Who's in Charge?

Perhaps you've heard a customer ask store personnel, "Who's in charge?" They want to know who the boss is, who's in authority. Many people, including non-Christians, think that, here on the earth, God is in charge, that He's in authority, that He's in control. But is it true? Is God really in charge on the earth? Saying that God is in charge on the earth implies that everything that happens here is of God. That every test, trial, and temptation is somehow from an all-knowing loving God Who knows what's best for us. It implies that sickness, disease, wars,  murder, tornadoes, floods, torture, rape, and human trafficking are somehow controlled by a supposedly loving God. Don't ever question God. Ours is not to reason why; ours is but to do and die.

The problem with believing that God is in charge is that it's not totally true. It's a half-truth, which is half truth and half lie, making it worse than a lie. Why? Because too many Christians have no concept of a devil being behind all the evil in the world today. Those who believe in the devil far too often feel helpless to do anything about the devil's evil.

One of the great truths of the New Testament, under which Christians are to live), is that we have authority-dominion-over the devil, and all of his cohorts. Jesus, Who possessed all authority in heaven and earth (Matthew 28:18) gave it to His Church. Authority is delegated power. God's delegated power is our authority. Not apart from Him; together.

As Christ's ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20), we now represent God in the earth to the devil, as well as sinners. We, not Jesus, now reign in this life, by the authority Jesus gave to us. The Church, not Jesus, is to command sickness, disease, and tornadoes to go, in the Name of Jesus (you don't stand a chance by yourself). To God be the glory, I've seen all three depart from me, as I operated in my God-given authority, here on the earth. I'm bragging on the Name of Jesus, on God's Word. I'm bragging on the authority given to me.

Because of Adam's sin, the devil is now the god of this world, but not yours or mine. Why? Because although we're in this world, we're not of it. We're born of God. Greater is He-the Spirit of God-Who is in us than he (the devil) who is in the world (I John 4:4).

Jesus was in control over sickness, disease, storms, and all the works of the enemy. Now, Jesus is in Heaven, at God's right hand. As authorized by Jesus we, the Church are to be in charge, we are to be in control. No, we can't make the devil go away-he has a legal right to be here until his time is up.  But we have been given everything we need to get the same results against satan as Jesus did while He was on the earth (John 14:12).

It's up to us, the Church, to be in charge. The question is, are we? If not, why not?  If yes, it's because we're learning who we, the Church, really are, then acting like it in the earth.

It's our choice.  I said yes. I hope you'll join me.

Fathom This Mystery

Every woman is a mystery. No matter how old you are, how long you guys have been married, or how wise you think you are, there will always be an element of mystery to women. Having been married to my wife for over 35 years, I know this to be a fact. In another 35 years Pamela will still have an element of mystery about her. Ladies, that doesn't mean that you've figured out the male species; I'm simply acknowledging a fact about women. The Bible is also a mystery-specifically the Epistles, letters written to the churches. What's the big mystery? One mystery is how God is able to actually live inside of us, as Christians. How does God do this? Through the Person of the Holy Spirit. You can see that from reading the books such as Ephesians, and Colossians. For instance, in Colossians 1:27 Paul, the writer of this letter to the church at Colosse, clearly states that this mystery is "Christ in you...." Christ in you. Okay, how? By the Holy Spirit. Ah, now that's the mysterious part: Christ is in me, through the Holy Spirit.

Ponder that truth for a moment: Christ is in YOU. An astounding statement, but not too good to be true. It's true, because God said it. It's up to us to believe it and act like it's so, even when we don't fully understand it.

Don't try to figure out how this is done. It's always somewhat of a mystery how God does what He does. Instead of hurting your mind by trying to figure this all out, just accept it by faith. Remember, you don't have to understand something to have it working for your benefit. I don't understand how a bumblebee flies, do you? The fact that its wings are too short for its body  doesn't stop the bumblebee from flying, or pollinating my wife's flowers.

In secular mystery books the mysteries are hidden FROM us. With the Bible, the mystery is hidden TO us. It's there for us to receive, believe, and achieve in our individual lives.

I love reading about this mystery that God has revealed to us in His Word,  something for our hearts to meditate on and put into practice.

Don't you love it when you're part of a mystery that's in your favor? How has this post changed how you see yourself as a Christian?

Where's your identification?

I flew on a few business trips last year. Each time I checked in I was required to present valid identification.  As I went through security I also had to show my ticket-proof that I was a passenger that day. Had I not already had my proof of identification out, ready to be shown, a valid question to me would have been, "Where's your identification?". Without it I wouldn't have flown. Identification. It's proof of who we are. Whether it's a driver's license, passport, student ID card, or other valid form, we live in a time where much emphasis is put on who we are. Things like opening up a bank account, obtaining a passport, or buying a house-in each case proof of identification is required. Renting a car? You'll be asked to show proof of identification.

Identification is even more important where spiritual things are concerned. As Christians we've been placed into Christ-into the family of God. We've been given new identification papers, so to speak. In 2 Corinthians 5:17 the Bible says that if any (person) be in Christ he is a new creature. Literally, this means that a new species of being has been created in you. If you're a Christan, there's a new "you" in you that wasn't there before. Your identification is now with Christ, not the devil and his crowd. You're under God's dominion, not Satan's.

Spiritually speaking we've been given new identities. We have new identification papers, so to speak, within the pages of the New Testament-specifically the Epistles, letters written to Christians. Examples are the books of Ephesians and Colossians. Each book paints a vivid picture of the believer's new identification with Christ, focusing on that person's  rights and privileges, in Christ.

It was some years after I became a Christan before I learned of my real identity, as a follower of Jesus Christ. I struggles to know who I was in life, my purpose, and my destiny. Having found my true identity I know who I really am. I move about in total security, without fear of detection. When the devil tries to bring up something from my life before Christ I show him my identification papers-God's Word-proving my identity in Christ. That's my true position-in Christ. Knowing my true identity affects my thinking, believing, words, and actions, on a daily basis.

Where's your identification? Is it in the natural things of this world, or in Christ? How important is it to be secure in who you really are, where your true identity lies?

Dry Water

Over the years I've been to a lot of swimming pools, spending many summer hours enjoying doing laps, or simply cooling off.  All of those pools had something in common: in each case the water was wet. In today's post I want to use the relationship between water and wet to make a point about our relationship with Jesus Christ.

When a person receives salvation through Jesus Christ (Romans 10:9,10) that person becomes a part of God's Church, which the Bible refers to as the Body of Christ (Ephesians 1:22,23; Colossians 1:18, 24). Another way to say this is we become in Christ. To be in Christ simply means that we now have in our spirits (hearts) God's very life, nature, and ability. This is good news!

Due to religious brainwashing rather than New Testament teaching, many believers have a hard time seeing themselves as being in Christ. They want Jesus without being in Christ; however you can't have one without the other. Conversely, you can't be a Christian without also being in Christ. To have one without the other is like wanting to go swimming without being in water.

There's no such thing as dry water. If something's dry, it's not water; if it's water, it's wet. Imagine someone going to a pool and asking the lifeguard, "Where's the dry end? I want to go swimming in the dry end." Silly as that may sound that's how some Christians are with the things of God-give me Jesus, without everything He is or has done for me.

In other words, give me dry water.

I know Christians who are extreme, like some swimming pools-either shallow or off in the deep-end. At the same time, too many Christians are trying to swim in proverbial wet suits. They're sincere about swimming (knowing Christ) but just aren't sure about all that wet stuff (being in Christ).

I've been there, having Christ without knowing that I'm also in Christ, in Him. It wasn't fulfilling swimming in dry water, so I started finding out about the water of who I am, in Christ, what I have, in Christ,  and what I can do through Him. What I've learned has revolutionized my life, family, and ministry. I'm enjoying swimming in life more than ever.

No more dry water.

How's your "pool"? Is your water wet or dry? Do you see yourself in Christ, as God does? If not, why not? If so, what steps are you taking-or will you take-to enjoy your "pool" even more today?

Error or Heir?

How do you see yourself? Not in the mirror, but before God. Are you constantly seeing your mistakes, faults, and shortcomings that you've come to see yourself as a mistake of God? On the other hand, have you taken the time to read the Bible for yourself, to find that you're one of God's children, precious in His sight? In your eyes, are you an error or heir of God?

An error is a mistake, failing, shortcoming-something that falls short of what's correct. An heir, on the other hand, is one who is legally entitled to the property of another, according to the terms of a will. There are many instances where someone was treated as an error, only to find out that that individual was, in reality, an heir to property and means beyond imagination. More often than not, simple ignorance of the truth prevented that dear person from partaking of what rightfully belonged to him/her.

So it is with our lives. We choose to see ourselves in light of our mistakes or in light of what God says about us. Will we live according to our experiences or dare to act like who we are in God's sight?

Error or heir? The Bible, in Romans 8:17, tells us that Christians are heirs of God. Not errors, but heirs. God said that about everyone who believes on Jesus Christ as Lord. Being an heir of God has nothing to do with gender, skin color, ethnic background, education, or social status. No, being an heir has everything to do with what Jesus did for us: paying the penalty for our sins with His Blood, then defeating Satan in Hell to liberate our lives from poverty, sickness, and sin forever.

We're now free to enjoy God's abundant goodness in our lives-spiritually, physically, financially, and materially. As heirs of God what He's provided for us is ours because Jesus isn't dead-He's alive!

How about you? Do you see yourself as an error or an heir? What are you doing with your inheritance? Have you dared to believe that you are, indeed, an heir of God?

Keep coming back to this site for more truths on who you are and what you have as a Christan. Let us know how these posts are being a blessing to you. We're here for you.

Codependency

In the broadest sense, codependency is where each person in a relationship offers something that the other person in that relationship is dependent upon. Marriage relationships often fall into this category: each spouse depends on the other for spiritual, emotional, and/or physical fulfillment. Taken to an extreme, being codependent leads to selfishness, abuse, and regret.

Being codependent can be healthy when all parties forgo what they want, to meet the needs of the other person. We see this in our relationship with Jesus, the Head of the Church-those who have believed on Him as Lord.

The book of Ephesians illustrates our relationship to Jesus using body parts. Ephesians 1:22,23 portray Jesus as the Head of the Church, the Church being us. Ephesians 3:29, 32 points this out as well. Colossians 1:18 states that Jesus is "the head of the body, the church:..." You get the picture.

We all agree that our physical body is helpless without our head. As believers we, the Body of Christ, are just as helpless without our Head, Jesus Christ. At the same time we need to recognize that Jesus, as our Head, is helpless without us believers, His Body. If our physical head cannot function apart from our physical body, how can we expect Jesus, our spiritual Head, to accomplish His will, plans, and purposes for mankind apart from the Church, His spiritual Body?

As impossible as this may seem this is still true, which is why the devil fights so hard to keep believers like you and me from finding this out. Why? Because he knows that the Body of Christ-the Church-will put him on the run at every turn, once they see themselves as possessing the same life, nature, ability, and authority as Jesus, its Head.

As the Body of Christ, we are His hands and feet taking the Good News of the Gospel to the ends of the earth. Is that something we do apart from Jesus, our Head? No, the body is dependent on the head for instructions, direction, and guidance. At the same time the head is equally dependent on the body for carrying out the head's orders. Your head may tell your body to go to the store, however it needs its body to get there. Ever seen a head drive without its body? I haven't either, not even in the movies.

Do you see why there's a codependency between Jesus, the Head of the Church, and us, His Body? It's a relationship that's mutually beneficial: God accomplishes His will for Mankind through Jesus and His Body. In return are to enjoy God's abundance in every area of life right here on earth, even before we get to Heaven. Heaven on earth.

If not already, it's time for all of us to see the codependency Jesus and us have on each other. Not selfishly but, rather, in ways beyond our natural reasoning.

Have you ever thought of God being dependent upon you, about Jesus needing you as much as you need Him? How has your viewpoint changed from reading this post?

I Love Mysteries

I love mysteries, especially the "who dunnit?” ones. Some of my favorites crime solvers are Sherlock Holmes, Hercule Poirot and the Hardy Boys. My wife and I also enjoy many of the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) mystery movies shown on PBS. Chief Inspector Clouseau did not make my list. What is a mystery? A mystery is something that is difficult or impossible to understand or explain. I like this definition for mystery: a secret. Mysteries involve the process of revealing a secret about a person or situation that solves the unknown, regarding a case or search for meaning in life.

The Bible is the greatest mystery book ever written. The New Birth-passing from spiritual death to newness of life-is a mystery to the unbeliever.  The Apostle Paul was used of God to reveal another mystery: Gentiles are to be fellow partakers of the Gospel , along with Jews.  How do you explain being one in Christ, regardless of gender, appearance, status, or background?

For us to be unified in Christ He has to be in each of us, individually as well as collectively. According to the Apostle Paul this is a mystery. Colossians 1:27 states that this mystery is "Christ in you, the hope of glory". Through the Holy Spirit Christ is living in every believer, those who are new creatures in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). How is this possible?  How do you explain a mystery?

The natural mind will never receive nor understand the things of God (I Corinthians 2:14). Some things are better "caught" than "taught". The fact that some mysteries can never be fully explained neither dilutes their truth nor detracts from their impact on society. These mysteries are hidden for you, not from you. Understanding will have to be done with our hearts, our spirits.

What about you? Have you ever thought of the Bible as a mystery book?

How do you explain the mystery of the New Birth to the unbeliever?

Has reading about Bible mysteries changed the way you see yourself? In what way?

Who's Your Pastor?

Everyone needs a pastor.  Yes, Jesus is the Head of the Church, made up of those who have believed in Him. Jesus is also, according to Hebrews 13:20, our Great Shepherd. At the same time God has set pastors (shepherds) in the Church, according to Ephesians 4:11. Pastors are often referred to as 'under shepherds', who are shepherds under Jesus, our Great Shepherd. Pastors are father-like, leading the growth and development of a group of like-minded people called the local church. Within THE Church there are many local churches, each under its own pastor. Large or small, there's a church for each person to attend and get involved in. People just like you and me. Who's your pastor? Who do you receive Biblical counsel, encouragement, and balanced teaching of God's Word from? If you just lost your job, a family member needs prayer or you need someone to stand with you in faith, who's going to come visit you in your hour of need? Your favorite TV preacher? Don't count on it. They may read your letters, but they're not coming. Why?

Because they are not your pastor. One reason many people are in trouble is that they don't have a pastor. Just having a pastor won't solve everything, but having one will help keep you from being scattered, thus becoming prey to every wind of doctrine-and there are a lot of them being taught. Matthew 9:36 records Jesus as being moved with compassion because multitudes were scattered, as sheep having no shepherd. I don't want to be scattered, do you?

If you have a pastor, be thankful. Support that pastor in prayer, encouragement, and faithful giving to God through that church. Need a pastor? Ask God to show you who and where that person is. Set aside gender, color, and education for someone with the right character and calling to lead and feed you in the things of God.

Who is your pastor? How helpful is it to you to have a pastor? What difference can you see in your life by you having a pastor?