A clean heart

“But we thank God for giving us the victory as conquerors through our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One.”1 Corinthians‬ ‭15‬:‭57‬ ‭TPT‬‬

What do we need victory over? Our enemy Satan’s wiles and our flesh. Fleshly attitudes can dominate, I, me, mine the biggest attitude traps along with offense when others interfere.

Always, when someone is offended by my behaviour I have to ask: is it true that I have caused this offence, or is the offence in the other their problem? Our flesh would like it always be the other’s problem, however, if there is an element of truth then I need to find repentance. Sometimes it is both.

Over the weekend this came up, I was caught in the middle of friends; one being offended at the other. I then had insight into my own processing as I watched  the friend who was blamed for the cause process the accusation. She was now, herself, battling offence. I counselled that it is best to go to the Holy Spirit for insight and take His decision.

Allowing Holy Spirit to guide and give insight is important otherwise all we have is offense circulating around and around. The Holy Spirit’s insight will lead to freedom and repentance. A clean heat will result. Amen!

The light

“And this Light never fails to shine through darkness— Light that darkness could not overcome!”

‭‭John‬ ‭1‬:‭5‬ ‭TPT‬‬

In Australia there are caves called the Jenolan Caves not far from Sydney. When in the caves you need a light to guide you. Once when I was in the caves the guide turned off the lights and it was pitch black. To proceed without certainty of death would not have been possible. 

We live in a very dark world, one that darkens every day. Without a light to guide us we are fearfully lost. This scripture from the gospel of John tells us there is a light. Who is that light? The previous verse relates: “A fountain of life was in him, for his life is light for all humanity.”John‬ ‭1‬:‭4‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Who was John speaking about? Jesus. Jesus said of Himself:  “I am light to the world, and those who embrace me will experience life-giving light, and they will never walk in darkness.”(John‬ ‭8‬:‭12‬ ‭TPT‬‬)

He also said: ‘I way, the truth and the life, no man comes to the Father but through Me’(John 14:6)

We have a light, a safe and non-extinguishable light in Jesus. Yielding to Him is the best thing we can do. Amen!

He emptied Himself

“Instead he emptied himself of his outward glory by reducing himself to the form of a lowly servant. He became human! He humbled himself and became vulnerable, choosing to be revealed as a man and was obedient. He was a perfect example, even in his death—a criminal’s death by crucifixion!”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭TPT‬‬

We do not grasp the immensity of what Jesus did when He chose to become a man child, the God of glory lay aside His power and chose to become a vulnerable, dependant human baby. Satan tried to kill Him through inciting jealousy in Herod. Herod ordered all baby boys two years of age and under in the Bethlehem area to be slaughtered. He failed, as the Lord warned Joseph to take Mary and Jesus to Egypt until told to return.

Before Jesus began His ministry, Satan again tried to destroy Jesus through tempting His with power and glory, again he failed. Next Satan incited the religious leaders to hate Jesus for challenging them and their ways. He thought he’d won when Jesus died on the cross, but Jesus again took up His glory and defeated Satan’s power over all humanity. 

Now, for all who believe in Jesus, He offers us His sacrifice as freedom from sin’s domain. For all who choose to make Him Lord, He welcomes into His eternal dwelling place in glory. No longer do we need to fear death. Amen!

Passion

“Jesus answered him, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with every passion of your heart, with all the energy of your being, and with every thought that is within you.’ This is the great and supreme commandment. And the second is like it in importance: ‘You must love your friend in the same way you love yourself.’”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭22‬:‭37‬-‭39‬ ‭TPT‬‬

We associate passion with lust, but it does not mean that, even though the Oxford dictionary describes it as ‘strong and barely controllable emotion’. Yet the Latin definition of passion relates to suffering. Thus Jesus was called the man of passion.

This past day was a day of Thanksgiving in America, and for it to be successful the Christ-type of passion would be required where laying down of selfishness for the good of others existed. Unfortunately, we have many selfish ideals around celebration times such as Thanksgiving amd Christmas. We want what we want and are upset when we don’t receive. This is a childish attitude that exists in children and should be done away with in adulthood. 

It is only as we allow Jesus to be Lord in our lives that we find the power to be selfless and consider others before ourselves. It is natural to be selfish, but godly to be selfless. We are exhorted to take up this attitude by Paul: “Abandon every display of selfishness. Possess a greater concern for what matters to others instead of your own interests. And consider the example that Jesus, the Anointed One, has set before us. Let his mindset become your motivation.”Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭4‬-‭5‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Conceit

“The wealthy in their conceit presume to be wise, but a poor person with discernment can see right through them.”Proverbs‬ ‭28‬:‭11‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Serving in Nepal I have discovered many other foreigners serving here also. Unfortunately, because we are usually supported to be here, we are seen as a potential source of financial support for the Nepali people. It can create an ‘us’ and ‘them’ divide and resentment and complaining can result.

Yes there are differences, differences we do not understand because we have never walked in the shoes of the poor. We may think we have, but we have not to the same degree. Conceit is a nasty haughty spirit of deception. Us westerners are used to living at a standard way beyond the poor here in Nepal.

By Australian standards I am a poor pensioner, however, here in Nepal I am rich. Yesterday, I had another visit to hospital as I have had a long running cold and started to experience chest pain. I had a gamut of tests carried out and discovered I had a chest infection, and am now on antibiotics. With each test done the bills rolled out. The poor cannot afford such good treatment. I had just been paid my pension and could afford the tests.

Only the day before had one of my flatmates taken me to task with the way my friends speak about ‘them’. Them being the Nepali people. I have been embarrassed by my friends speech and spoken to them about it, however, it still arises, especially in front of Nepali people. It is rude and treats them as if they do not exist. It also takes a high attitude that demeans. 

Demeaning others occurs when we have conflict that we do not know how to resolve and do not go to the Lord in prayer with it, instead we complain. Complaining stinks! Amen!

The canopy

“Above all, constantly echo God’s intense love for one another, for love will be a canopy over a multitude of sins.”1 Peter‬ ‭4‬:‭8‬ ‭TPT‬‬

For an example of love I look at Jesus. He trained and taught His disciples, He confronted only that which needed confronting. He forgave their sins. When Peter denied Him He made a special effort to cleanse their relationship after His resurrection. He was never offended by their behaviour.

Offense is our problem. Judas was offended and this caused him to hand Jesus over to the religious leaders. Offense causes us to do and say things that are wrong for others and us.

Whereas, this scripture lifts forgiveness and love over the sins of others. In practicality how do we do that? It takes a lot of dying to self. It is not a matter of what we thought was agreed, but what the other party heard. When we force what we believe we crush others and cause an offense.

Our God is wanting a different standard, not a carnal one! Amen!

Reconciliation

“And God has made all things new, and reconciled us to himself, and given us the ministry of reconciling others to God.”2 Corinthians‬ ‭5‬:‭18‬ ‭TPT‬‬

We may not have realised we needed reconciliation, but we did. No matter how hard we tried to live up to a good moral code the emptiness inside remained. God leads us to a place where we are ready to be reconciled. 

We have all manner of relationships and some of them are in failure mode. Sometimes need need a friend or counsellor to bridge the gap and reconcile us to each other. This week Americans will celebrate Thanksgiving and many will struggle because the process of reconciliation has failed, has yet to occur or may never occur. 

Our relationship with God is the main thing. As we reconcile to Him and establish Him in the place of prominence in our lives He goes to work on the broken pieces. We now have the ministry of reconciliation to others. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. No man or woman comes to God but through Him. Ask Him for the way to heal broken relationships. Amen!