Spots and Blemishes

"So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him" (II Peter 3:14). Spots and blemishes, we all have them, we don't necessarily appreciate them, we try to hid them, cover them, remove them or just put up with them. When we read about "Spots and blemishes" in the Bible its not talking about warts, moles, scars or liver spots. Its talking about the false teachers who were infiltrating Christianity. These Charlton's twisted the Scriptures "To their own destruction." These false teachers were deceived deceivers who did their best to lead others away from the truth. With this background Peter tells us to make very effort to avoid the shame of the false teachers. How do we do that? By dealing honestly with every personal sin and failure in our lives. Jesus had raised the question "When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth" (Luke 18:8)? He left the question hanging in the air, waiting for each hearer to answer in his own heart. I believe the answer to that question depends on us. The upshot of this Biblical passage is posed in the question, how will we be found when Jesus returns? Will our faith be firmly planted in God and His Promises? The coming of the Lord is a glorious event that should have a present effect upon our lives. The knowledge of the coming blessedness of the Lord should keep us in peace, without spot, and blameless. Peter is saying God's future promises should give us present power for holy living. The prospect of Jesus coming should motivate us to keep seeking Him, and as a result we will stay away from that which would distract us from Christian duty and would seek to disturb our soul. Peter is saying "Stay away from the faith killers". We are challenged with the question, how will He find us when He comes? Lets be found "Spotless, blameless and at peace with Him." Dr. Ken Copley is available for counseling, conferences, and local church meetings.

The Problem With the Familar

In the book of Exodus 33:7-8, we learn that "Moses took the tabernacle and pitched it without the camp, far off from the camp and called it the Tabernacle of the congregation. And it came to pass, that every one who sought the Lord went out to the tabernacle of the congregation which was without the camp." We also must pitch our tent a good distance from the camp, the camp of familiarity. When Jesus told His disciples to follow Him, He called them to leave the familiar pattern of their lives for extended periods and be alone with Him (Matthew 19:27; Luke 14:33). The Lord knows that men, by nature are unconsciously governed by the familiar. In I Corinthians 3:3, Paul rebuked the church at Corinth because they walked "like mere men." Most people pass through life umbilically tied to the familiar. Where have you pitched your spiritual tent? Hebrews 13:12-13 says "Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach." If we are going live holy, productive, spiritual lives, we must sever the chains and restraints of the bondage of desiring just an average life. We must choose to leave the camp of familiarity and place our tent in the Presence of God. The will of God will never lead you where the grace of God cannot keep you. We serve Adonai, He is the one who must be obeyed. The name implies that all those who submit to Him can enter Christ's perfect rest, expecting to receive God's direction, supervision, and provision. Walking with Him will take you outside the camp of the familiar. Dr. Ken Copley is available for counseling, conferences, and local church meetings.

The Joy of Discipline

Please take the time to read Psalm 94 in it's entirety. The subject of being Chastened comes up in this psalm. David was a man after God's own heart, however he did not get a pass when it came to God's discipline. The Lord was faithful to him in that "He disciplines every son He receives." In the context of being chastened David was able to write “When I said, "My foot is slipping," your love, O LORD, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.”- Psalm 94:18-19. God loves us far to much to let us wander off in sin and to go our own way, which ends in destruction. In His faithfulness He brings us back to Himself, and He corrects us with His holy discipline. "The psalmist calls the chastened one a "man" in the best sense, using the Hebrew word which implies strength. He is a man, indeed, who is under the teaching and training of the Lord" (Charles Spurgeon). What should we do when we are under discipline? Praise God for His love and faithfulness toward us. We then realize God's love is supporting us, and in the midst of child training it's His consolation that brings joy to our soul. Where is your anxiety level on a scale of 1-10. David said when his anxiety was great (a 10),What did he do? He looked to the Lord, and the Lord supported him and brought joy to his soul. Dr. Ken Copley is available for counseling, conferances, and local church meetings.