Used to the Good - a smidge of my testimony

This weekend is quite a somber reminder for me. 

20 years ago today, we were in an interstate roll over accident. We rolled 3/4 of a mile! Hit by a drunk illegal immigrant in a stolen vehicle, our lives completely changed. Matter of fact, the "old me" died that night.

This could go many directions as I could share thousands of things that the Lord has brought me through since then. Still, for times sake and our short attention spans, I'll share this...

We have everything to be thankful for. God has a purpose for you as He does for me. Apart from Christ, we make things much harder than we need to. No only in our lives, but for those around us. 

Christ requires surrender, genuine and whole hearted devotion to Him and Him alone. He literally rescued me from myself that night and though that was the beginning of a very long, hard and difficult journey; its one I wouldn't be able to do even to this day without Him. He's my constant, even through childhood to now in my middle ages, He remains the same. 

Knowing and walking with Him doesn't mean life is easy or perfect, quite opposite to be frank. It doesn't make one person "better" or "above" another. What it does do is grant a whole new lense in which we experience life, how we view love, mercy, compassion, grace, mercy, empathy and forgiveness. There's a deeper need for the One who knows all, sees all and cares the most. It's new desires that cannot compare to what was once cherished.

If you aren't walking with the King of kings and Lord of Lord's, Jesus Christ, I pray you don't have to endure a fraction of my journey before you stop to consider why you do what you do, like what you like and approve of that which you do. God has a way of getting our attention and revealing Himself far deeper than any religion could ever shed light on. 

As I reflect on the good and the bad of that terrible night, I know God has and still is using it to the good, for His good. I've been called to follow Jesus and it's by Him my identity is found, not by any other title such as author, business owner, no worldly attainment, company kept or any other positions life can hold. 

People will see what they want to see. My hope is that somewhere Jesus is seen in me. 

Oh that blessed Divine vine!

Are you connected?

Jesus said,
"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples."
John 15:4-8

I love gardening! It fascinates me to watch a tiny seed be placed in the soil and over time, after watering and weeding a plant grows and produces food! In essence, its amazing watching life happen!

As we are at the end of growing season and it's time to harvest, I've watched several of our vines grow, flourish and some wither! Those that shriveled and withered away are the ones that were stepped on or crushed. Once its cut off from the main part, it dies.

Now, looking at the in line with the words Jesus spoke here, if we aren't in Him and He in us, we have no true life source! Apart from Him, we can do nothing. In fact, we do just as these plants do and shrivel up!

Look at how the Strong's Concordance breaks this down.
μένω ménō, men'-o; a primary verb; to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy):—abide, continue, dwell, endure, be present, remain, stand, tarry

(https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?t=kjv&strongs=g3306)

That's pretty cool! Is it any wonder why we were fruitless apart from the life source?

May we consider this warning and heed wisely.

"Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son." 2 John 1:9

Consider your walk with Christ. How blessed we are to abide in that divine vine! Are you staying connected in Him or growing dry, dreary and crusty? Is your life producing fruit or have you become fruitless? 

Christ, the sin cure

WHAT IF people could see sin like Ebola, AIDS, Polio, or COVID? Difference here? Physical illnesses that lead to death verses spiritual death which is eternal... People fear sickness and disease yet not the God who grants life to the soul.

Jesus said, "And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." Matthew 10:28

Think of the many preventative measures taken for one who is transported with any of these ailments in effort to control or contain the spread... Yet sin is more catastrophic to the soul than any of these are to the human body.

What preventative measures are being taken against this destructive spiritual disease we are all born with, SIN?

Yes, we are all born with it.
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" Romans 3:23

Knowing we are a fallen humanity, God Himself provided the sin cure. Christ is the antidote!

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil." John 3:16-19

While there are many who seek to cure or treat human viruses and disease, people try to fix themselves apart from God. This is no different than sweeping a dusty floor in an enclosed room. Sure, there will be evidence of efforts, but when the dust settles once again there's proof not all was cleaned up!

While these diseases are terrible and can be deadly, our sin nature does carry eternal consequences... separation from God for eternity. Our efforts only carry so far. Which do you fear, that which kills the body or the One who grants life to the soul?

Are you struggling in your own efforts to do what only Christ can?

King of the saints

I once was surrounded by death and despair, but Your love came down and rescued me there. Oh bright Light and sweet taste of Heaven's delight. The moment You opened my eyes to see, that precious day I did fall upon my knees.

To think I will sing with saints gone before, to worship & praise the magnificent Lord!

"Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest." Rev 15:3-4

I will bow down and worship with the saints, oh how the thought makes my heart faint. To behold Your power and glory divine. A trade once made with Your hand in mine. Far to majestic for my mind to comprehend, to think You now call me friend.

Now no more gloom nor pain I tried to hide, the darkness is gone and Christ at my side. No worries nor fear, but true joy that brings tears. A lover, a friend that none can compare. How worthy He is when this great day appears that I sing with the saints who dared to believe, it was His Love that rescued me!

Will you join this heavenly host? Will you declare His glorious works? "Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest." Rev 15:3-4

This life is but a mere test to see if you will join the rest. No more darkness nor death, but eternal life and rest. The battle is tough and the road is long but what a prize for my eyes to behold, the King of glory upon Heaven's throne!

The Whirlwind of WORDS

I’ve prayed and searched much about this topic over several weeks. Our words can build one up or tear them down. They can create peace or painful chaos. I pray He speaks to you as He has me. The Word of God says much about the use of our tongues; it gives many examples of defamation and slander as well as warnings against such things. I pray your heart and mind are open to correction, conviction and repentance.

 “Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.” James 4:11 "Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof." Proverbs 18:21

This is a serious topic that can have deep long lasting effects on a person and possibly those around them. It is the topic of slander, defamation of character and backbiting. Just a few simple words can do so much damage. Let’s break down the phrase “speak evil”, in the Greek it is kakologeó; which means speak evil of, curse, revile, abuse. There are major repercussions for doing such things, not only within the world’s judicial system, but also according to God’s. Yes, I said the world’s legal system. Did you know someone can take such accusations before a worldly judge? Even the world knows it’s wrong to painfully hurt and maliciously slander another’s character. So, if the world knows it’s wrong, how much more does the Heavenly Father hate it? TREMENDOUSLY!

Just what is slander? The greek word for “slander” is diábolos (from 1225 /diabállō, "to slander, accuse, defame") – properly, a slanderer; a false accuser; unjustly criticizing to hurt (malign) and condemn to sever a relationship. [1228 (diábolos) is the root of the English word, "Devil". 1228 (diabolos) in secular Greek means "backbiter," i.e. an accuser, calumniator (slanderer). 1228 (diábolos) is literally someone who "casts through," i.e. making charges that bring down (destroy) - concordances.org

Safe to say slander, unjust criticism, condemnation to sever a relationship, backbiting, false accusations, all lies, etc. is satanic! Those who practice such things on a regular basis; yet call themselves Christians may want to consider whose character they truly do reveal. Remember the enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10). Those who follow him will do as he does! Steal your joy, kill your friendships & relationships and destroy the life Christ wants you to have in Him!

Here are three examples of such slanderous division I want to share from the Word. There are many more, but I’ve found these three to be the most distinct in their destruction!

First, let’s look at Eve’s conversation with the serpent in the Garden of Eden.

“Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.” Genesis 3:1-6

This still affects us! Why? The serpent made Eve question God, His motives, His character and integrity! He twisted God’s words and made Him seem selfish in desiring to keep knowledge to Himself! Eve played right into Satan’s hands and fell right into his trap! The serpent made the forbidden fruit seem harmless and beneficial. Not only did she eat, but she gave it to her husband Adam! This was a sly conniving conversation filled with twisted words and inevitably caused the fall of man! There was an agenda behind it. He not only wanted them to be disobedient to God, but also to sever their relationship. Satan has always been jealous of God and he has the ultimate wicked heart.

Let’s look at another example: Let’s look at 2 Samuel 10

“And it came to pass after this, that the king of the children of Ammon died, and Hanun his son reigned in his stead. Then said David, I will shew kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father shewed kindness unto me. And David sent to comfort him by the hand of his servants for his father. And David's servants came into the land of the children of Ammon. And the princes of the children of Ammon said unto Hanun their lord, Thinkest thou that David doth honour thy father, that he hath sent comforters unto thee? hath not David rather sent his servants unto thee, to search the city, and to spy it out, and to overthrow it?” (v1-3)

 King David wanted to bring comfort & show kindness to the family for their loss. So he sent 2 of his servants to deliver the message. However, the princes of the children of Ammon, misconstrued the message, twisted David’s intentions and said he sent spies! So these servants of David were defamed, stripped of their dignity and clothing ½ in the middle to their buttocks and ½ their beards were shaved off (v4), their beards showed stature; plus they were embarrassed! He sent his servants away to be cared for in Jericho until their beards grew again (v5). So, not only was King David defamed, but his humble servants as well! Since the princes of the children of Ammon refused to believe this was good sentiment they hired they Syrians. They were dressed for battle! All this devastation, for what? All David wanted to do was send his condolences but in return due to destructive defamation and slander they’re in an out and out WAR! The remaining of the chapter lists the armies involved, but in the end David’s army, all of Israel (v17) sleighed nearly 50,000 people! This is craziness!

 Do you see how destructive the tongue can be? This is one of the most deadly cases in the Old Testament! “All that hate me whisper together against me: against me do they devise my hurt.” Psalm 41:7 So, we’ve seen the fall of man, a spiritual death, and now a tremendous catastrophic case of physical death.

Finally, let’s look at what Satan, the father of lies has done to our Beloved Savior. Satan used the religious leaders of His time to ultimately take Jesus life. They had nothing on Him, but lies! “Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:” Acts 2:23 They inevitably took His life!

We understand the devastation of an uncontrolled tongue. Where does it all stem from? It stems from a wicked heart. “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.” Luke 6:45 A wicked heart is self-serving, proud, jealous and envious. All of which Satan possess and impresses these things upon those who are unarmed in Christ! This was exactly James point when he said, “Speak not evil one of another, brethren…” James 4:11 A true born again, Sprirt filled believer should not have a lifestyle full of constant Hippocratic lies! For those in the flesh, it’s comfortable for them to spread gossip, defame others character and tear others down for their own personal gain. I strongly believe a slanderous disposition reveals an evil heart. Which are obviously distinct characteristics of the world! “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” Matt 7:20

What are we to do when we are the one wronged? “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.”2 Corinthians 5:20 Being His ambassador means we are to be His example to the world. “And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:” 1 Corinthians 4:12-13 We are to follow the example He gave us! “Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:” 1 Peter 2:22-23  Pray for them, bless them! “Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.” Matt 5:11 “Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.” 1 Corinthians 4:13

Let them do as they do, we do not retaliate. Vengeance is not our place. It belongs to the Lord. There are great warnings to those who choose to hurt one of His children in any form.

“Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.” Proverbs 20:17 Things may go your way for a time, but the Lord wins everytime. Don't be fooled that you'll get away with the deceptive destruction you've caused. It will come back upon you!

“I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.” Psalm 39:1  Let us be diligent in seeking the Lord’s will over our own and ask that He bridle our tongues so He is glorified in all thing. Watch your mouth and what spews forth from it. It reveals your true character and who you are really following. This is something to seriously think and pray about.

A WARNING TO THOSE WHO HEED NOT!

“Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of God endureth continually. The tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully. Thou lovest evil more than good; and lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah. Thou lovest all devouring words, O thou deceitful tongue. God shall likewise destroy thee for ever, he shall take thee away, and pluck thee out of thy dwelling place, and root thee out of the land of the living. Selah. The righteous also shall see, and fear, and shall laugh at him: Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength; but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness.” Psalm 52:1-7