TURNING POINT: LEAVING LUKEWARM FAITH BEHIND

Week of 6/22/2017 entry from Bible Promises for You Men’s Group: Friendship of God

Scripture:  Revelation 3:20

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

Thought:  I have a responsibility to seek faith deeply and then be “on fire” for Christ.

Application:  Don’t be lukewarm. Knowledge implies responsibility.

Response:  Father, thank you for the fire you are fueling in my soul.  I am proud to be your son and am courageous in life with you by my side

Looking back Today (2025):  My faith in the Lord has given me the knowledge that He is all knowing.  However, my blindness as a man puts separation between my faith and my sin.  I have had a strong desire to knock on the Lord's door, but I know deep in my heart that He would be looking at an incomplete project.  My faith assures me that He will be happy to see the man before him, but my soul knows that when I see his face, I’ll feel that I have disappointed him and need to ask for forgiveness?  This “feeling” was placed on my heart when reading Rev 3:15-16  “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm —neither hot nor cold— I am about to spit you out of my mouth.”  At this moment, I want this to be a turning point, where fuel is added to the fire!

https://www.bible.com/bible/111/REV.3.20

OVERCOMING EVIL WITH GOOD - PRACTICING UNCONDITIONAL LOVE

Week of 6/22/2017 entry from Bible Promises for You Men’s Group: Friendship

Scripture:  Romans 12:10

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 

Thought:  Simple... Love,  not revenge.

Romans 12:20 gives simple instructions… do the opposite of what we want to do.  “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.  In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head”

Application:  Rebuking anger is hard, practice love instead.    

Response:  Father I pray that I can learn from your example and love more honestly. I tend to put people into “boxes” and I know this is wrong, help me to see the good in everyone. 

Looking back Today (2025):  Emotions, feelings… they are still a “hard pill to swallow.”  After years of being “me” it is a constant struggle to become the man that God intends me to be!  Instead of fighting back, I must continue trying to see the bigger picture and FIGHT TO LIVE BETTER as taught in Romans 12:21 “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”  Continuing to keep faith in my mornings typically leads to a better mindset for the day.

Side note: I had to research “burning coals on his head.” It’s not about getting revenge!  It is suggested that the “burning coals” may IGNITE their conscience that kindness is being shown when it is not expected.  When this happens the enemy may respond with kindness too.  Remember the saying “you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar” that most parents teach their children.  Applying that thought here you could say that you can likely change yourself and possibly the other person by being sweet, like honey< and not bitter like vinegar.

https://www.bible.com/bible/111/ROM.12.10

UNLOCKING FREEDOM IN CHRIST: FAITH, LOVE, AND HUMILITY

Week of 6/22/2017 entry from Bible Promises for You Men’s Group: Freedom

Scripture:  Galatians 5:1 - “Freedom in Christ”

It is for Freedom that Christ has set us free.  Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

Thought:  Remember that justification is gained through faith by following the story of love in the Bible.   Faith, love, and a relationship with = Jesus equals salvation, not “works.”  This points to living a life like Christ.

Application:  Seek a life where you love someone and not perform “deeds.”  We must live good (be kind) and true to our faith.  You can't hold your Bible in one hand and sin with the other. 

Response:  Father I pray that the sin you take from me does not creep back into my life and I am justified in your eyes.

Looking back Today (2025):  We all need a role model, why not choose Christ.  I am amazed today at the timing of God.  As I am looking back on Galatians Chapter one and my Journal entry from 2017 to gain additional insight from God’s word I have been blessed by his perfect timing.  I am part of a group, a team if you will, that is experiencing some growing pains and the first lesson the Holy Spirit knew I needed to recall today is taught in Galatians 5:6 where we are reminded that “... The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.”  As a team member, just like in faith, I needed to remember that there is something bigger than myself and Galatians 6:13 reminded me that we are to “... serve each other humbly in love.”  The word of Jesus himself (red font in my bible, Matthew 22:37-40) teaches me that the entire law of the bible “hang” on two commandments summarized as follows.  Love God and your neighbor. Galatians 5:14 echoes the words of Jesus where we are reminded in verse 14 to “Love your neighbor as yourself.”  All of these lessons and the struggles of a TEAM (remember there is no I in team) are so important when you see the words of caution in verse 15 where we are warned!  Galatians 5:15 - “If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.”

In summary, the lessons that I read today have taught me that I can serve others by leaning on my faith before speaking and I can love my neighbor by humbling myself.  I must  use a kinder voice, the voice of Jesus, instead of the coarse words that FRANK so often chooses.  If I am to grow, my words must come from deep in my heart and be Spirit led.  Humility is hard for me and I must remember how this word… humility was taught to me that ties all the lessons that I’ve shared above.  Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less often.

Definitions:  

Justification / Justified: Refers to being declared righteous and free from the penalty of sin, not based on one's own merit, but on the basis of faith in Jesus Christ.

https://www.bible.com/bible/111/GAL.5.1

TRUSTING GOD'S PLAN: WISDOM, PEACE, AND LESS STRESS

Week of 6/22/2017 entry from Bible Promises for You Men’s Group: Faithfulness of God

Scripture:  Psalm 111:7-8

The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy.They are steadfast forever and ever, done in faithfulness and uprightness.

Thought:  Precept - a rule intended to regulate behavior or thought. if you don't understand God's will, you can be sure that you can trust His intentions. He will steer you in the right direction.

Application:  Have a healthy fear of the father and strive to live by his rules.

Response:  Father, I pray that I can grow my faith and ask less questions, especially of You

Looking back Today (2025):  While we live in a fast paced world, slowing down to focus on God’s will for our lives may allow us to live with less stress and find some peace.   Lets face it, some rules are hard to follow. However, in verse 10 we learn that there is wisdom to be gained.  Verse 10 says… “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.”  Let me paraphrase that differently.  You may find yourself thankfully praising God if you take your hands off the wheel and let him drive your life!  When I am able to surrender myself and seek the Lord's guidance about what is best for my life, or a how to act in a particular situation, I immediately seem to have less stress.  Perhaps the wisdom in verse 10 is that His understanding surpasses anything we could imagine and we become wise when we seek his guidance… and then listen intently to your heart about what Jesus would have you do. 

https://www.bible.com/bible/111/PSA.111.7-8

EMBRACING PEACE WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT

Week of 6/22/2017 entry from Bible Promises for You Men’s Group: Forgiveness of God

Scripture:  Romans 8:1-2

There's now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.

Thought:  By living for Christ we are set free from the law of sin and death. Laws can't forgive sins, they still happen.  Punishment under the law does not forgive sins, Jesus forgave with his life... if you live with his spirit and seek Him and live by his laws. 

Application:  First, seek to eliminate sin.  Second, seek forgiveness and guidance from God when we fail.  Seek it with truthful intentions to eradicate it in our lives.

Response:  Father, I fail you yet you receive me.  Help me to see what is wrong in your eyes and change my ways.

Looking back Today (2025):  Reading Romans 8 again today one item struck me.  In verse 6 we are reminded that “the mind controlled by the spirit is life and peace.”  Living life with peace is much more satisfying than going to battle with turmoil each day.  This reminds me of the wisdom that my wife Renae so often shares… let go and let God.  When I consider all the situations that would be so much easier if I just let go it is humbling.  Every situation is a choice and we are reminded to choose wisely.  The best choice I can make is to choose God each morning with a simple prayer before I get out of bed. So my 2025 Response would be as follows.  Father, I ask you to send your Spirit to my mind each morning to guide me in the choices I make each day.  Let me reflect on my choices at the end of each day and seek your guidance where my choices were not those of your Spirit.

https://www.bible.com/bible/113/ROM.8.1-2

UNLOCKING EMOTIONAL FREEDOM THROUGH LOVE: A TIMELESS PRINCIPLE

UNLOCKING EMOTIONAL FREEDOM THROUGH LOVE: A TIMELESS PRINCIPLE

Week of 6/22/2017 entry from Bible Promises for You Men’s Group: Finances - “Love Fulfills the Law”

Scripture:  Romans 13:8

Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellow man has fulfilled the law.

Thought:  Love is always good, it does no harm.

Application:  Think about all actions in life and if it has the potential to do harm, in any  manner, then it may not be loving.

Response:   Father, may I be reflection of your love and learn to do so more freely.

Looking back Today (2025):  Life is complicated in so many ways, but this lesson is simple…  LOVE HELPS!  Love changes perspective.  Whether it is to love myself more, loving those I am surround by each day, or to love the situations that I’m placed in each day, trying to add a little love certainly will not hurt.

Surely this bible verse was placed on the readers help titled “Finances” because of the word debt.  It is leaving me thinking, how far in debt am I to the world?  How much love do I need to “put in” to pay off my debt?    

https://www.bible.com/bible/463/ROM.13.8

WALKING WITH GOD: FAITHFULNESS, DELIVERANCE, AND PURPOSE

Week of 6/22/2017 entry from Bible Promises for You Men’s Group: Faithfulness - “David’s Song of Praise”

Scripture:  2 Samuel 22:26-27

To the faithful you show yourself faithful, to the blameless you show yourself blameless, to the pure you show yourself pure, but to the devious you show yourself shrewd.

Thought:  God rewards all who are true to his laws. 

• He is a shield for all who take refuge in him (2 Sam 22:31). Shrewd: having or showing sharp powers of judgment

• He shows unfailing kindness to his anointed (2 Sam 22:51)

• Anointed = chosen.  Now all Christians are anointed, chosen for a specific person purpose in furthering God's kingdom.  “But you have the anointing that comes from the holy one, and you all have knowledge (1 John 2:20 - NIVUK).” 

Application:    - no entry in 2017 -

Response:  Father, thank you for delivering me from "stuff” that made me unhappy, bitter, impatient, and many other vile traits. I choose to walk with you.

Looking back Today (2025):  

Honestly, looking at the prayer above, I don’t think I’ve been delivered from the things that me unhappy, bitter, or impatient.  However, I am more aware of them and want to change them more as each year passes.  I can be thankful for the ability to discern my actions, my feelings, and my willingness to not always participate in these things.  Perhaps my ability to periodically discern that I should not participate in an argument or show impatience is my purpose in sharing the kingdom in that moment.  

https://www.bible.com/bible/113/2SA.22.26-27