​Romans 8:1-6 KJV There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. [2] For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. [3] For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: [4] That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. [5] For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. [6] For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

 loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?"  The Apostle Paul cuts to the chase with this short declaration of fact: Galatians 5:24 "Those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires."
      Does any of this advice remotely appeal to your flesh?  Deny yourself; Take up your cross; Crucify your flesh; Lose your life to find it?  (Note to self: This is not a popular subject)  I believe that the Christian life is full of joy, and I have indeed experienced great joy; but the road to achieving joy often runs into a roadblock caused by sin and the carnal nature of my flesh.
      John Owen was a Puritan pastor and theologian.  He wrote a well-known essay called, “The Mortification of Sin.”  There are a couple of quotes from his essay that clarify the reason we must crucify the flesh.  “So you mortify; you make it your daily work; be always at it while you live; cease not a day from this work; be killing sin or it will be killing you.”  Wow…is that even true?  You know, the part about “Be killing sin or it will be killing you?”  I think that John Owen nailed it.  When it comes to sin, you are either winning the battle or it is gaining a foothold in your life.  You are gaining more freedom from sin or it is exerting more control over your life.  John Owen goes on to say, “The vigor, and power, and comfort of our spiritual life depends on the mortification of the deeds of the flesh.”
      I think that this may have been what Jesus was talking about when He said that if I lose my life for His sake, I will find my life.  Perhaps the crucifixion of my flesh will lead to the abundant life that Jesus promised.  A life of true freedom; a life of Christ-centric purpose; a life filled with the blessings of God; a life worth living!   

Scripture Reading: ​1 Corinthians 13:2-13 NASB95
If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. [3] And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing. [4] Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, [5] does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, [6] does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; [7] bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. [8] Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away. [9] For we know in part and we prophesy in part; [10] but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away. [11] When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things. [12] For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known. [13] But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.

​Commentary: Do you live by a code, or are you just kind of making life up as you go?  I’m not talking about a life without goals and plans, I’m talking about the means by which you achieve.  Are you a person who believes that the end justifies the means; or do you stick by a fixed set of standards without worrying about the outcome?  What is your “True North?”  (The concept of True North is that most people have or need to have a fixed point in a spinning world.  A point of orientation that helps keep a person on track.  True North is an internal compass composed of your deepest held beliefs, moral values, and the principles by which you live)
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      I have a True North.  If I could take you back in time to when I was a young teenager, you might be surprised to know that I had little or no real interest in church life or pursuing spirituality.  I informed my parents that when I became and adult that I probably would not choose to attend church; that I found church meetings to be exceedingly boring.  So, what changed?  After-all, I did become a pastor of all things.  The answer: “I found my True North.”  It all started with a study of the Gospel of John, and in John’s narrative, I discovered Jesus.  Not the Jesus coming through the religious screen of the church; I was connecting to the actual life and teachings of the Christ.  In a short time, Jesus became my True North.
      So, what does that even look like…you know, having Jesus as your True North?  It means that I live life trying not to worry or calculate about what the outcome of my actions might be.  I will make compromises and be compromised if I worry about the outcome; instead, I try to live by an ancient code.  Love God—love your neighbors—love yourself—love your family—love your friends—and even love your enemies.  In this age of political turmoil, misinformation, disinformation, vitriol and confusion; I have refused to enter the fray with carnal weapons.  (Fighting fire with fire) Though tempted, I refuse to turn away from my True North.  If I have not been called to fight against flesh and blood, but against powers of darkness; then I will strive to walk in love when it comes to my fellow humans.  Make no mistake about it—I speak the truth, but not unless I can speak it in love.
      The Apostle Paul would never have mentioned the idea of speaking the truth in love if it was not possible to speak the truth without love.  Without love, even the truth can begin to sound like a loud clashing cymbal—just so much noise.  In my mind love, specifically, the love of God should be the True North of the church.  Love is a powerful spiritual weapon.  Love allows the truth to be heard.  Love opens closed doors.  The love of God brings light into the darkness, and salvation to the lost.  What is your “True North?”

Scripture Passages:
Matthew 11:28-30 NASB95 “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. [29] Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. [30] For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
Psalm 23:1-6 KJV The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. [2] He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. [3] He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. [4] Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. [5] Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. [6] Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
Questions to Consider:

1. Is it possible that (at this moment) you are carrying burdens that God never intended you to carry?
2. Do you view God as a good shepherd?
3. ​God has promised rest to those that are weary, how do we access His rest?
   

​Personal Thoughts: I was hoping for green pastures and still waters, instead, I find myself in a valley of shadows, doubts and despair.  I was promised a burden that would be light and a yoke that would be easy; but, in this moment, my burden is crushing, and my yoke is overwhelming.  The loses are adding up.  Loss of influence, loss of vision, loss of hope, reversals in places where I had illusions for a better outcome.
      In the midst of my personal darkness is a point of light.  A welcoming voice and a beckoning Spirit.  There is a certainty in my heart that if I reach out for the light, I will find a place of peace.  Indeed, a place where the burden is light and where the yoke is easy.  As I step into the light it dawns on me; I have been overwhelmed by carrying a burden of success orientation; of wanting to please others; of making a name for myself; of building my own kingdom.  The cost of being on the throne of one’s own life is staggering.  I was never destined to be a king; rather, I was redeemed to be a servant of the King.
      Once again, I throw off the self-inflicted burden of self-importance, and exchange it for the relief found in serving King Jesus.  It is paramount that I keep my eyes on Jesus and that I serve His purposes rather than chase after my own fleeting aspirations.  In the words of the Apostle Paul, “In Him we live and move and have our being.”    

​Matthew 5:14-20 NASB95 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; [15] nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. [16] Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. [17] “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. [18] For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished. [19] Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. [20] “For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.

     Perhaps with the wisdom that comes with age, I have grasped a new appreciation of putting effort into the people and causes that “live” in my world. I strive to be a better husband to my wife. I strive to be a better parent to my children. I strive to be a better grandparent to my grandchildren. I strive to be a better friend to my friends. I strive to live by the Christ code of being a good Samaritan. In this place, where I live life in real-time, this is the place where I can be a force for all that is good.
      While people have arguments over which political party has the moral high ground; I use my time living life on the real ground doing my best to be an ambassador for Christ. Please know that I have opinions concerning Black Lives Matter, White Privilege, Global Warming, the handling of COVID-19, Foreign Affairs, Free Speech, Social Justice, etc. It is overwhelming and there is a lot of work that needs to be done. But before I strap on my armor and charge another windmill, I think that I simply need to represent Christ in my tiny corner of the world. This is where I live; this is where I make a difference; this is where I can let my little light shine; this is where I can speak the truth with a ton of love; this is my mission field.
      Before you start a quest of changing the world, you should consider giving Christ the opportunity to change you—then, and only then, will you be ready to make a difference in “your” corner of the world. Before you lash me with the criticism of not speaking to the issues happening on the big stage of American Culture, please know that change does not occur through more unwanted rhetoric; change happens when people change, and people change through the influence and love of the people who happen to live in “their” world. So, in the words of Christ, be the salt, be the light, where you live.
Questions to Consider:

1. What would you say is the spiritual impact that your life is making in your sphere of influence?
2. Do you think that being a light in the darkness is more about confronting the darkness or simply being the light?
3. How can you be a more effective light for Christ?

John 4:19-24 NASB95 The woman said to Him, “Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet. [20] Our fathers worshiped in this mountain, and you people say that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.” [21] Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, an hour is coming when neither in this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. [22] You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. [23] But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. [24] God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

My list of worship videos is changing all the time.  I try to simply drink in the spirit and truth that the songs are proclaiming.  I know that God desires a people (such as yours truly) to worship Him in spirit and truth.  That is who I want to be and what I want to do.   I want His praises to continually be in my mouth.  I'm not waiting until Sunday to worship, in fact I want to be a vessel of worship 24/7. 

​​2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (NKJV)For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.  For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,  casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.   
 
Philippians 4:8 (NKJV) Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things.  

Devotional Thoughts: No question about it--the battlefield for each individual's soul is located in the mechanisms of our thought life.  Think of your thought life as a cycle of thinking patterns that have been established over time.  These well-established patterns begin to determine how we assimilate new information and they  exert control on the decisions we make.
      The question is this: Who or what has influenced our thinking patterns and what values and ideals have been "locked" into place? These thinking patterns will exert a great amount of control over your future actions, so what are the primary inputs of information being fed into your brain?  Please note: All input counts!
      Most of the input that shapes our thinking comes through what we "see" and what we "hear."  (But addictions are also developed through what we taste, smell and feel as well) What are you watching and what are you hearing?  What are your primary sources for education, entertainment and social development?  What movies do you watch? ​What TV shows do you enjoy? 

What music do you listen to?  What books do you read?  What friends do you listen to?  What advice do you receive at home, school and work?  What sites do you visit on the internet?  The list go on and on...  We are being shaped by what we feed into our brain on a regular basis.  This indeed is the battlefield.
      Paul gives us two strategies for the battle: 1) Let our knowledge of God and our Christ-centered values be the standard by which we evaluate the input.  If the ideas, values, thoughts and arguments do not met the "God-Standard" they need to be brought into captivity.  What does that mean?  That we simply do not give audience to ungodly thinking.  We don't allow secular thinking to take root in our brains.  2) Secondly, we need to pro-actively pursue Godly input.  We need to expose our brains to books, music, conversations, teaching, fellowship and communion with God; that is full of "things" that are noble, just, pure, lovely, of a good report, virtuous and praiseworthy.
Questions to Consider:

1. Who or what has the greatest influence in my life?  (Name the top 3 in your life)
2. Are you making spiritual progress in your life?  (Please note, as in the book "Pilgrim's Progress," progress is the key.  Keep moving forward!)
3. Is there an area in your life where "you" are convinced that change is needed?  (Identify that area, submit it to God, start changing today)
   

Author's Note: This would probably make a better subject for a book than a devotional, but I wanted to draw attention to the ongoing battle.  We live in such a sensual, feel-good, me-centric, humanistic, nihilistic, post-truth world, where the lines between right and wrong are blurred and the wrong values are being championed.  It is hard not to be influenced or tainted by the exposure.  The Church will need to become increasingly counter-cultural.  We need to stop worrying about being relevant and start being God's light.  Please note: A Church full of God's light will always be relevant to the purposes of God.  RJD ​

Psalm 150:1-6 NASB95 Praise the LORD! Praise God in His sanctuary; Praise Him in His mighty expanse. [2] Praise Him for His mighty deeds; Praise Him according to His excellent greatness. [3] Praise Him with trumpet sound; Praise Him with harp and lyre. [4] Praise Him with timbrel and dancing; Praise Him with stringed instruments and pipe. [5] Praise Him with loud cymbals; Praise Him with resounding cymbals. [6] Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD!
James 1:2-4 “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.  But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” 

​Devotional Thoughts: My quiet times with the Lord are not always quiet.  Particularly in those times where the feeling of melancholy seems to be gaining the kind of foothold that shapes my perception of reality; it is time to break out the music with a strong beat and uplifting message, put on my dancing shoes, make a joyful noise and celebrate my life in Christ. Do you know what it means to "prime the pump.”  We take an action that paves the way for more of the same.  Are you feeling low? Then it is time to prime the pump for joy.  Make this a “rejoice in the Lord, and again I say rejoice” moment!

     The counter argument usually goes something like this: “But, I don’t feel like being joyful.”  This is a common line of logic that we expect from children and adolescents; but spiritually mature people know better than taking the route of least resistance.  We do the unexpected. We worship, because God is worthy of our worship, not simply because we feel like it.  James 1:2-4 “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.  But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”        “OK,” I will admit it.  I don’t generally count it all joy when things are going wrong.  However, when I make the effort to connect with God, I always…did I say always?  I always feel a God-birthed courage to face the challenges.  Time to turn up the volume—put on my dancing shoes and make some noise!

Exodus 15:2 NASB95 “The LORD is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation; This is my God, and I will praise Him (KJV: He is my God and I will prepare Him a habitation); My father’s God, and I will extol Him."
​1 Corinthians 3:17; 6:19,20 NASB95 [17] If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are.  [19] Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? [20] For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.

Moses' tent has long since disintegrated and the Romans destroyed the last Jewish Temple in Jerusalem almost two thousand years ago, but there is a new temple that has been set aside as a habitation for God. If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, you are that temple. God , the Holy Spirit dwells in us. Jesus said this concerning the Holy Spirit, "You will know Him for He will live with you and will live in you!" Just think about it--the power that created the universe is living in you...what are the possibilities as a habitation for God?

Prayer: "Dear Heavenly Father, I want to be a place that is set aside for Your habitation. I want to be full of Your Spirit and emptied of the world. I pray that You would become so evident in my life that strangers would stop me and ask me about the hope of glory that is living in me and visible to them. May the evidence of Your presence be present in my actions and my demeanor every waking moment, and through my actions may You receive all the credit and glory for my transformed life!" Amen
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James 1:19-25 This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; [20] for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. [21] Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. [22] But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. [23] For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; [24] for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. [25] But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.
Galatians 6:7-10 NASB95
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. [8] For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. [9] Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. [10] So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.

     I was never a fan of the original hit TV series called CSI.  That said, CSI had one of the most recognizable theme songs of all time.  "Who Are You?" by the Who.  It is a pretty catchy song.  The Bible actually has an answer to the question: You are defined by how you choose to live. 
     In American pop culture, most people are more concerned with how they are perceived by others rather than who they really are.  This duplicity is not helpful.  Who we really are is determined by the sum total of our actions.  This is why James pleads with us to be "doers of the word and not merely hearers who delude (deceive) themselves."
     The actions and decisions of our lives; the way we live out our Christianity needs to be in perfect alinement with who God has called us to be.  In other words, our faith needs to be reflected in and through the actions of our lives.
     Is this true?  What about God's grace?  God's grace saves us and covers us when we fail, but we cannot afford to use God's grace as an excuse to live life foolishly.  Paul warned of such folly.  "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap." 
     Both James and Paul warn us of self- deception.  How serious is the self-deception, and how deep does it run?  Jesus tells us that at the time of judgment, people will boast of their "Godly" exploits only to be told, "Depart from Me, you workers of iniquity."  Time to live what we say we believe!