Practical Living in the Steps of Christ

[Jerod W. Rickert]

I am truly sorry beyond words that I have been so remiss in my duties here as of late. I have allowed the world and it's concerns to attract my attention and affections, and as a result have done a disservice to you, my precious friends and family and to the Lord. I ask your forgiveness for that, and repent to not only you, but before the Lord.

This next thread, will be simply a journey into what the Lord has called us to as HIS children and ambassadors. As I have spent time in study and prayer lately, the Lord has been leading me time and again into a "Practical Application" study, almost everytime. I hope you will find this journey as exciting and challenging as I have been...

God Bless each and every one of you richly in the magnificent Glory of HIS perfect and amazing Love!!

[Jerod W. Rickert]

To begin with, I felt it would serve our time to look at what the very creator and author of the book had to say when asked what is the most important Commandment...

Mat 22:35 And one of them, a lawyer, questioned Him, testing Him, and saying,
Mat 22:36 Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?
Mat 22:37 And Jesus said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind."
Mat 22:38 This is the first and great commandment.
Mat 22:39 And the second is like it: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
Mat 22:40 On these two commandments all the Law and the Prophets hang.

How amazing, how glorious!! On these 2 simple commandments "all the Law and the Prophets hang". If we could simply begin to capture the vision of what this means, how beautifully simple and joyous could our walk with HIM be. We tie ourselves down and burden our hearts and lives with so much, trying so hard, pushing forward on our own strength, when the true secret to success is simply... LOVE!! First for God, with all of our being. And then trickling down and spreading to our "neighbor" with a love as strong and desiring of good and peace and success as we have for our own selves!! But who is our neighbor?? Is it he couple living next door? The members of our church/class/civic group? Let us look and see...

G4139
πλησίον
plēsion
play-see'-on
Neuter of a derivative of πέλας pelas (near); (adverb) close by; as noun, a neighbor, that is, fellow (as man, countryman, Christian or friend): - near, neighbour.

hmmmm.... seems to be a bit more far reaching than we might always like to admit or accept. Our neighbor is anyone that we are brought into contact with through God's leading and design. We are commanded to love God, with ALL of our being. And to then love HIS creation with the same love we have for ourselves. Yet, why should this seem so foreign or complex? Is it not you and I that hung HIM upon the very Cross of Iniquity and shame? Were we not at enmity with HIM, still degenerate and unrepentant, when HE took our burdens and sins upon HIMself, and, in the ultimate act of humble love and humility, laid down HIS life, that we might find ours.

What offense or hurt that we have had "perpetrated" upon us can ever begin to compare to that? Being as a blameless and pure lamb, HE willingly and joyfully laid down HIS life for us, and gave us the greatest gift ever known. Yet we will cling to our "hurts" and "rights" to be offended and hurt with a deathgrip. So unwilling to lay them down at the foot of the cross, in humility to esteem others as ourselves.

AS ourselves... what does this really mean??

G5613
ὡς
hōs
hoce
Probably adverb of compound from G3739; which how, that is, in that manner (very variously used as shown): - about, after (that), (according) as (it had been, it were), as soon (as), even as (like), for, how (greatly), like (as, unto), since, so (that), that, to wit, unto, when ([-soever]), while, X with all speed.

We are truly our own worst critics, yet we do not hold for ourselves the same resentment and hatred we will hold towards others for far smaller offenses than the very things we know that we are guilty of. THAT is the very key that we must learn and find to open the door to loving and forgiving others. To hold them to no higher standard of success and forgiveness than we hold to ourselves.

And on the opposite side of this, we MUST love ourselves, to see our worth and beauty in the eyes and heart of God Jehovah HIMself. I do not mean in a lustful, self-serving way, but to see the worth that we have that led the Author and Perfecter of our faith to lay down HIS divinity and even HIS very life... for US, for you, for me... Out of love and an overwhelming desire to see us share an eternity with HIM...

Joh 15:12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I loved you.
Joh 15:13 Greater love than this has no one, that anyone should lay down his soul for his friends.
Joh 15:14 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.

Do we now begin to see just how simple HE has made it for us? and how HIS admonition and command is repeated time and again? My blessed friends and co-heirs, we need to catch sight of this and to learn to apply it, every minute, every hour, every day... To love as HE has loved and showed us how... Thank you as always, for your time and love... God Bless you richly... until next time, God Bless


Deu 6:4 Hear, O Israel, Jehovah our God is one Jehovah.
Deu 6:5 And you shall love Jehovah your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.
Deu 6:6 And these Words which I am commanding you today shall be on your heart.
Deu 6:7 And you shall teach them to your sons, and shall speak of them as you sit in your house, and as you walk in the way, and as you are lying down, and as you are rising up.
Deu 6:8 And you shall bind them for a sign on your hand; and they shall be for frontlets between your eyes.
Deu 6:9 And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house, and on your gates.

Lev 19:17 You shall not hate your brother in your heart; you shall certainly reprove your neighbor, and not allow sin on him.
Lev 19:18 You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the sons of your people; but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am Jehovah.

[Jerod W. Rickert]

As we pick back up today, I feel compelled to revisit some of what we started in the last posting... As i have prayed and studied, i feel there is still much to be looked at and explored in the previous verses and post...

Joh 15:12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I loved you.
Joh 15:13 Greater love than this has no one, that anyone should lay down his soul for his friends.
Joh 15:14 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.
Joh 15:15 I no longer call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his lord does. But I called you friends, because all things which I heard from My Father I made known to you.
Joh 15:16 You have not chosen Me, but I chose you out and planted you, that you should go and should bear fruit, and your fruit remain, that whatever you should ask the Father in My name, He may give you.
Joh 15:17 These things I command you, that you love one another.

I am just struck and fixated upon the commandment that Christ returns to, time and again... to LOVE.. one another, our neighbor, our enemies, God... again and again, love, Love, LOVE... We are called on to change this world... through love, not just our love, but through HIS great Agape for a lost and dying world...

Let us see a great circle and simple mystery revealed...

He does no longer call us slaves, but friends... But how shall we know if we are his friends?? IF we do as he commanded... and what has HE commanded?? Love one another, Love God, Love our neighbors, Love our enemies... Love, Love, Love... Oh my precious friends, let us catch sight and grab hold of this great vision and command... If we can just learn to first see ourselves through HIS eyes of love and compassion, then we can begin to spread that unconditional all encompassing love to the world... And we must guard this sacred trust and daily be in prayer and scripture to stir and kindle this love... As our time here winds down and becomes shorter, we KNOW that there is to be a great increase of wickedness and a great falling away, and our warning and admonition is what??

Mat 24:10 And then many will be offended, and they will deliver up one another and will hate one another.
Mat 24:11 And many false prophets will be raised and will cause many to err.
Mat 24:12 And because lawlessness shall have been multiplied, the love of the many will grow cold.
Mat 24:13 But the one who endures to the end, that one will be kept safe.

Make no mistake, if we are not finding our daily strength and sustenance in the Lord of all creation, how easily might we fall into being one of those that become offended... This world is in a downward spiral of lustful desire and wickedness... and is in desperate need of the truth and to see a love that is life changing and real... Verse 12 speaks of a Love growing cold... and this love is agape, the very love of God... We must not deceive ourselves into a false sense of security and safety... WE are to endure to the end, with our LOVE intact... not to grow cold and betray and hand each other over. But this Agape, let us never forget, is NOT borne of human love, but of the Spirit and Heart of God... We MUST encourage and support one another, daily, hourly, minute by minute, lest we find that Love HE placed within us cooling and dwindling... For without this life changing Love that comes only through God's Holy Spirit within, we cannot love and be broken for a world that is hateful and hurtful... Left to our flesh and carnal selves, we do not have the capacity nor even the desire to see a world changed and touched... It is ONLY in HIM that we can see through the outward sin and anger, to the inward heart so desperately seeking a change and answer...

We see, so often, only through our eyes and hear only through our ears, but let us pray to the Lord that we would receive HIS eyes and ears... Let us look at these next verses and be reminded of what HE did for us.. and if, in truth, we have partaken of HIS death and resurrection, then let us not be deceived, we ARE called and commanded to carry this same lifestyle and love over to the world... a World as lost and hopeless and dying as we were before HE found us!!!

Rom 5:5 And the hope does not put us to shame, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit given to us;
Rom 5:6 for we yet being without strength, in due time Christ died for ungodly ones.
Rom 5:7 For with difficulty one will die for a just one, (for perhaps one even dares to die for the sake of the good one),
Rom 5:8 but God commends His love to us in this, that we being yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Rom 5:9 Much more then, being justified now by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath through Him.
Rom 5:10 For if while being enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life;
Rom 5:11 and not only so, but also glorying in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we now received the reconciliation.

Oh how beautiful this selection of verses becomes when we begin to understand the depth of this love, the very love that resides and lives within us through the power and indwelling of the Holy Spirit of God. To love as Christ loved, what a powerful, life-changing mandate this becomes when we understand that to love each other as Christ loved us is to lay down out lives selflessly and without thought or concern for the "consequences". HE came and died, to restore us, while we were still unrepentant and degenerate sinners, trapped in a lifestyle of lust and self-service. HE did not cling to HIS rights nor riches (for what have we EVER had that could compare with what HE laid down for us), but gave ALL that HE might reach and restore us...

Gal 2:19 For through Law I died to Law, that I might live to God.
Gal 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ, and I live; yet no longer I, but Christ lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith toward the Son of God, the One loving me and giving Himself over on my behalf.
Gal 2:21 I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness is through Law, then Christ died without cause.

And if this is truth, and it MUST be, if we claim to be Christians and followers of HIS great and perfect will, then the very Spirit and nature of Christ HIMself now resides in us, that we might in turn show that to a lost and dying world. We must wake up and realize that to call ourselves "Christians" and yet NOT love HIS creation makes us liars and partakers of false doctrine. Yes, the Law is still there as a perfect and Holy mirror to show us our need for a saviour. Yes, Christ did not come to abolish, but to fulfill the Law and the prophets. But, if we again return to the law (obedience to find favor and justification) we render the Blood of Christ a common nad trivial thing. Let this never be so in our lives!! But let us understand and live in a way that shows repentance and service is born of a heart and life changed and exemplified by love. If we are still cloaked in a spirit and life of judgment and condemnation, how then is it possible that the Spirit of Love lives within us? Did Christ not lay down HIS life for us even while we were still the crowd screaming for HIS death and blood?? Was it not the very life of iniquity and selfishness that WE lived that brought HIM here to die?? How then can we claim to function in HIS Spirit when we would put back under bondage and judgment, the very same souls HE died for??

Php 2:5 For think this within you, which mind was also in Christ Jesus,
Php 2:6 who subsisting in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God,
Php 2:7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a slave, having become in the likeness of men
Php 2:8 and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, having become obedient until death, even the death of a cross.

Let us not be found with the rich young ruler, leaving sadly because of the very things that we are unable or unwilling to lay down in surrender to HIS will. HE left behind more than we can ever imagine, that HE might walk amongst us, and to know the very trials and tribulations of this life we all live. Not as an uncaring and distant God, but as One Who can walk alongside us and say "Yes, it is hard, I know, I have been there. Take my hand, let me carry you through this time of hurt and weakness." Should we not then, see also that every thing, for good or evil, that we have walked through in this life is to bring us closer, not only to HIM, but to each other, that we might lift each other up and carry one another's burdens and hurts. That we might reach out with Love to the sinner trapped and lost, not with judgment and condemnation, but in love and humility, to say "Yes, I know it is hard, but I have been there. Take my hand and let me carry you through this time of hurt and weakness." Will we be hurt?? Betrayed?? Denied?? Abandoned?? Falsely Accused and punished?? Ask Jesus, and then decide this day whom you will serve, as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.. No matter what....

May God Richly Bless and uphold you and shower you with the Love of the ages... Let us never forget the Love that was showed to us, that we might pass it on....

[Jerod W. Rickert]

1Co 13:13 And now faith, hope, and love, these three things remain; but the greatest of these is love.

FAITH:
G4102
πίστις
pistis
pis'-tis
From G3982; persuasion, that is, credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstractly constancy in such profession; by extension the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself: - assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity.

HOPE:
G1680
ἐλπίς
elpis
el-pece'
Fromἔλπω elpō which is a primary word (to anticipate, usually with pleasure); expectation (abstract or concrete) or confidence: - faith, hope.

LOVE:
G26
ἀγάπη
agapē
ag-ah'-pay
From G25; love, that is, affection or benevolence; specifically (plural) a love feast: - (feast of) charity ([-ably]), dear, love.

G25
ἀγαπάω
agapaō
ag-ap-ah'-o
Perhaps from ἄγαν agan (much; or compare [H5689]); to love (in a social or moral sense): - (be-) love (-ed). Compare G5368.

H5689
עגב
‛âgab
aw-gab'
A primitive root; to breathe after, that is, to love (sensually): - dote, lover.

G5368
φιλέω
phileō
fil-eh'-o
From G5384; to be a friend to (fond of [an individual or an object]), that is, have affection for (denoting personal attachment, as a matter of sentiment or feeling; while G25 is wider, embracing especially the judgment and the deliberate assent of the will as a matter of principle, duty and propriety: the two thus stand related very much as G2309 and G1014, or as G2372 and G3563 respectively; the former being chiefly of the heart and the latter of the head); specifically to kiss (as a mark of tenderness): - kiss, love.

GREATEST:
G3187
μείζων
meizōn
mide'-zone
Irregular comparative of G3173; larger (literally or figuratively, specifically in age): - elder, greater (-est), more.

there is an amazing lesson to be learned in this simple verse... I wanted to offer up some definitions that are so important as move forward.. to understand the importance of all 3 of these choices and fundamental legs of our relationship... and to help us better understand how and WHY the greatest of these is love... God Bless you all as we prepare to dig into the meaty verse...

[Jerod W. Rickert]

Faith... How fundamentally essential faith is for our salvation, our growth, our very existence. Yet do we truly understand what we claim as our Faith and Shield? I want to look simply into what the scriptures say of our faith. And I pray that we all might walk from here with a deeper understanding of what HE has called us to...

Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Heb 11:2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.

Faith IS substance and evidence, even of the things that are not yet, the very things that we do not yet see come to fruition and completion, but we KNOW that we KNOW it will come to pass in accordance with HIS word and will... This concept can sound so mystic or nebulous, so let us simply look at faith in action, and see what this concept really means...

Mat 8:2 And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.
Mat 8:3 And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.

Mat 8:5 And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him,
Mat 8:6 And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented.
Mat 8:7 And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him.
Mat 8:8 The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.
Mat 8:9 For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.
Mat 8:10 When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.
Mat 8:13 And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.

Mat 9:27 And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou Son of David, have mercy on us.
Mat 9:28 And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord.
Mat 9:29 Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.

Mar 2:3 And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four.
Mar 2:4 And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay.
Mar 2:5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.
Mar 2:6 But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts,
Mar 2:7 Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?
Mar 2:8 And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts?
Mar 2:9 Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk?
Mar 2:10 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,)
Mar 2:11 I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house.
Mar 2:12 And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.

Mar 5:22 And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet,
Mar 5:23 And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live.
Mar 5:24 And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him.
Mar 5:25 And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years,
Mar 5:26 And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse,
Mar 5:27 When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment.
Mar 5:28 For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.
Mar 5:29 And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.
Mar 5:30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes?
Mar 5:31 And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?
Mar 5:32 And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing.
Mar 5:33 But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth.
Mar 5:34 And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.
Mar 5:35 While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further?
Mar 5:36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.
Mar 5:37 And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.
Mar 5:38 And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly.
Mar 5:39 And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth.
Mar 5:40 And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying.
Mar 5:41 And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise.
Mar 5:42 And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment.
Mar 5:43 And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat.

Mar 10:46 And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging.
Mar 10:47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me.
Mar 10:48 And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.
Mar 10:49 And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee.
Mar 10:50 And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus.
Mar 10:51 And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight.
Mar 10:52 And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.

Mar 9:19 He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me.
Mar 9:20 And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming.
Mar 9:21 And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child.
Mar 9:22 And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us.
Mar 9:23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.
Mar 9:24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.
Mar 9:25 When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him.
Mar 9:26 And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead.
Mar 9:27 But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose.

My friends, we could continue on and on, throughout the scriptures there is example upon example of men and women of faith and how they responded, but let us see there are several key factors here...

#1, Faith is not without weakness and doubt, it is not perfected until it is placed in HIM. These people ALL knew that these things were possible (both for themselves and for their loved ones) in God, but until they stepped out in faith (even to the point of ridicule, or putting themselves on the line for their belief) nothing was accomplished. God is willing, able and ready to move on our behalf, are we willing to do our part? To seek HIM out, to put our faith where our reputation is? We seek God to move in the mighty and miraculous, but we want it on the sly, so as to not put ourselves out there. I am willing to pray silently ni my home, in secret for my ailing friend or family, but will i climb up on the roof and destroy someone's home to lower him to the feet of the Healer? Are we so sure of HIS ability and love, that we are willing to fight the crowd just to get to the hem of HIS garment? How many miles will we travel just to throw ourselves to HIS feet and cry out for our loved ones? Are we honest enough to cry out that our faith is not enough and we need HIS help to strengthen our faith? Our faith is only perfected when it is brought to HIM, the loving Saviour who promised to be at the right hand of the Father, interceding day and night.

#2, Faith is not indigenous, nor exclusive, to race, gender, social level, position or lot in life. From religious elite to foreign centurion, from outcast woman to blind beggar, these men and women did not let anything stand between them and the answer to their dilemma and problems. The did not worry about how it might "appear", they didn't try and figure out "HIS will" for HIM, they didn't do ANYthing, except pursue the one that could change things for them. No matter the walk of life, these people refused to let anything stand between them and the Master.

#3, Faith is demonstrative. It doesn't hedge it's bet around what is popular, fashionable or cool. It places it's belief in what IS. No matter the outcome, consequence or appearance, it moves forward with a sure minded and single purpose. That God is able is an absolute forgone conclusion. There is no speculation or questioning God's ability or capability. While circumstance, ourselves, even HIS willingness may at times be blurry or unclear, HIS ability to act on our behalf is and CAN NOT be subject to question and wavering. It is only in knowing that HE IS ABLE, that our Faith may be the demonstrative type and fashion that we need to move forward and stand firm.

My precious friends and co-heirs, let us not forget that HE who began this good work in us IS able to see it through to completion... now, will we let HIM?? God Bless you all richly in HIS magnificent Grace and Glory

[Jerod W. Rickert]

It is this thread, as of yet incomplete, that I feel God is calling me to first revisit. So as I get this site back up and running, over the next few days, look for additional thoughts to begin to pour out of my mind and heart, and with God's grace and blessings, they will find their way to this thread. I remain yours.. in HIM.

[Jerod W. Rickert]

Mat 7:21 Not every one who says to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Mat 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name? and in your name have cast out devils? and in your name done many wonderful works?
Mat 7:23 And then will I declare to them, I never knew you: depart from me, you who work iniquity.
Mat 7:24 Therefore whoever hears these sayings of mine, and does them, I will compare him to a wise man, who built his house upon a rock:
Mat 7:25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it did not fall: for it was founded upon a rock.
Mat 7:26 And every one who hears these sayings of mine, and does not do them, shall be compared to a foolish man, who built his house on the sand:
Mat 7:27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

As we resume our journey of practical living, let us first take time to remember that while it is our results and accomplishments and our DOING that the world will see and judge us upon, it is our HEART and our BEING that God will see and judge us upon. I have often reminded my precious children, even as God has reminded me, that righteousness is not just doing what is RIGHT. It is doing what is right for the right reason. Righteousness is accounted where heart and flesh align under HIS perfect will.

Now, it is HIS, and HIS alone, righteousness that washes, saves and covers us, let us never forget this glorious truth, lest our flesh cry out for praise and honor that is HIS alone. But understanding that our covering is HIM, we are still called to walk. We are called to go. We are called to be. We are called to do. And we can do and say all the right things ("Lord, Lord... Did we not do...") but if our hearts are not motivated by love for HIM and a desire born of thankfulness to serve HIM, then we have accomplished nothing. ("I never knew you: depart from me")

Mat 25:31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
Mat 25:32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats:
Mat 25:33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
Mat 25:34 Then shall the King say to those on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
Mat 25:35 For I was hungry, and you gave me food: I was thirsty, and you gave me drink: I was a stranger, and you took me in:
Mat 25:36 Naked, and you clothed me: I was sick, and you visited me: I was in prison, and you came to me.
Mat 25:37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when did we see you hungry, and fed you? or thirsty, and gave you drink?
Mat 25:38 When did we see you a stranger, and took you in? or naked, and clothed you?
Mat 25:39 Or when did we see you sick, or in prison, and came to you?
Mat 25:40 And the King shall answer and say to them, Truly I say to you, To the extent that you have done it to one of the least of these my brothers, you have done it unto me.
Mat 25:41 Then shall he say also to those on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
Mat 25:42 For I was hungry, and you gave me no food: I was thirsty, and you gave me no drink:
Mat 25:43 I was a stranger, and you did not take me in: naked, and you did not clothe me: sick, and in prison, and you did not visit me.
Mat 25:44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when did we see you hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister to you?
Mat 25:45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Truly I say to you, To the extent that you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me.
Mat 25:46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

Interesting here to note, the difference in attitude of teh Sheep as opposed to the people in the earlier passage. "Lord, did WE not...? and didn't WE...?? In Your name." It was about THEIR accomplishments, about THEIR successes, about THEIR glory. The Sheep on the other hand have lived such a servant's life, in the footsteps of their Master, that they are legitimately unsure of how they did these wonderful things that HE is praising them for. There is a sense of genuine humility and lowliness of spirit that permeates their attitudes. The same attitude that Christ exemplified and modeled.

In reality these accolades and condemnations from the King are less about the actual accomplishments than about the attitudes surrounding them. The Sheep surely missed as many or more opportunities than they achieved, but they were constantly watching for the opportunities to serve. An unexpected meeting at the store, the hospital, the gas pump. The friend you call out of the blue, or stop by to see. The dinner brought to an ailing or elderly neighbor. The constant invitation to church or a small group. The midnight prayers you can't explain and never understand. In essence having TIME for the Lord's will and heart.

The goats on the other hand, may have done as much or MORE (and obviously in some case did NOTHING, ever), but their hearts were only in it for themselves, for their glory, for their betterment. They of course visited their sick mother, but what about the lonely man in the room next to mom's, the one they avoided repeatedly because he is so needy? Giving lip-service to friendship and concern, but only as time behooves oneself and is convenient.

My precious friends, let us remember that we are not called to a life of convenience, but to a life of self-denying love and to lay our lives down for the sake of the gospel. Let us learn to be Sheep and repent of the times we play goats.

Joh 10:24 Then came the Jews round about him, and said to him, How long do you make us doubt? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.
Joh 10:25 Jesus answered them, I told you, and you did not believe: the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me.
Joh 10:26 But you do not believe, because you are not of my sheep, as I said to you.
Joh 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
Joh 10:28 And I give them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
Joh 10:29 My Father, who gave them to me, is greater than all; and no one is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.
Joh 10:30 I and my Father are one.

[Jerod W. Rickert]

Forgiveness.

How we long for it for ourselves, yet struggle to extend it to others. Our hurts are deep and life-altering (and I do not say this with any sarcasm nor to make light of our hurts), yet the hurts we hand out are excusable and "well-deserved". We live a double standard that is crippling to us, to our relationships with others, to our relationship with God HIMself. Yet we wonder at our sensation of loneliness, our feelings of isolation from God and our suspicion that our prayers are hitting the ceiling only to fall back on our bowed heads.

Mat 6:14 For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
Mat 6:15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Do not mistake this, when we accept Christ, our sins, past, present and future are washed away and we ARE the bride of Christ, beautiful, spotless and without blemish!! How precious is this all-encompassing love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ!! But, also make no mistake that our relationship to HIM is compromised and damaged GREATLY when we hold bitterness and unforgiveness.

Have you ever held resentment against a friend, spouse, parent, child or loved one? Has your relationship carried on, endured, even thrived at times? Yet in that secret and quiet place, all is not right, is it? We are disconnected from them on at least some level. Oh, we have indeed given lip service to forgiveness, but in our hearts, we have held that bitterness and it has affected that relationship. We do not accept them at face value, and there is a wall between us.

But now, remember those times that there has been true forgiveness and restoration. Through tears and laughter and heartfelt apology and genuine acceptance. Oh, how wonderful is that moment, how freeing! With hugs and handshakes and a new lease on life we walk from that experience in a state of true joy and contentment. Painful? Yes. Exhausting? Most likely. Uncomfortable to start? Almost always. But what cleansing and refreshing comes from it. That raw, naked, unrefined moment of reconnection!!

THAT is how our relationship to God is damaged when we hold to bitterness. Because now we have forsaken HIS command in favor of self-fulfilling disobedience. And when we are walking in disobedience, our forgiveness from HIM is just as incomplete. Does HE still watch over us? Every nano-second. Are we still the very center of HIS heart? Absolutely. Does HE love us with an Agape we can barely even begin to understand? YES!!! But because HE is God and cannot lie, nor break HIS own Word, HE cannot give us full forgiveness and restoration. HE is not petty nor grudging in HIS love, grace, mercy and forgiveness. Yet HE requires certain responses to HIS Word for us to receive ALL of HIS blessings.

Consider Matthew 18:23-34

Mat 18:23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven compared to a certain king, who wanted to take account of his servants.
Mat 18:24 And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him, who owed him ten thousand talents.
Mat 18:25 But seeing that he was not able to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.
Mat 18:26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshiped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.
Mat 18:27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and released him, and forgave him the debt.
Mat 18:28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellow servants, who owed him a hundred silver coins: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me what you owe.
Mat 18:29 And his fellow servant fell down at his feet, and pleaded with him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.
Mat 18:30 And he would not: but went and threw him into prison, till he should pay the debt.
Mat 18:31 So when his fellow servants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told to their lord all that was done.
Mat 18:32 Then his lord, after he had called him, said to him, O you wicked servant, I forgave you all that debt, because you pleaded with me:
Mat 18:33 Should not you also have had compassion on your fellow servant, even as I had pity on you?
Mat 18:34 And his lord was angry, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due to him.

God turns us over to tormentors when we refuse to forgive. He allows us to LEARN what unforgiveness costs us. This is done not from a heart of hate or of desire to see us in pain or sorrow. But he does it as a loving Father, one who knows that despite 1000 admonitions and pleadings, sometimes the only way for a wayward child to learn is to allow them to experience the consequences of their choices.

Mat 18:21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Till seven times?
Mat 18:22 Jesus said to him, I do not say to you, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

I would like to tie this verse into forgiveness in perhaps a rather unorthodox, but (I believe) no less viable or valuable way. What if rather than considering the number of sins we are to forgive our brother, we looked at this as our guideline of how many times PER SIN we were to forgive?

I know first hand and all too well, that forgiveness is hard. In fact I would go so far as to say IMPOSSIBLE. At least outside of HIS grace and mercy. We cannot forgive someone, not entirely without Jesus Christ in our lives, it is anathema to our flesh and our human will and desire.

Further, I believe without reservation that even in Christ, we as human beings are subject to pains and hurts and offenses resurfacing and reassailing us. What if we were to understand this verse as a reminder that when those feelings resurface and attack our hearts and minds, that we are to simply return to the cross again(and again and again and again) to leave it at HIS nail pierced feet. My friends, I implore you, when offenses assault and forgiveness seems (and often RIGHTLY seems) impossible, go to the cross. That precious cross of offense, where a blameless friend laid down HIS life for yours. But do not stop there, look in that precious face, unrecognizable and destroyed, peer in HIS eyes, so full of love and heart-rending compassion. First, just thank HIM for all you have been pardoned. What has been done to you, to ME, that compares to this? Now look down, do you see it? There, in your hands? The scourge used to strip this precious friend of HIS very flesh? The hammer? The very hammer a simple Carpenter used to build, now used to pierce HIS wrists and ankles? That's right... WE hold these accursed tools, each and every one of us, as surely as if we stood there that terrible and glorious day. Now let them go, and let HIS blood wash over you afresh. See your empty hands as HE sees them.

Forgiveness comes at a price. A painful, humiliating, humbling price.

Luk 23:34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

Luk 7:36 And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat.
Luk 7:37 And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment,
Luk 7:38 And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.
Luk 7:39 Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.
Luk 7:40 And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on.
Luk 7:41 There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.
Luk 7:42 And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?
Luk 7:43 Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.
Luk 7:44 And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.
Luk 7:45 Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.
Luk 7:46 My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.
Luk 7:47 Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.
Luk 7:48 And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.
Luk 7:49 And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also?
Luk 7:50 And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.


Forgiveness is a process, in many cases a lifelong process. But let us NOT forsake HIS love and mercy. For HE who began this work, WILL see it through, just let us learn to tarry a little longer at the foot of HIS cross.

My precious friends and beloved co-heirs in Christ, I love you and pray tat HIS all-surpassing grace and mercy would wash you anew today. Let us go forth in the Spirit which HE has bestowed upon us and within us, to forgive and to love much. Until next time, i remain yours, in HIM...

[Jerod W. Rickert]

Good morning and God bless to all my precious friends and family. Wanted to simply post a thought or two here today. Not super intensive on scripture today, just a seed thought or two...

First, simply an encouragement to daily take time to thank God. Not just at mealtime or bedtime, but to actively bring to mind and remembrance the things that HE has done for us daily.

Secondly, let us remember the lessons from the scriptures that we are allowed, encouraged and even expected to pour out to HIM our own pleadings for HIS remembrances of HIS promises. David, Moses, countless prophets, apostles and ministers through the ages have come before God with the preface of: "Oh, Lord, remember..." and "Oh, Father, do not forget YOUR word...".

I would urge each and everyone of us to stir up God's word in our own hearts and lives. Speak it out to HIM, remind HIM and call it into being by our words AND our obedience. (Let us not forget that God's promises and provisions almost always come in an "if/then" format. We seek the latter without DOING the former.

Over the next several days, we will expand a bit on the subject of remembering and remembrances. Until then I remain faithfully yours in HIM!!