Craig's Living H2O

November 30th - "Take a Break"

"On the glorious splendor of Your majesty and on Your wonderful works, I will meditate."    Psalm 145:5

Need something to think about today? Pick your head up from the daily grind and look around you. Meditate on the glorious splendor of our God and King. Meditate upon all His wonderful works, the beautiful sky, the trees, and the sunshine. Don't let life suck the life out of you. Pause and acknowledge His splendor and all His wonderful works and suddenly your perspective will change.

"I lift up my eyes to you,  to you whose throne is in heaven."    Psalm 123:1

November 29th - "Resting in Faith"

"So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His. Therefore let us be diligent to enter that rest."        Hebrews 4:9-11

God's rest is only realized by those hearers of the Word, who have mixed what they've heard with faith, allowing it to become a very part of their being. His rest is only realized by those who "forcefully" enter into it. They refuse to be worried, anxious, or afraid, in spite of their circumstances. In a word, they refuse to be "unbelieving." The one who has entered into God's rest, "has himself also rested from his works." Just as a hard worker falls into their favorite chair, after days of hard labor, thinking to themselves, "Finally, I can rest," in the same way, we can also find such rest even in the midst of great tumultuous uncertainty. Would you like to know how to have this incredible "rest" in your life? First, we must be diligent to stay in the Word of God daily. We must pick up the sword of His Word everyday, if, we are going to successfully combat unbelief. "Faith comes by hearing the Word of God." Secondly, we must be disciplined in our thought life, rejecting all unbelief, trusting that whatever happens - God is in control of my life because I belong to Him. I can find and enter into God's rest in every circumstance, if I adamantly trust and believe that God really is in control of my life and has a plan for it. Some people mistakenly believe that, "When I get everything like I want it, then, I will rest." This is only a mirage. For one thing, you may never get there, and even if you do, something will change. No, there is a "rest" for you now if you will "be diligent to enter into it." We cannot do this on our own, we need His empowerment, so we are invited to come to Him for help.

"Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in the time of need."    Hebrews 4:16

November 28th - "Resting in My Lord"

"There remains therefore a rest for the people of God." Hebrew 4:9

This "rest" is only realized by those who have truly come under the lordship of Christ. Only under His lordship can I confidently trust that whatever may happen; God is in control. The longer and the more I have placed my life in His control, the more of His rest I can enjoy. A new convert's sins are truly all forgotten and forgiven, but there is still some reaping of a bad harvest that they will endure. The good news is that His "grace is sufficient." But once the old harvest is gone and I have been walking with the Lord for some time, having all of my life under His lordship, I can confidently say in the face of any trial, "The Lord has been and is now watching over my life. He orders my steps. He led me into my present situation. Whatever the outcome, ultimately, He is in control. His will shall be done. I shall rest and not be anxious or afraid. 'For God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind.' My life is in His hands and whatever life brings, God has the final say of my outcome. I am created by and for His purposes. My life is not my own, my reputation is not my own, all that I am and all that I have belongs to Him. I will rest in the knowledge that God is in control. I live and die for the glory of God. I will embrace and accept whatever He chooses for me." This is the "Believer's Rest."  Those who have a problem with giving up control will have a problem with it. Those who embrace it can live in peace through every circumstance and trial life can bring. Just ask the three Hebrew children.

 

"Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to give you an answer concerning this matter. "If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up."     Daniel 3:16-18

November 27th - "Wasted Moments"

"There remains therefore a rest for the people of God."    Hebrews 4:9

Every anxious moment is a wasted moment! When I replay the videos of my life and consider all those things that I worried about at the time the video was taken, I am struck by the fact that each anxious moment was a waste of time and energy. Many of those worries I cannot even remember now. God was in control then as He is in control now. I must be diligent to find and stay in His rest. The word mixed with faith must be digested within the hearer, made a part of the hearer, and then "He will keep him in perfect peace who's mind is stayed on Him." This is the "Believer's Rest." It is rightful called this because an unbeliever can never have it. Sadly, many believer's have yet to enjoy it. It is not easily maintained, but we must "labor to enter into it." Want to hear more? Follow-up with tomorrow's entry.

 

"Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to give you an answer concerning this matter. "If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up."     Daniel 3:16-18

November 26th - "The Activator"

"The word they heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard."   Hebrews 4:2

The Word must be mixed with faith to produce the desired results. Faith is the activator that causes a reaction when applied to the Word. This "mixing" must be done in the right environment, namely, men and women of faith. Don't miss this important little word in this verse: "in." For the Word of God to "profit" those who hear it, it must be united with faith and developed inside the hearer. The Word mixed with faith must become a part of the hearer. It must be digested, becoming a permanent part of its recipient. When these conditions are met, a great reaction will take place, that is, unless the great neutralizer - unbelief, is applied.

 

"And He did not do many miracles there because of their unbelief."    Matthew 13:58

November 25th - "Patience"

"Be imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises."    Hebrews 6:12

Faith and patience are needed to inherit the promises of God. We would all like to eliminate the "patience" part but it remains an essential portion of the equation. During pressing times when great patience is needed, we must fix our gaze upon the examples given to us in the Bible. We must be "imitators" of these exampes. Father Abraham is a prime example of what faith mixed with patience can achieve.

"And so, having patiently waited, he (Abraham) obtained the promises."    Hebrews 6:15

November 24th - "Run From Sin"

"Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works."    Titus 2:14

Who did Christ give Himself for? Yes, Christ died for sinners, but more particularly He died for sinners turned saints. His aim is for sinners to not stay in their sin, but He gave Himself "that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works."  There is a fundamental problem when Christ followers try to live as close to sin as possible. Christ gave His very life so that His followers would be those purified from sin. He gave Himself for a bride that would be purified unto Himself. Don't try to see how close to sin you can live, but run from it. We are to be zealous in our pursuit of good works. Holiness is to be our aim. Holy living is not spoken of much these days, but it remains the reason why Christ was willing to give His very life. He will have a bride that is spotless and pure, bright white and ready when He returns. Certainly only be His grace can we attain this, but we can attain it. If you don't aim for it, you are certain not to hit it!

"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless."    Ephesians 5:25-27

November 23rd - "Sealed"

"Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, 'The Lord knows those who are His,' and 'Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness.'"    2 Timothy 2:19

 

Have you been stamped or sealed by God? The believer's official seal has this inscription engraved upon it, "Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness." Paul, the Apostle of Grace, the writer of this text, clearly states that those who are true followers of Christ have an undeniable aim or "seal," to abstain from wickedness. Those who say they know Him, yet deny Him by their deeds, have no such seal. This does not make believers perfect, but true believers now possess a new nature that says, "No" to sin." If you don't have this new nature you have not been truly born again. Jesus said many would claim to know Him yet be denied access to heaven because they don't obey Him. Look deep inside yourself today. Do you have a deep desire to abstain from wickedness? Or do attend church or do your religious duties only because you want to avoid an eternity in hell? Have you received a new nature that wants to please God? You cannot attain to this by your own works or self-effort but you must be born again. When God's grace save us, it becomes our teacher and teaches us to change the way we live.

 

"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age."    Titus 2:11-12

November 22nd - "Thanksgiving Week"

"And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful."    Colossians 3:15

"Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name."    Psalm 100:4

"I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving."    Psalm 69:30

"So we Your people and the sheep of Your pasture will give thanks to You forever; to all generations we will tell of Your praise."    Psalm 79:13

November is Thanksgiving month so let's fill all our months with thanksgiving and praise. Enjoy your family and friends and remember the One who makes it all possible.

November 21st - "Skilled in the Word"

"For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the Lord and to practice it, and to teach His statues and ordinances in Israel."    Ezra 7:10

Every generation needs more men like Ezra. He not only set his heart to study God's law, but he also set his heart to practice it. Ezra was intent on practicing what he preached. Ezra was God's man. Do you want that distinction? Do you want to be known as a man or woman of God? Ezra has given us the pattern to follow. Talk is cheap, but Ezra backed up his talk with his walk. Have you become "skilled" in the Word of God? We must know it, to live it. Ezra was a diligent student of God's law in a pagan environment. Our excuses won't work. We do what we want to do. Only those who pay the price reap the rewards. Where is the next Ezra?

"This Ezra went up from Babylon, and he was a scribe skilled in the law of Moses, which the Lord God had given; and the king granted him all he requested because the hand of the Lord his God was upon him."    Ezra 7:6