Receive Through Faith

You know we cannot receive the Holy Spirit through our works or even purchase access with our monetary gifts, right? Yet, we continue to try. It is interesting to watch people doing things and spouting them publicly to somehow gain some righteousness in the eyes of the world. And, I guess they do, but that is not going to get them anywhere beyond this world. They are slaves to the law of man and will only receive the volatile and fleeting rewards of man.

“¹²But the law is not of faith, rather ‘The one who does them shall live by them.’” – Galatians 3:12 (ESV)

We were not meant to receive the gift of God through the law. Oh, yes, when looking at the Old Testament and adhering to the Old Covenant, there was the component of following the law to gain righteousness. The Old Covenant is gone and we now live in the New Covenant where Jesus earned our salvation and freedom from sin thanks to His sacrifice on the cross for us. It is His sacrifice that we place our faith and in doing so, we gain the Holy Spirit in our lives to guide us forward.

“¹³Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree’— ¹⁴so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.” – Galatians 3:13-14 (ESV)

We do not receive the Holy Spirit through our works according to man and the law. We receive the Holy Spirit through our faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ who suffered to remove the suffering from us.

“¹¹Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for ‘The righteous shall live by faith.’” – Galatians 3:11 (ESV)

It is not our adherence to the law, or our good works in this world that allow us to receive the gift of salvation and the Holy Spirit. It is through our faith in Jesus that He paid the price for me and I only need to realize, acknowledge, and accept. It is through faith that I receive and not through any other means.

What is your view of gaining righteousness? Are you out there doing good to somehow receive greatness to come? What if you were to realize that Jesus satisfied the law for you by dying on the cross and you receive the Holy Spirit through faith in Him and His actions for you?

Find and Gain from Wisdom

We are pretty good at finding things when we are looking for them. Those things, when found, deliver some satisfaction, but generally that satisfaction is fleeting and minimal in lasting impact.

Notice the verbiage there in the above, looking for things. Thing are tangible what we get from them are fleeting as noted. But, intangible things we seem to seek as opposed to look for. Wisdom is one of those things that we should be seeking. We should have a deep desire to acquire wisdom for it is that which keeps on giving beyond the now.

“¹³Blessed is the one who finds wisdom,

and the one who gets understanding,

¹⁴for the gain from her is better than gain from silver

and her profit better than gold.”

— Proverbs 3:13-14 (ESV)

Silver and gold, or those tangible things do have a shelf life. They can be here today and gone tomorrow. We seem to look for those things that give pleasure in the now and then we tend to take for granted that which we acquired and squander it in the time that comes after. But wisdom, when found is something that continues to pay dividends throughout time. We may lose silver and gold, but we can always get more when using our wisdom.

Napoleon Hill’s book, “Think and Grow Rich” discusses the value of knowledge and wisdom. We gain lasting “wealth” from our knowledge and wisdom than the acquisition of things in the now. If we lose the things today, we can get more of them tomorrow by the use of our thoughts and reason.

“⁵At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, “Ask what I shall give you.” and “⁹Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?” – 1 Kings 3:5 & 9 (ESV)

Solomon understood the value of things and when presented by the LORD to the chance to ask for anything, he chose wisdom and understanding as he knew that would be the lasting thing to govern the people. And wisdom He received, and then he shared that wisdom through the writings we know today as Proverbs, where our focus verses this morning come from.

We are so intent on the acquisition of things in our lives that we miss the opportunity to find that which truly continues to give. We should be seeking the sustainable and gaining from its daily use and involvement in our lives. Wisdom found is there for lifelong gain.

What is it you seek? Are you looking for that thing to satisfy the now? What if you were seek, find, and gain from that which will give you lifelong gain, wisdom?

Gain Christ with Loss Through the Law

Here goes. I know, it sounds interesting in that we can gain through loss.

Paul was a very learned man and had considerable gain in life. He was fully Jewish. He was fully Hebrew. He could be considered a Pharisee. He was a great man thanks to his work in the law. Yet, he did not fully gain until he found Christ and in doing so, he lost all that he had gained in the law. Paul ended up in prison and ultimately died for his faith in Christ and through it all, counted that time as the time of his life as opposed to all that he had gained and lost in the law.

“⁷But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. ⁸Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ ⁹and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— ¹⁰that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, ¹¹that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.” – Philippians 3:7-11 (ESV)

Read carefully the above again. See and feel the freedom that Paul experienced through his faith in Christ. He had everything from the standpoint of the world, and yet he was overjoyed to lose it all for the sake of knowing Christ and seeking after him daily. Paul found joy in prison as he led people and churches to know Christ. He did not want for things other than to know Christ more.

I was reading and studying this morning and this passage hit me a little different this morning. I have been struggling with things a bit and needing a bit more clarity. God provided for me this morning that I am to just be joyful in the gain of knowing, trusting, and relying on Him. I am to put all the struggle away and know that God has me in a place, whether physical or in time, that I am to be in for Him and He will ensure things to be right according to His plan. I just need to revel in the fact that I may lose that which was gained through the law, but what a minimal loss it is compared to the gain I receive in Christ.

Where are you placing your gain? Are you relying on the law to provide for you and give you great things? What if you instead relied on the LORD, knowing that there is far greater gain in Christ?

Own Desire Leads to Death

Wow Trevor, no holding back this morning are you. Well, it is the truth that hurts the most once it is realized.

“¹⁴But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. ¹⁵Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” – James 1:14-15 (ESV)

And there you have it, no, I am not holding back, only presenting the truth as found in God’s Word. James is writing in this passage of the “Testing of Your Faith” (according to my English Standard Version). But, notice that here he is not speaking of testing, but tempting and when reading the full passage we find that indeed God does not tempt us, but our faith will be tested.

Back to the verses above, James tells us that we will be tempted, but that temptation comes from our own desires. When we are presented with the what the world offers, we are tempted to accept which takes our eyes off of Jesus. And when our eyes are off of Jesus, our hearts will eventually follow and we are led to sin. I ask the LORD daily to keep my hands and heart active with His work to avoid the wandering eyes that will see the temptations of the world and lead to sin.

As we see in verse 15 above, that sin that comes from the temptation of the world ultimately leads in our death. We will find ourselves focused on our own desire in the world and will lose ourselves to it.

“²⁴For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.” – Luke 9:24 (ESV)

Jesus said that when we are in the business of our own lives, we are actually out of business. But as we give ourselves to Him fully we will be in business forever. I have to remember to desire the LORD and not the world as presented. I have to stay vigilant in my looking to Jesus or I risk giving into the temptation of the world which will lead to sin and will ultimately end in death.

What is it that you desire? Are you finding yourself tempted by the things of this world? What if you were to focus your desire on the LORD and His work to avoid the temptation of sin which will lead to death?

Desire Through Faith

“¹⁶But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.” — Hebrews 11:16 (ESV)

They is all of those who were righteous in the eyes of God, Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah. There are/were of course many others who were considered righteous and all of them were fully faithful to the LORD. They gave of themselves fully for things that seemed impossible, as they knew in their hearts that they would be delivered at the had of God. Each of these desired something better, a heavenly better and knew it would be provided through their faith.

What a great testament to me these are. They demonstrate their full faith and devotion to the LORD and in return, they knew that He would provide. There was not expectation of how, only that He would. They placed full faith in the LORD to provide for their desire for better.

I have to use this in my own life. I have to remember to place my full faith in the LORD, knowing that He will provide. I cannot expect things to go as I plan them, only that they are resolved. I have to be open to how the LORD will provide and simply do the work he has assigned me and live in faith that it will lead to the provision for better.

What a great other view at the idea that I should only desire the LORD. In this instance, I am to desire better, but only as God sees fit for me and have full faith that He will indeed provide. My desire is rooted in the LORD and His plan for me. I can want for things and hope that they will come. But my desire should be in the LORD and for things that will be better in His sight and know that through my faith in Him, I will get the better as He sees fit.

What do you desire? Are you putting all your hope into something that you want? What if you placed all your hope and faith in God knowing that He will provide the better that He has in store for you?

Buckle Up

“¹²Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,” — 2 Timothy 3:12 (ESV)

So you want to be a follower of Christ and live a life as an example of Him. Get ready, as it is not an easy road to be on. Paul notes above to Timothy that when one seeks God and to be an example of Him, the days are nothing if not filled with challenges.

I can speak to this personally that when we are living for God, we are misunderstood. I gone into situations where I am not shy about my faith in Christ and at those times I am cast aside as inflexible and not like the rest in that are there. To that, I can say I am glad it was found out early to save more persecution as I went forward.

I know that being a follower of Christ was never said to be along the easy road. Yet, it did take some time to realize it as I grew in my faith and understanding of the LORD through His Word. And where I am not one to take a lot of risk, thankfully there is really not a lot of risk in the LORD. There is uncertainty in the moment as we never really know the outcome of God’s plans for us, by following Him, the reward is already known and we only have to do His will to receive.

Buckle-up is where I land this morning in my thoughts of this passage. I know that being a follower of Christ is not easy, and therefor I have to be ready for whatever is placed in the path to work through for Christ. I have to be strapped in and ready for anything that may come my way. I may not know what that is, but I have to know that it may not be pleasant in the moment. I have to study and prepare for those challenges that are sure to be there. The Word of God gives me the straps to buckle with and the learning to get me through.

“¹⁶All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, ¹⁷that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” – 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV)

What is your view of following Christ? Are you looking for all rainbows and sunshine? What if you went in knowing the path is going to be filled with challenges and you buckle-up for what is to come?

Desire for the Better

Each morning I come to my desk and bible study with an open heart and mind for the LORD to guide me as to what He would have me learn. And, each morning I am brought to the scripture where about half the time I have been been before, only this time to learn something new from the same verse or passage. This morning is not any different.

“²¹For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. ²²If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. ²³I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. ²⁴But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. ²⁵Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, ²⁶so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.” – Philippians 1:21-26 (ESV)

I have been to this passage many times and have learned that it is important to remain here in this world to do the work that God has for me. I have to stay for the better of those in this world to bring the gospel to them so they have the opportunity to gain from salvation as I have.

But today I am here to learn about the other side, gaining from death and how I am to desire that gain for the reward that is to come in heaven. Paul writes that he desires the better, dying to be with Christ. What a great thing to set one’s sights, being with Christ because it is better than what is here and now.

I began my devoted morning bible study back in October of 2016 and the first of “Trevor’s Thoughts” was through a study of “Jesus is Better”. One of that study’s first lesson was centered on exploring your “kingdom purpose”. Here is one sentence from that writing, “Our ‘kingdom purpose’ comes to us by simply following the plan Christ has for us.” I wrote that on October 8, 2016 and it still holds true today. We are to follow the plan Christ has for us.

That plan is for us to be here doing His work, but the desire for the better, gaining through death to be with Christ is okay and encouraged. Where being with Christ is our ultimate destination, I still have work to do here in this world and as such, being with Christ is simply my desire and something that I will certainly be looking forward to reaching.

What is the work you have here in this world? Is that in line with your desire for the better? What if you kept doing the work of Christ for those here in this world and kept the desire for the better, being with Christ, as just that, the desire and the end destination to look forward to reaching?

Desire the Higher Gifts

Each morning as I study I am introduced to something that I was not thinking of before. This morning is not really any different. I have stated that one should only desire the LORD and yet this morning as I continue with the study of the word “desire” I see that I should desire higher things.

“³¹But earnestly desire the higher gifts.

And I will show you a still more excellent way.” – 1 Corinthians 12:31 (ESV)

So, how does it work I ask. I am to desire the LORD and yet desire higher things. So confusing when you are not looking at the whole picture.

These “higher things” are of the LORD and not of the world. That is the way. I am to desire the LORD and all that He has and will give. He will provide all that I “need”. The “higher things” here are gifts that only he can give to us and I have to desire the gifts that He has for me, which may be different than my neighbor.

“²⁷Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. ²⁸And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. ²⁹Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? ³⁰Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?” – 1 Corinthians 12:27-30 (ESV)

Not all of us can be healers. Not all of us can be teachers. Not all of us will be administrators. We each have our role in the church and that is what we should desire, the gift that the LORD has for us based on our role He has tasked us.

“¹Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.” – 1 Corinthians 14:1 (ESV)

Paul gives additional insight into that which we are to desire in his letter, “spiritual gifts”. These gifts will be different for each of us and that is what we should seek from the LORD. It is easy to see that which others have and think that we should have that as well. But doesn’t that broach the idea of covetousness? So my previous learning related to the word “desire” is correct even now. I am to “Desire the LORD” and “Stay as You Are” and “Desire the Higher Gifts” as are the titles to some of my recent posts.

What is your view of desiring? Are you still of the idea that you should desire more? What if you focused your desire on the LORD and the higher things that only He can/will provide for you?

Satisfy the Desire of Others

Yes, as we know through our study of God’s Word, we are to serve others. Part of that serving is to satisfy the desire of others.

“⁹Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer;

you shall cry, and he will say, ‘Here I am.’

If you take away the yoke from your midst,

the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness,

¹⁰if you pour yourself out for the hungry

and satisfy the desire of the afflicted,

then shall your light rise in the darkness

and your gloom be as the noonday.”

— Isaiah 58:9-10 (ESV)

Here is the how. We are to satisfy the desire, not just of others, but for those who are having a difficult time. My role is to guide them, care for them, provide for them, and ensure that they are in a position to see the LORD and be less concerned with that which is weighing on them at that time.

Yes, we are to serve all and do the work of the LORD for all. Yet it will be those in the difficult positions that will recognize the service to them and will benefit from the service in the moment. We are not to do it to be seen, but simply for the betterment of the one in need.

But, you say, what about me? I know just what you are thinking as I think the same thing. I am having a difficult time and when/where will my desire be satisfied? That is the best part. When we are doing the work of the LORD, the difficulties will still be there, yet we will also have the LORD and our community on our side to help out. When I have served others, selfishly, they will serve me the same way.

I recently have been looking as to what is next for me. Now I am not looking to abandon what I am doing, just looking for something that I can add that I can use to do more. Lori and I are on our own again and there is time available to take on more. I have been praying for it. I feel some challenge and am looking for God’s guidance. As mentioned before, we are members of a church plant and as such Lori and I volunteer our time to make it work. Even as we have a scheduled time and work to do, we jump in when there is a need and help out. As we have, God allowed us to be seen helping and led one of our pastors to invite me to a discipleship group. This invitation led to my next thing.

When we are giving selfishly to satisfy the desire of those in need, in return we will be made whole at some point. Our role is to satisfy others and the LORD will work to satisfy us.

What are you doing to satisfy others? Are you doing so to get something out of it? What if you just did the work of the LORD and assisted those in need, knowing that God will satisfy your needs in due time?

Desire the Substance of Jesus

“²For he grew up before him like a young plant,

and like a root out of dry ground;

he had no form or majesty that we should look at him,

and no beauty that we should desire him.”

— Isaiah 53:2 (ESV)

According to the above, Jesus was nothing astonishing to behold growing up or even as an adult. He was just a regular guy that was as noted, not of desire. Yet He was so great for us and brought us so much even at His earthly expense.

I think that it is interesting in that Jesus is portrayed as a striking and good looking man. To the eyes now, it would seem that people may have flocked to Him based to some degree on His appearance. And when I think of it, there must have been something about Him as He was recognized by the people when He was out in public view.

I know that the appearance of someone is easier to explain. And let’s face it, following someone who is not remarkably looking or visually is not the way to win people over. So to the eye, Jesus must be made to be appealing to draw us in.

But, it is not the outward appearance that we should be desiring when it comes to Jesus. His outward beauty will do nothing for us. Just like the outward beauty of man or woman is not the thing we should be drawn to. It is the substance of Jesus that we should desire.

In His ministry, Jesus was recognized in the public, not for His beauty, but for who He was. He was seen as carrying Himself different, walking different, and just being different. He was seen for His work and being and I like to believe that others could see the aura of God in Him.

I am going to make a comparison although it is not meant for anything other than the idea to help with understanding. Ever hear or see the “glow” of a woman with child. There is something about a pregnant woman that emanates a “glow”. People just know that she is different. I believe Jesus to be similar only bigger than this. There is something about Him without even knowing Him intimately that all can “see”.

This difference is the substance of Jesus and not His appearance. This is where our desire should be. We should be in desire for the substance of Jesus and not the appearance of Him.

What do you desire? Are you looking out for the appearances to desire? What if you looked to the substance of Jesus and placed your desire on His love?