The blessings

Friends,

What the LORD has given to you, is yours.
What the LORD has not given to you, is not.

This seems so simple, so basic. Yet, we know that ignoring this fundamental principle has resulted in so much pain, so much destruction and so much strife. So let us be reminded:

Exodus 20:17 [NKJV]
You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.

To covet is to to desire wrongfully, inordinately, or without due regard for the rights of others. Notice that desire, in and of itself, is not a sin. But when desire is unrestrained by the acknowledge that we have no right to the object of our desire, it is clearly forbidden.

Has the LORD called another to a ministry you had your set upon?
Has God blessed another with wealth while you toil for what seems like a pittance?
Has your neighbor found the godly husband you have been dreaming of and praying for?

Do not covet these things. Recognize the blessing you have.

Be encouraged, Jose

Obedience is the only response

Friends,

The commandments of God are clear and unambiguous. Man is forever seeking a way to negotiate them, interpret them, and weaken them. But they are the word of God, and they shall stand forever. When faced with this unrelenting fact, the only logical response to obey:

Exodus 19:7-8
So Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before them all these words which the LORD commanded him. Then all the people answered together and said, “All that the LORD has spoken we will do.” So Moses brought back the words of the people to the LORD. [NKJV]

The Israelite people were no different than you and I. They were rebellious, argumentative and inconsistent. And yet, when confronted with the obvious truth of God's power and authority, they humbled themselves and declared their intent to obey.

Everyday, brothers and sisters, we are faced with the truth of Almighty God's power and just authority. Rebellion does not change that. Arguments, negotiations and interpretations do not change that. There is but one response.

Let us humble ourselves and obey the LORD.

Be encouraged, Jose

What is rightfully theirs

Friends,

We live in a world that uses envy to manipulate our desires. Politicians stoke the fires of class envy to breed resentment and anger. Advertisers incite jealousy to push products that we don't really need. And the fall of man was a direct result of one man's uncontrolled desire to usurp God's authority to himself.

Exodus 20:17 [NKJV]
You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor's.

Our Lord is a kind and generous Father. He never begrudges His children anything that is good for us. He loves to give and give and give. So much so that He sent Christ to satisfy His justice, so that He could give eternal life to you and to me.

There are things, however, that are not ours to have. When we pursue those kinds of things, we are making a conscious choice to become our own god, to determine for ourselves what is good for us. When we see it in those terms, it seems so obvious that this is really, really bad idea.

The challenge today, then, is to see covetousness in its truthful light. To see it as the horrible sin that it truly is. To turn away from that sin and to accept and be content with what our loving God and Father provides for us.

Be encouraged, Jose

Do they know they are saying?

Friends,

Like many of you, I was transfixed by the image of a large jet airplane partially submerged in the Hudson River. The news coverage that followed included the predictably breathless reports from on-the-scene correspondents proclaiming that it was a "miracle" anyone survived, let alone the fact that everyone on board made it out safely.

Fair enough.
I never paid any attention to the pre-flight announcements because I figured that, if the plane did crash, there wouldn't be any opportunity to find the nearest exit before taking my last breath. So, okay. Call it whatever you want.

But then we hear passengers and pundits saying, "Thank God!" Certainly, it's appropriate to thank Almighty God. But how sincere is that expression of gratitude?

You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.
Exodus 20:7 [NKJV]

We'll go deep into the meaning of that verse in an upcoming podcast (subscribe by clicking the link below), but one of the more obvious meanings of the command is to forbid anyone from trivializing the word, "God." When a non-believer says, "Thank God!" what - exactly - do they mean? If they are a non-believer, who are they thanking? Or is it just an expression?

I suspect that their exclamation of gratitude is devoid of much thought... which makes it empty. In short, it is a vain use of God's holy name.

Let's be mindful of how we use that expression. It's probable that we have sinned that same sin. But we don't have to continue doing so. We can say, "Thank God!" And really mean it! When we do that, we take a small, important step towards true holiness.

Be encouraged, Jose

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Misplaced worship

Friends,

Dynamic speakers and charismatic leaders have a way of capturing our attention. The Lord raises someone up to be the focal point of an exciting event, and the people respond by placing great importance on their words and deeds. Rarely is this attention truly warranted, for what has happened is that the people have forgotten the first half of the previous sentence: "The Lord raises someone up..."

The ancient Israelites had this same habit, proving that mankind really hasn't changed much over the course of history. After 400 years of slavery, the Lord raised up an old sheep-herder to lead His people to freedom. After witnessing one supernatural wonder after another, the people came to reverence and respect Moses instead of the One who truly accomplished those feats.

Acts 7:39b-40
And in their hearts they turned back to Egypt, saying to Aaron, 'Make us gods to go before us; as for this Moses who brought us out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.' (NKJV)

The people made a conscience decision to believe that Moses was the one with miraculous power. As a consequence, they could not accept that the LORD had not left them, nor could they accept that it was the LORD who had brought about their victory over Egypt.

We know the rest of the story... that the Israelites fashioned a golden calf, started a "worship service" - complete with drinking and lasciviousness - and subsequently experienced a little taste of Almighty God's righteous wrath.

For our part, we're quite confident that such a thing could never happen in our Christian walk. But should we be? How often do we make a special effort to please or impress the pastor? How many of us take great pride in being friends or family with the preacher? Why do we get such satisfaction and gratification over our association with one who simply more well-known than a brother or sister that is sitting right beside us?

Remember, dear friends, that Christ did not tell us that whatsoever you do the greatest of these... He told us to focus our attention on the least of our brethren. To focus on a man's greatness or position is to worship the man. Instead, we must worship the One who created the man and who lifted that man to his current place... the One who saved that sinner.

Be encouraged, Jose

Hidden covetousness

Friends,

Exodus 20:17
You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor's.
NKJV, emphasis added

When we desire that which is not rightfully ours, we are sinning. It is as simple as that. The object of our covetousness can be surprising, though. Here are some examples of coveting to help you examine your heart today...
The preacher who is frustrated because he also wants to be the lead singer
The wife who fantasizes about being freed from the obligations of marriage
The young person who wishes they were older
The old man who wishes he was younger

How are these examples of covetousness? Because each person is demonstrating - through their desires and dreams - a discontent with the portion our Lord has provided. It is not our place to be old before our time, for the old have their ministry and the young must not desire to take it from them. Likewise, it is not our place to be young forever, for the young are to play their part in the Kingdom plan as well.

The opposite of covetousness is contentment. And when we are content with what God has provided, and with where God has placed us, we can find peace and satisfaction. Christ has done the hard work of redemption and has given us the most sought after privilege. Rejoice in the salvation that He has granted.

Be encouraged, Jose