Paul Richey 12/15/21 Paul Richey 12/15/21

Eight Steps to Keep the Word of God

Living for Jesus requires the believer to engage the Word of God constantly. Well known pastor, James Montgomery Boice, declared, “God alone can cleanse the heart, and he does so through the agency of His Word, the Bible.” Thus, the believer engages the Bible for the purpose of the Lord transforming the heart to be more like Jesus. In Psalm 119:9-16, the Psalmist provided eight critical steps to keep the Word of God in our hearts and so that the work of continual transformation will occur.

Step 1 – Intentionally Seek – The Psalmist revealed the necessity to seek the Lord with all of one’s heart for the purpose of growing. The intentional nature of seeking means that the believer battles against approaching the Word of God haphazardly and adopts a systematic approach that guides one’s engagement. To intentionally seek indicates that the believer engages with a purpose and seeks to allow the truth to impact the life. When one is not intentional in engaging the Word of God faithfully, then the ability to keep the Word in one’s heart diminishes.

Step 2 – Desire Protection – The Psalmist asked the Lord to protect him from wandering away from the truth of God’s Word. Likewise, believers today face many temptations that lure us away from the ways of the Lord. Each believer needs the protection and guidance of the Lord in the battle to restrain the flesh and the ability to follow the God’s ways. The base understanding is that the believer who keeps the Word of the Lord knows the struggle to follow the ways of the Lord and understands the need of the Lord to remain faithful.

Step 3 – Store Up the Truth – The truth of God’s word does not need to be read alone, but one must store the Word in their heart according to the Psalmist. The storage of the Word transfers the truth from the knowledge of the mind and moves it to the heart so that it impacts the foundation of life. The stored truth remains accessible when needed in life because it is there readily available to be trusted and leaned upon. The storing of the Word provides a critical component to the battle against the influence of the flesh as a reservoir of strength to overcome.

Step 4 – Let the Lord Teach the Truth – Left to our own understanding, an individual may read into God’s Word for the purpose of justifying their beliefs instead of allowing the Word to define their beliefs. As a result, to keep the Word of God properly, the believer needs to ask the Lord to illuminate His truth and to teach one through His Word. Relying upon the Lord for instruction from the Word provides an avenue for God to speak into the life and continue the transformation of one’s life to reflect Him.

Step 5 – Proclaim the Truth – The believer who keeps the Word of the Lord proclaims the truth of the Word. The Psalmist challenged believers to the truth that one needs to proclaim what is learned as an avenue of strengthening one’s own understanding. Yes, proclamation of truth impacts others, but the act also deepens the truths of Scripture in one’s own life. Thus, the act of discussing and sharing the truth of God’s Word aids in the ability to keep the Word of God.

Step 6 – Rejoice in God’s Ways – The storing of the Word of God in the life of the believer promotes the activating of rejoicing in the Lord. The rejoicing rests in the reality that the Word impacts life, give hope to people, and prepares followers to walk through life. Thus, rejoicing comes because of God’s provision through His Word. Likewise, rejoicing comes in keeping the Word because the Bible provides the way unto salvation, the way to live out salvation, and the way to live in the promises of salvation. Thus, keeping the Word of God leads to rejoicing due to the Word of God.

Step 7 – Apply the Truth – The Psalmist indicated that keeping the Word of God indicates that the believer applies the truth of the Word to one’s life. This active life occurs when one meditates or thinks deeply upon the Word of God and desires to understand the truth to the deepest of implications. The believer seeks the truth to comprehend the applicable truths for life and to form the heart that leads to proper thinking and activity. Thus, the believer keeps the Word for the purpose of applying the Word to life properly.

Step 8 – Continue Feasting on God’s Word – The believer never stops feasting upon God’s Word. The follower of Christ recognizes that the Word of God is the needed nutrition for the believer’s life and walk. Thus, the Christian desires to feast upon the Word over and over again. For the believer, the Word never grows old, but instead constantly fills the deepest hungers in life. Thus, keeping the Word takes a constant commitment to feasting continually.

How do you approach the Word of the Lord? Are you practicing the critical steps to keep the Word of the Lord in your life today? Will you commit to intentionally engaging the Word of God for the purpose of keeping it in your heart so that you are able to live in the transformed life. May we live with the desire to allow God’s Word to be the agent to continually lead in continual cleansing of the heart.

Paul Richey 12/15/21 Paul Richey 12/15/21

The Nature of Self-Destruction

Jesus declared several counter-cultural truths in the Sermon on the Mount. In the Gospel of Matthew, one reads this sermon and engages the truths announced by Christ. One area of discourse centered on the threat of self-destruction occurs when one does not deal with the internal struggle that comes from the flesh. Jesus depicted how individuals travel down the path of self-destruction and what believers need to do to battle against this nature.

The harboring of anger paves the path of self-destruction. Jesus compared murder to the harboring anger toward another in Matthew 5:21-22. The destructive nature of anger exists as similar to murder as it destroys relationships and severs the bond of unity. Anger creates a dynamic where the individual’s frustration slowly erodes the individual’s ability to forgive and overcome the irritating issue. The presence of anger often drives believers to fall prey to sin’s temptation and clouds one’s mind from making explicit judgments on activities. The harboring of anger destroys the self due to the lack of ability to extend grace and mercy.

The refusal to seek or offer forgiveness lines the path of self-destruction. Anger corrupts the soul and sets a course in one’s life to refuse to seek forgiveness. Jesus declared that one should strive to reconcile with his brother or sister in Matthew 5:23-24. Such an act involves the seeking of forgiveness from others. The presence of anger often deters this in the self-justification of one’s activities. The person becomes blind to their role in the issue and only sees how they received hurt and not how they hurt the other individual. Thus, seeking forgiveness becomes absent, and self-righteousness and self-justification become dominant. Thus, the self enters into self-destruction mode in the refusal to acknowledge one’s part in the issue.

The same threat exists in the holding of forgiveness to others. When one refuses to forgive another, then the individual displays a self-centered focus on life. Jesus clearly states that the ability to forgive others plays a direct link to the ability to receive forgiveness from the Lord (Matthew 6:14). Thus, the refusal to forgive those who harm you, hurt you, or insult you leads down a path of self-destruction as it blocks the expectation of forgiveness commanded by the Lord.

The rejection to extend love to others guides one down the path of self-destruction. Jesus declared that believers need to love others. This love includes all people. Jesus commanded that believers must love their enemies as well as their friends and family (Matthew 5:43). When love is not extended, then the practice of sin enters life, and the path of self-destruction is traveled. The inability to love others displays an inability to experience and understand the love of God altogether.

The ability to overcome the path of self-destruction rests in the obedience to the counter-cultural ways of following Christ. The believer counters self-destruction when one deals with the existence of anger and seeks restoration. To deal with anger means that one intentionally seeks to discuss the issue and seeks reconciliation with others. Coping with anger means that one identifies the role they play in the problems and identifies what drives the feeling of anger. Overcoming the destructive nature of anger occurs when one deals with the issue at hand and does not allow the matter to grow and sever the relationship.

The continued battle against self-destruction occurs when the believer seeks and gives forgiveness. The practice of forgiveness demonstrates the existence of grace and mercy in one’s life. It exhibits the mercy and grace received from the Lord and extends that grace and mercy to others. Battling the self-destructive nature means that one desires to grow in grace and mercy and seeks to develop those traits to others. Such a life only occurs when one lives authentically with the Lord and seeks to extend to others what the Lord has extended to them.

The believers guard against self-destruction in their love for God and their love for others. When a believer grows in their love for God, then the relationship with others expands as well. The best guard against self- destruction exists in one’s love for God. As one grows in love with the Lord, then the ability to love others occurs, and the ability to deal with anger appropriately happens. Thus, to overcome the self-destruction of the self, one must love the Lord with all their heart, mind, soul, and strength, which leads to loving others.

The current pandemic and pressures in culture have created many threats that lead to anger. Often, we fail to deal with these issues and allow them to fester and cause greater harm to the self and others. When we fail to deal with anger, then we are walking a course of self-destruction. May we center our lives on the Lord and grow in Him so that we can battle the fleshly nature of self-destruction.

Paul Richey 12/15/21 Paul Richey 12/15/21

Don’t Delay, Just Obey

The Gospel of Matthew tells of the occasion when Jesus called the first disciples to follow after him. In Matthew 4, we find that Jesus was walking along the Sea of Galilee when he saw men fishing. He called out to the men to come and follow after him and he would make them fishers of men. Matthew told us that the men immediately stopped their work, left their father, and followed after Jesus. The passage challenges believers today to don’t delay in responding to the Lord’s calling, but just obey.

First, we must hear the calling of the Lord. The calling of the Lord is “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” The two-part calling launched with the invitation to follow Jesus. The invitation centers on the opportunity for people to respond to Jesus. The request is not mandated or forced, but an opportunity to respond in faithfulness to the Lord. The invitation comes with a whosoever will respond to the request of the Lord and not a forced obedience. Upon hearing the call, the person’s responsibility is to either say yes or no to the offer to follow Jesus.

The second component of the Lord’s call is a promise. Jesus invited them to follow him with the promise that he would make them able to fish for people. When a person follows the invitation, then the Lord works in one’s life and forms them into a fisher of people. Notice that the Lord does not expect his children to form themselves into obedient fishers of people, but instead he is the one who equips them and forms them.

When I was a child my father asked me if I would like to go fishing. I had never been fishing and did not have the needed equipment to fish or even understand the skill of fishing. I said yes and followed his leading for the activity of fishing. Upon arriving at the lake my father provided me with the equipment, bait, and lessons needed to fish. I could not provide the needed equipping myself but depended that he would equip me if I responded positive to his offering. Likewise, and in a greater manner, Jesus invites us to fish in the lake of salvation and promises to form us into the fisherman we need to be.

Second, we must respond to the calling of the Lord. Matthew described that the invitation was responded to in an affirmative nature as each individual followed Jesus and the response occurred in an immediate fashion. The future disciples responded without delay or hesitancy. They did not allow the necessity of worldly responsibility to hinder their following. The term used for “immediately” indicates a response without hesitation. Though they held a responsibility to their fishing boats, the men saw the greater responsibility of following Jesus. This did not mean that they completely abandoned their occupation, in fact, they would return to fishing, but it meant that the calling of Jesus outweighed the responsibilities of the world.

What types of worldly responsibilities hinder us from responding to the Lord’s calling with immediacy? When do we allow the urgency of the moment outweigh the urgency of the eternal? When do we choose good or great or world over God? It is critical that believers seek to hear the Lord but commit to responding to the call with an urgent and immediate response. Believers need to recognize that a delay in response leads to a sinful lack of obedience and often leads down a path of missing the joy of working for the Lord that is in store for the believer.

Third, we must surrender, sacrifice, and submit. Matthew noted that the followers left their boats and their father. These two statements mark a life that is surrendered to the Lord and willfully sacrificing the immediate for the eternal and a life that submits completely to the Lord. The disciples surrendered to the Lord meaning that they laid down and abandoned their own desires in order to obediently follow the Lord. Surrendering indicates that one is giving allegiance to the Lord as the one who has the authority to guide and lead in their life. Likewise, this occurrence demonstrated the act of sacrifice. Sacrificially, the followers left their occupation and future, as well as their family. They sacrificed the certainty of the moment to follow Jesus due to their understanding of his greatness and as a result of their surrender. Thus, genuine surrender leads to obedient sacrifice.

These two acts lead to the third act of submitting. Each follower submitted their life to Christ meaning that they submitted their will to the Lord’s will. Thus, the immediate response was marked by a proper surrender, sacrifice, and submitting. As Jesus called his followers in Matthew 4, so he calls us today. He calls us to follow him. He promises to form us into the fisher of people he calls us to be. The question is: Will we hear his call? Will we respond immediately? Will we surrender, submit, and sacrifice? The Lord is calling, what will you do?

Paul Richey 12/15/21 Paul Richey 12/15/21

Build the Altar on the Strongholds

Gideon received a commission from the Lord in Judges 6 to remove the strongholds in his life that were against the Lord and to construct an altar to the Lord in place where the strongholds once existed. The calling exemplified the need for each of us to examine our life and discover the areas where idols dwell and are being constructed. The Lord calls us to dismantle these idol strongholds and to replace them with the altar of the Lord. Why is this important? The Lord told us that no one can serve two masters and when idols exist our allegiance is divided.

The basic understanding of an idol is any object, person, event, or thing that you worship and place as a priority in your life. These idols occupy the passion of your life, the time you have, and the priorities of your pursuits. One may slowly construct idols and before they recognize it, they find themselves at an altar of something other than the Lord. Thankfully, Gideon models for us obedience to the Lord to deal with such issues.

Gideon was told to go and destroy the altars of Baal and the Asherah pole that belonged to his father’s household and replace them with an altar to the Lord. The calling was to replace the false stronghold with the eternal and true stronghold. The Bible tells us that Gideon went and fulfilled the calling of the Lord and tore down the idols and replaced them.

When one enters into a relationship with Jesus then we are saying that the strongholds of our life will be destroyed and that the altars to the Lord will be established in each and every aspect of our life. This is because the Lord will not share His glory and demands that we surrender completely to Him. Partial surrender is equated to no surrender. Thus, when the Lord says follow me, we must hear the call and act on the call to destroy the idols and give everything to Christ.

Gideon’s example of obedience challenges believer’s today to ask three dominate questions. First, what idols exist in my life that I need to destroy and replace with the Lord? This is the question of honest exploration. This evaluation looks at the heart of the person and identifies what is loved the most and what is distracting one from following Jesus the way one is called to follow. The threat of the idol is the threat of justifying its presence. May we identify the strongholds that need to be torn down and replace them with the altar of the Lord.

Second, the destruction of idols can be a painful task; will I remain committed to the Lord’s calling even through the pain? The removal of idols is painful because it is the removal of something you love and prioritize. Thus, the believer must rest in the Lord for the strength to be obedient all the way to completion of idol removal. Though the task is painful one must always remember that the grace and strength of the Lord is always more than enough for the task to be complete and the pain endured.

Third, will I allow the destruction of the idols in life to illuminate who Christ is and the reality of the One True God? The removal of idols and the replacement of them with the Lord is so foreign to the world that such an act reveals the work and reality of the Lord. When idols are torn down the world sees the Savior and sees how the Lord never fails. Tearing down idols is not only a process of obedience to the Lord, but an act of declaration of God’s goodness.

What strongholds are holding a place in your life today? Will you tear them down and replace them with an altar to the Lord? Here is a simple question to start the process. If someone were to ask you to identify yourself, how would you explain who you are? Your responses will reveal idols and threats that could become idols. Thus, anything other than Jesus that controls you must be torn down and replaced with the Lord.

Paul Richey 12/15/21 Paul Richey 12/15/21

Finding Hope

Let’s be honest. The tensions that surround us every day remain a constant reality. We face the bombardment of devasting news and opinions from television to social media. The pressure and information attack us and often leads us to feel defeated, depressed, and struggling just to figure out our feelings, thoughts, and concerns. Likewise, we become easily irritated, and anger begins to manifest between individuals. All of this leads to a place in need of hope. Let me offer you four critical reminders in the desire to see HOPE amid the chaos.

First, find hope in HOLDING ON. The believer faces the temporary struggle by holding on to their relationship with the Lord and continually remembering that the Lord must be the foundation for their lives. In Matthew 7, Jesus told of the wise man who built a house on the rock and a foolish man who built a home on the sand. When the winds and storms came against the structures, the house on the rock withstood the onslaught while the house on the sand failed and collapsed. Likewise, to find hope during the storm, the believer needs to rest in the hope that comes from a foundation of life constructed on Christ. Thus, to find hope in such a time as this, believers must hold on to Jesus as their foundation.

Second, find hope in OPPORTUNITY. The child of God has the opportunity to serve the Kingdom of God. This service provides a joy that surpasses even the starkest situations in life. In the Letter of James, the believer is reminded to, “Consider it a great joy my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance.” (James 1:2-3). The opportunity to serve the Lord, in such a time as this, allows the believer to gain endurance for the journey ahead and to take joy in the reality that the Lord uses the difficulty to develop us as His follower. Thus, find hope in the moment during the opportunity to serve the Lord.

Third, find hope in PRAYER. The act of prayer provides an opportunity to speak with and listen to the Lord. The believer’s prayer life opens to the corridor to speak with the Lord and to request the Lord’s working in their life. Prayer provides hope as it reminds the believer of the presence, power, and promises of the Lord. The Psalmist reminds us of who God is and empowers us to pray by declaring, “I will say, ‘My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’” (Psalm 91:2). When we pray in the understanding of the Lord being the needed refuge and fortress, then hope is reestablished in the life of the Christian.

Fourth find hope in ETERNITY. The dynamics of this moment will disappear. The current reality exists as a fleeting moment. The fact is that the focus of a Christian needs to be bigger than the moment. The perspective of the child of God needs to center on the reality of eternity. Peter reminded us that “The God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, establish, strengthen, and support you after you suffered a little while.” (1 Peter 5:10). Note how we understand that looking to eternity and the promises of the Lord for eternity outweigh the struggle of the moment. To find hope in such a time as this, we must view life through the lens of eternity.

The chaos of the world will continue due to the fallen nature of man. Those who have the experience of a relationship with Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior need not be defeated, depressed, or in denial during such times, but instead need to find HOPE. Hope is available in Christ, and the believer can experience the presence of HOPE in Holding onto Jesus, Finding the Opportunity to Serve Jesus, Pray to the Lord, and Maintain an Eternal Perspective.

Paul Richey 12/15/21 Paul Richey 12/15/21

The Battle for a Biblical Worldview

Every person has a worldview. A worldview is the foundation of one’s life that drives his or her opinions, beliefs, and views on the world around them. The follower of Jesus Christ receives the call to live with a worldview that extends from the truth of God’s Word and not reliant on the ideas of this world and of the flesh. The believer uses this worldview to engage the culture around them as an ambassador of the Kingdom of God. The reality is that followers of Christ need to be in the world and not of the world.

The previous statement is not a quotation of Scripture, but is a biblical truth that exists throughout the writings of the New Testament. There is a tension that exists between being in the world and of the world because of a constant threat that preys upon believers. For Christians to achieve a biblical worldview it begins with the understanding of how to obtain such a worldview and then moves to comprehending how to battle against the threats that attack a biblical worldview.

A biblical worldview is formed through the intentional engagement with the Word of God and with the Lord. The biblical worldview does not miraculously appear in the life of an individual when he or she enters into a relationship with Jesus Christ. Instead, the development of a proper worldview comes over time as the individual grows in their relationship with the Lord. The more mature a believer becomes the more his or her worldview becomes defined by the ways and will of the Lord. How does this occur?

The believer’s journey to a biblical worldview demands the Christian spend ample time intentionally engaging the Word of God. The intentional engagement of God’s Word consists of daily reading of the Bible for the intent of continual transformation. This means that the believer expects that the daily reading provides the atmosphere for the Lord to reveal truth through His Word and to challenge the believer to adjust any wayward opinions, beliefs, or thoughts that counter the truth of the Lord.

Continual engagement includes the need to be under proper biblical teaching. The proclamation of truth must center on the Word of God and not the opinions of man. Such teaching prompts the believer to be more in tune to the work of the Holy Spirit in their life and to allow for continual transformation to take place. The critical component to this engagement centers on the individual’s focus on making sure that the teacher is known for the declaration of truth grounded on the Word of God.

The journey continues through the intentional time spent in prayer. The time of prayer opens the opportunity for the Christian to seek the Lord for the purpose of sacrificing the ideas and opinions of the flesh and to seek the things of the Lord and to set the mind on those things. Prayer provides not only the opportunity to seek the Lord for help in identifying and dealing with worldly issues, but to listen to the Lord’s engagement into the life of the believer. Thus, prayer provides the time to speak and listen to the Lord.

The threat to a biblical worldview appears in complacency as one battles the temptation of conformity and the subtlety of being coddled. The world has a way to influence the mind of the believer in a manner that often remains undetectable. The first threat is the temptation of conformity. Conformity is the slow movement away from the ways of God due to the small incremental influence of the world. It is the changing of the mind by the world that often goes undetected until one accepts a worldview, opinion, or thought that is wayward from the Lord. Conformity appears when one begins to approve or ignore the issues against the desires of God due to the constant bombarding of the world.

The second threat is the coddling of the mind. The world has a way of numbing us to sleep so that the believer is unable to navigate truth from error. The coddling of the mind mixes truth and error so that the follower of Christ does not see the error as bad as it truly is. The coddling of the mind truly is the culture slowly putting the Christian to sleep so that the transitions in the culture around them go undetected and ultimately accepted. These threats pose a problem to living in a biblical Christian worldview.

What is controlling your actions, feelings, opinions and beliefs? Are you shaped more by the world or by the Word? Living out a biblical worldview is not an option that believers select to add to his or her life but is an obedient approach to life. As you investigate your worldview are you living out a biblical worldview in faithfulness?

Paul Richey 12/15/21 Paul Richey 12/15/21

The Truth About Temptation

Every person faces various forms of temptation. Temptation entices the individual to act in a manner that opposes the ways of the Lord and guides the person to fill the longings of the flesh. Saint Bonaventure said, “Something may appear to be good, but in reality, it destroys some greater good and opens the door for more obvious evils.” Evagruis of Pontus declared, “The further the soul advances, the greater are the adversaries against which it must contend.” So what is the truth about temptation.

The Bible says, “Woe to the world because of offenses. For offenses will inevitably come, but woe to that person by whom the offenses come. If your hand or your foot causes you to fall away, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or lame than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into the eternal fire.” (Matthew 18:7-8).

People need to comprehend why temptation tempts. In Genesis 3, Satan uses temptation to entice Eve to partake of the forbidden fruit. The engagement between the serpent and Eve demonstrated how temptation threatens people. First, temptation works by appearing good. Satan is the master of masking temptation so that the tempting looks good and enjoyable. The threat of good centers on the momentary enjoyment of the activity instead of the eternal fulfillment and joy found in the Lord. When one is tempted, the individual battles the momentary against the eternal based on what looks good.

Second, temptation looks fulfilling. Satan knows that each individual has a longing within themselves that desires something greater. The use of temptation provides the avenue by which a false fulfillment can be offered. The person faces the temptation to fill an ultimate hole in life with a temporary filling that fades away and leaves one longing again. The truth about temptation is that is offers momentary satisfaction that does not last.

Third, temptation appears intriguing. The tool of temptation leads down a path of fascination. Humanity lives with a sense of intrigue that often overcomes the reality of logic in one’s life. The unknown drives the person to seek after something that is opposite of the Lord’s desire. Temptation knows that curiosity killed the cat and that curiosity can blind the individual spiritually. The truth about temptation is that it tempts because it appears good, seems to offer fulfilling, and plays upon the intrigue of the individual.

If temptation hinders one, then why is temptation needed? Temptation provides an avenue by which people are tested. The testing that comes through temptation allows for the believer to demonstrate their faith through obedience. When the believer overcomes temptation by relying on the strength of the Lord and trusting in the truth of the Lord then the Lord is glorified through the faithfulness of His child. Thus, temptation gives the believer the chance to glorify the Lord through obedience.

Third, temptation provides the opportunity for believers to grow spiritually. Temptation causes believers to grow in Christ because the temptation is defeated because of Christ. When the believer relies on the Lord through the battle of the temptation the believer becomes stronger through the experience. When believers are challenged in their walk then strengthening occurs just like one strengthens physically thought training. Part of the training of believers happens in the facing of temptation.

The truth about temptation is that it offers a chance for the believer to share Christ. As the world watches the believer deal with the temptations of life, the door opens for the believer to share Jesus with the world around them. When people ask how endurance occurred, the believer can share about the power of Christ. The truth about temptation is that everyone faces it. The truth about temptation is that it does not have to conquer us. The truth about temptation is that the believer is the victor who can give victory to the believer. If you are dealing with temptation today, lean into Jesus and trust Him as your source of strength, guidance, and victory.

Paul Richey 12/15/21 Paul Richey 12/15/21

Which Some (Sum) Do You Surrender

One of the most famous Christian hymns is “I Surrender All.” This hymn contains the chorus that states: “I surrender all, I surrender all, All to Thee my blessed Savior, I surrender all.” The meaning of these words points to the expectation that the follower of Christ surrenders their life to the total trust and leading of Jesus. Though this song has been sung numerous times, the meaning is often twisted and changed to allow the person to surrender some of their life to Christ instead of surrendering the sum of their life to Christ. The Bible says, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6, NASB).

The ability to surrender the sum of one’s life begins with trusting in the Lord. The idea of trust carries the concept of relying on, depending on, or having confidence in. The follower of Christ must rely on the Lord as the source of all power, wisdom, and guidance. Believers have confidence in the Lord because of His character and engagement in the believer’s life. Complete surrender to the Lord is grounded on who God is and what God offers to us as his children.What are you trusting in?

The ability to surrender the sum of one’s life continues to the complete surrender of one’s heart to the Lord. The reliance upon the Lord must never be limited but must be complete. All of the self needs to be given to the Lord and entrusted to His working in one’s life. The temptation is to compartmentalize our lives and only allow God to have control of certain compartments. This approach to life does not trust in the Lord with all of one’s heart, but instead seeks to give God a limited amount of the self and live according to the ways of the self instead. The Lord clearly makes it known that to follow Him is an all or nothing scenario. All of the compartments in life need to be surrendered to the Lord. Thus, we are called to surrender the sum of the self and not merely some of the self.

The act of surrender means that you no longer rely on the self. A great temptation is to rely on our own ability and insight to navigate life and deal with the issues in life. Here in Proverbs, the believer receives the charge to not rely on the self or the ways of men. The ways of the self are different than the ways of God. In fact, later the Bible declares that the ways of man leads to death (Proverbs 14:12). When total surrender takes place, one relies no longer on the ways of the flesh but instead relies on the Lord. The total surrender away from the self means that you abandon the ways that lead to destruction and follow the ways that lead to life.

The act of surrender means that you no longer rely on the insight of the self. The way you think often demonstrates what is in control of your life. Total surrender to the Lord includes the giving over of the thoughts and insights of the self and seeking the Lord’s insight. It is the understanding that our limited insight differs and does not fully comprehend like the Lord. Thus, to surrender the sum of the self is to surrender the insight of the self to accept and pursue the insight of the Lord. What understanding are you trusting in?

Following Jesus means that one commits the total sum of the self to the Lord. A follower of Christ does not simply surrender some of the self and without some of the self from the Lord, instead the entire life of the believer ought to be surrendered to Jesus. In your walk with Jesus what are you surrendering? Are you holding some back from the Lord or are you surrendering the sum of the self to the Lord?

Paul Richey 12/15/21 Paul Richey 12/15/21

The Benefits of Life’s Storms

A group of researchers in Arizona created this building known as the Biosphere. The Biosphere was formed to mirror the earth’s growing conditions in a controlled environment. The scientist controlled the environment by removing the elements that could cause harm to the trees such as wind, disease, drought, or over watering. The scientist predicted that the trees would grow and produce bountiful fruit because the tree was in prime growing conditions.

After some time passed, the researchers noticed that the trees began to die as fruit came on the branches. This occurrence confused the researchers and further study occurred. The research revealed that the trees died because of the absence of wind. The wind that came against the trees prepared the trees to bear fruit because the wind strengthened the trees. Without the wind the trees were weak and unable to bear fruit.

Storms in the life of people work the same way. When people are void of storms in life, then the life is not strong enough to navigate many of life’s issues. In the life of the believer, the storms in life aid in the preparation for having the strength to produce fruit as a believer. The fruit that comes from growth in one’s relationship with the Lord as demonstrated in the existence of the fruit of the Spirit and the fruit that comes from engaging people with the gospel.

The Gospel of Mark tells us that Jesus uses storms to prepare us for the journey ahead. In Mark 6:45-52, we have the account of Jesus walking on the water to the disciples in the midst of the storm. In this account, one finds that believers are not free from the storms in life. The passage opens by Jesus commanding the disciples to depart ahead of him on the boat and he would meet back up with them. The command of Jesus was given in His knowledge that the storm was brewing. The directive of Jesus knew that the storm would be difficult for the disciples, but an opportunity for great growth. Jesus did not exempt his disciples from the storm, but instead used the storm to prepare them for something greater.

Mark continued by showing the difficulty of the storm in mentioning that the disciples were straining at the oars battling the wind. The battle of the storm was hard and straining, but in the midst of the battle comes an amazing truth. The Bible states that Jesus came to them in the storm. Jesus walking on the water was the method He chose to come alongside of them and to reveal that He was walking with them through the difficulty of the storm. It is based in the promise made earlier that he would meet them. Today, people battle the storms and often lose focus on Jesus. Jesus meets us in the storms and walks alongside of us through the struggle.

As Jesus comes alongside the disciples in the storm, He called out to them to give assurance. Jesus declared to them to “Have Courage. It Is I. Do Not Be Afraid.” When the storm rages Jesus called to them to trust in Him for the strength to endure. Jesus called them to trust in Him as the deliverer. Jesus did this through drawing a picture back to the Exodus when the Lord declared that He is the “I AM.” As a result, Jesus called the disciples to not be afraid, but instead have faith in the midst of the storm. The same words come to His children today in the midst of storms. Jesus calls us to have courage and to not fear, but instead believe in Him. Through all of this, Jesus calmed the storm. Jesus was the one who calmed the storm and brought peace to the situation. The same is true today. In the midst of the storm, it is Christ who brings peace and calm to the moment. Jesus is the source of endurance through the storm and the source of peace after the storm.

Often, we want to be the trees in the biosphere, exempt from the elements that cause strain in life. Such a life becomes weak and not able to produce the fruit of the Christian walk. Instead, the wind and storms in life prepare us for producing fruit. Don’t see the storms of life as a negative, but face them in light of who Christ is and as the one source to bring strength and growth.

Paul Richey 12/15/21 Paul Richey 12/15/21

Are You In Motion or Going Through the Motions

A church growth expert once stated, “The church could have the Spirit removed and still continue on in the status quo for fifty years and never realize the removal of the Spirit.” In the same way, the follower of Christ can fall prey to moving from a vibrant relationship with Jesus to a relationship that becomes predictable, functional, and routine. The dimming of zeal progresses toward apathy and the person finds their spiritual walk nothing more than a process of going through the motions.

The Apostle John received a vision on the isle of Patmos and wrote down the vision received from the Lord. This work became known as the Book of Revelation and this is the book that concludes the New Testament. In chapter 2, the Apostle launched into declarations given to seven churches that were from the Lord. The first seven verses focus on the church in Ephesus. These verses challenge us to be believers in motion and not believers going through the motions.

First, God commended certain works of the church in Ephesus. The Lord declared that many of the works of the church in Ephesus were good. The commendation indicated that the activities were proper and right. In fact, the Lord stated that the labor the Ephesians performed was carried out well. They worked hard in the things they did. The church in Ephesus stood for the truth by bearing the name of the Lord and continued in the work.

The church in Ephesus received encouraging words due to their work. Their identity could be associated with the work of their hands. Like the church in Ephesus, believers today can be faithful and obedient in following the Lord. They can participate in the proper activities and make the proper stands for truth. They can bear the name of the Lord and appear as if they are faithful in service. The commendation given to the church in Ephesus could be extended to many today. But the Lord saw past the mere activity of the church in Ephesus and knew that the church participated in the good work while going through the motions and as a result the Lord condemned the church in Ephesus.

Second, God condemned certain characteristics of the church in Ephesus. The Lord declared that the first love of the church had dwindled. The initial spark that ignited the heart was now gone and the wow factor of salvation had worn off. The passions and zeal for serving the Lord no longer dwelt in their lives and as a result the church was doing nothing more than participating in good activities without a true desire and this resulted in walking through the motions.

A believer that walks through the motions attends church, participates in the activities of the church, and appears outwardly to be faithfully following. The problem rests not on the external, but instead on the internal. The internal backing of the activities is void because the believer has forgotten the purpose of bringing God glory, the mission of taking the Gospel to the world, the calling to be the laborers for the Kingdom, and the goal of fulfilling the leading and the commands of the Lord. Far too often, the person walking through the motions rests in the activities and dismisses the condition of the heart. To the times in life when such an attitude dominates, the Lord commands a response.

Third, God commands a certain response of the church in Ephesus. The Lord demanded that the church remember their past. The calling was to remember the moment of salvation and the faithfulness of the Lord through the journey. It was a call to recall the initial love that existed in the relationship with the Lord. The Lord likewise called the church to repentance and return. The church was to recognize the state of walking through the motions and was to return to the place of being a church in motion. They were to recall and return to the reason of the motion. To bring God glory. To obey the Lord. To see souls saved.

Similarly, when we find ourselves walking through the motions, we must begin by remembering our salvation and the faithfulness of the Lord. From this remembrance, we ought to seek repentance from the Lord because we recognize our current state and seek to move back to the desired state of the Lord. The repentance leads us to return and forsake walking through the motions and move to a place of being in motion.

How is your spiritual walk? Are you performing good deeds with the wrong or no intention? Are you spiritually walking through the motions? If so, why not take the steps of remembering, repenting, and returning to the place of walking in motion due to a relationship with the Lord.

Paul Richey 12/15/21 Paul Richey 12/15/21

The Four People to Reach

Luke 4:18–19 (ESV) “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Christians have been given one main task, to declare the gospel to the ends of the earth. But, who exactly are these people to whom we are declare the grace, mercy, and gift of God? In Luke 4:18-19, we see that there are four main groupings of people who are in desperate need of hearing the proclaimed word.

Before recognizing the people to whom we are to declare the righteousness of God, let’s first notice that the messenger is one who is anointed by the Holy Spirit. This anointing indicates that as followers of Christ, we have been set apart for a task, which is the proclamation of Good News. Fortunately, we are not to find the words or strength for the task in ourselves, but the Spirit himself will be the one who will give the power to perform the task and the words to declare. Thus, as each Christian has been called to proclaim the message of Christ, he or she does not do it without the aiding and leading of the spirit.

The first people to proclaim the good news to are the poor. The poor in this passage indicates to arenas of people. It can mean that we are to declare the righteousness of Christ to those who are both materially without and in the place of spiritual bankruptcy. As we look throughout the history of the church, we notice that great revivals have often sprung up out of those who are without and in the position of spiritual bankruptcy. This is evident in the ministry of John Wesley as he proclaimed to the masses in the mine fields of England.

The second people group that is in desperate need to hear the proclaimed message of hope are the captives. To the captives the message is simply one of liberty. Sin binds and carries off individuals into exile away from God. As a result, there is a need for liberty if one is going to escape the snare of sin and its condition. The message to these is simply the full release and deliverance that is offered in Christ.

The third group of people to hear the Word of the Lord is the ones who are blind. The condition of those who are blind is a state in which the individual is unable to recognize his or her own spiritual condition and as a result are walking unknowingly toward eternal, spiritual death. The only hope for them is the restoration of sight that leads to an awakening of the soul. This only comes through a relationship with Christ, which must be declared to them by those who are called to be the witnesses of God.

The fourth group we must declare God’s good news to are the ones who are oppressed. In thinking of oppression, we need to understand that sin sneaks in and oppresses the individual by trapping them and removing the joy of life from them. Sin does not allow authentic joy, found in Christ, to take hold in the life of the one who is oppressed. As a result, the message to the oppressed is one of relief and forgiveness. To the oppressed, this is what the gospel offers.

Ultimately, the message is one that is simple. We are to offer the “year of Jubilee.” This speaks of an event that happens once every fifty years within the Jewish culture where all debts were forgiven. The amazing part is that when we declare the message of Christ we are declaring that our sin debt is so great that it cannot be paid by us. As a result, Christ has paid that debt and the Father offers sinners Jubilee through a relationship with His son. Have you experienced the realness of Jubilee? If so, are you sharing the joy of Jubilee with the poor, the captives, the blind, and the oppressed?

Paul Richey 12/15/21 Paul Richey 12/15/21

Why GLOW?

Christ is the light of the world. As a result, believers have received the light and hold the responsibility to illuminate the darkened world with the message of Jesus Christ. Christ commanded the church to shine brightly for Him and to make Him known. As a result, as we see the darkness around us in the world, it is imperative that we GLOW brightly for the Lord. Do you know what it means to GLOW for Christ?

The “G” in GLOW stands for the word GO! This word in the acronym is grounded in the Great Commission which is found in Matthew 28:16-20. There Jesus commands his followers to “GO and make disciples.” Jesus was not speaking of a particular moment when one arises from their comfort zone and momentarily steps out on a mission for Him; rather, Jesus was using go as an imperative calling in an ever present tense. This means the calling of Jesus was not for a particular activity in life, but was an ever occurring focus of making disciples and being light as we journey through life. We are to GO and share light every moment of our lives.

As we go, we are to share LIGHT. The “L” of GLOW stands for that. The light is not some ideal that has been formed in the mind of men, but the light is Jesus. To light our world means that we are filled by the light, Jesus, and are reflecting the light that has kindled inside us and now burning brightly. Jesus claims that he is the “light of the world” in John 8:12 and charges us to share his light by reflecting Him in Matthew 5:14. As we go we are to illuminate the light of the world that has been kindled within us.

The “O” in GLOW stands for OUR. As followers of Christ, we comprehend that our ultimate citizenship is not to an earthly establishment, but rather it is solidified in the Kingdom of God. At the same time, we recognize that we are still dwelling in this world. As foreigners and strangers in the land, we are called to live in this world, not be of this world, and share the light with this world (1 Peter 2:11-12). We use the term OUR because it signifies that we have been given a mission field that is located in our dwelling place. As a result, as we go into the world that we dwell, we are to illuminate the world with the light that has been kindled within us.

Our temporary dwelling place is the WORLD and that is the “W” in GLOW. Every believer has a calling to engage the world for Christ by sharing the truth and message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. When we think of the world, Jesus defines that all are included in our mission. He declares in Acts 1:8 that we are to reach individuals in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the Ends of the Earth. On a practical level, think of it in these terms. As we go, we are to reach into the world and illuminate Christ to those we are close to (Jerusalem), those we are acquainted with (Judea), those who are not like us or we seem to struggle liking (Samaria), and those we have never met (Ends of the Earth).

So how are you GLOWing? Is the light inside of you been kindled and burning? May the light of Christ ignite your soul and the world see the flame burning forth from your life.

Paul Richey 12/15/21 Paul Richey 12/15/21

Set Your Sights on Jesus

As a child, I recall teachers and other influential individuals challenging me to set my sights on a goal in the future and strive for that goal. They spoke of the importance of setting the sights to remain focused and centered while progressing toward a goal. Such a mentality guards against the threat of distraction or derailment on the journey. The same concept exists within one’s spiritual journey with Christ as well. In Matthew 14, we read about the familiar story where Jesus walks on the water. Up on being noticed, Peter calls out to ask the Lord permission to walk to him on the water if it is truly the Lord. Jesus says come and Peter begins to step out on the water and proceed toward Jesus. The Bible then states, “But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, ‘Lord, save me.’” (Matthew 14:30). Peter simply lost focus because his sight did not completely lock into Jesus.

The wind from the front contained the fear of the unknown and failure that may exist ahead. The wind to the back could have consisted of the thoughts of Peter’s past. The moments he wished he could redo or never participate in. The memories haunted Peter attempting to leave him battered and bruised. The wind from the sides held the pressures of the world. These pressures might have been internal or external, but none the less they worked to distract Peter from the task of water walking.

As Peter recognized the wind, the distractions and worries came to the forefront of his mind and drove him to lose his sight of Jesus. Take a moment and think of your life. How often do fears of the unknown future, distractions of the world, and the haunting of the past steal our ability to stay focused with sights set on Jesus. These are the moments like Peter when sinking stops water walking.

Second, realize that Peter allowed fear to trump faith. The presence of the wind did not appear when Peter stepped on the water. Rather, the wind had already been a part of the scene. What changed is that initially the threat of the wind was overcome by faith in the Lord. Unfortunately, Peter lost sight of Jesus and lived in fear of the damage of the wind instead of the trust of the calling of the Lord. Far too often, we become distracted by the world and lose focus on Jesus. We know that he has called us and is leading us, but the fears of the world begin to dominate our lives and we live excuse filled lives instead of faith filled lives. When this occurs, sinking in life happens.

Third, see that Peter cried out for what was already available. Peter cries out for Jesus to rescue him from apparent death. Because Peter has lost his focus, he has forgotten that the Lord is right there with him. The Lord has called him to come and will not abandon him on the journey. Peter became distracted and allowed the elements of the world to cause the sinking feeling.

Each of us face the pressure of the influence of the elements of the world and can become distracted and begin to sink. We allow fear to dominate our faith and the winds of the moment to distract us. It is imperative that our sights be set to Jesus and remain on Jesus because he is never far away. He is right there with us even in the moments when we lose sight. It is always amazing to understand that when sinking begins to occur it is not because Christ has moved but because we have lost focus.

As we close, we must be encouraged because Christ does rescue us even when we lose sight. He might remind us of our struggling faith, but he will use the moment to draw us closer to him. If you are walking through difficulty set your sights to Jesus and remain focused there. The secondary things will be blocked out and Jesus will give needed guidance

Paul Richey 12/15/21 Paul Richey 12/15/21

The Truth About Eternity

Eternity is a reality for everyone. Each individual will spend eternity in one of two locations, heaven or hell. Unfortunately, many Americans have fallen prey to a plethora of deceptions that have blocked this truth from our minds and as a result many have fallen prey to sloppy understanding of what lies ahead. The truth is, each of us will exist forever and that location of existence will be based on our response to Jesus Christ.

Satan declares the lies that heaven and hell are either non-existent or that only heaven exists eternally and hell is subsequently momentary. If heaven and hell are nonexistent, then life is without purpose since our life is linked to nothing bigger than the self. The concept of erasing eternity is Satan’s ploy to strip man of genuine joy and purpose in life and lead them astray toward hopelessness.

The truth is that both heaven and hell are real eternal locations of dwelling. Jesus himself speaks to reality of the existence of heaven and hell. Heaven is the place of residing for eternity for the saints who have accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. Heaven is the place of existence in the presence of God and the presence of living in the glory of God.

On the reverse side, Hell is the location that is best defined by separation. Often the term death is used here, but death means to be separated for all eternity from God. It will be a place of physical torment, spiritual torment, and emotional torment. Jesus taught in Luke 16 that hell is a place of separation, a place of knowing what you missed by not following Christ, and a place that can never be left.

Satan spreads the lie that eternity is defined by the moral good or evil of one’s life. This falsehood is based on the love of the self and belief that we are better than we truly are. Satan loves for people to believe that “good” people go to heaven just because of their goodness. This lie is based on the ability of man and does nothing but attempt to nullify the need of a Savior.

The truth is that no one is ever good enough to deserve heaven and that everyone is evil enough to deserve hell. The Bible is clear that no one is righteous enough to earn the favor of God (Romans 3:10). In fact, the Word of God declares that all of our deeds are like filthy rags before a Holy God (Isaiah 64:6). In fact, one singular sin is more than enough to separate us eternally from the presence of God and each of us are sinful individuals (Romans 3:23) that deserve a just punishment (Romans 6:23).

Satan proliferates the deception that what you believe does not matter. Satan is the greatest advocate of universalism. This simply means that everyone goes to heaven no matter what they believe. It holds that all belief systems have the same destination. It is based on nothing more than the pursuit of living in the desires of the flesh without having any form of ramifications. It is a lie that tarnishes the real love of God and removes God’s work of redemption as necessary.

The truth is that Jesus and Jesus alone is the one true avenue to enter into an everlasting relationship with the Lord. In John 14:6, Jesus declares that no other way to salvation is available except through a personal relationship with Jesus. The truth is that many roads do not lead to the same destination, but a singular narrow road leads to eternal blessing of life in heaven for eternity. This singular, narrow road has a name, JESUS CHRIST. Are you on the one true road? The invitation to Jesus is extended and he is awaiting your response.

Paul Richey 12/15/21 Paul Richey 12/15/21

Living with Compassion

Compassion is hard. So many times, we attempt to justify our merciless actions of indifference by looking at the life of another individual through a fleshly lens of value. As a result, we ignore true needs of those around us and justify our self-righteous activities. This approach to life comes naturally because it is motivated and led by the self-centered nature of the flesh.

Jesus describes that living with compassion is part of the ethic of His kingdom. In Luke 10, Jesus was tested by a lawyer who asked about eternal life. Jesus’ responded by giving the Great Commandment, love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength and love your neighbor as yourself. To which the lawyer asked a second question, “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus answered this question with the parable of the Good Samaritan.

The parable tells us that a man was traveling between Jericho and Jerusalem when he was assaulted, robbed, and left for dead. Hopeless and desperate the man laid when two separate religious leaders came by on two separate occasions. Each of the religious individuals seeing the man crossed over and passed on the other side of the road. These men, though religious, simply looked through self-righteous, fleshly glasses. But then the story takes an amazing turn with the introduction of a new character, the Samaritan. The Samaritan would be considered a half breed because he was part Gentile and part Jew. Neither the Jews, nor the Gentiles would look at this individual highly. But he would be the compassionate game changer.

The Samaritan saw the needs of the man and was moved to compassion. The Bible says that the Samaritan saw the man in his condition and had compassion on him. This meant that the hopeless state of the man was so great that everything in the Samaritan was moved to respond to the great need of the man. The Samaritan could not ignore what the self-righteous chose to be blinded about. The movement of compassion went beyond a feeling and moved to an activity. The response of the Samaritan did not end with emotional stimuli. Instead, the Samaritan was moved to action. The Bible explains that he went to the hopeless man and bandaged his wounds. The Samaritan saw the trouble the man was in and responded not with the feeling of compassion, but with the activity of compassion. The Samaritan compassion led to making a difference in the life of the individual who was left hopeless.

The activity was never about the Samaritan, but was an act of selfless sacrifice. The Samaritan had one main concern, the well-being of the one he found. The Bible says that he left the injured man with the innkeeper and gave the keeper two denarii. That would have been an astronomical amount, but went on to say do whatever is needed and I will repay it the next time through. The Samaritan did not want the glory. The Samaritan just wanted to make sure healing took place. The cost was never the issue. He was prepared to be sacrificial for the sake of the one who was nothing like him. The Samaritan models a wonderful definition of compassion for us. In the Samaritan, we find that compassion is a merciful response to a recognized need driven by a deep love moving one to a responsive activity. This type of compassion truly comes from obedience to the leading of the Spirit.

But as great as the Samaritan’s response was, let me tell you a greater act of compassion. The Lord responded to our need of a Redeemer in the life, ministry, and work of Christ. This was an act of mercy driven by God’s great, deep love for us. It was an act of selflessness and sacrifice. If you want to truly experience the life of compassion, it begins by responding to God’s act of compassion in a faith based relationship with Jesus Christ. There is no better day than today to respond to God’s compassionate offering of salvation.

Paul Richey 12/15/21 Paul Richey 12/15/21

Set Your Sights on Jesus

As a child, I recall teachers and other influential individuals challenging me to set my sights on a goal in the future and strive for that goal. They spoke of the importance of setting the sights to remain focused and centered while progressing toward a goal. Such a mentality guards against the threat of distraction or derailment on the journey. The same concept exists within one’s spiritual journey with Christ as well. In Matthew 14, we read about the familiar story where Jesus walks on the water. Upon being noticed, Peter calls out to ask the Lord permission to walk to him on the water if it is truly the Lord. Jesus says come and Peter begins to step out on the water and proceed toward Jesus. The Bible then states, “But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, ‘Lord, save me.’” (Matthew 14:30). Peter simply lost focus because his sight did not completely lock into Jesus.

First, notice that Peter became distracted by the wind. Early in our marriage, Rachel and I experienced Hurricane Ivan while living in Alabama. The interesting part about a hurricane involves the directions of the wind. At some point, the wind blows from various directions while the storm moves over an area because of the circular rotation. For Peter, the wind probably appeared to come from various directions. The wind from the front contained the fear of the unknown and failure that may exist ahead. The wind to the back could have consisted of the thoughts of Peter’s past. The moments he wished he could redo or never participate in. The memories haunted Peter attempting to leave him battered and bruised. The wind from the sides held the pressures of the world. These pressures might have been internal or external, but none the less they worked to distract Peter from the task of water walking.

Paul Richey 12/15/21 Paul Richey 12/15/21

What I Learned About Jesus From My Mom

The Apostle Paul encouraged Timothy by reminded him of his family lineage of faith. The Apostle wrote, “I recall your sincere faith that first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and now, I am convinced, is in you also.” (2 Timothy 1:5). The Apostle knew the importance of a parent’s influence on the spiritual development of a child. As we approach this Mother’s Day, I took a few moments to remember the important lessons of the faith I learned from my mom and identified a few important traits needed for parents and grandparents to invest their faith in the next generation.

My mom demonstrated the necessity of Jesus. My mom shared faithfully the need for Jesus alone in one’s life. She lived in a manner that placed Christ first in every aspect of life which pointed to the necessity of Jesus in life. My mom clearly lived out faith in Jesus before my sister and I and made sure that each of us knew of the impact of Jesus on the life of an individual.

My mom encouraged a personal devotional life. I remember spending time with my mom reading through the Word of God. During these times of spiritual growth, she would spend time beyond mere reading and provide the needed spark to grow in my personal spiritual journey. She not only took time to invest in my spiritual growth but modeled the discipline of a devotional life in her personal life.

My mom taught resting in the Lord in the moments of stress and difficulty. At various moments, I watched my mom deal with tension and the unknown by resting in Christ. The dynamics may be difficult, but she continued to appear calm and collected as she trusted by faith in the presence and strength of the Lord in the moment. She exemplified a life of faith that rested completely on Christ for my sister and me.

My mom showed how to serve the Lord with humility. I watched my mom faithfully serve the Lord in the local church and serve other people throughout the community. This service occurred without the desire to be recognized. She served because of her love for Christ and her desire to be obedient to the calling of serving others. I observed as my mom sought to be the least of these for the sake of others.

Likewise, we must demonstrate the necessity of Jesus. As parents, it is critical that the truth of the necessity of Jesus remains at the forefront of our engagement with our children. I once heard a person say, “If you as a parent make church optional, then you as a parent make Jesus optional.” Our lives need to model and hold fast to the necessity of Jesus by living in a manner that places Jesus and obedience to Jesus above all else.

We must be intentional in spiritual training. As parents, there must be an intentional approach to guiding our children through the process of spiritual development. Far too often, parents drop kids off at the church and expect the church to train each child spiritually. This approach is counter to the Word of God which clearly places the primary role of spiritual developer in a child’s life on the parents. May we desire to live in a way that trains our children in their walk with Christ.

We must never neglect our responsibility. Each Christian parent holds the responsibility for opening the door for their children to Christ. This means that the parent guards their children from the enemy and speaks of who Jesus is constantly. When a parent neglects this responsibility then they are short circuiting the spiritual engagement of their children. When a parent takes the responsibility for their children’s relationship with Jesus then that child has a greater opportunity to respond to Jesus.

We must teach service to the Lord. In a world centered on the self, Christian parents need to teach commitment, sacrifice, and service. These traits should exist as standards in the life of the believer. Battling against the ways of the world, the parent must focus on demonstrating and training a child how to serve others and to think more highly of others instead of the self. Parents have the opportunity to train them in how living for Christ is a surrendered life of service.

I am so grateful for a Christian mom and am blessed with a Christian wife who demonstrates faithfulness, like Lois and Eunice, to our daughters. As we approach Mother’s Day I praise and thank the Lord for moms and how they impact the immediate and future generations of the world. To all moms, Happy Mother’s Day. May the Lord keep you and bless you. May you live out faith before those around you.

Paul Richey 12/15/21 Paul Richey 12/15/21

No Other Name

We live in a culture that slips into the false beliefs of pluralism and universalism. Such beliefs hold that individuals can believe in other ways of salvation or believe that all gods are the same. These belief systems are counter to the truth found in the Bible that salvation comes only through Jesus Christ.

In Acts 4, Peter and John stand before the Jewish leaders. The Jewish leaders demanded that John and Peter stop preaching about this Jesus. Standing in boldness, the two Apostles declared the name of Jesus and proclaimed, “There is salvation in no one else for there is no other name under heaven given to people by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12).

First, the declaration of John and Peter presented a clear need of salvation for people. Every individual has a sin problem. Sin is the wedge that separates people from God. Sin is not merely activities against the ways of God, but sin is the acts of disobedience, the wrong thoughts and intentions, and centers on pleasing the self instead of pleasing the Lord. Every person deals with the plague of sin. The Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Rome: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23).

Salvation is needed because of people’s inability to fix their sin problem. No amount of good living or morality offsets the effects and due punishment of sin in one’s life. No one ever becomes righteous through their own methods. The Bible clearly states that “none is righteous, no not one”(Romans 3:10) and that our own activities are filthy before the Lord. Isaiah wrote: “We all have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment.” (Isaiah 64:6)

As a result, individuals need salvation because without redemption through Christ, life is hopeless. Sin creates a life defined by hopelessness. This hopelessness flows from the required penalty, punishment, and payment required by the sin in one’s life. The Bible says that “the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23). The payment and punishment of sin is eternal. The wages of sin is eternal separation, eternal pain, and eternal suffering. But through Christ, God offers a gift eternal in nature. It is the gift of eternal life that removes the due punishment of sin.

Second, the apostles’ declaration detailed the nature of salvation. The gift of eternal life through Jesus is God’s dealing with man’s sin issue. God made a way by which everyone could be reconciled back to God by receiving Christ alone as one’s personal Lord and Savior. The work of Christ achieved what humanity could not achieve on their own. Christ fulfilled the debt owed due to sin by offering himself as the needed sacrificial lamb and making available the gift of eternal life.

Third, the apostles’ declared the name by which salvation is available. Salvation comes only through a personal relationship with Christ. The apostles stated that it is in the name of Jesus alone that salvation is available. Salvation does not come through family origins. One’s salvation is not based on the salvation of one’s parents or grandparents. Salvation is not based on a good name here on earth. Salvation is not found in church membership or attendance. Salvation is not found in the good deeds in one’s life. Salvation is found in Jesus Christ alone.

People today state that everyone has eternal life because of God’s love and that God would never send anyone to Hell. This is known as universalism and it rejects the truth found in the Bible. For the Bible clearly declares that God offers eternal life to all, but that each individual holds the responsibility to respond to the offered gift of life by entering a personal relationship with Christ. Those who reject the offered gift of the Lord face the punishment of their sin. God offers the gift of life in His love, but punishes those who reject God’s gift because of His perfect justice.

Today some people declare that all roads of religions lead to salvation and eternal life. This is known as pluralism and rejects the truth found in the Bible. The Bible states boldly that salvation is in the name of Christ alone. Jesus himself declared, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6). God loves you very much and desires to spend eternity with you. He desires to be reconciled with you. Do you have a relationship with Jesus? The ways of man lead to destruction, but God has made a way, through Jesus, that leads to life with Him.

Paul Richey 12/15/21 Paul Richey 12/15/21

Where’s the Love?

Our culture appears to be more divided than anytime I can recall in my life. Many people display the feelings of victimization if anyone disagrees with them. Instead of agreeing to disagree or having a conversation, many of these situations are fueled by anger, hate, and frustration. Such mentalities lead to division, brokenness, and an ever growing feeling of alienation. The question truly must be: where’s the love?

From the Christian perspective, understanding these dynamics are fairly simple. The environment of the culture is being fueled by the sin nature that exists within all of us. At the same time, many find themselves not only acting out of the desires of the flesh and the pride of life, but also refuse to live under the basic command of the Lord. The Bible says, “And we have this command from him: The one who loves God must also love his brother and sister.” (1 John 4:21). So again, where’s the love?

The love that binds and brings unity is grounded in the command of God to love others. The Bible says, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another” just as I have loved you, you also love one another.” (John 13:34). The command requires that people love one another. This command is not a simple suggestion, but rather a directive. Love forms the foundation by which agreement and agreement to disagree with respect are grounded.

This love does not love like the love of the world, but instead mirrors the love exemplified by Christ. The love we must have for one another ought to be sacrificial in nature. Jesus modeled this love by sacrificing his life so that the debt needed to be paid for our sin could be dealt with. The love for one another must be committed. This means that love should not be based on selfish gain or adjustable if another option comes along, but rather committed completely through the journey of life. Likewise, love should be compassionate and visible. This means that love extends to others with genuine care for the individual. This does not mean there is always harmony or agreement, but it means that care remains constant.

Jesus spoke to the manner of love for others when he declared, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” (Luke 10:27). People often see themselves in a different light than they see others. They seek to justify their own mistakes and misquotes while crucifying others for theirs. Jesus reminds us that our love for others must be the same as our love for ourselves. This love must not be in word alone, but in word and deed. So, where’s the love?

The Bible not only commands that people love one another, but the Bible defines for us the character of loving one another. The Bible says, “With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:2-3). Note that the Apostle Paul spoke to the personal character of love. Authentic love carries the characteristics of humility, gentleness, and patience. Thus, love restrains from over reacting and maintains a proper perspective.

At the same time, the Bible clearly states that the character of love must be lived out. Peter wrote in the Bible, “Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.” (1 Peter 4:8). Thus, the critical component to working through issues with others is love. Love pushes through disagreements and issues and serves as the base for reconciliation and connection with others. As a result, love is not a mere emotion, but a foundational activity that ultimately brings for a bond of peace. So again, where’s the love?

As we approach Valentine’s Day this year and our world focuses on the term love, may we not fall prey to the emotional sense of the word but rather live our foundational love. May love be the basis by which the division and anger controlling our culture be overcome and unity even when disagreement comes forth. May love drive us to respect one another as individuals and lead us to live in a manner that is selfless, sacrificial, and supreme. Where’s the love? Hopefully the love can be found in us.

Paul Richey 12/15/21 Paul Richey 12/15/21

Dancing with Lions

So often, we find that life is difficult to navigate. Temptation lurks around each corner and the world challenges us to adapt and accept the ways and manners of the world. But followers of Jesus are called to live in a manner that exemplifies the residence of Christ in the believer’s heart. Such an example of this style of Christ-filled living occurred in Daniel 6. There, Daniel demonstrated the various dance steps needed to dance with lions.

The initial dance step is a life of Christian character. Daniel demonstrated such a life as he was considered distinguished above the leaders of the world. Daniel 6:3 defined the life of Daniel in such a way that his character was far and above the character of people without a relationship with the Lord. Ultimately, this character displayed an excellent spirit within him. Daniel’s life stood out in the world because he rested in being led by the Spirit and being controlled by the Spirit. Such a life approaches life by seeking to live obediently for the Lord in every avenue in life.

The step of character elevated Daniel before the king. As the king looked at Daniel, he recognized that something greater than Daniel himself was at play. Daniel’s obedience to the leading of the Lord created an atmosphere where he distinguished himself before the king and was able to hold influence. This ultimately existed because he lived a life of faithfulness and innocence before men. Daniel 6:3-4 speaks to this style of living and challenges us to follow the example of Daniel.

Ultimately, the first dance step is a step of separation. The character of the individual separates them from the status of the world and identifies them with Christ. This is why the Apostle Paul declared that being a child of God would create one to be a stranger and alien in this world. As a result, we are all faced with a question, Do I live in a way that separates me from the world at work, play, and in relationships?

The second dance step is the recognition that this style of living will be difficult. Daniel 6:4-9 teaches that the people of the world will be jealous of the life of a believer. Those around Daniel were jealous of his success and favor with the king. As a result, they desired to create a situation that would bring demise to Daniel. Thus the second step is to recognize the reality and struggle of obedience.

The struggle identified in the life of Daniel pointed to the truth that the world cannot stand a person’s relationship with the Lord and as a result desires to attack that relationship. The opponents of Daniel knew he wouldn’t back down from his allegiance to the Lord and as a result used political means to make it illegal to serve the Lord. Culture will attempt to silence the faithfulness of the believer because they desire to set a trap to cause pain against the believer. Daniel faced such a trap and remained faithful through it all.

The third dance step is a life that is unashamed of one’s relationship with the Lord. No matter what Daniel faced, he would not back down from his relationship with the Lord. He boldly and faithfully lived in an unashamed manner. Daniel demonstrated what choosing the Lord over the world looks like. Even knowing the punishment of serving God in the world, Daniel chose to seek the Lord and openly worship and seek him.

The act of obedience led to Daniel’s arrest and reality of facing death in the lions’ den. But the life of Daniel did not bend or break because his life spoke clearly to his trust and faithfulness to the Lord. Daniel’s name means the Lord is my judge and he ultimately knew that the world did not hold the authority to judge his life. Thus, he unashamedly faced the punishment of death from the world because he trusted in the Lord to work.

Each dance step is needed in the dancing with the lions. When one dances with lions then the dance declares the story of redemption. The Bible declares that as the morning sun rose; the king found that the lions had not harmed Daniel. As Daniel lived faithfully, God’s nature was declared. God revealed himself as the living God who cares for his own. He revealed himself as the God of redemption. He delivered, rescued, and revealed His work in the life of Daniel. In the same way, the Lord works today as the deliverer, rescuer, and revealer. Are you dancing in life in a manner that allows the Lord to be seen as the needed deliverer in life from sin? Are you dancing in a way that shows Jesus as the needed rescuer for men? Will this be a year of dancing like Daniel did, the dancing with lions?