Hardman Truth – Page 13

NO DAYS OFF

No Days Off

My oldest son is a sports enthusiast, athletically talented and drawn to anything that resembles a ball. And in a family that has very little experience or interest in organized sports, he is proof that nurture may direct a child, but it is the Lord who formed him uniquely in the womb.

One of his recent interest has been the YouTube show “No Days Off,” a series of documentaries that highlights young athletes who are performing at levels above their peers. Raw talent may be exhibited in each to some degree, but it is their level of commitment to the sport and to their own fitness that is breathtaking. At twelve, ten, or eight years old, these kids are out practicing every single day, physically training their bodies to endure the rigors of the sport, and even enlisting personal trainers to teach them the finer details and keep their motivation elevated. And they take joy in every minute of their pursuit.

What a witness to other athletes to step up their commitment to their own athletic development and raise the level of their love for the sport.

Perhaps there is something here for the Christian.

I am reminded of Paul’s letter to the Corinthian church, where he likens the Christian to the athlete.

“Do you not know that all the runners in a stadium compete, but only one receives the prize? So run to win. Each competitor must exercise self-control in everything. They do it to receive a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one.”
-1Corinthians 9:24-25

And what is our prize? Is it to stretch our bodies to new heights, until age or injury eventually ruins what we have worked so hard to build? Is it merely self-exaltation, demonstrating to the public masses what we can personally achieve, immortalizing our lives into meaningless statistics? Or is it to fill a shelf with plastic trophies destined for the landfill?

Or is it something greater?

No, we seek a true treasure of priceless worth (Mat 13:44-46). Jesus Christ—in whom is eternal life (1Jo 5:11; Joh 6:47; Rom 6:23). Not simply long existence, but abundant life (Joh 10:10). For He is the substance of life (Joh 6:48), and knowing Him is life itself (Joh 17:3). He is so glorious a reward, that death is gain (Phi 1:21), and even the sufferings of this life are not fit to be compared (Rom 8:18) with eternity with Him.

But do our lives demonstrate this worth? Or are these young athletes putting our passion to shame?

Do we pursue holiness (Heb 12:14), devoting ourselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship (Act 2:42) so that we can obey all that Christ has commanded us—out of love for Him (Joh 14:15; 1Jo 5:3)? Do we glorify God, even in the most mundane rituals of life—whether eating or drinking (1Co 10:31), sitting in our house, or walking down the road (Deu 6:6-9)? Do we praise him continually (Act 2:46-47), for both the good and the bad (1Th 5:18), because we trust Him so much (Rom 8:28)? Do we so selflessly live that all our possessions are turned over to the Lord (Act 2:44-46)?

Because our pursuit is not just about our own future, but the future of others. We have been commanded to multiply and fill the earth (Gen 1:28), not with warm bodies, but obedient disciples (Mat 28:19-20). For that definition, we must hear the hard words of Christ which demand absolute surrender and radical allegiance to Him alone (Luke 14:25-33).

And we cannot multiply what we ourselves are not.

So let us consider His glory, and seek to become singular focused (Phi 3:13) on building something great (Mat 6:33)—both within ourselves (Phi 1:20), and in others (Phi 1:9-11). Through it all, loving God with our entire being (Deu 6:5), exalting Christ in both word and deed (Col 3:17), in order to lift Him high in exaltation (Psa 68:4) so that He will draw people to Himself (Joh 12:32) and add to our number daily (Act 2:47)—not lukewarm converts (Rev 3:16), but radical disciples given to a surrendered pursuit of Jesus Christ (Luk 9:24).

No days off!

Billy Neal

Consent

consent

Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. And John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?” But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him. — Matthew 3:13-15

Men, Jesus has come from Galilee to John the Baptist. Feeling inadequate, John tries to deter Jesus from being baptized by him. John expects that he should be baptized by Jesus. He knows that Jesus is the Lord in flesh and will soon baptize with the Holy Spirit. John relents when Jesus explains “it is right for us to fulfill all righteousness”.

Jesus was not going to be content to fulfill most of what we needed to see from Him. He wasn’t going to walk “most” of the steps of faith and leave the rest to interpretation. From the start, Jesus is intentional about fulfilling all the acts of righteousness. John knows He doesn’t need to be baptized to wash away any sin. Jesus is sinless. Jesus came to redeem from sin, but first He is committed in obedience to every basic step outlined in the Word.

Today we say we should baptize to identify with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. Rightly so, but do we also identify with His commitment to fulfill all righteousness? Jesus could have appeared in glory, demonstrated His full authority, lain down like a King upon the throne. But He chose to humble Himself. He chose selflessness. He chose to be among us in every way. Baptism is not the first example to follow from Jesus.

Move forward men, with humility as we walk among our brothers and sisters in humanity. Through Christ and by His examples, we too can engage in every act of righteousness. In fact, read it again. Jesus tells John “it is right for US to fulfill all righteousness. As agents of Christ we participate with Him. John consented to the request of Jesus. What is His Spirit asking of you? Have we even been listening? Through His Spirit, Jesus approaches us. Do we recognize Him, His voice, His compelling? As John did, recognize Him for who He is regardless of the form He comes in. Consent to His request of you with humility. All righteousness is in Him all the time within all His forms, flesh, Spirit and in Glory.

Uncommon

uncommon

And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way. — Mathew 2:11-12.

Men, when the Magi reached Jesus and had worshipped Him, they offered gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These are lavish gifts given to deities and royalty. But we only hear about it at “Christmas”. We understand gold and its economic importance, but what about the other two?

In the first century frankincense was used as fragrance in embalming rituals as well as medicine, and burning it acted as a mosquito repellent. Myrrh was used as an anointing oil, a healing balm, and an embalming oil ingredient. Both frankincense and myrrh are resins from specific trees that grow in selective regions. These gifts filled many needs.

The Magi received another dream, warning them not to return to Herod. They departed for their home another way. The Magi were noted for their ability to interpret dreams. But let’s not underestimate the value of a group of polytheistic astrologers bowing to the One True King and receiving a dream from God.

Nothing about this event is common. The Magi arrival, their worship, the gifts, and the dream all have deep significance and point to Jesus’s incomparable value and importance. He is every bit as valuable today. Have we recognized the signs in our life leading us to Him? Have we bowed and worshipped Him? Have we given Him any uncommon gift? The only uncommon gift He desires is what He has already asked for. To keep His commands, to love Him and love each other. It’s really that simple. With this simple pair of gestures all else is fulfilled.

Move forward men, with an uncommon faith, in an uncommon Lord God, with an uncommon love for Him and others, which He empowers us to do if we allow. He is who He said He is. Worthy is the King.

Vance Durrance

God With Us

Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: and knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name Jesus. — Matthew 1:22-25

Men, all this was done so that the prophecy would be fulfilled. Isaiah prophesied about the virgin birth of “Emanuel” in Isaiah 7. Another translation spells it “Immanuel”. Either way, it means “God with us”.

Joseph wakes from the dream, does as he was instructed, and married his wife but did not consummate the relationship until after the promised Son was born. They called His name Jesus. Earlier we recognized that Jesus’s legal lineage was secured through Joseph. In Luke’s account we learn that His blood line was secured through Mary.

There are more moving parts to the fulfillment of Jesus in prophecy than could ever be accounted for by a fraud. We’ll see more in following passages. There is no comparison anywhere else. Jesus is Joseph’s first born. Read Exodus 13:11-16 and consider, the redeemed first-born Son of God, Mary and Joseph would also be our redeemer.

Think about “God with us”. Not above us, but with us. Not somewhere distant in the clouds, but with us. Earlier we mentioned from vs1-17 that Jesus marked a new era. No longer would there be a separation by the curtain. Later in Acts, the Holy Spirit is sent to indwell us. We will never be alone. The complexity of God’s love for us secures it. From His physical presence in the 1st century, to His indwelling Spirit in this life, to His immediate glorified presence in the next chapter, we are never alone who call on His name as Savior.

There is an entire study which could be done on all the ways the adversary tried to stop the Lord’s redemptive plan from taking shape through history all the way back to the garden. Nevertheless, Jesus is born as prescribed.

Move forward men, with the accompaniment of the Lord our God. Fearful, alone, insufficient? Why? God is with us. As we walk with Him, darkness flees, and bows to the light. Victory is secure in His steps. Without fully comprehending all the variables, Joseph knew the dream was true and did as instructed.

Vance Durrance

Do Not Fall

Do not fall

You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen. — 2 Peter 3:17-18, NKJV

Men, Peter had started chapter 3 in vs1 stating the importance of reminding the people of the prophets’ words and the commandments in a world of false teachers. Peter ends telling his readers to beware, that they do not fall from their steadfastness. He tells them to be on guard that they do not get led astray by these false teachers and deceivers. He goes on to say, don’t lose your grasp on the truth but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Again, from Ch. 1, as we grow in grace and virtue, we are to add knowledge, self-control, perseverance, Godliness, brotherly kindness, and love. With these qualities we can stand together against the schemes of the enemy and of false teachers as we wait on our patient and loving Lord’s return.

It’s easy in our time to get led astray. We have our many distractions. Some good and others which aren’t bad on their own. We have false teachers everywhere. Truth is considered relative, facts are tools of manipulation. We are a confused and divided people and it’s getting worse. Peter would also tell us to remain steadfast. To grow in knowledge and so on. Take care to understand what you say you believe. Don’t be swept away by the changing winds of culture. Be rooted in the rock of His Word instead of sand. Take care what you worship. If your day revolves around sports scores and touchdowns, you may have a false worship problem. If your job takes top priority for you daily focus, you may need a reorientation into The Lord. Whose are you?

Move forward men, identifying the tools the enemy uses to distract us from His will for our lives. If youth travel ball is taking away family time in the Word, rethink it. If your job won’t allow time to be husband, Dad, priest of your home, down size. The Lord is our God and nothing else. Beware of false teachers and false worship. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.

Vance Durrance

Scoffers, Beware!

Beware

By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. ⁷By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. — 2 Peter 3:6-7 NIV

Men, Peter mentions those who deny the Lord, our God, as Creator. Those people who scoff at believers as superstitious or too unlearned to adhere to the theories of science. Peter says they deliberately forget that by the Word of God, heaven existed, and earth was formed out of water which He created. By the same Word of God this present heaven and earth are being preserved for judgment by fire, for the destruction of the ungodly.

Those that scoff at the things of God, our Father, have put themselves on a path to certain destruction. A person can deny that the Lord is our Creator and Sustaining Power for only so long. Some deny that the world is round, but the world is round nonetheless.

There is an end coming. This end will be met with fire, like a cosmic control burn, purging His creation of weeds and undergrowth. Those who continue to deny Him will be consumed. Sometimes it is hard to be on the receiving side of scoffers, but in the end, which will come, we who endure with faithfulness, resting in His name, will escape His wrath in mercy.

Move forward men, praying for the scoffers of this age. They willfully deny the Lord our God, dangerously playing chicken with a timeline that only the Father in heaven is aware of. In their arrogance and disdain for the Lord they adhere to unprovable and improbable theories. The truth is not in them, and they are blind to their condition. It will be a sad and horrifying day for them in the end.

Pray brothers, that the light of heaven penetrates the darkness of their hearts. Endure the trials this age doles out to us. The Lord is patient and merciful. He rewards our suffering and hears our prayers.

Vance Durrance

Deception

And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber. — 2 Peter 2:2-3

Men, in Peter’s, and in our own, time, we are warned of false teachers. Peter goes on to say, many will follow them and their destructive lifestyle. By them, the way of Truth will be slandered. Their greed will exploit with destructive words. But God in heaven sees, and their destruction is not sitting idle or asleep. In the past few decades we have seen all manner of false teachers. What starts as subtle deception turns into a cult. Many cult leaders draw in followers to exploit a sense of power and authority, some for sexual deviance, some for money. We have seen mass rape, suicide, and downright strange practices from these cults.

It’s still happening. Many of today’s pastors prop themselves up as “king and queen” of the church on the corner and expect accolades from their followers, or at least that they be “in line” with their wishes, which often stray from Scripture. Galatians 6 says “…be not deceived, God is not mocked…” A just reward will come to those who sow seeds of evil among the Father’s sons and daughters. Still, we are told to beware and watchful.

We live in a time where we don’t pick up our Bibles for ourselves, nor do we even carry them to church. How then will we know if we are deceived? Will we listen to the Spirit? Which one? Our own spirit can deceive us, the spirit of the enemy can deceive us. We must be diligent about searching out His truth and hearing His voice through our own noise.

Move forward men, watchful that we are not swept away by the schemes of the enemy. If you are more passionate about your favorite sports team, or paycheck than you are about meeting with the Father, you sir, are already far swept down stream in a raging river.

Vance Durrance

Building Blocks

building-blocks

But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, — 2 Peter 1: 5-6, NKJV

To virtue (“excellent goodness”) and knowledge, add to your faith self-control, perseverance and Godliness. The world is not stacking these building blocks or asking us too. But God, knowing our condition has put it on Peter’s heart to list these.

Read the lyrics of today’s secular music. There is no restraint on passions and lusts today. Our most violent, vile and perverse desires are now normalized. Rape, murder and deceit are glorified. Perseverance likewise is in short supply. Kids aren’t leaving the nest, and grandparents are raising the children of carelessness.

Life is just too hard. The working few are taxed to death to provide social programs for too many who can’t muster through a daily challenge or normal expectations. What was once a natural validation process is now forfeited for ease and indifference. We miss countless blessing, and don’t see victories because we quit too early in the fight. We are called to push through challenges, knowing our God knows, observes, and is glorified by our willingness to continue in what we know is true and right.

There is a form of godliness today, but it’s not of Him, and won’t be unless we commit to shining a true light. Charisma is not a substitute for real Holy Spirit influence. We cannot continue hiding our light under a basket and wonder why the world is burning to the ground. Self-control, perseverance and Godliness. We must move forward men, surrendering evil passions, or finding Biblical outlets for them through prayer and His Word.

Control your emotions by viewing your circumstances through Jesus’s eyes. Stop making decisions in fear when His victories aren’t handed to you gently on a pillow of goodness. Press on to the prize He stores for you and be Holy for He is Holy.

Vance Durrance

Gifted to Serve

gifted to serve

As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. — 1 Peter 4:10 NKJV

We each have been given giftings by the Holy Spirit. Certain tasks are made easy for us that are difficult for others. Furthermore, within that gifting we also have a passion for it. Paul made lists of giftings in his writings elsewhere, but here Peter tells us that we should use those gifts to minister to each other as faithful stewards of God’s grace showcased in various forms.

In church today, serving comes with a signup sheet and is often limited to setting up tables and chairs. In Peter’s time, everyone in a community was dependent upon the others for survival. Every gift was valued and necessary for growth and development individually and for the whole. Churches today often try to legislate and administrate the gifts into a singular focus. We use curriculum for teaching, organized greeters, even the color schemes are calculated.

In Peter’s age, many Christians lived as refugees. Education came from someone in the community sharing their gift of teaching. Needs were met by sharing in giving and hospitality. The Word was heard from those with the gift of preaching and so on.

What are your gifts and are you using them in the Kingdom’s service? We have become a generation of takers. We attend church and other functions with getting something out of it in mind. What if we dove head first into kingdom work with an emphasis on delivering and giving in to a ministry instead of getting something out? What if we put giftings on display instead of administrative processes?

Move forward men, ministering to the needs of others where the Holy Spirit has equipped you specially to do so. Dive in. Be a player instead of a spectator. Our good service will be a blessing to others, and our Father is likely to bless us in return for our obedience and stewardship.

Vance Durrance

Hospitality

Front Porch

Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. — 1 Peter 4:9 NKJV

In this time context, many Christians moved about often. Some as refugees, and others as ministers. As they traveled, they would be met with the hospitality of a brother and sister in Christ. To greet a traveler in the faith and welcome them into your home was considered an honor. Repeat… it was an honor to invite travelers into your own home as guests. It was a privilege to be able to meet their needs. Peter says in v.9 to offer hospitality without grumbling. Then, as now, not everyone in the household would always share the same enthusiasm for accommodating guests.

Ministering to the needs of others costs. But, love for one another is never cheap when it is sincere unto the Lord. Today grumbling is common. Even a casual “good morning” often turns into a competition for whose life and ailments are harder.

Where is your own heart in regard to grumblings and hospitality? Is your home open and inviting, or a stopgap against an encroaching world? Are guests at ease, or afraid to make their presence known? Is it a cold showpiece of your wealth and position, or a warm haven for anyone in need of rest or rescue? Move forward men, creating an environment around us of humility, gentleness and invitation that suggests “come and see what the Lord has provided”.

Bring back the front porch, and freedom to approach it and let’s remove the “no trespassing” signs stamped on our hearts. Are we kings of our castles, with walls and defenses on display, or sons of the Kingdom pointing to “the Way”?

Vance Durrance