or breaking down the theology of it all, but knowing it intimately, as two lovers know each other. This only comes from spending quality time together. We can do this by being honest with God. He knows our thoughts already, but often we act as though He doesn't and we hide ourselves from Him. Only when we are open and honest with God can we grow to know Him intimately. As we are honest with Him we begin to know His love.
Christ's greatest act of love towards us was His willingness to suffer and die for each of our sins.
This video is VERY GRAPHIC (this is my disclaimer) but it is the reality of what Christ went through on our behalf. He suffered not only great physical but also emotional pain in order to make a way for us to be in relationship with the Father. This is the love which passes knowledge. Who can understand why anyone would be willing to suffer what Christ did for us who were unrepentant sinners?
Please watch this at your discretion. If you do watch it, let it draw you into His pain and reveal to you just how much HE LOVES US.
By Wesley Baker
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
His Love
Because Your loving-kindness is better than life,
My lips shall praise You.
Thus I will bless You while I live;
I will lift up my hands in Your name.
My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness,
And my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips.
~Ps 63:3-5
“Because Your loving-kindness”...Our relationship with God was in no way initiated by us. God sought us out in the beginning. We were absolutely separated from Him and He pursued a relationship with us.
In the same way our relationship with God only continues because of Him. His love is "better than life," and when we receive His love, we are motivated to rise up and praise Him. To praise Him is our highest calling. Our praises may take many forms. For some it is teaching, others encouragement, giving time, giving money, or even simply listening or comforting with a hug. Each of these acts are praise when done in obedience to God's calling, e.i. "in Your name", and each is a necessary and valuable part of the body.
We "shall be satisfied" when we are in alignment with God's purpose for us. We were designed to stay in constant relation to God and continue praising Him every moment of the day. When we choose our own path and disengage ourselves from the Father we find emptiness and hopelessness, because we are going against our very design.
It is easy to question God's plan for us. To think that we know better than Him. But who are we to question the Creator? Does the Creator not know what is best for His creation? Consider...does He not see all, and know all?...can we ever know a better way than God? "His loving-kindness is better" than any life that we could imagine outside of Him. Revel in His love today and let it fill you with praise that rings out from joyful lips.
By Wesley Baker
My lips shall praise You.
Thus I will bless You while I live;
I will lift up my hands in Your name.
My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness,
And my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips.
~Ps 63:3-5
“Because Your loving-kindness”...Our relationship with God was in no way initiated by us. God sought us out in the beginning. We were absolutely separated from Him and He pursued a relationship with us.
In the same way our relationship with God only continues because of Him. His love is "better than life," and when we receive His love, we are motivated to rise up and praise Him. To praise Him is our highest calling. Our praises may take many forms. For some it is teaching, others encouragement, giving time, giving money, or even simply listening or comforting with a hug. Each of these acts are praise when done in obedience to God's calling, e.i. "in Your name", and each is a necessary and valuable part of the body.
We "shall be satisfied" when we are in alignment with God's purpose for us. We were designed to stay in constant relation to God and continue praising Him every moment of the day. When we choose our own path and disengage ourselves from the Father we find emptiness and hopelessness, because we are going against our very design.
It is easy to question God's plan for us. To think that we know better than Him. But who are we to question the Creator? Does the Creator not know what is best for His creation? Consider...does He not see all, and know all?...can we ever know a better way than God? "His loving-kindness is better" than any life that we could imagine outside of Him. Revel in His love today and let it fill you with praise that rings out from joyful lips.
By Wesley Baker
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Regard No One According to the Flesh
It isn’t everyday one sets out to write a devotional. It’s much easier when you are writing and something ‘devotional like’ happens to come out. To have this grand purpose in the offset brings with it some insecurity. Many thoughts arise; “who am I to write this, do I have what it takes” and the big one, “am I good enough?” Are we good enough? When we look at our lives don’t we have to admit the simple answer is no. This is our perspective and maybe even the perspective of others around us, but reality is that we have no authority to judge ourselves worthy or not. Or consider, can we ever NOT be good enough for what God is asking us to do? God wouldn’t ask us to do something that we couldn’t accomplish or that He didn’t consider us worthy of.
This calls to mind a scripture that is dear to my heart. I feel convicted every time I read it, because I struggle to consistently practice it. I’m sure you’ve heard the second part of this verse over and over, but have you ever considered verse sixteen, this is the verse that jumps out at me.
II Cor 5:16-17> Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
This concept of not regarding someone ‘according to the flesh’ is a hard one to practice. This is our problem when we look and find ourselves unworthy, we are looking at the flesh, the outside, the corruptible, not the new spirit that has given us new life. Not new on the outside but new on a spiritual level. Because we have the Spirit of the living God inside of us we can do all that He calls us to do. We are also to look at other believers in that light. They are renewed like we have been at the very core. That Spirit in them is now their identity, not their struggles or faults that are often so easy to pick on. We have this bond, it’s not of the flesh, or anything we can see, but it is deep and powerful. We have been forgiven and made new. We are all as one at this level. No believer is better or less than any other and we are all worthy of God’s amazing love. As we receive that love we can live out His high calling to love as He loved us.
By Wesley Baker
This calls to mind a scripture that is dear to my heart. I feel convicted every time I read it, because I struggle to consistently practice it. I’m sure you’ve heard the second part of this verse over and over, but have you ever considered verse sixteen, this is the verse that jumps out at me.
II Cor 5:16-17> Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
This concept of not regarding someone ‘according to the flesh’ is a hard one to practice. This is our problem when we look and find ourselves unworthy, we are looking at the flesh, the outside, the corruptible, not the new spirit that has given us new life. Not new on the outside but new on a spiritual level. Because we have the Spirit of the living God inside of us we can do all that He calls us to do. We are also to look at other believers in that light. They are renewed like we have been at the very core. That Spirit in them is now their identity, not their struggles or faults that are often so easy to pick on. We have this bond, it’s not of the flesh, or anything we can see, but it is deep and powerful. We have been forgiven and made new. We are all as one at this level. No believer is better or less than any other and we are all worthy of God’s amazing love. As we receive that love we can live out His high calling to love as He loved us.
By Wesley Baker
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