March 27, 2014

Real wisdom seems in short supply these days. There are plenty of daily decisions that seem anything but wise, except by those who make them. Often, these seemingly unwise decisions are merely clever tricks by powerful and influential people to better advance their careers and position in life. But, their days are numbered.

“For it is written, ‘I WILL DESTROY THE WISDOM OF THE WISE, AND THE CLEVERNESS OF THE CLEVER I WILL SET ASIDE.' " (1 Corinthians 1:19)

Ultimately, the wise will be proven otherwise. And, those whom the world deems foolish today will be proven truly wise.

"For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe." (1 Corinthians 1:21)

The heart of what we might call “divine foolishness” is the message about the cross.

"For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God." (1 Corinthians 1:22-24)

Kings reign triumphantly. They don’t die as common criminals, to then be buried in a borrowed grave. Such is the offense of the King of Kings. His resurrection from the dead is the ultimate triumph, but the fact of His death in the first place is a major stumbling block to many. And yet, the divine foolishness of this fact becomes the power of God for salvation to all who believe.

Those who have received and embraced this “foolish” truth have become far wiser than the most learned person in the world. 

As is always the case, the world system places little priority on that which is of greatest value in the mind and plan of God. We who have become wise through simple faith in His “foolish” plan are subject to ridicule. Regardless, let us stand strong in that true wisdom, and freely extend it to others who see beyond the foolishness of this age.

Steve

©Steve Taylor, 2014
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/ 

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March 26, 2014

What’s a reasonable price? That’s a fair question to ask any time we shop - whether for groceries, a car, a house, or shoes. Merchants have a right to make a profit, but not an exorbitant one. There is a reasonable profit for the seller, and a reasonable price for the buyer.

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12.1-2 NKJV)

It is a fair (reasonable) price for the follower of Christ to offer himself/herself in total dedication. Not for an hour on Sunday. Not for a few minutes in Bible study and prayer each day. Not even for an extended missionary or service venture. Complete, total surrender and dedication every moment of every day. An outrageous demand and price? Not in light of “the mercies of God”. The price already paid is far greater than the reasonable price expected.

I realize by nature that I can easily be … um, stingy (there; I said it). I was raised to be frugal and conservative with resources, and may have overdone it. Thankfully, I’ve learned to be more generous through gratitude. I’ve been greatly blessed through generous benevolence more times than I can count. Generosity stirs generosity. The desire to “pay it forward” springs from unmerited blessings. 

I have a Savior who lived a life of service and sacrifice as He walked the earth. Never has there been One who lived in total dedication as He has. The will and desires of His Father were followed without reserve, and serve as the benchmark and example of dedication for us. Whole-life dedication is not unreasonable in light of His precedent. Resisting the “big squeeze” the world system brings to bear upon us through a radically transformed mindset is well within the realm of “reasonable”.

“Saved to serve” seems like a fitting motto. Emblazon it on your car bumper. Print it on your bathroom mirror, or refrigerator. Wholeheartedly serve your gracious God, and His matchless Son. Their purposes are worthy of being ours - twenty-four seven, one hundred percent. This new mentality becomes lifestyle as validating proof of God’s good, acceptable, and perfect will. 

Our all, mentally and physically, is reasonable. May gratitude for grace be the springboard for our reasonable sacrifice and service - today and always.

Steve

©Steve Taylor, 2014
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/  

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March 19, 2014

It was a this-changes-everything moment. Life would never be the same from this point on.

“In the year of King Uzziah’s death I saw the Lord” (Isaiah 6.1)

In a time of political, economic, and spiritual uncertainty, a divine encounter would change the life of one man - and all he would impact. Ultimately, this watershed moment would propel a prophet on a monumental mission that even today yields rich insights to those who study his inspired words. But, the task before him was far from easy: “Go, and tell this people: 'Keep on listening, but do not perceive; Keep on looking, but do not understand.’Render the hearts of this people insensitive, Their ears dull, And their eyes dim, Otherwise they might see with their eyes, Hear with their ears, Understand with their hearts, And return and be healed.” (Isaiah 6.9-10) A stubborn and disobedient people would hear his words, but would never truly perceive and respond. 

Each of us are called to a radical encounter with our Creator Father so that we might be changed and commissioned. Like Isaiah, it often seems we are called to minister to those who are unresponsive. But, if we would learn anything from Isaiah’s divine encounter, it is that the encounter and commission are real, regardless of the response of others. We indeed have encountered the Living God, and have been commissioned to study, know, and share His life-changing word. The response by those we encounter is a matter of their heart and mind.

This can be the day of an extraordinary encounter with our Creator. A life-changing encounter during a time of Bible study and prayer changes everything. We experience the presence of our Father in an unprecedented way. Our sinfulness becomes painfully obvious, but His grace wonderfully overwhelms us. Delighted with this life-changing encounter, His call to service becomes abundantly clear, and we are eager to fully respond. 

This can be the day that changes everything. Live expectantly. Live faithfully. Be zealous to know, respond, and serve.

Steve

©Steve Taylor, 2014
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/  

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March 12, 2014

It’s not that we need anyone’s permission, but not always being happy is OK. And, it’s acceptable to have troubles and problems. Because - fact is - we all do, and will. But, we sometimes heap a heavy load of guilt on ourselves because we’re not; well … perfect.

Here’s a reality check from someone with spiritual credentials:

"Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am pining away; Heal me, O LORD, for my bones are dismayed. And my soul is greatly dismayed ... I am weary with my sighing; Every night I make my bed swim, I dissolve my couch with my tears. My eye has wasted away with grief; It has become old because of all my adversaries." (Psalm 6.2-3, 6-7)

We would hardly call that a description of the “victorious life”. Sounding more suicidal than successful, the Psalmist bares the anguish of his troubled soul before his Creator Father. But, lest we think he has completely surrendered to dismay, these words remind us that his faith still holds:

“For the LORD has heard the voice of my weeping. The LORD has heard my supplication, The LORD receives my prayer. All my enemies will be ashamed and greatly dismayed; They shall turn back, they will suddenly be ashamed.” (Psalm 6.8-10)

Stepping back from the anguish of the moment, the Psalmist “zooms out” to the big picture perspective, and reminds us that victory is still the lot of God’s people. The Father HAS heard and received his prayers and supplications. His enemies WILL be defeated and ashamed. God will vindicate His people.

Divorced from the kingdom of God big picture, this life seems painfully unfair and hard. Evil appears to triumph. God’s people are often oppressed and crushed. From this perspective alone, we easily agree with the writer of Ecclesiastes: “ ‘Vanity of vanities,' says thePreacher, 'Vanity of vanities! All is vanity.’ “ 

But, the kingdom big picture allows as to say as did the apostle Paul: “But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8.37-39)

May the big picture overshadow today’s present concerns and troubles.

Steve

©Steve Taylor, 2014
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/  

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March 11, 2014

More than one wealthy person or dignitary has disguised himself/herself as a poor beggar to learn how he/she would be treated. As such, we never know who that poor unfortunate person we encounter might really be. And, our treatment of that person is more important than we know.

“Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me … Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ “ (Matthew 25.40, 45)

Apparently, it’s possible that we are encountering Jesus when we encounter the least and the lonely. While these “brothers of mine” may have familiar faces, His unseen presence behind them is ever watchful as to how we will respond.

Jesus’ words in Matthew 25.31-46 might lead us to believe that those who will be in the coming kingdom, and those who will be consigned to the lake of fire, are determined by how the least and the lonely are treated. These works in themselves are not the determining factor, but rather an indicator of how God’s grace has impacted us. These are works - fruit - that indicates the real nature of our hearts.

The coming kingdom of God is far too important to miss because of a hardheartedness toward the needy. “Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” (Matthew 25.34) The more we savor the abundant grace to be given, the more we open wide our hearts and share our resources with the least and lonely around us.

A bright future is powerful motivation for a God-pleasing lifestyle today. The more we know and see the marvelous things planned for God’s people, the more important priorities are put in perspective. Savor hope, and live generously and graciously today.

Steve

©Steve Taylor, 2014
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/  

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March 5, 2014

The best way to avoid the counterfeit is to be very familiar with the genuine. That’s good advice for banking and retail work, as well as for followers of Christ. 

"By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God; and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world." (1 John 4:2-3)

Plenty is said about the activity of Holy Spirit. Some would tell us it’s manifested in miracles of healing, unknown language, and frenzied activity. John reminds us that it will be associated with a truthful confession of Jesus. A variance from this true Jesus originates, not with the Spirit of God, but with the spirit of antichrist. As such, it behooves us to be discerning in what we embrace and believe about God’s Son.

Historically, there has been great fascination with antichrist. The Books of Daniel and Revelation, as well as many other passages, focus on a human figure who will embodying the role of an antichristian tyrant. It seems every generation of Bible students have sought to speculate on the leading candidate of the times for that role. But, amidst such speculation, a great concern is easily overlooked: the “spirit of the antichrist … already in the world”. 

It is not unreasonable to state that there is a deliberate, well-orchestrated conspiracy to cover up the true identity of Jesus. Two extremes are prevalent: portraying Him as overly human so as to be no different from any human or, making Him God, the Son - Creator Father in flesh. Both are serious variations.

The issue of Jesus’ true identity is not to be relegated to theological debate. This is an intensely personal and serious matter. Personal belief in Jesus is at the very heart of our faith. There is danger in believing in “another Jesus” (2 Corinthians 11:4; Galatians 1:6-7), so it is vitally important that we have personal faith based upon the best biblical information available to us - regardless of creed or tradition.

So, who is the real Jesus? Is He the Jesus portrayed by Rembrandt, and other famous artists? Is he the traditional Christian Jesus, the Muslim Jesus, the Mormon Jesus, the Catholic Jesus, the Jewish Jesus? Who is He, as revealed in the pages of the Bible, and on whom you place personal faith? I’ll dare say no issue or question is more important.

I’ve tried to diligently learn the Jesus of the Bible. But, I’ve also tried to “practice His presence” in my daily life, which is at least as challenging. What I know ABOUT Him is important, but knowing Him PERSONALLY, in daily experience, is also vital. 

The Spirit of God is active in revealing the true identity of God’s Son to His people. In both experience and scripture study, may we participate with God’s Spirit in best knowing His incomparable Son.

Steve

©Steve Taylor, 2014
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/  

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March 4, 2014

I doubt you will find the word in a dictionary, but “truthified” ought to be in our personal dictionary. Since it is an original word, let me define it: “the process by which truth permeates and transforms our lives.” So much as we love God’s truth (“Buy truth, and do not sell it” - Proverbs 23.23), and diligently pursue its transforming effect, we safeguard our lives against deception.

“the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation” (2 Peter 2.9)

Citing how God preserved Noah in the time of the great flood (2 Peter 2.5), and Lot at the time of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (2 Peter 2.7-8), Peter reminds us that God is well able to rescue us from the temptation of deception and ungodly living. He rescues those who hearts and minds are resolutely set on His truth and its lifestyle.

The older I get, the more I lament deception and deceivers. Countless numbers of people are deceived by burdensome works-based religions, demanding tithes and personal deprivation in order to “earn” righteousness. Self-evident biblical truth is subverted by persuasive and cunning preachers and teachers. Far too many are like sheep without shepherds, seduced and betrayed by wolves in sheep's clothing.

An author passionately wrote, “Lord, if I am deceived in any way, undeceive me!” Such ought to be the plea of every sincere truth seeker. Lead us not only away from deception, but also from a lifestyle of disobedience. 

Jesus promises that “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." (John 8.31-32) May a hunger and desire for truth and its ways not only safeguard us against error, but liberate us to be a beacon of light to all who would also love truth.

Steve

©Steve Taylor, 2014
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/  

Amazon ebook & print devotional -http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FQ1Q9GW
paperback print copy of book — https://www.createspace.com/4500045