Ephesians 6:10-18, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;”
“Onward Christian soldiers marching as to war,” words from the old hymn remind us we are always to be ready to fight the devil. As Paul was writing to the Ephesian Christians he was giving them a picture of what one who was going into battle was to look like. It was a picture they all knew very well, that of a Roman soldier. Paul knew when we accept Christ as Savior we join the Army of God and would always be in a battle with God’s arch enemy, Satan. He also knew no one should go into battle without being fully prepared for the battle ahead.
Every day we wake up we enter into a battle with the devil. He is set to kill or damage as many Christians as he possibly can. He knows most never are prepared for the fight and as such will be defeated. Paul is showing us how we can win every battle and put the devil in his place.
In the business world we are always told we should dress for success. Why do we think we need not prepare for battle in a like manner? Our military folks never go into combat without being fully prepared. They know that should they enter combat without all the protection and weapons necessary they are facing certain death. We too cannot face the devil and his army without being fully dressed and ready for battle.
We face not a physical enemy but a spiritual one. One who is skilled in deception and stealth. One who will find your weakest point ant attack with all his might! For if he can make you look bad your testimony will be damaged and then he can scatter the army. Paul is telling us we all need to put on the whole armor of God so that we can face this enemy with the power of God. Try this for one week imagine as you wake each day that your first dress for war by putting on God’s armor asking God to give you strength for the trials of the day. Then thank Him at day’s end for the victory over sin and temptation.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Dealing With Problems
Isaiah 40:31, “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”
Living in this chaotic world not only causes health problems it also causes spiritual problems. By focusing on the problems we become problem-centered instead of God-centered. When we focus on the problems they get bigger and bigger. They begin to overwhelm us and cause the power of Almighty God to shrink in our minds. Instead of moving mountains by faith we create mountains by worrying and fretting putting needless pressure on ourselves and others.
When our problems seem larger that the God of the universe Isaiah gives us some good advise---wait upon the Lord.
The prophet reminds us just how great God is: “Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance: behold, he taketh up the isles as a very little thing.” Isaiah 40:15 then in verses 22-25 we are told: “It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in:That bringeth the princes to nothing; he maketh the judges of the earth as vanity. Yea, they shall not be planted; yea, they shall not be sown: yea, their stock shall not take root in the earth: and he shall also blow upon them, and they shall wither, and the whirlwind shall take them away as stubble. To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One. “
This is not meant to make us feel insignificant but rather to know just how great and powerful God is. God wants us to see from His perspective. He offers us something that will enable us to live by what he sees not what we can see. If we will depend on Him instead of dwelling on our problems He has promised to give us peace. He will renew our strength, and wings of faith will lift our hearts to soar above our difficulties.
God offers us more than just a new perspective. He offers us something that will enable us to live a better life. If we will depend on Him and lean on His almighty arms our problems will seem small compared to His greatness. He will renew our strength, and give us wings to rise above our difficulties. As we rise on eagle wings our problems may be huge yet they will appear small. Jesus told us that if we have faith the size of grain of mustard seed we could move mountains. So with mountain moving faith and eagle wings and a God who is bigger that the universe He created we can feel secure.
Living in this chaotic world not only causes health problems it also causes spiritual problems. By focusing on the problems we become problem-centered instead of God-centered. When we focus on the problems they get bigger and bigger. They begin to overwhelm us and cause the power of Almighty God to shrink in our minds. Instead of moving mountains by faith we create mountains by worrying and fretting putting needless pressure on ourselves and others.
When our problems seem larger that the God of the universe Isaiah gives us some good advise---wait upon the Lord.
The prophet reminds us just how great God is: “Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance: behold, he taketh up the isles as a very little thing.” Isaiah 40:15 then in verses 22-25 we are told: “It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in:That bringeth the princes to nothing; he maketh the judges of the earth as vanity. Yea, they shall not be planted; yea, they shall not be sown: yea, their stock shall not take root in the earth: and he shall also blow upon them, and they shall wither, and the whirlwind shall take them away as stubble. To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One. “
This is not meant to make us feel insignificant but rather to know just how great and powerful God is. God wants us to see from His perspective. He offers us something that will enable us to live by what he sees not what we can see. If we will depend on Him instead of dwelling on our problems He has promised to give us peace. He will renew our strength, and wings of faith will lift our hearts to soar above our difficulties.
God offers us more than just a new perspective. He offers us something that will enable us to live a better life. If we will depend on Him and lean on His almighty arms our problems will seem small compared to His greatness. He will renew our strength, and give us wings to rise above our difficulties. As we rise on eagle wings our problems may be huge yet they will appear small. Jesus told us that if we have faith the size of grain of mustard seed we could move mountains. So with mountain moving faith and eagle wings and a God who is bigger that the universe He created we can feel secure.
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Thanksgiving Thought
Psalm 100, “Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.”
As we prepare to share the bounty the Lord has provided let us pause to remember and count our many blessings. We are truly blessed to live in a free country. We may live with chaos but let us not forget the wars of the world have not yet been fought on our shores. We are free to express our opinions without fear. This country helps feed a large part of the peoples of the world. We are a free and diversified people who many times take our freedom for granted. Give thinks for all those who have paid the supreme sacrifice for freedom and for those who this day stands in harm’s way so that we can breathe free.
God has blessed because this country was founded on His Word and under His protection. As the Psalm so clearly states let us come before our Holy and righteous God with praise and thanksgiving. Let us stop and count our blessings. As we set down to a table filled with wonderful food and surrounded by family let us not forget to Thank God for what we are about to receive. Thank Him for our health and the health of our children and a roof over our heads.
Sing praises unto the Lord for had it not been for His blessings this day might not have happened. So pause for just a moment to count the many blessings God has spread before you on this Thanksgiving day.
As we prepare to share the bounty the Lord has provided let us pause to remember and count our many blessings. We are truly blessed to live in a free country. We may live with chaos but let us not forget the wars of the world have not yet been fought on our shores. We are free to express our opinions without fear. This country helps feed a large part of the peoples of the world. We are a free and diversified people who many times take our freedom for granted. Give thinks for all those who have paid the supreme sacrifice for freedom and for those who this day stands in harm’s way so that we can breathe free.
God has blessed because this country was founded on His Word and under His protection. As the Psalm so clearly states let us come before our Holy and righteous God with praise and thanksgiving. Let us stop and count our blessings. As we set down to a table filled with wonderful food and surrounded by family let us not forget to Thank God for what we are about to receive. Thank Him for our health and the health of our children and a roof over our heads.
Sing praises unto the Lord for had it not been for His blessings this day might not have happened. So pause for just a moment to count the many blessings God has spread before you on this Thanksgiving day.
Monday, November 21, 2011
Ripples On The Pond
Colossians 3:1-2, “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”
From ancient China comes a story about understanding. As the story goes a boy had spent several days building a toy sail boat. He was very excited to play with it and watch is float in the large pond near his home. Everything went well as he launched his boat. The boat stood straight in the water and moved surely as the boy directed it. Then a breeze was caught the sails and the boat began to drift out into the pond and out of the reach of the boy. Feeling he had lost his boat and that all his work would be lost he became frantic to try to get the boat back to shore. Try as he might nothing worked to get the boat to float back to the shore. He began to cry for someone to help him save his boat.
Standing by the shore was another boy who had been watching all that has happened. Hearing the other boy’s cry for help to recover his boat he offered to help. “Yes please help me get my boat back.”, pleaded the boat builder. So the second boy picked up a hand full of stones and began throwing them at the wayward boat. Distressed the boat builder saw the stones falling around his precious boat and he thought this so called friend was mean and trying to destroy his boat. As he watched each stone land just ahead of his boat he noticed that the ripples from the stones hitting the water were pushing the boat back toward the shore. It then occurred to him his friend was not trying to destroy his boat but was in fact saving it.
Sometimes it seems as if God is allowing circumstances to come into our lives that on the surface appear to be harming us or do not fit into our plans. Just as in the story we can be sure the waves of trial are intended to bring us back and closer to God. We are encouraged to set our minds on things above and not on things of this earth. God knows we are prone to drift away from Him so He sends waves to direct us back toward Him. He knows where to throw the stones and just how big the stones have to be to produce the waves to bring us back closer to His loving hands. The winds of doubt and fear will carry us farther away from our creator but the ripples will guide us back home.
Set our eyes on Him and know He will never leave us nor forsake us. God will use waves of trial to draw us closer to Him.
From ancient China comes a story about understanding. As the story goes a boy had spent several days building a toy sail boat. He was very excited to play with it and watch is float in the large pond near his home. Everything went well as he launched his boat. The boat stood straight in the water and moved surely as the boy directed it. Then a breeze was caught the sails and the boat began to drift out into the pond and out of the reach of the boy. Feeling he had lost his boat and that all his work would be lost he became frantic to try to get the boat back to shore. Try as he might nothing worked to get the boat to float back to the shore. He began to cry for someone to help him save his boat.
Standing by the shore was another boy who had been watching all that has happened. Hearing the other boy’s cry for help to recover his boat he offered to help. “Yes please help me get my boat back.”, pleaded the boat builder. So the second boy picked up a hand full of stones and began throwing them at the wayward boat. Distressed the boat builder saw the stones falling around his precious boat and he thought this so called friend was mean and trying to destroy his boat. As he watched each stone land just ahead of his boat he noticed that the ripples from the stones hitting the water were pushing the boat back toward the shore. It then occurred to him his friend was not trying to destroy his boat but was in fact saving it.
Sometimes it seems as if God is allowing circumstances to come into our lives that on the surface appear to be harming us or do not fit into our plans. Just as in the story we can be sure the waves of trial are intended to bring us back and closer to God. We are encouraged to set our minds on things above and not on things of this earth. God knows we are prone to drift away from Him so He sends waves to direct us back toward Him. He knows where to throw the stones and just how big the stones have to be to produce the waves to bring us back closer to His loving hands. The winds of doubt and fear will carry us farther away from our creator but the ripples will guide us back home.
Set our eyes on Him and know He will never leave us nor forsake us. God will use waves of trial to draw us closer to Him.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Helpless
Hebrews 4:14-16, “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
Where in the bible does it say, ‘God helps those who help themselves.’? Ask anyone and most will say they are not sure. They have heard it all their lives so it must be in there somewhere. Truth is this is but a concept that many have come to believe to be written in scripture. Actually the bible doesn’t say that at all. It tells us quite the opposite. God helps the helpless. It is when we realize we can no longer do anything and turn the problem over to God that He does His best work.
When we read about the work Jesus did we see He never failed to help those who could not help themselves. He never withheld forgiveness or compassion. He did not turn away from those who had no power to change their circumstances. He was not concerned with public opinion. He saw value in everyone no matter their condition. The ones Jesus had the most problem with was those who felt they did not need any help.
God’s ways are not our ways His thoughts are not our thoughts. He sees things way different that we see things. By showing us our weakness he shows us how to rely on His strength.
It is when we run ahead and feel the success is due to our skill or craftiness that God may allow failure to redirect us back to Him. He does this to show us true success comes through His grace. Like salvation that is by grace not of works lest any should boast.
So when you feel helpless and down look up God is there to help you up. When you have fallen and don’t think you can get back up reach out for His hand and His love will lift you to your feet.
Come boldly to the throne of grace and humbly seek His help. When we admit we are weak God will be there in our time of need. Jesus said, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:27-29
Where in the bible does it say, ‘God helps those who help themselves.’? Ask anyone and most will say they are not sure. They have heard it all their lives so it must be in there somewhere. Truth is this is but a concept that many have come to believe to be written in scripture. Actually the bible doesn’t say that at all. It tells us quite the opposite. God helps the helpless. It is when we realize we can no longer do anything and turn the problem over to God that He does His best work.
When we read about the work Jesus did we see He never failed to help those who could not help themselves. He never withheld forgiveness or compassion. He did not turn away from those who had no power to change their circumstances. He was not concerned with public opinion. He saw value in everyone no matter their condition. The ones Jesus had the most problem with was those who felt they did not need any help.
God’s ways are not our ways His thoughts are not our thoughts. He sees things way different that we see things. By showing us our weakness he shows us how to rely on His strength.
It is when we run ahead and feel the success is due to our skill or craftiness that God may allow failure to redirect us back to Him. He does this to show us true success comes through His grace. Like salvation that is by grace not of works lest any should boast.
So when you feel helpless and down look up God is there to help you up. When you have fallen and don’t think you can get back up reach out for His hand and His love will lift you to your feet.
Come boldly to the throne of grace and humbly seek His help. When we admit we are weak God will be there in our time of need. Jesus said, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:27-29
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Nation Needs Prayer
2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
We all need to claim this promise.
The issues that now face our nation are not political economical or social, they are spiritual. Just as Israel once turned their back on God and faced near ruin, so then has the USA. This country is losing touch with God. Christians have too long been silent and allowed the godless crowd to dominate. History should teach us that when God is taken out of the picture evil will reign. The book of Hosea gives a clear picture of what Israel had done and the result. The picture looks very similar to the US today. God made it clear to Israel what would happen if they did not return to Him.
We have had warning upon warning and still we won't listen.
It is now time for all true born again children of God to pray as never before. Pray for this country, and then stand up for what made this country great. The current economic condition should give all Christians a strong wake up call.
There are no political parties now serving the interest of the people or willing to defend the principles this country was founded upon. This is a CHRISTIAN Nation and as such should be dominated by God loving and God serving people. Not run by Satan and the anti-Christian God hating minority.
It wasn't a single political party that caused the chaos that is prevalent today. It is the loss of national contact with God.
Our churches are struggling and Christians are cowering in corners afraid of offending someone. So afraid we will offend that we say nothing when our own existence is threatened.
Each person has the God given right to choose. If our Christian beliefs and principles offend you leave this country and find one that suites your political vision. Christians need to stand up and say enough. Don't remain silent while the God we love and serve is bashed and not allowed public air. How long will we stand and let those who are like those God has destroyed time and again continue to cripple this country?
This nation will continue to decline until we return and once again embrace the fundamental Christian principles upon which this nation was founded. Principles men and women died to protect.
2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
We all need to claim this promise.
We all need to claim this promise.
The issues that now face our nation are not political economical or social, they are spiritual. Just as Israel once turned their back on God and faced near ruin, so then has the USA. This country is losing touch with God. Christians have too long been silent and allowed the godless crowd to dominate. History should teach us that when God is taken out of the picture evil will reign. The book of Hosea gives a clear picture of what Israel had done and the result. The picture looks very similar to the US today. God made it clear to Israel what would happen if they did not return to Him.
We have had warning upon warning and still we won't listen.
It is now time for all true born again children of God to pray as never before. Pray for this country, and then stand up for what made this country great. The current economic condition should give all Christians a strong wake up call.
There are no political parties now serving the interest of the people or willing to defend the principles this country was founded upon. This is a CHRISTIAN Nation and as such should be dominated by God loving and God serving people. Not run by Satan and the anti-Christian God hating minority.
It wasn't a single political party that caused the chaos that is prevalent today. It is the loss of national contact with God.
Our churches are struggling and Christians are cowering in corners afraid of offending someone. So afraid we will offend that we say nothing when our own existence is threatened.
Each person has the God given right to choose. If our Christian beliefs and principles offend you leave this country and find one that suites your political vision. Christians need to stand up and say enough. Don't remain silent while the God we love and serve is bashed and not allowed public air. How long will we stand and let those who are like those God has destroyed time and again continue to cripple this country?
This nation will continue to decline until we return and once again embrace the fundamental Christian principles upon which this nation was founded. Principles men and women died to protect.
2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
We all need to claim this promise.
Friday, November 18, 2011
How Do We Want to Be Forgiven
Matthew 6:12, “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.”
Jesus was teaching His disciples about many things as he was preparing them for the mission they were about to embark upon. Among the topics He taught was how to pray. He gave them an outline about how to structure their prayers. Today we call this the “Lord’s Prayer”. Inside the middle of the prayer the Lord gave them and us a specific request for forgiveness.
In the instructions Jesus made it clear we are to pray daily seeking our daily bread and also to ask for God’s forgiveness. Jesus knew we would be hard pressed to seek forgiveness on a daily basis. Today with all that fills our lives and crosses our minds we seem to forget to ask God to forgive us until we have amassed a large catch of sins do we come to God? As a result of that large mess of sin we feel estranged from God; our guilty conscience then makes it difficult to go to Him in prayer at all.
Jesus wanted to let us in on a great secret that the best way to keep things straight was to go to God on a regular basis and with a short sin list. We then can maintain a clear conscience with God and can go to Him with more weighty matters and can have assurance of our forgiveness and refreshing our spirit on a daily basis.
Notice something else that Jesus is making clear. Our daily forgiveness is tied purposefully and inseparably to our own forgiveness or others. Jesus is coaching His disciples and us that we must be willing to forgive others with the same forgiveness we want to be offered to us. And forgive us our debt as we forgive our debtors is a very interesting statement. One that many today have either forgot or simply ignored. We have all heard someone say, “I could never forgive them for what they did to me.” According to Jesus then you may be cursing yourself. Jesus is not talking here about salvation and the sin debt that He would soon pay for all humankind. He is talking about sins committed on a daily basis. Even after we have asked for and received the salvation paid for on the cross we still will sin and do it on a daily basis. It is on a daily basis Jesus is telling us that we need to come to God and ask to be forgiven. Forgive us as we forgive others---do we want God to do exactly as we ask or as we act? We are to take our sin debt to God in prayer daily. Do we want God to forgive us totally when we hold a grudge and won’t forgive another?
Forgiveness is a real hard thing for us to understand and to do. Yet it is the foundation for how we are to life a separated life in and for Christ. Could it be the largest problem within the Christian community today is the ability or willingness to forgive may have been lost or forgotten?
The questions we all must ponder as we go to God in prayer is do we really want God to forgive us as we forgive others? How do we want to be forgiven? God forgives totally and without question---what do we do?
Jesus was teaching His disciples about many things as he was preparing them for the mission they were about to embark upon. Among the topics He taught was how to pray. He gave them an outline about how to structure their prayers. Today we call this the “Lord’s Prayer”. Inside the middle of the prayer the Lord gave them and us a specific request for forgiveness.
In the instructions Jesus made it clear we are to pray daily seeking our daily bread and also to ask for God’s forgiveness. Jesus knew we would be hard pressed to seek forgiveness on a daily basis. Today with all that fills our lives and crosses our minds we seem to forget to ask God to forgive us until we have amassed a large catch of sins do we come to God? As a result of that large mess of sin we feel estranged from God; our guilty conscience then makes it difficult to go to Him in prayer at all.
Jesus wanted to let us in on a great secret that the best way to keep things straight was to go to God on a regular basis and with a short sin list. We then can maintain a clear conscience with God and can go to Him with more weighty matters and can have assurance of our forgiveness and refreshing our spirit on a daily basis.
Notice something else that Jesus is making clear. Our daily forgiveness is tied purposefully and inseparably to our own forgiveness or others. Jesus is coaching His disciples and us that we must be willing to forgive others with the same forgiveness we want to be offered to us. And forgive us our debt as we forgive our debtors is a very interesting statement. One that many today have either forgot or simply ignored. We have all heard someone say, “I could never forgive them for what they did to me.” According to Jesus then you may be cursing yourself. Jesus is not talking here about salvation and the sin debt that He would soon pay for all humankind. He is talking about sins committed on a daily basis. Even after we have asked for and received the salvation paid for on the cross we still will sin and do it on a daily basis. It is on a daily basis Jesus is telling us that we need to come to God and ask to be forgiven. Forgive us as we forgive others---do we want God to do exactly as we ask or as we act? We are to take our sin debt to God in prayer daily. Do we want God to forgive us totally when we hold a grudge and won’t forgive another?
Forgiveness is a real hard thing for us to understand and to do. Yet it is the foundation for how we are to life a separated life in and for Christ. Could it be the largest problem within the Christian community today is the ability or willingness to forgive may have been lost or forgotten?
The questions we all must ponder as we go to God in prayer is do we really want God to forgive us as we forgive others? How do we want to be forgiven? God forgives totally and without question---what do we do?
Thursday, November 17, 2011
A Guide to Making Decisions
Matthew 6:33, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
The times in which we live have become more and more complicated. We have decisions to make daily some that have great affects on our lives and the lives of our children and those around us. What career path should I follow, how should I deal with serious family dynamics, to go back to school or not---each of these have different challenges. Jesus gives us a very simple guide to assist in making every decision from the simple to the complex. If we follow His advice we would simplify our decision making considerably. Seek first the kingdom and His righteousness. Don’t worry about personal advancement, financial security or self fulfillment. Look to God for direction.
So how should we apply this wisdom? Let’s see should we accept this promotion? Seek first the kingdom. How should we direct our children as they want to leave the nest? Seek first the kingdom. What about which church should we join? Seek ye first the kingdom.
No this directive does not give us specific answers to every problem we face it does eliminate a great number of options. Sure makes the decision making a lot easier. If what we want to do does not further the kingdom of God and reflect His righteousness then we might want to reconsider. Remember God has a plan for each and every life. He created each with talents for a specific purpose. He will comfort every hurt.
When we seek the welfare of the kingdom, then Jesus promises that God will seek our welfare. “and all these things shall be added unto you.” What things? Everything you will need and are necessary for you to make the right decision. God will provide everything necessary to advance the kingdom of Christ.
Many decisions we face daily have serious consequences. If we make decisions without God’s help and guidance we most often make the wrong decision. If the decision we are facing has dramatic effects on the life of another we most certainly would want to consult God before we make that decision. No matter how serious or how simple a decision the best rule to follow is: seek ye first the kingdom of God.
Making decisions is a full time job. It is also a job many do not do well; especially when it comes to life changing decisions. If you are facing a serious problem, looking to change directions, or are looking to help another then the best advice is: But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
God knows what we have need of and He sees into our future. As you face difficult and convoluted questions today, filter your thoughts and decisions through this all-important objective: seek first the kingdom of God.
The times in which we live have become more and more complicated. We have decisions to make daily some that have great affects on our lives and the lives of our children and those around us. What career path should I follow, how should I deal with serious family dynamics, to go back to school or not---each of these have different challenges. Jesus gives us a very simple guide to assist in making every decision from the simple to the complex. If we follow His advice we would simplify our decision making considerably. Seek first the kingdom and His righteousness. Don’t worry about personal advancement, financial security or self fulfillment. Look to God for direction.
So how should we apply this wisdom? Let’s see should we accept this promotion? Seek first the kingdom. How should we direct our children as they want to leave the nest? Seek first the kingdom. What about which church should we join? Seek ye first the kingdom.
No this directive does not give us specific answers to every problem we face it does eliminate a great number of options. Sure makes the decision making a lot easier. If what we want to do does not further the kingdom of God and reflect His righteousness then we might want to reconsider. Remember God has a plan for each and every life. He created each with talents for a specific purpose. He will comfort every hurt.
When we seek the welfare of the kingdom, then Jesus promises that God will seek our welfare. “and all these things shall be added unto you.” What things? Everything you will need and are necessary for you to make the right decision. God will provide everything necessary to advance the kingdom of Christ.
Many decisions we face daily have serious consequences. If we make decisions without God’s help and guidance we most often make the wrong decision. If the decision we are facing has dramatic effects on the life of another we most certainly would want to consult God before we make that decision. No matter how serious or how simple a decision the best rule to follow is: seek ye first the kingdom of God.
Making decisions is a full time job. It is also a job many do not do well; especially when it comes to life changing decisions. If you are facing a serious problem, looking to change directions, or are looking to help another then the best advice is: But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
God knows what we have need of and He sees into our future. As you face difficult and convoluted questions today, filter your thoughts and decisions through this all-important objective: seek first the kingdom of God.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
The Cross
Hebrews 12:1-2, “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
As we look on the cross we can see many things and learn many lessons. What do we see when we look on the cross? Some see an instrument of death and dying. Others see a place of pain and suffering. The cross is so much more and has so many lessons for us to learn. From the cross we can learn how to endure injustice, and how to respond with goodness but this is just a small sampling of the lessons Jesus brings from the cross.
If we look on the cross with open minds and hearts we see far more than a suffering savior we see that Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith. We can see the cross was not an ending but a beginning on the way to a joyful coronation. We can see the cross as a vehicle Jesus used to defeat evil and death and give us life.
Jesus is the author and finisher of saving faith, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9 Because of the work Jesus did on the cross is what transferred us from being dead to being alive. Because He put away our sin with His righteousness is the essence of where faith rest. True faith rest in a true reality, and there is no real salvation outside of Christ’s work on the cross. Jesus accomplished a great salvation for His people by the pain and suffering on the cross. Having attained this great purpose to free you and me from the bondage of sin and death He rose from the dead and took His place at the right hand of God where He sets as our intercessor and mediator. He is a righteous judge who knows the hearts of all who seek Him. He understands our need and feels our pain.
The cross is not to be worshiped it is to be experienced. Jesus used the cross to save all mankind. He hung between heaven and earth as an example and then defeated death on our behalf when He rose from the grave.
Let us look to the cross as a place of learning, a place where we can find peace and rest, and a place of power. Jesus is always there ready to take our hand and guide us. Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
As we look on the cross we can see many things and learn many lessons. What do we see when we look on the cross? Some see an instrument of death and dying. Others see a place of pain and suffering. The cross is so much more and has so many lessons for us to learn. From the cross we can learn how to endure injustice, and how to respond with goodness but this is just a small sampling of the lessons Jesus brings from the cross.
If we look on the cross with open minds and hearts we see far more than a suffering savior we see that Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith. We can see the cross was not an ending but a beginning on the way to a joyful coronation. We can see the cross as a vehicle Jesus used to defeat evil and death and give us life.
Jesus is the author and finisher of saving faith, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9 Because of the work Jesus did on the cross is what transferred us from being dead to being alive. Because He put away our sin with His righteousness is the essence of where faith rest. True faith rest in a true reality, and there is no real salvation outside of Christ’s work on the cross. Jesus accomplished a great salvation for His people by the pain and suffering on the cross. Having attained this great purpose to free you and me from the bondage of sin and death He rose from the dead and took His place at the right hand of God where He sets as our intercessor and mediator. He is a righteous judge who knows the hearts of all who seek Him. He understands our need and feels our pain.
The cross is not to be worshiped it is to be experienced. Jesus used the cross to save all mankind. He hung between heaven and earth as an example and then defeated death on our behalf when He rose from the grave.
Let us look to the cross as a place of learning, a place where we can find peace and rest, and a place of power. Jesus is always there ready to take our hand and guide us. Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
What Happens When We Pray?
Acts12:5, “Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.”
Life has many turns and curves that will cause us to pray. Some may be painful, some due to loss or some crisis that has turned our world upside down. In the book of Acts we see a story where politics has driven a ruler to put a man of God in prison. Prejudice and jealousy has caused another preacher to lose his head. If you will follow this 12th chapter you will see how God turned things around and won the victory. Jesus and the gospel was magnified and Herod died.
Herod was trying to gain pleasure from the Jews and he thought if he got rid of Peter and James he would become more powerful and popular. What he did not count on was the power of prayer. Peter was in jail guarded by a vast number of soldiers waiting his execution… but prayer was made without ceasing. The power of God was brought to the jail that night. Prayer was the turning point in this chapter. Herod started out in control and on a rampage but in verse 24 we see “the word of God grew and multiplied”. It was not Herod’s reputation that was spread it was that of Jesus. When the church prayed without ceasing the events of history changed. What made this happen?
First prayer was made without ceasing. Jesus tells us that we will continue receiving and finding as we continue asking and searching. “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” (Matthew7:7-8). Second, the prayer was made by the church. If the body of Christ will not pray for each other who will pray for us?
The third thing about this prayer was that it was unto God. Not all prayer is to the one true and living God. Jesus says, “No man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John14:6). The last thing to notice about the prayer it was made for Peter specifically. Personal intercessory prayer is Christ’s command to his church. Pray without ceasing and for a specific person or problem. We are to lay that person or problem on the alter and let God deal with it.
Prayer can and will change lives. When we go to God in prayer for another and seek His will God will answer and wonderful things will be seen. We must also remember God has a plan and a time. His time and His ways are not our ways or time. If we pray without ceasing unto God for a specific person rest assured God will hear and answer. When God does answer we are to rejoice and give Him praise.
The prayer of repentance for salvation will save a soul and a prayer made by the church without ceasing will change history.
Life has many turns and curves that will cause us to pray. Some may be painful, some due to loss or some crisis that has turned our world upside down. In the book of Acts we see a story where politics has driven a ruler to put a man of God in prison. Prejudice and jealousy has caused another preacher to lose his head. If you will follow this 12th chapter you will see how God turned things around and won the victory. Jesus and the gospel was magnified and Herod died.
Herod was trying to gain pleasure from the Jews and he thought if he got rid of Peter and James he would become more powerful and popular. What he did not count on was the power of prayer. Peter was in jail guarded by a vast number of soldiers waiting his execution… but prayer was made without ceasing. The power of God was brought to the jail that night. Prayer was the turning point in this chapter. Herod started out in control and on a rampage but in verse 24 we see “the word of God grew and multiplied”. It was not Herod’s reputation that was spread it was that of Jesus. When the church prayed without ceasing the events of history changed. What made this happen?
First prayer was made without ceasing. Jesus tells us that we will continue receiving and finding as we continue asking and searching. “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” (Matthew7:7-8). Second, the prayer was made by the church. If the body of Christ will not pray for each other who will pray for us?
The third thing about this prayer was that it was unto God. Not all prayer is to the one true and living God. Jesus says, “No man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John14:6). The last thing to notice about the prayer it was made for Peter specifically. Personal intercessory prayer is Christ’s command to his church. Pray without ceasing and for a specific person or problem. We are to lay that person or problem on the alter and let God deal with it.
Prayer can and will change lives. When we go to God in prayer for another and seek His will God will answer and wonderful things will be seen. We must also remember God has a plan and a time. His time and His ways are not our ways or time. If we pray without ceasing unto God for a specific person rest assured God will hear and answer. When God does answer we are to rejoice and give Him praise.
The prayer of repentance for salvation will save a soul and a prayer made by the church without ceasing will change history.
Friday, November 11, 2011
What Do Your Eyes See
John 4:13-14, “Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:
But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.”
Jesus and his disciples were traveling back to Galilee and he decided to go through Samaria a region that was not favorable to Jews. They came to the city of Sychar that was near Jacobs well. It was hot and Jesus was tired so he sat down at the well to get a drink while his disciples went to get something to eat. The custom of the day was for women to come to the well in the early morning to draw water and visit with friends. Women of honor dared not come to the well in the middle of the day. As Jesus sat by the well a woman with a bad reputation came to get water and she came at mid day so as not to be scorned and called names by the women of the town. As she was starting to draw water Jesus asked her to give him a drink. Startled she asked, “How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? For the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.” Jesus replied, “If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.” Now she is really confused here is a Jewish rabbi who is asking her for a drink and is telling her he can give her living water but he has nothing to draw water with.
She thought--Who does he think he is? Is he better than Jacob our founder and patriarch? Confused yet she was now curious as to what this living water is and she thought if she could get that water she would never have to draw water again.
Here is a woman with a bad reputation but Jesus did not see that He saw someone who needed the love of God. He did not concern himself with the traditions of the time but took this opportunity to share the love of God with a lost soul. Was what he did politically correct? Did it look bad for a Jew to be talking to a lone woman in the middle of the day? Jesus was not concerned about what people thought or how things looked. He was concerned with this woman and how God loved her no matter what she had done. What did that mean to this woman? It showed her that she had worth. It showed her that someone cared about her and wanted to talk to her. This was far different from the life she currently led. She was shunned by everyone. She had several failed marriages and life didn’t hold much promise. As she talked to Jesus she began to see firsthand that God loved her.
What did Jesus see in this woman? He saw someone who needed someone to talk to, someone to care about her and someone who God loved. As he talked to her he looked into her heart and saw a lonely lost sheep that needed God’s care. Jesus did not condone her sin. He did not judge her for her mistakes. He saw past that and gave her the gift of life. How do we see people today through the eyes of political correctness or through the eyes of Jesus?
But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.”
Jesus and his disciples were traveling back to Galilee and he decided to go through Samaria a region that was not favorable to Jews. They came to the city of Sychar that was near Jacobs well. It was hot and Jesus was tired so he sat down at the well to get a drink while his disciples went to get something to eat. The custom of the day was for women to come to the well in the early morning to draw water and visit with friends. Women of honor dared not come to the well in the middle of the day. As Jesus sat by the well a woman with a bad reputation came to get water and she came at mid day so as not to be scorned and called names by the women of the town. As she was starting to draw water Jesus asked her to give him a drink. Startled she asked, “How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? For the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.” Jesus replied, “If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.” Now she is really confused here is a Jewish rabbi who is asking her for a drink and is telling her he can give her living water but he has nothing to draw water with.
She thought--Who does he think he is? Is he better than Jacob our founder and patriarch? Confused yet she was now curious as to what this living water is and she thought if she could get that water she would never have to draw water again.
Here is a woman with a bad reputation but Jesus did not see that He saw someone who needed the love of God. He did not concern himself with the traditions of the time but took this opportunity to share the love of God with a lost soul. Was what he did politically correct? Did it look bad for a Jew to be talking to a lone woman in the middle of the day? Jesus was not concerned about what people thought or how things looked. He was concerned with this woman and how God loved her no matter what she had done. What did that mean to this woman? It showed her that she had worth. It showed her that someone cared about her and wanted to talk to her. This was far different from the life she currently led. She was shunned by everyone. She had several failed marriages and life didn’t hold much promise. As she talked to Jesus she began to see firsthand that God loved her.
What did Jesus see in this woman? He saw someone who needed someone to talk to, someone to care about her and someone who God loved. As he talked to her he looked into her heart and saw a lonely lost sheep that needed God’s care. Jesus did not condone her sin. He did not judge her for her mistakes. He saw past that and gave her the gift of life. How do we see people today through the eyes of political correctness or through the eyes of Jesus?
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
God's Love
John 3:1-3, “There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
Who was Nicodemus? He was a very prominent man, a religious leader---a Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin. If anyone should have known who Jesus was it should have been Nicodemus. Maybe it was that he did know who Jesus was that made him come to see him at night so that he would not be seen talking to the Savior. After all he had a reputation to uphold. Yet there was something that was tugging at his heart that made him want to come to Jesus. So in the shadows of night he crept out and went to speak to Jesus.
How many times to we do like Nicodemus? Instead of professing our faith in God openly we cower back in a corner afraid someone will think we are a Christian. We hang around in the background of conversations hoping no one will notice us. We sure don’t want anyone to know we go to church or pray or that God is special to us. We don’t want anyone to see our faith. Jesus sees us. He knows what is in every heart. He knows if we are hiding and ashamed to be seen with the Lord.
Jesus understood the religious climate of his day. He understands the climate of today. He also understood that to be a follower of His one could not be half-hearted. You either were with him or against him. He knows the warfare that is raging in every heart. He knew why Nicodemus came and what he was looking for. Jesus did not make an exception just because Nicodemus was religious. He still makes no exceptions ---He still demands our unbridled commitment, faith and dedication.
Jesus told this very religious man what he had to do to get to heaven. “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” When Nicodemus met the Lord his life changed. Jesus is the same today as He was then. He still is the only way we can get to heaven. For no man and come to the father but through Jesus. If religion would get you there Nicodemus had all the keys. Problem was none of his keys fit the door. We have the same problem today---we think we have the keys but unless we are born again our keys don’t fit either.
There is no doubt Nicodemus recognized Jesus as the Messiah. He knew all about Him but it was not until he came to Jesus and opened his heart that he came to know Jesus. It was not something he could explain. He did not fully understand how he felt. Undoubtedly God’s love and forgiveness drew him to the Savior. It was not until he witnessed God’s love displayed on the cross of Calvary that he fully understood God’s love. If the Holy Spirit is speaking to you today listen and come to know Jesus and let him change your life.
Who was Nicodemus? He was a very prominent man, a religious leader---a Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin. If anyone should have known who Jesus was it should have been Nicodemus. Maybe it was that he did know who Jesus was that made him come to see him at night so that he would not be seen talking to the Savior. After all he had a reputation to uphold. Yet there was something that was tugging at his heart that made him want to come to Jesus. So in the shadows of night he crept out and went to speak to Jesus.
How many times to we do like Nicodemus? Instead of professing our faith in God openly we cower back in a corner afraid someone will think we are a Christian. We hang around in the background of conversations hoping no one will notice us. We sure don’t want anyone to know we go to church or pray or that God is special to us. We don’t want anyone to see our faith. Jesus sees us. He knows what is in every heart. He knows if we are hiding and ashamed to be seen with the Lord.
Jesus understood the religious climate of his day. He understands the climate of today. He also understood that to be a follower of His one could not be half-hearted. You either were with him or against him. He knows the warfare that is raging in every heart. He knew why Nicodemus came and what he was looking for. Jesus did not make an exception just because Nicodemus was religious. He still makes no exceptions ---He still demands our unbridled commitment, faith and dedication.
Jesus told this very religious man what he had to do to get to heaven. “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” When Nicodemus met the Lord his life changed. Jesus is the same today as He was then. He still is the only way we can get to heaven. For no man and come to the father but through Jesus. If religion would get you there Nicodemus had all the keys. Problem was none of his keys fit the door. We have the same problem today---we think we have the keys but unless we are born again our keys don’t fit either.
There is no doubt Nicodemus recognized Jesus as the Messiah. He knew all about Him but it was not until he came to Jesus and opened his heart that he came to know Jesus. It was not something he could explain. He did not fully understand how he felt. Undoubtedly God’s love and forgiveness drew him to the Savior. It was not until he witnessed God’s love displayed on the cross of Calvary that he fully understood God’s love. If the Holy Spirit is speaking to you today listen and come to know Jesus and let him change your life.
Monday, November 7, 2011
The Effects of Sin
Hosea 4:16-17, “For Israel slideth back as a backsliding heifer: now the LORD will feed them as a lamb in a large place. Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone.”
What a strange thing for a prophet of God to say, Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone. This could be some of the saddest words in the Bible. If you go back and read all of Hosea you will see Israel had an idol problem. It appears the people of Ephraim had become so idolatrous that God said let them along and stay away from them. Some might say this was only God’s instruction to Hosea not to have any dealings with this group of people. “Let them alone; do not make friends with them; do not accept counsel from them; do not join yourself to them.” That sounds a lot like what Jesus said about the Jewish leaders who consistently refused to hear and understand God’s revelations to them. “Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch” (Matthew 15:14). Why is it that many will follow a tradition and not listen to what God has to say? Could it be that they are so glued to their selfish ambitions and prejudices that they simply reject God’s authority for their lives.
It is clear here that god is telling his prophet not to have any more dealings with this group of people. He is saying the He will no longer give his preacher any messages for these people. It appears that God finally has had enough or their idolatry that He will not speak to them anymore. They have continued in rebellion and worship of idols and have refused to listen to the warnings God determines to leave them to their misery.
How terrifying could this be? Because of sin God no longer wants to talk to these folks. Is this Nation heading for the same fate? Are we becoming so hardened in sin that God will no longer speak to us? If we could look at what the Nation of Israel was doing and then compare that to what America is doing and you will see some very frightening similarities.
Do not trust your own strength or wisdom or goodness so much that you make friends with the devil and expect to stay holy. Don’t expect to play with fire and not get burned. Yes God is merciful and long suffering but there is a time coming when He will say enough and summon the arch angel and signal an end to all sin and corruption. Do not presume God’s mercy and put of repentance—the Holy Ghost Himself says, “Today if you will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.” Hebrews 3:7-8.
The day of grace is still with us but it could end at any moment when Jesus comes to claim his own. Will you be among them? Or will you seek a place to hide hoping He won’t find you? There will be no place to hide. Amos 4:12 “Therefore thus will I do unto thee, O Israel: and because I will do this unto thee, prepare to meet thy God, O Israel.”
What a strange thing for a prophet of God to say, Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone. This could be some of the saddest words in the Bible. If you go back and read all of Hosea you will see Israel had an idol problem. It appears the people of Ephraim had become so idolatrous that God said let them along and stay away from them. Some might say this was only God’s instruction to Hosea not to have any dealings with this group of people. “Let them alone; do not make friends with them; do not accept counsel from them; do not join yourself to them.” That sounds a lot like what Jesus said about the Jewish leaders who consistently refused to hear and understand God’s revelations to them. “Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch” (Matthew 15:14). Why is it that many will follow a tradition and not listen to what God has to say? Could it be that they are so glued to their selfish ambitions and prejudices that they simply reject God’s authority for their lives.
It is clear here that god is telling his prophet not to have any more dealings with this group of people. He is saying the He will no longer give his preacher any messages for these people. It appears that God finally has had enough or their idolatry that He will not speak to them anymore. They have continued in rebellion and worship of idols and have refused to listen to the warnings God determines to leave them to their misery.
How terrifying could this be? Because of sin God no longer wants to talk to these folks. Is this Nation heading for the same fate? Are we becoming so hardened in sin that God will no longer speak to us? If we could look at what the Nation of Israel was doing and then compare that to what America is doing and you will see some very frightening similarities.
Do not trust your own strength or wisdom or goodness so much that you make friends with the devil and expect to stay holy. Don’t expect to play with fire and not get burned. Yes God is merciful and long suffering but there is a time coming when He will say enough and summon the arch angel and signal an end to all sin and corruption. Do not presume God’s mercy and put of repentance—the Holy Ghost Himself says, “Today if you will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.” Hebrews 3:7-8.
The day of grace is still with us but it could end at any moment when Jesus comes to claim his own. Will you be among them? Or will you seek a place to hide hoping He won’t find you? There will be no place to hide. Amos 4:12 “Therefore thus will I do unto thee, O Israel: and because I will do this unto thee, prepare to meet thy God, O Israel.”
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Right In God's Sight
Acts 4:14-19
“And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, Saying, What shall we do to these men? For that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it. But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.
And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”
Here was a man, crippled since birth who was over forty years old standing before the most powerful religious group in Jerusalem (the Sanhedrin) -- healed. They were hard pressed to deny what was standing right in front of them. Had they made an issue of this man and tried to say he was something he was not would have been something that would have severely damaged their credibility. Did it matter what they believed? You bet it did matter! Everyone in Jerusalem had seen or knew what had just happened. Egos were hurt and their authority was certainly being challenged. The Sanhedrin had a problem they needed to stop this thing from spreading, so what was their solution? Stop them (Peter and John) from giving credit to Jesus (verse 17, "speak no longer to anyone in this name"). Sounds simple, just tell them to stop.
I love Peter and John's reply, “But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.” How often do we, when confronted with opposition to the gospel, sidestep around an issue or even worse be silent? Does it matter what you believe? It matters to God! Today Christians will not stand up for what they believe. Look what happened when God was taken out of our schools. Did we protest in the streets, write congressmen, no we just stood by and shook our heads and let it happen. What about when the Ten commands were taken down off the court house wall, did we say anything? Can’t pray at the ball game or at a social gathering for fear someone might get offended? Once again like a whipped pup we just stool with our heads down and said nothing. Is it any wonder few really believe we are really a Christian Nation? Who will you obey, the world or God? Will you succumb to societal and peer pressure, or will you stand firm in your convictions and beliefs?
But what if the choice isn't black and white -- what if there are different points of view or perspectives? After all, the Bible doesn't speak specifically to every issue on which we may be confronted. The answer can found in the phrase "in God's sight". This really cleans up the doubt. "Right in God's sight" is not always the most obvious, easiest, least confrontational, or convenient. But it is always right. The next time you feel a little confused on the right thing to do, place it in God's sight. Your decision will become much clearer.
Have you been ignoring or sidestepping around an issue? Have you been trying to convince yourself that un-Christian language is okay on the golf course, or inappropriate joke telling is fine as long as it's with your friends? Answer this question, what is right in God's sight? Would you do or say what you do or say if Jesus was standing by your side? Guess what He is!
“And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, Saying, What shall we do to these men? For that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it. But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.
And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”
Here was a man, crippled since birth who was over forty years old standing before the most powerful religious group in Jerusalem (the Sanhedrin) -- healed. They were hard pressed to deny what was standing right in front of them. Had they made an issue of this man and tried to say he was something he was not would have been something that would have severely damaged their credibility. Did it matter what they believed? You bet it did matter! Everyone in Jerusalem had seen or knew what had just happened. Egos were hurt and their authority was certainly being challenged. The Sanhedrin had a problem they needed to stop this thing from spreading, so what was their solution? Stop them (Peter and John) from giving credit to Jesus (verse 17, "speak no longer to anyone in this name"). Sounds simple, just tell them to stop.
I love Peter and John's reply, “But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.” How often do we, when confronted with opposition to the gospel, sidestep around an issue or even worse be silent? Does it matter what you believe? It matters to God! Today Christians will not stand up for what they believe. Look what happened when God was taken out of our schools. Did we protest in the streets, write congressmen, no we just stood by and shook our heads and let it happen. What about when the Ten commands were taken down off the court house wall, did we say anything? Can’t pray at the ball game or at a social gathering for fear someone might get offended? Once again like a whipped pup we just stool with our heads down and said nothing. Is it any wonder few really believe we are really a Christian Nation? Who will you obey, the world or God? Will you succumb to societal and peer pressure, or will you stand firm in your convictions and beliefs?
But what if the choice isn't black and white -- what if there are different points of view or perspectives? After all, the Bible doesn't speak specifically to every issue on which we may be confronted. The answer can found in the phrase "in God's sight". This really cleans up the doubt. "Right in God's sight" is not always the most obvious, easiest, least confrontational, or convenient. But it is always right. The next time you feel a little confused on the right thing to do, place it in God's sight. Your decision will become much clearer.
Have you been ignoring or sidestepping around an issue? Have you been trying to convince yourself that un-Christian language is okay on the golf course, or inappropriate joke telling is fine as long as it's with your friends? Answer this question, what is right in God's sight? Would you do or say what you do or say if Jesus was standing by your side? Guess what He is!
Friday, November 4, 2011
Who is Jesus?
Matthew 16:13-16, “When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus had been teaching and preaching all around the region. He and his disciples came to Caesarea Philippi a metropolis not only a major trade route but a mecca for all religious activity. Religions of all kinds found a home there. When Jesus arrived there was no place that had more elaborate religious significance than Caesarea Philippi. In the midst of the marble columns, golden idols Jesus came with a rag tag group of men talking about the Kingdom of God. As this group sat listening to Jesus he asked them a very startling and emotional question. “Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?” Quickly they came up with all kinds of answers. Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. Then he asked them, “But whom say ye that I am?” Silence fell on the group. No one wanted to offer an opinion. This question began to stir something in the heart of Peter. His answer did not come without some hesitation. Everyone knew Jesus was the messiah even if he had not come with a mighty army or in pomp and circumstance. He spoke with a confidence they had never seen or heard before. Peter’s words shattered the silence, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Wow! Was Peter the only one who saw that? These men had all been walking and talking with Jesus they had seen everything he had done yet even though they had seen all this they still never saw Jesus for who he was. Many had looked at Jesus, knew about him but how many really knew Him? We are in a similar state today as were those who lived in Caesarea Philippi. We are engulfed in religion by every religion known to man and yet we are wandering in darkness.
Jesus is still asking this same question. “Who do you say that I am?” what will you tell him?
The answer goes to the very heart of every person. God looks on the heart so we all need to be careful how we answer. One day we all will have to stand before God Himself and answer another question, “What have you done with my son?”, how you answer that question will have eternal consequences. Today do you only see Jesus, know about Him or do you truly know Him?
Jesus had been teaching and preaching all around the region. He and his disciples came to Caesarea Philippi a metropolis not only a major trade route but a mecca for all religious activity. Religions of all kinds found a home there. When Jesus arrived there was no place that had more elaborate religious significance than Caesarea Philippi. In the midst of the marble columns, golden idols Jesus came with a rag tag group of men talking about the Kingdom of God. As this group sat listening to Jesus he asked them a very startling and emotional question. “Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?” Quickly they came up with all kinds of answers. Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. Then he asked them, “But whom say ye that I am?” Silence fell on the group. No one wanted to offer an opinion. This question began to stir something in the heart of Peter. His answer did not come without some hesitation. Everyone knew Jesus was the messiah even if he had not come with a mighty army or in pomp and circumstance. He spoke with a confidence they had never seen or heard before. Peter’s words shattered the silence, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Wow! Was Peter the only one who saw that? These men had all been walking and talking with Jesus they had seen everything he had done yet even though they had seen all this they still never saw Jesus for who he was. Many had looked at Jesus, knew about him but how many really knew Him? We are in a similar state today as were those who lived in Caesarea Philippi. We are engulfed in religion by every religion known to man and yet we are wandering in darkness.
Jesus is still asking this same question. “Who do you say that I am?” what will you tell him?
The answer goes to the very heart of every person. God looks on the heart so we all need to be careful how we answer. One day we all will have to stand before God Himself and answer another question, “What have you done with my son?”, how you answer that question will have eternal consequences. Today do you only see Jesus, know about Him or do you truly know Him?
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
When God Speaks do we Hear Him?
Psalm 85:8, “I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly.”
“How do you know when He is talking to you?” asked a six year old to his Sunday school teacher. How do you know when God is talking to you? This comes from a story about a teacher who had been teaching a class of six year children about how to love God and how God loves them. Children usually go right to the heart of the matter. In his lesson the teacher said you have to listen to God just like you listen to your parents. Well this made no sense to one boy. He knew how to listen to his parents because he could hear when they talked to him. How could he listen to God when he didn’t hear God speak? So how would you explain to a child just how to go about listening to God? At six most children know they hear with their ears and if they don’t hear anything with their ears then to them it is not said. When God speaks He speaks to the heart and that is confusing to a six year old.
As young Christians the same thing applies. The preacher says you must obey the commands of God. Ok but I didn’t hear God speak! Yes you did as you began to feel that there was something missing and there was a need to fill a hole inside you. God sent the Holy Spirit to begin to talk to you. Began to give you that empty feeling and also began to tell you things you never heard before. Things like God loves you, Jesus died for and forgave you on the cross. That small voice from inside that said that is wrong you need to stop and make some changes. That was God speaking. You did hear it right? In short God made you hungry for spiritual food so that you could grow close to Him.
But what about those who have not heard of Jesus how would they know God was speaking to them. God speaks through those who have come to know Him from a salvation experience and have been given the task to tell those lost and without to come inside and be saved. Come in out of the storm and be warm.
That’s how you know God is speaking. Are You listening? You lost and wandering in the storm? Jesus said, “Come unto me all ye that labor and I will give you rest.” How about those who are saved but still want to play in the storm and wind and rain? God is talking to you too. Hear the still small voice saying, you really shouldn’t be doing that or I could really use another Sunday school teacher, the choir needs another singer or when was the last time we had a chat?
God is talking are you listening?
“How do you know when He is talking to you?” asked a six year old to his Sunday school teacher. How do you know when God is talking to you? This comes from a story about a teacher who had been teaching a class of six year children about how to love God and how God loves them. Children usually go right to the heart of the matter. In his lesson the teacher said you have to listen to God just like you listen to your parents. Well this made no sense to one boy. He knew how to listen to his parents because he could hear when they talked to him. How could he listen to God when he didn’t hear God speak? So how would you explain to a child just how to go about listening to God? At six most children know they hear with their ears and if they don’t hear anything with their ears then to them it is not said. When God speaks He speaks to the heart and that is confusing to a six year old.
As young Christians the same thing applies. The preacher says you must obey the commands of God. Ok but I didn’t hear God speak! Yes you did as you began to feel that there was something missing and there was a need to fill a hole inside you. God sent the Holy Spirit to begin to talk to you. Began to give you that empty feeling and also began to tell you things you never heard before. Things like God loves you, Jesus died for and forgave you on the cross. That small voice from inside that said that is wrong you need to stop and make some changes. That was God speaking. You did hear it right? In short God made you hungry for spiritual food so that you could grow close to Him.
But what about those who have not heard of Jesus how would they know God was speaking to them. God speaks through those who have come to know Him from a salvation experience and have been given the task to tell those lost and without to come inside and be saved. Come in out of the storm and be warm.
That’s how you know God is speaking. Are You listening? You lost and wandering in the storm? Jesus said, “Come unto me all ye that labor and I will give you rest.” How about those who are saved but still want to play in the storm and wind and rain? God is talking to you too. Hear the still small voice saying, you really shouldn’t be doing that or I could really use another Sunday school teacher, the choir needs another singer or when was the last time we had a chat?
God is talking are you listening?
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