Seeking Him In Everything

” Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.” Matthew 7:17-20

At the conclusion of His “Sermon on the Mount”, Jesus included a challenge for all of His hearers. The challenge? The fruit that a tree bears is always consistent with its root system.

The nature of the product (fruit) reveals the nature of the tree. If there are cherries at the end of the branch, it is a cherry tree. And, so on. So, the evidence in a person’s life will reveal what is at the heart of the matter.

In other words, “what you see is what you are.” There is no fooling God. There will be no fooling those who observe the type of fruit you and I produce with our lives.

If I am to be an effective witness/representative for God, I must bear the type of fruit that will draw attention to Him and give Him glory.

When I do not, I am revealing a hardness of heart. I am exposing a resistance to God’s desires for me. I am potentially pulling back the curtain on a heart that is actually unregenerate.

After all, Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” If I am still living in the old ways of sin in control of my life and its focus and direction, I am no different than a pagan who denies the True God and His call on their lives.

How many times I have heard people say that their _________ (child, spouse, other relative) made a decision for Christ as a child in Sunday School or Bible school or Good News Club. Now, you can’t see it by the way they are living today, but mom and dad will assert it nonetheless.

According to Jesus, a life that has been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb should manifest the new way to live that befits the work of God in one’s life. A person who professes to know Jesus should not still be living in the old ways of sin.

“By their fruit, you will know them.”–Jesus

Seems pretty obvious and clear, does it not? If so, then we need to live this way. And, we need to boldly challenge those who “double dip” (profess to be believers, yet live in sin the way they did before they professed Christ).

I want to be one whose life reveals the fruit of the Spirit. Don’t you?

I want to be bold and courageous to challenge ungodly living by those who claim to be believers.

No matter what they may say, “if anyone be in Christ, they will live a new way–not in the old ways that held them in their clutches on the broad way.

If you agree–you want to live in this bold way, “like” His call to godliness in all of your life.

If you agree that you want the fruit of your life to reflect Jesus, follow Him not at a distance, but close up; and, in every aspect of your life.

God bless you all,
PDW

“But we don’t need to write to you about the importance of loving each other, for God himself has taught you to love one another. Indeed, you already show your love for all the believers throughout Macedonia. Even so, dear brothers and sisters, we urge you to love them even more. Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before. Then people who are not Christians will respect the way you live, and you will not need to depend on others.” 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12

Paul was always concerned that those who were under his spiritual care would live in such a way that they would show an unbelieving world how great their God was.

People who saw how godly the Thessalonian believers lived and the disciplined lifestyle they embraced would be inclined to respect them for that.

In so doing, the unbelieving world around them would be led to honor God as well.

The axiom is this: people may not embrace your beliefs; but, they cannot but respect you (if only down deep) for what you say you believe and your consistent choice to live in concert with those beliefs.

It is when you and I live in such a way that God is honored that others have reason to look to Him. After all, it was not you or I who have made the deep inner changes that have resulted in such un-natural conduct, speech, attitudes that a genuine, growing believer will live out. It has to be God at work!

There are a variety of supporting passages that validate this idea.

Try reading 1 Peter 3:15-16, where Peter says that when a person lives like the Lord Jesus is on the throne of their lives, people cannot help but know that something amazing is the cause. We know that Cause to be the indwelling Holy Spirit Who has been unleashed in us. At such a time, Peter tells believers to be ready to give an answer for the hope that lies within. A great way to be reinforced in knowing what to say and how to say it will be the “Sharing Your Faith” seminar at Wrightsville church on Saturday, Sept. 24. It is not too late to sign up!

Another passage is found in Matthew 5:16 where Jesus says (in the Sermon on the Mount): “In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”

Having called His followers to be salt and light (verses 13-15), He reminds them that their personal testimony as individuals, marriage partners, parents, children (and in every other relationship we have!), should so live that God gets the glory and as we share Him, people see Him as the Ultimate Cause of the mind-blowing changes that have taken place in our lives.

It is then that we show them how they can come to know this same God!

I want to live in all my relationships in such a way as to point others to Jesus, don’t you?

To do so takes an active and persistent commitment to be “living sacrifices” (Romans 12:1) who are grateful for His amazing salvation work for them.

It also means that I must take His Word into my life so that I can be transformed by what I am learning and how I am allowing the Holy Spirit to guide me in a way that honors Him (Romans 12:2).

I trust that you will walk with me on that exciting path–as long as He allows us to journey along the way till He returns.

Is that YOUR choice? Let me know!

God bless you all,
PDW

“It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” Ephesians 4:11-16

Jesus has a lot invested in this entity known as the church. He went through inexpressible pain (physically and spiritually) to pay the price for the church to be set apart as God’s people for this time in His-story.

But, He did not go to such an extent for His church to sit on the sidelines; or, for the church to fight internal battles to see who might take leadership and assert their wishes on His body.

He did set up a structure for leadership to follow and a plan for the body to fulfill. He ordained leadership that would help the rest of the body be equipped or fitted for service (ministry). In that sense, EVERYone is a minister.

Those who were willing to submit themselves to that equipping were readied to serve others and in so doing to serve the larger body.

As people served and used their giftedness for His glory, they would come to a deeper understanding of the truth. They also would come to look more like Jesus. In addition, they would not be as easily led astray (like children) by the ploys of Satan (fulfilling his desire for disunity among God’s followers).

Those who love the Lord will EACH have a place of ministry that is their venue–where they are critical to the work of God (i. e., God’s work suffers and/or does not get done if that role is not taken seriously and fulfilled).

Therefore, when we do become prepared for service in love, God makes beautiful music in His church.

When we follow in His footsteps and do what He wants, God blesses His church with a wonderful unity and commensurate growth.

What do we need to do, then?

First, recognize and acknowledge how it is that God has chosen to work in His church and through it.

Then, respond to leadership by being equipped for ministry in your “primary” area of giftedness. This is where you fit best and your passion is best addressed.

Since we are not to be “lone rangers” and do things apart from the body (or, to the detriment of the body), seek out a team relationship within our church where you can best function and accomplish even more.

As you know, the acronym “t-e-a-m” means “together everyone accomplishes more.” It really does work that way.

Again, this is not the idea of a man; this is the way God has intended for His church to work. I trust you will be a vital part of His work here at York GBC.

God bless you all,
PDW

“Jesus sat down near the collection box in the Temple and watched as the crowds dropped in their money. Many rich people put in large amounts. Then a poor widow came and dropped in two small coins. Jesus called his disciples to him and said, ‘I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions. For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on.’” Mark 12:41-44

A reading of the gospels will reveal that Jesus mentioned the subject of finances quite often. In fact, over half of His parables have to do with money.

In CLASS 201, we learn about the relative use of some key words like “believe”; “pray”; “love”; and “give.” Believe is used 272 times; pray is used 371 times; love is used 714 times.

“Give” is used 2162 times. Quite a shocker, if I do say so myself!

It is clear that Jesus felt money, possession, finances (whatever will help you get a grasp on this subject) was an important indicator of the spiritual health and values of an individual (marriage, family, and church family, too).

Contrary to popular thought, a large amount given (yet, still having much left over) is not as impressive to God as a little amount given (that leaves one totally dependent upon God for His supply).

It is obvious that our ways and thoughts are not His ways and thoughts. That challenge will always be with us: to conform our ways and thoughts to His ways and thoughts. Romans 12:1-2 hits the nail on the head quite squarely and nicely. The servant of God will allow the Word to penetrate his/her thinking and make decisions regarding EVERYthing (including) resources, money, finances so that His will is being lived out.

R. G. LeTourneau was noted as a man who gave immense amounts of money to the Lord’s work. But, that was not always the case. He did, however, commit himself (with his wife and family) to give a tithe to the Lord. As time went on, instead of giving 10% and living on the remaining 90%, he and his family ended up giving 90% and living on the remainder. Easy to do when you are making millions, you might say. But, it started when he had little and could have easily kept back a portion that God wanted from him in order to prove His willingness to supply.

I want to be one who is faithful. My wife and I want to be sacrificial stewards of what He provides. We have always seen God provide. I am sure that many of you reading this can say the exact same thing.

He will continue to care for those who remember Him. The way in which that will happen is revealed in 2 Corinthians 9:6, where Paul says: “Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. ‘For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.’”

I want God to have no doubt in His mind about where my values are. I desire to make it very plain to Him that I am not just living for the “here and now”, but also investing in the future through sacrificial giving to His work, beginning with His local church family for me–York GBC.

As we come to the fall of 2011, we have four months till “harvest” (the fruit of our labor/effort–a budget/giving plan for the year) is met or missed. Would you pray with me that an abundance of His grace pervade His church and His people and will be reflected particularly in corporate giving for His glory?

God bless you all,
PDW

“Then Jesus, still teaching in the temple courts, cried out, ‘Yes, you know me, and you know where I am from. I am not here on my own, but he who sent me is true. You do not know him, but I know him because I am from him and he sent me.’ At this they tried to seize him, but no one laid a hand on him, because his time had not yet come.” John 7:28-30

God’s plan runs on God’s time. Galatians 4:4 says it like this: “But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law,”

The plan for Jesus and His ministry ran on God’s time as well. No matter that evil men wanted to kill Him. No matter that they wanted to be rid of His convicting message and ministry. He was immortal in terms of this life–until His work for God was done.

So, repeatedly in the Gospels we read of times and situations when Jesus’ ministry continued because God was not done with Him here–yet. Read John 7:43; 8:20, 59, among many others.

This gives me encouragement. My life is in His hands. I need not fear what man may do to me. My God is in charge.

When my time comes, nothing will stop it. All sorts of attempts to prolong it for myself as opposed to service for Him will fall short in their emptiness.

My life is in His control. So, it is best to serve Him now–while I still have the opportunity to do so.

I believe we need to see a caveat here as well. God’s time for Jesus was the backdrop of His service to Him. When the Father’s purpose for Jesus was “finished”, His time was also completed. It was all wrapped up in His ministry on this earth.

Lest I begin to think I am immortal in and of my own self, I believe I need to see my life in its context of whether I am involved in fulfilling His purpose for me–here and now.

When I have concluded what God has “foreordained” that I be involved in (see Ephesians 2:10), I will be most ready to meet Him face to face.

It seems that those who worry more about how long they are going to live and how they will make the transition through death’s door are also ambivalent when it comes to seeing their purpose for existence here. They are more interested in living the good life; not necessarily living a life where the goodness and love of the Savior shines through them and impacts those who need Him. Just saying’ …

I hope your life is lived with the attitude of Paul, who said in Philippians, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” (1:21)

May we all be able to say this with the firm conviction that Paul did. May we all realize that this life is so short in comparison to life with Him. May we serve in the manner of the time-honored phrase: “Only one life, twill soon be past; only what’s done for Christ will last.”

God bless you all,
PDW

“Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, “The teachers of religious law and the Pharisees are the official interpreters of the law of Moses. So practice and obey whatever they tell you, but don’t follow their example. For they don’t practice what they teach. They crush people with impossible religious demands and never lift a finger to ease the burden.” Matthew 23:1-4

The times of Jesus on this earth were not without religious leaders for God’s people, Israel. The Pharisees and Sadducees were in charge at that time. But, sadly, they were more antagonistic toward Jesus than they were in support of Him.

Throughout the Gospels you will read of the running battle that existed between religion (a system of “do’s and don’ts” represented by the Pharisees, et al) and a relationship with God (represented by the God-Man, Jesus).

The religion of that day is much like religion today. But, doing this or that, however faithfully, leaves one empty and searching for more. There is always one more thing to do. “Have I done enough?”

Most disappointing was the fact that the religious leaders of Jesus’ day preached a system of rules from which they actually sought to exempt themselves. Sort of like public officials today that want to legislate burdens on us–that they do not want to have to bear. Oops, I digress . . .

Jesus dissected the issue at its very heart: the leaders said the right thing, but they did not live it out. So, don’t follow their example. However, just because THEY don’t live it out, you are not excused from obedience to My Word.

I respond to those who say one thing and then do it. I respect those who speak the truth and then choose to live it out–no matter how hard that might be.

One of my favorite programs is “Combat”. After nearly 50 years since I had seen the last episodes of its initial run in the early to mid-1960s, WGBC/Red Lion brought it into its Saturday evening lineup. I try to watch it whenever I can (ask Judi–:>).

What impresses me greatly from that show is the action of squad sergeant Saunders, played by Vic Morrow. He is a man who doesn’t just tell his men to do the hard or dangerous thing; he takes the lead and shows them how it is done. That is what I want to be. How about you?

In “Band of Brothers”, Lancaster County native, Richard Winters, moves from Lieutenant to Major in the course of the war in Europe because he, too, was a man of integrity and courage who led his men by actions as well as words.

Now, in a new movie by Sherwood Pictures (“Fireproof”, et al), comes the story of a group of law enforcement officers who are challenged with what sort of leaders they were going to be–starting at home as dads. (I had the opportunity to preview “Courageous” recently. It will premiere on September 30. It is a good one to see and take others to see as well.)

Jesus pointed out to His disciples that when the ones they had fully taught were ready to go they would be more like them in attitudes and actions than in the amount of knowledge they had. It must have been sobering to consider that. It is challenging to me today as well.

Paul also reminded those he loved that they should take note of his example and follow it diligently (Philippians 4:9).

James chided those who would be teachers but did not live out their words, for they would be held accountable for what they said and did (James 3:1).

The basic blocks of leadership are learned in the home. As life’s lessons and challenges are experienced and responded to correctly (biblically), the individual grows and matures in Christ. As people are recognized for spiritual growth and maturity, their ministry expands and the church can be blessed as well.

In a time when integrity of leadership is in such short supply, may the church of Jesus Christ build into the lives of its children and youth. That comes by a willingness to be known and learn what God wants from His people and then to be such people in all of life’s relationships.

I hope you take the challenge of Jesus in Matthew 23 by choosing not only to know what God’s Word says, but also choosing to live it out each day.

It may not be easy. Part of the plot of “Courageous” demonstrates real-life situations that would keep us from living in obedience to Christ. But, through His power and grace it can be done. Accountability to and prayer for one another is also important in this quest.

We are all leaders in some way or other. Remember, the basic building block is the home. May you lead with integrity for Christ.

God bless you all,
PDW

“Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. But you ask, ‘How do we rob you?’ In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse–the whole nation of you–because you are robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this, says the Lord Almighty, and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.” Malachi 3:8-10

It does not take long in a reading of the minor prophets such as Malachi to accumulate a list of offenses that God was holding against His people.

A very serious offense that greatly concerned the Lord was that they had the brazen audacity to “rob God”!

Watch all the crime shows and be led on till the final reveal of the perpetrator of the crime. But, to try to hide one’s actions from God? Come on!

Equally amazing is the fact that Israel did not even see what they were doing was wrong. They thought that at best it was no big deal. Not the way the Lord saw it.

He took it so seriously that He challenged them to get their financial house in order with Him, or they would not like the results. He was so concerned about their apparent indifference to His gracious provision of all that they had that this was one of a list of reasons whey they would be exiled into captivity.

To bring them back to reality, the Lord challenged them to a test. Would they be willing to trust God to take what they would give Him and make it stretch in ways that would totally blow their collective mind? If they chose not, their continuing maladies would not cease.

You can “diss” “tithing” and such and divert the lessons for today all you want. But, the truth is, God has not changed His mind about the need for His people to express their total dependence on God and that He has first place in their lives by dedicating a tenth (and even more as an offering) to Him out of the resources He has entrusted to them.

Deuteronomy 14:23 (NLT) says it this way: “Bring this tithe to the designated place of worship—the place the Lord your God chooses for his name to be honored—and eat it there in his presence. This applies to your tithes of grain, new wine, olive oil, and the firstborn males of your flocks and herds. Doing this will teach you always to fear the Lord your God.”

Check out the last sentence of that verse: “Doing this will teach you always to fear the Lord your God.” Have we gotten so high and mighty that we no longer fear God? Certainly you can make such a case for that relative to our nation. Any wonder we are in the financial choke hold that faces our country, most states, counties and municipalities? What about families, too?

And, then there are the churches that seem to struggle year after year to meet their giving goals. No problem buying new houses, cars and taking trips, latest technology, etc. But, where are our priorities? Where is the evidence of our fear of the Lord? And, our commitment to depend on Him by giving sacrificially to the things that matter to Him?

As we continue into a summer time that is traditionally a down time for giving to non-profits, what will be your response? Don’t forget Him. He has provided all those resources which enable you and me to live the most affluent lifestyle (collectively) on the planet.

Yes, He does own all the cattle on a thousand hills and the wealth in every mine. But, He has chosen to depend on you and me to use those resources generously to help others in need and to extend His work around the world.

Maybe others do not have a sense of where their bread is buttered; let not that senselessness describe you and me (yours and mine) in the family of God.

Do you need to step aside and have a “heart to heart” with the One Who is the Giver of all you have? The summer is only one-third gone. You and I can still make a big difference, if we so choose.

God bless you all (and He has!),
PDW

“Sound the alarm! The enemy descends like an eagle on the people of the Lord, for they have broken my covenant and revolted against my law. Now Israel pleads with me, ‘Help us, for you are our God!’ But it is too late. The people of Israel have rejected what is good, and now their enemies will chase after them.” Hosea 8:1-3

Hosea’s message for God to His people was through a most difficult personal experience–his family. As difficult as it was for him to be God’s messenger and have such a conflicting family issue to deal with, he still was faithful to God. That would be quite a challenge–even on its own.

The essence of the situation is that God’s people had played with the fire/snake of sin and now it (sin’s consequences) had come back to burn/bite them. It was not pretty. It would not get pretty for quite some time.

God had observed the conduct of His people and was going to allow them to experience the fruit of their actions. No doubt they wished He would fudge on that aspect of sin’s ultimate impact (there are consequences for our actions).

Now, as they looked at the prospect of sin’s consequences coming their way, they “all of a sudden” remembered God! Surely He would deliver them! If not, what sort of loving God is He?

Yes, He would ultimately deliver them; but, not without a promised judgment (spiritual spanking) first of all.

As children who do their own thing for so long are finally brought up short with a spanking (or other such punishment that “hurts” so that it is not as attractive in the future), so are we as God’s children.

When I choose to do “my thing” in contrast to doing “His thing” (obey His Word), I can expect to experience His chastising. I may holler and complain all I want, but the reality is that I knew better and got just what I knew was coming for my disobedience.

It is at those times that I may play the trump card like Israel did. I may call on God (expecting to be delivered all squeaky clean and no worse for the wear).

But, there are consequences to be addressed. There are spirits to be calmed and salved. There are debts to be dealt with. There are harsh words to be apologized for. There pictures that get ingrained in the mind and need God’s healing touch. There are many things to confess before the healing process can really take over.

Of course, it is so much better to stop that hurtful sentence before it gets out of the mouth; it is so much better to catch that uncontrollable tendency to materialism before the plastic is so casually allowed to be the answer for my wants; it is so much better to kick in to “patience gear” with the little child that simply wants the love you express through your time with him/her after a long day apart than to growl at them and cause them to cry.

It is so much better to go to God FIRST and submit to Him and His ways and live each day under the control of His Spirit (see Galatians 5:22-23). That is the challenge for each day for each of us.

I hope you will take the challenge. And, by the grace of God be an overcomer of the old ways. It will be so much better for you and Him, and for you and others in your life.

God bless you all,
PDW

“Then the glory of the God of Israel rose up from between the cherubim, where it had rested, and moved to the entrance of the Temple. And the Lord called to the man dressed in linen who was carrying the writer’s case. He said to him, “Walk through the streets of Jerusalem and put a mark on the foreheads of all who weep and sigh because of the detestable sins being committed in their city.” Ezekiel 9:3-4

Ezekiel’s God-given mission was to warn His people of the judgment that was to come for their sin against God. The “man in linen” was to walk about the City of David (Jerusalem) and place a mark on the foreheads of those who wept over their national condition.

One gets the opinion that such people (who grieved over sin against God) were few and far between. I suppose it always has been and will continue to be that way (Matthew 7:13-14).

On this occasion in the book of Ezekiel, it was “okay” to get such a mark on the forehead. At the end of time, a mark like this will be a bad thing (Revelation 13:16-18).

If I were a betting man, I would guess that this sort of a passage might very well be the source for a common practice in the Christian community during the Lenten season. The practice is referred to as “Ash Wednesday.”

Ash Wednesday follows that last great splurge before Lent known as “Mardi Gras”, and leads into a forty-day period of self-denial and introspection.

As I understand it, a mark of penitence by the Christian is a dab of ash on the forehead. Something on the order of what happened in the day of Ezekiel.

Rather than a sign so easily washed off, I would prefer a heart that is very sensitive to a holy God and against the things that grieve Him. After all, it was His holy Son Who hung on a cross that He did not deserve to pay for the sin of people such as myself–and you.

We look around today and see so much evil. It causes us great dismay. It causes us to despair at what could happen next. It would suck us into its irresistible vortex, if not for the power of the One Who lives inside us (1 John 4:4).

The epistles counsel us more than once to “flee youthful lusts”. We are told to flee the devil and draw near to God. When we are close to Him, the allure of the ways of sin dissipates. When we play in no-man’s land at a distance from the Lord, we are most susceptible to what it promises (but never delivers).

I don’t know about you, but I want to live in such a way as to indicate to the Lord that I seek the first mark of God, the mark that sets off a sinner saved by grace who wants nothing to do with the old ways. It is not easy to make such a claim and then live it out. It has its share of stumbling along the way. But, our God is a God Who graciously forgives and restores His errant and now repentant child.

This one thing for sure I know: I do not intend to be here on earth when the second mark on the forehead is given!

God bless you all,
PDW