Added to the Family of God

I think about all that takes place to be added to a family here in this world. Well first there is the natural order of child birth. That is not the simplest of things and takes a good amount of time. Second, there is adoption and that can be time consuming and expensive and there is a lot of work to be done. There is a lot to it being added to a family here in this world. What about to be added to the family of God?

“⁴¹So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls…⁴⁶And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, ⁴⁷praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.” — Acts 2: 41 & 46-47 (ESV)

I read this morning in Acts that what is required to be added to the family of God is receiving the Word of God. Only the need to hear and be added. All can happen in a few minutes. No long time to prepare. No money needed. Only to believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is Lord and to devote yourself to Him.

“²¹And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, ‘You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.’” — Mark 10:21 (ESV)

The only requirement is to believe and follow Christ to be added to the family of God. It is not hard to be added, and the cost does not seem high. There is only to follow Christ and believe in Him to be added. And as noted from the rich young man’s story in the following verse, it is still more than most are willing to commit.

“²²Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.” — Mark 10:22 (ESV)

Being added to the family is an undertaking. Whether it is adding to this worldly family and going through all the work and or time it takes. Or is it being added to the family of God and giving all of yourself to Him. Either is something that takes commitment. Although to become a member of the family of God is easy in the actions needed and only takes a moment, it is not to be done without the commitment to Christ. The devotion to Him is an in kind devotion He has to me. I have to give all of myself to Him and know that for it, I have received salvation and a relationship with Him, and my final rewards are not of this world, but in heaven.

It is worth the commitment to me. I have family here in this world that took work and continues to do so each day. I have been added to the family of God and where being added was not as difficult, my commitment is one that takes work and continues each day.

What does being added to the family of God look like to you? Are you resistant to the thought of what is required? What if you accepted the Word of God to be added to the family and then committed to the work that continues each subsequent day?

Seek First God and All Will Be Added

“³³But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” — Matthew 6:33 (ESV)

The verse above is found in the passage titled “Do Not Be Anxious” in my ESV Bible. I have written from this passage a number of times and again, God has led me here for some learning this morning. He continues to lead me to the passages where I am in need and adds to my learning when I am focused on Him and that which He has for me.

My first priority should be to seek God first and His kingdom. Everything else will be provided on the basis of what God has for me in His plan for me. All else should be of no real concern as I traverse this world. I need not worry of my sustenance or provision as God will make sure I have those things needed. I should work to bring glory to God and then know that all else is from Him.

Each year I select a word to live out and in that word I work to do that which God has for me. I have over the years chosen the words, growth, learning, stand, and this year the word “more” has come to me. More action, more giving, more of me, more of the LORD in my life, more love, more joy, and more of everything.

As I sit here this morning I am looking for more through God’s Word. That more will come when I devote more of me to Him and the plans He has for me. I give more and will receive more. I do more and more will be done. I love more and more love will be given. I provide more of and for God and more will be provided to and through me. It all starts with my work for God and giving to and doing for the LORD.

I remember back to the movie “Yes Man” with Jim Carrey and see the impact of doing more. I have to apply the concept to my relationship with God and do for Him. Yes to God and all that He has for me. Doing for Him and knowing that the more I am doing for Him the more will be added to me. I am to say Yes to God and do His work and know that He has already done and will continue to do for me. I will be added to when I am glorifying Him in all that I do, so saying Yes is of high priority for me.

Here’s the thing and the caveat. I have to focus on getting things right in my relationship with God and know that when I do, He provides for me. I have to just simply do for Him and not expect anything in return, but know that He will provide all that I “need” and bless me in the process. All will be added to me when I have focused on Him and doing that which He has for me to do. I am a servant of God and not the other way around.

What are you looking to be added to you? Are you seeking that which you would like to be added? What if you were to seek first to bring glory to God and allowed Him to provide all to be added to you?

Nothing Can Be Added

As I have been studying, I have thought about and written that nothing should be added or taken away from the Word of God. This morning I have been reminded in God’s Word that nothing can be added to His work.

“¹⁴I perceived that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it. God has done it, so that people fear before him. ¹⁵That which is, already has been; that which is to be, already has been; and God seeks what has been driven away.” — Ecclesiastes 3:14-15 (ESV)

God endures forever and therefor His work endures forever. I forget that sometimes as I work my way through this world. I continue, as a man, working to do for myself and forget that God has already worked everything out for me as noted in verse 15 above. He has already outlined the day and the days to come for me and it is my role to dig into His word and find that outline for me and execute.

Where I am to execute the plan that God has for me, I am to do the work to get the result He has already accounted for. I refer the idea of “commander’s intent – (the desired endstate) – https://www.nwcg.gov/sites/default/files/wfldp/docs/Shattuck.pdf, page 2” in accomplishing the work. I am tasked with conducting the work and allowing God’s plan to be realized through my work. The “endstate” has already been determined by God an I am here to carry out the work to reach the “endstate”. I do not know how the work I do impacts the “endstate”, I only know that I am to do the work. The work of God is already predetermined, at least the result is, and there is nothing I can or should do to add to or take away from that end result. Each instance is its own and God has already determined it all and only the completion of the work assigned should be in my purview.

I have and will do enough to accomplish the work that God has for me. I only need to do the work assigned and allow God’s work to shine through my work. I am just the hands doing the physical labor as God is the architect of the end result. His plan has already been established and I am not here to add to that plan or take from that plan, only to execute to realize the plan.

What have you been doing as relates to the work of God? Are you trying to do more than your task to somehow further impact the end result? What if you simply did the work that God has for you and allowed for His plan to unfold based on that work?

Use God’s Word as Your Resource

In the game of life, there are a lot of things that we learn and know from early on, breathing, walking, how to use the restroom, where to keep the milk, and so on. And while these are expected to know, there are a great number of other things that one may should know or at least should know where the information is found. What sparked the War of 1812, the entirety of the US Declaration of Independence, and the physical location of all the Buc-ee’s in the US (IYKYK).

For those last few, I will say that I do not know, yet, I am able to find the information using my resources so as to get it right. When looking at and knowing God’s Word, it is important that we know as much as we can. I have to be able to carry out that which God has planned for me and know that I am moving in the right direction and following the law of God in the process. Where is it that I find all of the answers, IN HIS WORD. Yes, where else would I find the right information and can rely on it as correct, but in His Word directly.

Now, there are many versions of God’s Word out there and I have to ask myself, which one is the right one. Well that is something that I cannot decide for you. I personally utilize the English Standard Version (ESV) as my go to, but I also have on my desk, the New International Version (NIV) and the Christian Standard Bible (CSB). I also have access, online, to whatever version I would like as a resource. But notice the resource I am using to study God’s Word, HIS WORD. I may use different versions to better understand what it says, but I am using His word as the resource and not simply asking someone else.

Now, there is this game called “telephone” where information is passed through a number of people to see how accurate the information is to the original by the time it reaches the end. The overall consensus is that when it reaches the end, there is a lot that is different, added, or missing from the original version. As this is a game, it is fun and interesting to laugh at how the information changed as it reached it final destination. In this game it may be fun, yet in life, how fun is it to be working without the proper verified information. It is important that we work to get it right and the only way to ensure that the information reaches its final destination in tact and correct as it was in the beginning is to utilize the resource for the information.

When using the resources, the information is correct as written and then as received, it is correct as well. Now the interpretation of the information is not for me to talk through today, as there is something to say about the correct interpretation, yet the information is sent and received accurately as it is part of the original resource.

God’s Word is the original resource for me. It is where I start my study. I find the topic of my study, read the verse where it is found, then the passage where it is contained to get the context, and then, review other versions for more insight, and then the commentary found with the verse and passage, and then additional commentary on the verse and passage for more insight. Yes, quite the time of study, and look where I start, with the original information. I have to be sure that I am not adding or removing from God’s Word and understanding all of it as it was intended and not just picking that which I want.

“¹⁸I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, ¹⁹and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.” — Revelation 22:18-19 (ESV)

God’s Word is perfect and there is no need to add to or take away from it. Not only that, there are serious consequences when done. Plagues and removal of shares are quite the discipline and frankly something that I would wish not to happen to me. I will therefore continue to go to the source as my resource when it comes to God’s Word and my role that He has for me. I will utilize the Word of God as my guide to ensure that I am getting it right. I have a duty to the LORD and the only way to fulfill that duty correctly is to use His Word as my resource and instruction manual.

When have you found yourself working with information that may or may not be complete? Are you relying on the original resource or secondary information supplied by one or more? What if you worked on getting it right by using the original resource, and with God, using His Word?

Rely on God to Add and Do Not be Anxious

“²⁷And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?” — Matthew 6:27 (ESV)

It is not by agonizing that there is addition. I sit in my office during the day and take on that which comes and in some instances concern myself with that which I do not have to continue with my work. In my role I am reliant on others to provide the information I need in order to ensure that those in my charge are getting that which they “need” to do their jobs. This reliance on others causes me anxiety as I tend to receive information in what I consider the last moment. This anxiety tends to do more harm than good in that I am too concerned with what I do not have and cannot do than that which I do have and can. The anxiety I feel certainly does not help the situation and does not gain me anything.

I have written on the passage referenced a number of times and again, God brings me back for more learning and study. All I need, God provides. No matter the work I do, I am not the provider, but the receiver.

“²⁶Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” — Matthew 6:26 (ESV)

I have to proceed in the moment and allow for God to provide and leave it all with Him. I will be provided for when I need it much like the birds. They find provision in the moment they need. When the Israelites were in the wilderness, God provided manna each day for their provision. I have to get past my want of everything when I want it and know that God will provide when I need it. No amount of worry on my part will speed the actions of God. He will add to me in His time and not a moment before. I have to remember to be content with what I have been given and know that my provision is taken care of.

Now I want to address the idea that we should then just sit and wait on God. Yes, that is true that we are to wait on God’s timing with everything and His provision. But, we are also charged with doing the work and having faith that He will come through in His time. My time, as I am the one doing the work, seems to be of importance, but it is God’s time that is being upheld in His provision for me. God works in the realm of “just in time”. His timing is perfect and I have to remember that and not be anxious about what is missing and simply do the work assigned by Him and know that what I need to complete that work will be added to when His time is right.

What anxiety do you have as a result of feeling as though you do not have what you need? Are you concerned with your wants or your needs? What if you proceeded knowing that God will add to you in His time and that His provision for you will always be given?

Do Not Add to God’s Law

There is a lot of interpretation in our world. There is the sense that “I know what was meant because I…” I will admit that I have claimed to “know” in certain situations and in doing so have steered someone the wrong way. As a father there is an internal desire to show my boys just how much I know so that they will learn for themselves and in doing so, I may have given them incorrect information early on.

In my reading this morning I am reminded that my role is to inform and that I have to be careful not to add or take away from that which God has given me.

“²You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God that I command you.” — Deuteronomy 4:2 (ESV)

God has given that which is perfect. He has provided the rules and statutes that I am to follow. I am to take them as they are and apply them to my life and role here in this world. I am to hold to them and them alone and that will get me through. When I am applying the Word of God to my life as He gave it, I will continue to be in right standing with Him.

I just mentioned that what God has given is perfect and I have to remember that. His Word is meant for me to follow completely. I have to be careful not to interpret God’s Word to be or mean more that what it is and means. I have to remember not to add to it or take away any part of it to “fit” the situation I want it to.

As I stated in the first sentence of my writing this morning, there is a lot of interpretation in the world today. There is a lot of adding and taking away from what is/was written in the law of man. I have seen too often where there are statements made by those in the world who add their own thought and feelings to the words written and even take away key words and phrases to ensure that the words fit what they are wanting them to say as opposed to the actual context in which they were said. There is a twisting of the rhetoric to fit the narrative of what is wanted instead of fitting ourselves into the words as they are written.

God’s Word is perfect and what He has for us and wants from us is clearly stated and it is not up to me to make them bend to my will. Man’s words are fully pliable as they are inspired by the situation in which they were said or written and not wholly universal as God’s Word is. Where I may be able to adjust the language and interpret what was said by man to mean what I want them to and it is accepted, God’s Word is not malleable to my will. I am not to add to or take from God’s word to fit me. I am to fit myself into His Word.

I look at the Ten Commandments and see the law as God wrote it. And just looking at the commandment “Thou shalt not steal”. God did not mean or say, “unless you are wanting something you cannot afford”, or “except when someone has more than you”. God said and means to not steal anything. There is no interpretation that makes it any different, whereas in man’s law and words, there are lots of “reasons and exceptions” where the rules change based on the situation.

God’s Word is perfect and nothing I can do will make it any better. I have to accept the Word of God for what it says and not bend or manipulate it to fit me or my situation. I am to fit to God’s Word.

What is your view of God’s Word? Are you looking for it to bend to your will? What if you accepted God’s Word as perfect and bent to it as opposed to adding or taking from it as you see fit?

We are One, New Together

New: “having recently come into existence” – Merriam-Webster Online

You and I are “new” together. I know that seems a bit strange as you come from not here with me. I am from a small town in Texas and you are from, well face, I may not know, but not necessarily from a small town in Texas. Yet, in the name of Christ, we are the same.

This is not something that would have come about without Christ. We come from different places and have different cultures and certainly look different, but we are the same in the name of Christ. We serve the risen savior. We worship Him and have become the same based on Him. Our being one together in Christ is new and something never seen before and will never be seen again.

I look at where I am in the world today and begin thinking of all the division in this world. I think of how we are all at odds with one another based on whatever society says we are to be at odds. What a poor example we are setting for those who are with us and those who will come after us. There is so much separation as the world only thinks of itself and what can be had by the one.

“¹⁴For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility ¹⁵by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, ¹⁶and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.” — Ephesians 2:14-16 (ESV)

I propose that we come together, not for me, but for you. I believe that we should be coming together as one, new together. We should be putting our differences aside to be new together. As I noted the definition of “new”, we should be the example of just coming into existence where something was not before. I propose unity and working to spread the same gospel.

There is plenty of time to be different in the way we go about things. The way we look. The way we speak. But there is not enough time to be at odds as to our purpose. I have to be like you and you like me in the approach to spreading the gospel to reach all corners of the world.

So, you and I may not be from the same small town in Texas. We may come from different cultures. We may be different in language. We may look different and act different and frankly, be different. But we are new together. One in our goal to ensure that the gospel reaches everyone.

What is your approach to you and I together? Are you looking at us as being different? What if we approached this all as though we are one, new together in Christ with one goal?

This or That Means Nothing, Be a New Creation

This morning I continue my study into the word “new” and as usual, God gives me that which makes an impact.

“¹⁵For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.” — Galatians 6:15 (ESV)

The physical does not change the heart. Whether I am circumcised or not. Whether I go to the “right” church or not. Whether I am seen in the circles of Christians or in the midst of sinners. I have to be a new creation and that is all that is recognized as belonging to Christ.

Yesterday it was published that the former wrestler Hulk Hogan was baptized. I did read more about the event and where there is a lot more to it than that which was headlined (and I encourage your reading), I want to draw attention to his post on social media that went with the picture, “Total surrender and dedication to Jesus is the greatest day of my life.” This speaks as to what it means to be a new creation. As a new creation, I give up me and dedicate all to Christ. All that was is removed and we move forward as new. This is a high price to pay and yet so worth it, and not for all.

“²¹Jesus said to him, ‘If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.’ ²²When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.” — Matthew 19:21-22 (ESV)

I have to be a new creation in Christ and not worry with what else there is in this world. I have to give it all away and follow Christ and all that He. I am not here to impress anyone, show out for anyone, or be anyone. I am in this world and have accepted to be different and new in the LORD.

What are you doing to demonstrate? Are you showing the physical and making all about what is on the outside? What if you embraced being/becoming a new creation and giving all of you to the LORD?

Suffer and Rejoice in Belonging to Christ

I have written about wearing the badge of Christ proudly. This morning I was brought back to the same passage in 1 Peter and found that it more than wearing the badge of Christ and being proud to do so. I have to know that it is all part of the design.

“¹³But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.” — 1 Peter 4:13 (ESV)

For all the suffering that comes with belonging to Christ, there is also rejoicing that comes as well. I have to remember that the suffering is for the rejoicing. I am here to do the work of Christ. I have already been promised my reward and it is great. I get to be a part of the glory of God. And that glory is, well, it comes after much suffering that I signed up for.

Christ suffered in His ministry. He was ridiculed, defamed, and then beaten and crucified. And yet, He continued as it was all as designed by God. He was designed by God. He was tasked by God. He was rewarded by God. I am part of the same. I am designed by God. I am tasked by God. I am rewarded by God. All of me and what I do is designed by God.

In that I am in like kind with Christ, I am also to continue on like He. I am to do the work, knowing that there will be suffering. And then in the same time, I have to remember that my reward has already been determined.

I do the work and reap the reward, not from this world but from God. I belong to Christ and not this world and so whether I am deemed a success or failure in this world, as I have done the work of God, I am seem as a success in the only one that matters, GOD.

Belonging to Christ is a duty and an honor. I cannot pay back all that was given as there is no way to pay back the fact that someone died so that I can live. What I can do is continue to do the work that I am tasked with, by design, and know that all is well thanks to by belonging to Christ.

What are your thoughts on belonging to Christ? Do you feel like you should only have the good that comes? What if you just accepted the honor of belonging to Him and then accepted that you have work to do and that the end result is already determined and your reward is already won?

Being Christ’s is to Carry His Work Forward

I belong to Christ and as such am tasked with carrying His work forward into this world. I am to spread the Gospel and do so in the name of Christ.

“¹⁹Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” — Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV)

These are the words of Jesus to His disciples, of which I am one. I am to take the gospel to the world and teach. I am to carry Christ’s work forward in His name and know that He is with me through it all.

This brings me to the passage of study for my morning. I am in Colossians and Paul is writing of his ministry to the church. He is referencing the work that he and we have to bring the gospel forward. But first, Paul opens the passage reminding us that it is not going to be easy.

“²⁴Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church,” — Colossians 1:24 (ESV)

I admit that it took me some time this morning to understand this verse and it’s context. I reviewed commentary and did not just except things as I read them. I focused on understanding God’s Word and not just reading it. When just reading, it appears that Paul indicates that he is picking up the mantel that Jesus just dropped when He ascended. This could not be further from the truth. Christ is more than enough and this verse is misleading when reading “what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions”.

Yes, Paul is picking up where Christ left off, but look at the Great Commission in verses 19 and 20 of Matthew 28 above. He told us that was our task, take the gospel further and to the places that currently do not exist. It is not that Christ did not suffer afflictions, it was just that He did not suffer the afflictions that were to come. I had not been born yet and therefore my afflictions had not been realized. Christ did not suffer my afflictions and that is what is lacking. I will suffer for Christ as Paul did and Timothy did and all of the others that have brought the gospel before me and will bring the gospel after me.

As a member of the Christian family, I am not just going to experience the good times. Yes I have blessings and will have rewards in heaven, yet I will still have to deal with all of the persecution and sufferings that will come with it as well. It is all part of belonging to Christ. Belonging to Christ indicates that I am to carry His work forward, regardless of the cost to or impact I have on my own life. It is not about me. I am doing the work of Christ for His sake and not my own. I will experience it all in the work that I am doing. I will experience the great joy and will also experience the great heartache and persecution. It is all part of the role.

I would not change a thing. I am “in it to win it” as I have heard said and that means that I will endure all that there is with the role of belonging to Christ. I will carry all forward as instructed and tasked.

What part of Christ do you belong? Are you finding yourself wondering why you are persecuted and suffering? What about belonging to Christ in all to carry His message forward, regardless of the circumstance or impact to you?