RECIPROCITY - PART 1 - Connected to each other in Christ

Blessings to you who are chosen of the Lord!

  I am believing this post finds you close to the heart of our Lord, wrapped in His unconditional love.

  I awoke the other day with a word the Lord placed before me. I had shared with you in an earlier post "Nons Fe Donia.", that the Holy Spirit will do this from time to time, in order to guide me toward something the Lord wants me to search out, or look into. There is always a reason the Lord has for this. To teach, instruct and illuminate something in particular. Something He'd like to bring to my attention to meditate on, and allow Him to reveal His desire and intention.

  Again, it must always be aligned with His Word (The Bible). It will become revealed truth to us. But, it will always have its foundation in His Word, with Scripture to back it up.

  So, let me encourage you to allow the Lord to speak to you this way as well. If you suddenly find a word, or phrase, that is brought to mind, it may be the Lord attempting to get your attention to look into a matter. This is one of the ways the Lord will communicate with us. What a working relationship we have with our God! It's wonderful! The Holy Spirit directs us from the heart of God, in Christ.

"I am the vine and you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing."  John 15:5 (BSB)

  I'd like us to look at the definition of the title word of today's post. Taken from the Merriam-Webster dictionary. This is the word the Lord had brought to my mind. We will be breaking down this definition and find the Lords thoughts with accompanying Scripture. This will lead us to the Lords intention for us. Let's begin our journey.

RECIPROCITY - 1. the quality or state of being reciprocal: mutual dependence, action or influence. 2. a mutual exchange of privileges; specifically : a recognition by one of two countries or institutions of the validity of licenses or privileges granted by the other.

Let's look in the Book of Titus in the New Testament.

"For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior; That being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that you affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men."  
Titus 3:3-8 (AKJV)

  If we look at verse 7, in bold print, we will see the license or privilege, that has been granted to us. As stated in the above definition of reciprocity #2. We see that Paul, who wrote the Book of Titus, use the word justified. Another translation words it this way:

"As a result, God in His kindness has given us His approval and we have become heirs who have the confidence that we have everlasting life."  Titus 3:7  (Gods word translation (R))

Justify - to qualify; to prove or show to be just, right or reasonable. To show to have had a legal reason.

"For as many are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For you have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but you have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint- heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also gloried together."  Romans 8:14-17 (AKJV)

Heir - 1. one who receives or is entitled to receive property from an ancestor: 2. one who inherits or is entitled to succeed to a hereditary rank, title, or office.

  I would like us to make a note at this point. Look back at the above verse and read again. "and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ;" 

  Isn't that amazing? We have not only been made heirs of God, but we are joint-heirs with Christ! Can we see here that God is no respecter of persons. He loves us enough to give to us what He gave to His only begotten Son!

"For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly."  Psalm 84:11 (KJV)

 With Christ as our example, let's read Philippians 2:5-7.

"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:"  Philippians 2:5-7 (KJV)

  Christ not only being the Son of God, but also being equal with God, did not take occasion to boast or brag about just who He was while here among us in physical form. Being made heirs ourselves by faith in Jesus Christ, and His example, we can learn how to carry out our daily lives.

  Remember, we are the branches and He is the vine. We can not do anything in and of ourselves, except we remain in Him. Then we will have good success and bear much fruit to Gods glory.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."  Galatians 5:22-23 (KJV)

"May the God of all peace continue to keep your hearts and minds stayed on Him."


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We will continue our study in Reciprocity - Part 2

WHY TRUST GOD IN THIS DAY AND AGE - MY TESTIMONY

Blessings to you in the matchless name of Jesus!

   With all that we see going on in the world around us, we must stop and ask ourselves, "Who can I trust? Where can my family and I go to be safe?" These questions may only be the tip of the iceberg. But, I think you get the idea. It is very difficult to raise a family with some type of morals in a society that has muddied a moral standard. When we choose to not have any kind of standard to live by ie... civil laws. Then we in turn actually jeopardize the safety and well-being ourselves and others. Just to be clear, I do not agree with a dictatorship of any sort. But, a democracy in which people come together and have a meeting of the minds, and establish, (with liberty as the fruit for well being), what is best for the whole. We do not see very much of this today. Our freedoms are being sacrificed to a culture that has no regard for their own families, let alone their neighbors. Where do we turn?

   Religion has had an impact and role since the very beginning of recorded history. In every society, in every corner of our world, people for generations have practiced some form of religion. Even today we can take notice of different cultures emerging with different methodologies, philosophies and religious practices. Because the world system itself can not fill this void or answer these questions. I suppose in some way or another, it is a quest to find "The Answer." The question being: "Why are we here?" Religion will give you practices and guidelines. It may lend some comfort for a season. However, if it is just mechanical practices in a man made culture and there are no moral standards you have to answer for, there is no accountability to someone as well as others for your behavior, and your heart is not involved and changed. Then at the end of the day you come up empty again and your religion has not served you well.

   In 1985, I thought I had life wrapped around my finger. I was in control of my destiny. No one was going to stop me from doing whatever I was thinking I would do. The truth is, I was running after something, working two full time jobs and on top of the world, so I thought. When in reality I was doing nothing less then chasing my own tail around, getting in my own way! Until, one night while watching T.V. I came across a preacher. I listened for a while and what he was talking about made sense. It's true, we all need somebody. But more than just anybody, we need someone who knows our thoughts and plans, our pains and griefs, our heart of hearts without question, and still loves us in spite of ourselves.

   I grew up with a religious background. However, religion made it easy for me to do whatever I wanted, with little accountability and demand for a heart change and growth in my personal life. I was still lost! The road I found myself traveling down, just wasn't a good one at all. I quit school and ran away from home at Fifteen years old. I came back home and was out of the house for good at seventeen years old. I experimented with drugs, alcohol and gambling. I was just trouble waiting to happen. Finally, by the age of twenty-one my life began to settle down a little. At that time, I had stopped doing drugs, drinking and gambling. However, I still had a chip on my shoulder and a rebel inside.

   At this time, two guys at work approached me and asked if I believed in Jesus Christ. I said: "Of course I do."  My religious background was in the christian faith.They gave me a New Testament Bible and asked if I had one. I told them no. I had never read the Bible. They then instructed me to begin to read the Bible and if I had any questions just ask. I said, fair enough. Even though I had thought that I was't good enough for God to glance my way. I knew my short comings and sins. I felt after I cleaned my act up, then I would be good enough for God. Shortly after this I had been transferred to a different department in the company. Once there, I met another christian brother, who was also being transferred to the same department.

   After orientation we received our new units we had to report to. I reported to mine, and lo and behold, I met another christian gentleman. He was to train me in my new job. Shortly thereafter, he shared what had taken place in his life about seven months before I arrived. He told me he had been an alcoholic, a heavy gambler and that he would practice cheating on his wife often with other women. But, he had given his life to the Lord and everything had changed. He said the desire for drinking, gambling and other women had been taken away. His marriage had been restored and Jesus had forgiven him and gave his life back to him in a beautiful way.

   I remember this gentleman would always sing songs to the Lord while he worked. I took notice of the peace he had. He was humble and would walk away from rude behavior and coarse jesting. He didn't buckle under peer pressure by his co-workers. One day while at work the other workers told me that he had really changed for the better. He wasn't the same. I could tell that they really respected him. Although they would tease him from time to time regarding his new life in Christ. He'd just shake his head and walk away with an affectionate smile and pray for them. He loved those guys. He was very instrumental in my walk with the Lord.

   It isn't hard to see that the Lord was kinda making sure that where ever life was taking me (I know He was orchestrating the whole thing!), the road would lead to Him. As my Christian co-workers reached out to me, I began to see "That I didn't have to wait and clean myself up for God." It was impossible for me to do that anyway. Only Christ can do that. He is the only one able. In Psalm 46:1 It says that: "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble."  I figured I wasn't doing a really good job of this thing called life on my own. I had nothing to loose and all to gain. Besides it was Gods' reputation on the line, not mine. He is the promise maker and keeper. I just had to trust Him and watch what He would do in and through my life, like He said He would in His word, the Bible. I did ask the Lord into my heart and gave my life to Him. I knew with other believers around me they would help me understand what the Lords will was for my life through His word. Like our Brother in Christ earlier, I began to have that same peace in my life as well. I also had more joy and hope, which previously had not been there.

   Again, it was no coincidence how the Lord was moving situations and people around in my life, in order to get my attention and move me closer to Him. I will tell you that I have never for one moment ever regretted the decision I made that night to follow Him. He is Beautiful, Full of Grace,Wonderful, Patient, Faithful, Trust Worthy, All Powerful, Magnificent, Full of Wisdom, Gracious and Merciful, Kind and Deliberate with His Love. He is a Friend that sticketh closer than a brother, Protector, Mighty, Awesome and He is Father.

   May I say at this point that, while religion may have its roots in some belief system that may make you feel good, sooner or later the feeling, because it is limited by human emotion which always changes, falters, and is not constant, will leave you empty once again. Because we are left with ourselves, knowing our own weaknesses and faults. We will let ourselves down. It's inevitable.

   However, if we put our trust in a Living God who has created and fashioned us. We would soon realize that, if He sees our ugly weaknesses and yet, it does not deter Him from loving us. We will begin to find that we are truly loved. And this love will bring us joy that is beyond our human nature, and with this joy that the Lord gives, brings eternal hope with it.  What more can we ask for?  Can you use a little in your life?  Have you reached the end of yourself yet? When we reach the end of ourselves and human ambitions we find our Lord.  He knew us before we were even a thought. He even knew us before we were in our mothers womb! It is not about religion. It is all about a personal relationship. I say personal, because there is not a one of us that is identical with life choices and experiences. We are all individual and called by His name for a particular purpose in Christ.

Psalm 139:13-14 "For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mothers womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well."  (NKJV)

   A personal relationship with the One Who has called you by name. He is our safe haven. Though the world around us may change and things may seem to get scary at times. We can trust in God, The One Who holds the world in His hands. He is the God that never changes. He is always the same yesterday, today and forever. Hebrews 13:8. He is our God and Creator. He knows us more than we know ourselves. He IS worthy of our trust.

Isaiah 43:1 But now, thus says the Lord, your Creator, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel, "Do Not fear, for I have redeemed you: I have called you by name; you are Mine!"  (NASV)

   I do not believe in luck or chances. I serve a God of purpose. So, I will say, that it is not by chance that you have read a little of my story. I believe the Lord is seeking you out as He sought me out. Isn't it wonderful to think that you are just that important to God Almighty? That He would actually go through any trouble at all just to find you!

   If your heart is stirred by His presence and you sense He is drawing you closer to Him, then answer that call and say "Here I am Lord Jesus come into my life and lead me in Your ways. Forgive me for trying to do things my way. I give my heart to You. Thank you Lord for Your faithfulness to me."

Welcome to the family of God! I would like to pray for you as well.

Father God, I thank you for these that have given their lives to You this day. You have drawn them by Your Holy Spirit to do so. I thank You Lord that their hearts are softened to receive all that You have for them. Keep them safe by Your power and might. Guide them by Your Holy Spirit to a church of believers that will help them in their walk with You, as You did for me. Provide all they need this day. Cloth them with Your heavenly presence Father and fill their hearts with Your peace and joy. I thank you for lifting burdens and cares that have seemed to overwhelm them. I pray for those that have difficulties sleeping at night and pray for Your perfect peace to fill them and bind every fear that would try to steal from them in Jesus' name. Help them to give those things into Your hands where they can be better taken care of. Holy Spirit of my God, I thank you for building such a trust and bond in their lives with the Lord God, that every voice that would rise up and try to cause doubt, would be shut up and put to shame. I thank you for healing and restoring those that need a healing touch in their physical bodies this day. Father, I thank you that You are concerned with what concerns us. We mean that much to you. We love You Lord. In the amazing name of Jesus!

May His grace abound more and more toward you and yours. Blessings in Christ Jesus!

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