#fridayflash - The Earth is Full of His Unfailing Love

#fridayflash

On Fridays we break from a week of trending topics in news and entertainment for a quick verse and a prayer.  While it's good to find God's truths in the topics that we read of and speak of everyday, we can get lost in the drama and complication of it all.  It is good to take a break and just ponder the truths in His word, without needing to relate it to our current situations.  I trust the scripture will speak to you if you open your heart for it to do so.

#scripture

Psalm 33:4-6

For the word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does.  The LORD loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love.  By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth.

#prayer

Oh LORD, I have never met anyone on this earth who is faithful in all that they do.  And you, LORD, are.  I never need to doubt your promises, and that is so reassuring!  LORD, give me a heart for righteousness and justice.  Let it be said of me that I love righteousness and justice!  LORD, in the midst of race issues, electoral drama, and a world filled with sin, it is easy for me to despair.  Help me to see your "unfailing love" everywhere I look around on this earth.  I thank you LORD for the daily evidences of your power in the wonders of your natural creation.  Help me appreciate and exalt you, daily, for all you are doing in my life, and the lives of those around me.
Amen

#devoday4 - The sin of mind, body and soul

#trendingtopic

Trending on Facebook today is a story about Juanita Broaddrick, an alleged victim of rape perpetrated by former President, Bill Clinton, and her response to recent comments made by Chelsea Clinton.  In a recent interview Chelsea was asked about how she feels when her father is attacked for his former sexual misconduct, and her mother is accused of covering it up for him.  Chelsea stated that it is somewhat of a "tradition" for her family to be attacked, and she doesn't take it too seriously.  Broaddrick took issue with this statement, seeing it as a downplaying of a traumatic event from her life, and used the opportunity to promote Donald Trump for president.  When we look at both candidates for president, one thing is sadly true: sexual impurity is a large part of both of their lives, or the lives of their families.  Unfortunately, this day in age, it would probably be very difficult to find candidates in which this statement couldn't be made.

#scripturetiein

Anyone who has been involved in a situation involving sexual malfeasance knows the pain and brokenness it can cause, not to mention the lasting impact of the publicity of it, if that is the case.  The Bible has a LOT to say about the topic.  Today we'll look at a couple verses.

1 Corinthians 6:18
Flee from sexual immorality.  Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.

This verse is bringing to light that sexual sin, unlike other sins, affects mind, body and soul.  We are wholly affected by our sexual choices, and this should be considered as we engage in sexual relationships.

1 Thessalonians 4:3-5
For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you obstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God.

This verse tells us that to "know God" is to follow his will, and his will is that we would be made holy.  A HUGE part of holiness is self-control.  Gaining control over our human and earthly instincts is key to being sanctified in Christ.

1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man.  God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

This verse is for all those who would say they can't help it, or that the "devil made them do it".  No true believer should ever utter these words.  When we succumb to temptation it is not because we had not choice, or did not have the strength to overcome.  We have the strength because we have Christ, and He is our strength.  And this verse says He is faithful.  He will never allow us to be tempted beyond our means to control it, and will always provide a way out.  So, if feel stuck in a sexual cycle of passion, shame and conviction, look around you.  I guarantee there is a way out.

#liveit

Sexual sin, like any sin, is about resisting God to satisfy ourselves.  Because we are born into original sin, this will always be lurking in the background.  If you struggle with sexual sin, you should remove the points of temptation as much as possible.  These days, I know that's hard.  We all have internet enabled devices and the days of "keep your computer in the living room" are over.  If you have a spouse, talk with your spouse about your struggles and provide them the passwords and controls necessary to help keep you accountable.  If not a spouse, then a friend or sibling.  This surely is not easy, as this area of life seems so taboo in our society, but God will honor your efforts to keep away from temptation.

When you are tempted, find that way out.  Stop.  Breathe. Pray.  And, look around you.  It is never to late to say, "no" and walk away from the situation, no matter what anyone tells you.

Finally, I have written this devotional for those who struggle with engaging actively and willfully in sexual sin, not those who have been victimized by it.  If you have participated in sexual sin in a way that was against your consent, there is no condemnation for you.  If you struggle with guilt and shame because of this, take a moment now and give that over to God.  He can heal those broken areas of your past and make you pure again.  That is a promise.  Reach out to Him and He will be faithful.

#prayer

Lord, our world is a broken place, torn apart by pride and abuse of power, immorality and shame.  Even our most prominent political leaders, those who are vetted and filtered by our votes are often marred by sexual sin.  It seems to be a sin, Lord, that many cannot escape.  But I know, from your word, that this is not true for those that have You, God.  I pray today, Lord, for those who live everyday with this temptation and these struggles.  I pray Lord that you gently remind them of the strength they have in you and show them the way out.  I pray Lord that I would always remain vigilant about my own purity, never assuming Lord that this could never affect me.  Lord, I know it is only by your grace that I am able to avoid this area of sin in my own life.  Finally, Lord, I pray for all of those who have been passive victims of someone else's sexual sin.  Lord, bring healing to those areas, physical and emotional, that have been broken by this.  Show them the love and acceptance that only You can provide, Lord.
Amen

#devoday3 - Hanx and a Generosity of Spirit

#trendingtopic

A popularly trending topic on Facebook today is, Tom Hanks crashing the photo shoot of a very lucky bride and groom on their wedding day, in Central Park.  Go ahead, click on that link and watch the video, and I dare you not to feel all warm and tingly.  After two days of devos about really difficult and complex topics, I personally am so glad to bring you this cute little story, and what the Bible has to say about it all.  Now, the "Celebrity Faith Database" (which is a real thing) identifies Tom Hanks as a "firm believer in God" and a regularly attending church-goer with family background in Catholicism, Mormonism, and the Church of the Nazarene.  His wife is Greek Orthodox, and this seems to be how Hanx worships these days.  I have no idea about the personal relationship Tom has or does not have with Christ.  But I do know this.  Hanx seems to have a generosity of spirit that not many have now-a-days, and, sadly, not many of faith have.

#scripturetiein

What do I mean by "generosity of spirit"?  I define it by giving freely of your good will and kindness.  We see this concept in many eastern philosophies and religions such as Buddhism, Hinduism, and Seikism.  But we, as believers, should lead the way in having a generous spirit.  Not because our human "spirits" are innately kind and full of good will, but because we have the Holy Spirit inside of us, and every thing we do and say should be an outpouring of it!

Acts 10:37-38 says:
You yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power.  He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.

Romans 8;11 says:
If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

So, if the Holy Spirit is what caused Jesus to do "good" and heal "all who were oppressed by the devil" and we have that same Spirit if we have faith, shouldn't that mean we should also do good and bring healing to a broken world, oppressed by sin?  Having a generous spirit is not a gift that is only bestowed to some Christians.  We all have the Spirit in us, and it should exude out of each of us!  But, the Bible says we have the ability to "quench" the spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:19), or "extinguish" it, in other words.  If we do not have a generous spirit, doing good and healing those around us of the pain that Satan brings, it is not because that just isn't how God made us.  It is because we are choosing to hide the Spirit, and that is a very sad, and serious thing.

#liveit

So, I get it.  If the average person, like myself, crashed a wedding photo shoot, that person would probably get arrested.  Tom Hanks is able to do this to much joy and thanksgiving because of his fame and popularity.  But that spirit of "how can I brighten someone else's day?" is in all of us!  Buy a coffee for someone in the line behind you.  Leave a note for a co-worker to tell them how much you appreciate them.  Buy or make a small gift for your spouse or other family member.  Hold a door.  Offer a smile.  Start a conversation with someone people don't usually talk to.  These are just a few ideas!  Oh! And, expect nothing in return.

And, of course, pray.  Pray for those around you, because the Bible says that even if you don't know what to pray for, the Spirit will intercede (that means take over) on your behalf and appeal to the Father for what the subject of your prayer needs (Romans 8:26).

#prayer

Lord, too often, I admit, I quench your Spirit within me.  In a spirit of negativity and mortality, I assume that I cannot do much to impact the lives of the people around me.  But, Lord, You can!  And You are in me!  Lord, thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit!  Let me not experience this gift only for myself, but share it with the hurting world around me!  Lord, thank you for the example of people who naturally exude a generous spirit.  Forgive me for not always being among them, and strengthen me to be able to do so.
Amen

#devoday2 - Perspectives of Home

#trendingtopic

The number one trending topic on Facebook today is, of course, the U.S. Presidential Debate that aired last night.  This election has invoked many emotions in the citizens of this country, but the number one emotion that I have picked up from the conversations with friends and family, Facebook posts, and the news, is FEAR.  Many of us are genuinely afraid of what will happen to the country if one, or the other, candidate is elected president.  This is where biblical perspective is necessary.

#scripturetiein

Hebrews 13:14 tells us that "here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come".  What does that mean?  It means that, while we do live here right now, we will not always, and we are not meant to live here, always.  It means that we are sojourners here, on earth.  We have not reached our heavenly home yet, and we are passing through this world on our way there-sacrificing, submitting, and doing good so that others may join us one day in entering our true home.

#liveit

While stewardship in citizenry is important, and education about who we vote for is key, who becomes our next leader is not the end all, be all of our societal existence.

What do we expect of refugees to the United States-to those who are here until they can return home?  We expect them to be lawful.  We expect them to contribute.  We expect them to respect the environment around them.  But, we don't expect them to embrace all of our ways and be concerned with all of the things that concern us, as a nation, because this country is not their home.

This is exactly how we should think of our role in politics and governance here, on earth.  While this world is not our permanent home, it is what God has provided us right here, right now.  We should be lawful.  We should contribute from our finances and citizenship.  We should respect the environment around us.  We should not be consumed with earthly politics, though.  Earthly politics will, ultimately, have no affect on us.  While participation is prudent, as we can promote heavenly values in participation, and it does impact our daily lives, it should not become the goal.  Our goal is to make it back to heaven.  Our concerns should be with the governance and culture of our heavenly home.  While taking refuge here, we must never forget to honor our own King, and remain true to the way of life that is customary for citizens of heaven.

#prayer

Lord, as a refugee here on earth, I admit I am afraid of what the future holds, regarding the current American presidential elections.  Lord, I ask that you help me to wisely participate in the process of choosing our next leader.  Lord, I ask that you grant me the strength and patience to submit to the leadership of our next President, as your word instructs me to do.  Above all of this, though, Lord, I ask that you would continually keep my heart set on my true home.  Do not let me become embedded here, Lord.  Do not let me forget that my true home is with You.  Lord, while I respect and submit to my earthly leaders, I honor and adore you.  While I participate, and even enjoy some earthly ritual, Lord, I remain committed to your customs and ways.  Strengthen my resolve to maintain my heavenly identity while residing here in the world, Lord.
Amen

#devoday1 - Love in a Time of Body Cameras

#trendingtopic

The number one trending topic on Facebook today is the release of the body cam and dashcam footage of a recent police shooting of a black man in Charlotte, NC. No one can deny we are in a dark time, as a nation, where we are realizing we are not nearly as far along in race relationships as we thought.

If you're like me you might feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of incidences of this nature that pop up on a seemingly weekly basis. Given our inherent nature, we are tempted to either "fight" and join protests or demonstrations, or "flight" and go about your life as though the suffering of our fellow man does not affect us. I know "flight" has always been my m.o.

#scripturetiein

In Galatians we are told that "There is neither Jew, nor Greek, there is neither slave, nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:28).

In Matthew, when Jesus is asked which is the greatest commandment, he answers, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets." (Matthew 22:36-40)

#liveit

Shortest way to combine these messages: Love. Love God. Show God you love Him by loving everyone the way he does, without discrimination based on race, gender or social status. Love.

If you're angry and want to fight, try love instead. If you're scared and want to run and hide, try love instead.

If you assume all black men are instigating the police to violence, try love instead.

If you assume all white police officers are biased against black men, try love instead.

Because we all know, LOVE is patient, LOVE is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, It is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no records of wrongs. LOVE does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7) And perfect LOVE drives out fear (1 John 4:18) which is all that any form of blanket hatred is: a fear of what we cannot understand.

#prayer

Lord, I ask that you search my heart, find my biases against my fellow man, and eradicate them. Lord, help me to love all others the way that you do. Lord I want to not only say I love my neighbor, but know that my "neighbor" is everyone and to love is an action. Help me, Lord, to be brave enough to resist earthly responses to this complex problem, in favor of seeking your counsel and guidance. Let me never run from an opportunity to love, Lord, no matter the color of a person's skin, or color of a person's uniform.
Amen