June 28, 2017

"His truth is marching on." These song lyrics reflect a concern and passion that the apostle Paul had. "Finally, brethren, pray for us that the word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it did also with you; and that we will be rescued from perverse and evil men; for not all have faith." (2 Thessalonians 3.1-2)

It is of the utmost importance that God's word be shared far and wide, and that it be embraced as a life guide. It remains, as it always has been, God's expressed truth. To embrace it is to find the pathway of life; to reject it is the ultimate disastrous decision.

Those who have embraced and loved His truth can claim this promise: "But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.  We have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you are doing and will continue to do what we command. May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness of Christ." (2 Thessalonians 3.3-5) 

Those who love and practice truth find strength and protection. They sink roots down deep into the Father's love, and find steadiness in life through connection with Christ. Theirs is a productive and satisfying life. 

May His word be honored in your life, and may you readily share it with others. As those who do so, we are confident of His protection and strength, and your steadfast in life as you await and work fully for the coming King and kingdom.

Steve

©Steve Taylor, 2017
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/  

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June 27, 2017

It's a sordid story of sex, lies, and murder; hardly what we would expect from a man after God's own heart. Reading like a modern-day tabloid, all the details are there in 2 Samuel 11.

The problem begins with a king having too much time on his hands: "Then it happened in the spring, at the time when kings go out to battle, that David sent Joab and his servants with him and all Israel, and they destroyed the sons of Ammon and besieged Rabbah. But David stayed at Jerusalem." (2 Samuel 11.1) 

Idle time quickly led to a sinful scenario: "Now when evening came David arose from his bed and walked around on the roof of the king's house, and from the roof he saw a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful in appearance." (2 Samuel 11.2) What follows is tragic story of sinful degradation: lust, sexual immorality, an unplanned pregnancy, deception, and murder. Although King David would eventually repent (Psalm 51) and be forgiven, life would never be the same. The sin legacy was a household of conflict and turmoil. 

All sin can be forgiven, but there are always consequences. Sin prevention is always better than sin confession. A key lesson from this tawdry tale of sin is avoiding situations conducive to moral failure. Sometimes we set ourselves up for a fall by deliberately placing ourselves in situations where sin is almost certain. Idle time, with too much opportunity to think about indulging. Lingering lustful looks, that lead to immoral action. Further sinful actions to "cover our tracks." It all so easily spirals downward.

Whatever we are preoccupied with becomes a pathway to action - good or bad. As such, this is the best advice of all: "How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word ... Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You." (Psalm 119.9,11)

Steve
 

©Steve Taylor, 2017
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/  

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June 21, 2017

One of my favorite movies is, "Hoosiers," based on the true story of a small-town high school basketball team that defeats the heavily-favored big-city school to win the state championship. It's a classic David and Goliath story, which brings us to that famous story, recorded in 1 Samuel 17.

It's the story of the young shepherd boy who defeats a nine foot, heavily-armed giant, with a sling and a rock. But, it's not really about the young shepherd boy; it's about His God and His reputation: "You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have taunted. This day the Lord will deliver you up into my hands, and I will strike you down ... that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that the Lord does not deliver by sword or by spear; for the battle is the Lord's and He will give you into our hands." (1 Samuel 17.45-47)

It never was David's battle, and that how the victory was won. His confidence was not in his strength or ability, but in the God of the universe. And so it is for us. We face many "Goliaths" along the way, but it is not up to us to defeat them. As His children, the battle is His, not ours. Weak and absurd as our weapons may seem, the LORD does not deliver through them, but through His might and ways.

If this is a day of battle, know whose you are, and whose battle it is. Stand strong, and let Him bring deliverance and victory.

Steve

©Steve Taylor, 2017
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June 20, 2017

Some would say love is all you need. Years ago, a popular song proclaimed that, "what the world needs now is love, sweet love." Well, more love and less hate would go a long way, but love is really the foundation for Christian growth. Consider this prayer: "Now may our God and Father Himself and Jesus our Lord direct our way to you; and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you; so that He may establish your hearts without blame in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints." (1 Thessalonians 3.11-13)

When Yahweh God produces and increases love, it is agape love (sacrificial love expressed through loving acts). As he produces this within our hearts, we are established in blameless holiness, fully prepared for the return of Christ. This love is not all we need, but it is certainly the fountain from which all else springs. Truth manifests itself in this loving behavior.

This kind of love that our Father wants to produce in our lives is much needed in a hate-filled world. As Jesus predicted, "Because lawlessness is increased, most people's love will grow cold." (Matthew 24.12) Pessimistic as that may sound, it also means that the love our Father produces within us will shine brightest in that dark hour. 

The distinguishing mark of Jesus' followers is this love Paul prayed that the Thessalonian believers might have (John 13.35). This alone distinguishes us in the world as His disciples.

May we walk in truth, and allow our Father to more greatly produce this shining love within us.

Steve

©Steve Taylor, 2017
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/  

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June 14, 2017

t's not about how full you can get, but how empty you can become. "Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." (Philippians 2.5-8)

Picture some expensive perfume being slowly poured out of its container. Such is a picture of the deliberate action of Jesus, culminating in His very life and blood poured out on a Roman cross. This is the pattern for our "emptying." It's not about how much we can acquire and gain, but how much we can empty our lives in service and sacrifice according to Jesus' pattern. We empty ourselves for Him, His message and ministry, and His people.

This is the idea behind being a daily "living sacrifice." (Romans 12.1-2) We daily choose to pour out the essence of our lives upon the altar, so that Christ's work and purpose might be more fully realized. So, today's priority is not to become full, but rather to be emptied for Him and His work. It's not easy, but it is eternally worthwhile.

Steve

©Steve Taylor, 2017
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/  

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June 13, 2017

Committed to one another.  "Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God." (Ruth 1.16) 

This was the commitment a daughter-in-law made to her mother-in-law, but it summarizes well the commitment brothers and sisters in Christ ought to have to each other. I will not separate from you, no matter what happens. I will pursue the same high priorities with you. I will dwell in the household of faith with you. We will be committed to the people of God. Yahweh God will be our God. 

Unfortunately, this is a rare commitment these days. We live in the age of disposable relationships. Friendships and  marriages are easily jettisoned when they don't work well. If church relationships don't work well, we dispose of them too and "church shop" for one that works better. But, such flippant attitudes are foreign to a consistent Bible theme. The people of God stay in it together, through thick or thin. We regard one another as more important than ourselves (Philippians 2.3). We live and love sacrificially for one another.

We're  in this together, because our Father and His Son are in it together with us, forever. May our bond with one another be ever strong, and a compelling witness to a world marked by casual commitment.

Steve

©Steve Taylor, 2017
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/  

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June 6, 2017

'Simple faith' is not naive or unimportant. It is an amazing force, and an absolute necessity. "Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness. Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham." (Galatians 3.6-7) 

There is no greater example of faith than Abraham - a man revered by Christians, Jews, and Muslims alike. Because of the endearing quality of his faith, Yahweh God overlooked his flaws and sins and considered him a righteous man. Those possessing this quality of faith are considered "sons of Abraham" through his descendant, Jesus Messiah (Galatians 3.16,27-28). 

This highly-prized, so-called 'simple faith' accepts the promises and word of God at face value. It does not preclude intelligence and discernment; it ultimately comes to terms with the fact that God is faithful and true to what He says and who He is. This faith moves us out of our comfort zone and into areas of His leading where all will fail unless faith guides. It is resolute reliance on the Faithful One. 

Today is an adventure in faith. We each tread on ground we have not covered before, because it is a new day. It may bring delights, but it may also bring dangers. Regardless, we put one foot in front of the other and move forward in faith. Abraham's descendant, Jesus the Christ, most assuredly directs our steps on today's journey of faith, as He does each day. May the journey bring you blessings today, and honor Father God, and Jesus our Lord.

Steve

©Steve Taylor, 2017
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/  

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