Samson's Demise - repost

The Philistine's sought to find Samson's strength, but their victory was assured when they exploited his weakness (Judges 16).

It's wonderful to recognize our strengths. But when we begin to think that we are invincible because of them, we enter dangerous territory unless we are wide-awake to our weaknesses.

After we are alert to them, we must then exercise self-control, pursuing righteousness through the Word, Godly counsel, and humble fellowship with our Father.

Lead with your strengths. Grow in them. Let the Lord and the Word mature you in these. He can use you mightily.

But don't neglect dealing with your weaknesses. Seek the Lord with a humble heart and close the door on the Philistines.

Boldness, Confidence, and Anointing

"...having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus..." (Hebrews 10:19).

"Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise..." (Hebrews 10:35-36).

The same Greek word, "parrhēsia", is translated into these two English words, "boldness" and "confidence".

This is one disadvantage with which we are left when reading the Bible in a translated language - which most of us must do!

When we link these two thoughts - Paul's encouragement to enter boldly and his counsel to retain confidence - we understand the power of our association with God.

When we can enter the Holiest boldly, we can walk in His will confident. Not in arrogance, but in awe.

Dr. TL Osborn once told me that what most of us call anointing in others is actually experience with and confidence in God. Once we have seen God do something, we recognize when He is about to do it again, and we help to facilitate the environment to produce the same result.

Our entering boldly helps to establish our affiliation (fellowship and experience) with Him. Our confident pursuit of His will positions us to receive the reward - the privilege of bringing Him glory.

Enter boldly and carry the confidence.

His Work, His Glory, Our Hands

What a privilege to be called into His service! It is still remarkable to me that God uses us for His purposes.

"Let Your work appear to Your servants,
And Your glory to their children.
And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us,
And establish the work of our hands for us;
Yes, establish the work of our hands." (Psalm 90:16-17)

We are truly, as Dr. TL Osborn says, "partners with God in BIG KINGDOM BUSINESS".

But we must remember that it is His work, His glory, and our hands.

In our empowerment culture it seems that we can, at times, ask Him to put His hands to our work, instead of the opposite - as if we are owed His participation in what we are working on.

It is His work - and we participate with our hands. Then He establishes the work as His for His glory.

What are you believing Him for right now? Whose work is it?

Defending One's Self - remix

Jerusalem was rife with drama as the Man (Whom many were proclaiming to be King) was brought before the authorities.

False accusations and lies were thrust at Him, "But Jesus kept silent." (Matthew 26:63).

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Defense of one's self, particularly in our culture, has become somewhat of a right. But the higher way is the way that Jesus showed us.

Much of the time our words are used to create, correct, or restore our own public image. It can be difficult to resist the temptation to defend, to explain, or to return a barb.

In our defense of self, our words, unless spoken from absolutely pure motive can only inflame.

In our silence, God will speak.

How much do we trust God? Will we let Him speak in the silence? Or will we fill it with our words? Jesus showed us the way:

^{1 Peter 2:20} "For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. ²¹ For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:
²² “ Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth; ²³ who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;"

Sometimes the accusation can even come through a believer. Paul, talking to those "who are loved by God and called to be saints" (Romans 1:7), said:

^{Romans 2:1} "You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. ²Now we know that God's judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. ³So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God's judgment? ⁴Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance?"

Understand that each of us is tragically capable of joining the accuser (Revelation 12:10) in passing judgment on someone else. Even under the most clear circumstances, this is a chancy habit. We're probably best-served by applying the accusation to ourselves to see if there is anything that can be found, first, in us.

Jesus, perfectly fit to "cast the first stone", didn't cast it.

The late Ed Cole, teacher and mentor to men, said, "Knowledge of God's Word is a bulwark against deception, temptation, accusation, even persecution. "

When accused or slandered, know what God says about you and believe it. In this way, He speaks in your silence. To you. And the voice of the accuser is silenced.

Occasionally, you might even find elements of truth in the accusation. The enemy, in his rush to condemn, can bring conviction that can lead to Godly repentance. "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). In quiet, allow the Holy Spirit to use the words to speak to your heart about what is true and to nullify what is false. The Holy Spirit is the Great Teacher and Counselor, and will lead you into truth (John 16:13).

What about what others think? God will take care of them. Remember Psalm 62:5-7,

"My soul, wait silently for God alone,
For my expectation is from Him.
He only is my rock and my salvation.
He is my defense;
I shall not be moved.
In God is my salvation and my glory;
The rock of my strength,
And my refuge, is in God."

Christ was accused that we might not be condemned; and if at any time we find ourselves in this same position, we should remember that we cannot expect to manage with our words what He managed with His silence.

Found in Translation - The Mind of Christ

"Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross" (Phillipians 2:3-8).

I was listening to a friend the other day who is fluent in several languages. He was talking about how he has trained himself to think in English, since that is the primary language with which he is surrounded. He has found himself struggling, however, with his native language - having a difficult time finding the right word or phrase because it just isn't as available as it used to be.

We - who have the mind of Christ - should be so lucky! What would it be like to forget our first-nature mind language and to only speak out of our Christ-mind?

When we speak out of the language of the mind of Christ, our lives speak the Kingdom language - LOVE, and He is found in the translation our lives speak.

Be a faithful translation, speak the truth in LOVE.

Found in Translation - Sons and Heirs

I've had opportunity to minister using interpreters in at least 7 different languages. There have been times where my words have been accurately translated and others where this hasn't been the case.

When what I have faithfully said is faithfully delivered, there is a marked difference in the response.

It is this way with our representation of Christ. People see Him in us. Hence, this week's topic: Found in Translation.

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"For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise"
(Galatians 3:26-29).

This amazing proclamation secures our place in Him.

We aren't His children by nature (Jesus is the only begotten) or by creation (as Adam, the angels, and all mankind) but by divine adoption. We are made legitimate in Him by His sovereign act of grace in accepting us in the Beloved (Ephesians 1:6)!

Because we are children of God we are heirs of God. And because we are spiritual children of Abraham we are heirs of the promise!

Represent Him as His son and heir to the promise. In this spiritual posture - recognizing His sovereign act of grace in us, not by our works - He can be found in us.

Be a faithful translation. Walk as His son and heir.

Found in Translation - Our Meat is His Will

I've had opportunity to minister using interpreters in at least 7 different languages. There have been times where my words have been accurately translated and others where this hasn't been the case.

When what I have faithfully said is faithfully delivered, there is a marked difference in the response.

It is this way with our representation of Christ. People see Him in us. Hence, this week's topic: Found in Translation.

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"For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;..." (Colossians 1:9-10).

To be a faithful translation of Him we must abandon the search for knowledge for the sake of knowledge and understand the call to seek His will.

Paul writes that we "...might be filled with the knowledge of His will..". There is no greater knowledge than to understand His will for us! Then, after this is secured, there must be a practical carrying-out of what we know as we "...walk worthy...". It isn't enough to know His will. We then must be willing to walk in it!

This produces fruitfulness in every good work and causes an increase in our knowledge of God.

Many seek greater and greater knowledge of Him. That is a good thing. But our walk is affected by our knowledge of His will. And the fruitfulness will bring a greater knowledge of Him as the manifestation of His will in our lives produces fruit that represents Him.

We have a common cry for "more meat", meaning we want more knowledge. But Jesus said, "My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work" (John 4:34).

Be a faithful translation by seeking the will of God and walking in it. Make your meat His will and work.

Found in Translation - Walking in Him

I've had opportunity to minister using interpreters in at least 7 different languages. There have been times where my words have been accurately translated and others where this hasn't been the case.

When what I have faithfully said is faithfully delivered, there is a marked difference in the response.

It is this way with our representation of Christ. People see Him in us. Hence, this week's topic: Found in Translation.

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"As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving" (Colossians 2:6-7).

The receiving of Christ is a heart matter. It is a complete reception of Christ as fully God and fully man. It is surrender to Him in all his offices, as Prophet, Priest, and King and the acknowledgment and entire acceptance as Savior and Redeemer.

We also receive all blessings of grace along with Him, from Him, and through Him; as a justifying righteousness, the remission of sins, our adoption as children, and as an inheritance among all them that are sanctified.

Paul's instruction to walk in Him in this same way means, not only an imitation of Him as He walked (in grace, love, patience, humility, meekness, and obedience) but by faith in Him - always looking to Him, leaning on Him, and receiving strength from Him, so that we CAN walk in Christ, under His influence, by His direction, and through His assistance.

We then have what we need in order to have what others need.

Be a faithful translation by walking fully in Him.

Found in Translation - Christ in you

I've had opportunity to minister using interpreters in at least 7 different languages. There have been times where my words have been accurately translated and others where this hasn't been the case. This has been clear to me as I observe the response of the people as they receive the translated words.

When what I have faithfully said is faithfully delivered, there is a marked difference in the response.

It is this way with our representation of Christ. People see Him in us. Hence, this week's topic: Found in Translation.

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"To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27).

This first chapter of Colossians speaks to the faith of God's people, the preeminence of Christ, His victorious reconciling death, and the sacrificial service of His followers - the church.

This particular verse in context, above, when translated properly through our living, shows Him not only as the omnipresent God, but as the Source of special grace. The phrase communicates the full range of a revelation of Him in us, of our possession of Him, and of His dwelling in us by His Spirit.

It is a representation of His grace, since by works we cannot attain His indwelling.

But, in an accurate translation of His glory, His works will be manifest in us.

He is being translated by you to a world that primarily speaks in works. Your works are not your salvation - only by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8) - but they may be the salvation of another as His grace is translated into love by your works.

Be a faithful translation.

Found in Translation - Ambassadors

I've had opportunity to minister using interpreters in at least 7 different languages, that I can think of. There have been times where my words have been accurately translated. And others where this hasn't been the case (one translator actually told the people that a minister I was referring to was a Buddhist!). This has been clear to me as I observe the response of the people as they receive the translated words.

When what I have faithfully said is faithfully delivered, there is a marked difference in the response.

It is this way with our representation of Christ. Hence, this week's topic: Found in Translation.

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"Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God." (2 Corinthians 5:20)

This potent verse, teeming with God's confidence in us, speaks to the power of His love and the depth of His grace. He pleads through us.

What Christ committed to Paul, He committed to us.

He writes, just 6 short verses before this, "...the love of Christ compels us...". This is the prerequisite to representing Christ as His ambassador (entire passage here).

If people are to find Christ, they will find Him through us. Our translation of His Spirit-life into a flesh-form, once again, is the greatest hope for the reconciliation of all.

Be a faithful translation of the Word. Be compelled by the love of Christ.