“Jesus disciples have to overcome the pressures of modern western culture and life-style and restore a healthier attitude toward obedience to and hearing from God’s Word.” Joseph Shulam

I was in a conversation with a group of law enforcement officers who were discussing challenges they faced. It soon dawned on me that the deeper issue was that our nation has greatly shifted away from Judeo-Christian values.

Did you now that Scripture, though, doesn’t talk about values? The word value is only used in Leviticus 27; and, it has nothing to do with how one lived!

Scripture does talk, however, about commands and truths. And when practiced, they will transform lives to a greater value whereby both men and women, no matter their race, will be filled with a purpose that brings peace.

Jesus said, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37-39)

If His followers practiced just these two commands, the need for law enforcement would decrease. There was a documentary done on a town that actually did this. Guess what happened? The police force shrank due to near 0% crime rates.

Jesus, the light of the world, said, “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16). As Jesus followers’ lives are transformed, they affect those around them for the greater good.

Jesus called His followers salt, who bring peace to others. And when peace reigns peace officers are no longer needed. Yet, if salt loses it saltiness, or it’s reason for being, it gets stepped on (Matt. 5:13; Mk. 9:50), meaning people suffer; thus, the need for peace officers.

Transformed lives by Spirit empowered obedience to God’s truth, not societal norms and mores, not only changes lives, but cultures and nations as well. And changed cultures start by changed hearts, not just laws, of those who have seen the truth lived out in the daily grind of life by those who follow Jesus.

Let those around you taste and see that the Lord is good! Choose to live as salt and light – a life transformed by and into Jesus.

“I have read many books, but the Bible reads me.” Karl Barth

I read a story about a believer in Jesus from a Muslim background. This person was looking for peace in their life. They were raised in an Islamic home and country where they studied the Quran. Yet, this person still came away unsettled in their mind and heart. 

After reading the Bible, however, they felt the peace of mind they were longing to personally know. This eventually led them to a personal relationship with the Living Word of God – Jesus.

I’ve also read stories from believers who give all kinds of excuses for not reading, let alone studying, the Bible. “I don’t have time.” “It’s too hard to understand.” Thus, they rely heavily on the voices of others about the Bible, rather than on the voice of Jesus from the Bible.

The Word of God is “living and active…discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Heb. 4:12) The Word of God is the most powerful tool to process out the garbage thoughts that steal our peace of mind and heart.

Excuses for not reading through the Bible in a systematic way will keep you from the peace you so crave. So, choose to override your excuses with a choice to do it anyway. The days in which we live demand we hear from Jesus!

As I friend of mine once said, “When you don’t want to do something you know you should do, do it anyway.”

We try to do a great deal for Him, when Christ would rather we live a great deal with Him.

Life is not about what we do for Jesus, as He already did it all for us on the cross. No, it’s about knowing Him better while living with Him.

Each day we are confronted with an entirely new set of choices to live with Him. But sometimes, it seems like we are on the treadmill of previously faced battles. This can be tremendously discouraging. Why keep going if losing still hangs around?

Paul encourages us, though, in Galatians 6:9, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” It’s a done deal. We will eventually be completely changed.

So, when the enemy brings up memories of past defeats, remember something else Paul wrote. God the Father saved us, past tense, not because of our victories, but through the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Spirit (Titus 2:5).

It’s not a sign of failure when old fights resurface. It’s praise time, which encourages us to keep going. Why? It’s a done deal! Saved and washed now, give us that same hope that we will reap a harvest if we keep focusing on living with Jesus.

Be encouraged. Trust in the promise of Scripture – in God’s timing, whether here on earth or when we see Jesus, final victory assured!

God didn’t promise days without pain, just victory through it.

Suffering. It might not mean what you think.

Romans 5:3-5 reveals that a changed life starts with suffering, which comes from the word used in Matthew 7:14 translated a narrow path that leads to life, which is Jesus.

This suffering is not necessarily physical. Suffering can also mean an overcrowding caused by too many or conflicting thoughts bouncing around inside our heads.

Thus, an overcrowded mind with too many paths to choose rather than just the One, can lead to internal suffering or a battle for the mind. And, if we are honest, we’ve all felt this type of suffering.

In order to let suffering lead to life change, we need to do one of two things.

One, if we’re facing suffering caused by a truth already stored in our head, which is now being attacked by thoughts coming from outside us (i.e. our adversary), we need to persevere by continuing to stay focused and act on the truth that eventually leads to life change and hope.

If, on the other hand, the suffering we face is caused by truthful thoughts entering our brain from the outside (the Word and Spirit of God) that are challenging the ones inside our head, we need to continue to think and act on the new thought, which over time (perseverance) will replace the lie stored in our head, which leads to Christlike character and hope.

This type of suffering should not only be expected, but should also be the norm for the growing believer in Jesus!

If we expect life to be easy, this suffering could send us into a downward spiral of loses. Yet, if we expect it, we can have a warrior mentality to fight back with the truth of God through asking for the power of the Spirit of God for victory.

Suffering is normal and will come to those who love Jesus. Therefore, have the expectations of a warrior, which leads to victory.

“I give strength to the weary and increase the power of the weak so they can soar like eagles and walk and run with as they put their hope in Me.” The LORD (Isaiah 40:29-31)

“I can’t” is a good place to start. When we come to the realization that we can’t change ourselves – no matter how many motivational speeches we hear or great messages we listen to – we can rely on the only power that can change us – Jesus.

How often do we use the pronoun “I”? Put another way, how often do we talk about ourselves – good or bad? Or, switch between the beat me stick and the praise me brush?

A changed life can only come in the name of Jesus, literally. The phrase, “in the name of Jesus” is repeatedly used where we are told that we are given life, forgiveness, freedom and made whole only in Jesus’ name.

Even those who didn’t believe in Jesus recognized it’s power and commanded believers to stop speaking in Jesus’ name! Seriously, there is power in the name of Jesus – in what He did, is doing and in what only He can do.

So examine your thoughts. Who do you think about most often throughout your day – the power of the Person who is present with you in the present or “I”? How often do you connect into His power to change your thinking, which changes your feelings, which changes your choices?

Will it be “I” or Jesus? Both are strong words, but only one has the power to change your life on earth and ultimately for eternity when you leave it behind.

In your walk-talk with your LORD today, remember to focus on the strong words Jesus gives you in His name. They make all the difference between today’s victory or defeat.

And when victory comes, you’ll be able to praise the Father in Jesus’ name. As the Spirit writes, “Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” (Col. 3:17)