Bert's Good Stuff

"Dead" never means annihilated, its "separation." Rom 11.6 says we are to count on the fact that we are 'dead' to sin, and in the same sentence, "alive to God." What does that mean? Do you believe both statements? The essence of the Christian life is revealed here! I have discovered that most of us have very little insight into this bedrock of our relationship to God.

It means that in Christ, we have ended our relationship with sin and death, sin is no longer our nature, even though sin still lives in us. Instead we are alive with the life of Christ. "Christ is our life." We have a new nature. The "real" you is dead to sin, and alive to God. That is way more than a doctrinal statement. It is fact. The reason you can count on it as absolute truth...is that God said so! It is God's word, and not our 'experience' that verifies it. We don't have to 'feel' it; just trust what God says, and go.

It might be helpful to think of an 18 wheel long-haul truck that needs 5 axles. Two of them we just discussed-1. dead to sin, -2. alive to God. For the other three, you might visualize 3. trust, 4. obedience, and 5. humility. We certainly need all five all the time in order to accomplish the work God has given us to do. I like to think of the front axle as obedience, and the load bearing axles as dead to sin, alive to God, trust and humility. If one is missing or not functioning (or has flat tires), its going to be tough sledding.

There is an excellent review in Ruth Myers book 31 DAYS OF PRAISE, [Multnomah 1994) page 128 to 138. And you might want to air up the tires on the 'humility axle' by (re)reading Andrew Murray's book HUMILITY . [Pocket Companion,, Christian Literature Crusade, 1991    Do it this week!

bh January 19, 2008

Web: www.bertsgoodstuff.com
Bonus: Recommend-- Hal Lindsay's message this week. http://hallindsey.org/ (Jan 11)

Every verse in the longest Psalm (119) has to do with the Word of God. This week I noticed the recurring theme of "delight" over and over the Psalmist says, "I delight in your commandments; your statues are my delight; I delight in your decrees; I rejoice in following your statutes; Oh, how I love your law; how sweet are your words to my taste; your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path; your law is my delight" --- And many others!

Its Christmas time. What causes us to "delight?" Is it in 'getting' ---  or 'giving'?? Do we get our 'delights' from God's Word?-which means that really we don't need anything else in this world in order to be full of joy, meaning and pleasure...irrespective of circumstances. There is an awful lot of focus on non-delight items in our society.

    Happiness depends on circumstances, but joy and delight do not! Interesting!

Here is one more delightful thought that has my attention right now: Jesus said two of the most important statements in the Bible (in my HBAO) at the end of Matthew:

        1. Go and make disciples of all nations. [Are we?]

        2. Surely I am with you always..... (That makes #1 realistic, & possible.)

When I stop and think about it, #2 is not only utterly incredible, but makes the whole Bible come alive.
Jesus is not only ALIVE...He is always HERE.

        Nothing could make us more full of delight!!

bh December 22, 2007
Web: www.bertsgoodstuff.com

LUKEWARM

What comes up on your screen when you hear the word "lukewarm?" God uses that word in Revelation 3.16 about the church at Laoicea. It is not good! "I will spit you out of my mouth" He says. He calls them hypocrites, wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. Yikes! What do you make of those strong words!?

So what's wrong with lukewarm? How about lukewarm coffee, tea, soup, coke, ice cream, bananas, or...people? Blah, no excitement or passion, never a clear "yes" or "no"...just "maybe" or "whatever." Ugh. No driving purpose, or vision, just drifting along like debris in the river, routine, sameness, unexciting, predictable, not with it. How does that grab you? "Ptui!" says God!!

There is no lukewarmness or darkness with God...and there certainly should not be any in a person who is indwelt by the Holy Spirit, loved and protected by God Himself, and given everything needed for life and godliness! If I am lukewarm, it is definitely not the work of the Holy Spirit, but reveals a colossal lack of reality on my part! Its an extension of the incredible ignorance of Ananias and Saphira who actually thought they could tell God a big fat lie, and get away with it. What did they have to believe about God to do such a thing? Likewise, what do we have to believe to maintain lukewarmness? It makes no sense at all.

What to do? Ah...good news: all we ever need to do is to turn to God, repent of our stupidity and faithlessness, and ask Him to control us by His Spirit, by faith expect Him to do that, and then do what He says! Simple. We can do that today!
bh December 8, 2007

Web www.bertsgoodstuff.com

"She did what she could...." Jesus made that amazing comment in Mark 14.3 about a woman who went to Simon's home and poured a very expensive jar of perfume on Jesus' head. "Some were indignant at this waste." Jesus said, "Leave her alone..she has done a beautiful thing to me...she poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial..."

That comment has haunted me for years! In it, Jesus reveals what matters to God! Its not what we would expect, and its not what He would say about most of us. In fact, we rarely think about His opinion of us, do we? But some day soon, Jesus is going to make a comment about each of us. What would it be worth then, do you think, for Him to say of you..."he/she did the best he/she could."

There is another comment that hovers in my memory sometimes...the one where Jesus said "It would be better for him if he had not been born." That is in the same chapter in Mark (14) and verse 21. It referred to Judas, who was to soon betray Him. The contrast is nearly beyond belief.

    I suggest that there are eternal ramifications here, that are worth serious thought.

bh December 16, 2007

Web: www.bertsgoodstuff.com
Blog: http://blog.bertsgoodstuff.com

GIVE WHAT YOU HAVE.

In Acts 3.6 Peter said to the crippled beggar, who was 40 years old, "I don't have any money. But what I have. I give..." I've been thinking about that remarkable profundity this week. The question is, since I don't have money or a great deal of skill or talent, what do I have to give? Plenty! And so does every believer in Jesus Christ.

When I read about the incredibly bad news around the world I often ask myself, "what can I do about that?" [Shrug] I think there is an answer --- I can do what God gives me to do and "give what I have."

All believers have the Gospel, the truth, the Word of God,  the knowledge that Jesus is alive and approachable, that He really loves us and desires us to know Him personally. That and much more is "what we have" and we can choose to take the opportunity every day to give it to others. Is that not an interesting thought? What a tremendous thing at Christmas time - to give what we have. Everybody can do that

Charles Swindoll has a great Christmas time suggestion: instead of going to multiple parties, family gatherings and events, why not stay home for at least part of the Christmas season, and enjoy each other by talking, singing together, telling stories, and just being together. How about turning the television off and banning cell phones! That might even cause everyone to relax and enjoy each other and to be thankful and to "be still and know that God is really God." Wouldn't that be a delightful pleasure?

It won't just happen. You'll have to plan it.
    bh December 1st, 2007
    Web: www.bertsgoodstuff.com

.

In Luke 24.25 on the road to Emmaus, Jesus said "How foolish you are, and how slow to believe....." and He explained a lot of things to them. In Phil 3.1 Paul said "It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again...." There is a principle here: "Repetition Aids Learning." That is why the Bible repeats the same truths over and over again, and why Romans 12.2 says "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." All of us need 'renewing', we all need to hear truth again, and again, and again We are 'slow to believe.'

We need to 'pray continuously,' and we need to 'correctly handle the word of truth.' God wants us to think like Jesus, to be like Jesus. He wants us to be controlled by His indwelling Holy Spirit, and to bear much spiritual fruit, and to have an answer to every one who asks us a reason for our hope and behavior. (1 Pet 3.15)

So we need repetitious reading, meditating and studying. We have only one book, and it contains absolute truth because it is the Word of God,. Other books (great books) help us understand The Book. We need to pickle in it! Again, and again, and again. Is this a priority for you?

This week twice (I hate to admit this) I spent more than two hours watching a TV movie that I got 'hooked' on. Both were a total waste of time. In fact, in my HBAO almost all of TV is useless and non-productive, and prevents us from 'renewing our minds' in the wonderful things of God we need. Again: it prevents us from absorbing the things we really need, and that really matter. TV is not a source for God's truth.

One more thought: "It is much easier to believe a lie that you have heard a thousand times, than truth that you have heard only once or twice."

bh October 27, 2007
Web www.bertsgoodstuff.com

Who does the Bible call "Saints?" The word means "Holy Ones." The Bible applies the term "Christian" to us but three times, that of Saints (Holy Ones) sixty times! To whom is it applied? Those who are living holy lives? No. It is applied to all believers, all who have the Holy Spirit-which is every believer. We are called saints not because of our character or conduct, but wholly because of our position in Christ. If you have received Christ as your personal Savior, you are a saint! You are adopted into the family of God, accepted, forgiven, given the righteousness of Christ, loved, made complete and given everything you need for life and godliness. Your name is written in the book of life, and your destiny is an eternity in Heaven with God.!! Incredible, isn't it!!

In Ephesians Paul spends 3 chapters nailing down our position in Christ. Our standing is 'in Christ' and is not dependent on our conduct. But then, in chapter four he appeals strongly and 'urges' us "to live a life worthy of the calling you have received." We are exhorted to walk worthy of our calling, to grow up into Him in all things, to no longer walk as other Gentiles walk, to put off the old man, to put on the new man, to walk in love, to walk as children of light, etc. So because we are saints, [by virtue of being indwelt by Christ] we are now to live a holy life, not to become saints, but because we are already saints. That is why Paul addresses believers in all his writings as saints, even the Corinthians.

Have you realized that you are a "saint?" Is that incredible truth making a difference in the way you think and act? It is worth some meaningful meditation.

bh November 10, 2007
Web: www.bertsgoodstuff.com

HIS INDWELLING PRESENCE by Norman B. Harrison published in 1922 [96 pages] is one you can add to your "great" book list. (Amazon has a few of them)

Harrison makes very clear that the entire teaching of the Bible regarding Christian living is wrapped up in two statements: "You in me----I in you." Our position is "in Christ." That is the secret, unrealized by many. Christ lives His life through me!

He indwells my body, and never leaves. Wherever I live my life, there He is All that He is, He is to me! I can then, by faith (by choice) be willing to have Him be my daily life. The Bible says that I have access to Him always. I can stop trying to do right and avoid sin. Instead I can learn to trust Him to live His life through me. That is His methodology for every believer

This should be the source of enormous thankfulness for us! He has provided already...everything we need for life and godliness ( 2 Pet 1.3) and made us "partakers of His nature." We have the mind of Christ. We have been rescued from sin and death, accepted into God's family, adopted, forgiven, made righteous, given meaning and purpose, and included in God's work in the universe......and lots more.

The only rationale and reasonable response to these mighty realities, is to stop...turn to God, and say "THANK YOU, thank you, thank you!!."

He gives to us all that He has of life, of holiness, of riches, of acceptance with the Father, ..and takes from us all that we have of sin, of condemnation and death, of poverty, misery,.selfishness and sin. And plus all that, He actually comes to Personally live permanently, continuously within --And, has planned to take us to eternity to be with Him forever.

Maybe we could be more thankful?

bh October 20, 2007
Web: www.bertsgoodstuff.com

[IN]

This may be the most significant word in the entire Word of God. : You are IN Christ, and Christ is in You. It is something that God does when you accept Christ as your Savior, and your entire eternal destiny and time on earth....depend on it. That is the message of the Gospel; that God loved us, and died to pay our penalty for sin, so that He could take us OUT of darkness and death, and put us IN Christ. There is no better or more significant news than that! Its not just life changing, but eternity-changing!

[NO]

If Jan had said "No" when I asked her to marry me, it would have made a totally enormous difference in my whole world, and future.

If "No" is the answer when I ask, "Will my child recover?." Or a prisoner asks, "Am I free to go now?" Or how about, "Did you pick up my mother?" Or when God asks, "Are you ...in Christ?" Just think of what that little word "No" would mean here!

To be IN CHRIST means that you are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, forgiven of all your sins, no condemnation, adopted into God's family, loved, accepted, complete, righteous, with access to the wisdom and guidance, and protection of God continuously. It means that you have [right now] everything you will ever need for life and godliness

That's a big "IN."

bh October 13, 2007

Web: www.bertsgoodstuff.com

A friend gave me this book about 3 weeks ago. I have just finished reading it for the second time (unusual for me). If you want to realize the reality of Christ being your life, in real time, right now....I overwhelmingly recommend it, from Amazon (with free shipping) it is $10.40.

It was written by Dan Stone in 2000. Stone was a Baptist pastor for some 21 years before he actually learned that he could not live the Christian life, that Christ was his very life, that he was really "dead to sin" and that he could trust what God said. It is absolutely fundamental to know that you died to sin, and that you have died to the law, and to yourself. It is the foundational truth of the Christian life. Its not your striving that releases Christ's life through you, its your trusting.

The really good news is that He is in us, living His life through us, as us! We are not deity, but we contain deity. That means that we don't have to live the life, He lives it in us, and He will do it. To the Galatians Paul said, "I live, yet not I, but Christ lives in me." To the Colossians he wrote, "It's Christ in you that's your hope of glory." To the Philippians he said, "For me to live is Christ." Who is doing the living? Christ, but if you looked right at him, you would see...Paul.

Our part is simply to be willing...to trust His Word.

All this is explained in adequate detail in Stone's book. It has been of great help to me, and I trust.. to you as well very soon,.

bh October 6, 2007
Web www.bertsgoodstuff.com

The Bible (which is God's precise words) says some astonishing things that God obviously intends for us to understand, and apply. Things like: "you are dead to sin, you have been crucified with Christ, you were raised with Christ, Christ lives in you, there is no condemnation to them who are in Christ, you are complete in Christ, you have everything you need for life and godliness, He will never leave you, you are accepted, loved, adopted, forgiven, justified, redeemed, and you have the mind of Christ.......and we saw the other day that God says over and over...."I will do it."

Then what is our part in all this? Only one...to be willing. That means we believe what He says, and trust Him to live His life through us. Our 'willingness' is expressed as faith, or trust. I say to God, "I am willing for you to live your life through me today and I am trusting you to do it.

It means that you reckon it to be true. Reckon is a good word used in Romans 6.11. It means to count on it, to consider it so. It doesn't make it so, it is already true, but reckoning allows you to live out the reality of that truth. It makes what is real, real to you! But you can't 'reckon' or count on something that you do not know. So the first step is to gain knowledge of what God says. Then, you think it over and consider it as absolute truth.

The final step is to "yield" yourself to Him; [present, offer, submit] yourself, that is submit your will to His will.

These three vital words are all in Romans 6.9 to 6.13 and contain the key to living a life that honors and pleases God, and that God will use to help others.

bh September 29, 2007
www.bertsgoodstuff.com Web page

http://feeds.feedburner.com/bertgoodstuff

Please make a note of it.

bh   October 10, 2007 

"For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purposes." (NIV Phil 2.13)

    Since I have received Christ as my personal savior, my eternal destiny is secure. Now what? Where does the motivation and the power to live as a true follower of Christ..where does that come from? The answer is in this verse. It comes from God. Otherwise, I am dead in the water.

    It is Christ IN you who will do it! A good friend gave me a book by Dan Stone this week entitled THE REST OF THE GOSPEL which has helped me to grasp the enormous significance of Phil 2.13. The Gospel is a whole lot more than the salvation that Jesus purchased on the cross. It also includes the way God planned for us to live on this earth, which is Jesus living His life through us (by our consent). An amazing thing!

    God planned it to be this way before the world began, and has clearly explained it in the Scripture. It is not obscure, it is not difficult, it is a matter of grasping by faith what God says, and acting on it. Its for everyone. God wants to work in everyone -in you and me--to cause us to chose to have Him live His life in us. Then, He gives us the power, by His Spirit, to do all that He requires.

    Dan Stone in his book, says that it took him 21 years (as a pastor!) to "own" this truth, and to experience living under the control of the Holy Spirit. Other authors have written that it takes an average of 10 years for a person who accepts Christ as Savior to come to the realization that we can 'abide in Christ' by faith, that we can let God live His life through us. Some...never do. ..but spend a life time (sincerely) trying to do in the energy of the flesh what only God can do. Jesus said "Without me, you can do nothing."

    But we keep trying?

bh September 22, 2007
Web: www.bertsgoodstuff.com

Model: One serving as an example..to be imitated.

Paul said to the Thessalonians, "You became imitators of us and of the Lord, in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. And so...you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia.... 1 Thes 1.6,7

That verse has been haunting me for a few weeks. Who am I 'imitating', and what sort of example have I become? What does a (fashion) model do? Displays things in the most attractive way in order to cause others to think about doing the same. Its possible for such a model to look good on the outside, and be utterly rotten within. So the analogy breaks down there.

But it is an interesting picture of what we are to be about. We are to look at Jesus, be filled with His Spirit, imitate Him, and reveal Him to those around us. Are you that kind of model/example? Paul suggested they imitate him, because he loved and served Christ. Can we say that? Most believers I have talked to don't want their kids, or close friends to "be just like me."

The sad fact is that there are very few 'models' for us to imitate, but I believe that every one of us should be, and could be if we would simply do what Romans 12.1 & 2 says: "Make a decisive dedication of your bodies (your whole life) to God...and by faith allow His Spirit to control you, and daily renew your mind by pickling in the Scriptures.

Christ in you is the lost secret of 'modeling'. It is God's only way of producing a person to be imitated.

bh September 8, 2007
Web: www.bertsgoodstuff.com

The Wall Street Journal had two very informative editorials on 8.7.07

Recommended.  1. PROPAGANDA REDUX 

                           From a former KGB highly placed Russian.

                         2. KERNEL OF EVIL  

                             Saudi Arabia ..false friend

 

AN ARTICLE ON GLOBAL WARMING BY DAVID BARTON:

     http://www.christianworldviewnetwork.com/article.php/2415

              /David_Barton  [ALL ON ONE LINE]

--------------

And one observation:  "Earth is the insane asylum for the universe."

"...But the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus." Jn 21.4 "They still did not understand from the scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead." Jn 20.9 "She turned, saw Jesus, but she did not realize it was Jesus." Jn 20.13 There is food for thought here!

    Often we believers hear a great truth, and then say, "Yeah, but....." It is a nasty habit. Consider these statements: "You are dead to sin. You are alive in Christ. You are totally forgiven. You are actually part of the family of God. You can do everything God asks you to do, in Christ. Christ is actually in you. You already have everything you will ever need. All things work together for good to them that love God. You are going to be in Heaven with God...forever." Do we put "Yeah, but...." after all that? think the reality of all that truth is that it is not real to us.

    So how to have those realities become real to us? How can we grasp the enormous significance of it all? How to achieve ownership of these incredible, seemingly unbelievable things so that our thinking, and daily living is changed? It is obvious that 'knowing' (i.e. knowledge) is not enough. There has to be a transition---knowledge somehow must be transformed into reality. Not to trust God is unreal.

    But how? In a word, "faith." It is spending enough time with God and His word that the reality of faith-- results. It is learning to trust an absolutely, totally trustworthy sovereign, loving, all powerful and all knowing God. How can that possibly be a stretch for us? The answer to that one is that sin has warped our thinker, and we need to unwarp it by soaking in God's absolute truth. It won't happen     while watching TV, riding our bike, while driving to work, or sleeping with the Bible on our chest.

    It happens when we spend time alone with God, with the intent of knowing and loving and worshiping Him. ----otherwise, the 'warp' remains.

bh August 4, 2007
Web: www.bertsgoodstuff.com