PRAY

This “word” is a continuation of yesterday’s entitled “Warfare.”

Ephesians 6:17 - 18 (YLT) and the helmet of the salvation receive, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the saying of God, 18 through all prayer and supplication praying at all times in the Spirit, and in regard to this same, watching in all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—

The Young’s Literal translation above tells us to “receive” the helmet of salvation as opposed to “take” in the King James. I like that. We don’t have any power, or even an inclined will to take something that precious and good, although I know what the translators were meaning. Still, if we are going to be effective in the spiritual battle in which we are engaged we must receive the precious gift of God’s Son, salvation.

Ephesians 6:17 - 18 (KJV) ¹⁷And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: ¹⁸Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Another difference between the Young’s Literal and the typical rendering is the use of the comma just before verse eighteen. The King James does come the closest with its use of the colon, but most translations use a period and even a new paragraph distancing the two thoughts.

Notice what happens when you consider the two thoughts together, the latter being a continuation and expansion on the former:

Take (or receive) the saying of God (literally, the utterance) through all prayer and supplication praying at all times in the Spirit,

To me that says, unless we are praying in the Spirit we will not get or understand, what God is saying.

The Holy Spirit forbids or prompts when to speak the word of God (Acts 4:31, 16:6), gives us the words to say (Luke 12:12). The Holy Spirit will also teach us all things and bring to our remembrance the word (John 14:26).

This says to me, that we must be in tune with the Spirit of God if we are going to be of any effect in the spiritual battles we are faced with every day. We must confess our sin, admit our weakness, ask God for His strength, mentally and physically, and for His guidance and direction in our lives.

PRAYING ALWAYS…about everything, small to large decisions

with ALL PRAYER and supplication…

• Public prayer
• Private prayer
• General prayer
• Specific prayer

WATCHING for what God is doing in regard to your prayer.

With PERSEVERANCE…not giving up on your praying and not giving up watching what God is doing in regard to your prayers.

The battle is real. Be prepared and be effective.

SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD

WARFARE

There is a battle going on in this world that is more dangerous than the one in the Middle East. It is all around us and yet we cannot see it with the naked eye.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12 (NASB)

The prince of this world is vying for the souls of men. He would distract those of us that believe in Christ with the allures of the world, the promises of power and please, if we let him.

You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. Ephesians 2:2 (NLT)

But, we are NO LONGER under satan’s “princeship”. We are no longer slaves to sin. We no longer live for those things that bring temporary pleasure. Since we accepted the free gift of Salvation offered by Jesus Christ, the Son of God, we LIVE FOR CHRIST.

We must put on GOD’S armor (Truth, Righteousness, The Gospel of Peace, Faith, Salvation) and use GOD’S WORD as we go about our lives. It is not OUR armor, it is HIS. GOD’S armor cannot fail, but it is up to us to put it on!

However, we must first understand our spiritual position before we can have spiritual power.

1. We are seated with Christ in the heaven realms far above all of Satan’s principalities and powers (Ephesians 2:6).
2. The very power of God is available to us through the indwelling Spirit (Ephesians 3:14-21).

What is it that can defeat us as children of Christ? Of whom shall we be afraid? Paul gives us the answer in Romans 8:35-39 (KJV)

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, ³⁹Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

God has already won the victory through His Son Jesus Christ. We cannot be defeated if we remain in Christ. Thank Him for His armor and put it on! Immerse yourself in His Word and PRAY without ceasing. Onward Christian soldiers…

SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD

CONDUCT

How we conduct ourselves with our friends is a great way to tell what is really in our hearts. One can see our love, our generosity, whether or not we are honest in all things, basically what we are really “made of.”

Paul is reminding the people in the church at Corinth that he has always dealt with them with the utmost integrity. His conduct among them has been one of holiness, purity, selflessness and godly sincerity.

Notice also that Paul tells them he does not put on a “different face” for the rest of the world. He conducts himself among strangers with that same purity and godliness that he does with his fellow believers.

It is important that we be of one mind, the mind of Christ, in our dealings with all peoples so that no cry of “hypocrite” can be heard regarding our conduct.

For our proud confidence is this: the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness* and godly sincerity, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you. 2 Corinthians 1:12 (NASB)

*NOTE:

KJV - uses simplicity (haplotēs) and godly sincerity, where haplotes means singleness of mind or sincerity without thought of self.

NASB – uses holiness (hagiotēs) and godly sincerity, where hagiotes means holiness or sanctity.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary points out that these two words could have easily been confused by the scribe copying a manuscript. I point that out to say this, God’s Word is reliable even when a different word is chosen by the scribe. The underlying meaning of the passage is that Paul has spoken to the church at Corinth with the utmost integrity, which either word (hagiotes or haplotes) supports.

DELIVER

“I’m in too deep, nobody can help me. I’m in so much trouble, there’s no way out.”

Have you ever heard someone talk that way? Perhaps you have even felt that way before. I’m hear to tell you that there is One for whom no situation is too difficult, no problem so big it cannot be conquered. His name is Jesus.

Listen to Paul as he tells about his trust in Him:

For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life; 9 indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead; 10 who delivered us from so great a peril of death, and will deliver us, He on whom we have set our hope. And He will yet deliver us, 2 Corinthians 1:8 - 10 (NASB)

A friend of mine pointed out the other day that some believe that Paul’s statement in verse 9 refers to Paul’s actually being killed and raised to life again by God. This is the passage they were referring to from Acts 14:19-20:

But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having won over the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. 20 But while the disciples stood around him, he got up and entered the city. The next day he went away with Barnabas to Derbe.

Whether or not this is what Paul was referring to in the 2 Corinthians passage, we do know that God DID raise people from the dead:

1. Son of the widow of Zarephath (1 Kings 17: 17-23)

2. Shunammite’s son (2 Kings 4:32-37)

3. Young man laid in Elisha’s sepulcher (2 Kings 13:21)

4. Widow’s son (Luke 7:12-15)

5. Jairus’ daughter (Luke 8:49-55)

6. Lazarus (John 11:43-44)

7. Dorcas (Acts 9:37-40)

8. Eutychus (Acts 20:9-12; Hebrews 11:35)

And of course, Jesus himself was raised after being in the tomb for three days.

Is it any wonder that Paul put his complete trust in him? You and I may have problems that seem insurmountable to us. But to God they are easily overcome when we come to Him for help.

Set your hope on God…and He will deliver you.

SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD

FATHER...

In today’s world there are many who do not know what it is like to have a father. Certainly, they had a biological father, but that doesn’t mean that he was around to raise them. Many today are raised by single moms and the concept of father is but a distant notion.

It is not like that with our heavenly Father.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort. 2 Corinthians 1:3 (NASB)

Not only is God the Father of our Savior, Jesus Christ, but He is the

Father of mercies.

The word mercies is from the Greek word oiktirmos which is defined by Thayer’s Greek Dictionary as:

1) compassion, pity, mercy

1a) bowels in which compassion resides, a heart of compassion

1b) emotions, longings, manifestations of pity

God is the Father of Compassion. Just as an earthly father causes a child to come into the world, God the Father is the source of compassion. You may feel compassion from someone toward you, but God is the original source of that compassion. And, He is the best at showing compassion. It is His nature for, as the scriptures say, God is love (1 John 4:8).

⁴Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, ⁵does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, ⁶does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; ⁷bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NASB)

In our scripture for today God is also called the

Father of all comfort.

Comfort is an easy word to grasp. It means to come along side someone and help them feel better. I want you to notice that He is not merely the God of comfort, but the God of ALL comfort. He is the source of any real comfort that you experience.

The Greek word used for comfort here is the same root as the word used for the Holy Spirit when He is referred to as the Comforter (John 14:16). What greater comfort could there be than knowing that in the midst of all of our problems here on this earth, we have the Comforter who is with us everywhere that we go providing direction, wisdom and the actual presence of God in us.

Praise be our wonderful God who is the

The Father of our Savior, Jesus Christ,

The Father of compassion,

The Father of ALL comfort and

THE Heavenly Father that loves us even now. Amen

PEACE...

There was a good amount of discussion this last week about the grace and peace of God. Paul uses both these words as a greeting in many of his letters:

Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 1:2 (KJV)

Is there more to these words than mere greeting? I would have to say yes, particularly because grace and peace are imparted from God to us. Let us look to Ephesians 6:12 at an example of how God is gracious toward us.

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

God tells us in this same passage (vs. 14-18) to equip ourselves to handle this spiritual warfare. He tells us to put on the defensive armor of:

1. Truth
2. Righteousness
3. The Gospel of Peace
4. Faith
5. Salvation

And have ready our only offensive weapon, our sword,

The Word of God

Finally, in verse 18, He tells us to pray always and with perseverance. We are to live our lives in an atmosphere of prayer, a constant communication with our Commander in Chief, God Almighty.

What, you may ask, does that have to do with “grace and peace.” As I pondered that question, I realized how fortunate we are to have a God that loves us so much. He spares us, by His grace, from seeing the evil forces that are encamped about us. Most of us would probably drop dead from fright!

His grace has spared us from experiencing the floggings, the stoning and the shipwrecks that Paul went through. We all experience trials, but not necessarily because of our faithfulness to Christ. Many of the trials that we encounter are just a part of living in this world. Yet, even in those, we experience His grace as he holds back Satan’s forces from harming us even further.

It is when we come to fully recognize His awesome grace that we then experience His incredible peace that passes all understanding.

Are you going through trials? Recognize that God the Father may have something to teach you in each situation. Realize that He is holding back spiritual forces that could cause it to be even worse and thank Him. That is His grace at work in your life. When you understand this, His peace will wash over you as a gentle wave of warmth.

May the grace of God and our Lord Jesus Christ be ever realized in your life and may His peace calm your soul in the midst of all your trials. Amen.

MOTIVATION

Let’s see, would you rather somebody was thrilled to hear you speak or that they dreaded the thought of hearing your voice?

That’s what Paul was up against when he was telling people about Christ.

But thank God! He has made us his captives and continues to lead us along in Christ’s triumphal procession. Now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume. 15 Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing. 16 To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume. And who is adequate for such a task as this?

2 Corinthians 2:14-16 (NLT)

So what kept Paul going? What can keep us headed down the right path?

The answer is, “the right motivation.” Doing what we do for the right reason is the only thing that will allow us to be successful as we go about doing the Lord’s work until He comes again.

Notice how Paul puts it in verse 17 of the same chapter,

You see, we are not like the many hucksters who preach for personal profit. We preach the word of God with sincerity and with Christ’s authority, knowing that God is watching us.

There are people in our day who “preach” for personal profit rather than what Paul gives as the right reason, “knowing that God is watching us.” They simply show up on Sunday to collect a paycheck. Also, notice that Paul points out that with the right motivation, we have the authority given by Christ and, may I add, the power of the Holy Spirit.

Do you want to be successful? Examine why you do what you do. Look at what your motivation is. If you are motivated by pleasing God and being obedient to Him that is great! If not, you had better fix it!!!

SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD…

GRUDGE...

Often when somebody hurts or offends one of our friends we are affected in a similar fashion. But how do you feel when the friend that was hurt forgives the offender? We too, should forgive, but instead we often hold a grudge and harbor ill feelings.

Paul gives us a good principle in the following passage of scripture:

2 Corinthians 2:9 - 11 (TMSG) The focus of my letter wasn’t on punishing the offender but on getting you to take responsibility for the health of the church. 10 So if you forgive him, I forgive him. Don’t think I’m carrying around a list of personal grudges. The fact is that I’m joining in with your forgiveness, as Christ is with us, guiding us. 11 After all, we don’t want to unwittingly give Satan an opening for yet more mischief—we’re not oblivious to his sly ways!

If you forgive him, I forgive him, Paul says. On the flip side of that, we can help our friends by telling them when we’ve forgiven a wrong done so they too, can forgive and move on.

Paul points out another good reason for not holding grudges, and that is we are eliminating opportunities for Satan to cause more problems in our lives. When we allow that grudge to take root, it can grow into a larger problem and affect those around us in a negative way.

Hebrews 12:15 (NASB) See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled;

What’s the answer? Forgive each other and…

Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord. Hebrews 12:14 (NASB)

SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD…

FORGIVE

Have you ever been angry with a friend for hurting you? It takes a long time to get over some hurts, but after awhile, if you don’t want to lose their friendship, you make up…you forgive them.

Paul explains a similar process among followers of Christ in the church:

I am not overstating it when I say that the man who caused all the trouble hurt all of you more than he hurt me. 6 Most of you opposed him, and that was punishment enough. 7 Now, however, it is time to forgive and comfort him. Otherwise he may be overcome by discouragement. 8 So I urge you now to reaffirm your love for him. 2 Corinthians 2:5 - 8 (NLT)

There is a time for forgiveness. In the case of this man, it was after he had suffered the consequences of his actions (1 Corinthians 5:1-2). He had been removed from the fellowship of the church, from his friends, from the corporate worship of the Lord. The time had come to forgive him. As when a parent disciplines a child, after the punishment is over, forgiveness follows and love is shown in abundance.

Is there someone in your life that you still need to forgive? It isn’t always easy, but the consequences of letting the opportunity slip away forever can be hurtful for both them and you.

When Jesus was teaching His disciples how to pray in Matthew 6, He included the phrase,

And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. (NASB)

In verses 14 and 15 of the same chapter, He explains that unless we are willing to forgive other people, we won’t be able to experience God’s forgiveness, resulting in broken fellowship with Him.

Remember the Holy Spirit will help you, but it’s up to you to take the first step of obedience toward forgiving those who have hurt you. Perhaps it’s a parent, a friend, or an acquaintance in need of your forgiveness. Bless them and yourself by following the path that God lays out in His Word.

SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD…

DECISIONS...

Have you ever considered whether the decisions you make are spiritually made or based in the flesh? I guess what I’m really saying is, are you decisions made by God, according to His standards and His will or are do you simply do what you want to do.

There’s probably no simple answer but I think that the more time we spend with God in prayer and in His Word, the more likely we are to make decisions that are pleasing to Him.

We can make all sorts of excuses like, “I’m too busy,” but we all know the truth. We simply have changed our priorities and don’t have time for the One who made us and saved us. After all, if we are going to claim to be followers of Christ and yet base our decisions on self (flesh), how will anyone know we are Christians?

In the passage of scripture found in 2 Corinthians 1:15 – 2:4, Paul is explaining to the Church why he wasn’t coming to see them at this time.

But I call God as witness to my soul, that to spare you I did not come again to Corinth. 24 Not that we lord it over your faith, but are workers with you for your joy; for in your faith you are standing firm.

2 Corinthians 1:23 - 24 (NASB)

Paul is telling the Church at Corinth that not coming to see them again was a “spiritual” decision and not a fleshly one. Remember he had written them earlier (1 Corinthians) trying to point out some of the errors in their living…

• division in the body
• a man sleeping with his father’s wife
• law suits among believers
• abusing the Lord’s Supper
• competition or disagreements over spiritual gifts

Some of the Corinthians tried to say that Paul couldn’t make up his mind (2 Corinthians 1:17) but Paul was saying this was a spiritual decision. He probably felt that they hadn’t had enough time to resolve their issues and he didn’t want to show up and get angry at them causing them further sorrow (2 Corinthians 2:1).

Spiritual decisions are based on our love of God and others. The spiritual decision made in concert with the Spirit of God will seek the good of others first while decisions based in the flesh (self) usually place others in a secondary position and provide a more immediate benefit to ourselves. The problem is that self-perceived benefit is NOT God’s will…it is ours.

Follower of Christ or follower of self…You decide.

SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD…

CONSCIENCE...

2 Corinthians 1:12 - 14 (NASB) For our proud confidence is this: the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and godly sincerity, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you. 13 For we write nothing else to you than what you read and understand, and I hope you will understand until the end; 14 just as you also partially did understand us, that we are your reason to be proud as you also are ours, in the day of our Lord Jesus.

Paul had just been talking about suffering. He was imprisoned and beaten by people who objected to his teachings and yet, he acted like a follower of Christ during it all. He sang hymns while in jail (Acts 16:25), he didn’t run away when he had the opportunity, but subjected himself to the authorities that were holding him. As a result, the jailer and all his household accepted the Lord Jesus and were baptized (Acts 16:33). Because of this, Paul could write to the Corinthians that his conscience was clear.

Conscience is defined as:

• motivation deriving logically from ethical or moral principles that govern a person's thoughts and actions wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn

The question this definition presents to us is:

From what source do we draw our ethical or moral principles?

If it is the Bible, we are on solid ground. However, many in the world do not adhere to the principles laid out in God’s Word and we find ourselves at odds with them.

My prayer for all of us that claim Christ as Savior is that we can speak the same words that Paul speaks here:

That the testimony of our conscience concerning our actions in the world and especially to our brothers and sisters in Christ may be one of holiness and godly sincerity and not rooted in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God.

SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD…

HELPING...

2 Corinthians 1:8 - 11 (NLT) ⁸We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. ⁹In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead. ¹⁰And he did rescue us from mortal danger, and he will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in him, and he will continue to rescue us. ¹¹And you are helping us by praying for us. Then many people will give thanks because God has graciously answered so many prayers for our safety.

Paul had told them in verse seven, “as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us.”

Here he tells the people in the Church at Corinth that they are actually a part of his ministry, they are helping him, when they pray for him and his associates.

I think that we sometimes take prayer for granted. By this I mean that we believe God already knows what’s going on and if He wants to act in a certain way He will. We don’t believe that we can have much effect on the outcome.

But this is contrary to what we read in God’s Word.

Jesus Himself prayed all night long before He chose the twelve apostles (Luke 6:12-13). If Jesus thought it was important, how much more should we.

James points out something that I think we have to keep in mind. He says first to “confess your sins” and then to pray. God wants us to live holy lives. We are going to mess up. But that doesn’t mean that we stop praying! It means that we admit we were wrong and, according to God’s word accept His forgiveness and cleansing (1 John 1:9), and then PRAY.

James 5:16 (NASB) ¹⁶Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.

1 Peter 3:12 (NASB) ¹² “For the eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous, And His ears attend to their prayer, But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

John 16:23 - 24 (NASB) ²³“In that day you will not question Me about anything. Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in My name, He will give it to you. ²⁴“Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full.

SUFFERING...

I didn’t get to watch the latest episode of “House” last week. I had to go to Bible Study. That’s suffering for Jesus, right? Of course, I set it to record on my DVR, but that’s not the same.

I suppose on a certain level, we might consider that as “suffering.” After all, some people wouldn’t miss the latest episode of their favorite show, or a basketball game, football game or concert, just to go to church. Or, on another level, some wouldn’t wait to have sex until marriage just to please Jesus. That would be suffering too much.

2 Corinthians 1:3 - 7 (NLT) ³All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. ⁴He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. ⁵For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. ⁶Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. ⁷We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us.

Paul is talking about suffering for taking the gospel of Christ to other people, the hardships that come about because of our faith in Christ. Are you persecuted or ridiculed at work or school because you are constantly telling people about the Lord? Perhaps the police tried to break up the last meeting of believers at your home.

When it comes right down to it, most of us don’t experience much suffering for our Savior. In other countries, people are persecuted, even killed for their faith in Christ. We need to lift them up in prayer, at the very least.

I think we also need to examine our own lives and see if perhaps we’re not too complacent, too settled in to our own routines, perhaps even too busy to share about Jesus and what He has done in our lives and what He can do for others. Perhaps we need to face more rejection.

What kind of suffering did Paul have to endure? He tells us in chapter 11…

…I know I sound like a madman, but I have served him (Jesus) far more! I have worked harder, been put in prison more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again. ²⁴Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes. ²⁵Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea. ²⁶I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not. ²⁷I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm. 2 Corinthians 11:23 - 27 (NLT)

That doesn’t sound terribly appealing to me, but it does make me stop and think if maybe some of the comforts in my life are keeping me from experiencing a deeper dependence on God, a deeper relationship with my Lord and Savior.

SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD…

ENCOURAGE...

A former student of mine named Marcos Ortega wrote this in September of 2004 when he first went away to a Christian college. We need to encourage, support and pray for the future leaders of Christianity in our world. "Radical Christianity" was something Marcos started as an answer to the apathy found in many churches.

In Christ, John

Hey,

I've decided to send all of the Radicals a verse to help encourage them every day, and then once a week, I'll send you guys a devotional that God wants me to talk to you about. I realize that not everyone that gets this e-mail claims Radical Christianity, but it was easier to just put everyone on the list. For the Radicals, I hope that this will keep all of you guys strong in the movement, and in return strong in the faith. Radicals should insert "Radical" wherever "Christian" is said. I have to send it twice because the list is too long. So here we start.

Daily Verse:

1 Timothy 4:12

Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in SPEECH, in LIFE, in LOVE, in FAITH, and in PURITY.

The emphasis put on those five words are my own. However, I found them necessary to emphasize how to live life as a Radical. If we live by these commandments, we will find fulfillment in Christ, and be rewarded for our lifestyle.

Weekly Devotional:

Scripture: 1 John 2:3-6

We know that we have come to know Him if we obey His commands. The man who says, "I know Him," but does not do what He commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys His word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in Him: Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did.

This is an amazing passage that shows why we obey God's commandments. We do not follow his commandments in fear of God, we follow God's commandments to show that we are Christians. John is saying that if we say that we are a Christian and then go and do whatever we would like, we are lying. We are not truly Christians, just people playing the part for acceptance or because we want to fool the world with our words. However, my friends, we cannot fool the world with our words. People will see you with your actions before they will listen to a single word that comes out of your mouth. If your actions and words are not the same, then people will not believe you when you say that you are a Christian.

John also says that "Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did." This sentance shows the Christian exactly what to do. Live like Christ. Now, I realize that none of you are perfect, and neither am I, but we are to strive to live like Jesus. That is not just so others see that we are "holy", but so that we ourselves may be edified. John says that God's love is made complete in whomever strives to live like Christ. What an amazing promise!!! God is saying that we will be able to feel His FULL love when we strive to live like Christ; and God's love is amazingly large. He can love the whole world at the same time.

Think about these things as you go through your week.

I love you all,

In Christ,

Marcos - rXc

On the 12th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...

Twelve Drummers Drumming
The twelve points of doctrine in the Apostles' Creed: 1) I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. 2) I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. 3) He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. 4) He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell [the grave]. 5) On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. 6) He will come again to judge the living and the dead. 7) I believe in the Holy Spirit, 8) the holy catholic Church, 9) the communion of saints, 10) the forgiveness of sins, 11) the resurrection of the body, 12) and life everlasting.

Epiphany, January 6

An Epiphany Devotional by Joe Hittle, Ottumwa, Iowa, USA

Epiphany: Neat word. "To show upon." A disclosure. A manifestation.

"For God so loved the world that He gave . . .." " . . . and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, frankincense, and myrrh."

The Christian Church has long celebrated the 6th of January as the feast of the Wise Men. We have never quite figured out who they were. But, is it really important? Probably not.

They disclosed their finest to the One they believed to be the King of the Jews. Just as God had given his best, they gave what were the most expensive gifts of their day. Gold for prosperity, frankincense for sweetness and atmosphere, and myrrh as a preservative symbolizing his ability to overcome even the worst of times. Their finest to the Finest.

It is a long journey from the first day of Advent to Epiphany. If you have read each day you have laughed, cried, and discovered a new vision of God's greatest manifestation of His love for you. You too have felt your own emotions churn as the recollections and reminiscences of others have reminded you of days of hope, love, peace and family. You have had things disclosed to you that you had long forgotten. Some of those were blessings. Others may have been things that you wish had remained hidden.

But, each one of them is you. Your life, your dreams, your desires, your longings. Like it or not, you have to deal with each of them and accept yourself because and in spite of them. That is okay. It really is. God does, whether you do or not.

The whole story of the season is meant for you. You are the "whosoever" of John 3:16. God gave Himself for you. A whole year is ahead of you as the celebration of Christmas draws to a close. If you have not done it yet, please, be encouraged to give God the best gift you ever could. Yourself. You are important, so important that Jesus came and gave Himself on your behalf. All He has ever wanted is to give you the chance to be free in Him. To be His. To know Him as a personal God, Friend, Companion.

Won't you give Him what He wants most for Christmas?

CRI/Voice, Institute, Copyright © 2006 CRI/Voice, Institute

On the 11th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...

Eleven Pipers Piping
The eleven Faithful Apostles: 1) Simon Peter, 2) Andrew, 3) James, 4) John, 5) Philip, 6) Bartholomew, 7) Matthew, 8) Thomas, 9) James bar Alphaeus, 10) Simon the Zealot, 11) Judas bar James. (Luke 6:14-16). The list does not include the twelfth disciple, Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus to the religious leaders and the Romans.

CRI/Voice, Institute, Copyright © 2006 CRI/Voice, Institute

The word apostle comes from the Greek word apostolos meaning a delegate, messenger. So, in a sense, we are all messengers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The office of apostle was held by twelve men chosen by Christ and later Paul. Mathias replaced Judas after he betrayed Jesus. Below are the scriptural qualifications for the office of apostle as put forth by Parson’s Bible Dictionary.

(1.) That they should have seen the Lord, and been able to testify of him and of his resurrection from personal knowledge (John 15:27; Acts 1:21, 22; 1 Cor. 9:1; Acts 22:14, 15).

(2.) They must have been immediately called to that office by Christ (Luke 6:13; Gal. 1:1).

(3.) It was essential that they should be infallibly inspired, and thus secured against all error and mistake in their public teaching, whether by word or by writing (John 14:26; 16:13; 1 Thess. 2:13).

(4.) Another qualification was the power of working miracles (Mark 16:20; Acts 2:43; 1 Cor. 12:8-11).

The apostles therefore could have had no successors. They are the only authoritative teachers of the Christian doctrines. The office of an apostle ceased with its first holders.

That the office no longer exists in no way releases us from our task of being ambassadors for Christ. We are told to “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, ²⁰teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19 - 20 (NASB)

SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD…

On the 10th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...

Ten Lords A-leaping
The ten commandments: 1) You shall have no other gods before me; 2) Do not make an idol; 3) Do not take God's name in vain; 4) Remember the Sabbath Day; 5) Honor your father and mother; 6) Do not murder; 7) Do not commit adultery; 8) Do not steal; 9) Do not bear false witness; 10) Do not covet. (Exodus 20:1-17)

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Romans 13:9 - 10 (NLT) ⁹For the commandments say, “You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not covet.” These—and other such commandments—are summed up in this one commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” ¹⁰Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law.

Matthew 22:37 - 40 (NLT) ³⁷Jesus replied, “‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ ³⁸This is the first and greatest commandment. ³⁹A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ⁴⁰The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”

On the 9th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...

Nine Ladies Dancing
The nine Fruit of the Holy Spirit: 1) love, 2) joy, 3) peace, 4) patience, 5) kindness,
6) generosity, 7) faithfulness, 8) gentleness, and 9) self-control. (Galatians 5:22)

CRI/Voice, Institute, Copyright © 2006 CRI/Voice, Institute

John 15:5 (NASB) “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.

Romans 7:4 (NASB) ⁴Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God.

Colossians 1:9 - 12 (NASB) ⁹For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, ¹⁰so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; ¹¹strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously ¹²giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.

On the 8th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...

Eight Maids A-milking
The eight Beatitudes: 1) Blessed are the poor in spirit, 2) those who mourn, 3) the meek, 4) those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, 5) the merciful, 6) the pure in heart, 7) the peacemakers, 8) those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake. (Matthew 5:3-10)

CRI/Voice, Institute, Copyright © 2006 CRI/Voice, Institute

The word beatitudes is taken from the Latin word beatitudo, which means happiness. Here is the passage as put forth by Eugene Peterson in “The Message,”

³“You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.

⁴“You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.

⁵“You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.

⁶“You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat.

⁷“You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘carefull,’ you find yourselves cared for.

⁸“You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.

⁹“You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.

¹⁰“You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom.

Matthew 5:3 - 10 (TMSG)

On the 7th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...

Seven Swans A-swimming
The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: 1) prophecy, 2) ministry, 3) teaching, 4) exhortation, 5) giving, 6) leading, and 7) compassion (Romans 12:6-8; cf. 1 Corinthians 12:8-11)

CRI/Voice, Institute, Copyright © 2006 CRI/Voice, Institute

Keep in mind that this is put forth as an explanation of the origin of the song “The Twelve Days of Christmas” and not a theological document. We know that more spiritual gifts are mentioned in the scriptures. Perhaps these seven were singled out because they edified the entire body, whereas healing, miracles and tongues were more individually oriented. Whatever the reason, 1 Corinthians 12:7 (NLT) states that,

A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.

Do you know what your Spiritual Gifts are? Study what God has to say on the subject. There are many excellent books available to assist you as well. Once you’ve done that, put it (or them) to use in the service of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Make that your primary New Year Resolution! May God bless you in this New Year as you seek Him and continue to walk with Him.