Category: Encouragement

Do You Mind? – Part 1

Tim KingLeave a comment

Paul’s letter to the Philippians is a recurring exhortation from Paul to “be of the same mind“. For the next several posts, I want to consider the different instances in Philippians where Paul calls believers to have this “mind”, this mind is the mind of Christ.

The goal is to understand what is this “mind” is and how we go about fulfilling this call to be of one mind.

In this first post I want to look at the call to unity in spirit and Gospel purpose –

“Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God.” Philippians 1:27

What a compelling exhortation to the church. As followers of Christ we are called to “stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel”.

A common purpose and passion should pervade our mission and ministries. That priority is the gospel of Jesus Christ. Everything else is secondary. Everything needs to be considered in the way it supports our striving to share the gospel.

That being the case, anything that hinders our standing firm in unity for that purpose, or that hinders our striving in any way, is to be rejected and discarded.

Our personal longings for notoriety or self promotion need to be rejected. Rather, we join together, in unity of the Spirit, to proclaim and live out the gospel before the world.

The word “striving” here is the idea of contending together. It is that idea that we struggle and strive with unity, persevering in the face of opposition and even persecution. It brings to mind the idea that in the power of the Holy Spirit, we join together in a battle or competing, for the divine and glorious gospel.

If Jesus is truly our Lord and Savior, than His gospel, the divine and glorious truth of Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross, burial, and resurrection must be our priority.

Conduct worthy of the gospel of Jesus Christ is demonstrated in our willingness to work together for that priority. It is lived out as we strive to encourage one another to use our God given gifts doing that work. It is seen in our longing to see one another grow in our faith. It is each part of the body doing their part knowing that the body as a whole is wholly committed to this gospel priority.

The church is not a group of people seeking to push forward multiple agendas or goals. There is one priority, one purpose, the gospel of Jesus Christ.

A Truthful Response

Tim KingLeave a comment

The passion week of Christ found in chapters 10-16 of the Gospel of Mark is an amazing portion of Scripture that challenges believer and unbeliever alike. It has been said countless times, the cross demands and answer. Truly it does. If you are a thinking person that is willing to consider the cross at all, you are faced with a decision as to who Jesus Christ is and what the cross is going to mean in your life.

That decision made, as believers we see throughout all of the passion week, so much for us to learn about growing in Christ-likeness. If we truly consider ourselves to be Christian, then we must see, in all of Christ’s trial, mocking, and crucifixion, in all of those horrific events, that Jesus demonstrates to us some of the highest callings and examples by which we can grow in Christ-likeness.

The Example of Christ – Humble Silence
How did Christ respond to the religious leaders relentless evil attacks and hateful accusations? He didn’t. He remained silent in obedience to His father, and because their accusations were not worthy of a response.

How did Christ respond to Pilate when asked why he was silent to these accusations? He didn’t. Once again He remained silent.

How do we then respond to others when we are ridiculed or mocked? When we are falsely accused or criticized for something? Simple…we don’t respond. We don’t need to respond to false accusations. Our testimony of silence is enough. Simply let the Holy Spirit work in their lives through your silence and good works.

In Mattthew 5:16 we read the following:

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

Jesus knew His death on the cross, His crucifixion, had to happen in obedience to the will of His Father in heaven. Jesus’ silence, throughout the whole process, spoke volumes. From trial to death, Christ did not respond to the attacks…to the reviling of those around Him. Rather He sat, stood, and hung in humble silence, not responding to those that would mock, scorn, revile, and kill Him.

Following Christ’s example, we don’t need to respond to false accusations or mocking. We don’t need to acknowledge the foolishness of this world when we are wrongly judged and reviled. How we respond, how we live before others, how we sit-stand-and die to self, in obedience to Him, is done in Christ-likeness to honor our heavenly Father, and to point others to the cross of Jesus Christ.

“Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” Matthew 16:24

But what about when we are called out by this world for who we really are. What do we do when we are mocked or ridiculed as one of those “Christians”, or one of those “Born Again” weirdos.

Again…we look to the example of our Lord Jesus. We respond just like Christ did! He gave a truthful response when asked about who He was.

The Example of Christ – A Truthful Response

Jesus was asked by Pilate in Mark 15:2 “Are You the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered and said to him, “It is as you say.”

So how do you answer the question… “Who are you?”
Or what if someone says to you “Tell me a bit about yourself…”
What if they ask you flat out… “Are you a Christian?”

How will you reply?

Do you dread that question?

Do you shy away or try to redirect the question?

Do you change the subject out of fear?

Or will you answer like Christ, speaking the truth, and profess to others… “It is as you say.”

In Matthew 10 Jesus was teaching the twelve apostles exactly what it meant to be one of His disciples.

“Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.” MAtthew 10:32-33

Telling the truth to others that we are a child of God, a follower of Jesus Christ, that He is our Lord and Savior, is exactly what we do. Like Christ, we give a truthful response. Without hesitation. Without fear. With boldness and confidence in the truth of who Christ says we are.

You have been adopted into God’s Family

“4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” Galatians 4:4-6

You are chosen and called by God

Peter tells us that as believers we are “9 …a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9

You are sealed by the Holy Spirit

As believers we have been given a gift and promise from God that can never be changed. We are His forever. Ephesians 1:13 tells us

“13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise…” Ephesians 1:13

As a believer, a follower of Jesus Christ, we will long to grow in His likeness. It is who we are, and what we do. Paul wrote in the book of Hebrews telling us how we are to live our lives. How we are to run the race of our faith, specifically in the light of the truth that Jesus endured the cross.

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2

Additionally Romans 12:1-2 calls us to a life of transformation to Christ-likeness.

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:1-2

Jesus proved the “good and acceptable and perfect will of God” when He willingly, lovingly and in obedience to His Holy Father went to the cross on your behalf. In the same manner, we prove the “good and acceptable and perfect will of God” when we willingly, lovingly and in obedience to His Holy Father give a truthful answer as we lay down our lives and take up His cross.

Have you confessed Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the risen Savior, as your Christ? Do you believe that He was tried, mocked, and crucified that you might have forgiveness of your sins and eternal life?

If the answer is yes, than He is most worthy and deserving of a truthful response from us when people ask us who we really are!

“So I prayed …”

Tim KingLeave a comment

The book of Nehemiah is a powerful, historical book filled with examples of biblical leadership, standing firm in God against opposition, as well as personal and community revival found in God’s Word.

One of the more powerful themes that runs throughout the whole book though, is the priority and persistence of prayer in the life of Nehemiah. As we read the story of Nehemiah, we of read prayers for success, prayers for wisdom, and prayers for judgment. Sometimes his season of prayer goes on for months. Other times we see him pray in-the-moment prayers that are silent, but powerful, petitions to the God of heaven for that specific situation and need.

As believers there are things that we may be burndened to pray about for decades. At other times, there are those things that happen unexpectedly that require our immediate attention, but that would be well served by that in-the-moment prayer to our heavenly Father.

James 1:5 says “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” Nehemiah, who found himself standing before the earthly king, took a moment to silently pray to the God of heaven. The prayer was not an afterthought, but an instinctive response that came from a lifetime of practice and a firm understanding of who God is. It also came from a deep-seated desire to see God’s will done in every moment and every decision of his life.

May we, like Nehemiah, develop that instinctive response to go to God in prayer in every moment of our days. Then, when that moment of crisis from something unexpected arrives, or that moment of need when we find ourselves in a state of desperation, or that precious moment where we get to share the Gospel truth of Jesus with someone else, we will respond as Nehemiah did… “So I prayed to the God of heaven.”

Blessings in Christ…

The Blessing of Tear-bathed Prayers

Tim KingLeave a comment

“The Lord is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him.” Nahum 1:7

Sometimes, our prayers are a heartfelt conversation with God as we seek wisdom and discernment. Sometimes, our prayers are a time spent sharing with God the burdens and desires of our hearts.

But sometimes…in those seasons of profound heartache, unimaginable misery, and complete helplessness, our prayers are brought before God bathed in the tears of sorrow and desparation.

I was recently with an incredible group of people that truly love and care for each other. As the very real burdens and trials of life were shared, and the weight of those trials was seen and heard in the voices and tears of those who were suffering, the eyes of many in the room were also filled with tears.

In Romans 12:15 it say that we are to “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.” It was a precious and vivid demonstration of the love of Christ being lived out in the lives of folks that not only wanted to come alongside others in their time of need, but they also knew the only One to turn to with these heavy burdens.

In John 11 we see that when Jesus came to the place where Lazarus was being kept after he died, He came upon Mary, Martha and the others weeping. Jesus did not simply raise Lazarus from the dead and move on, but rather Scripture tells us that Jesus wept alongside them. He was not weeping for the death of Lazarus, rather He was expressing one of the deepest levels of compassion by weeping alongside those He loved.

As we live our lives as believers with other believers, may we be Christ-like and weep with those who weep. In those most difficult of times, let our prayers be bathed in the tears of love and compassion as we call out to the One that knows us, the One we trust, the One who is our stronghold in the day of trouble.

Perspicuity

Tim KingLeave a comment

Perspicuity: plain to the understanding especially because of clarity and precision of presentation. (https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perspicuity)

For more than thirty years I worked at a law firm with many of the most brilliant legal minds in the world. My positions throughout much of my time with the firm were in the field of Information Technology. I was a techy and a techy manager and most times I had a very limited understanding of what the lawyers were talking about when they were speaking in legal-eze. To be honest, I expect there were times when my techno-babble was not too clear either. To use an old adage, legal language was often “…all Greek to me”. No matter how hard I could ever try to understand complex legal language, the reality is that I was not trained in a manner that would equip me to understand.

So what about the Bible? Do you have to be a trained seminarian or have your doctorate in order to be able to understand Scripture? Praise the Lord the answer to that question is a resounding NO!

One of the doctrines relating to the Bible, and related to the doctrines of sufficiency, inerrancy, and inspiration of Scripture, is the doctrine of perspicuity, also known as the doctrine of clarity. There are numerous verses in scripture that promise us that Scripture, as it relates to the things relating to salvation, can be understood. No special training is required.

Psalm 119:130 says “The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple.” This passage is stating that God’s word is understandable. The difference in the completeness of understanding however, comes with the illuminating work of the Holy Spirit. In 1 Corinthians 2:14 Paul wrote of this Holy Spirit enabled discernment in this way: “But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”

While we are assured in Scripture that we can understand all that is needed, through the illuminating work of the Holy Spirit, why do we stop there? Why do we hesitate to learn things like “doctrines”, or to dig into things like apologetics or systematic theology? Is it perhaps because we feel that they are beyond our understanding? Is it because it might take some work on our part?

Let me challenge us with this passage from Paul’s letter to Timothy. In his letter Paul was writing to Timothy exhorting him to teach and preach the people well. In 2 Timothy 2:16 Paul writes “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” Now, I expect that you might look at that and say that Paul was writing to a Timothy…a pastor and he is expected to know the Word of God and all that doctrine stuff!

OK…but I would then point you to 2 Timothy 3:16-17 which says “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” All Scripture is given by “inspiration of God“, again, there is that working of the Holy Spirit, and it is “profitable for doctrine“. In other words, we are expected to learn these things. There is no gray area in this language. There is nothing here that says it is reserved for the highly educated or advanced theologians. With the Holy Spirit giving us understanding we are to dig into the Word with the goal of being “thoroughly equipped“.

How about we start today to learn something new from Scripture. Something deeper than a post-it note passage that we share on social media. How about we learn something new today that will cause us to grow deeper in our knowledge and to work towards being thoroughly equipped to do the incredible work that He has called us to!

Just think…you may have just started by learning the doctrine of perspicuity!

Blessings in Christ

Real Living: By Faith in the Son of God – Who Loved Me – Died for Me – and Now Lives In Me

Tim KingLeave a comment

“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 1:20

It should be no surprise when a passage like the one above penetrates our hearts and challenges us to live our lives in the reality of it’s truth.

We must no longer live as though we are in charge! We must live by faith. A faith that is rooted and which is resolute in the firm knowledge that Christ loves us, lives in us, and is the “…author and finisher” (Hebrews 12:2) of that faith by which we now live.

If our faith is based on our flesh at all, it will surely fail. Everyday we need to start anew, reminding ourselves of our desperate need for Him. Reminding ourselves of His love for us and that He abides in us.

“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.” Hebrews 12:28

That is the way I want to live. I want to “…serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear“.

I want to wait on the Lord so that He will be my Master and I will hear and obey His voice.

I want to wait on Him because I know the those that “…wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31

And when I live that way… “it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me“.

Interceding for others to a holy God

Tim KingLeave a comment

Intercessory prayer is perhaps one of the highest privileges and callings that we have as believers. There are countless references to intercessory prayer throughout all of scripture. Intercessory prayer is, in fact, one of the behaviors that we see modeled over and over in scripture especially in the life of Christ.

In John 17 we read Christ’s high priestly prayer. In verse nine Christ specifically says “I pray for them.” He goes on in verse twenty to say “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word…” To be Christ-like in our prayer is to be interceding for others to God that His will might be done in their lives.

Another example of intercessory prayer is seen in the life of Abraham as he prayed for Sodom. In Genesis 18:16-33 Abraham intercedes on behalf of those of faith that lived in Sodom. Sodom was a city replete with sin and sinners, yet in the midst of the city there were righteous that were God’s very own.

Abraham was burdened to intercede on behalf of the righteous in fervent, persistent prayer. His prayers to God almost appear to be a negotiation with God but they are not. God wanted Abraham to know His will in the situation. In fact, in verse seventeen the Lord posits the rhetorical question “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am doing…” but as we see in the passage God wants to tell Abraham his plans because he knows Abraham’s future and what he has promised to do in and through him and his descendants. As Abraham’s prayed to God with persistence and in humility, God made his perfect will known.

There are three aspects to intercessory prayer that captured my attention in these passages as well as elsewhere in scripture. We see that those that pray for others are:

…burdened to intercede in prayer with urgency on behalf of others to almighty God.

…compelled to intercede in prayer in love with fervency for others to a just and holy God.

…driven to intercede in prayer with persistence to a sovereign God that His will is accomplished.

As we intercede on behalf of others we find ourselves turning our focus away from our needs and wants, and to the act of petitioning God to provide and intervene in the lives of others. As we intercede we are no longer caught up in wanting our way in other folks lives, but that God will have his way. As we intercede we no longer act in our own human effort to accomplish a change, but we engage God to do a powerful and mighty work in the lives of others. As we intercede in prayer, we yield ourselves to God that we might see Him glorified.

Who has God burdened you with this very moment that you are compelled to go to God, interceding in prayer on their behalf? What situation fills your heart and mind and drives you to your knees seeking God’s intervention? Who will you intercede for in prayer today?

“I coulda been a contender…”

Tim KingLeave a comment

That was one of the famous lines from the movie “On the Waterfront” starring Marlon Brando. Sometimes we may find ourselves looking back at a season or struggle and perhaps think that we could have been a contender; that perhaps we could have been more or done more. Today is a new day…today is the day we can choose to be a contender. But what are you going to contend for?

Contending…it is a strange word, not used very often, but powerful in it’s meaning. Often associated with sporting events, the word brings to mind the image of a prolonged battle or struggle. In the letter of Jude in the Bible, Jude has a change of focus with regards to the content of the letter and changes from a focus on the topic of his shared salvation with the readers, to a plea, an exhortation for their contending for the faith that they share.

“Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.” Jude 1:3

What does it mean to contend earnestly for the faith? The Greek word for “contend earnestly” is the word epagónizomai from which we get the word agonize. We are to agonize earnestly, contend with all we have, for the faith. Jude was not writing about contending with boxing gloves either. Jude is writing because there were enemies in the church and the best thing that they could do is to contend earnestly for the faith…for the gospel truth of Jesus Christ. What is amazing about Jude’s instructions is that he does not encourage them to do what we might expect…to fight. Rather he is going to give several instructions to them which are still just as applicable today as we battle false teachers, persecution, and attacks on the truth of the gospel.

In Jude 1:20-21 it says: “But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.“

The original Greek language only has one imperative in this sentence and it is found in the command to “keep yourselves in the love of God”. Jude provides three ways that they and we are to keep ourselves in the love of God.

First, we are to be “building yourselves up on your most holy faith”. That “most holy faith” is the Word of God…the collection of truths that make up the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is most holy because it is from a most holy God. This verse looks back at verse three and reinforces that that this is what we are to be contending for…this most holy faith that has been given to them. We are to be building ourselves up…to be growing and maturing in our understanding and knowledge of the those most holy teachings…that most holy faith.

The second way by which we remain in the love of God is by “praying in the Holy Spirit”. If we are not praying constantly as individuals, our small groups, and in our churches, how are we to be keeping in the love of God? As spirit filled believers we should long to pray and to be close to our Lord. In Ephesians 6 Paul writes regarding the armor of God. He says there “With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints.”

The third way that Jude gives by which we continue in God’s love is to be ” looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” That is our hope and our longing. It is both our temporal desire to be close to our Lord, but it is also our eternal desire to spend an eternity in the glorious presence of our Savior. Keeping that eternal perspective, looking forward expectantly and anxiously for the ultimate act of mercy from Jesus Christ, our eternal salvation being realized in the presence of Christ himself, that truth helps us to continue in God’s love. That truth gives us assurance of the hope that is in us to get through those difficult times in our lives. How powerful is the hope of our salvation…the truth of a future outpouring of the mercy of Jesus Christ on those that are His children.

Are you contending earnestly for the faith? Are you contending daily to keep yourself in the love of God by by digging into His word, by praying in the Holy Spirit to the one true God that hears and answers, and are you looking expectantly for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life? These are the ways we keep ourselves, they way we abide in the love of God, and by doing so it is how we can endure the trials and persecution of this world as we await His glorious return.

Be a contender for the faith! Agonize to abide in the love of God.

TK

Life Darkening Shades

Tim KingLeave a comment

Room darkening shades are designed specifically for the purpose of eliminating as much outside light as possible so that a room can be as dark as possible. Sometimes those kinds of shades are used to create darkness that is needed for sleeping. Sometimes they are used so that the lighting in a room can be controlled specifically for video purposes. Whatever the need, there are lots of different kinds of room darkening shades and a boatload of reasons for using them.

Sin is like a room darkening shade…only it is at work in our spiritual lives. Sin in our lives will work to make our lives darker and darker and if not addressed will darken the true light in our lives. Sin comes in different styles and patterns. It can be decorative, like pride, or functional, like hatred. Sometimes we open the shades of sin in our life and let the light in, other times we pull the shade tight and let the darkness reign. But we control the shades.

Jesus Christ will return one day. As believers we look forward to that day with great anticipation. Peter asked a somewhat rhetorical but pressing question in his second letter saying this “Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless…” (2 Peter 3:14) To be found by Him at peace, found without spot and blameless, we need to be addressing the darkness of sin in our lives. But first we have to expose that sin in our lives with light…true spiritual light.

Jesus said to his disciples “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” (John 8:12) Jesus is the only true spiritual light in this world. Peter also wrote in 2 Peter 1:19 “And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.”

Jesus is that light that shines in a dark place and the light cannot be extinguished by the life darkening shades of sin. In Psalm 119:15 it says “Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.” Jesus is the light of the world and God’s Word is a light to our life guiding us and revealing to our how we are to live in the light.

Today, if you are wresting with sin in your life, sin of any type, come to Jesus and confess your sin. He is faithful and just to forgive those sins. (1 John 1:9) Let His light shine brightly in your life and let His Holy Word do a mighty work in your life. Tear down those life darkening shades of sin and let His light of righteousness flood your life.