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JESUS & THE ADULTERESS-3 “Hypocrisy Bites Back”

Click here to read our text: John 8:1-11

Welcome To The Light-Washed Path,

By now it’s become evident that the real point of this confrontation between the Lord and the religious leaders is that:

This story is about Jesus’ encounter with what people REALLY want, as opposed to what they say.

The religious leaders have launched their nasty little plot to confront Jesus with the issue of whether or not the Law should be followed concerning the punishing of adulterers. But their plan backfired when Jesus basically said “Yes, it should be upheld, and the ones among you who are morally perfect enough to execute it may go ahead now and do so.” With their legalistic trap-question sprung, the gang of religious petty officials are now thrown on the defensive, having to face their own conviction. And the Bible says:

John 8:7 But when they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up, and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.”

John 8:8 Again He stooped down and wrote on the ground.

John 8:9 When they heard it, they began to go out one by one, beginning with the older ones, and He was left alone, and the woman, where she was, in the center of the court.

Stop and try to visualize the scene. Talk about ’shock ‘n awe’. These hypocrites have just been hit with their greatest fear: Truth. Conviction is raining down upon their heads. And if their callous hearts won’t let them taste the pain of conviction, then they are being tortured with embarrassment. Whichever the case, the oldest are the first to realize their defeat, break ranks and return home. They drop their rocks and turn away. This realization that they’ve just been overturned by righteousness, steadily works its way through the gang until the youngest and last legalist has walked away.

“…they began to go out one by one…“

This is a very dramatic illustration of the fact that morality is not a ‘group benefit’, but rather a very personal and individual condition. True morality is installed; being stitched into our hearts by the needle and thread of conviction. You aren’t moral because you belong to some church or group that believes in a certain moral code. But as you allow your errors to be confronted by the convictions of His Truth, then real morality is assembled inside your heart. When real conviction of truth takes hold of you it’s always on a very personal level. You can be in the middle of a crowd during a happy event when suddenly, something is said that sends a revealing thrust right into the depth of your soul. Everyone around is seemingly oblivious to the anguish of your conviction. But you feel as naked and helpless as a newborn babe. These moments are among the most significant in life. They are the most critical crossroads we ever encounter. For at these junctions, we either turn up road directly into the conviction and press on to overcome. Or we turn down the side streets of self-justification and compromise.

Unfortunately, I fear that the men among these religious bigots probably went home to lick their wounds, seethed in anger, regrouped and helped form the gang that eventually drug Jesus before Pilate. It’s a terrible tragedy to harden one’s heart and react to God’s conviction out of embarrassment instead of humility. Especially when we see how He responds to a humbled heart. These men might had seen it if they had stayed around to watch Jesus interact with the woman left standing alone. We’ll look at her in the next steps. So until then…

Stay On The Path!

Tags: A list of devotionals by chronological order, Portraits Of Jesus by Nick Champlin
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JESUS & THE ADULTERESS-2 “Justice & Legality”

Click here to read our text: John 8:1-11

Welcome To The Light-Washed Path,

Let’s remember the key to this confrontation the Lord has with the religious leaders of His day, is that:

This story is about Jesus’ encounter with what people REALLY want, as opposed to what they say.

For the hypocritical leaders, the issue really wasn’t about Jesus’ opinions concerning the judgment of this particular sin. If they REALLY had been concerned about it they would have privately dismissed the issue and tried to help those involved get their lives together. And the reason they would have handled it that way is because when you’re genuinely concerned for others’ moral failures, your motivation is to help them, because you are aware of your own sinful weaknesses and the sorrows they bring.

Gal. 6:1 Brethren, IF any person is overtaken in misconduct or sin of any sort, you who are spiritual [who are responsive to and controlled by the Spirit] should set him right and restore and reinstate him, without any sense of superiority and with all gentleness, keeping an attentive eye on yourself, lest you should be tempted also.

Gal. 6:2 Bear (endure, carry) one another’s burdens and troublesome moral faults, and in this way fulfill and observe perfectly the law of Christ (the Messiah) and complete what is lacking [in your obedience to it].

Jesus Responds…

John 8:6 They were saying this, testing Him, so that they might have grounds for accusing Him. But Jesus stooped down and with His finger wrote on the ground.

By stooping down to write in the dirt, Jesus shows His complete disregard for their lack of moral character and authority in approaching Him with this question. This was the first message that needed to be sent by Him because this revealed the true lunacy of their position. By their hollow hearted lack of love, they were revealed to be completely inappropriate and disqualified to even deal with this issue. Think about it; God comes Himself to deal with our sins and He shows up with forgiveness and compassion, offering mercy and grace to help us. How can we think that someone with anything less in his or her heart will ever be sanctioned by God to deal with sin??? So Jesus first demonstrates His rejection of their authority. He shows His refusal to be goaded into acting as a civil magistrate, coerced into action by their legalism. But the confrontation cannot end there.

John 8:7 However, when they persisted with their question, He raised Himself up and said, Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.

John 8:8 Then He bent down and went on writing on the ground with His finger.

Finally, not wishing to appear indifferent, either to sin or to the plight of the woman, He stands and answers the crowd. His answer is stunning. It is the perfect answer from Heaven, for it revealsGod’s interest in this drama. Brilliantly, Jesus invites the accusers to go ahead and fulfill the Law of Moses, by letting the sinless people do the stoning. For only they would be in a position to condemn her. Now their evil anticipation has turned to horror, as Jesus rips the sheepskin off their ugly heads and exposes these vampires to the piercing light of truth.

Here now is great wisdom: Jesus lifts the entire context of the discussion from the judicial to the moral. Many who want to act in judgment lack the moral qualification to do so. Jesus shows the deeper sin of man in that he attempts to use legalities to maneuver his own positions, all the while lacking the moral high ground from which to act. This is why people today have such a bad taste in their mouths concerning our modern judicial system. It’s run by a bunch of morally bankrupt opportunists. Our “judicial system” has become a “legal system”. Individuals, churches, societies and whole nations, decline when their focus becomes one of rights and legalities, for which none are willing to pay the moral price to execute judgment in.

The key to the heart of God isn’t in offering to police His moral regulations. It’s in realizing through them, that you are broken yourself. It’s when you lean upon His mercy for help and treat others with the same grace.

Tomorrow we will look deeper into this tremendous encounter between the legalists, the Law-Giver and the guilty. Until then…

Stay On The Path!

Tags: A list of devotionals by chronological order, Portraits Of Jesus by Nick Champlin
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JESUS & THE ADULTERESS-1 “Merchants of Judgment”

Click here to read our text: Jn. 8:1-11

Welcome To The Light-Washed Path,

This story captures Jesus at His finest. He’s a true hero and a champion of righteousness. No one has ever come close. As we dissect this narrative bear this one key truth in mind:

This story is about Jesus’ encounter with what people REALLY want, as opposed to what they say.

In this encounter Jesus, Who is the very God against whom all sin is actually committed, beautifully peels away the pseudo concerns for righteousness, and shows a wonderful side of God’s true judgment. Let’s dive into the scene:

A gang of self-righteous church leaders have captured a woman in the act of adultery, and have drug her before Jesus. These men think it’s their job to police the society of violations against their moral code. THAT is the first error in this drama. God has never appointed anyone to police the moral lives of others.

Phil. 2:12 So then, my beloved…work out your salvation with fear and trembling;

Before we explore the deeper sinister plot behind this confrontation you need to have a couple historic facts:

Adultery was indeed a sin under the Law of Moses
It was punishable by stoning
The Jewish religious high council had never enforced this law

With that in mind, it’s apparent that they had no interest in punishing or executing this woman. Indeed, the way they caught her “in the act” is a bit suspicious. The truth here is that the religious leaders were in an evil quest to tighten their hold over the people, which they perceived as loosening, since Jesus had made His appearance. They were threatened by Him and sought a way to discredit Him publicly.

Here was the set up question: “Now the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women; what then do You say?”

The trap seemed foolproof and would work against Jesus whichever way He answered. If Jesus said, “No, don’t stone her”, then He would be discredited as a teacher, for failing to uphold the Law of Moses. If Jesus answered, “Yes, let’s stone her”, then they would have offered to stone her right on the spot, knowing that an independent execution was illegal under the prevailing Roman Law. Then the crime of insurrection would have been laid at Jesus’ feet, since He gave the order. He then would be discredited as a political renegade. They must have been salivating with anticipation.

The subject of sin and judgment is extremely powerful, for it not only deals with the very nature of our inner motives as well as outward behavior; but it also deals with the status of our standing with God. Whoever wields the influence of this great concept holds tremendous responsibility in his hands. Tragically manipulators abuse the issues of sin and judgment for their own advantage. The opinions concerning sin and judgment, by people who want to hold influence over others, should be held in the highest suspicion.

Tomorrow we’ll look deeper into this great encounter between the moral specialization attorneys and Jesus the Law-giver. Meanwhile…

Stay On The Path!

Tags: A list of devotionals by chronological order, Portraits Of Jesus by Nick Champlin
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Friends In Faith-4

Mal. 3:16 Then those who feared the Lord talked often one to another; and the Lord listened and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him of those who reverenced and worshipfully feared the Lord and who thought on His name.

Luke 24:15 While they were talking and discussing, Jesus Himself approached and began traveling with them.

Luke 24:32 They said to one another, Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?

Welcome To The Light-Washed Path,

Do you realize how social Jesus is? He surrounded Himself with men He selected to become His friends

John 15:15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

Jesus did not have secluded, private little relationships in secret with each of these guys. His relationship with each one was open before them all! People today speak of wanting or having a relationship with Jesus, but usually they are referring to their own emotional feelings towards Him. But a relationship is something Jesus had with His friends in the open among those of the group. It was very difficult even impossible for any of them to leverage favoritism over another because none of them had the advantage of some inner depth with God that was not shared with the rest of the Friends. They learned as a group, bickered as a group, improved as a group. Few Christians or churches could tolerate the kind of relationship Jesus actually had with His first followers. This college of friends kept everyone a disciple and left Jesus as the Lord. It was impossible for anyone to exert any hyper-spiritual control over anyone else. No one had to labor under the pressure of maintaining a heavy spiritual facade.

Jesus related to them as friends, without allowing any one of them to flank the rest and gain some apparent secret superiority. This way He forced them to relate to one another as friends in faith if they were going to have a relationship with Him.

1 John 4:21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

It’s a miscarriage of faith when the Church has members who claim to have relationships with God but have no friendships in faith among His people. Its an indication that we have not completed the connection that God sent His Son to make for us. It is an utter deception that we find in modern religion, when relationship with God is presented as highly personal and secluded. The Church, rather than having an open sanctuary and fellowship-dining hall, ought to be redesigned with one-man cubicles, monitors and a headset. In fact, we could save a bunch of building fund money and just install a heavenly computer with a celestial modem in each home and then everyone can respect everyones religious privacy. The goal of modern religion is to have faith in secret and leave everyone else alone. The goal of Jesus is to increase the Kingdom of God through friends in faith sharing His love with the world.

Well there’s a Satan that thrives off of the isolation of a divide and conquer strategy, but Jesus never, ever presented such an example. It’s no small wonder so many professing Christians suffer insecurity, depression and spiritual confusion. Notice that many Christians leave their spiritual life under the bed when they get together with their Christian friends, and talk about everything under the Sun except Jesus! What is that?! No wonder the Lord isnt more present in our midst. Weve been conditioned not to discuss our spiritual life; so our friendships therefore dont include Jesus, even though we worship together. It just all seems so phony and surreal.

Let’s look again at our text out of Luke where the risen Christ was drawn to the conversation of two followers walking the Emmaus Road as they were in deep conversation about Him:

Luke 24:15 While they were talking and discussing, Jesus Himself approached and began traveling with them.

We need to invite Jesus into our midst with friendships in faith. Theres nothing wrong with sports, music, shopping and movies, per se. But they dont attract the Presence of God. And when the good time is over it’s OVER. You carry nothing away from it.

Christians must recapture the tradition Jesus established with His disciples. We need a cultural revolution within our own community of faith. While we want to affect the ever-secularizing culture of our society, we lack the real power to produce that change. WE NEED the Lord to be in OUR midst! Then He can work through us to show a greater Light to the world rather than simply their light repackaged with religious filters.

Find one or more people you can be open and faithful with in sharing your relationship with Jesus. Start with your spouse. Remember that the measure of your relationship with God isnt what you feel in your heart but what you actually walk out with those you are committed to.

Zeph. 3:17 The LORD thy God in the midst of thee (you ALL not you alone) is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.

Stay On The Path!

Tags: A list of devotionals by chronological order, Faith & God's Promises by Nick Champlin
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Friends In Faith-3

Mal. 3:16 Then those who feared the Lord talked often one to another; and the Lord listened and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him of those who reverenced and worshipfully feared the Lord and who thought on His name.

Welcome To The Light-Washed Path,

Jesus abides in bonds between friends in faith. He seeks out the fellowship of those who seek Him together. There is a divine affinity God shares with those who partner together in their faith. When you form a bond of shared faith with a spouse or close friend; one where your weaknesses, hopes and secret passions are handled with prayer and godly counsel; this becomes the fertile ground of your personal growth. This becomes the sanctuary of your spiritual life. The Lord Himself is drawn into these holy alliances, and they become the place of discipleship for sincere followers. Such relationships are built on the very virtues that attract God to us: honesty, accountability and dedication. People who form true friends in faith become strong people, free of worldly dependence because they share their dependence upon God with one another. They are less likely to fall under the trap of hypocrisy because they don’t carry around heavy dark burdens that they need to hide. They are less likely to be afflicted with insecurities and tormented by fears of others opinions, because they are engaged in relationship(s) that God Himself is active in. They know where they stand, good or bad, and there is always a path of hope before them.

These are people who truly care enough about their life with God to set aside their natural desire for anonymity in order to find confirmation in the trust of fellow pilgrims. If people will risk reproof to gain objectivity because of their mutual love for God, then this is the relationship that God will enter. This is where the believer truly develops as a Christian. The rugged individualist becomes that much more capable when he or she submits self to a common bond forged in the intimacy of Christ.

Such bonds grow far beyond common interests and stimulating conversation. In the spirit of true covenanting, these are friendships that have formed over time, on the bedrock of accountability. Like the old saying, You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink, so these are friendships that are chosen. Even marriages must choose to become friends in faith. God is drawn to the fellowship between friends in faith because of the deep level of human will and sincerity being exercised between them in pursuit of righteous. Paul and Silas, David and Jonathan, Peter, James and John, Mary and Elizabeth. Throughout the scripture we see a history of the power of God that is threaded through the eyes of friendships in faith.

The elements of a friend-in-faith relationship are simple:

• A partner(s)

• Absolute honesty

• Sincere desire for God

• Effort and time

• Love for Jesus

And these must prevail over the natural tendencies towards:

• Anonymity

• Procrastination

• Depression

• Self-centeredness

• Ego

Regardless how strong the common interest of hobbies that may bring them together, hunger for the Truth of God’s Word will rule the relationship of true friends in faith. It is through such relationship that the Lord performs His will among men. If the reality of having Jesus as your Savior is dear to you, then being engaged in a fruitful friendship of faith will be fulfilling. Friendships in faith are the natural outgrowth of genuine appreciation for salvation. God is mighty in the midst of friends in faith.

Stay On The Path!

Tags: A list of devotionals by chronological order, Faith & God's Promises by Nick Champlin
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Friends In Faith-2

Mal. 3:16 Then those who feared the Lord talked often one to another; and the Lord listened and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him of those who reverenced and worshipfully feared the Lord and who thought on His name.

Welcome To The Light-Washed Path,

Notice in the text that those who feared the Lord, talked often one to another, and the Lord listened. To have God’s ear is lifes greatest asset. Some people have armies, some have wealth, some possess influence, and some are surrounded with advisors. But none of those things can produce blessing over your life. Only God Himself can bless you. And when you’re blessed, better than insurance, you’re assured. The Lord is in the midst of two or more people that fellowship together around the things of God.

Zeph. 3:17 The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.

We often say that God visits those who pray a lot, those who read the Bible and work in church ministry, have a humble heart or avoid sin. These all sound like good holy reasons for God to enter into dialogue with someone. But as good as these things are, they impress men more than they impress God. So what really impresses God? Well lets considered what He has said Himself in His Word to us. Before we look at the Word just nurture this thought for a minute:

The fast track to blessing is to find out what God has said in His Word and DO IT

Psa. 133:1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brothers to dwell together in unity!

Psa. 133:2 It is like the precious oil upon the head

Psa. 133:3 It is like the dew of Mt. Hermon, Coming down upon the mountains of Zion; For there the LORD commanded the blessing life forever

Look at that! God has ordered a standing command to bless those who unite in their fellowship with Him. The unity he refers to isnt the absence of bickering as much as it is the presence of faith-inspiring conversation. Jesus told the disciples and by extension, He tells us that He will personally be in the midst of two or more who form a consensus of faith on His Word.

Matt. 18:20 For where two or three have gathered together in My name, there I am in their midst.

That doesn’t mean two or more simply gathering in a church that lifts up His name. It means that those gathering are bolstering their own faith, discussing the Word of God together. They are preaching one another up. This draws the proactive Presence of the Lord to YOUR life! Fellowship together isnt eating at restaurants after church, going to movies or attending church picnics. It could be, depending on what you talk about together when gathering. But being gathered together in His name involves much more of a bond than simply a handshake and a shared church membership. It refers to developing a friendship based in discovering Christ together, working together in His Kingdom, and sharing a dedication to building up the faith of one another.

True Friends in Faith are attracted to the divine gifts in one another. Paul explained that in a true spiritual body of people, their unions would be forged by interlocking gifts of grace and service.

Eph. 4:16 For because of Him the whole body (the church, in all its various parts), closely joined and firmly knit together by the joints and ligaments with which it is supplied, when each part [with power adapted to its need] is working properly [in all its functions], grows to full maturity, building itself up in love.

People of like faith and gifting attract each other. A foot never knew its worth or purpose in God’s plan until it met a leg. And then, just as Paul states in the above verse, the joint supplies strength. That means that Jesus is actively in the midst of that friendship, where love for Him is being shared, and He is pouring His blessings into it! Forming friendships that glorify God is the basic essential byproduct of the Gospel in your life. And as you give yourself to it the Lord blesses and increases you. I have never seen a sincere lover of Christ, who made it their aim to establish mutual spiritual friendships, ever fall or live a stagnant life. They are always progressing, always triumphing through their trials.

Psa. 84:7 They go from strength to strength [increasing in victorious power]; each of them appears before God in Zion.

Stay On The Path!

Tags: A list of devotionals by chronological order, Faith & God's Promises by Nick Champlin
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Friends In Faith-2

Mal. 3:16 Then those who feared the Lord talked often one to another; and the Lord listened and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him of those who reverenced and worshipfully feared the Lord and who thought on His name.

Welcome To The Light-Washed Path,

Notice in the text that those who feared the Lord, talked often one to another, and the Lord listened. To have God’s ear is life’s greatest asset. Some people have armies, some have wealth, some possess influence, and some are surrounded with advisors. But none of those things can produce blessing over your life. Only God Himself can bless you. And when youre blessed, better than insurance, you’re assured. The Lord is in the midst of two or more people that fellowship together around the things of God.

Zeph. 3:17 The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.

We often say that God visits those who pray a lot, those who read the Bible and work in church ministry, have a humble heart or avoid sin. These all sound like good holy reasons for God to enter into dialogue with someone. But as good as these things are, they impress men more than they impress God. So what really impresses God? Well lets considered what He has said Himself in His Word to us. Before we look at the Word just nurture this thought for a minute:

The fast track to blessing is to find out what God has said in His Word and DO IT

Psa. 133:1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brothers to dwell together in unity!

Psa. 133:2 It is like the precious oil upon the head

Psa. 133:3 It is like the dew of Mt. Hermon, Coming down upon the mountains of Zion; For there the LORD commanded the blessing life forever.

Look at that! God has ordered a standing command to bless those who unite in their fellowship with Him. The unity he refers to isnt the absence of bickering as much as it is the presence of faith-inspiring conversation. Jesus told the disciples and by extension, He tells us that He will personally be in the midst of two or more who form a consensus of faith on His Word.

Matt. 18:20 For where two or three have gathered together in My name, there I am in their midst.

That doesn’t mean two or more simply gathering in a church that lifts up His name. It means that those gathering are bolstering their own faith, discussing the Word of God together. They are preaching one another up. This draws the proactive Presence of the Lord to YOUR life! Fellowship together isn’t eating at restaurants after church, going to movies or attending church picnics. It could be, depending on what you talk about together when gathering. But being gathered together in His name involves much more of a bond than simply a handshake and a shared church membership. It refers to developing a friendship based in discovering Christ together, working together in His Kingdom, and sharing a dedication to building up the faith of one another.

True Friends in Faith are attracted to the divine gifts in one another. Paul explained that in a true spiritual body of people, their unions would be forged by interlocking gifts of grace and service.

Eph. 4:16 For because of Him the whole body (the church, in all its various parts), closely joined and firmly knit together by the joints and ligaments with which it is supplied, when each part [with power adapted to its need] is working properly [in all its functions], grows to full maturity, building itself up in love.

People of like faith and gifting attract each other. A foot never knew its worth or purpose in God’s plan until it met a leg. And then, just as Paul states in the above verse, the joint supplies strength. That means that Jesus is actively in the midst of that friendship, where love for Him is being shared, and He is pouring His blessings into it! Forming friendships that glorify God is the basic essential byproduct of the Gospel in your life. And as you give yourself to it the Lord blesses and increases you. I have never seen a sincere lover of Christ, who made it their aim to establish mutual spiritual friendships, ever fall or live a stagnant life. They are always progressing, always triumphing through their trials.

Psa. 84:7 They go from strength to strength [increasing in victorious power]; each of them appears before God in Zion.

Stay On The Path!

Tags: A list of devotionals by chronological order, Faith & God's Promises by Nick Champlin
3 Comments »

Friends In Faith-1

Mal. 3:16 Then those who feared the Lord talked often one to another; and the Lord listened and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him of those who reverenced and worshipfully feared the Lord and who thought on His name.

Welcome To The Light-Washed Path,

Do you have a friend-in-faith? Spiritual companionship is one of life’s highest priorities. We are social creatures, needing affirmation and encouragement in the pursuit of life’s highest values. Doubt, depression and rebellion seem to need no encourager, as they apparently operate by default. But cultivating the true treasures of life requires the support of friends. God Himself saw that it was not good for man to dwell alone. And as long as the two partnered together in obedience to God, their efforts were blessed with exponential success. In a world that smothers our incentive for God, it’s His plan that we have friends to encourage our faith. `

God listens in to the conversations between friends who share their faith in Him. He takes note, with the intent to preserve and bless them. God involves Himself with people who establish genuine fellowship partners with whom they share their spiritual insights, trials and questions.

Mal. 3:16 Then those who feared the Lord talked often one to another; and the Lord listened and heard it,

The power of spiritual agreement is always at work in them. It’s very hard to defeat someone who has bound themselves in a spiritual friendship with others. The accountability they share creates an atmosphere of Light, making it near impossible for Satan to find a cover of darkness from under which to operate.

Eccl. 4:12 And though a man might prevail against him who is alone, two will withstand him. A threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Spiritual loners usually end up easily defeated because their fellowship with God is often too infrequent to stave off the assaults of the devil against them.

Mal. 3:16 Then those who feared the Lord talked often one to another;

It’s too easy to slide the truly valuable things onto the back burner when you go it alone in your walk with the Lord. No wonder the devil pushes so hard to legitimize the secular notion that spirituality is a highly private matter. Yes, and he wishes to keep it so private that the believer dies spiritually of neglect. But we will see as this devotional continues, that God resides in the midst of His people. He moves along the fellowship currents of friends in faith.

Stay On The Path!

Tags: A list of devotionals by chronological order, Faith & God's Promises by Nick Champlin
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LOVE & HATE-4 “Failure To Hate Evil”

Heb. 1:8 But of the Son he says, Your seat of power, O God, is forever and ever; and the rod of your kingdom is a rod of righteousness.

Heb. 1:9 You have been a lover of righteousness and a hater of evil; and so God, your God, has put the oil of joy on your head more than on the heads of those who are with you.

Welcome To The Light-Washed Path,

(from yesterday’s edition)

“The opposite of love isn’t hate, but indifference.”

- Ellie Wiesel (Holocaust Survivor)

Indifference to evil is not only the opposite of love but the indication that love is vacant. No true love can tolerate evil. No true love can abide neutral in the presence of evil and continue to call itself “love”. For love, by proper definition, springs from love for truth and righteousness. Love for God is the fountainhead of all true love. So hate for evil is the natural flip side to love for righteousness. The one who has no capacity to hate what is evil has no ability to love what is righteous.

The failure of our leaders to hate evil is one of the greatest corruptions of our modern culture. When men and women, with no ability to identify evil for what it is, head up our nations, sit as judges, write laws, teach our youth, lead our congregations and form our public policies, we have no defense against wickedness. When poor children are left under the guardianship of mothers with no internal revulsion for wicked men, they always become their helpless victims. It is the most grievous of all abuses, when the protected are sacrificed by stewards of authority who refuse to stand against wickedness. Judges who release child-molesting beasts upon society should serve in the jail cells with them when they re-offend. While self-distracted people whine and moan about gas prices, our society’s refusal to hate and react against evil is quickly depleting our most important energy resource. Hand-wringing collegiates run around foaming over destruction of the environment, but have no concern whatsoever over the erosion of our real context for survival: loving righteousness and hating evil.

The evil of Islamic fascism only succeeds because the stewards of free nations lack the orientation to see evil, the heart to hate it, and the will to defeat it. In America the Executive branch of Government is the only one with a will to fight this evil. The President (Bush) struggles in an uphill battle because he has to drag a reluctant and obstructive Congress and Judiciary behind him every step of the way. Why? Because they cannot bring themselves to see evil for what it is. “Sympathy For The Devil” may have to replace our National Anthem, as evil is being given a massive makeover by the combined forces of government, academia, the press and the entertainment industry. With the exception of the church (and that just barely), all the great centers of public influence are working in concert to smear lipstick on the evil pig and give it a facelift.

Treating rebellion against God as a virtue has long been the practice of public leaders. This was King Saul’s big problem. God had left him with instructions through the Prophet Samuel, to wipe out the Amalekites. But King Saul failed to discern the evil of the Amalekites and spared their king and livestock. When the Prophet Samuel arrived at the battle scene King Saul presented his compromise as some kind of elevated act of conscience. He excused his disobedience to God as an act of righteousness, just as many today do when they defy the claims of God by presenting their so-called morality as a higher love.

1 Sam. 15:22 And Samuel said, Has the Lord as much delight in offerings and burned offerings as in the doing of his orders? Truly, to do his pleasure is better than to make offerings, and to give ear to him than the fat of sheep.

1 Sam. 15:23 For to go against his orders is like the sin of those who make use of secret arts, and pride is like giving worship to images. Because you have put away from you the word of the Lord, he has put you from your place as king.

1 Sam. 15:24, 30 And Saul said to Samuel, Great is my sin: for I have gone against the orders of the Lord and against your words: because, fearing the people, I did what they said…but still, give me honor now before the heads of my people and before Israel, and come back with me so that I may give worship to the Lord your God.

No morality that fails to hate wickedness, has ever known righteousness.

No morality that fails to spit-out wickedness, has ever tasted righteousness.

But righteousness is not a collective political condition. You can’t get righteousness out of 100 hypocrites who agree to social reform. Jesus said that love for righteousness has to be practiced at home before it can be exported to the marketplace.

Luke 6:41 “And why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?

Luke 6:42 “Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother’s eye.

Tolerating the works of wickedness, when they appear within the sphere of your own responsibility, is a sure sign that you’re not operating from a Love for Righteousness. This was the downfall of the kingdoms of Israel & Judah. Ultimately it wasn’t their failure to school or correct the ungodly nations around them, but the refusal to purge evil from their own midst, that brought the downfall of the Jewish kingdoms. Knowing the difference between true righteousness and evil obligates us to be stewards over our own responsibilities before trying to school others.

The downfall of the Jewish Pharisees was that they tolerated compromise with evil in their own lives while enforcing strict religious codes on others. This is why they were the only people that Jesus publicly denounced as hypocrites. While the Jewish leaders imposed the harshest sanctions against certain sinners, they shamelessly tolerated their own sins and those from whom they stood to gain political advantages. So their so-called love for righteousness was a front for their own tolerance for evil.

Tolerance of wickedness reveals the absence of righteousness.

So tolerance of wickedness IS wickedness.

“The opposite of love isn’t hate, but indifference.” - Ellie Wiesel

Looking at history, we can see that the Hand of God had raised up many leaders because of their love of righteousness and hate for evil, but was later removed when they began to tolerate corruption. To be exalted by the Hand of God, with His anointing upon your head, one must share His virtues and reasonings. This is what was said of Jesus:

…therefore God, thy God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows.

The world likes to use Jesus as an example of love to promote their agenda of false righteousness. They site His sayings about love, in attempt to use Him as an endorser of social tolerance for sexual sin and political pacifism. The wicked hate scrutiny and always try to divert the condemnation of righteous judgment by criticizing it as unloving. They use the symbols of righteousness to cover themselves. Every counterfeit endorses the genuine by their existence. It’s no small wonder that evil hides itself within the gutted shell of love. A love with no allegiance to God is a convenient cloak for every self-justification. So true love is known by it’s fruit – including hate for evil and the will to oppose it.

2 John 1:6 And this is love that we walk after his commandments.

Stay On The Path!

Tags: A list of devotionals by chronological order, Our Identification In Christ by Nick Champlin
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HATE & LOVE-3 “Hate For Evil

Heb. 1:8 But of the Son he says, Your seat of power, O God, is forever and ever; and the rod of your kingdom is a rod of righteousness.

Heb. 1:9 You have been a lover of righteousness and a hater of evil; and so God, your God, has put the oil of joy on your head more than on the heads of those who are with you..

Welcome To The Light-Washed Path,

The opposite of love isnt hate, but indifference.

- Ellie Wiesel (Holocaust Survivor)

Indifference to evil is not only the opposite of love but the indication that love is vacant. No true love can tolerate evil. No true love can abide neutral in the presence of evil and continue to call itself love. For love, by proper definition, springs from love for truth and righteousness. Love for God is the fountainhead of all true love. So hate for evil is the natural flip side to love for righteousness. The one who has no capacity to hate what is evil has no ability to love what is righteous.

Edmund Burke is universally credited with the famous maxim:

The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.

Although no one has been able to nail down that exact quote in any of Burke’s writings, the following quote is taken from Burke and amounts to the same point:

When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall one by one, an unpitied sacrifice in a contemptible struggle.

However stated, the message is universally true: Evil will, so good must! No sentiment, which presents itself as good, noble or lofty, while at the same time, refusing to see evil and hate it, can ever claim to be love. It is misguided philanthropy at best and heartless self-interest at worst.

The byproduct of prosperity is forgetfulness. Those who inherit the prosperity, which their forefathers fought evil forces to obtain, all too often act as though they themselves invented peace and are worthy of it. They look with contempt upon the battles fought against evil as they lift themselves up in erudite condescension.They see themselves as too good to hate evil. But they are, in reality, unworthy of the peace they have inherited and sure to lose it to the evil they ignore.

Jesus is exalted because He loves righteousness and hates evil.

Heb. 1:9 You have been a lover of righteousness and a hater of evil; and so God, your God, has put the oil of joy on your head more than on the heads of those who are with you.

But there are those today, who claim that their love has no room for hate. They say that because of love they have been elevated above hate and are free from it.They have become elevated above the ability to hate anything, and they see their position as being superior and an example of true love. In the name of tolerance and in an effort to respect everybody, they bind themselves into a paralyzing inability to act against evil. They have become so objective that they can’t even stir themselves to be angry at it. But objectivity that fails to brace itself against the righteousness of God, and position itself upon the mount of His Word, is doomed to float weightless without a point.

2 Tim. 3:1-7 But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of selfholding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; and avoid such men as these. For among them are those who enter into households and captivate weak women weighed down with sins, led on by various impulses, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

This false objectivity, this failure to love righteousness because it might conflict with someone elses ideas and appear intolerant, is not love. It’s indecision. It’s immorality by default.

For love is not the absence of hate, because hate in itself is not sin. Some hate certainly is sin.

Titus 3:3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.

Hating God is sin. Hating righteousness is sin. Hating those who love righteousness is sin. The humanistic repulsion against righteousness, and the natural tendency to rebel against it, that is a hate for righteousness, and that is sin.

1 John 5:17 All unrighteousness is sin

So how can one say he loves others but by not hating evil he fails to love righteousness. By his love and understanding for evil he takes sides against God and His righteousness.

Luke 11:23 He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me, scatters. - Jesus Christ

But Hate has its place too. Hate for evil is the appropriate response of love for righteousness. The two are inseparable.

So where do we apply this tension between love and hate? Do we attack the world like crusaders, righting the wrongs?

Some answers tomorrow, so until then…

Stay On The Path!

Tags: A list of devotionals by chronological order, Our Identification In Christ by Nick Champlin
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LOVE & HATE-2 “Love For Righteousness”

Heb. 1:8 But of the Son he says, Your seat of power, O God, is forever and ever; and the rod of your kingdom is a rod of righteousness.

Heb. 1:9 You have been a lover of righteousness and a hater of evil; and so God, your God, has put the oil of joy on your head more than on the heads of those who are with you.

Welcome To The Light-Washed Path,

The focus on love, which is used today to shape public policy and form a morality for judging society’s behavior, is based in accommodating people’s idiosyncrasies and not in respect for God’s claims. So love becomes defined and judged in terms of human desire rather than a God-centered morality. That’s why we find people advocating in the name of love, for such things as the rights of homosexuals to marry and chickens to avoid human consumption. And at the same time these advocates are usually demonstrating against displaying the 10 Commandments in public forums, and usually spouting something like, “You can’t legislate morality!” But the truth is that all legislation is nothing more than the ratifying of some morality into regulation. It’s total foolishness to say morality cannot be legislated because it is done everyday. The cry that we cannot legislate morality is really code for, “we don’t want God defining our morality or telling us how to love others.”

But loving others must begin with love for righteousness. That is what connects our love to God and to true virtue and makes it a helpful influence. It prevents our love from becoming “blind” and misguided. Guided by the love for righteousness, love for man will empower us to truly help people rather than hurt them or help them to continue hurting themselves, in the name of love.

Loving righteousness comes FIRST in the endorsement that Jesus receives in our text. It’s the fundamental motive, holding dear ALL of the virtues of God’s moral goodness.

Rom. 13:8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loves another hath fulfilled the law.

Rom. 13:9 For this, Thou shall not commit adultery, Thou shall not kill, Thou shall not steal, Thou shall not bear false witness, Thou shall not covet; and if there beany other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shall love thy neighbor as thyself.

Rom. 13:10 Love works no ill to his neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

Rom. 12:9 Let love be without dissimulation (hypocrisy, insincerity). Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

So we see that, guided by the true love that comes from God and His righteousness, we will do that thing which is good and helpful, and if nothing else, we will avoid doing what is evil and destructive.

Rightness and Righteousness…

But to love righteousness one must know and understand righteousness. Righteousness does not just know what is “right”. But righteousness begins with a right relationship with God – one that brings your motives into balance with His righteousness. Without a reverent heart and tender conscience towards God, our knowledge of righteousness can harden into legalistic correctness and turn us into moral bullies. So righteousness begins with a posture of humility before God, to safeguard our souls against hardening under a know-it-all attitude. But then knowing righteousness requires a great ability to weigh and balance all the pertinent truths so that the path of righteousness emerges. Knowing righteousness requires that we understand the guiding principles of God’s purposes. This provides direction, when trying to sort out the right principles to apply and right way to go.

For example, under the influence of misguided righteousness (so-called), we see the most outrageous absurdities being practiced today, in the name of political or social correctness. The imbalances that we are asked to accept are so obtuse that they actually become oppressive to the cause of true righteousness, and an impediment to true love. When love for the Truth (as defined by God) is taken off the table, arranging our guiding principles into some practical righteousness becomes impossible.

True love must first love the Truth if it’s to be of any use.

2 Th. 2:10 …because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

In explaining why people who have heard the truth end up under deception, Paul states that they failed to “love the truth”. People will be faithful to that for which they have their deepest affections. We are faithful to what we truly love. So for love to be grounded and ultimately helpful, it must first love the truth, for truth will keep our love righteous when simple affection, no matter how strong or sincere, can leave us vulnerable to error.

So love for righteousness is the foundation of true love. Jesus, Who in our text, was exalted because He loved righteousness, commands us to love by His own example:

John 15:12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

It is love for righteousness that will help us to keep from loving chickens more than people and allow us to love and treat our homosexual neighbors with God’s love, without being intimidated into agreeing to a warped definition of marriage in order to prove it.

Loving righteousness is far more than longing for its benefits or position (peace, prosperity, happiness, etc). But it’s looking deep into all its ways, discerning its virtues, and falling in love with its superior qualities. It’s having such a love for God’s carefully balanced arrangement of truth that you will look to Him for guidance in your love.

In short, you can’t love righteousness without knowing just what it is about righteousness that is attractive to you, and being convinced enough by it that you let it order your life and govern the way you love. It’s not love for being correct. And it’s not love for only one aspect of righteousness or just one side of truth. But love, true love, for righteousness, is really love for God, Who alone can show you how to love in a way that is good and righteous.

More tomorrow, so until then…

Stay On The Path!

Tags: A list of devotionals by chronological order, Our Identification In Christ by Nick Champlin
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LOVE & HATE-1 “The Great Commandment”

Heb. 1:8 But of the Son he says, Your seat of power, O God, is forever and ever; and the rod of your kingdom is a rod of righteousness.

Heb. 1:9 You have been a lover of righteousness and a hater of evil; and so God, your God, has put the oil of joy on your head more than on the heads of those who are with you.

Welcome To The Light-Washed Path,

The morals of modern culture are possessed by an almost militant preoccupation with acceptance, as the arbiter of all goodness. Love is defined primarily as accepting others without making any value judgments about their behaviors. In modern culture, the highest expression of love is the ability to tolerate what we are naturally or traditionally apt to reject. In short, people take personal affirmation as love. And if you withhold approval you are withholding love.

As much as we need and crave approval and support, there is something we need even more, and that is direction. What good is a love that makes you feel good with an affirming pat on the back, as you march off in the wrong direction, but won’t encourage you to choose another path?

Love was once weighed in terms of righteousness. People who loved you helped you, with an eye on a higher purpose than simply making you feel good in the moment. Good parents often endured the fall from popularity with their children, for long durations, as they held their sons and daughters to standards of decency and respect. They endured the lack of reciprocated love from their children, in order to serve them with what they truly needed at the time. Love use to be essentially understood as a high affection, fueled and governed by righteousness.

But in most homes today the militant demands of those who must be accommodated are served by the weak needs of those who must be popular. This usually translates into children, or immature spouses, getting the others to do what they want them to, in exchange for the shallow satisfaction of fleeting popularity. I say, “fleeting” because the selfish are never satisfied, and must always be served.

But if God, as He reveals Himself and His character in the Bible, is to be considered as the Author and true measure of love, then let’s rouse ourselves out from under the intoxication of this cheap knockoff, under whose spell we’ve fallen, and awake to take hold, before all love is replaced by indulgence.

First let’s start with the fact that love is a command. It is not essentially a human emotion, but rather a command to follow a standard regardless of whether the human emotion is there or not.

1 John 3:23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.

John is referring to Jesus’ talk with them at the Last Supper…

John 15:12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

John 15:17 These things I command you, that ye love one another.

Obviously the Lord is saying that love must be approached as an act that is doable.One can abide in God’s love by doing the things He is commanding. This means that God’s love will work in us, even when we don’t feel motivated by affections, if we will simply follow His commands, from our heart.

John 15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love…

The reason why the power of love will actually work in us as we act in love according to His prescribed commands is that God Himself is love. True love is the essential nature of God. To understand true love, as it is distinct from human selfishness, we must look at the virtues of God Himself. These qualities, these fruits of the Spirit, are the manifest values and acts of love, because they are the manifest values and acts of God.

1 Cor. 13:3 And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I deliver my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.

1 Cor. 13:4 Love is patient, love is kind, and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant,

1 Cor. 13:5 does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered,

1 Cor. 13:6 does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;

1 Cor. 13:7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

1 Cor. 13:8 Love never fails;

Notice that love is not “giving to the poor”, or any other such act of social charity that people hold others hostage to in the name of love. Love MIGHT feed the poor.But feeding the poor is not what love IS. Love begins at much higher plane before it ever makes peanut butter and jelly for street people. It begins with the recognition that God is its author, along with a healthy reverence for His views.There are many people who know very little about God’s views, but they have an inner regard for Him and if they knew what His views were, they would matter to them; and God knows it of them. This is why some people who know a lot about God’s views very seldom walk in love, while some others, who may know little about His views, walk more often in love, because from their heart they regard what little they do know as a sacred command.

With our stewardship of love as a critical issue, the Day of Judgment should be very interesting, to say the least. And lest we turn on one another in judgment, let’s remember that the command to love begins with loving God.

Matt. 22:37 And He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’

Matt. 22:38 “This is the great and foremost commandment.

God knows who loves Him.

If love is a command then there must be a right and wrong way to love. Tomorrow we’ll look into it, so until then…

Stay On The Path!

Nick Champlin

Tags: A list of devotionals by chronological order, Our Identification In Christ by Nick Champlin
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OUR SIGNS-9 “Growth”

Psa. 74:9 We see not our signs: there is no more any prophet: neither is there among us any that know how long.

Welcome To The Light-Washed Path,

From yesterday:

The Church of Acts came with “signs”. These were indicators that “God was in the house”. These signs told the world who we were. In Psalm 74 the writer laments at being stripped of the signs that had indicated God’s presence with them. Without the presence of their signs, Israel was adrift in confusion and in peril of losing their identity.

These signs not only tell the world who we are, but they tell us Who we belong to. Since there is no scriptural evidence that God ever intended to change His Church, until He returns we should remain under our signs. If we don’t see these signs today we should cry out in prayer till our signs manifest once again.

And now continuing with our 16^th and final sign:

Growth

This final sign of the early Church of Acts is not a ruler but a principle. Jesus describes the Church as a grapevine that produces fruit. Notice that in Jesus’ model of the Church HE IS A MEMBER!

John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

John 15:8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

Fruitfulness refers to increase, and the key to it involves your relationship with Jesus, the Vine. The members of the Church are to ALL see themselves with responsibility for increase. But running out and just trying to drag people into the church doesn’t fulfill that responsibility. The secret to fulfilling the command of God to Grow begins with the Church practicing right relationship to Jesus. First off, Jesus said:

John 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

To understand what this means, and then to make sure it’s the defining motivation of all Church activity, is the beginning. The Bible actually tells us what the elements were that stimulated growth:

Acts 2:46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,

Acts 2:47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

Daily fellowship

Unity

Joy

Praise

The Lord did the adding

Acts 5:12 And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people…

Acts 5:14 And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.

Many signs and wonders (miracles, healings)

Acts 6:7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

The Gospel was spread

Acts 16:5 And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.

Faith was the foundation (not religion)

We get the picture of a Church:

In love with Jesus,

Understanding His preeminence,

Yielded joyfully to His will,

Not ashamed to give witness,

Fellowshipping in Love,

Flowing in the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit,

Standing in Truth,

Walking in Faith

Let’s consider that the entire array of the Signs of the Church - our signs - are the necessary components that God placed within us in order for Growth to take place. We should cry out just as the Psalmist did:

Psa. 74:9 We see not our signs: there is no more any prophet: neither is there among us any that know how long.

And we should recognize that it’s abnormal to be separated from the supernatural elements of the Church. How do we truly embrace God, Who is Spirit, and there be no supernatural consequences? God never intended us to be an insulation, preventing His power from touching the world. But we are a conductor of His love and power, jolting the spiritually dead with the Life of Christ. Let’s throw the switch of fellowship with Jesus and get power flowing to Our Signs again!

Stay On The Path!

Tags: A list of devotionals by chronological order, Outreach & Evangelism by Nick Champlin
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OUR SIGNS-8 “Praise”

Psa. 74:9 We see not our signs: there is no more any prophet: neither is there among us any that know how long.

Welcome To The Light-Washed Path,

From yesterday:

The Church of Acts came with “signs”. These were indicators that “God was in the house”. These signs told the world who we were. In Psalm 74 the writer laments at being stripped of the signs that had indicated God’s presence with them. Without the presence of their signs, Israel was adrift in confusion and in peril of losing their identity.

These signs not only tell the world who we are, but they tell us Who we belong to. Since there is no scriptural evidence that God ever intended to change His Church, until He returns we should remain under our signs. If we don’t see these signs today we should cry out in prayer till our signs manifest once again.

And now continuing with our 15^th sign:

Praise

This is the supernatural sign of response, from a grateful church to the victorious Savior. These are sentiments of love and appreciation, lifted in musical strains, shouts and declarations. Praise stands high above all other forms of music and expression, as the currents upon which God’s Presence travels. Praise, in musical form, is distinguished from other music by its content of Truth, selfless expression, and acknowledgement of God’s glory. There is a direct connection between Praise and being filled with the Holy Spirit.

Eph. 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

Eph. 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

The idea is not that God gets pleasure from a cool groove, snappy tune or clever lyrics. But true Praise is full of the human will, humbling itself in the expression of Truth and gratitude before Almighty God. True Praise is never about boasting in man or wallowing in the self-pity of flesh. It’s always about exalting Jesus, the divine remedy for a sin-cursed world.

Col. 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

The Christians of Acts considered Praise as a part of their teaching. Today’s lifeless teaching of intellectual and theological facts has fallen so far from the place of Spirit-filled and Praise enhanced teaching. We could say that the early believers weren’t learning about God as much as they were experiencing Him. Intellectualism is what you’re left with when the Praise fades away.

Acts 16:25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.

Acts 16:26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every oneís bands were loosed.

Here is but one Bible example of the Holy Spirit working powerfully to confirm the words of Praise, uttered boldly from the circumstances of a trial. Praise is a powerful sign!

Here are a few scriptures siting the God’s involvement with Praise:

Psa. 33:1 Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright.

“Comely” in Hebrew means To be at home. The Psalmist sees Praise as building a suitable house for God and the believer to meet in.

Psa. 34:3 O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.

“magnify” in Hebrew means To twist together, make large. The Psalmist sees Praise as blending us together with God and making us large.

Psa. 48:1 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised…

“greatly” in Hebrew refers to a poker that turns coals to make a vehement fire. The Psalmist sees Praise stirring the fire of God in our hearts.

These aren’t references to simple human passions or zeal, but rather show the ignition of divine glory and power in the life of those who live on the Praises of God.

Do we see this sign of Praise today?

One more sign to go…so…

Stay On The Path!

Tags: A list of devotionals by chronological order by Nick Champlin
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OUR SIGNS-7 “Liberality & Daily Fellowship”

Psa. 74:9 We see not our signs: there is no more any prophet: neither is there among us any that know how long.

Welcome To The Light-Washed Path,

From yesterday:

The Church of Acts came with “signs”. These were indicators that “God was in the house”. These signs told the world who we were. In Psalm 74 the writer laments at being stripped of the signs that had indicated God’s presence with them. Without the presence of their signs, Israel was adrift in confusion and in peril of losing their identity.

These signs not only tell the world who we are, but they tell us Who we belong to. Since there is no scriptural evidence that God ever intended to change His Church, until He returns we should remain under our signs. If we don’t see these signs today we should cry out in prayer till our signs manifest once again.

And now continuing with our 13^th sign:

Liberality

This was a great sign of the newly born Church of the risen Christ. Instantly, the other-worldly grace, filling their hearts with the treasures of Heaven, raised these new believers to a place of new priorities. The common Love of Jesus that filled them bound them in a oneness that transcended any social order.

Acts 2:44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;

Acts 2:45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.

This Liberality was certainly not obligatory or an imposed socialism. It was a willingness to share that was spawned by the supernatural influence of the Holy Spirit. The scripture itself explains it as, “great grace was upon them all”. The “grace” meaning “gift”, tells us that they were so filled with the gifts of God that they were eager to help one another.

Acts 4:32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.

Acts 4:33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

Acts 4:34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,

Acts 4:35 And laid them down at the apostlesí feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.

This liberality was shared among the believers. It was not a welfare crusade for the poor. It was a demonstration of the Blood Covenant bond that made them one with each other. This oneness did not extend to the world. This was a demonstration of the oneness of the Body Of Christ. No denominational barriers had yet been erected.

1 Cor. 12:25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.

In recognizing Jesus in the other members of the Body of Christ, we immediately find an altar of sacrifice.

Gal. 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

Do we see this sign of Liberality today?

Daily Fellowship

The 14^th sign of the New Testament Church, found in Acts, is that they fellowshipped together daily. In today’s modern church, people would go crazy if they had to be together more than once or twice a week. No body could endure that much religion! But in the Church of Acts there was no religion; no obligation; no mind-numbing rituals. These early Christians were living a daily unfolding adventure. The Church wasn’t a place it was a person. They didn’t attend church they worked and worshipped together daily, as the church.

Acts 2:46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,

The early Christians didn’t fellowship together once every 7 days only. Though they did observe a weekly worship gathering, which quickly became the first day of the week (Sunday), these believers became a close knit community, knit together in the common love of the Lord that flowed among them. They were heavenly ambassadors, a family of faith, an elite corps of witnesses. They fellowshiped daily because each one had a share in their great commission. Without a personal zeal and love for Jesus guiding each individual’s heart, this sign of daily fellowship would be impossible. In fact, many a Christian have found in their lifetime, the absolute necessity of daily fellowship, as a support for spiritual lives. God has set the entire existence of man to move incrementally in 24 hr installments. If a man can manage a day well, he can manage a life. Consider what the Bible says:

Psa. 90:12 So teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom.

Matt. 6:11 …Give us this day our daily bread.

Matt. 6:34 …Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Eph. 4:26 …let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

Life is meant to be maintained DAILY. If we are to live in the Kingdom of God, our walk with the Lord must be a daily walk. Trials and troubles are daily. Energy is depleted daily. Accounts must be zero’d out and balanced daily. Daily fellowship with our partners in faith, helps to keep us sharp, encouraged and on target. Daily Christian fellowship keeps us from drifting into the faith diffusing fog of the world. Satan cannot defeat the church whose fellowship is renewed daily.

Do we see this sign of Daily Fellowship today?

More signs tomorrow, so…

Stay On The Path!

Tags: A list of devotionals by chronological order by Nick Champlin
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OUR SIGNS-6 “Fear Of The Lord & Unity”

Psa. 74:9 We see not our signs: there is no more any prophet: neither is there among us any that know how long.

Welcome To The Light-Washed Path,

From yesterday:

The Church of Acts came with “signs”. These were indicators that “God was in the house”. These signs told the world who we were. In Psalm 74 the writer laments at being stripped of the signs that had indicated God’s presence with them. Without the presence of their signs, Israel was adrift in confusion and in peril of losing their identity.

These signs not only tell the world who we are, but they tell us Who we belong to. Since there is no scriptural evidence that God ever intended to change His Church, until He returns we should remain under our signs. If we don’t see these signs today we should cry out in prayer till our signs manifest once again.

And now continuing with our 11^th sign

Fear Of The Lord

The Church of Acts so wonderfully exemplified the Fear of the Lord. In reading the early chapters in Acts, a couple of characteristics stand out prominently in contrast to the “religious” churches of today. One is that they simply took God seriously.

Acts 9:31 Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.

Consider how simple a definition of the fear of the Lord, that is: to simply take God seriously. If you fear the Lord you won’t ignore His claims or be indifferent to His call. Through the fear of the Lord they were able to “walk” with God. He wasn’t pushed off into the distance and thought of only in abstract terms. The very real and immediate relationship the early Christians had with Jesus is a powerful sign of the Church, and it’s made possible through the fear of the Lord.

The other characteristic of the Church Acts that exemplifies the fear of the Lord is that they simply found it impossible to dismiss the will of God. The Psalmist said:

Psa. 111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments…

When you take God seriously you will know God seriously, and then it’s easy to do His will because you’re acting out of wisdom and not religious tyranny. Choice reigns in the heart of those that fear the Lord. There is no bit in their mouths, because the fear of the Lord has place wisdom in their hearts. The fear of the Lord is not the least bit oppressive, heavy or burdensome. Religion is a heavy yoke but the fear of the Lord is joyously clean.

Psa. 19:9 The fear of the LORD is clean (pure), enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.

Unity

The 12^th sign of the Church of Acts is Unity. Unity was immediately manifested on the Day of Pentecost.

Acts 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

Acts 2:46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness andsingleness of heart

It came from the inside out and not from the outside in. It wasn’t the result of agreements forged by a council. It had nothing whatsoever to do with a social or political agenda. The unity that’s a sign of the church belonging to the resurrected Christ, is the condition of hearts all surrendered in common agreement that Jesus is Life and serving Him is living.

Acts 5:12 And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomonís porch.

Acts 5:13 And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.

Acts 5:14 And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)

Acts 5:15 Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid themon beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.

Anyone who thinks the unity that’s a sign of Christianity is some sociological script for tolerance, is outside looking in, and not seeing. This sign of Unity was a common motive they all shared. Everyone of them, regardless of their personalities, idiosyncrasies, or other diversities, had one over-arching motive, and that was to glorify Jesus Christ no matter what change it called for in them. They were all moldable in the Hands of the unchanging Master. This Unity begins with being in unity with the Lord Jesus, His mission and the Holy Spirit. Any unity that isn’t surrendered to the will of God is an alliance of rebellion. Unity by itself has no special virtue. But the purpose to which that unity owes its existence sifts discerningly before God. The Church is not a club it’s a Bride. We are not social workers, we’re servants of God. The sign of unity comes on the wings of the Holy Spirit, not the demands of a leader. This unity isn’t manufactured it’s pre-existent in the Holy Spirit. You either join it or you don’t

Eph. 4:3 Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

And the only hope that we will see each other there, when our faith is completed, is that we’ll all stay in the Unity of the Holy SpiritÖthe sign of the Church.

Eph. 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ

More signs to come tomorrow…so till then…