May 28, 2015

God talk, in general, is politically advantageous in this country. Those who want the Christian conservative vote punctuate their speeches and talk with references to God, however vague their reference to Him. But, there can be little doubt that one governmental leader spoke of Yahweh God in very real and personal terms:

"O LORD, in Your strength the king will be glad, And in Your salvation how greatly he will rejoice! You have given him his heart's desire, And You have not withheld the request of his lips. For You meet him with the blessings of good things; You set a crown of fine gold on his head. He asked life of You, You gave it to him, Length of days forever and ever. His glory is great through Your salvation, Splendor and majesty You place upon him. For You make him most blessed forever; You make him joyful with gladness in Your presence. For the king trusts in the LORD, And through the lovingkindness of the Most High he will not be shaken. “ (Psalm 21:1-7)

King David specifically mentions the LORD’s strength, salvation, answered prayer, blessings, honor, and lovingkindness. This was no political rhetoric, but rather the words of one who knew these things firsthand. There is the ring of authenticity to his words.

Regardless of our status in life, we have the privilege to specifically recount the work of God in our lives. What has He done for you through His strength? How has His salvation brought joy and gladness to you? What good things has He blessed you with? How has He spared and lengthened your life? How has trust in Him been cultivated in your life? Our answers to these questions form our testimony and praise to Him, and to those around us.

The great Psalms of King David evidence a real, personal, and authentic experience with Yahweh God. More than a religious man, he was a relationship man; a man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13.14). His example appeals to us to similarly make it our life ambition to wholeheartedly love the God who made us. 

May our day today, and every day, be marked with real and deep personal encounters with our Creator, and His Son.

Steve

©Steve Taylor, 2015
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May 27, 2015

It would be great if the Lord’s way was the easy way. But, you likely know from experience that just the opposite is true. “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.” (Acts 14.22)

"a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. Coming over to us, he took Paul's belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, 'The Holy Spirit says, 'In this way the Jews of Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.' When we heard this, we and the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, 'Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.’ When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, ‘The Lord’s will be done.' “ (Acts 21:10-14)

In the face of certain danger, nothing would be easier than to turn tail and run. And, perhaps that was the point of the dramatic declaration through a man named Agabus: for Paul to run away, not into, harm’s way. Regardless, Paul was resolutely committed to both imprisonment and even death for the cause of Christ his lord. 

What does it cost me to serve Christ? I’ve lately contemplated creature comforts, and realize I - as well as most of us - are perilously immersed in them. Our lives are lived in stark contrast to Paul’s. Who of us can truly relate to being “beaten with rods … shipwrecked … in dangers from rivers … robbers … countrymen … in the city … in the wilderness … on the sea … among false brethren; in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure” (1 Corinthians 11.25-27)? 

Images of orange-cloaked Christian martyrs, at the hands of radical Muslim adherents, cause us to consider the dangers in the world for the followers of Christ. These modern-day persecutors have set their sights on all who name the name of Jesus the Christ, and may well be seeking to bring their venomous hatred to our homeland. Is imprisonment and even death too high a price for us to pay in our devotion to Christ and the kingdom? 

Hebrews 12.2 says, “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." The joy of our hope is the motivation to endure the hardships that inevitably are a part of our Christian walk. There would be no point to the pain if there were nothing to gain. Kingdom hope and power, as well as deep love for the Christ who gave His life that we might enter, are the incentive.

May the threats and challenges before us today be vastly overshadowed by joy, hope, and love for Christ, our heavenly Father, and one another.

Steve

©Steve Taylor, 2015
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/  

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May 26, 2015

Some attribute a deficiency of modern-day miracles to lack of faith on the part of God’s people. A case in point is this statement by Jesus:

"Truly I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, `Be taken up and cast into the sea,' it will happen. And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive." (Matthew 21:21-22)

There ought to be an abundance of dead fig trees and mountain-filled seas, if we correctly understand Jesus’ words. But, there is more here than the apparent face value message. The cursing of this fig tree follows shortly after Jesus’ overturned tables and forcibly drove out profiteers from the holy temple in Jerusalem - an indictment on a people who should have borne the fruit of godliness, but instead had only the appearance of it. A lack of true faith and belief by the chosen people of God was their curse, and a hindrance  to entering the coming kingdom of God. For them, their unbelief was a mountain of an obstacle in the way of the life of the age to come.

Faith obstacles can only be met with genuine, humble faith. This kind of faith can only be generated by our Creator Father, through His Son. In essence, true faith is a gift, not a human work. This gift of faith is evidenced in the lives of great people of faith, such as Abraham. It is beautifully and simply summed up in the statement, “Then he believed in the LORD; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness.” (Genesis 15.6) When our Father sees the evidence of His gift of faith within, He is pleased to consider us righteous in His sight.

True miracles aren’t found in the visible and tangible, but in the invisible. The greatest miracle is of saving faith overcoming a mountain of unbelief. A cynical sinner whose heart and mind is turned to true and sincere faith is a miracle beyond compare. 

There are healings and unexplainable phenomena that serve as signposts to real miracles. The evidence of the tangible paves the way for the moving of mountains of doubt in those who will see and respond. A lost soul rescued from a perishing world, for eternal life in the age to come, is a precious miracle.

We are surrounded by mountains of doubt and unbelief. May the force of faith, coupled with faithful prayer, cast every mountain of doubt into the deepest sea. 

Steve

©Steve Taylor, 2015
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/  

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May 13, 2015

You might have heard the story of the preacher who preached the same message every Sunday. Anticipating something different, an annoyed congregation grew weary of hearing the exact same message week after week. Finally, someone confronted the repetitive preacher. His response was that they would move on to something else once everyone put into practice what they had been hearing.

Some things are worth repeating. If we take our cue from Jesus and the apostle Paul, there is a key theme and message we will never veer far from. "And he entered the synagogue and continued speaking out boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God." (Acts 19:8)

If we don’t know the kingdom of God, we really don’t know Jesus, Paul, or the gospel message. It’s difficult, if not impossible, to truly know the King apart from His kingdom. The life of the servant who served and suffered loses its vital meaning if not framed against the backdrop of his present and future kingdom reign. 

Coinciding with Paul’s three-month emphasis on the message of the kingdom of God is this riveting statement: “God was performing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul” (v.11). Validating proof of Paul’s message were “extraordinary miracles.” In a city steeped in superstition, the message and the miracles were a powerful one-two punch to the enemy and his domain. Many there practiced sorcery and witchcraft, and, in repentance, a great number of books were burned (Acts 19.18-19).

A recent survey indicates that the number of professing Christians in America has dramatically dropped in the last seven years. Many are rejecting the traditional beliefs and practices of the modern church. Against this spiritual climate, it is high time the people of God returned to the original message and focus of Jesus, Paul, and others. Bold and convincing declaration of the message about the king and the kingdom (Acts 8.12) may yet be validated to a skeptical society with “extraordinary miracles”.

Today’s thoughts come to you with the hope and prayer that you will find incredible energy for living and overcoming as you embrace the biblical gospel concerning the king and the kingdom.

Steve

©Steve Taylor, 2015
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/  

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May 12, 2015

We never give up more than we get in return. It’s a promise proven to be true.

"everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name's sake, will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life." (Matthew 19:29)

Many who know me have heard my story. At the age of eighteen, I left my parents’ home in a small rural community to attend Bible college in another state. The distance was not great, but emotionally and spiritually, it was a huge step for me; way out of my comfort zone. But, the blessings have far outweighed the sacrifices. In addition to my biological family in the faith, my family has become far larger than I could ever have imagined. I wouldn’t trade anything for the journey or the dear people who have become family through the years. I can truly testify that I have been given brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers, children - even farms. 

Giving up to serve Christ and the kingdom doesn’t always involve pulling up stakes and moving elsewhere. Sometimes the difficult choice is based on the separation that faith and truth necessitate. Family isn’t always family; meaning, biological family who aren’t of the family of God aren’t really family in the truest sense. Not that we don’t want them to be; some resist and refuse to their own peril. And, out of necessity, they separate themselves from us. 

Abraham of the Old Testament is a father figure in the faith. Called of God to leave his community of origin, he journeyed to a land that God had promised him. His nephew, Lot, journeyed with him, but his faith and priorities were far different. Lot was often concerned about what was best for Lot, while Abraham was focused on Yahweh God who had called him. More than once these opposing priorities made for conflict and crisis.

Today, like every day, is an adventure in faith. We are called to paths that may not seem the least bit clear. As we journey, we are surrounded by some friends and family who also choose the path of faith, while others do not. We enjoy companionship with family in and of the faith, but are alienated from those with different priorities. Like Abraham and Lot, sometimes those differing priorities even lead to tension and conflict.

In the adventure of faith today, do not lose sight of the promise of Matthew 19:29. Whatever we give up will never be greater than what we receive.

Rejoicing in the blessings,

Steve

©Steve Taylor, 2015
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/  

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May 6, 2015

The fear factor is a very real factor. It’s the very first negative emotion (Genesis 3.10), and lengthy lists of phobias have been developed to catalogue myriads of fears. 

“And the Lord said to Paul in the night by a vision, ‘Do not be afraid any longer, but go on speaking and do not be silent; for I am with you, and no man will attack you in order to harm you, for I have many people in this city.’ ” (Acts 18.9-10)

Fear easily overrides gospel work and words. It’s far easier to keep silent than risk ridicule and rejection. “Silent witness” substitutes for words. Apparently even the apostle Paul was not immune to the crippling effects of fear. So often in the scriptures we see him as a bold man of action, but apparently he also harbored inner fears that hindered his work. An encouraging vision, however, inspired him to dispel fear as he went about gospel work. He would be shielded, for a time, from physical harm, and was encouraged in knowing there were many believers in proximity.

Fear of harm, whether through abusive words or actual physical violence, can hinder our work. It certainly has mine. Not being bold by nature, I’ve often allowed fear to restrain me when opportunity dictated action. But, Jesus reminds us that there really are none who can truly harm us (Matthew 10.28). 

There is an old saying that there is “safety in numbers,” and that certainly applies, in this sense, to the body of believers. Our local fellowship can offer encouragement to us individually in being about gospel work. When our work is rejected or ridiculed, and our self-esteem in damaged in the process, we can find soothing healing through our fellowship with other believers. They are our ultimate support group.

Hebrews 10.39 is an encouragement when fear strikes and cripples: “ But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul.” Fear causes us to shrink back and retreat to our own peril, but our faith overcomes fear to the preserving of our soul.

Live and serve fearlessly today.

Steve

©Steve Taylor, 2015
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/  

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May 5, 2015

Conflict is inevitable, but how we handle it makes all the difference. Avoiding or denying conflict, which is often the preferred tactic, never resolves anything. But, when we face it, there is an important process to follow, outlined by Jesus.

“If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that BY THE MOUTH OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES EVERY FACT MAY BE CONFIRMED. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.” (Matthew 18.15-17)

We don’t talk to others about an issue in someone’s life; we talk to them directly. If we are successful, the problem is resolved. But, if we reach an impasse, we are instructed to bring along one or two witnesses. If this level of confrontation is ineffective, we are instructed to bring the matter before the church. Just how this is to be done in the modern church is a bit unclear, but it is a drastic measure to appeal to someone unrepentant. And, if this is ineffective, their status with the body of Christ is clearly changed. But, there has been misunderstanding as to what it means to treat someone as a “Gentile and tax collector.” The assumption is that they are to be treated as outcasts; shunned by the body of believers. But, one of Jesus’ disciples was a tax collector. Mark, the human author of the Gospel of Mark, had a Gentile father. It seems inconsistent to sever ties completely with an unrepentant individual.

I like to think that the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15.11-32) serves as an example. Those who are wayward separate themselves by their actions. But, loving and mature believers always take a reconciling stance; ready to receive the repentant. Until they repent, to make sure we don’t condone sinful behavior, they are held at arm’s length from “family” matters in the body of Christ, but even this must be done lovingly. The goal is not harsh punishment, but genuine repentance and reconciliation.

In this age of disposable relationships, Jesus’ words may seem outdated and impractical. But, it is always the Father’s desire “not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3.9) So much as depends on us, we are called to facilitate repentance by those responsive.

Life would be great without conflict, but we know that conflict is a fact of life in this age. With conflict there is opportunity for growth and renewal. May we manage the conflict that inevitably comes such that, instead of it being detrimental, it becomes a springboard for spiritual progress.

Steve

©Steve Taylor, 2015
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