A Life of Increase

Hey friend, let’s talk! Has this been a year of increase?

I’m not talking about waist expansion or growing fears, although that may be true of you. Have your sorrow’s increased as your liberties have diminished? Do troubles abound and insecurities overwhelm? There is information overloaded each day or information seemingly overlooked. Stop! Just stop!

I could go on and on, increasing the dialogue of despair.  But friend, let’s not go down that road any longer. Instead, let us determine what the Christian should increase in.

John 3:30 says, “He must increase. I must decrease”.

John the baptist declared that the person and work of Jesus Christ was more important in every way than himself. Jesus was from above and is above all. He says that twice in one verse! Why? Because God loves the Son (v. 35) and has given all things into His hand.

What am I saying? That nothing in life or this world is more important than the Lord Jesus. All those things we concern ourselves with are in His hands. We can trust Him. So, let’s  give Him the greater place, the increase in our lives.

Colossians gives us the problem and the solution in one verse of scripture.

“and not holding fast to the Head (Jesus Christ), from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God” Colossians 2:19.

You and I, as believers, the church, are to be growing and  increasing; both individually and corporately. I am not talking growth in numbers. But know that, if I were, 1 Corinthians 3:6 says it is God who gives the increase! I can’t make the church grow but I can personally grow as I trust God and His Word. We only stunt our growth when we do not allow our spiritual Head to be in control. And by the way, a body has no life without its head. Sadly, there are many churches who follow mans lead instead of Christs!

What should we increase in?

In faith – 2 Thessalonians1:3 “…your faith grows exceedingly…in all you persecutions and tribulations that you endure…”.

In love – 1 Thessalonians 3:12 “…may the Lord make you increase and abound in love toward one another”.

In fruits of righteousness – 2 Corinthians 9:10 “now may He who supplies seed…increase the fruits of your righteousness,..”.

Pay attention now as Paul urges us in how we should live and grow.

“but speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head – Christ” Ephesians 4:15.

Notice as well that “brotherly love” was taught by God as something that needed to be continually practiced. It was a living love, daily practiced. In doing so it was a clear and ongoing testimony to a lost and dying world. It was also a strong deterrent to walk away from the increase of discontent.

“But we urge you, brethren,

that you increase more and more; (in love -v9)

that you also aspire to lead a quiet life,

to mind your own business,

and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you,

that you may walk properly toward those who are outside,

and that you may lack nothing” 1Thess 4:10-12

So my friend – Hakuna Matata – no worries! Give it to God. Increase in faith, love and the fruits of righteousness and let the Lord carry the load. He can and will!

Wake Up! Get Ready!

I remember hearing my own father wake me with that familiar and oh so loving call, “rise and shine”. He would call, throwing back the covers or tenderly kissing my cheek. “It’s time to get up! Put on your clothes, get ready”!

Consider this call to wake up from Romans 13:11-14.

“And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand”.

“Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy”.

“But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts”.

This is a similar call, from the Spirit through the writer, although with so much more urgency. It is a call of love compelling us to action. Why? Because the day is approaching. Can you sense it? Do you see the light approaching?

Christian friend, the Lord is not far off. His coming is soon! Are you ready?

I am concerned, the dark lies of sin are lingering nearby. “We know”, says the apostle John, “that the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one” (1Jo 5:19). It’s true! It is as if the walking dead, those dead in sin, are immobilizing against any and all that have any moral fiber or conviction. There is no rhyme or reason to all that is daily happening. This is a deceiver at work. Beware!

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” ( 1 Peter 5:8).

Wake up! Cast off the works of darkness. Don’t be consumed with them, influenced by them or fearful of them! Walk properly, soberly. Think clearly – don’t be crude or offensive but peaceful and content. In other words – be different from all around you.

Put on the armor of light, that which repels the darkness around us. Put on Christ. If I am wearing the Lord Jesus Christ, I am fully fit for His arrival.

How do I “put on Christ”? As Rom 13:14 says, “Make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill it’s lusts”.

God has done everything possible for us to victoriously walk away from sinful desire by giving us His living Word and His Holy Spirit. Let them be your guide today. Say “Yes Lord”, and wake today with a new attitude. The day is dawning. The Lord is coming soon!

What Devotion?

What are you devoted to?

I have been considering the act of devotion for some weeks now and was intrigued today with these verses.

“Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all that you do be done with love. I urge you, brethren – you know the household of Stephanas, that it is the first fruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints”. 1 Corinthians 16:13-15

ASV puts it this way, “and that they have set themselves to minister unto the saints”. Here is a mind, set and purposeful to care for others.

Strong’s concordance says, devoted is to arrange in an orderly manner, i.e. assign or dispose (to a certain position or lot).

These dear Christians in the household of Stephanas, had arranged themselves in an orderly manner, for the ministry of the saints. Wow! They made sure to give time and energy to the ministry or service of other Christians. Isn’t that beautiful? Wouldn’t we all love to have them around us?

Also, with great urgency, Paul encourages us to be like the house of Stephanas. Stephanas was a Christian convert to the faith and his name means “crowned”. Often times a name speaks to the condition, need or status of a family. It is possible that he was a man of wealth or authority. How encouraging it is to think that his whole household, maybe family and servants were devoted to the Christians in their local church.

It makes me think of John 13:4-13, where Jesus rose from supper, laid aside His garments, took a towel, girded Himself and began to wash the feet of His disciples.

Being the Son of God, the One who had all authority (v3), did not keep Him from the lowly work of cleaning the feet of the ones He loved. He would soon be going to the cross, yet His greatest concern was not for Himself, but for those He loved. He purposely made time to show them His devotion for them, without concern for Himself.

“If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.

Let us be devoted to each other in our local churches. What can you do today to show how much you love and care for them and for our Lord?

Faith, Love and Hope

I found myself pondering these three words today; faith, love and hope. The apostle Paul in his letter to the Thessalonians told them how thankful he was in his prayers for them. Why? Because he remembered three very specific things about them that stood out, worthy of making note.

“remembering without ceasing 

your work of faith, 

labor of love, 

and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ 

in the sight of our God and Father,”  1 Thessalonians 1:3

Notice, the first two involve work! James tells us that “faith without works is dead”! (James 2:17) The Thessalonians had a working faith. They were suffering during a time of affliction and they were an genuine example to the neighboring believers. Their faith was working for them a “ far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory”.  (2 Cor 4:17)

They also practiced love during a time of affliction! The love of God is a giving love and they did not fall short in it. They loved on Paul, Silvanus and Timothy who taught foundational and important truths about the Lord and His plans to return for them. Their work and love would not be in vain!

And lastly, their patience of hope. This implies their joyful pressing on with no despair, no depression and no turning back! The promise of the Lord’s return was real. The very words of Paul tell us that they received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit. ( 1Th 1:6) and they had turned to God from idols to serve and wait for Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come. (1 Th 1:9,10)

As Paul encouraged them to faithfully continue on, let us as well. We live in a very dark world where sin abounds. Affliction is world wide and only now is seemingly coming our way in North America. 

Put on your breastplate of faith and love, there is much work to be done! And wear that helmet, the hope of salvation. It will protect our mind from the fear that affliction wants to cause.

“But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.” 1 Thessalonians 5:8

And friend, make note: there is mention in every chapter of 1 Thessalonians of the Lords return. Why?

“so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints”.  1 Thessalonians 3:13  

“Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing”.

1 Thessalonians 5:11

To Bless or Be Blessed!

We often ask God to bless us, don’t we? But the Psalmist knew that to bless the Lord was a more rich and fulfilling experience!

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭103:2-5‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“Bless the Lord, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his word, obeying the voice of his word! Bless the Lord, all his hosts, his ministers, who do his will! Bless the Lord, all his works, in all places of his dominion. Bless the Lord, O my soul!” Psalm‬ ‭103:20-22‬ ‭ESV

All creation blesses God for He alone is worthy! You and I are brought into this place of privilege as well. Is there a higher occupation than blessing the God of the universe?

Bless Him and be blessed today!

Feeling weak and impaired?

“And he said to the man with the withered hand, “Come here.”

…and said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored.” Mark‬ ‭3:3, 5‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Sometimes we are hampered by the inability to do what we want, or what we feel we need to do. It’s out of our reach, we can’t grip it firmly and hold on, we don’t have the strength to follow through. We have a strong desire but weakness at the same time.

The Lord bids us “come here”. Help comes in drawing near to the Almighty and compassionate One, who is Strength personified. He says “stretch out your hand” or “believe”, “trust”. Give your weakness to God and let Him bring His strength into your weakness. He is still more than able.

2 Samuel 22:32-33

“For who is God, except the LORD?
And who is a rock, except our God?
God is my strength and power,
And He makes my way perfect.