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?

Stay as You Are

If you are unmarried or you are widowed, stay that way. There is no reason to get in a hurry to change your current relationship status. You should be focusing your desire on the LORD and not on another partner.

“³⁷But whoever is firmly established in his heart, being under no necessity but having his desire under control, and has determined this in his heart, to keep her as his betrothed, he will do well.” – 1 Corinthians 7:37 (ESV)

In this passage from 1 Corinthians, Paul is speaking directly to those who may have lost a spouse or those who may be engaged to be married. The above verse is referencing the idea that our desire should be in check, either we satisfy our physical desire by marrying so we can get back to desiring the LORD, or that we have our desire on the LORD and our physical wants are of much less consequence. Either way, our desire should be on the LORD and not on the physical.

I know for me, it is great to have a wife of 28 years that satisfies my physical wants. I do not need to look elsewhere and can focus on the LORD with my desire. I am content staying where I am. I know of others who have been engaged for a good time and are content to stay there as they grow spiritually. I recently witnessed a couple engaged to be married who have focused on the LORD and one of them was baptized, declaring publicly dedication to the LORD and the other in the relationship was beaming with joy. I say all of this in that the LORD would rather us stay where we are than get caught up in the wants of the flesh. But, make no mistake, that if being married helps with satisfying the physical so that one can get back to the desire of the LORD, then marriage is good, as long as it is rooted in the LORD.

All we do should be for the benefit of your relationship with the LORD. It is not for our own wants physically. It is for the glory of the LORD. Whether that is being married or remaining single, all is to keep us focused on the LORD. I say, stay where you are and get your desire for the LORD to the top of your things to do list before another.

What are you focused on in relationships? Are you looking to fully satisfy your physical at all costs? What if you were to take the approach to stay where you are and focus your desire on the LORD before another?

Desire to Do What is Right

Doing what is right is not easy.

Oh, let me explain. There is what is right and then there is what is legal. This morning I continue my study of the word “desire” and was led to Romans chapter 7 and the passage titled “the law and sin”. A great passage that Paul wrote describing how the law leads to sin in that before we knew the law, we could not sin against it. Yet now that we know the law, we find ourselves fighting with sin over it.

“¹⁸For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. ¹⁹For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. ²⁰Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.” – Romans 7:18-20 (ESV)

Paul understood that our flesh self is controlled by the sin in the world. That when we set out to do something, we are blinded by that in the world that keeps us in line according to the law. And by doing so, we are a slave to sin that is found as a result of the law.

But, Paul also understood that internally we are good thanks to the LORD. We have accepted Him into our hearts and there He dwells within us to provide us that guidance to what is good and right. We have, as Paul states and I believe as well, “the desire to do what is right”. Yet, we have the world out there advising to follow the law and therefor are driven to sin.

It is interesting that Paul declares that he does not have the ability to carry out what is right when in fact he is imprisoned for doing the work of the LORD. Paul was unapologetic at doing the work of the LORD and for that he was imprisoned. He was not following the law, but following that what is right in the LORD. But, Paul, being the man of God he was, was not satisfied with just his doing what was right. He wanted that all would do right.

Again, doing what is right is not easy. I may be contrary to the law of man. But, I have to remember that what is legal, or within the law, may not always be what is right in the name of the LORD. I have to obey the law of man where I can and when the Law of God, or that which is right, is more than the law of man, I should do that which is right. I am judged physically here in this world, but the judgment of the LORD in heaven is where my allegiance is ultimately found. The consequences of this world are of no consequence when I have done what is right in the eyes of the LORD.

What actions are you generally taking? Are you following the law, or what is right? What if you worked to do what is right regardless of the consequences in this world knowing that you answer to the LORD ultimately?

Jesus Desires Mercy

This morning I realized that I am continuing to expand the desire of the LORD for my heart. I am reading in Matthew of Jesus’ calling of Matthew and His subsequent meeting with Him and other tax collectors. Here Jesus’ actions are questioned and His response is magnificent.

“¹¹And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, ‘Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?’ ¹²But when he heard it, he said, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. ¹³Go and learn what this means: “I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.” For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.’” – Matthew 9:11-13 (ESV)

Jesus declares to the Pharisees and the crowd that had gathered, that He is here for sinners, and in order to gain them, it is mercy we give to them as opposed to sacrifice. We do not change who we are to “get in good” with the group we are working to gain, we simply understand them and let them know that we love them and allow them the opportunity to hear.

What Jesus desires from us is our full obedience. Our heart for Him and our mercy for those in need of Him. It is easy to walk away from those not like us as we are looking out for our reputation. It is easy to seek out work that is easy like only interacting with those who are like us. But as I have read on a number of occasions and again this morning from Jesus, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.” Our actions should be to spread the gospel and not just talk about it with others, and that will mean working with those who are out of touch with the LORD and need to hear from and about Him.

I want to be the example of Christ for others to witness. This means that I have to work with those in need, those are those in need of mercy. I have to demonstrate love for all and not just those who are like me. I have to provide for those seeking and not just those who have found.

What is your take on interacting with others? Do you find yourself working only with those like you? What if you were to provide mercy as Jesus did to give that which He desires of us?

God Desires Your Heart

Until now, I have been reading and studying the word “desire” and it is been on our side, man. This morning I was brought to the book of Hosea where I found the desire of the LORD.

“⁶For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice,

the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.”

— Hosea 6:6 (ESV)

I forget sometimes that man was created in the image of God and to have a relationship with Him. Relationships are more than just acquaintances. Relationships of real worth are from the heart. I know that in my relationship with Lori, I have given her all of me, most of all my heart. There is nothing I won’t do for her as a result of the love I have for her and our relationship.

Our relationship with God is no different. He gives us all that He is for our sake and to care for us. He gives His heart to us and desires that we give ours to Him. There is nothing we should not do for Him as a result of the love we have for Him and our relationship.

Yes, the last two paragraphs end the same way. I meant that to make the point. Those we have relationships with desire us fully, including and mainly our heart. If we are willing to give to those of this world, would it not fully make sense to give to the LORD the same, or more importantly, first.

God does not require much from us. He wants us to do His will in this world to spread the gospel. And, first of all, He desires that we give our hearts to Him. He saved me from death and I owe Him, the least I can give is all of me, beginning with what He desires and that is my heart.

What are you giving to the LORD? Are you trying to satisfy His desire through monetary and other gifts? What if instead you simply gave Him the one thing He desires, your heart?

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?

Rejoice in Fulfilled Desire

We are, as I have read, learned, and remembered during my study of the word “desire”, to desire the LORD and if there is something other than Him, it should be wisdom. Our fascination with things of this world is not sustainable as it will be gained and lost in the blink of an eye. The desire of the LORD and of wisdom are forever. The LORD has been and will be forever. Wisdom is gained and allows for continued growth and understanding.

“¹⁹A desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul,

but to turn away from evil is an abomination to fools.”

— Proverbs 13:19 (ESV)

Here we find the direction as to the fulfillment of desire. We are to relish in the fulfillment as it is “sweet to the soul”. So, taking in that we are to desire the LORD and wisdom, what a great thing to know that the LORD and wisdom are “sweet to the soul”. And it is true.

The LORD loves, cares for, guides, and protects us. He provides for our every need and even blesses us beyond those needs. He is the one constant that can be counted on in this world. He is there always and will not turn away.

Likewise with wisdom. With wisdom we can see and adjust to that which is presented. Knowing that what is can be changed with a little understanding is so amazing.

Bryson, my oldest son, commented to me a while back that I was the smartest person he knew. Now, I know that there are many people who are smarter than I am and Bryson likely knows those people as well. But, for him to recognize that I have something inside me, wisdom, is certainly fantastic in my eyes.

Here we have desire that is or will be fulfilled, the LORD and wisdom. I have received the LORD through my acceptance of the salvation gift He offered. I have experience in this world that leads to wisdom and understanding. For each of these I rejoice as they are “sweet to the soul”. I have and will continue to gain from these desires being fulfilled and will continue seeking them as I go.

What desire do you have? Are you aware of the impact of the fulfillment of those desires? What is the difference in the long term gain from those desires compared to the fulfillment of the desire for the LORD and wisdom, and are they worth your rejoicing?