Good Morning! Why are so many born again believers miserable?  What part of our lives is so bad that the grace of God is seldom enough to endure it, much less enjoy it?  This ought not to be!

Remember that at RU we like to dissect Bible verses and define words.  At RU we consider clichés to be our enemy!  We want to contemplate word meanings whenever we are discussing answers to life’s problems as found in the Bible.

As a result, there is probably no cliché that we re-define and remind more than the word “grace”.  It is best defined as “God’s work on my behalf”.  It is really “God at work, me at rest” in all of life’s circumstances.  The only prerequisite for God’s grace is my “humility in the face of HIS workload”.

So many Christian people I meet are discouraged with their life.  Many of these people seem to struggle to even make it through the day.  But it seems to me that the believers that have it the worst in their daily circumstances are the ones that seem to be the happiest in the midst of it all.  How does that work?  Humility!

Humility is another cliché that needs to be often defined.  Humility is “ubmission to the divine will of God for your life”  Many say they are submitted but when we actually see what God chooses to DEAL out to us in the form of adversity, we must determine by our responses if we are truly submissive.

If I ask my kids to enjoy something that they may find inconvenient and they commit to do so, only to complain and show basic feelings of misery in the midst of that moment of inconvenience, have they truly submitted?  We would all say “no!”

But as His children we often have a different view of submission for ourselves.  As long as we are enduring life without quitting church or publicly blaspheming God then we consider ourselves submissive.  That’s not submission. That is disrespectful and ungrateful endurance.

Humility is better defined by its behavior than by its meaning.  To be humble is to be submissive to God’s will for our life both externally in your words, and internally in our mind.  If that is where we are then God gives more grace, for we have been humbled.  God’s grace will be enough to not only endure our life, but to enjoy our life, no matter the cards we feel have been improperly dealt.

With that said, how does humility behave, that we may compare our thoughts and actions to what God would consider proper behavior?

Humility, fist of all is free of pride (which is an undue esteem of one’s self).  Freedom is free of arrogance (which is an undue disregard for others).  Thus freedom thinks more of others than oneself.  When we are facing difficult circumstance it is very hard to think of others rather than ones self.  Why?  Because we become proud.  Now, yes, we can defend that self-focus as an understandable response to my circumstances but we cannot say we are remaining humble for our focus has changed from others toward ourselves.  God is NOT standing by to do the work in a proud man’s life.  He is standing by to RESIST the word of that proud man.  Even though that proud man denies his pride and defends his self focus.

Humility, as well, is a “modest estimate of one’s own worth”.  When we are struggling with difficulty in our lives, we need to realize that we are nothing and He is our all.  We will then accept our position as deserving of any suffering for His name’s sake.

But usually we assume an “it’s not fair” mentality.  That is not a modest estimate of our worth.  Our feelings in the face of adversity should not be “it’s not fair” but rather it should be “I’m not worthy!”  This small change in your heart’s attitude is what unleashes God’s grace to not only endure that situation, but to enjoy that situation.

Humility is best expressed by one’s “deep sense of unworthiness in the sight of the Lord.”  Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord and He will lift you up.  Friends, we need to remember to abase ourselves.  If something is happening to us that we would never wish on another, recognize that God has wished it upon us.  When God gives us bread, refuse to think it is a stone!  God sees it as good, why can we not?  We are not humble, that is why we cannot see it as good and that is also why it IS good!

If we are having a hard day, then we need God to do some work, so we just need humility. If we are struggling with a vice, then we need God to do some work, so we just need humility.  If a brother is angry at another, then we need God to do some work, so we just need humility.  If we are facing health issues, then we need God to do some work, so we just need humility.  If we are sick of our life as it seems to play out, then we need God to do some work, so we just need humility.  If we are struggling to make ends meet, then we need God to do some work, so we just need humility.

God’s work on our behalf is available to not only endure it all, but to enjoy it all.  If there is some area of our lives that we are simply trying to endure, then there is an area of our life in which we are not humble.  That makes us proud.

If someone called you proud, what would you say?  If God thought us proud, what would He do?  If something difficult is in your life as a “God designed process of humbling you” then don’t curse it, don’t nurse it, don’t rehearse it, just reverse it.

Humble ourselves and let Him do all your work.  Which would you rather do?  Endure your hard work or enjoy your time of rest.  Humility brings tranquility.

Good morning! If you happened to have missed my last posting, allow me to fill you in.  We are in the process of studying a portion of Scripture that has helped my staff and me to realize a previously undiscovered avenue to true Christian freedom!  That’s right, I believe Romans 14:1-5 contains the truths necessary to strengthen and protect your Spirit-filled life and reach a new personal pinnacle with your relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

In Romans 14:1 we saw that there are two basic ways to govern our lives: Liberty and Rigidity.  Liberty is found by adhering to the leading of the Holy Spirit; while rigidity is the rules or boundaries that we or others place over us.  We discussed the role and importance of these two forms of governance as they relate to each other and also established what, exactly, is the source of each.  Furthermore, we learned that it is the responsibility of those of us who strive to live the liberated Christian life to demonstrate, and even teach, the Spirit-filled life found through Christian liberality to our weaker brethren who are dominated, and thus “held back” by rigidity.

That being said, let us now take our study a step further.  In Romans Chapter 14:2, the Apostle Paul tells us, For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. Hmm. . . what in the world is he talking about here?  Well, friend, Paul is giving us a metaphor that demonstrates the fact that being governed by a Spirit-filled liberated life is indeed demonstrative of a stronger faith IN Christ and thus renders a greater measure of freedom from the power of sin!

You see, the “one” who BELIEVES that he may eat all things does so because he BELIEVES that he can-He has FAITH! And not just any faith, but a strong faith that is found only by adhering to the Spirit of God and embracing the liberty that God has set before us!  Conversely, we see “another” who limits himself to only herbs.  Why does he do this, you ask?  Because he believes that he is only permitted to do so-he is the one whom God indicates here has a faith that is WEAK!  This individual has limited his freedom IN Christ by subjecting himself to rules and boundaries that are not consistent with the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Paul clearly shows us the danger of being a rigidity focused Christian.  Friend, the Lord has a wonderful and perfect life custom-designed just for you. . . all you have to do to enjoy it is to be consistently led of the Holy Spirit.   It is my opinion that the purpose of Romans 14:2 is to make us aware of the trap that results from being dominated by rigidity.  By falling into this “trap” we will certainly stymie our ability to experience the freedom that is found through the Spirit-filled life!  Do not allow yourself to become rigid when the Spirit of God is leading you contrary-allow yourself to enjoy the liberality of the Holy Spirit.

Once again, I want to reiterate that the presence of boundaries and rules is indeed imperative in the life of a Christian.  When our faith falters, as occurs to all of us on occasion, it is our character-imposed boundaries that will keep us upright until communication with the Lord is restored.

Keeping that truth in mind, allow me to conclude with this:  The Bible clearly says in Romans 14:2 that the “one” who is focused on rigidity is weak, and the “one” focused on liberty is strong. . . Why?  Because he BELIEVES!

If we will simply BELIEVE the Spirit-filled life, my friend, our lives will change forever!

Have a wonderful day IN the Lord,
Steven Curington

Good Morning! ACT; REACT; ACT; REACT!!!!  It seems to be the story of my life.  Either I am IN Christ and I am acting and reacting properly or I am IN me and acting and reacting improperly.  It true for me, I’m either IN or I’ve SINNED!

But I can always tell (usually AFTER my mistakes) why I am acting or reacting improperly.  It is a lack of His faith.  We know that James taught us that faith on trial through various temptations will produce patience.  Thus, it is understandable to a loving and patience Father that we will often lack patience.  But it is safe to assume if it takes successful trials to develop patience that we will not have an acceptable level of patience until we have learned to yield to His acceptable measure of faith for any given situation.

I seem to lose my cool every day.  Sometimes this heated moment remains within and few, if any, realize it.  Some think that’s not so bad.  But to be honest, that attitude produces pride.  “As long as no one knows I “got hot” under the collar, they assume I have great patience”.  No, great patience is formed from successful trials and trials are ONLY successful when IN MY HEART I have yielded to His faith in my difficulties not mine own faith, my own doubt, or heaven forbid, mine own unbelief!

If I exercise mine own faith, it is me that is doing the work.  I may be able to keep my temper composed, but it will not exercise His faith, so He won’t be glorified.  He is never glorified by my self righteous acts of the soul.  I will look good, but He will not be lifted up.

If I exercise my own doubt, then not only will He not look good, but neither will I.  Though my self righteous faith will keep my temper in, unrighteous doubt will always let it out!  I won’t be able to maintain my composer for long if I doubt the TRUTH which say’s everything “going wrong” is actually “going right”.  For if all things work together for good . . . then I should never struggle with doubt.  My “bouts with doubt” will make their way out.  When they get out then my reputation is criticized and Christ’s is minimalized.

Finally, if I respond in my own unbelief, I will be of all men, most miserable.  There will be no patience, for there will be no peace.  The Spirit knows what I need when He leads me into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.  If I reject those divine circumstances and deem them “unnecessary”, my rejection will produce a reflection of my circumstances.  A “reflection of rejection” manifests itself in negative, pessimistic, critical thinking.  It is at this stage my unrighteous acts of unbelief will cause me to look bad and literally hinder the work of the Lord.

My only recourse is to refuse to ACT; REACT!  Rather, I must REST/RELAX!  I must rest in the fact that Christ will manifest Himself to me if I would but relax in my stressful situations and wait for Him.  That is what patience is.  It is not as much enduring as it is waiting.  We must endure as we wait, but how hard is it to endure when we have faith the endurance is bringing about things that work together for good?  That’s not hard at all.  If I understand through His faith that I must endure these situations that seem bad but work together for good, then I will find the necessary calm to rest IN Him as I relax and wait ON Him.

That willingness to relax and wait on the Lord is the patience He is looking for in tumultuous times.  For it is that patience that is produced by trials of temptation. It is those trials of temptation that prove we are yielding to His faith and it is yielding to His faith that glorifies God and lifts up Christ that others might be drawn unto Him.

I guess we need to get serious about all this stuff and just lighten up!  Sound like an oxymoron?  No, rather, it’s much simpler than that.  He is my proxy or I am mine own moron!

Rules without relationship eventually lead to rebellion.

Recently the spirit of the Lord has led me to study a portion of scripture which has afforded me many great truths that I desire to share with you.  It is my intention to bring to you a series of blogs where I will break down Romans 14: 1-5 and detail Paul’s instrumental teaching as it pertains to Christian liberty.  I think it will help understand why some Christians only do well in an environment of rules and why others who have such great liberty, may sometimes find themselves struggling to live right while proclaiming they enjoy a “great relationship”.

Because this will be a multi-part blog, I will not spend a lot of time on fancy endings.  We will just end at 700 words or so and pick it up again the next time I write to you.  With that said, it is probable taht no single blog will hold the entire counsel of God.  Please give me the grace in this space to place each truth side by side over the course a few days in order that we may see this truth in it’s entirety for what it should be–illuminating!

In simple terms, there are basically two ways to govern our lives.  We can be lead by the liberty of the Spirit-which is granted to us by the Spirit of God, for we know that where the Spirit of the Lord is there is always liberty. Or we can be kept at bay by rules.  It is not liberty.  It is actually a form of rigidity.

Sometime rules come from the Word of God, and we know that these rules can never be contrary to the leading of the Spirit, for the Holy Spirit would never contradict what the Bible says.  We also have rules placed over us by our God-ordained authority, which again are almost always consistent with the leading of the Spirit.  However, we often find that others who are not directly over us want to place rules over us or feel that we should personally impose more rules upon ourselves.  This is where we must proceed with caution. Why you ask?  Because rigidity without liberty is stupidity!

Don’t get me wrong, rigidity (that is to say rules) is good.  Having boundaries and setting personal standards that we refuse to compromise are integral to our Christian stability, especially when our walk with God may seem dormant or distant.  But they are only beneficial if they are spiritual bumper to keep us IN Christ.

But, again I say, when rigidity infringes upon my Christian liberty it is stupidity.  Jesus Christ came to make us free.  We are to live within boundaries, but when our freedom is dependant upon those boundaries we are bound, not free.  Therefore, it is counterproductive to allow ourselves to be made free by rules that squelch the liberty bestowed upon us by the Spirit of God.  We are to be made free by a relationship that leads us to obey all of His rules out of appreciation and selflessness.  Thus, we must strive to strike a healthy balance between the two.

Romans 14: 1 says, Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.   In this verse, is Paul referring to the faith of justification (believing that Jesus died for your sins), or is he referring to the faith of sanctification (allowing Christ to live his life through you)?  Well, friend, he must be referring to sanctification because the faith of justification is either all or nothing.  You cannot be weak in your salvation!  So Paul must be speaking about those who are weak in their ability to yield to the sanctified Christian life.  Keeping that truth in mind, Paul goes on to tell us that we are to receive those who are weak-those who struggle.  The weak in faith are more often then not those who allow rigidity to dominate over their Christian liberty.  That is to say, they focus on obeying rules and boundaries rather than on the intimacy of their walk and the selfless sacrifice of their personal agenda’s.  This ultimately hinders their relationship with the Lord and limits the liberty and power that is found in the abundant, Spirit-filled life.

Furthermore, Paul tells us to receive these weak, rules dominated people of rigidity, but not to doubtful disputations.  This means that we are to embrace these rigid Christians not for the sake of argument or criticism, but rather to show them something better-a better way!  It is our responsibility to demonstrate, and even teach, the Spirit-filled life of liberality to those “weak in faith” (rigidity dominated Christians).

We that strive to live the liberated Christian life can often learn from those who lean toward rigidity, but we do not stand to gain nearly as much as those whom Romans 14: 1 is referring to.  It is by our influence that the spiritually rigid will ultimately discover the freedom found only through the liberty afforded by the Holy Spirit!

Are rules wrong?  Of course not!  Are rules necessary?  Of course they are!  But rules without relationship eventually lead to rebellion.

Good Morning! ACT; REACT; ACT; REACT!!!!  It seems to be the story of my life.  Either I am IN Christ and I am acting and reacting properly or I am IN me and acting and reacting improperly.  It true for me, I’m either IN or I’ve SINNED!

But I can always tell (usually AFTER my mistakes) why I am acting or reacting improperly.  It is a lack of His faith.  We know that James taught us that faith on trial through various temptations will produce patience.  Thus, it is understandable to a loving and patience Father that we will often lack patience.  But it is safe to assume if it takes successful trials to develop patience that we will not have an acceptable level of patience until we have learned to yield to His acceptable measure of faith for any given situation.

I seem to lose my cool every day.  Sometimes this heated moment remains within and few, if any, realize it.  Some think that’s not so bad.  But to be honest, that attitude produces pride.  “As long as no one knows I “got hot” under the collar, they assume I have great patience”.  No, great patience is formed from successful trials and trials are ONLY successful when IN MY HEART I have yielded to His faith in my difficulties not mine own faith, my own doubt, or heaven forbid, mine own unbelief!

If I exercise mine own faith, it is me that is doing the work.  I may be able to keep my temper composed, but it will not exercise His faith, so He won’t be glorified.  He is never glorified by my self righteous acts of the soul.  I will look good, but He will not be lifted up.

If I exercise my own doubt, then not only will He not look good, but neither will I.  Though my self righteous faith will keep my temper in, unrighteous doubt will always let it out!  I won’t be able to maintain my composer for long if I doubt the TRUTH which say’s everything “going wrong” is actually “going right”.  For if all things work together for good . . . then I should never struggle with doubt.  My “bouts with doubt” will make their way out.  When they get out then my reputation is criticized and Christ’s is minimalized.

Finally, if I respond in my own unbelief, I will be of all men, most miserable.  There will be no patience, for there will be no peace.  The Spirit knows what I need when He leads me into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.  If I reject those divine circumstances and deem them “unnecessary”, my rejection will produce a reflection of my circumstances.  A “reflection of rejection” manifests itself in negative, pessimistic, critical thinking.  It is at this stage my unrighteous acts of unbelief will cause me to look bad and literally hinder the work of the Lord.

My only recourse is to refuse to ACT; REACT!  Rather, I must REST/RELAX!  I must rest in the fact that Christ will manifest Himself to me if I would but relax in my stressful situations and wait for Him.  That is what patience is.  It is not as much enduring as it is waiting.  We must endure as we wait, but how hard is it to endure when we have faith the endurance is bringing about things that work together for good?  That’s not hard at all.  If I understand through His faith that I must endure these situations that seem bad but work together for good, then I will find the necessary calm to rest IN Him as I relax and wait ON Him.

That willingness to relax and wait on the Lord is the patience He is looking for in tumultuous times.  For it is that patience that is produced by trials of temptation. It is those trials of temptation that prove we are yielding to His faith and it is yielding to His faith that glorifies God and lifts up Christ that others might be drawn unto Him.

I guess we need to get serious about all this stuff and just lighten up!  Sound like an oxymoron?  No, rather, it’s much simpler than that.  He is my proxy or I am mine own moron!

Have a wonderful day IN the Lord!
Steven Curington

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Good Morning. The book of John records an equation that answers the question on what it takes for us, or for anyone else for that matter to SEE JESUS.

I don’t know about you, but I need to see Jesus more often than I allow myself that privilege.  In John 12 we see that some Greeks came to worship Jesus and enquired of Philip that he might gain them the necessary access to “see Him”.  When it was requested of Jesus, he agreed the timing was right for Him to “be seen”.  But not in the way they were requesting.  Not just an answered prayer or a healed sickness.  But in a way in which they would make a great sacrifice in order to “see Jesus” and from that point forward Jesus would also be seen IN them!

That is what we all need.  Not only to “see Jesus”, but for Jesus to be seen in us as a result of that sighting.  NO matter how short that sighting may seem, others should benefit from our “sighting of the Savior”.

Remember when Moses saw the image of the Lord in the burning bush?  His countenance was unbearable to behold for it shone “so bright from His light”.  He needed a veil to cover the Shikinah Glory of God!

That image of the Lord is available for us to see.  But, herein is the equation for the “Savior Sighting and our subsequent lighting”:  “The same came therefore to Philip . . . and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus . . . And Jesus answered them, saying, the hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.”

Jesus was telling Andrew, on Phillip’s behalf, that the timing was perfect for “a Savior Sighting”.  So here is what Jesus required of those looking for a “peek at His Perfection”

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone”.  There will be no “Savior Sighting” without a willingness on our part to die.  But not to die that we may never enjoy our life.  But to die that we may experience His life.

Most of us struggle to remember, if even to recognize that what Christ considers life, many of us consider some sort of death.  When in reality, what we often consider to be life is not even worth dying for!  It’s meaningless.  A corn of wheat will never be useful unless it gives up its desire to remain but a kernel!  It has far more value than its measly existence is realizing.  It can grow into a living organism that will feed many from its fruit, if it will but die.  As a matter of fact Jesus even said “but IF it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.”

The equation then defines it’s actual calculations in order to experience this death that brings forth much fruit and a subsequent “Savior Sighting”.  “He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.”

We don’t have to give up life.  Life is something we will receive; not lose!  What we have to be willing to give up is THIS life.  This life is OUR life IN THIS WORLD!

When we tell ourselves we need God to adapt to this world and our many needs therein, we will see our “Savior Sightings” will be at a minimum.  But when “our life in this world” is detested, we will see our Savior in a different light.  We will see Him as our true Savior from our miserable life and the giver of His new life.  But this exchanged life does not have to wait till our entrance into Glory.  For His glory has been revealed and is now.  We can have the Christ life right now!  The equation continues as it tells us how to die to this life and to experience the life that IS Christ.

“If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honor (promote).

At the time that Jesus said this to Andrew, he became troubled and asked God to save him from this approaching hour (of His crucifixion).  Jesus then asked that God to be glorified in all He was willing to do on God’s behalf and a voice boomed from heaven and said “I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.”

Jesus calmly replied.  “This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.”

Herein lies the equation:  Jesus sightings are available for those who die (sacrifice) to the “desires created by this word” that He may plant our dead bodies, water them with His Spirit that they may come alive.  Then the “Son can be seen” and that Savior Sighting will shine upon our new life as we break through the darkness of our death.  And then, as we approach a position where we may be considered a small growing resource for Him, He will painfully prune us that we might be plucked up as fruit for OTHERS!

He said “if any man will serve me, let him follow me?”  “OK, I will follow.  Where you headed?” is my curious response to His request.  “Over there, to die” was his reply!  What we say next determines whether or not we will experience a “Savior Sighting” and see Jesus.

Have a wonderful day IN the Lord!
Steven Curington

Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work. Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. (2 Timothy 2:19-22)

Many an individual has been justified and has undergone a particular sanctification making them prepared and available to be used as the Lord deems necessary.  However, many are prepared and set apart for use, but they sit idly by and remain unused vessels.

Knowing God intimately is the primary way in which we experience our benefits of sanctification. When we are first saved, we become justified and simultaneously sanctified. Sanctified means “set apart.” We are set apart for God’s sacred use.  He dwells within us in the form of His Spirit, the Holy Ghost. We now have the Power within us to be used by Him in miraculous ways, as evidenced in the New Testament. This does not mean, however, that we automatically are enjoying, much less engaging in the benefits of our sanctification.

Remember, the benefit of justification takes place because God knows you, informationally; the benefits of sanctification take place as you know God intimately. You and I must grow in our knowledge (intimacy, not information alone) of God to experience the benefits of His Power in our lives. Let me give you an analogy.

You do not need to know power to use power, but you need to know power to be USED by power. You see, power is the ability to overcome by using a resource. If you were to enter a dark room, your first reaction would be to reach for the power source—the light switch. The light would turn on, and the darkness would be overcome by using the resource of the power supply from the electric company. You used the power; however, the power did not use you. But we must realize that that light switch we would use to eliminate light was made available for our use because someone was used by that source of power for our benefit.

Let me explain. For the power to be available for us to use, someone had to be used by the power source. In order for that light switch to be there, an electrician was used to place it in that position. Thus, the electric company used him to channel the power into a position to overcome darkness. What was the prerequisite for that electrician to be used by the power source? Very simply, he had to understand this power. He had to know this power. He had to understand how this power of electricity works. He had to increase his knowledge of this power until he understood how to best use it for his own benefit and for the benefit of others who could then use it themselves. That is why you must be properly trained in electrical power before you work with it. It is that simple.

Allow us to be challenged to look internally today and ask this question, “Are we being USED by the Power Source?” God may have prepared us specifically for a purpose, but are we just knowledgeable about that purpose and how to make it work, or are we actually working out that purpose He has designed for us?

One fruit of righteousness studied in our Uphold curriculum includes the fruit of Serviceability.  This defined is “when we are agreeable to being durable and moldable that we may become usable.”  Is God using us to fulfill His plan?  Are we of service for Him, or are we found unreliable?  Oh, we may be useful, but we don’t show up for God’s appointments when He can actually use us for His purpose.

My friend, there should exist a hunger in your being to be used of God with full compliance and recognition of God’s program for you.  To simply be used despite self makes one no better than the devil, for even he is used by God.  How important is it for us to desire God’s use of us to heal, make right, restore, unite that which is shattered, deliver captives, open eyes, illuminate reality, dispel mists, empower, enrich, and fulfill.  These are important tasks God needs done, but He desires to use us as vessels to fulfill these.  This is the meaning and purpose for which God desires our life to be directed and for us to be used.  Do not let it be said of you:

I lived for myself, for myself alone,
For myself and none beside,
Just as if Jesus had never lived
And as if he had never died.

Instead, let the inscription on our tombstone read as one unknown saint, “He was used of God.”  Do not let your life slip away without being used and be an awful Christian who is a slothful Christian.  Please learn as a youthful Christian to be a dutiful Christian who is a truthful Christian, for we know that a useful Christian is a fruitful Christian.

Have a wonderful day IN the Lord!
Steven Curington

Does your current circumstance in life seem utterly unfair?  My friend, don’t despair, rather beware lest ye think it unfair as you start to compare! Comparisons can be not only unwise, but downright dangerous!  I have found the best comparisons are those God has given to us in His Word.  These are those comparisons of persons who have been tested and proved aptitude with a heart of gratitude.  When I think of biblical examples of those who overcame adverse trials to compare as models, some of my favorites include Joseph, Job, and Daniel.   All were excellent men of Christian character who endured attacks, troubles, disappointments, and persecutions.  Yet, in the face of adversity, in the most adverse of circumstances, these men yielded to His unending longsuffering and produced an auspicious witness to the lost around them as a result.

Let’s take a brief look into the lives of these three men.  First of all, Joseph, a man sold by his own brothers into slavery and, while in slavery, being accused of misconduct and thrown into prison.  This is pretty much the lowest of the low – a slave and in prison.  Yet, Joseph did not find his circumstance to be anything but God-ordained.

Genesis 39:21-22 reveals, “But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison. And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it.” I do not believe that Joseph was given this role and authority because he criticized his leadership or complained about his unfortunate accusation landing him in his current situation.  Are you aware that God can uplift you even in a seemingly unimportant role?  I cannot help but think that many of those in prison under his leadership witnessed the true and living God.

As well, Joseph’s forgiveness, when most would struggle with bitterness, is an amazing witness to his brothers.  Joseph stated in Genesis 50:20, “But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.” He recognized God’s hand in the midst.  How are you faring with unmerited accusations you are facing?

Next, I would like to bring your attention to Job.  After Job had lost animals, servants, and children, the following words were penned:  “Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.  In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.” (Job 1:20-22)

Wow!  I need an attitude such as Job that everything I have I realize is God’s.  He chooses to give, and He chooses to take away.  Even after this, Job suffered ridicule of his friends and physical sickness in his body.  Job was not perfect in the sense that he never sinned, but he was perfect in the sense that he had spiritual maturity to recognize God’s hand in the midst and accepted his suffering as a witness and testimony for many others after him.

Finally, Daniel, what a man of God!  He was a man of prayer.  He was a man who knew the importance of submission to those in authority over him.  However, he was also a man who would not violate God’s commands no matter the trial or the suffering.  When a decree was given that no man should ask a petition of any one save the king for thirty days, Daniel did not stop praying to God.  He even showed his faithfulness to the Lord openly by praying with his window open.

Daniel knew the cost that this witness for God would take.  For not following the king’s decree, he was cast into the den of lions.  God was glorified in Daniel’s suffering as He performed a miracle for him.  “Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions.  And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?  Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever.  My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.  Then was the king exceeding glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God.”

Is your suffering so great that you will not allow God to use it as a witness to bring others to Him?  My friend, you must suffer long if you endure a wrong, for God will use your song as you remain strong to show others they too can belong!

This morning’s quote was once attributed in a sermon I heard to Dr. Bob Jones, Sr.  May I ask you…how have you fared in your thinking this week?  There are two techniques that God uses to stimulate us to a personal examination in order that we may pull down our strongholds.  These techniques are revealed in His Word.

The first is found in II Corinthians 10:5.  It tells us we succeed in our need by, “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.”

We need not allow our thoughts to create the chaos in our minds.  These thoughts, when in abundance will automatically precipitate turmoil in our lives. We must only take time to discern whether or not the thoughts we are considering will ultimately harm our walk with God, and if they do, we must “rid the heads of them there meds!” Toss them as far as you can. In football vernacular, throw the bomb!

But casting out wrong thoughts is only half the battle and nearly impossible without implementing the second step found herein.  At Reformers Unanimous, we teach the doctrine of replacement.  It is not sufficient to simply rid yourself of evil and allow voids to exist therein.  Rather, we must FIRST replace the space in order to do an “about face”!  That’s right. We must captivate God-honoring thoughts to supplant the wrong thoughts we possess and usually prefer to ponder.

I have heard a lot of people say: “Garbage in, garbage out; garbage in, garbage out.”  My friends, this may work for computers but not for processing the worldly things that poison our minds.  The actual formula for this process is: Garbage IN, garbage ON, and garbage OUT!  That is to say garbage enters our minds via our personally stimulated or demonically instigated senses; it then gets framed (conceived) in our minds and passed down onto our heart’s meditations (James 1).  Finally, because our heart dump is overflowing with garbage, it spews over and out in the form of fleshly words or dirty deeds done dirt cheap (sorry, couldn’t help myself!).

So, again, trash comes into the mind.  It is willingly rested upon our hearts.  At that stage what is resting becomes arresting and it controls our tongue or actions as it flows from our mouths or bodies.  Remember the Bible tells us that out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks (Matthew 12:34). Thus, we can conclude that when garbage begins to collect upon our hearts, it will eventually be manifested in an ugly display of flesh. We are giving place to the garbage man!

So we see, just as our telepathy trash is processed in this manner, so is that which is quality in its content. This is the second principle upon which we base a proper technique for pulling down strongholds. II Corinthians 10:5 continues, “and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” Herein is the scriptural basis for the doctrine of replacement.  The word captivity literally means the state of being a prisoner.

So, we see we are to cast down our bad thoughts by first taking into captivity His good thought – stimulations that arrive simultaneously “WITH the temptation” as our “our way of escape (I Cor. 10:13).  Simplified, it’s the replacement doctrine.  Casting down bad thoughts without replacing them by captivating good thoughts is like casting down a basketball.  It’s going to bounce right back.    That thought will control your heart again and captivate your emotions once more.  If we resist, it will persist!  Rather than resist, replace that thought!  The game changer is when we roll it away and pick up a different ball.  New Game, but this time, it’s with His ball!  The devil must depart and take his ball home with him!

Trust your heart?  No!  Not one part; lest Satan use a dart that makes our negative thinking start.  Rather, on “His chart” will our thinking start.  These kinds of smarts require ole’ Satan to depart.

RU applying yourself to God’s examinations, or RU repeatedly giving place to the devil?

My friends, let it not be a normality that you are found in regularity experiencing a tragedy through the imagery that you were led to see!

Have a wonderful day IN the Lord!
Steven Curington