What's your purpose?

Is your purpose in life to be the best wife, mother, sister, soul-winner, employee----or you fill in the blank---that you can possibly be?

Do you set high goals for yourself, and work hard to attain them, believing that achieving them is fulfilling your destiny?

What would you say if I told you that none of the above is why we are here on this earth?! Would that surprise you?

Well, believe it or not, but it's true---nothing on the above list is the reason why we are here!

Yep, that's right! Phil. 2:13 says, "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. "

II Thess. 1:11 also states,

"Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:"

In fact, the first chapter of Ephesians reiterates over and over that we are to be "to the praise of his glory".

Our sole purpose, then, really and truly, is to live for HIS glory and HIS good pleasure.

Kinda changes things, and gives us a whole different perspective on things and the circumstances we face in our day-to-day existence, doesn't it?

If we would really take hold of this truth, I think it would transform our thinking and our very lives! Everything we do would take on new significance!

We would truly live Col. 3:17: "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to G-d and the Father by him." and I Cor. 10:31: "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God."

Wow---I don't know about you, but this truth really puts into perspective these Scriptures:

"What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." I Cor. 6:19,20

Conviction....or Condemnation?

Sometimes I think that we do not recognize the difference between being under conviction and under condemnation. Yesterday, in our ladies' SS class, I attempted to explain how to know the difference between the two.

The enemy is very clever as well as very subtle. He loves to twist the truth, to confuse us, to put false guilt upon us, to get us so turned inside out and sideways, that he gets our focus on other things to the point that we lose our effectiveness and miss what the L-rd is really trying to do in our lives.

The Bible tells us that, "All scripture[is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:" II Tim. 3:16 As we read the Word of G-d, the Holy Spirit will guide us into all truth (John 16:13).

Hebrews 4:12 tells us how G-d's Word does it's job: "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."

As we fellowship with the L-rd through His Word and prayer, and as we live day by day, walking with Him, the Holy Spirit does a work in our hearts. Conviction of sin is one way in which the Holy Spirit deals with us. Sometimes He also nudges our hearts about things that may not be sins, but things that the L-rd doesn't want us to allow as part of our lives any longer. The L-rd deals with each of us as individuals.

Conviction is a healthy thing!
It is evidence that our consciences are not seared (I Tim. 4:2)!
Conviction helps us to progress along in being conformed to the image of the L-rd Jesus Christ (Romans 8:29)!

But, dear friends, conviction is not condemnation. And, condemnation is not conviction!

While conviction is the work of the Holy Spirit, condemnation is the work of the law, which we all were under before we were saved.

Romans 8:1 tells us, "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."

If we have never been born again, we are still under the law, thereby under condemnation. But, when we have received forgiveness of our sins and made a child of G-d by faith in the Blood of Jesus Christ, we are no longer under the law and condemnation.

However, even after we're saved, we have an enemy. He no longer has power over our souls, but he still walks about as a roaring lion (Eph. 6) wanting to defeat and destroy us. He uses condemnation to try to bring us back under the law and weaken us.

If you belong to the L-rd, your sins being forgiven, He has cast all your sins behind His back and into the depths of the deepest sea! (Isa. 38:17; Micah 7:19) The L-rd promises to remember them no more! After we belong to the L-rd, when we sin, we are told in I John 1:9 that, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Being human, even after we've confessed those sins to the L-rd, we have trouble forgetting them. Some of us, without realizing it, carry around a load of regrets. The enemy enjoys mocking us, reminding us of our sins again and again, really rubbing it in, making us feel like hopeless failures!

So, what do we usually do? We pray, trying to make sure that the L-rd really forgives us, but He doesn't want to be reminded of our sins!

See how the enemy sets us up?! We're already forgiven. Those sins are under the blood. The L-rd remembers them no more. But the enemy gets us all down in the mully-grubs and feeling unworthy, guilty, ashamed, conflicted----over something that has already been settled, done away with and forgotten!

That's how condemnation works.....the enemy is good at that! The L-rd gives us forgiveness and the victory, and the enemy wants to push us back to defeat all over again!

Next time the enemy uses the condemnation tactic on you, remember Romans 8:1, and remember that the L-rd has given us the victory: "But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. " I Cor. 15:57 And what is our victory?
I John 5:4 says, "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. "

Wayward Children

"Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the L-RD hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me." Isa. 1:2

Take heart, mothers.....even the L-rd has wayward children!

Don't we blame ourselves when our children go astray? We do the best we can to rear them according to the Word of G-d, and they still seek their own way and fall into the snare of the enemy.

But, hey-----G-d is the PERFECT parent, is He not? Even He has rebellious children! But the Bible is clear, that G-d's rebellious children are going to come back to Him. All throughout the book of Isaiah, it makes it clear, that one day, all Israel will be gathered together again, and will mourn Him Whom they have rejected, and will once again worship the L-rd G-d.

Proverbs 22:6 is forever true: "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."

This Scripture is true for us, something we can count on as we pray for kids gone astray.

After all, haven't we all gone astray, turned every one to his own way as it says in Isa. 53:6? Who among us can claim to be a perfect child, can claim that we have never gone astray?

But---His mercies fail not!

"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. " II Chron. 7:14

Herein is the key: we must humble ourselves and we must repent!

All sin is a result of pride. Remember Lucifer? Pride is what caused his fall. Eve? Pride---to be like G-d, she ate of the fruit. At its root, all sin is prideful. So, there is only one remedy when we have sinned in going our own way: we must humble ourselves in order to then repent--turn from--our sinful way.

It takes a humble heart to admit that one has been wrong. It takes a humble heart to stop making excuses for wrong behavior. It takes a humble heart to confess to the L-rd that you have messed things up by doing things your own way instead of obeying Proverbs 3:5,6! It takes a humble heart to truly repent!

Repenting is not just acknowledging that you've done wrong. Repentance is a turning from that wrong.....going the other direction totally! There's nothing gradual about repenting. You either repent, or you don't. You can't turn from sin a little bit and follow the L-rd. Repentance is a total turning from sin.

Here are further promises of G-d to those of us who will humble ourselves and repent:

Psalm 34:18---"The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit."

Psalm 51:17---

"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise." Isa. 57:15--"For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones." Friends, the L-rd is coming soon. When he does, we who are His true children will not be going our own way any longer. We will then have to stand before the judgment seat of Christ. Paul tells us in II Cor. 11:31---"For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged." Wouldn't that be so much better, for us to humble ourselves, repent, and follow the L-rd before He has to deal with us Himself, as we see in the next verse, "But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world." G-d's Word and His promises are true.

Saved for Sure

Earlier this week, my husband and I had a "Costco" date. We got our Polish dogs and salad and sat down in the food court to eat. The fellow across from us immediately struck up a conversation. He was a pretty jovial fellow, and we enjoyed friendly banter back and forth. Mike gave the man a Gospel tract, which he readily accepted with the comment that he doesn't really see the need to go to church. I asked him about G-d, to which he replied that, "Oh Ya---I believe in G-d!" Mike encouraged him to read the tract, and the fellow said he would.

I wish I had thought fast enough....you know how you always think of things afterwards?! I should have followed up my question by asking him if he believed in Hell!

People do not see their need of the Savior, not because they don't believe in G-d, but because they don't believe in Hell and the possibility of going there! Their thinking is that G-d is so loving and so merciful and good, that He would never send anyone to that place. After all, they, themselves, are basically a good person! So, they reason, as long as they pay their bills and treat everyone right, they stand a good chance of getting to heaven.

In talking to that man the other day, he also made it very clear that he just doesn't really think about G-d, or find the need to read the Bible. G-d is just not in his thoughts. This reminds me of the verse in Romans 1:28---"And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;"

I find that this kind of thinking is pervasive in our society. Many people do not give any thought to their souls or eternity. They meander through life with no need or hunger for G-d. What a rude awakening awaits them!

Truly, I believe that this thinking stems from the fact that people in our society have not been taught the Ten Commandments. This reminder that we are sinners and that G-d is Holy has long been removed from our schools and public meeting places.

The Apostle Paul explained why the Ten Commandments are so important: they are a schoolmaster, teaching us what sin is. Once we know what sin is in G-d's eyes, the Holy Spirit can then bring conviction to our hearts. Galatians 3:24--"Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith."

Before we can know that we need a Savior, we need to know that we are sinners, right?! Why a Savior if we can get to heaven by being good?!!

Once we realize that we are sinners before a Holy G-d, then we realize that we need a remedy. This leads us to the point where we must decide to repent of our sins or remain in them.
Repentance is not merely being sorry. Many times people are sorry---sorry they got caught, sorry they made a bad decision and things turned out wrong, sorry about the consequences----but not truly sorry for their sin, enough to turn from it. That is true repentance.

This is why I believe that it is so very wrong to tell people that all they need to do is pray a prayer, accepting Christ as their Savior, and they will be saved. In our generation, huge churches have built their bus routes and memberships on telling this lie. I have read their materials instructing others how to win souls. They go something like this:

"You want to go to heaven, don't you?" Nod your head yes as you say this. "Jesus died on the cross for you so you can go to heaven. If you will just pray and accept Jesus as your Savior, you will be saved and can go to heaven. Do you believe that Jesus died on the cross for you?" Nod your head as you ask this question. "Well, then, will you pray and ask Jesus into your heart? I'll pray with you."

They then lead this person in a prayer, and put one more notch on their tally sheet. They get the person to come to church and be baptized and involved in activities. Later, when the person does get convicted of sin and the Holy Spirit deals with them about the condition of their soul, they reason that they already prayed, so they're already saved. How tragic is that?!

I believe it is important that we realize our responsibility in evangelizing the lost is this: "In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;"--II Tim. 2:25

Before anyone can be saved, they must acknowledge that they are a sinner. Going through some of the Ten Commandments is a good way to reveal that none of us can keep them! "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of G-d."

Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron illustrate this so well, using the Ten Commandments, on their website, www.wayofthemaster.com . They also provide some great Gospel tracts to use in showing people their sinful condition and what to do to be saved.

Belief is a good start, but James 2:19 says, "Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble."

Believing in Jesus Christ, worshipping Him, praying to Him is not salvation. Today, the word "believe" is understood as an intellectual assent to something. Believing on Jesus Christ, in Bible terms, is more than just a mental acknowledgment, it is a complete trust in and reliance upon His finished work on the cross to save us.

And, if we truly believe with our hearts, then we will have first acknowledged the fact that we are sinners, and that we need to repent and then trust in the Blood of Jesus Christ alone to save us.

Matthew 7:21-23 is a very sobering passage:
"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."

Paul admonishes us in II Cor. 13:5---"Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?"

I believe the L-rd is coming soon. It would be good to do as Peter says in II Peter 1:10---

"Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:"

The Need for Discernment

I think most of us, if we're in the Word and seeking to follow the L-rd, strive to be discerning. And, this is most commendable!

The Scriptures show that being able to discern "between good and bad" ranks very highly in G-d's eyes.

In I Kings 3:9 we read part of Solomon's prayer, answering the L-rd's question put to him as to what he desired most from the L-rd: "Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?"

The L-rd took note that Solomon didn't ask for other things that he could have lavished upon himself, "And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment;"---vs. 11

G-d did grant Solomon his request, and in addition, gave him the other blessings he didn't ask for. This same principle is taught in the New Testament when the L-rd Jesus admonished His disciples, "But seek ye first the kingdom of G-d, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Matthew 6:33

How can we seek after the kingdom of G-d and and His righteousness without discernment to know and recognize these when we see them? We must, with Solomon, ask the L-rd for this discernment to judge between what is good and what is bad; what is of the L-rd and what is not.

It's interesting to note that of the few New Testament Scriptures that use the word, "discern", or a form of it, two of them quote the L-rd Jesus instructing His disciples about the times at hand:

Matthew 16:3---"And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?"

Luke 12:56---"Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time?"

Even more, as we find ourselves in these last days, we sense the need for greater discernment.

While we are told that discernment is a gift of the Spirit: I Cor. 12:10a--"To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits;" we are also told that we are all to, "...believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world." I John 4:1

While some believers are especially gifted with discernment, we are all to use discernment in our daily walk with the L-rd. How do we acquire the ability to discern, if we do not primarily have discernment as a gift of the Spirit?

I believe that Hebrews 5:14 reveals the answer to us: "But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil."

This passage in Hebrews is talking about the milk versus the meat of the Word of G-d. Evidently, there were some believers who should have been more mature in their spiritual development, but were still nursing on the milk of the Word, i.e., the basic things of salvation, for instance. They were choking on the meatier portions of Scripture that taught more deep principles and doctrine, and thus they were still babies, not able to discern heresies, errors, deceitful spirits, and so forth.

Hebrews 5:13---"For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. " This was definitely not a good thing!

Here, then, is the key to having discernment-----become skillful in the Word of G-d! This skillfulness requires knowing what G-d's Word teaches and using G-d's Word in our daily lives as we make decisions, judgments, friendships, etc!

It's much like acquiring muscles. The more we exercise those muscles, the stronger they become. The more we know G-d's Word and use it in our lives (who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil) , the more discernment we will have.

Conviction or Condemnation?

As Christians, we talk about being convicted or having convictions. Convictions are a result of being convinced of something. When we read G-d's Word or hear the Word of G-d preached, the Holy Spirit will speak to our hearts and reveal things to us. "All Scripture is given by inspiration of G-d, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of G-d may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." II Timothy 3:16,17

Paul, in the next chapter, verse 2, exhorts Timothy to, "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine."

G-d's Word is what it should take to convince us......or rather, convict us. Whether we read it or hear it preached, the reproof, the correction and instruction are used by the Holy Spirit to change our hearts, if we will yield our hearts to Him.

Notice that the word doctrine is important, as it is mentioned in both passages. The reproof, instruction, correction when coming from G-d's Word, must be in line with sound doctrine.

John chapter 8 recounts the story of the woman taken in adultery. Jesus wrote something on the ground, then told the accusing Pharisees in vs. 7, "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her." Then he wrote on the ground again. Verse 9 tells us, "And when they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one...."

These Pharisees condemned this woman; but the L-rd had mercy, telling her to go and sin no more, and turning to the Pharisees, used their consciences to convict them.

G-d gave each of us a conscience. We can heed it and feed it, or we can ignore it and sear it. When we read or hear the W-rd of G-d, the Holy Spirit uses the words of G-d to prick our conscience, convicting us of sin in our lives. The ball is then in our court to decide whether to repent and forsake that sin, or to ignore and harden our heart against the Word.

The Apostle Paul had to instruct and reprimand the church in Corinth over some serious issues. He did it out of love, but nevertheless, it wasn't an easy message to get across. But the folks in that church took it to heart, and the Holy Spirit worked in their hearts, which caused Paul to, "rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner......For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death." II Cor. 7:9, 10

Paul further went on to explain how their godly sorrow brought forth fruit in their lives: "For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter." vs. 11

So here we find two kinds of sorrow: G-dly sorrow and the sorrow of the world. These two different sorrows produce two different results. We are told that g-dly sorrow produces repentance to salvation. Worldly sorrow produces death. How is that?

G-dly sorrow is produced when we see that we have sinned against G-d. When we have g-dly sorrow, we want to make things right. Like the Corinthian church, this kind of sorrow causes us to do whatever we need to do in order to make things right and revenge the sin in our lives!

Worldly sorrow results when our conscience condemns us, but we don't know what to do about it, so the sorrow we have is destructive. The enemy uses it against us to defeat us, and to cause us to try to escape by various other means. Depression, discouragement, despair, feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness are a result of that kind of sorrow.

Herein lies the confusion that many have between conviction and condemnation.

The L-rd made sure that Paul penned these very reassuring words for us in Romans 8:1---
"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."

When we have been convinced and convicted of sin by the Holy Spirit, according to His Word (sound doctrine), and have repented and renounced that sin, we are forgiven! When we then walk after the Spirit, seeking to live for the L-rd, not living a carnal, flesh-fulfilling life, then we should not know any condemnation!

When we are in Christ, we are no longer condemned, under sin. The enemy will do all he can to defeat us by throwing our past sins and failures into our face, making us feel that there is no hope. That is NOT conviction, dear friend. True heart conviction comes from the Holy Spirit; condemnation comes from the enemy. I think, perhaps, that when we get away from the L-rd, there is a nagging on our conscience that goes beyond conviction of sin, to one of condemnation as well.

Next time you feel worthless and under condemnation, examine your heart. Have you repented and forsaken these sins? Are they under the Blood of Jesus Christ? If so, then recognize that the enemy is trying his best to put you under his condemnation to rob you of your joy in the L-rd, and thus your strength to serve the L-rd.

For the believer, conviction of sin is from the L-rd; condemnation is not.

Letting Go

I'm sure you've heard the statement, "Let go, and let G-d."

Boy, but isn't letting go hard?! Especially if you've got a bit of "controller" in you! But the ability to "let go" is part of a giving heart----did you ever think of it that way?

In the first place, we are to let go of our very selves to G-d. When we come to Him with a humble heart entreating Him for salvation, we are to give him our hearts, our very lives---for He has bought us with a price. When we belong to G-d, our lives are not our own anymore.

Jesus said in Matthew 16:24, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me."

When we hold onto all we have for dear life, we are the loser. We have to let go in order to gain! Jesus tried to teach His disciples this principle. In verse 25 of Matthew 16, He went on to say, "For whosoever shall save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake, shall find it."

You know that when we truly love someone we must be willing to let them go. Holding onto them for dear life will only strangle the life out of the relationship. Letting go is liberating. Letting go allows for the other to be able to GIVE of themselves, freely, so in turn, we may receive. And it goes both ways!

The things we treasure the most---our loved ones, earthly possessions, our careers, our positions and entitlements---we must give them to the L-rd---let go of the cords we hold onto so tightly---that we may be able to receive what the L-rd has for us. If we are so filled up with our own selfish desires and misplaced values and priorities, if our love is totally given to other things......where is there any room left for the L-rd to fill us with His blessings, which really are of value?

Paul, by example as well as by his preaching, tried to impart this truth to the early believers, and it is preserved in Scripture for us today: "Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my L-rd: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,"

With the economy, indeed the world economy, looking more bleak every day, 21st Century believers probably should re-evaluate our lives. We mortals get so earth-bound that many times we fail to remember that this world is not our permanent home. We're just "visiting". Rather than be fearful and give in to despair, we must be willing to let go, and with the joy of the L-rd as our strength, live each day, trusting the L-rd to complete His perfect plan for our lives.

Psalm 37:4---"Delight thyself also in the L-rd; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart."