Tuesday, February 26th, 2013
Monday, February 25th, 2013
We come to the Cross, where the perfect, holy, and righteous God-man is hanging, suffering excruciating pain, in every essence. As His body has been torn apart and He is nearly unrecognizable, even more so has He taken upon Himself the wrath of the Father, absorbed through His taking on the sins of God's chosen people. Take a look at what He said: "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." Even as the lamb of God was dying on the Cross, in this statement He was an example of two characteristics that we as believers need to learn- forgiveness and selflessness. Why is it that Jesus Christ, the second member of the Trinity, as a perfect man, could look down on His executioners while they were doing it and forgive them, yet we as sinners cannot forgive one another over the most trivial of issues? This is why Ephesians 4:32 commands us to "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." We are called to forgive those who sin against us, whether they are believers or not. Also, Christ had ever right to be selfish, as God incarnate. But Philippians 2:8 tells us, "And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death--even death on a cross!" Jesus Christ made Himself nothing and became a servant leader who led us to the way of life. I Peter 3:8 says, "Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind."
In His final hours, Christ portrayed forgiveness and selflessness towards all. We need to learn to be like Him and do the same! :)
In His final hours, Christ portrayed forgiveness and selflessness towards all. We need to learn to be like Him and do the same! :)
Tuesday, January 29th, 2013
Hebrew 11- known by many as the Hall of Faith. This chapter in the book of Hebrews offers the reader a list of heroes of the Christian faith whom we can learn great lessons and truths from. Over the next few weeks, we will be diving into the stories behind those mentioned, examine the lesson that we can learn from the Scripture, and discuss how to apply it to life every day.
Hebrews 11:30 "By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the people had marched around them for seven days."
"Joshua fought the battle of Jericho, Jericho, Jericho, Joshua fought the battle of Jericho, and the walls came a-tumblin' down!" These lyrics represent one of those songs that almost every Sunday school child knows. You probably know the story, but let's look back at it briefly. Joshua 6:1-21 says,
"Now Jericho was tightly shut up because of the Israelites. No one went out and no one came in. Then the Lord said to Joshua, 'See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men. March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days. Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams’ horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets. When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have all the people give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse and the people will go up, every man straight in.'
So Joshua son of Nun called the priests and said to them, 'Take up the ark of the covenant of the Lord and have seven priests carry trumpets in front of it.' And he ordered the people, 'Advance! March around the city, with the armed guard going ahead of the ark of the Lord.'
When Joshua had spoken to the people, the seven priests carrying the seven trumpets before the Lord went forward, blowing their trumpets, and the ark of the Lord’s covenant followed them. The armed guard marched ahead of the priests who blew the trumpets, and the rear guard followed the ark. All this time the trumpets were sounding. 1But Joshua had commanded the people, 'Do not give a war cry, do not raise your voices, do not say a word until the day I tell you to shout. Then shout!' So he had the ark of the Lord carried around the city, circling it once. Then the people returned to camp and spent the night there.
Joshua got up early the next morning and the priests took up the ark of the Lord. The seven priests carrying the seven trumpets went forward, marching before the ark of the Lord and blowing the trumpets. The armed men went ahead of them and the rear guard followed the ark of the Lord, while the trumpets kept sounding. So on the second day they marched around the city once and returned to the camp. They did this for six days.
On the seventh day, they got up at daybreak and marched around the city seven times in the same manner, except that on that day they circled the city seven times. The seventh time around, when the priests sounded the trumpet blast, Joshua commanded the people, 'Shout! For the Lord has given you the city! The city and all that is in it are to be devoted to the Lord. Only Rahab the prostitute and all who are with her in her house shall be spared, because she hid the spies we sent. But keep away from the devoted things, so that you will not bring about your own destruction by taking any of them. Otherwise you will make the camp of Israel liable to destruction and bring trouble on it. All the silver and gold and the articles of bronze and iron are sacred to the Lord and must go into his treasury.'
When the trumpets sounded, the people shouted, and at the sound of the trumpet, when the people gave a loud shout, the wall collapsed; so every man charged straight in, and they took the city. They devoted the city to the Lord and destroyed with the sword every living thing in it—men and women, young and old, cattle, sheep and donkeys."
The city of Jericho stood in the way of the people of God getting to the land that God had promised them. This made the city of Jericho the enemy of the nation of God. The Bible records for us that God had "devoted the city to destruction", and was going to lead His people to victory no matter what battle they would need to overcome. They came upon this great enemy, and were commanded by the Father to follow a procedure that militaristically made no sense. Nevertheless, they followed the order of God and overcame the city.
Look at your day to day life. How many battles to you come in contact with? Whether it is something as mundane as fighting the 6'oclock rush, or as serious as fighting a life threatening illness or a pending divorce, battles come in every shape and size, and most often when we don't expect it. The key in every battle is to have faith that God is bigger than your biggest problem. Like David fighting his giant, or the Israelites taking down a fortified city, we can have success in any battle if we learn to trust in Him. Psalm 18:39 exclaims, "For you equipped me with strength for the battle; you made those who rise against me sink under me." God makes us strong in our weakest moments, even when we can't. And even if life seems to be going smoothly for you, remember there is always at least one battle occurring in life- the battle of the spirit. Ephesians 6:12 reminds us that "We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." Ultimately, battles will come and battles will go, but build your faith on the rock, Jesus Christ, and you will survive the storm. Put on the full armor of God and there is no battle too big that you cannot face. A very wise friend once said, "Don't tell God how big your mountain is, tell your mountain how big God is." We serve an awesome God!
Hebrews 11:30 "By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the people had marched around them for seven days."
"Joshua fought the battle of Jericho, Jericho, Jericho, Joshua fought the battle of Jericho, and the walls came a-tumblin' down!" These lyrics represent one of those songs that almost every Sunday school child knows. You probably know the story, but let's look back at it briefly. Joshua 6:1-21 says,
"Now Jericho was tightly shut up because of the Israelites. No one went out and no one came in. Then the Lord said to Joshua, 'See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men. March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days. Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams’ horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets. When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have all the people give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse and the people will go up, every man straight in.'
So Joshua son of Nun called the priests and said to them, 'Take up the ark of the covenant of the Lord and have seven priests carry trumpets in front of it.' And he ordered the people, 'Advance! March around the city, with the armed guard going ahead of the ark of the Lord.'
When Joshua had spoken to the people, the seven priests carrying the seven trumpets before the Lord went forward, blowing their trumpets, and the ark of the Lord’s covenant followed them. The armed guard marched ahead of the priests who blew the trumpets, and the rear guard followed the ark. All this time the trumpets were sounding. 1But Joshua had commanded the people, 'Do not give a war cry, do not raise your voices, do not say a word until the day I tell you to shout. Then shout!' So he had the ark of the Lord carried around the city, circling it once. Then the people returned to camp and spent the night there.
Joshua got up early the next morning and the priests took up the ark of the Lord. The seven priests carrying the seven trumpets went forward, marching before the ark of the Lord and blowing the trumpets. The armed men went ahead of them and the rear guard followed the ark of the Lord, while the trumpets kept sounding. So on the second day they marched around the city once and returned to the camp. They did this for six days.
On the seventh day, they got up at daybreak and marched around the city seven times in the same manner, except that on that day they circled the city seven times. The seventh time around, when the priests sounded the trumpet blast, Joshua commanded the people, 'Shout! For the Lord has given you the city! The city and all that is in it are to be devoted to the Lord. Only Rahab the prostitute and all who are with her in her house shall be spared, because she hid the spies we sent. But keep away from the devoted things, so that you will not bring about your own destruction by taking any of them. Otherwise you will make the camp of Israel liable to destruction and bring trouble on it. All the silver and gold and the articles of bronze and iron are sacred to the Lord and must go into his treasury.'
When the trumpets sounded, the people shouted, and at the sound of the trumpet, when the people gave a loud shout, the wall collapsed; so every man charged straight in, and they took the city. They devoted the city to the Lord and destroyed with the sword every living thing in it—men and women, young and old, cattle, sheep and donkeys."
The city of Jericho stood in the way of the people of God getting to the land that God had promised them. This made the city of Jericho the enemy of the nation of God. The Bible records for us that God had "devoted the city to destruction", and was going to lead His people to victory no matter what battle they would need to overcome. They came upon this great enemy, and were commanded by the Father to follow a procedure that militaristically made no sense. Nevertheless, they followed the order of God and overcame the city.
Look at your day to day life. How many battles to you come in contact with? Whether it is something as mundane as fighting the 6'oclock rush, or as serious as fighting a life threatening illness or a pending divorce, battles come in every shape and size, and most often when we don't expect it. The key in every battle is to have faith that God is bigger than your biggest problem. Like David fighting his giant, or the Israelites taking down a fortified city, we can have success in any battle if we learn to trust in Him. Psalm 18:39 exclaims, "For you equipped me with strength for the battle; you made those who rise against me sink under me." God makes us strong in our weakest moments, even when we can't. And even if life seems to be going smoothly for you, remember there is always at least one battle occurring in life- the battle of the spirit. Ephesians 6:12 reminds us that "We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." Ultimately, battles will come and battles will go, but build your faith on the rock, Jesus Christ, and you will survive the storm. Put on the full armor of God and there is no battle too big that you cannot face. A very wise friend once said, "Don't tell God how big your mountain is, tell your mountain how big God is." We serve an awesome God!
Monday, January 28th, 2013
Hebrew 11- known by many as the Hall of Faith. This chapter in the book of Hebrews offers the reader a list of heroes of the Christian faith whom we can learn great lessons and truths from. Over the next few weeks, we will be diving into the stories behind those mentioned, examine the lesson that we can learn from the Scripture, and discuss how to apply it to life every day.
Hebrews 11:29 "By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned."
Anyone who has gone to Sunday school or even looked through a children's Bible has heard this story. The Egyptians, after letting the Israelites go, decided to try to subdue them again and followed them to the Red Sea. As the Israelites came to the edge of the sea, they saw no escape with the vast sea stretching ahead of them. However, Moses had direct order from God that he would be able to save them by splitting the Red Sea. As we read in Exodus 14:21-28,
"Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left. The Egyptians pursued them, and all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots and horsemen followed them into the sea. During the last watch of the night the Lord looked down from the pillar of fire and cloud at the Egyptian army and threw it into confusion. He made the wheels of their chariots come off so that they had difficulty driving. And the Egyptians said, 'Let’s get away from the Israelites! The Lord is fighting for them against Egypt.' Then the Lord said to Moses, 'Stretch out your hand over the sea so that the waters may flow back over the Egyptians and their chariots and horsemen.' Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at daybreak the sea went back to its place. The Egyptians were fleeing toward it, and the Lord swept them into the sea. The water flowed back and covered the chariots and horsemen—the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed the Israelites into the sea. Not one of them survived."
If you think about the miracles explained in the Bible, you would probably go to the New Testament to examine the miracles of Christ and all that He did. Yet, when we think about it, the Old Testament is filled with miracles that God performed to protect His people. One of the most well known, and certainly one of the largest miracles that God performed through Moses was the splitting of the Red Sea. Think about it: here you are, an Israelite who has just escaped slavery and destitution, and as you follow your leader, you are led to the edge of the wilderness and come to the shore of the vast sea. The Egyptian army is right behind you, coming to pull you back into captivity. In your mind, the end is near and inevitable, and the chance of escape is impossible. Nevertheless, God splits the Red Sea and rescues you from their grasp.
Note the word used in the second from last sentence: impossible. We encounter a lot of circumstances where the outcome may seem impossible: a man with terminal cancer being completely returned to full health; a couple surviving a head on collision; a child being rescued from a collapsed house. These are all extreme examples, but now think of smaller issues that we take for granted. The process of a healthy baby being born is impossible without the hand of God. The conversion of food to energy that keeps us going throughout the day is impossible without the hand of God. The functioning of the human body is impossible without the hand of God. The changing leaves in the fall is impossible without the hand of God. The continuous advancements in health and science is impossible without the hand of God. Ultimately, God is the Creator and He has control over all things. He can do all things and work everything according to His will. Going back to Moses, he must have thought that it was impossible- how could he split the Red Sea and lead God's people to safety? With God's help. See, Luke 1:17 gives us a simple statement which we need to put trust in:
"Nothing is impossible with God."
If you encounter a circumstance today that you see no way out of, don't place your trust anywhere but in the Lord. He is the only one who can work all things out for good. Finally, instead of trying to carry the world on your shoulders, talk to the One who carries the universe on His.
Hebrews 11:29 "By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned."
Anyone who has gone to Sunday school or even looked through a children's Bible has heard this story. The Egyptians, after letting the Israelites go, decided to try to subdue them again and followed them to the Red Sea. As the Israelites came to the edge of the sea, they saw no escape with the vast sea stretching ahead of them. However, Moses had direct order from God that he would be able to save them by splitting the Red Sea. As we read in Exodus 14:21-28,
"Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left. The Egyptians pursued them, and all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots and horsemen followed them into the sea. During the last watch of the night the Lord looked down from the pillar of fire and cloud at the Egyptian army and threw it into confusion. He made the wheels of their chariots come off so that they had difficulty driving. And the Egyptians said, 'Let’s get away from the Israelites! The Lord is fighting for them against Egypt.' Then the Lord said to Moses, 'Stretch out your hand over the sea so that the waters may flow back over the Egyptians and their chariots and horsemen.' Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at daybreak the sea went back to its place. The Egyptians were fleeing toward it, and the Lord swept them into the sea. The water flowed back and covered the chariots and horsemen—the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed the Israelites into the sea. Not one of them survived."
If you think about the miracles explained in the Bible, you would probably go to the New Testament to examine the miracles of Christ and all that He did. Yet, when we think about it, the Old Testament is filled with miracles that God performed to protect His people. One of the most well known, and certainly one of the largest miracles that God performed through Moses was the splitting of the Red Sea. Think about it: here you are, an Israelite who has just escaped slavery and destitution, and as you follow your leader, you are led to the edge of the wilderness and come to the shore of the vast sea. The Egyptian army is right behind you, coming to pull you back into captivity. In your mind, the end is near and inevitable, and the chance of escape is impossible. Nevertheless, God splits the Red Sea and rescues you from their grasp.
Note the word used in the second from last sentence: impossible. We encounter a lot of circumstances where the outcome may seem impossible: a man with terminal cancer being completely returned to full health; a couple surviving a head on collision; a child being rescued from a collapsed house. These are all extreme examples, but now think of smaller issues that we take for granted. The process of a healthy baby being born is impossible without the hand of God. The conversion of food to energy that keeps us going throughout the day is impossible without the hand of God. The functioning of the human body is impossible without the hand of God. The changing leaves in the fall is impossible without the hand of God. The continuous advancements in health and science is impossible without the hand of God. Ultimately, God is the Creator and He has control over all things. He can do all things and work everything according to His will. Going back to Moses, he must have thought that it was impossible- how could he split the Red Sea and lead God's people to safety? With God's help. See, Luke 1:17 gives us a simple statement which we need to put trust in:
"Nothing is impossible with God."
If you encounter a circumstance today that you see no way out of, don't place your trust anywhere but in the Lord. He is the only one who can work all things out for good. Finally, instead of trying to carry the world on your shoulders, talk to the One who carries the universe on His.
Friday, January 25th, 2013
Hebrew 11- known by many as the Hall of Faith. This chapter in the book of Hebrews offers the reader a list of heroes of the Christian faith whom we can learn great lessons and truths from. Over the next few weeks, we will be diving into the stories behind those mentioned, examine the lesson that we can learn from the Scripture, and discuss how to apply it to life every day.
Hebrews 11:28 "By faith [Moses] kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel.
The Passover- the final and worst of the ten plagues that God brought down upon Egypt. Up till now, the house of Pharaoh had endured unimaginable sufferings, but still Pharaoh would not let the Israelites go. So finally, God commands Moses and Aaron to participate in the Passover, when the angel of the Lord would pass over the house of the Israelites and kill each of the firstborn sons of Egypt. Look back at Exodus 12:1-13, which explains,
"The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in Egypt, 'This month is to be for you the first month, the first month of your year. Tell the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man is to take a lamb for his family, one for each household. If any household is too small for a whole lamb, they must share one with their nearest neighbor, having taken into account the number of people there are. You are to determine the amount of lamb needed in accordance with what each person will eat. The animals you choose must be year-old males without defect, and you may take them from the sheep or the goats. Take care of them until the fourteenth day of the month, when all the people of the community of Israel must slaughter them at twilight. Then they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the door frames of the houses where they eat the lambs. 8That same night they are to eat the meat roasted over the fire, along with bitter herbs, and bread made without yeast. Do not eat the meat raw or cooked in water, but roast it over the fire—head, legs and inner parts. Do not leave any of it till morning; if some is left till morning, you must burn it. This is how you are to eat it: with your cloak tucked into your belt, your sandals on your feet and your staff in your hand. Eat it in haste; it is the Lord’s Passover. On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn—both men and animals—and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the Lord. 1The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.'"
Think about how Moses must have felt and this command. While it may seem very strange, we can rest assured that the emotion going through Moses' mind at this point was one of fear. The angel of the Lord was going to sweep through the nation of Egypt and slaughter all of the firstborn males, raining down His judgment but sparing His chosen people. At this news, would you not be terrified? Nevertheless, Moses explained this to the people of Israel, and as Exodus 12:28-30 tells us,
"The Israelites did just what the Lord commanded Moses and Aaron. At midnight the Lord struck down all the firstborn in Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh, who sat on the throne, to the firstborn of the prisoner, who was in the dungeon, and the firstborn of all the livestock as well. Pharaoh and all his officials and all the Egyptians got up during the night, and there was loud wailing in Egypt, for there was not a house without someone dead."
Have you ever felt afraid? It may seem like an obvious answer, but everyone at one point or another in their life has felt felt: the family whose home is broken into; the child left alone at night; the man who is let go from his job and unable to support his family; the wife about to lose her husband from a disease. How could God still be sovereign over all of this? Now consider how Moses must have felt in this situation. While he and his people were protected, the overwhelming sense of despair could nonetheless be felt everywhere. Still, Moses commanded the people to do as the Lord commanded, and in the end, the entire nation was protected. Moses had faith that God would take away his fear and not lead His people astray. Today, consider your fears and doubts, and recall the words of the Psalmist in Isaiah 41:10,
"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
You can have faith that God can take your fear away. No matter where life has you headed, He is in control of everything. As a believer, we are promised in Scripture that Christ is always with us. In times of struggle with fear and doubt, look to the Cross, look to the Father, and trust Him when He says that He is with you.
Hebrews 11:28 "By faith [Moses] kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel.
The Passover- the final and worst of the ten plagues that God brought down upon Egypt. Up till now, the house of Pharaoh had endured unimaginable sufferings, but still Pharaoh would not let the Israelites go. So finally, God commands Moses and Aaron to participate in the Passover, when the angel of the Lord would pass over the house of the Israelites and kill each of the firstborn sons of Egypt. Look back at Exodus 12:1-13, which explains,
"The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in Egypt, 'This month is to be for you the first month, the first month of your year. Tell the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man is to take a lamb for his family, one for each household. If any household is too small for a whole lamb, they must share one with their nearest neighbor, having taken into account the number of people there are. You are to determine the amount of lamb needed in accordance with what each person will eat. The animals you choose must be year-old males without defect, and you may take them from the sheep or the goats. Take care of them until the fourteenth day of the month, when all the people of the community of Israel must slaughter them at twilight. Then they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the door frames of the houses where they eat the lambs. 8That same night they are to eat the meat roasted over the fire, along with bitter herbs, and bread made without yeast. Do not eat the meat raw or cooked in water, but roast it over the fire—head, legs and inner parts. Do not leave any of it till morning; if some is left till morning, you must burn it. This is how you are to eat it: with your cloak tucked into your belt, your sandals on your feet and your staff in your hand. Eat it in haste; it is the Lord’s Passover. On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn—both men and animals—and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the Lord. 1The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.'"
Think about how Moses must have felt and this command. While it may seem very strange, we can rest assured that the emotion going through Moses' mind at this point was one of fear. The angel of the Lord was going to sweep through the nation of Egypt and slaughter all of the firstborn males, raining down His judgment but sparing His chosen people. At this news, would you not be terrified? Nevertheless, Moses explained this to the people of Israel, and as Exodus 12:28-30 tells us,
"The Israelites did just what the Lord commanded Moses and Aaron. At midnight the Lord struck down all the firstborn in Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh, who sat on the throne, to the firstborn of the prisoner, who was in the dungeon, and the firstborn of all the livestock as well. Pharaoh and all his officials and all the Egyptians got up during the night, and there was loud wailing in Egypt, for there was not a house without someone dead."
Have you ever felt afraid? It may seem like an obvious answer, but everyone at one point or another in their life has felt felt: the family whose home is broken into; the child left alone at night; the man who is let go from his job and unable to support his family; the wife about to lose her husband from a disease. How could God still be sovereign over all of this? Now consider how Moses must have felt in this situation. While he and his people were protected, the overwhelming sense of despair could nonetheless be felt everywhere. Still, Moses commanded the people to do as the Lord commanded, and in the end, the entire nation was protected. Moses had faith that God would take away his fear and not lead His people astray. Today, consider your fears and doubts, and recall the words of the Psalmist in Isaiah 41:10,
"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
You can have faith that God can take your fear away. No matter where life has you headed, He is in control of everything. As a believer, we are promised in Scripture that Christ is always with us. In times of struggle with fear and doubt, look to the Cross, look to the Father, and trust Him when He says that He is with you.
Wednesday, January 23rd, 2013
Hebrew 11- known by many as the Hall of Faith. This chapter in the book of Hebrews offers the reader a list of heroes of the Christian faith whom we can learn great lessons and truths from. Over the next few weeks, we will be diving into the stories behind those mentioned, examine the lesson that we can learn from the Scripture, and discuss how to apply it to life every day.
Hebrews 11:27 "By faith [Moses] left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw Him who is invisible."
As we looked at yesterday, Moses had come to the decision to be recognized as an Israelite, and left his status as a man of Egypt behind. He persevered with the faith that God would working out His calling in Moses' life. After he fled from Egypt to escape Pharaoh, he went to the land of Midian where he got married to the daughter of a man named Jethro. Moses became a shepherd and tended the flocks of his father-in-law, but God had other plans in store for Moses. Take a look at Exodus 3:1-10, which says, "Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the desert and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. So Moses thought, 'I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up.' When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, 'Moses! Moses!' And Moses said, 'Here I am.' 'Do not come any closer,' God said. 'Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.' Then he said, 'I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.' At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God. The Lord said, 'I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them. So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.'"
After this event, Moses went on to discuss all the reasons that he was not qualified to do this task that God called him to do. Nevertheless, God sent Moses on his way, and you know the rest of the story. Just for a moment, think: can you imagine being in the shoes of Moses (or, sandals, rather)? Walking along one day, when suddenly the Creator of the universe calls out to you from a burning bush and explains that you will be the one to rescue His people from the bonds of slavery, held captive by the Egyptians, those from you have just fled. Still, a direct call from God would certainly give you strength to start the journey. Moses knew that God's hand was in control of the situation, and even when it looked like all the odds were against him, he still persevered because "he saw Him who is invisible".
Obviously, we cannot see God. God does not directly speak to us with His voice any more. Yet, we do still have a way to communicate with God and know His presence- prayer. There are many applications that could be taken from this message, but consider this. Do you have faith that God is listening to your prayers? It's easy to fall into a habitual prayer life and forget that Someone is on the other end listening to every word. Christ reminds us in Luke 11:9, "And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you". God is listening to you and knows your wants, needs, desires, and wishes. Moses had direct access to God and spoke with Him about the things to come. While we cannot audibly hear the voice of God, we can see proof of His answering of prayer every day. Today, consider that when you pray, you are not simply talking to God, you are talking with Him. Prayer is not a one way street, it is a dialogue between a creature and his or her Creator. Take joy and have faith that we have a personal God who loves us, listens to us, and answers our prayer, even in ways that we could never have imagined! :)
Hebrews 11:27 "By faith [Moses] left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw Him who is invisible."
As we looked at yesterday, Moses had come to the decision to be recognized as an Israelite, and left his status as a man of Egypt behind. He persevered with the faith that God would working out His calling in Moses' life. After he fled from Egypt to escape Pharaoh, he went to the land of Midian where he got married to the daughter of a man named Jethro. Moses became a shepherd and tended the flocks of his father-in-law, but God had other plans in store for Moses. Take a look at Exodus 3:1-10, which says, "Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the desert and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. So Moses thought, 'I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up.' When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, 'Moses! Moses!' And Moses said, 'Here I am.' 'Do not come any closer,' God said. 'Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.' Then he said, 'I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.' At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God. The Lord said, 'I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them. So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.'"
After this event, Moses went on to discuss all the reasons that he was not qualified to do this task that God called him to do. Nevertheless, God sent Moses on his way, and you know the rest of the story. Just for a moment, think: can you imagine being in the shoes of Moses (or, sandals, rather)? Walking along one day, when suddenly the Creator of the universe calls out to you from a burning bush and explains that you will be the one to rescue His people from the bonds of slavery, held captive by the Egyptians, those from you have just fled. Still, a direct call from God would certainly give you strength to start the journey. Moses knew that God's hand was in control of the situation, and even when it looked like all the odds were against him, he still persevered because "he saw Him who is invisible".
Obviously, we cannot see God. God does not directly speak to us with His voice any more. Yet, we do still have a way to communicate with God and know His presence- prayer. There are many applications that could be taken from this message, but consider this. Do you have faith that God is listening to your prayers? It's easy to fall into a habitual prayer life and forget that Someone is on the other end listening to every word. Christ reminds us in Luke 11:9, "And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you". God is listening to you and knows your wants, needs, desires, and wishes. Moses had direct access to God and spoke with Him about the things to come. While we cannot audibly hear the voice of God, we can see proof of His answering of prayer every day. Today, consider that when you pray, you are not simply talking to God, you are talking with Him. Prayer is not a one way street, it is a dialogue between a creature and his or her Creator. Take joy and have faith that we have a personal God who loves us, listens to us, and answers our prayer, even in ways that we could never have imagined! :)
Tuesday, January 22nd, 2013
Hebrew 11- known by many as the Hall of Faith. This chapter in the book of Hebrews offers the reader a list of heroes of the Christian faith whom we can learn great lessons and truths from. Over the next few weeks, we will be diving into the stories behind those mentioned, examine the lesson that we can learn from the Scripture, and discuss how to apply it to life every day.
Hebrews 11:24-26 "By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward."
Picture this: Moses, once the little baby rescued from the Nile River by Pharaoh's daughter, had been raised to be one of the most influential and affluent men in Egypt and lived in power over the Israelites, the slaves to the Egyptians. However, recall from yesterday's study that he himself was an Israelite, though this was unknown to Pharaoh. When he finally realized who his true people were, he rose and went out to be with them. Exodus 2:11-12 says, "One day, after Moses had grown up, he went out to where his own people were and watched them at their hard labor. He saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his own people. Glancing this way and that and seeing no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand." Moses understood that he was a member of the chosen people of God, and Hebrews tells us that he "refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter". In essence, as he stepped out of the house of Pharaoh and presented himself as an Israelite, he left behind every ounce of protection and power he had. The passage also says that "he chose to be mistreated along with the people of God", signifying that he understood what he needed to do, and would trust God's calling rather than indulge himself in worldly possessions. He recognized His role in God's eternal plan as the leader of His people until the coming of the promised Messiah.
What can we learn from this moment in Moses' life? Consider this: do you know what your purpose is in life? We all want to have a meaningful life and make a difference in our world. While many want to raise to fame and fortune, we as believers have a different task ahead of us: to bring glory and honor to God and further His kingdom on this earth. However, in particular, what is your individual calling? Where does God have you heading? As a follower of Christ, we can have faith in the plan of God that He can use us, no matter where we are, for complete His work. If you come to Christ with an open and willing heart, He can use you to go to the ends of the earth if that is where you are meant to go. Today, think of Moses as you discern God's calling in your life. While it may not always be clear, you can rest assured that, through faith, you can make an impact in this world through the power of God and the everlasting love of the truth of the Gospel! :)
Hebrews 11:24-26 "By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward."
Picture this: Moses, once the little baby rescued from the Nile River by Pharaoh's daughter, had been raised to be one of the most influential and affluent men in Egypt and lived in power over the Israelites, the slaves to the Egyptians. However, recall from yesterday's study that he himself was an Israelite, though this was unknown to Pharaoh. When he finally realized who his true people were, he rose and went out to be with them. Exodus 2:11-12 says, "One day, after Moses had grown up, he went out to where his own people were and watched them at their hard labor. He saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his own people. Glancing this way and that and seeing no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand." Moses understood that he was a member of the chosen people of God, and Hebrews tells us that he "refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter". In essence, as he stepped out of the house of Pharaoh and presented himself as an Israelite, he left behind every ounce of protection and power he had. The passage also says that "he chose to be mistreated along with the people of God", signifying that he understood what he needed to do, and would trust God's calling rather than indulge himself in worldly possessions. He recognized His role in God's eternal plan as the leader of His people until the coming of the promised Messiah.
What can we learn from this moment in Moses' life? Consider this: do you know what your purpose is in life? We all want to have a meaningful life and make a difference in our world. While many want to raise to fame and fortune, we as believers have a different task ahead of us: to bring glory and honor to God and further His kingdom on this earth. However, in particular, what is your individual calling? Where does God have you heading? As a follower of Christ, we can have faith in the plan of God that He can use us, no matter where we are, for complete His work. If you come to Christ with an open and willing heart, He can use you to go to the ends of the earth if that is where you are meant to go. Today, think of Moses as you discern God's calling in your life. While it may not always be clear, you can rest assured that, through faith, you can make an impact in this world through the power of God and the everlasting love of the truth of the Gospel! :)
Monday, January 21st, 2013
Hebrew 11- known by many as the Hall of Faith. This chapter in the book of Hebrews offers the reader a list of heroes of the Christian faith whom we can learn great lessons and truths from. Over the next few weeks, we will be diving into the stories behind those mentioned, examine the lesson that we can learn from the Scripture, and discuss how to apply it to life every day.
Hebrews 11:23 "By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict."
Think back to the events that led up to this. Exodus 1 tells us that the Pharaoh was afraid that the Israelite people would rise up as a great people and overcome the Egyptians. He ordered that all Hebrew boys were to be executed, so as to stop a leader from rising among them and to halt the continuing generations of the Israelites. However, not every baby boy was caught. Recall this event as given to us in Exodus 2:1-4, "Now a man of the house of Levi married a Levite woman, 2and she became pregnant and gave birth to a son. When she saw that he was a fine child, she hid him for three months. But when she could hide him no longer, she got a papyrus basket for him and coated it with tar and pitch. Then she placed the child in it and put it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile. His sister stood at a distance to see what would happen to him."
Put yourself in the shoes of Moses' parents. You have two options: first, follow the edict and kill your baby son, or two, spare his life and risk bring caught and punished for deed. Many might at first say it would be better to obey and end a life that hadn't yet started, but if you are a parent, consider what these parents were commanded to do. Imagine the mother, who carried this baby for 9 months and suffered through blood, sweat, and tears to bring this child into the world. Consider the father, who might be looking at the only chance he has of having a son to carry on the family name. If you chose to take your son's life, you will live the rest of your life with the guilt, shame, and loss of what you did. If you disobey, you take the risk of losing your own life. Moses' parents chose the later, and verse 23 tells us that they "were not afraid of the king's edict". Why do you think this is? In a time of such pain and suffering, how could they not worry about what would happen? The answer lies in faith. Moses' parents had faith that God work work things out for the ultimate good. They trusted that He was in control of each and every situation, including the one that laid before them.
This story brings an interesting point into play- having faith in safety. Now we do not recognize the "prosperity Gospel", the teaching that being a believer grants you health, wealth, and happiness every moment of every day. Nevertheless, there is a difference between prosperity and safety. As believers, we are held by the safe and saving hand of God, both physically. Consider the psalmist who wrote in Psalm 91:1-2, "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will sayb of the Lord, 'He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.'" We are eternally captured within the grasp of God, and we are reminded of this truth in Romans 8:38-39, which says, "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." No doubt Moses' parents took faith in this safe keeping that was theirs because of their trust in the Lord Almighty.
Too often we take our safety for granted. We live in a nation where we have individual rights granted us by the Constitution, the right of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. We are granted freedoms to practice our faith openly, and a responsibility to treat others with respect. The events of September 11th shook us to the core, and we were reminded once again that this sinful world is not safe, and we are not immune to destruction. Still, we are safe and alive, with each breath we take in experiencing God's grace and mercy. When you get a chance, take a moment today to thank God for keeping you safe and secure. In light of the faith of Moses' parents, remember that the One who created the universe is holding you secure in His hand. No matter what comes your way, you can stand strong and press on if you learn to rely solely upon the secure power of God, and the binding love that is given to us by Jesus Christ! :)
Hebrews 11:23 "By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict."
Think back to the events that led up to this. Exodus 1 tells us that the Pharaoh was afraid that the Israelite people would rise up as a great people and overcome the Egyptians. He ordered that all Hebrew boys were to be executed, so as to stop a leader from rising among them and to halt the continuing generations of the Israelites. However, not every baby boy was caught. Recall this event as given to us in Exodus 2:1-4, "Now a man of the house of Levi married a Levite woman, 2and she became pregnant and gave birth to a son. When she saw that he was a fine child, she hid him for three months. But when she could hide him no longer, she got a papyrus basket for him and coated it with tar and pitch. Then she placed the child in it and put it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile. His sister stood at a distance to see what would happen to him."
Put yourself in the shoes of Moses' parents. You have two options: first, follow the edict and kill your baby son, or two, spare his life and risk bring caught and punished for deed. Many might at first say it would be better to obey and end a life that hadn't yet started, but if you are a parent, consider what these parents were commanded to do. Imagine the mother, who carried this baby for 9 months and suffered through blood, sweat, and tears to bring this child into the world. Consider the father, who might be looking at the only chance he has of having a son to carry on the family name. If you chose to take your son's life, you will live the rest of your life with the guilt, shame, and loss of what you did. If you disobey, you take the risk of losing your own life. Moses' parents chose the later, and verse 23 tells us that they "were not afraid of the king's edict". Why do you think this is? In a time of such pain and suffering, how could they not worry about what would happen? The answer lies in faith. Moses' parents had faith that God work work things out for the ultimate good. They trusted that He was in control of each and every situation, including the one that laid before them.
This story brings an interesting point into play- having faith in safety. Now we do not recognize the "prosperity Gospel", the teaching that being a believer grants you health, wealth, and happiness every moment of every day. Nevertheless, there is a difference between prosperity and safety. As believers, we are held by the safe and saving hand of God, both physically. Consider the psalmist who wrote in Psalm 91:1-2, "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will sayb of the Lord, 'He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.'" We are eternally captured within the grasp of God, and we are reminded of this truth in Romans 8:38-39, which says, "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." No doubt Moses' parents took faith in this safe keeping that was theirs because of their trust in the Lord Almighty.
Too often we take our safety for granted. We live in a nation where we have individual rights granted us by the Constitution, the right of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. We are granted freedoms to practice our faith openly, and a responsibility to treat others with respect. The events of September 11th shook us to the core, and we were reminded once again that this sinful world is not safe, and we are not immune to destruction. Still, we are safe and alive, with each breath we take in experiencing God's grace and mercy. When you get a chance, take a moment today to thank God for keeping you safe and secure. In light of the faith of Moses' parents, remember that the One who created the universe is holding you secure in His hand. No matter what comes your way, you can stand strong and press on if you learn to rely solely upon the secure power of God, and the binding love that is given to us by Jesus Christ! :)
Thursday, January 17th, 2013
Hebrew 11- known by many as the Hall of Faith. This chapter in the book of Hebrews offers the reader a list of heroes of the Christian faith whom we can learn great lessons and truths from. Over the next few weeks, we will be diving into the stories behind those mentioned, examine the lesson that we can learn from the Scripture, and discuss how to apply it to life every day.
Hebrews 11:22 "By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions about his bones."
With this verse, we are taken back to the final chapter of Genesis. Look now at the closing section of Genesis 50:22-26;
"Joseph stayed in Egypt, along with all his father’s family. He lived a hundred and ten years and saw the third generation of Ephraim’s children. Also the children of Makir son of Manasseh were placed at birth on Joseph’s knees. Then Joseph said to his brothers, 'I am about to die. But God will surely come to your aid and take you up out of this land to the land he promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.' And Joseph made the sons of Israel swear an oath and said, God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up from this place.' So Joseph died at the age of a hundred and ten. And after they embalmed him, he was placed in a coffin in Egypt."
If you know anything about the next event that takes place in Scripture, you can see why Joseph's command to move his bones was such a turning point for his family. As Joseph neared his final days, he commanded his family to take up his bones and move out of Egypt. With the Exodus nearing so soon, it was perfect timing that Joseph's family got out. While Joseph's line was safe, look back at Exodus 1:6-14;
"Now Joseph and all his brothers and all that generation died, but the Israelites were fruitful and multiplied greatly and became exceedingly numerous, so that the land was filled with them. Then a new king, who did not know about Joseph, came to power in Egypt. 'Look,' he said to his people, 'the Israelites have become much too numerous for us. Come, we must deal shrewdly with them or they will become even more numerous and, if war breaks out, will join our enemies, fight against us and leave the country.' So they put slave masters over them to oppress them with forced labor, and they built Pithom and Rameses as store cities for Pharaoh. But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread; so the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites and worked them ruthlessly. They made their lives bitter with hard labor in brick and mortar and with all kinds of work in the fields; in all their hard labor the Egyptians used them ruthlessly."
Joseph's family left Egypt right at the start of a new era for the people of God. But what does this verse in Hebrews have to do with Joseph's family. Put simply, Joseph trusted the word of God. In Genesis 15:13-14, God spoke these words to Abraham, Joseph's great-grandfather:
"Then the Lord said to him, 'Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own, and they will be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years. But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves, and afterward they will come out with great possessions.'"
There is little doubt that Joseph had heard this many times over. Joseph put faith in the word of God, and believed in his heart that what God said would come to pass, even though he did not live to see it happen. The events in Joseph's life had demonstrated time and time again that God keeps His promises and works out situations according to His will. Today, think about the promises that God has made to you as a believer. A promise of forgiveness, of loyalty, and of a life everlasting. It is through Jesus Christ that we have obtained these gifts, the promises of God, and His Word reveals that He never breaks His promises. Don't fall into doubting God; trust that He keeps His promises- He will never fail you! :)
Hebrews 11:22 "By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions about his bones."
With this verse, we are taken back to the final chapter of Genesis. Look now at the closing section of Genesis 50:22-26;
"Joseph stayed in Egypt, along with all his father’s family. He lived a hundred and ten years and saw the third generation of Ephraim’s children. Also the children of Makir son of Manasseh were placed at birth on Joseph’s knees. Then Joseph said to his brothers, 'I am about to die. But God will surely come to your aid and take you up out of this land to the land he promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.' And Joseph made the sons of Israel swear an oath and said, God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up from this place.' So Joseph died at the age of a hundred and ten. And after they embalmed him, he was placed in a coffin in Egypt."
If you know anything about the next event that takes place in Scripture, you can see why Joseph's command to move his bones was such a turning point for his family. As Joseph neared his final days, he commanded his family to take up his bones and move out of Egypt. With the Exodus nearing so soon, it was perfect timing that Joseph's family got out. While Joseph's line was safe, look back at Exodus 1:6-14;
"Now Joseph and all his brothers and all that generation died, but the Israelites were fruitful and multiplied greatly and became exceedingly numerous, so that the land was filled with them. Then a new king, who did not know about Joseph, came to power in Egypt. 'Look,' he said to his people, 'the Israelites have become much too numerous for us. Come, we must deal shrewdly with them or they will become even more numerous and, if war breaks out, will join our enemies, fight against us and leave the country.' So they put slave masters over them to oppress them with forced labor, and they built Pithom and Rameses as store cities for Pharaoh. But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread; so the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites and worked them ruthlessly. They made their lives bitter with hard labor in brick and mortar and with all kinds of work in the fields; in all their hard labor the Egyptians used them ruthlessly."
Joseph's family left Egypt right at the start of a new era for the people of God. But what does this verse in Hebrews have to do with Joseph's family. Put simply, Joseph trusted the word of God. In Genesis 15:13-14, God spoke these words to Abraham, Joseph's great-grandfather:
"Then the Lord said to him, 'Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own, and they will be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years. But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves, and afterward they will come out with great possessions.'"
There is little doubt that Joseph had heard this many times over. Joseph put faith in the word of God, and believed in his heart that what God said would come to pass, even though he did not live to see it happen. The events in Joseph's life had demonstrated time and time again that God keeps His promises and works out situations according to His will. Today, think about the promises that God has made to you as a believer. A promise of forgiveness, of loyalty, and of a life everlasting. It is through Jesus Christ that we have obtained these gifts, the promises of God, and His Word reveals that He never breaks His promises. Don't fall into doubting God; trust that He keeps His promises- He will never fail you! :)
Wednesday, January 16th, 2013
Hebrew 11- known by many as the Hall of Faith. This chapter in the book of Hebrews offers the reader a list of heroes of the Christian faith whom we can learn great lessons and truths from. Over the next few weeks, we will be diving into the stories behind those mentioned, examine the lesson that we can learn from the Scripture, and discuss how to apply it to life every day.
Hebrews 11:21 "By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons, and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff."
Think back to what is going on during the time of this event. Jacob, who we looked at yesterday, the brother who stole Esau's blessing, was chosen by God to be the foundation of His people, and was renamed Israel, the nation of God. Recall that Joseph, Jacob's son, was sold into slavery by his brothers, yet through God's providence Joseph had risen up to be second in command of Egypt and therefore saved his family from famine and destitution. Now, as Jacob is nearing the time of his death, he calls in Joseph so that he can bless Joseph's sons. Notice the parallelism between this event and what we looked at yesterday. Look now at Genesis 48:12-20;
"Then Joseph removed them from Israel’s knees and bowed down with his face to the ground. And Joseph took both of them, Ephraim on his right toward Israel’s left hand and Manasseh on his left toward Israel’s right hand, and brought them close to him. But Israel reached out his right hand and put it on Ephraim’s head, though he was the younger, and crossing his arms, he put his left hand on Manasseh’s head, even though Manasseh was the firstborn. Then he blessed Joseph and said, 'May the God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day, the Angel who has delivered me from all harm —may he bless these boys. May they be called by my name and the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac, and may they increase greatly upon the earth.' When Joseph saw his father placing his right hand on Ephraim’s head he was displeased; so he took hold of his father’s hand to move it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head. Joseph said to him, 'No, my father, this one is the firstborn; put your right hand on his head.' But his father refused and said, 'I know, my son, I know. He too will become a people, and he too will become great. Nevertheless, his younger brother will be greater than he, and his descendants will become a group of nations.' He blessed them that day and said, 'In your name will Israel pronounce this blessing: "May God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh."' So he put Ephraim ahead of Manasseh."
Once again, the message of today's passage is similar to that of yesterdays. By faith, Jacob had faith that the blessing upon Ephraim and Manasseh would come to pass. Though he passed on shortly after this event, he did not see but trusted that God was sovereign. However, there is more to this blessing than meets the eye. It was through this chosen light that Christ came to reign on high. While Jesus came as a lowly servant, his life was in accordance to the royal and priestly line that was passed on through the tribes of the sons of Jacob. In accordance to the faith of the patriarchs, Christ's reign on this earth fulfilled every prophecy and family line. We can have faith in that which is unseen to us, because we know that in all things, Christ reigns on high, and through Him, we have been given true freedom! :)
Hebrews 11:21 "By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons, and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff."
Think back to what is going on during the time of this event. Jacob, who we looked at yesterday, the brother who stole Esau's blessing, was chosen by God to be the foundation of His people, and was renamed Israel, the nation of God. Recall that Joseph, Jacob's son, was sold into slavery by his brothers, yet through God's providence Joseph had risen up to be second in command of Egypt and therefore saved his family from famine and destitution. Now, as Jacob is nearing the time of his death, he calls in Joseph so that he can bless Joseph's sons. Notice the parallelism between this event and what we looked at yesterday. Look now at Genesis 48:12-20;
"Then Joseph removed them from Israel’s knees and bowed down with his face to the ground. And Joseph took both of them, Ephraim on his right toward Israel’s left hand and Manasseh on his left toward Israel’s right hand, and brought them close to him. But Israel reached out his right hand and put it on Ephraim’s head, though he was the younger, and crossing his arms, he put his left hand on Manasseh’s head, even though Manasseh was the firstborn. Then he blessed Joseph and said, 'May the God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day, the Angel who has delivered me from all harm —may he bless these boys. May they be called by my name and the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac, and may they increase greatly upon the earth.' When Joseph saw his father placing his right hand on Ephraim’s head he was displeased; so he took hold of his father’s hand to move it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head. Joseph said to him, 'No, my father, this one is the firstborn; put your right hand on his head.' But his father refused and said, 'I know, my son, I know. He too will become a people, and he too will become great. Nevertheless, his younger brother will be greater than he, and his descendants will become a group of nations.' He blessed them that day and said, 'In your name will Israel pronounce this blessing: "May God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh."' So he put Ephraim ahead of Manasseh."
Once again, the message of today's passage is similar to that of yesterdays. By faith, Jacob had faith that the blessing upon Ephraim and Manasseh would come to pass. Though he passed on shortly after this event, he did not see but trusted that God was sovereign. However, there is more to this blessing than meets the eye. It was through this chosen light that Christ came to reign on high. While Jesus came as a lowly servant, his life was in accordance to the royal and priestly line that was passed on through the tribes of the sons of Jacob. In accordance to the faith of the patriarchs, Christ's reign on this earth fulfilled every prophecy and family line. We can have faith in that which is unseen to us, because we know that in all things, Christ reigns on high, and through Him, we have been given true freedom! :)
Tuesday, January 15th, 2013
Hebrew 11- known by many as the Hall of Faith. This chapter in the book of Hebrews offers the reader a list of heroes of the Christian faith whom we can learn great lessons and truths from. Over the next few weeks, we will be diving into the stories behind those mentioned, examine the lesson that we can learn from the Scripture, and discuss how to apply it to life every day.
Hebrews 11:20 "By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau in regard to their future."
This is the story which this verse recalls. Jacob and Esau were born twins, and they despised one another after Esau sold Jacob his birthright for a pot of soup. However, that was not enough for Jacob. Their father Isaac loved Esau while their mother loved Jacob, so Jacob and his mother devised a plan to get Jacob to receive Esau's blessing. So, Jacob, dressing and smelling like his brother, enters the tent where Isaac, old and blinded by age, is tricked into thinking it is Esau. Isaac then lays his blessing upon Jacob, and we read the words to his blessing in Genesis 27:27-29; "So he went to him and kissed him. When Isaac caught the smell of his clothes, he blessed him and said,'Ah, the smell of my son is like the smell of a field that the Lord has blessed. May God give you heaven’s dew and earth’s richness— an abundance of grain and new wine. May nations serve you and peoples bow down to you. Be lord over your brothers, and may the sons of your mother bow down to you. May those who curse you be cursed and those who bless you be blessed.'" After this, Esau came in to bring his father food. Confused, Isaac finally realized what had happened, and laid this blessing on Esau as recalled in Genesis 27:39-40; "His father Isaac answered him,'Your dwelling will be away from the earth’s richness, away from the dew of heaven above. You will live by the sword and you will serve your brother. But when you grow restless, you will throw his yoke from off your neck.'"
Now, the events of this story are that of deception, anger, and greed. Jacob and his mother deceived Isaac into blessing him, while the right of birth was once again stolen from Esau. The Bible recalls that after this event Esau vowed to take his brother Jacob's life. How can we pull something out of this story that we can apply to our lives today? The key is to not look at the circumstances of the blessing, but at the blessings themselves. We know that these blessings were given through deception, and they did not go to who Isaac originally intended them to go to. But looking at the language of the blessings, we see that they had to do with the things of the future, those which had not yet come to pass. See, Isaac had faith that his blessing would happen, despite the fact that he died shortly after this event. He had faith in that which he could not see, and despite the unfortunate way that these were given, he understood that God was sovereign in all of it.
That is how we need to live. We need to recognize that God is sovereign over our lives and has control in every situation, even if it came about in a way we were not expecting. We can take joy in the fact that the Creator of the universe is watching over us, and is keeping everything working according to His plan. Remember the words of Romans 8:28 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." :)
Hebrews 11:20 "By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau in regard to their future."
This is the story which this verse recalls. Jacob and Esau were born twins, and they despised one another after Esau sold Jacob his birthright for a pot of soup. However, that was not enough for Jacob. Their father Isaac loved Esau while their mother loved Jacob, so Jacob and his mother devised a plan to get Jacob to receive Esau's blessing. So, Jacob, dressing and smelling like his brother, enters the tent where Isaac, old and blinded by age, is tricked into thinking it is Esau. Isaac then lays his blessing upon Jacob, and we read the words to his blessing in Genesis 27:27-29; "So he went to him and kissed him. When Isaac caught the smell of his clothes, he blessed him and said,'Ah, the smell of my son is like the smell of a field that the Lord has blessed. May God give you heaven’s dew and earth’s richness— an abundance of grain and new wine. May nations serve you and peoples bow down to you. Be lord over your brothers, and may the sons of your mother bow down to you. May those who curse you be cursed and those who bless you be blessed.'" After this, Esau came in to bring his father food. Confused, Isaac finally realized what had happened, and laid this blessing on Esau as recalled in Genesis 27:39-40; "His father Isaac answered him,'Your dwelling will be away from the earth’s richness, away from the dew of heaven above. You will live by the sword and you will serve your brother. But when you grow restless, you will throw his yoke from off your neck.'"
Now, the events of this story are that of deception, anger, and greed. Jacob and his mother deceived Isaac into blessing him, while the right of birth was once again stolen from Esau. The Bible recalls that after this event Esau vowed to take his brother Jacob's life. How can we pull something out of this story that we can apply to our lives today? The key is to not look at the circumstances of the blessing, but at the blessings themselves. We know that these blessings were given through deception, and they did not go to who Isaac originally intended them to go to. But looking at the language of the blessings, we see that they had to do with the things of the future, those which had not yet come to pass. See, Isaac had faith that his blessing would happen, despite the fact that he died shortly after this event. He had faith in that which he could not see, and despite the unfortunate way that these were given, he understood that God was sovereign in all of it.
That is how we need to live. We need to recognize that God is sovereign over our lives and has control in every situation, even if it came about in a way we were not expecting. We can take joy in the fact that the Creator of the universe is watching over us, and is keeping everything working according to His plan. Remember the words of Romans 8:28 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." :)
Monday, January 14th, 2013
Hebrew 11- known by many as the Hall of Faith. This chapter in the book of Hebrews offers the reader a list of heroes of the Christian faith whom we can learn great lessons and truths from. Over the next few weeks, we will be diving into the stories behind those mentioned, examine the lesson that we can learn from the Scripture, and discuss how to apply it to life every day.
Hebrews 11:17-19 "By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, 'It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.' Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death." Here is Abraham, finally having received a son as God had promised him, yet now it seems as though that promise meant nothing. Abraham was to be the "father of many nations", and Isaac was the son through which Abraham's lineage was to be passed on. Then God commands Abraham to take up his only son and sacrifice him to the Lord.
Recall the story in Genesis 22:1-14 "Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, 'Abraham!' 'Here I am,' he replied. Then God said, 'Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about.' Early the next morning Abraham got up and saddled his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about. On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. He said to his servants, 'Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.' Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, 'Father?' 'Yes, my son?' Abraham replied. 'The fire and wood are here,' Isaac said, 'but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?' Abraham answered, 'God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.' And the two of them went on together. When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, 'Abraham! Abraham!' 'Here I am,' he replied. 'Do not lay a hand on the boy,' he said. 'Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.' Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ramcaught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, 'On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.'"
Imagine you are in Abraham's shoes- what would you have thought to yourself if God had blessed you with a son and then order you to take his life? No doubt any of us would be upset, confused, angry, or even doubtful that God really knew what He was doing. These thoughts and emotions were probably running through Abraham's mind at the time. Nevertheless, Abraham took faith that God would live up to His covenant and trusted that God saw the bigger picture. Looking at this story, we see how this can be applied to our lives today. We see demonstrated the truth that God will ask us to do things that we might not understand or want to do. The prophet Jonah is one of many other Biblical examples of this. However, we can have faith that God knows what is best for us and is keeping everything in accordance to His will and plan.
The greatest point of this story comes when the lamb is set as a substitution for Isaac. This is a perfect image of what Christ would do a few thousand years later on the Cross. Where our lives were once due as penalty for sin, so Christ took on Himself the blame and received the holy wrath and judgment of God. We have been made free by the power of the Cross, and we have hope in Christ's resurrection and return. Isaac was a sacrifice that would have accomplished nothing. Christ was not spared so that He could change everything! :)
Hebrews 11:17-19 "By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, 'It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.' Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death." Here is Abraham, finally having received a son as God had promised him, yet now it seems as though that promise meant nothing. Abraham was to be the "father of many nations", and Isaac was the son through which Abraham's lineage was to be passed on. Then God commands Abraham to take up his only son and sacrifice him to the Lord.
Recall the story in Genesis 22:1-14 "Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, 'Abraham!' 'Here I am,' he replied. Then God said, 'Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about.' Early the next morning Abraham got up and saddled his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about. On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. He said to his servants, 'Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.' Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, 'Father?' 'Yes, my son?' Abraham replied. 'The fire and wood are here,' Isaac said, 'but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?' Abraham answered, 'God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.' And the two of them went on together. When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, 'Abraham! Abraham!' 'Here I am,' he replied. 'Do not lay a hand on the boy,' he said. 'Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.' Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ramcaught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, 'On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.'"
Imagine you are in Abraham's shoes- what would you have thought to yourself if God had blessed you with a son and then order you to take his life? No doubt any of us would be upset, confused, angry, or even doubtful that God really knew what He was doing. These thoughts and emotions were probably running through Abraham's mind at the time. Nevertheless, Abraham took faith that God would live up to His covenant and trusted that God saw the bigger picture. Looking at this story, we see how this can be applied to our lives today. We see demonstrated the truth that God will ask us to do things that we might not understand or want to do. The prophet Jonah is one of many other Biblical examples of this. However, we can have faith that God knows what is best for us and is keeping everything in accordance to His will and plan.
The greatest point of this story comes when the lamb is set as a substitution for Isaac. This is a perfect image of what Christ would do a few thousand years later on the Cross. Where our lives were once due as penalty for sin, so Christ took on Himself the blame and received the holy wrath and judgment of God. We have been made free by the power of the Cross, and we have hope in Christ's resurrection and return. Isaac was a sacrifice that would have accomplished nothing. Christ was not spared so that He could change everything! :)
Wednesday, December 12th, 2012
Hebrew 11- known by many as the Hall of Faith. This chapter in the book of Hebrews offers the reader a list of heroes of the Christian faith whom we can learn great lessons and truths from. Over the next few weeks, we will be diving into the stories behind those mentioned, examine the lesson that we can learn from the Scripture, and discuss how to apply it to life every day.
Hebrews 11:11-12 "By faith Abraham, even though he was past age—and Sarah herself was barren—was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise. And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore."
Recall the events as recorded in Genesis 21. God had promised Abraham that he would be the father of many nations, yet Abraham remained childless into the late years of his life. However, God still made the covenant with Abraham that He would provide him with a son. And so we read in Genesis 21:1-5 "Now the Lord was gracious to Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did for Sarah what he had promised. Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised him. Abraham gave the name Isaac to the son Sarah bore him. When his son Isaac was eight days old, Abraham circumcised him, as God commanded him. Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him."
What can we learn from this important event in Biblical history? The ultimate truth that God, no matter what the circumstance, keeps His promises. We need to have faith throughout every situation that He is in control and knows what is best for us. Do not be caught up in doubt; instead, faithfully trust the Lord, and He will make your paths straight! :)
Hebrews 11:11-12 "By faith Abraham, even though he was past age—and Sarah herself was barren—was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise. And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore."
Recall the events as recorded in Genesis 21. God had promised Abraham that he would be the father of many nations, yet Abraham remained childless into the late years of his life. However, God still made the covenant with Abraham that He would provide him with a son. And so we read in Genesis 21:1-5 "Now the Lord was gracious to Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did for Sarah what he had promised. Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised him. Abraham gave the name Isaac to the son Sarah bore him. When his son Isaac was eight days old, Abraham circumcised him, as God commanded him. Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him."
What can we learn from this important event in Biblical history? The ultimate truth that God, no matter what the circumstance, keeps His promises. We need to have faith throughout every situation that He is in control and knows what is best for us. Do not be caught up in doubt; instead, faithfully trust the Lord, and He will make your paths straight! :)
Monday, December 10th, 2012
Hebrew 11- known by many as the Hall of Faith. This chapter in the book of Hebrews offers the reader a list of heroes of the Christian faith whom we can learn great lessons and truths from. Over the next few weeks, we will be diving into the stories behind those mentioned, examine the lesson that we can learn from the Scripture, and discuss how to apply it to life every day.
Hebrews 11:8 "By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going."
Let's take a brief look at the opening portion of Abraham's- at this point Abram's- life, as found in Genesis 12:1-9 "The Lord had said to Abram, 'Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.' So Abram left, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Haran. He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated and the people they had acquired in Haran, and they set out for the land of Canaan, and they arrived there. Abram traveled through the land as far as the site of the great tree of Moreh at Shechem. At that time the Canaanites were in the land. The Lord appeared to Abram and said, 'To your offspring I will give this land.' So he built an altar there to the Lord, who had appeared to him. From there he went on toward the hills east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. There he built an altar to the Lord and called on the name of the Lord. Then Abram set out and continued toward the Negev."
Imagine for a moment being Abram, a pagan in a foreign nation who one days finds himself being called upon by Almighty God. At this point, Abram knew nothing of the true God, yet God's will was to choose this man out of the world and make him the father of His people. Consider what Abram must have thought when this unknown God called him out and told him that he would become the father of the people of a God he did not yet know. Abram was called out to leave his homeland and travel to the place that God had prepared for him. Once again, we emphasize the truth that faith as presented in Hebrews 11:1 is "being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Abram had to have such faith in God to leave his homeland and trust that God knew what He was going. In case it hasn't been stressed enough, faith does not come through sight, it comes through trusting God and believing that He knows what He is doing. Today, remember that God in all things knows the plans He has for you. There is nothing that He does not know, and no matter where God takes you in life, you can have faith that you will be safe in His plan! :)
Hebrews 11:8 "By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going."
Let's take a brief look at the opening portion of Abraham's- at this point Abram's- life, as found in Genesis 12:1-9 "The Lord had said to Abram, 'Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.' So Abram left, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Haran. He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated and the people they had acquired in Haran, and they set out for the land of Canaan, and they arrived there. Abram traveled through the land as far as the site of the great tree of Moreh at Shechem. At that time the Canaanites were in the land. The Lord appeared to Abram and said, 'To your offspring I will give this land.' So he built an altar there to the Lord, who had appeared to him. From there he went on toward the hills east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. There he built an altar to the Lord and called on the name of the Lord. Then Abram set out and continued toward the Negev."
Imagine for a moment being Abram, a pagan in a foreign nation who one days finds himself being called upon by Almighty God. At this point, Abram knew nothing of the true God, yet God's will was to choose this man out of the world and make him the father of His people. Consider what Abram must have thought when this unknown God called him out and told him that he would become the father of the people of a God he did not yet know. Abram was called out to leave his homeland and travel to the place that God had prepared for him. Once again, we emphasize the truth that faith as presented in Hebrews 11:1 is "being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Abram had to have such faith in God to leave his homeland and trust that God knew what He was going. In case it hasn't been stressed enough, faith does not come through sight, it comes through trusting God and believing that He knows what He is doing. Today, remember that God in all things knows the plans He has for you. There is nothing that He does not know, and no matter where God takes you in life, you can have faith that you will be safe in His plan! :)
Saturday, December 8th, 2012
Hebrew 11- known by many as the Hall of Faith. This chapter in the book of Hebrews offers the reader a list of heroes of the Christian faith whom we can learn great lessons and truths from. Over the next few weeks, we will be diving into the stories behind those mentioned, examine the lesson that we can learn from the Scripture, and discuss how to apply it to life every day.
Hebrews 11:7 "By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith."
Noah: probably one of the most famous and loved characters of the Old Testament, who's story is repeated and spoken about by Sunday school teachers, pastors, and scholars throughout the world. Sadly, it is also one of the most dismissed passages of Scripture as being historically true and accurate. Even in the church, the story of Noah has taken a back seat and has been set aside as a myth or legend, or possibly just a Biblical allegory. However, we need to believe the story of Noah in it's entirety to understand Scriptural history, and to get an appropriate view of Noah's faith.The story of Noah is rather lengthy, so if you know it well, feel free to skim the passage, but we would recommend that you read it fully.
Genesis 6:9-8:19 "This is the account of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God. Noah had three sons: Shem, Ham and Japheth.
Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight and was full of violence. God saw how corrupt the earth had become, for all the people on earth had corrupted their ways. So God said to Noah, 'I am going to put an end to all people, for the earth is filled with violence because of them. I am surely going to destroy both them and the earth. So make yourself an ark of cypressc wood; make rooms in it and coat it with pitch inside and out. This is how you are to build it: The ark is to be 450 feet long, 75 feet wide and 45 feet high. Make a roof for it and finishe the ark to within 18 inchesf of the top. Put a door in the side of the ark and make lower, middle and upper decks. I am going to bring floodwaters on the earth to destroy all life under the heavens, every creature that has the breath of life in it. Everything on earth will perish. But I will establish my covenant with you, and you will enter the ark—you and your sons and your wife and your sons’ wives with you. You are to bring into the ark two of all living creatures, male and female, to keep them alive with you. Two of every kind of bird, of every kind of animal and of every kind of creature that moves along the ground will come to you to be kept alive. You are to take every kind of food that is to be eaten and store it away as food for you and for them.' Noah did everything just as God commanded him.
The Lord then said to Noah, 'Go into the ark, you and your whole family, because I have found you righteous in this generation. Take with you sevena of every kind of clean animal, a male and its mate, and two of every kind of unclean animal, a male and its mate, and also seven of every kind of bird, male and female, to keep their various kinds alive throughout the earth. Seven days from now I will send rain on the earth for forty days and forty nights, and I will wipe from the face of the earth every living creature I have made.' And Noah did all that the Lord commanded him.
Noah was six hundred years old when the floodwaters came on the earth. And Noah and his sons and his wife and his sons’ wives entered the ark to escape the waters of the flood. Pairs of clean and unclean animals, of birds and of all creatures that move along the ground, male and female, came to Noah and entered the ark, as God had commanded Noah. And after the seven days the floodwaters came on the earth.
In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, on the seventeenth day of the second month—on that day all the springs of the great deep burst forth, and the floodgates of the heavens were opened. And rain fell on the earth forty days and forty nights.
On that very day Noah and his sons, Shem, Ham and Japheth, together with his wife and the wives of his three sons, entered the ark. They had with them every wild animal according to its kind, all livestock according to their kinds, every creature that moves along the ground according to its kind and every bird according to its kind, everything with wings. Pairs of all creatures that have the breath of life in them came to Noah and entered the ark. The animals going in were male and female of every living thing, as God had commanded Noah. Then the Lord shut him in.
For forty days the flood kept coming on the earth, and as the waters increased they lifted the ark high above the earth. The waters rose and increased greatly on the earth, and the ark floated on the surface of the water. They rose greatly on the earth, and all the high mountains under the entire heavens were covered. The waters rose and covered the mountains to a depth of more than twenty feet. Every living thing that moved on the earth perished—birds, livestock, wild animals, all the creatures that swarm over the earth, and all mankind. Everything on dry land that had the breath of life in its nostrils died. Every living thing on the face of the earth was wiped out; men and animals and the creatures that move along the ground and the birds of the air were wiped from the earth. Only Noah was left, and those with him in the ark. The waters flooded the earth for a hundred and fifty days.
But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and the livestock that were with him in the ark, and he sent a wind over the earth, and the waters receded. Now the springs of the deep and the floodgates of the heavens had been closed, and the rain had stopped falling from the sky. The water receded steadily from the earth. At the end of the hundred and fifty days the water had gone down, 4and on the seventeenth day of the seventh month the ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat. The waters continued to recede until the tenth month, and on the first day of the tenth month the tops of the mountains became visible. After forty days Noah opened the window he had made in the ark and sent out a raven, and it kept flying back and forth until the water had dried up from the earth. Then he sent out a dove to see if the water had receded from the surface of the ground. But the dove could find no place to set its feet because there was water over all the surface of the earth; so it returned to Noah in the ark. He reached out his hand and took the dove and brought it back to himself in the ark. He waited seven more days and again sent out the dove from the ark. When the dove returned to him in the evening, there in its beak was a freshly plucked olive leaf! Then Noah knew that the water had receded from the earth. He waited seven more days and sent the dove out again, but this time it did not return to him.
By the first day of the first month of Noah’s six hundred and first year, the water had dried up from the earth. Noah then removed the covering from the ark and saw that the surface of the ground was dry. By the twenty-seventh day of the second month the earth was completely dry. Then God said to Noah, 'Come out of the ark, you and your wife and your sons and their wives. Bring out every kind of living creature that is with you—the birds, the animals, and all the creatures that move along the ground—so they can multiply on the earth and be fruitful and increase in number upon it.' So Noah came out, together with his sons and his wife and his sons’ wives. All the animals and all the creatures that move along the ground and all the birds—everything that moves on the earth—came out of the ark, one kind after another."
Noah was a man who lived by faith. As seen with Abel and Enoch, he lived in light of the coming storm which he could not see or understand. Never before had God caused such devastation on the earth, and never would He again. Are you noticing a common theme stressed in this book? Once again, we go back to the opening verse, Hebrews 11:1, where we read, "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." While could not see God's judgement yet, he still labored on to build the ark, despite the ridicule of the people. Likewise, while on the ark, he could not see how God's providential hand was moving to save him and his family, yet he had faith that God would keep his covenant and rescue them. Through Noah's act of faith, the human race continues on. Remember this truth: when you have faith, it produces change. In Jonah's case, the change was a world saved from complete destruction. While the result of faith in our life may not be that large, we can still make a difference. Live by faith, not by sight, and you never know what God is going to do through you! :)
Hebrews 11:7 "By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith."
Noah: probably one of the most famous and loved characters of the Old Testament, who's story is repeated and spoken about by Sunday school teachers, pastors, and scholars throughout the world. Sadly, it is also one of the most dismissed passages of Scripture as being historically true and accurate. Even in the church, the story of Noah has taken a back seat and has been set aside as a myth or legend, or possibly just a Biblical allegory. However, we need to believe the story of Noah in it's entirety to understand Scriptural history, and to get an appropriate view of Noah's faith.The story of Noah is rather lengthy, so if you know it well, feel free to skim the passage, but we would recommend that you read it fully.
Genesis 6:9-8:19 "This is the account of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God. Noah had three sons: Shem, Ham and Japheth.
Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight and was full of violence. God saw how corrupt the earth had become, for all the people on earth had corrupted their ways. So God said to Noah, 'I am going to put an end to all people, for the earth is filled with violence because of them. I am surely going to destroy both them and the earth. So make yourself an ark of cypressc wood; make rooms in it and coat it with pitch inside and out. This is how you are to build it: The ark is to be 450 feet long, 75 feet wide and 45 feet high. Make a roof for it and finishe the ark to within 18 inchesf of the top. Put a door in the side of the ark and make lower, middle and upper decks. I am going to bring floodwaters on the earth to destroy all life under the heavens, every creature that has the breath of life in it. Everything on earth will perish. But I will establish my covenant with you, and you will enter the ark—you and your sons and your wife and your sons’ wives with you. You are to bring into the ark two of all living creatures, male and female, to keep them alive with you. Two of every kind of bird, of every kind of animal and of every kind of creature that moves along the ground will come to you to be kept alive. You are to take every kind of food that is to be eaten and store it away as food for you and for them.' Noah did everything just as God commanded him.
The Lord then said to Noah, 'Go into the ark, you and your whole family, because I have found you righteous in this generation. Take with you sevena of every kind of clean animal, a male and its mate, and two of every kind of unclean animal, a male and its mate, and also seven of every kind of bird, male and female, to keep their various kinds alive throughout the earth. Seven days from now I will send rain on the earth for forty days and forty nights, and I will wipe from the face of the earth every living creature I have made.' And Noah did all that the Lord commanded him.
Noah was six hundred years old when the floodwaters came on the earth. And Noah and his sons and his wife and his sons’ wives entered the ark to escape the waters of the flood. Pairs of clean and unclean animals, of birds and of all creatures that move along the ground, male and female, came to Noah and entered the ark, as God had commanded Noah. And after the seven days the floodwaters came on the earth.
In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, on the seventeenth day of the second month—on that day all the springs of the great deep burst forth, and the floodgates of the heavens were opened. And rain fell on the earth forty days and forty nights.
On that very day Noah and his sons, Shem, Ham and Japheth, together with his wife and the wives of his three sons, entered the ark. They had with them every wild animal according to its kind, all livestock according to their kinds, every creature that moves along the ground according to its kind and every bird according to its kind, everything with wings. Pairs of all creatures that have the breath of life in them came to Noah and entered the ark. The animals going in were male and female of every living thing, as God had commanded Noah. Then the Lord shut him in.
For forty days the flood kept coming on the earth, and as the waters increased they lifted the ark high above the earth. The waters rose and increased greatly on the earth, and the ark floated on the surface of the water. They rose greatly on the earth, and all the high mountains under the entire heavens were covered. The waters rose and covered the mountains to a depth of more than twenty feet. Every living thing that moved on the earth perished—birds, livestock, wild animals, all the creatures that swarm over the earth, and all mankind. Everything on dry land that had the breath of life in its nostrils died. Every living thing on the face of the earth was wiped out; men and animals and the creatures that move along the ground and the birds of the air were wiped from the earth. Only Noah was left, and those with him in the ark. The waters flooded the earth for a hundred and fifty days.
But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and the livestock that were with him in the ark, and he sent a wind over the earth, and the waters receded. Now the springs of the deep and the floodgates of the heavens had been closed, and the rain had stopped falling from the sky. The water receded steadily from the earth. At the end of the hundred and fifty days the water had gone down, 4and on the seventeenth day of the seventh month the ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat. The waters continued to recede until the tenth month, and on the first day of the tenth month the tops of the mountains became visible. After forty days Noah opened the window he had made in the ark and sent out a raven, and it kept flying back and forth until the water had dried up from the earth. Then he sent out a dove to see if the water had receded from the surface of the ground. But the dove could find no place to set its feet because there was water over all the surface of the earth; so it returned to Noah in the ark. He reached out his hand and took the dove and brought it back to himself in the ark. He waited seven more days and again sent out the dove from the ark. When the dove returned to him in the evening, there in its beak was a freshly plucked olive leaf! Then Noah knew that the water had receded from the earth. He waited seven more days and sent the dove out again, but this time it did not return to him.
By the first day of the first month of Noah’s six hundred and first year, the water had dried up from the earth. Noah then removed the covering from the ark and saw that the surface of the ground was dry. By the twenty-seventh day of the second month the earth was completely dry. Then God said to Noah, 'Come out of the ark, you and your wife and your sons and their wives. Bring out every kind of living creature that is with you—the birds, the animals, and all the creatures that move along the ground—so they can multiply on the earth and be fruitful and increase in number upon it.' So Noah came out, together with his sons and his wife and his sons’ wives. All the animals and all the creatures that move along the ground and all the birds—everything that moves on the earth—came out of the ark, one kind after another."
Noah was a man who lived by faith. As seen with Abel and Enoch, he lived in light of the coming storm which he could not see or understand. Never before had God caused such devastation on the earth, and never would He again. Are you noticing a common theme stressed in this book? Once again, we go back to the opening verse, Hebrews 11:1, where we read, "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." While could not see God's judgement yet, he still labored on to build the ark, despite the ridicule of the people. Likewise, while on the ark, he could not see how God's providential hand was moving to save him and his family, yet he had faith that God would keep his covenant and rescue them. Through Noah's act of faith, the human race continues on. Remember this truth: when you have faith, it produces change. In Jonah's case, the change was a world saved from complete destruction. While the result of faith in our life may not be that large, we can still make a difference. Live by faith, not by sight, and you never know what God is going to do through you! :)
Friday, December 7th, 2012
Hebrew 11- known by many as the Hall of Faith. This chapter in the book of Hebrews offers the reader a list of heroes of the Christian faith whom we can learn great lessons and truths from. Over the next few weeks, we will be diving into the stories behind those mentioned, examine the lesson that we can learn from the Scripture, and discuss how to apply it to life every day.
Hebrews 11:5 "By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God."
This is one of only three places where Enoch is mentioned in Scripture. He was a godly man, who walked with God his entire life. Enoch was the seventh descendent from Adam, and the father of Methuselah, the oldest man to have ever lived according to the Bible. In Genesis 5:21-24 we read, "When Enoch had lived 65 years, he became the father of Methuselah. And after he became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked with God 300 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Enoch lived 365 years. Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away." Enoch is a mysterious character, and he is one of only two men in Scripture who were taken to Heaven without dying; he and Elijah. Enoch is mentioned to have prophesied about evil men. In Jude 1:14-16, it is explained that "Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men: 'See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones to judge everyone, and to convict all the ungodly of all the ungodly acts they have done in the ungodly way, and of all the harsh words ungodly sinners have spoken against him.' These men are grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage". There is a lot of speculation about why these two men were spared. Many say that they will be the two witnesses that are mentioned in Revelation, though that is far from certain. Nevertheless, there is a lot to be learned from the life of Enoch.
While we do not know much about how he lived, we do know this one important fact noted in Hebrews 11. The text comments that he was taken because he was "one who pleased God". Now, how righteous does someone have to be to escape death? If the punishment for sin is death, does this imply that Enoch lived a sinless life? By no means. The punishment for sin is physical death, yes, but the much more serious punishment is spiritual death and eternal separation from God. Enoch walked with God, and that is what we are to take note of. Now, in the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve were blessed with the gift of walking with God each day. After sin entered the world, the punishment as mentioned was separation from the presence of God. Therefore, when Scripture says that Enoch walked with God, it is not meaning he physically walked with God; Enoch walked a walk of faith. Recalling what Hebrews 11:1 about faith being "sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see", we can understand that Enoch lived his life in the faith of a God that he could not see. Why did God decide to take Enoch out of this life? The simple answer is that we do not know. But we do know that God has a purpose for everything, and all works out according to His will.
What can we take from the life of Enoch? As believers in the 21st century, we also live by faith in a God we cannot see. Just as Enoch walked with God with assurance that He was there, so we too need to live under that pretense. Today, remember that while we cannot see Him, we can have faith that God is ever present, all knowing, and is pouring out His grace, mercy, and love on us unceasingly! :)
Hebrews 11:5 "By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God."
This is one of only three places where Enoch is mentioned in Scripture. He was a godly man, who walked with God his entire life. Enoch was the seventh descendent from Adam, and the father of Methuselah, the oldest man to have ever lived according to the Bible. In Genesis 5:21-24 we read, "When Enoch had lived 65 years, he became the father of Methuselah. And after he became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked with God 300 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Enoch lived 365 years. Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away." Enoch is a mysterious character, and he is one of only two men in Scripture who were taken to Heaven without dying; he and Elijah. Enoch is mentioned to have prophesied about evil men. In Jude 1:14-16, it is explained that "Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men: 'See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones to judge everyone, and to convict all the ungodly of all the ungodly acts they have done in the ungodly way, and of all the harsh words ungodly sinners have spoken against him.' These men are grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage". There is a lot of speculation about why these two men were spared. Many say that they will be the two witnesses that are mentioned in Revelation, though that is far from certain. Nevertheless, there is a lot to be learned from the life of Enoch.
While we do not know much about how he lived, we do know this one important fact noted in Hebrews 11. The text comments that he was taken because he was "one who pleased God". Now, how righteous does someone have to be to escape death? If the punishment for sin is death, does this imply that Enoch lived a sinless life? By no means. The punishment for sin is physical death, yes, but the much more serious punishment is spiritual death and eternal separation from God. Enoch walked with God, and that is what we are to take note of. Now, in the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve were blessed with the gift of walking with God each day. After sin entered the world, the punishment as mentioned was separation from the presence of God. Therefore, when Scripture says that Enoch walked with God, it is not meaning he physically walked with God; Enoch walked a walk of faith. Recalling what Hebrews 11:1 about faith being "sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see", we can understand that Enoch lived his life in the faith of a God that he could not see. Why did God decide to take Enoch out of this life? The simple answer is that we do not know. But we do know that God has a purpose for everything, and all works out according to His will.
What can we take from the life of Enoch? As believers in the 21st century, we also live by faith in a God we cannot see. Just as Enoch walked with God with assurance that He was there, so we too need to live under that pretense. Today, remember that while we cannot see Him, we can have faith that God is ever present, all knowing, and is pouring out His grace, mercy, and love on us unceasingly! :)
Wednesday, December 5th, 2012
Hebrew 11- known by many as the Hall of Faith. This chapter in the book of Hebrews offers the reader a list of heroes of the Christian faith whom we can learn great lessons and truths from. Over the next few weeks, we will be diving into the stories behind those mentioned, examine the lesson that we can learn from the Scripture, and discuss how to apply it to life every day.
Hebrews 11:4 "By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead". The story of Cain and Abel is a tragic one, yet largely misunderstood. Before we dive into it, let's take a look at the story found in Genesis 4:1-12:
"Adam lay with his wife Eve, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Cain. She said, 'With the help of the Lord I have brought forthc a man.' Later she gave birth to his brother Abel. Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. But Abel brought fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.
Then the Lord said to Cain, 'Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it.'
Now Cain said to his brother Abel, 'Let’s go out to the field.' And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.
Then the Lord said to Cain, 'Where is your brother Abel?'
'I don’t know,' he replied. 'Am I my brother’s keeper?'
The Lord said, 'What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground. Now you are under a curse and driven from the ground, which opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. 12When you work the ground, it will no longer yield its crops for you. You will be a restless wanderer on the earth.'"
Cain and Abel were brothers, the first offspring of Adam and Eve. Cain was the elder son, and it was his job to keep the land and tend to the fruits that the land produced. Abel, Cain's junior, had the job of keeping the family's flocks. The Lord then commanded a sacrifice to be brought, and God showed favor on Abel's sacrifice but not on Cain's. While some questions go unanswered, we can look to the book of Jude verse 11, which says, "Woe to them! They have taken the way of Cain; they have rushed for profit into Balaam's error; they have been destroyed in Korah's rebellion". In context, this verse is speaking of lawless men, which then leads us to understand that Cain's offering was against the law of the Lord. While it is not said in this portion of Scripture, it can be inferred that Abel brought his sacrifice before God in faith, while Cain brought it with unbelief.
Because of the rejection of the Lord upon Cain, Cain went on to kill his brother. I John 3:12 says, "Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother's were righteous". Cain was envious of Abel, and went as far as to commit the first murder against his own brother. With Cain's reply of "Am I my brother's keeper?", he was forced to flee from the presence of God. Just as Abel brought his sacrifice before God in faith, so we also are to accept the sacrifice of Christ in total faith and adoration of Him. Romans 3:22 reminds us that "The righteousness of God comes through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe". When you come before God, remember to do so in an attitude of trust and faith, and in remembrance of the perfect sacrifice that Christ made for you! :)
Hebrews 11:4 "By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead". The story of Cain and Abel is a tragic one, yet largely misunderstood. Before we dive into it, let's take a look at the story found in Genesis 4:1-12:
"Adam lay with his wife Eve, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Cain. She said, 'With the help of the Lord I have brought forthc a man.' Later she gave birth to his brother Abel. Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. But Abel brought fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.
Then the Lord said to Cain, 'Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it.'
Now Cain said to his brother Abel, 'Let’s go out to the field.' And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.
Then the Lord said to Cain, 'Where is your brother Abel?'
'I don’t know,' he replied. 'Am I my brother’s keeper?'
The Lord said, 'What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground. Now you are under a curse and driven from the ground, which opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. 12When you work the ground, it will no longer yield its crops for you. You will be a restless wanderer on the earth.'"
Cain and Abel were brothers, the first offspring of Adam and Eve. Cain was the elder son, and it was his job to keep the land and tend to the fruits that the land produced. Abel, Cain's junior, had the job of keeping the family's flocks. The Lord then commanded a sacrifice to be brought, and God showed favor on Abel's sacrifice but not on Cain's. While some questions go unanswered, we can look to the book of Jude verse 11, which says, "Woe to them! They have taken the way of Cain; they have rushed for profit into Balaam's error; they have been destroyed in Korah's rebellion". In context, this verse is speaking of lawless men, which then leads us to understand that Cain's offering was against the law of the Lord. While it is not said in this portion of Scripture, it can be inferred that Abel brought his sacrifice before God in faith, while Cain brought it with unbelief.
Because of the rejection of the Lord upon Cain, Cain went on to kill his brother. I John 3:12 says, "Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother's were righteous". Cain was envious of Abel, and went as far as to commit the first murder against his own brother. With Cain's reply of "Am I my brother's keeper?", he was forced to flee from the presence of God. Just as Abel brought his sacrifice before God in faith, so we also are to accept the sacrifice of Christ in total faith and adoration of Him. Romans 3:22 reminds us that "The righteousness of God comes through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe". When you come before God, remember to do so in an attitude of trust and faith, and in remembrance of the perfect sacrifice that Christ made for you! :)
Tuesday, December 4th, 2012
Hebrew 11- known by many as the Hall of Faith. This chapter in the book of Hebrews offers the reader a list of heroes of the Christian faith whom we can learn great lessons and truths from. Over the next few weeks, we will be diving into the stories behind those mentioned, examine the lesson that we can learn from the Scripture, and discuss how to apply it to life every day.
Today, we will start of by exploring what faith is. There cannot be any better definition presented by the Bible then that given at the beginning of this chapter, Hebrews 11:1, which tells us, "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see". When we express faith, we are placing our trust in that which we hope for and we cannot see. For example, consider a chair. The moment before you sit down, there is a chance that the chair will not support your weight when you sit down, and will break underneath you. Nevertheless, you probably don't give a second's thought about the skill of the maker or the design of the chair, you simply place your trust in that which you cannot see. While you may not be able to say 100% that the chair will hold you, you place faith in it anyways. It is the same with God. While we cannot see Him or physically feel Him, we can look around us and see His creation and feel His presence to know that He is there. God does not ask us to take a blind leap of faith and trust in something which we have no record of. On the contrary, His Word reveals in Romans 1:20 that "For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse".
Faith plays a vital role in the life of the believer. We are called in II Corinthians 5:7 to, "Walk by faith, and not by sight". We cannot place our trust in the things seen, but in the kingdom of God, which is presently unseen. Proverbs 3:5 explains that you should "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding". Those who have come to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior are saved by grace alone through faith alone, and even that is not of ourselves. If you are saved, take joy in the truth of I John 5:4, which says, "For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith". Through faith we come to know God, we come to love Christ, and ultimately, we come to revel in His majesty, righteousness, and awesome grace! :)
Today, we will start of by exploring what faith is. There cannot be any better definition presented by the Bible then that given at the beginning of this chapter, Hebrews 11:1, which tells us, "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see". When we express faith, we are placing our trust in that which we hope for and we cannot see. For example, consider a chair. The moment before you sit down, there is a chance that the chair will not support your weight when you sit down, and will break underneath you. Nevertheless, you probably don't give a second's thought about the skill of the maker or the design of the chair, you simply place your trust in that which you cannot see. While you may not be able to say 100% that the chair will hold you, you place faith in it anyways. It is the same with God. While we cannot see Him or physically feel Him, we can look around us and see His creation and feel His presence to know that He is there. God does not ask us to take a blind leap of faith and trust in something which we have no record of. On the contrary, His Word reveals in Romans 1:20 that "For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse".
Faith plays a vital role in the life of the believer. We are called in II Corinthians 5:7 to, "Walk by faith, and not by sight". We cannot place our trust in the things seen, but in the kingdom of God, which is presently unseen. Proverbs 3:5 explains that you should "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding". Those who have come to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior are saved by grace alone through faith alone, and even that is not of ourselves. If you are saved, take joy in the truth of I John 5:4, which says, "For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith". Through faith we come to know God, we come to love Christ, and ultimately, we come to revel in His majesty, righteousness, and awesome grace! :)
Monday, December 3rd, 2012
Today we will be wrapping up our look at the seven deadly sins. It is important to note that while this list is a part of Christian tradition, it is not specifically mentioned anywhere in Scripture as such. We will refer to them as the seven deadly sins solely for distinction. Many of you may know what they are, but some may not. They are wrath, greed, sloth, pride, lust, envy, and gluttony. Today, we will look at what Scripture has to say about the last on the list, gluttony.
Think of all the sins most people consider the "big ones". Lying, cheating, stealing, murder, adultery; most of the big ones are the ones defined by the Ten Commandments. It is so easy to focus solely on the "big ones" that we lose sight of the less obvious sins in our life. For example, how many people, believers and non-believers alike, would consider there to be anything sinful about over eating? We as Christians know that alcoholics and drug users struggle with sinful addictions, but doesn't alcohol and drugs have health effects on our bodies just like over eating does? Proverbs 23:20-21 says, "Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat, for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags." Gluttony is a sin because, like sloth, it creates unthankfulness in the mind for all that one has been given. Gluttony looks at food and says, "I need more, and I will not be satisfied with what God has blessed me with." In fact, the bar is raised very high by Proverbs 23:2, which remarks, "Put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony." Now, this is obviously a Biblical hyperbole; we are not to literally take our life if we are food addicts. However, just as Christ told us to cut off an arm or gauge out an eye if it causes us to sin, likewise we are to treat gluttony with the same response. Food can and does become an idol in the lives of many, and while it mean seem like such a trivial issue, we need to approach it with care.
The way we control our appetites reflects our ability to control ourselves. Do not set up food as an idol and do not let yourself waste away by the "smaller" sins that seem to sneak up on us. Don't let anything rule over you; instead, become the master of your body, and ultimately, live under the rule of Christ our King! :)
Think of all the sins most people consider the "big ones". Lying, cheating, stealing, murder, adultery; most of the big ones are the ones defined by the Ten Commandments. It is so easy to focus solely on the "big ones" that we lose sight of the less obvious sins in our life. For example, how many people, believers and non-believers alike, would consider there to be anything sinful about over eating? We as Christians know that alcoholics and drug users struggle with sinful addictions, but doesn't alcohol and drugs have health effects on our bodies just like over eating does? Proverbs 23:20-21 says, "Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat, for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags." Gluttony is a sin because, like sloth, it creates unthankfulness in the mind for all that one has been given. Gluttony looks at food and says, "I need more, and I will not be satisfied with what God has blessed me with." In fact, the bar is raised very high by Proverbs 23:2, which remarks, "Put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony." Now, this is obviously a Biblical hyperbole; we are not to literally take our life if we are food addicts. However, just as Christ told us to cut off an arm or gauge out an eye if it causes us to sin, likewise we are to treat gluttony with the same response. Food can and does become an idol in the lives of many, and while it mean seem like such a trivial issue, we need to approach it with care.
The way we control our appetites reflects our ability to control ourselves. Do not set up food as an idol and do not let yourself waste away by the "smaller" sins that seem to sneak up on us. Don't let anything rule over you; instead, become the master of your body, and ultimately, live under the rule of Christ our King! :)
Monday, November 19th, 2012
For the next week, we will be looking at the seven deadly sins. It is important to note that while this list is a part of Christian tradition, it is not specifically mentioned anywhere in Scripture as such. We will refer to them as the seven deadly sins solely for distinction. Many of you may know what they are, but some may not. They are wrath, greed, sloth, pride, lust, envy, and gluttony. Today, we will look at what Scripture has to say about envy.
For the sake of clarification, we will be using the terms envy and jealousy interchangeably. To be jealous is to look towards someone or something with desire and be discontent with what you have because of it. I Corinthians 3:3 says, "You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men?" As believers, we are called to look past the possessions of others and to not feel jealousy or envy toward them. Why? Because as believers, we have the greatest gift that could ever be given to us: the sacrificial blood of Christ Jesus. We are commanded in Galatians 5:26 to "Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other."
When we become jealous, we lose sight of that which God has blessed us with. Matthew 13:15 explains, "For this people's heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them." We get caught up in that which we do not have instead of what we do have. Hebrews 13:5 tells us, "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'" We have that gift which continues on for eternity, and that is something to be thankful for. Ultimately, we must follow the guidelines of Romans 12:2, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will." Remove your focus from what you do not have, look towards that which you have been given, and then you will be able to see the amazing work of God in your life! :)
For the sake of clarification, we will be using the terms envy and jealousy interchangeably. To be jealous is to look towards someone or something with desire and be discontent with what you have because of it. I Corinthians 3:3 says, "You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men?" As believers, we are called to look past the possessions of others and to not feel jealousy or envy toward them. Why? Because as believers, we have the greatest gift that could ever be given to us: the sacrificial blood of Christ Jesus. We are commanded in Galatians 5:26 to "Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other."
When we become jealous, we lose sight of that which God has blessed us with. Matthew 13:15 explains, "For this people's heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them." We get caught up in that which we do not have instead of what we do have. Hebrews 13:5 tells us, "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'" We have that gift which continues on for eternity, and that is something to be thankful for. Ultimately, we must follow the guidelines of Romans 12:2, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will." Remove your focus from what you do not have, look towards that which you have been given, and then you will be able to see the amazing work of God in your life! :)
Thursday, November 15th, 2012
For the next week, we will be looking at the seven deadly sins. It is important to note that while this list is a part of Christian tradition, it is not specifically mentioned anywhere in Scripture as such. We will refer to them as the seven deadly sins solely for distinction. Many of you may know what they are, but some may not. They are wrath, greed, sloth, pride, lust, envy, and gluttony. Today, we will look at what Scripture has to say about lust.
We live in a sex saturated world. Whether you are browsing through a magazine, surfing the Web, looking for a movie at Blockbuster, or simply walking through the mall, sex is everywhere. The fact of the matter is, we cannot get away from it, so we need to put up a guard against it. Scripture classifies lust in three categories, and we will be looking briefly at the comparisons between the three. I John 2:16 explains, "For everything in the world--the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does--comes not from the Father but from the world." The world presents three different form of lust: the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life.
The lust of the eyes is lust that is mental and is not acted out. It presents itself in pornography, voyeurism, or can even occur during "people-watching" in public places. Originally, the lust of the eyes was not considered a form of adultery. However, Christ corrected that skewed thought in the Sermon on the Mount when in Matthew 5:28 He said, "But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart." Many people say that looking at someone to desire them doesn't harm anyone, so it shouldn't be seen as wrong. However, when a man lusts after a woman mentally, he takes someone who is not his and makes her an object of desire, something to be used and thrown away. That is why the lust of the eyes is so disastrous. We are told in Genesis 1:27 that, "God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them." Each and every individual person is made in the image of the Creator God and needs to be treated as a precious jewel. Mental adultery objectifies the victim and makes them worthless, like a piece of meat hanging in the window. We need to look at each and every person in the way that we would want to be looked at, and cherish all as made in the image of God.
The lust of the flesh is physical lust that is acted out. The rising number of divorced couples due to affairs attests to the prominent role this problem plays on the world today. This form of lust presents itself in masturbation, premarital sex, fornication, affairs, and any physical act of sex that occurs outside of the Biblical grounds of monogamous, one man-one woman marital passion. The Bible says, "Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral." That makes for a very high standard and a very thin line of acceptable sex, but as believers we are called to this standard. Look at Romans 13:14, which commands us to "put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires." We need to make absolutely NO provisions to fall into sin when it comes to being pure, no matter what the cost. How do we keep away from this sin? Galatians 5:16 answers that question when it says, "Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh." This may seem a lot easier said than done, but it is achievable, because Galatians 5:24 gives us joy that "those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires."
Yesterday we looked at pride. It is fascinating that the pride of life is considered by Scripture to be a form of lust, but closer examination reveals why this is. Lust is not a term that simply defines sexual desire, it applies to any form of unrighteous desire. The pride of life is the desire for attention, power, and glory which takes away from God. Most of us have probably struggled with pride, and you can probably relate to the Biblical truth of Proverbs 16:18, that "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." If your joy comes from your lustful desire for attention or fame, then be warned that the kingdom that you have built for yourself will one day come crashing down. Proverbs 11:2 explains that "When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom." Don't get caught up in your own pride. Focus on God, and learn to give Him the glory for all.
Lust is a huge issue, whether it be mental, physical, or prideful. There's a little joke within Christian communities that says that 95% of Christians struggle with lust and the other 5% struggle with lying. The truth of the matter is, everyone at some point will come across this issue. While it may be a prominently male issue, there is no doubt that it effects everyone. One of our favorite verses here at The Flock is I Corinthians 10:13 "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it." No matter what issue you are struggling with, remember that there is always help, there is always a way out, and Christ is right there along side of you walking with you through your trials. Meditate on the joyous fact of Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." :)
We live in a sex saturated world. Whether you are browsing through a magazine, surfing the Web, looking for a movie at Blockbuster, or simply walking through the mall, sex is everywhere. The fact of the matter is, we cannot get away from it, so we need to put up a guard against it. Scripture classifies lust in three categories, and we will be looking briefly at the comparisons between the three. I John 2:16 explains, "For everything in the world--the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does--comes not from the Father but from the world." The world presents three different form of lust: the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life.
The lust of the eyes is lust that is mental and is not acted out. It presents itself in pornography, voyeurism, or can even occur during "people-watching" in public places. Originally, the lust of the eyes was not considered a form of adultery. However, Christ corrected that skewed thought in the Sermon on the Mount when in Matthew 5:28 He said, "But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart." Many people say that looking at someone to desire them doesn't harm anyone, so it shouldn't be seen as wrong. However, when a man lusts after a woman mentally, he takes someone who is not his and makes her an object of desire, something to be used and thrown away. That is why the lust of the eyes is so disastrous. We are told in Genesis 1:27 that, "God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them." Each and every individual person is made in the image of the Creator God and needs to be treated as a precious jewel. Mental adultery objectifies the victim and makes them worthless, like a piece of meat hanging in the window. We need to look at each and every person in the way that we would want to be looked at, and cherish all as made in the image of God.
The lust of the flesh is physical lust that is acted out. The rising number of divorced couples due to affairs attests to the prominent role this problem plays on the world today. This form of lust presents itself in masturbation, premarital sex, fornication, affairs, and any physical act of sex that occurs outside of the Biblical grounds of monogamous, one man-one woman marital passion. The Bible says, "Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral." That makes for a very high standard and a very thin line of acceptable sex, but as believers we are called to this standard. Look at Romans 13:14, which commands us to "put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires." We need to make absolutely NO provisions to fall into sin when it comes to being pure, no matter what the cost. How do we keep away from this sin? Galatians 5:16 answers that question when it says, "Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh." This may seem a lot easier said than done, but it is achievable, because Galatians 5:24 gives us joy that "those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires."
Yesterday we looked at pride. It is fascinating that the pride of life is considered by Scripture to be a form of lust, but closer examination reveals why this is. Lust is not a term that simply defines sexual desire, it applies to any form of unrighteous desire. The pride of life is the desire for attention, power, and glory which takes away from God. Most of us have probably struggled with pride, and you can probably relate to the Biblical truth of Proverbs 16:18, that "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." If your joy comes from your lustful desire for attention or fame, then be warned that the kingdom that you have built for yourself will one day come crashing down. Proverbs 11:2 explains that "When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom." Don't get caught up in your own pride. Focus on God, and learn to give Him the glory for all.
Lust is a huge issue, whether it be mental, physical, or prideful. There's a little joke within Christian communities that says that 95% of Christians struggle with lust and the other 5% struggle with lying. The truth of the matter is, everyone at some point will come across this issue. While it may be a prominently male issue, there is no doubt that it effects everyone. One of our favorite verses here at The Flock is I Corinthians 10:13 "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it." No matter what issue you are struggling with, remember that there is always help, there is always a way out, and Christ is right there along side of you walking with you through your trials. Meditate on the joyous fact of Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." :)
Tuesday, November 13th, 2012
For the next week, we will be looking at the seven deadly sins. It is important to note that while this list is a part of Christian tradition, it is not specifically mentioned anywhere in Scripture as such. We will refer to them as the seven deadly sins solely for distinction. Many of you may know what they are, but some may not. They are wrath, greed, sloth, pride, lust, envy, and gluttony. Today, we will look at what Scripture has to say about pride.
Proverbs 16:18 says, "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." Looking back to the Garden of Eden, we can see this portrayed at the very entrance of sin into the world. Adam and Eve ate of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil because they were tricked into believing that they could become like God, could rise above Him, even, and take a place of authority. This is even what happened to Lucifer, the fallen angel, Satan, who tried also to rise above God. Isaiah 14:12-15 recalls: "How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low! You said in your heart, I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’ But you are brought down to Sheol, to the far reaches of the pit."
Pride becomes the spirit of greatness which defies the humble attitude that Christ spoke about in Matthew 5:3 when He said, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." A prideful spirit denies the sacrifice of Christ as an atonement for sin, and takes the glory of the works of God and attributes it to one's self. People who are proud come under the mindset that they are good enough and that they do not need a Savior. It is by the work of their own hands that they see their salvation. I Corinthians 4:7 reminds us that "For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it? " There is nothing that we do that God did not first bless us with. Today, keep yourself in check, and shy away from pride as you remember Jesus Christ, who became nothing and went to the Cross to die for the sins of the world! :)
Proverbs 16:18 says, "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." Looking back to the Garden of Eden, we can see this portrayed at the very entrance of sin into the world. Adam and Eve ate of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil because they were tricked into believing that they could become like God, could rise above Him, even, and take a place of authority. This is even what happened to Lucifer, the fallen angel, Satan, who tried also to rise above God. Isaiah 14:12-15 recalls: "How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low! You said in your heart, I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’ But you are brought down to Sheol, to the far reaches of the pit."
Pride becomes the spirit of greatness which defies the humble attitude that Christ spoke about in Matthew 5:3 when He said, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." A prideful spirit denies the sacrifice of Christ as an atonement for sin, and takes the glory of the works of God and attributes it to one's self. People who are proud come under the mindset that they are good enough and that they do not need a Savior. It is by the work of their own hands that they see their salvation. I Corinthians 4:7 reminds us that "For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it? " There is nothing that we do that God did not first bless us with. Today, keep yourself in check, and shy away from pride as you remember Jesus Christ, who became nothing and went to the Cross to die for the sins of the world! :)
Monday, November 12th, 2012
For the next week, we will be looking at the seven deadly sins. It is important to note that while this list is a part of Christian tradition, it is not specifically mentioned anywhere in Scripture as such. We will refer to them as the seven deadly sins solely for distinction. Many of you may know what they are, but some may not. They are wrath, greed, sloth, pride, lust, envy, and gluttony. Today, we will look at what Scripture has to say about sloth.
Webster's defines sloth as "the unwillingness to do work or put forth an effort". Put simply, sloth is being lazy. Now, think about many of the big sins that come up often in conversation. Maybe you're thinking of lust, pride, lying, or murder; what about sloth? How often do you consider laziness to be a sin? Surprisingly, the Bible has a lot to say about why sloth is such a big issue.
Proverbs 15:19 says, "The way of a sluggard is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a level highway." His unwillingness to work can lead to problems as seen in Proverbs 12:24, which states that "The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor. " In fact, the Bible calls the sluggard to simply look at Creation and know that he needs to work. Proverbs 6:6 says, "Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise". Why does Scripture speak of laziness this way? Put simply, it is because we as believers have work to do. We are to do physical work to care for our family. I Timothy 5:8 heeds the warning that "If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." But along with physical work, we have the spiritual work of spreading the Good News into every nation. Ephesians 2:10 reminds us that "We are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." We were created to do good and to be a light in our dark world. Galatians 6:9-10 says, "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith." We are God's workmen, and there is no place for laziness in the body of Christ, because we have a big task before us. May we not remain in a state of sloth, but instead press forth with joy and work our hardest at the job that God has prepared for us! :)
Webster's defines sloth as "the unwillingness to do work or put forth an effort". Put simply, sloth is being lazy. Now, think about many of the big sins that come up often in conversation. Maybe you're thinking of lust, pride, lying, or murder; what about sloth? How often do you consider laziness to be a sin? Surprisingly, the Bible has a lot to say about why sloth is such a big issue.
Proverbs 15:19 says, "The way of a sluggard is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a level highway." His unwillingness to work can lead to problems as seen in Proverbs 12:24, which states that "The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor. " In fact, the Bible calls the sluggard to simply look at Creation and know that he needs to work. Proverbs 6:6 says, "Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise". Why does Scripture speak of laziness this way? Put simply, it is because we as believers have work to do. We are to do physical work to care for our family. I Timothy 5:8 heeds the warning that "If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." But along with physical work, we have the spiritual work of spreading the Good News into every nation. Ephesians 2:10 reminds us that "We are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." We were created to do good and to be a light in our dark world. Galatians 6:9-10 says, "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith." We are God's workmen, and there is no place for laziness in the body of Christ, because we have a big task before us. May we not remain in a state of sloth, but instead press forth with joy and work our hardest at the job that God has prepared for us! :)
Friday, November 9th, 2012
For the next week, we will be looking at the seven deadly sins. It is important to note that while this list is a part of Christian tradition, it is not specifically mentioned anywhere in Scripture as such. We will refer to them as the seven deadly sins solely for distinction. Many of you may know what they are, but some may not. They are wrath, greed, sloth, pride, lust, envy, and gluttony. Today, we will look at what Scripture has to say about greed.
Greed is directly related to the final of the Ten Commandment, found in Exodus 20:17, "You shall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor." While this text speaks on a level that the original hearers would understand, most of us don't own an ox, a donkey, of any form of man or maidservant. What is this commandment speaking of? Is it coveting to simply desire to own something? Of course not. Coveting occurs when your desire for something goes far beyond mere want, and takes the form of selfishness and a willingness to get it at all costs. Coveting blinds one's view of all that they have already been blessed with, and makes an idol out of the desired object. We can see now the similarities between coveting and greed. Proverbs 28:25 states that "A greedy man stirs up strife, but the one who trusts in the Lord will be enriched." Biblically, greed is most commonly mentioned as the love of money, but it can also be the idolatry of possessions or power. Take, for example, Hebrews 13:5, which reads, "Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, "'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'" Likewise in I Timothy 6:10 we see that "the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs."
Greed focuses our mind on all that is within the world, and leads us to find our status in worldly possessions. We are told in I John 2:16 that "all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world." The world has nothing to offer us, and greed for worldly things only leads to more want. While a selfless man is willing to give for the sake of kindness, the greedy man can not get rid of anything. This is reflected in Proverbs 11:24, which explains, "One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want." The one who withholds his possessions finds no joy in life, because in the end, worldly wealth wastes away. Ultimately, we look to Christ as the example of selflessness. Jesus, who was in very nature God, came down to earth to give up everything for men and women who had so greatly rejected Him. Today, take a moment to be thankful for the little blessings in life, and above all, remember the Cross, where the God of the universe gave up everything because of His unfailing love for you! :)
Greed is directly related to the final of the Ten Commandment, found in Exodus 20:17, "You shall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor." While this text speaks on a level that the original hearers would understand, most of us don't own an ox, a donkey, of any form of man or maidservant. What is this commandment speaking of? Is it coveting to simply desire to own something? Of course not. Coveting occurs when your desire for something goes far beyond mere want, and takes the form of selfishness and a willingness to get it at all costs. Coveting blinds one's view of all that they have already been blessed with, and makes an idol out of the desired object. We can see now the similarities between coveting and greed. Proverbs 28:25 states that "A greedy man stirs up strife, but the one who trusts in the Lord will be enriched." Biblically, greed is most commonly mentioned as the love of money, but it can also be the idolatry of possessions or power. Take, for example, Hebrews 13:5, which reads, "Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, "'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'" Likewise in I Timothy 6:10 we see that "the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs."
Greed focuses our mind on all that is within the world, and leads us to find our status in worldly possessions. We are told in I John 2:16 that "all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world." The world has nothing to offer us, and greed for worldly things only leads to more want. While a selfless man is willing to give for the sake of kindness, the greedy man can not get rid of anything. This is reflected in Proverbs 11:24, which explains, "One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want." The one who withholds his possessions finds no joy in life, because in the end, worldly wealth wastes away. Ultimately, we look to Christ as the example of selflessness. Jesus, who was in very nature God, came down to earth to give up everything for men and women who had so greatly rejected Him. Today, take a moment to be thankful for the little blessings in life, and above all, remember the Cross, where the God of the universe gave up everything because of His unfailing love for you! :)
Thursday, November 8th, 2012
A while back, we took a look at the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit as presented in Galatians 5:22-23. For the next week, we will be looking at the flip side of the coin: the seven deadly sins. It is important to note that while this list is a part of Christian tradition, it is not specifically mentioned anywhere in Scripture as such. We will refer to them as the seven deadly sins solely for distinction. Many of you may know what they are, but some may not. They are wrath, greed, sloth, pride, lust, envy, and gluttony. Today, we will look at what Scripture has to say about wrath.
First of all, we need to point out that wrath is named as a definite attribute of God. Romans 1:18 tells us that "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth." Notice here what the wrath is directed towards: ungodliness and unrighteousness. Look at Isaiah 26:21 which reads, "For behold, the Lord is coming out from his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity, and the earth will disclose the blood shed on it, and will no more cover its slain." Again note that God's wrath is directed towards the iniquity of the inhabitants of the earth. See, God's wrath is directed towards all sin and ungodliness, because God is just. Wrath is defined as "intense anger usually leading to punishment", and because God is just, holy, and mighty, His wrath likewise is poured out on those who deserve it. Remember that God has the right to show grace to whom He chooses, and likewise to show justice to whom He chooses. So why, then, is wrath known as the first of the seven deadly sins? Why is it that the psalmist wrote in Psalm 37:8 for us to "Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil."
Anger is not always a sin- we know this because both the Father and the Son display anger known as "righteous indignation". Anger and wrath turn sinful when it is selfishly motivated, distorts the goal of the Father, or is allowed to linger. Recall James 1:20 which explains, "For the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God." Because of our sinful nature, we tend to attack a person during a problem rather than the problem itself. We use wrath to build up ourselves and tear others down, to make others feel below us. In reality, acting in wrath does no good for a situation and only leads to more trouble. Next time you feel tempted to express unjust anger towards another, think twice before you do. For just as God spared His wrath for you by giving up His Son on the Cross, how much more should you be willing to show mercy to one who has wronged you! :)
First of all, we need to point out that wrath is named as a definite attribute of God. Romans 1:18 tells us that "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth." Notice here what the wrath is directed towards: ungodliness and unrighteousness. Look at Isaiah 26:21 which reads, "For behold, the Lord is coming out from his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity, and the earth will disclose the blood shed on it, and will no more cover its slain." Again note that God's wrath is directed towards the iniquity of the inhabitants of the earth. See, God's wrath is directed towards all sin and ungodliness, because God is just. Wrath is defined as "intense anger usually leading to punishment", and because God is just, holy, and mighty, His wrath likewise is poured out on those who deserve it. Remember that God has the right to show grace to whom He chooses, and likewise to show justice to whom He chooses. So why, then, is wrath known as the first of the seven deadly sins? Why is it that the psalmist wrote in Psalm 37:8 for us to "Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil."
Anger is not always a sin- we know this because both the Father and the Son display anger known as "righteous indignation". Anger and wrath turn sinful when it is selfishly motivated, distorts the goal of the Father, or is allowed to linger. Recall James 1:20 which explains, "For the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God." Because of our sinful nature, we tend to attack a person during a problem rather than the problem itself. We use wrath to build up ourselves and tear others down, to make others feel below us. In reality, acting in wrath does no good for a situation and only leads to more trouble. Next time you feel tempted to express unjust anger towards another, think twice before you do. For just as God spared His wrath for you by giving up His Son on the Cross, how much more should you be willing to show mercy to one who has wronged you! :)
Thursday, November 1st, 2012
“Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.” Matthew 22:37-38
It’s a very common thing to hear Christians say the phrases, “I love Jesus,” and “I love God.” I know I’ve said it a bunch of times. But what do we really mean? Do we mean that we “love” God like we “love” that new T.V. show? Do we “love” Jesus like we “love” fried chicken? Is God just another thing on a list of your many loves?
Sadly, a lot of the time it appears that way. Many of us today say that we “love” God, but it’s not really evident in our lives. Take another look at the verse above. Have you ever thought about why Jesus labeled that commandment as the greatest?
Well, think about it. As Christians, we all know the 10 commandments, and we try to abide by them as best we can. Why? For what purpose are we obeying these commandments? If you say, “Well, because it’s right and healthy to,” you need to rethink your stance. We shouldn't be obeying these things because we’re told to, but because we love God. This is why Jesus says that love is the most important thing. If we love God like we’re supposed to, then everything else will fall into place. We won’t want to disobey God, and we won’t want to be sinful.
This is where we need to be as Christians, but a lot of the time, I’m not seeing it. Our supposed “love for God” doesn’t show up in our actions, or our words. So the question is, do we really love God or are we just lying to ourselves? Are we saying empty words that have no meaning? I really hope not.
I encourage you today to examine your relationship with God, and go “all in” in your love for Him. Don’t let Him be on a list of your “loves.” Rather, make Him your only Love :)
It’s a very common thing to hear Christians say the phrases, “I love Jesus,” and “I love God.” I know I’ve said it a bunch of times. But what do we really mean? Do we mean that we “love” God like we “love” that new T.V. show? Do we “love” Jesus like we “love” fried chicken? Is God just another thing on a list of your many loves?
Sadly, a lot of the time it appears that way. Many of us today say that we “love” God, but it’s not really evident in our lives. Take another look at the verse above. Have you ever thought about why Jesus labeled that commandment as the greatest?
Well, think about it. As Christians, we all know the 10 commandments, and we try to abide by them as best we can. Why? For what purpose are we obeying these commandments? If you say, “Well, because it’s right and healthy to,” you need to rethink your stance. We shouldn't be obeying these things because we’re told to, but because we love God. This is why Jesus says that love is the most important thing. If we love God like we’re supposed to, then everything else will fall into place. We won’t want to disobey God, and we won’t want to be sinful.
This is where we need to be as Christians, but a lot of the time, I’m not seeing it. Our supposed “love for God” doesn’t show up in our actions, or our words. So the question is, do we really love God or are we just lying to ourselves? Are we saying empty words that have no meaning? I really hope not.
I encourage you today to examine your relationship with God, and go “all in” in your love for Him. Don’t let Him be on a list of your “loves.” Rather, make Him your only Love :)
Thursday, October 25th, 2012
One thing that all of us here at Cornerstone University have been focusing on is writing our story: writing the story that God is working through our lives. No matter where you are in life, you have a story ahead of you that God has already written. Today, however, we are focusing on the story of our past. If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, then you have a testimony about your path to salvation. Tonight in our small group, one of our brothers in the Lord shared his testimony of how his rough life before his salvation has changed since his conversion. Not surprisingly, it hasn't changed much. Most of us would admit that life doesn't get easier when you become saved; all your problems aren't instantly fixed. In actuality, we become aware of our sin and therefore have a more conscious feeling of guilt when we stumble. After listening to our brother's story, I got thinking to myself, "I wish I had a testimony that effective and life changing." I was raised in a Christian home, saved at a young age, and besides a few trip ups here and there, my life has generally been pretty simple. But the truth is, I have been spared so much grief and shame by my upbringing. Both our brother and my testimony can change lives and lead others to the Cross. Maybe you are like me: you are the child of Christian parents and life hasn't been that hard, compared to many. Or maybe you're at the other end of the spectrum and your life has done a complete 180 degree turn. Truth is, no matter what your background is, your life has done a 180. Romans 3:23 tells us that " all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." The psalmist writes in Psalm 51:5 that "Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me." Your testimony is special, unique, and can be used as an example for all. Do not ever be ashamed of where you have come from, for when you look back on all that you have been rescued from, you can firmly see the grace of mercy of Christ. II Timothy 1:8 says, "Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God." Make this your hope and joy, and never be afraid to share the truth of where you came from, how you've changed, and we're you're headed because of the power of the Gospel! :)
Wednesday, October 24th, 2012
As the days are counting down to the election, the number one question we all ask is, “Who are you voting for?” It is an important question, but not as important as why and how we are voting for one candidate over the other.
Pastor Cal Garcia, at Auburn Hills Christian Center, touched on this in his sermon this past Sunday. He said that as believers, we have a duty to represent Christ in our government by voting for candidates and proposals based on the Word of God. According to Romans 13: 1 “Everyone must submit to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.” This passage is saying that God is the ultimate leader of every nation and if we dismiss Him by voting for whom we want for president, how can we expect God to bless our nation?
How then, should we vote with God’s will in mind? We can do that by putting the candidate against God’s Word. If a certain candidate stands for what the Word commands, i.e. the candidate is against abortion, then you should vote for said candidate. How will you vote? :)
Pastor Cal Garcia, at Auburn Hills Christian Center, touched on this in his sermon this past Sunday. He said that as believers, we have a duty to represent Christ in our government by voting for candidates and proposals based on the Word of God. According to Romans 13: 1 “Everyone must submit to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.” This passage is saying that God is the ultimate leader of every nation and if we dismiss Him by voting for whom we want for president, how can we expect God to bless our nation?
How then, should we vote with God’s will in mind? We can do that by putting the candidate against God’s Word. If a certain candidate stands for what the Word commands, i.e. the candidate is against abortion, then you should vote for said candidate. How will you vote? :)
Tuesday, October 23rd, 2012
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom…” (Psalm 111:10). When we think of fear, it is associated with being overpowered by a person of higher authority. In this case, the higher authority would be God. One would ask, “If God is ever-loving, why does He want us to fear Him? I don’t want to be looked down upon by someone who loves me.” Because of this thought of needing to fear God, He is seen as a tyrant to some. This is most definitely not the case.
God is God who created the heavens and the earth, so we associate God with great power, but not only is God the Almighty ruler of all things: He is our merciful and compassionate Father that cares over us through every trial that we face in our daily lives. We are bound to slip because of our sinful nature. Despite the pain that causes our Father to experience, He gives us a chance to redeem ourselves. In Noah’s time, God was so fed up with the sin of His people that He could have ended their entire existence and started over, but He sent Noah to build the ark, leaving his family to care for the earth. As they walked out of that ark, God sent a rainbow to promise that He would never flood the earth again. God had the power, but He shows mercy to His creation and held back from acting out His wrath.
Because God is the Father of all, like our earthy fathers, He lays down rules for us to follow, and if we do not obey, we are then punished for it. Unlike our earthly fathers, however, “the fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the LORD are firm, and all of them are righteous” (Psalm 19:9). The Ten Commandments are set for us to obey, no matter what the circumstances may be. Although we may see the punishment as a bad thing at the moment, what would happen in the future if we didn't receive that disapproval from authority? We would most likely repeat the bad actions or behaviors, leading us away from the life that God wants us to live. Our Heavenly Father wants us to live for Him and give Him all the glory. If we are surrounded by evil, we have the possibility of being crushed by the discouragements we face. If we think about it, the punishment is good for our hearts because it gives us a chance to change our ways for the better.
In many places of the Bible, the authors imply that the Lord encourages us to fear Him. In Psalms, there are two places in particular that state word-for-word the claim that “the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him…,” but what we need to consider, as children of God, is the second half of the verses. We need to realize that it isn't just the fear of God that builds our relationships with Him, but the fact that we “put our hope in his unfailing love” (Psalm 33:18; 147:11). We must not take this fact lightly: the Lord has UNFAILING love for us. We are eternally grateful because we fear our great and powerful Heavenly Father that loves us for all of our days! :)
God is God who created the heavens and the earth, so we associate God with great power, but not only is God the Almighty ruler of all things: He is our merciful and compassionate Father that cares over us through every trial that we face in our daily lives. We are bound to slip because of our sinful nature. Despite the pain that causes our Father to experience, He gives us a chance to redeem ourselves. In Noah’s time, God was so fed up with the sin of His people that He could have ended their entire existence and started over, but He sent Noah to build the ark, leaving his family to care for the earth. As they walked out of that ark, God sent a rainbow to promise that He would never flood the earth again. God had the power, but He shows mercy to His creation and held back from acting out His wrath.
Because God is the Father of all, like our earthy fathers, He lays down rules for us to follow, and if we do not obey, we are then punished for it. Unlike our earthly fathers, however, “the fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the LORD are firm, and all of them are righteous” (Psalm 19:9). The Ten Commandments are set for us to obey, no matter what the circumstances may be. Although we may see the punishment as a bad thing at the moment, what would happen in the future if we didn't receive that disapproval from authority? We would most likely repeat the bad actions or behaviors, leading us away from the life that God wants us to live. Our Heavenly Father wants us to live for Him and give Him all the glory. If we are surrounded by evil, we have the possibility of being crushed by the discouragements we face. If we think about it, the punishment is good for our hearts because it gives us a chance to change our ways for the better.
In many places of the Bible, the authors imply that the Lord encourages us to fear Him. In Psalms, there are two places in particular that state word-for-word the claim that “the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him…,” but what we need to consider, as children of God, is the second half of the verses. We need to realize that it isn't just the fear of God that builds our relationships with Him, but the fact that we “put our hope in his unfailing love” (Psalm 33:18; 147:11). We must not take this fact lightly: the Lord has UNFAILING love for us. We are eternally grateful because we fear our great and powerful Heavenly Father that loves us for all of our days! :)
Monday, October 15th, 2012
Let's face it; there are some strange laws that God dictated to His people through Moses in the Old Testament. For example, taking a look at Leviticus 19, we can read these different laws:
Verse 19: "Keep my decrees. Do not mate different kinds of animals. Do not plant your field with two kinds of seed. Do not wear clothing woven of two kinds of material."
Verse 27: "Do not cut the hair at the sides of your head or clip off the edges of your beard."
Verse 35: "Do not use dishonest standards when measuring length, weight or quantity."
Now, looking at these verses, we realize that most of them do not apply to Christians today. Ephesians 2:14-16 says of Christ that, "For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility." In other words, being that Christ fulfilled the law of God through His sinless life, He broke down the wall between the Old and New Covenant, and therefore the believer is not held accountable to keep all of the Old Testament Laws. We do recognize, nonetheless, that there are laws in the Old Testament that we are still called to uphold, such as the Ten Commandments. The question remains: why did the Hebrews need these seemingly peculiar laws? Put simply, these laws distinguished the children of God from the pagan nations that continually surrounded them. All throughout the Old Testament, we see the problem of the Israelites joining with the other nations in marriage and child rendering, and God continually telling them to be different and keep themselves away from the godless cultures. When we look at it this way, it is very easy to see how this applies to our own lives today. Romans 12:2 commands us to "...not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." I John 2:15-17 tells us that should "...not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever." Echoing the words of Christ, we are to be the light of the world and the city on a hill. We should be seen as different towards those unbelievers around us, whether they be friends, family, coworkers, anything. We need to be different from the rest of the world, because we are aliens in this foreign nation, and it is not our home. Challenge yourself to be bold, to be ready, and to be willing to stand up, shine your light for the Gospel, and show everyone around you the love and grace that you have found through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ! :)
Verse 19: "Keep my decrees. Do not mate different kinds of animals. Do not plant your field with two kinds of seed. Do not wear clothing woven of two kinds of material."
Verse 27: "Do not cut the hair at the sides of your head or clip off the edges of your beard."
Verse 35: "Do not use dishonest standards when measuring length, weight or quantity."
Now, looking at these verses, we realize that most of them do not apply to Christians today. Ephesians 2:14-16 says of Christ that, "For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility." In other words, being that Christ fulfilled the law of God through His sinless life, He broke down the wall between the Old and New Covenant, and therefore the believer is not held accountable to keep all of the Old Testament Laws. We do recognize, nonetheless, that there are laws in the Old Testament that we are still called to uphold, such as the Ten Commandments. The question remains: why did the Hebrews need these seemingly peculiar laws? Put simply, these laws distinguished the children of God from the pagan nations that continually surrounded them. All throughout the Old Testament, we see the problem of the Israelites joining with the other nations in marriage and child rendering, and God continually telling them to be different and keep themselves away from the godless cultures. When we look at it this way, it is very easy to see how this applies to our own lives today. Romans 12:2 commands us to "...not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." I John 2:15-17 tells us that should "...not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever." Echoing the words of Christ, we are to be the light of the world and the city on a hill. We should be seen as different towards those unbelievers around us, whether they be friends, family, coworkers, anything. We need to be different from the rest of the world, because we are aliens in this foreign nation, and it is not our home. Challenge yourself to be bold, to be ready, and to be willing to stand up, shine your light for the Gospel, and show everyone around you the love and grace that you have found through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ! :)
Tuesday, October 9th, 2012
When faced with a person that says or does things toward us that we are not particularly fond of, what is our first reaction? We are wired to automatically think of dirty things to do or say back in spite of the person, judging them by their choices, and holding grudges. As humans, it is absolutely normal to think of such things because we wish to defend ourselves and our feelings, beliefs, etc. but God proclaims in His word in many forms that we are to love our enemies (Matthew 5:44), refrain from judgment (Matthew 7:1), and let our anger fly away free from our hearts (Ephesians 4:26-27). Granted, forgiveness is not an easy task in certain situations, but it is no excuse to have a burdened heart with hostility and anger toward a human being. Rather than holding our anger toward someone, in Matthew, Jesus says to Peter, “I tell you, not seven times [to forgive those who do you wrong], but seventy-seven times” (18:22).
There are many sins in the world that we are tempted to commit against one another: lying, stealing, cheating, murdering, coveting, committing adultery, give false testimony... the list goes on, but as believers in the God of everlasting love and the Father that never hesitates to give His children a second chance, we are called by our Father to do the same. In Exodus 20, God commands His followers that they should not do any of these sorts of things to one another through the Ten Commandments. No matter what evil is done to us, it is our job to show the everlasting love that God shows to us to those who do evil to us.
We need to open our hearts to the unbound love and close our eyes to the judgments of the world. If we are to judge others, we are condemning ourselves because who are we to correct people when we are imperfect?
An evil man is easily able to love an evil man and an honest man is easily able to love an honest man. It is then that the Gospel of Matthew says, “If you love those who love you, what reward will you get?” (5:46). What will we receive? Nothing because it is socially acceptable to love those that love us, but it is the wisdom of Jesus Christ that allows the honest man to love the man of evil deeds. We must show the love that we are shown by God. Rather than allowing our frustrations to convert to action, we must shower our enemies in love because that is what they need without even knowing that they need it.
Remember the way that the LORD wishes for us to pray:
“..Give us this day our daily bread,
And forgive us our trespasses, AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESPASSED AGAINST US.”
Just as the wise preacher Matthew West proclaims, “Even when the jury and the judge say you've got a right to hold a grudge, it’s the whisper in your ear saying, ‘Set it free’”! :)
There are many sins in the world that we are tempted to commit against one another: lying, stealing, cheating, murdering, coveting, committing adultery, give false testimony... the list goes on, but as believers in the God of everlasting love and the Father that never hesitates to give His children a second chance, we are called by our Father to do the same. In Exodus 20, God commands His followers that they should not do any of these sorts of things to one another through the Ten Commandments. No matter what evil is done to us, it is our job to show the everlasting love that God shows to us to those who do evil to us.
We need to open our hearts to the unbound love and close our eyes to the judgments of the world. If we are to judge others, we are condemning ourselves because who are we to correct people when we are imperfect?
An evil man is easily able to love an evil man and an honest man is easily able to love an honest man. It is then that the Gospel of Matthew says, “If you love those who love you, what reward will you get?” (5:46). What will we receive? Nothing because it is socially acceptable to love those that love us, but it is the wisdom of Jesus Christ that allows the honest man to love the man of evil deeds. We must show the love that we are shown by God. Rather than allowing our frustrations to convert to action, we must shower our enemies in love because that is what they need without even knowing that they need it.
Remember the way that the LORD wishes for us to pray:
“..Give us this day our daily bread,
And forgive us our trespasses, AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESPASSED AGAINST US.”
Just as the wise preacher Matthew West proclaims, “Even when the jury and the judge say you've got a right to hold a grudge, it’s the whisper in your ear saying, ‘Set it free’”! :)
Monday, October 8th, 2012
Have you ever considered or thought about what it would have been like to live during the times of Christ? To walk with Him, follow Him where ever He went, and experience His ministry first hand. Some might say that they would have greater faith if they had lived then, in His footsteps. Like Thomas, I'm sure most of us would be able to believe more strongly if we could simply see Him with our own eyes, and put our fingers in the holes in His hands. However, Christ does not walk among us in a physical body. We are called in II Corinthians 5:7 to "live by faith, not by sight." Interestingly enough, we read Christ's words in John 16:7 when He says, "But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you." What could Christ mean by saying these things? It is better for us that Christ is not still here on earth? The fact of the matter is that through Christ's ascension, the Holy Spirit came down to live within us as the believers. This started on the day of Pentecost, and we see in Acts 2:4 that "all of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them." The Holy Spirit came down on that day, and all because Christ had risen to be with the Father in Heaven. The Spirit of God lives within each and every believer, and guides the follower of Christ on the path of righteousness. Jesus spoke this in John 14:26- "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you." We can have confidence that we are in the hand of God and that the Spirit is our guide in this life, as Christ was when He walked on earth. John 16:12-15 recalls, "I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you." The Spirit dwells within, helps us and guides us, and ultimately, brings us to realize the truth of the Good News of Jesus Christ! :)
Friday, September 28th, 2012
Dear readers,
Many of you are members at my home church, Cornerstone Baptist Church. For those of you who are not, or do not know the story of Patrick McGoldrick, let me share it with you.
Patrick McGoldrick was the Youth Pastor at Cornerstone for twelve years, and he impacted twelve classes of high school students by his words, his deeds, his actions, and just the way he lived his life. While he would probably say differently, we all look at his as a man of God through and through. His spirit of giving, of love, and of care towards us and everyone he came in contact with. His love of the Gospel and dedication to Jesus Christ was contagious in every way. I'm sure I speak for hundreds when I say that the impact he made on my life was beyond words.
Back at the end of 2011, the McGoldrick family received word that he had been diagnosed with ALS, a neurological disease which effects the brain and voluntary movement of muscles. As the disease continued to effect him, we saw evident change in his walking, his hands, but especially his speech. After the news was told to the church, Patrick started a blog so that we could follow along with him on his journey and keep him in our prayers. Yesterday, a new post was put up, and I'd like to share it with you all.
"Since my first real noticeable symptoms were with regards to my speech, my ALS is considered "bulbar onset," referring to the bulbar part of the brain that controls the muscles of the throat, jaw, tongue and face. Only 25% of ALS patients begin this way and unfortunately it means that those muscles weaken first.
Back in April, God gave me the opportunity to preach one more time to my local church family. What a blessing and how thankful I am for that. Here it is five months later, and what we knew was happening is now officially true...my voice is gone. Almost completely. Both volume and clarity. The sounds that come out of me now are basically airy grunts that only a few close family and friends can understand; And that's mostly because they know what I need already. I do have a higher pitched "hoot" to get someone's attention when I need help, but that is getting weaker by the day.
We have met with many speech therapists who have graciously shown me all sorts of ways to communicate without speaking. There are a lots of nifty devices out there. I can' t imagine that anyone would find it easy to give up talking, but for a guy who is a complete sanguine, never met a stranger and spoke for a living....well, I am struggling, to say the least.
Right now, I communicate mostly with my iPad and an app called "verbally." I can type in words or phrases and then hit "speak" and it reads it like a computer robot. There are a few choices of voices and currently I am using the "Ryan" voice. We have a blu-ray speaker that makes it loud enough to be heard from another room.
But is it the same as speaking? Absolutely not. The biggest frustration is the delay. In my head, I have a quick witted comment or an encouraging word and it just won't come out. So I hunt and peck on my keyboard with my middle finger, simply because it's the only one still strong enough and not all curled in. At home, I am getting more comfortable with this method, but taking it other places is not natural at all. It's easier to depend on my family to interpret for me, but I know that I need to to be willing to practice more with others. I need to get over the awkward stage.
Since the Lord still has me on this earth, I know he is not done with me yet. I'm learning that "silence is golden" and have discovered that with my close friends, it's ok to not talk. My two ears still work, so I am able to be a great listener now.
So, if you see me at church and I just smile and wave, I am not being rude...It's the best I can do. If you want to talk, be patient while I type and don't expect a long discussion!
I will leave you with a song that goes through my heart and mind often...."Give me Jesus" by Jeremy Camp."
Many of you are members at my home church, Cornerstone Baptist Church. For those of you who are not, or do not know the story of Patrick McGoldrick, let me share it with you.
Patrick McGoldrick was the Youth Pastor at Cornerstone for twelve years, and he impacted twelve classes of high school students by his words, his deeds, his actions, and just the way he lived his life. While he would probably say differently, we all look at his as a man of God through and through. His spirit of giving, of love, and of care towards us and everyone he came in contact with. His love of the Gospel and dedication to Jesus Christ was contagious in every way. I'm sure I speak for hundreds when I say that the impact he made on my life was beyond words.
Back at the end of 2011, the McGoldrick family received word that he had been diagnosed with ALS, a neurological disease which effects the brain and voluntary movement of muscles. As the disease continued to effect him, we saw evident change in his walking, his hands, but especially his speech. After the news was told to the church, Patrick started a blog so that we could follow along with him on his journey and keep him in our prayers. Yesterday, a new post was put up, and I'd like to share it with you all.
"Since my first real noticeable symptoms were with regards to my speech, my ALS is considered "bulbar onset," referring to the bulbar part of the brain that controls the muscles of the throat, jaw, tongue and face. Only 25% of ALS patients begin this way and unfortunately it means that those muscles weaken first.
Back in April, God gave me the opportunity to preach one more time to my local church family. What a blessing and how thankful I am for that. Here it is five months later, and what we knew was happening is now officially true...my voice is gone. Almost completely. Both volume and clarity. The sounds that come out of me now are basically airy grunts that only a few close family and friends can understand; And that's mostly because they know what I need already. I do have a higher pitched "hoot" to get someone's attention when I need help, but that is getting weaker by the day.
We have met with many speech therapists who have graciously shown me all sorts of ways to communicate without speaking. There are a lots of nifty devices out there. I can' t imagine that anyone would find it easy to give up talking, but for a guy who is a complete sanguine, never met a stranger and spoke for a living....well, I am struggling, to say the least.
Right now, I communicate mostly with my iPad and an app called "verbally." I can type in words or phrases and then hit "speak" and it reads it like a computer robot. There are a few choices of voices and currently I am using the "Ryan" voice. We have a blu-ray speaker that makes it loud enough to be heard from another room.
But is it the same as speaking? Absolutely not. The biggest frustration is the delay. In my head, I have a quick witted comment or an encouraging word and it just won't come out. So I hunt and peck on my keyboard with my middle finger, simply because it's the only one still strong enough and not all curled in. At home, I am getting more comfortable with this method, but taking it other places is not natural at all. It's easier to depend on my family to interpret for me, but I know that I need to to be willing to practice more with others. I need to get over the awkward stage.
Since the Lord still has me on this earth, I know he is not done with me yet. I'm learning that "silence is golden" and have discovered that with my close friends, it's ok to not talk. My two ears still work, so I am able to be a great listener now.
So, if you see me at church and I just smile and wave, I am not being rude...It's the best I can do. If you want to talk, be patient while I type and don't expect a long discussion!
I will leave you with a song that goes through my heart and mind often...."Give me Jesus" by Jeremy Camp."
We are not going to try to hide the hard truth. Unless God miraculously intervenes, this beloved pastor's time on earth is short. But we rest in the knowledge that he will soon be with our Father, living with Him in perfection. Revelation 21:4 says, "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." That is the truth that Patrick McGoldrick lived out. Please, I urge you as the body of Christ, to keep him and his family in your prayers. Also, please subscribe to his blog, www.patricksstory.wordpress.com.
-Because He Is, Dale Kellar
-Because He Is, Dale Kellar
Wednesday, September 26th, 2012
Here’s a little philosophical food for thought. When you think of Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death,” what do you think of as death? You think of death as in the eternal death in Hell, right? Did you ever think that that verse not only applies to eternal death, but it also applies as a consequence for every time we sin; that we would experience a version of “death” for every act against the will of the Father?
A professor in a Philosophy class brought up this interpretation of the verse to us during one of his lectures. He said that we have to respond to the Lord’s command as his creation, whether to obey his command or to disobey, and that every time we disobey the standard that God has established, disobey His law in His creation, we suffer from a version of death as a consequence. He explained further using an example of someone going on top of a building saying that he doesn’t believe in gravity and steps off. As a consequence of defying God’s law that He established, the man suffers physical death.
We may not suffer actual death when we sin, but we suffer a version of it as a consequence. When we sin, we experience a consequence as a result. For example, when someone commits adultery, that person suffers the consequence of that action, physically and spiritually; we suffer death when we turn our backs on Jesus. Let this serve as a reminder that as followers of Christ, we are not “sinless” but that we are called to sin less.
A professor in a Philosophy class brought up this interpretation of the verse to us during one of his lectures. He said that we have to respond to the Lord’s command as his creation, whether to obey his command or to disobey, and that every time we disobey the standard that God has established, disobey His law in His creation, we suffer from a version of death as a consequence. He explained further using an example of someone going on top of a building saying that he doesn’t believe in gravity and steps off. As a consequence of defying God’s law that He established, the man suffers physical death.
We may not suffer actual death when we sin, but we suffer a version of it as a consequence. When we sin, we experience a consequence as a result. For example, when someone commits adultery, that person suffers the consequence of that action, physically and spiritually; we suffer death when we turn our backs on Jesus. Let this serve as a reminder that as followers of Christ, we are not “sinless” but that we are called to sin less.
Tuesday, September 25th, 2012
As human beings, we are bound to make mistakes. We don’t always do what we are told, or we do what we are told but do it half-heartedly without the dedication that we need to make it right. God calls us to be stewards by acting toward our communities, for “faith itself, if not accompanied by action, is dead” (James 2:17). We don’t want our faith to die because we adore our Father in Heaven, yet there is an absence of action in our society today. What is stopping believers in their tracks from acting their faith?
It is understandable that there are infinitely many reasons why someone would be discouraged, but we see that the following are very crucial when it comes to choices that people make: self-worth and peer pressure.
Let’s paint a picture to set the scene for explaining the first reason. In Exodus 4, out in a field, you find Moses tending to the flock of sheep for the village, and he sees the Burning Bush where God calls him to speak to the Pharaoh. Moses knows that he definitely cannot do what God commands him because of his “slowness of tongue.” Rather than accepting the excuse, God tells him to go and sends Aaron with him.
We all feel like Moses at least once in our lives. We beg the question, “Why, God, do you give me this task? I can’t make it. I won’t succeed.” The discouragement sets in: why do we bother going through with doing tasks if we have strong feelings set in our minds and hearts that we are going to fail? We don’t. The truth is that we have no need to fear about the outcome of any situation because God will always provide a solution for our troubles. Knowing that God is there to pick up what we humanly cannot is a wonderful truth.
When it comes to acting out our faith, it shouldn’t matter what other people think of our choices because it is a relationship between us and Christ. What if you feel like your talents could be used to glorify God in a certain way, but you are discouraged through the people in your life? The normal reaction would be to give up the idea and move on because of the criticism that could be received, but God says to “not be afraid or terrified because of them for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6). Serving God is not an easy task. Jesus said in Matthew 10:22 that hatred and persecution is an absolute, but it should not be a discouragement when it comes to serving the Lord as stewards in His name. He reassures us through His word that no matter what others think, we still have Him to lean on.
Before we were conceived, God had our good works prepared for us to do. As Christians, we ought to show the world that we are God’s walking temples through the gifts He has given us. Whatever passions you have, “do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Colossians 3:17)! :)
It is understandable that there are infinitely many reasons why someone would be discouraged, but we see that the following are very crucial when it comes to choices that people make: self-worth and peer pressure.
Let’s paint a picture to set the scene for explaining the first reason. In Exodus 4, out in a field, you find Moses tending to the flock of sheep for the village, and he sees the Burning Bush where God calls him to speak to the Pharaoh. Moses knows that he definitely cannot do what God commands him because of his “slowness of tongue.” Rather than accepting the excuse, God tells him to go and sends Aaron with him.
We all feel like Moses at least once in our lives. We beg the question, “Why, God, do you give me this task? I can’t make it. I won’t succeed.” The discouragement sets in: why do we bother going through with doing tasks if we have strong feelings set in our minds and hearts that we are going to fail? We don’t. The truth is that we have no need to fear about the outcome of any situation because God will always provide a solution for our troubles. Knowing that God is there to pick up what we humanly cannot is a wonderful truth.
When it comes to acting out our faith, it shouldn’t matter what other people think of our choices because it is a relationship between us and Christ. What if you feel like your talents could be used to glorify God in a certain way, but you are discouraged through the people in your life? The normal reaction would be to give up the idea and move on because of the criticism that could be received, but God says to “not be afraid or terrified because of them for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6). Serving God is not an easy task. Jesus said in Matthew 10:22 that hatred and persecution is an absolute, but it should not be a discouragement when it comes to serving the Lord as stewards in His name. He reassures us through His word that no matter what others think, we still have Him to lean on.
Before we were conceived, God had our good works prepared for us to do. As Christians, we ought to show the world that we are God’s walking temples through the gifts He has given us. Whatever passions you have, “do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Colossians 3:17)! :)
Monday, September 24th, 2012
John 13:2-11 "The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”
Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”
“No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”
Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”
“Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”
Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.
At some churches, it is customary to have times where we mimic the actions of Christ in this passage and wash each others feet. However, we probably do not realize the significance of what Christ did and said during this time. First of all, Jesus and the disciples had been walking for days, most likely in sandals, so their feet were beyond the average level of filthiness. It was customary in these days for a servant to wash a guest or a master's feet before the meal, as a symbol of their loyalty towards serving those that they were under. At this point, one of the disciples should have done the job of washing Christ's feet, such as Martha did at their home in Bethany in Luke chapter 7. However, we know from earlier passages that the disciples had been recently been arguing about who was the greatest, so none of them were in the mindset of stooping to become like a lowly servant and wash his friend's feet.
There are a few significant events to notice in this passage. First of all, it opens with the truth that, even though Judas had already been turned over to Satan, Jesus still went on to wash his feet. See, while we know that Judas was never a true believer in Christ, Jesus still shows mercy and love to those who continuously reject Him. This is what common grace is, the grace that God pours out on saints and sinners alike. Christ then went on to wash the feet of Peter, the man who had just claimed Jesus as the Messiah. Peter has been called the disciple who never missed his chance to say the wrong thing, and doesn't miss this chance. Hastily, he rebukes the Lord and exclaims that he will never let Him was his feet. Still, Christ shows Peter compassion, and explains the importance of what He did.
The final few verses are what we want to emphasize today. Jesus exclaims here that, "those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean." See, as believers, we have both a bath and a wash. Our bath occurs when we first receive the gift of salvation through the work on the Cross. Christ explains that we only need one bath in our life that guarantees us a place in Heaven; as the popular hymn says, "What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus." On the other hand, we need a lot of foot washings. We need to be cleansed from the sins we commit through repentance, which takes away the pain and guilt. We are commanded to be bathed clean once to put to death all of our sins, and to engage in continuous foot washings which in the end brings us back to the foot of the Cross! :)
He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”
Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”
“No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”
Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”
“Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”
Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.
At some churches, it is customary to have times where we mimic the actions of Christ in this passage and wash each others feet. However, we probably do not realize the significance of what Christ did and said during this time. First of all, Jesus and the disciples had been walking for days, most likely in sandals, so their feet were beyond the average level of filthiness. It was customary in these days for a servant to wash a guest or a master's feet before the meal, as a symbol of their loyalty towards serving those that they were under. At this point, one of the disciples should have done the job of washing Christ's feet, such as Martha did at their home in Bethany in Luke chapter 7. However, we know from earlier passages that the disciples had been recently been arguing about who was the greatest, so none of them were in the mindset of stooping to become like a lowly servant and wash his friend's feet.
There are a few significant events to notice in this passage. First of all, it opens with the truth that, even though Judas had already been turned over to Satan, Jesus still went on to wash his feet. See, while we know that Judas was never a true believer in Christ, Jesus still shows mercy and love to those who continuously reject Him. This is what common grace is, the grace that God pours out on saints and sinners alike. Christ then went on to wash the feet of Peter, the man who had just claimed Jesus as the Messiah. Peter has been called the disciple who never missed his chance to say the wrong thing, and doesn't miss this chance. Hastily, he rebukes the Lord and exclaims that he will never let Him was his feet. Still, Christ shows Peter compassion, and explains the importance of what He did.
The final few verses are what we want to emphasize today. Jesus exclaims here that, "those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean." See, as believers, we have both a bath and a wash. Our bath occurs when we first receive the gift of salvation through the work on the Cross. Christ explains that we only need one bath in our life that guarantees us a place in Heaven; as the popular hymn says, "What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus." On the other hand, we need a lot of foot washings. We need to be cleansed from the sins we commit through repentance, which takes away the pain and guilt. We are commanded to be bathed clean once to put to death all of our sins, and to engage in continuous foot washings which in the end brings us back to the foot of the Cross! :)
Friday, September 21st, 2012
“But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8
I think as Christians we all like to say that we trust in God, but do we really? The verses above say that people who trust in God should be so strongly and deeply rooted in Him that even a drought couldn’t break them.
I want you to think about this for a moment. Are you that person? Someone who trusts God with all their heart, soul, and mind? A person with roots that go down deep? Or are you not that person? Someone who struggles with trusting God? A person whose roots are a little shallow? Do you know where you’re at today? I encourage you to take a moment and really look at your relationship with God. You might be surprised at what you find.
I think as Christians we all like to say that we trust in God, but do we really? The verses above say that people who trust in God should be so strongly and deeply rooted in Him that even a drought couldn’t break them.
I want you to think about this for a moment. Are you that person? Someone who trusts God with all their heart, soul, and mind? A person with roots that go down deep? Or are you not that person? Someone who struggles with trusting God? A person whose roots are a little shallow? Do you know where you’re at today? I encourage you to take a moment and really look at your relationship with God. You might be surprised at what you find.
Thursday, September 20th, 2012
Today is a day where finally, I'll explain how my day went. Geeze it's been awhile! So yes, I am very tired this week. NOT because I didn't get enough sleep, but because I have been running around all the time. I'm exhausted because there is so much to do and about ZIP time to actually do it. Just kidding. I have plenty of time cuz I time manage. Tip for life people: Time Management is Key to Success.
So today, I felt inspired to write about Exhaustion becaue I'm sure many of my college-classmates can relate to this and I'm very sure my 7:00 a.m. PHS students back in Green Bay, WI can definitely relate to this. A lot of work makes us tired. Hard work makes us tired. But what does the Bible actually say about being tired after a lot of hard work?? Well, if you actually read the verse above, you would have an aswer to that question. If you did not read the verse. Shame on You. LOL
If you get anything out of today's blog post, know this...GOD WILL GIVE YOU REST. How amazing! In a literal sense, I understand this as well. When I am very very tired from a ton of reading, I usually sit and meditate for awhile. It relaxes me and energizes me for the rest of my day. It's crazy how spending some time with God can really shape the way we feel fatigue-wise. So if you have some 15 minutes in your day to sit and meditate. I highly suggest it.
However, today's post isn't on mediatioin, it's on God. He literally said in this verse "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest in your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
I say to to about EVERY SINGLE ONE OF MY FRIENDS THAT I KNOW VERY PERSONALLY...."God will NEVER give you something you can't handle OR work you harder than your limit." His burden is light, don't sit and carry all the weights in your backpack. Like exhaustion, sadness, anger, revenge, envy, arrogancy, pride, etc. Take those weights, chiuck them out of your backpack and spend some freakin time with the Lord!!!
TIME WITH THE LORD = FREAKIN AWESOMENESS
So let us all be awesome together. IF one is feeling tired and can't focus, Pray about it. Maybe he will help you wake up and get through your day. Trust in him. He isn't that bad of a guy.
So today, I felt inspired to write about Exhaustion becaue I'm sure many of my college-classmates can relate to this and I'm very sure my 7:00 a.m. PHS students back in Green Bay, WI can definitely relate to this. A lot of work makes us tired. Hard work makes us tired. But what does the Bible actually say about being tired after a lot of hard work?? Well, if you actually read the verse above, you would have an aswer to that question. If you did not read the verse. Shame on You. LOL
If you get anything out of today's blog post, know this...GOD WILL GIVE YOU REST. How amazing! In a literal sense, I understand this as well. When I am very very tired from a ton of reading, I usually sit and meditate for awhile. It relaxes me and energizes me for the rest of my day. It's crazy how spending some time with God can really shape the way we feel fatigue-wise. So if you have some 15 minutes in your day to sit and meditate. I highly suggest it.
However, today's post isn't on mediatioin, it's on God. He literally said in this verse "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest in your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
I say to to about EVERY SINGLE ONE OF MY FRIENDS THAT I KNOW VERY PERSONALLY...."God will NEVER give you something you can't handle OR work you harder than your limit." His burden is light, don't sit and carry all the weights in your backpack. Like exhaustion, sadness, anger, revenge, envy, arrogancy, pride, etc. Take those weights, chiuck them out of your backpack and spend some freakin time with the Lord!!!
TIME WITH THE LORD = FREAKIN AWESOMENESS
So let us all be awesome together. IF one is feeling tired and can't focus, Pray about it. Maybe he will help you wake up and get through your day. Trust in him. He isn't that bad of a guy.
Wednesday, September 19th, 2012
We all know the Lord’s commandment to present our tithes and offerings to him, but should we offer them as something we have to do, or should we offer them with glad hearts?
Jesus teaches us a lot about the condition of our hearts. The condition of our hearts when we offer our tithes and offerings is no different. In Luke 21: 1-4, “Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. “I tell you the truth, “ he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.” What Jesus is saying here is that it doesn’t matter how much money you put in, but on how much your heart is willing to give. The rich people gave their donations out of duty to the Jewish Law. The widow, however, was willing to give up everything she had to contribute.
There are many ways to contribute in offering. Here is an opportunity to exercise our hearts of giving. At Cornerstone University, we are hosting the third annual Night of Nets. The event is to raise awareness on the malaria epidemic in Africa and to raise money to provide bed nets to African families. These nets prevent mosquitos, which carry the virus, from transferring the disease to children. Anyone in the area is welcome to join us to watch the Men and Women’s soccer matches on the 26th and 28th of September at seven o’ clock. We also have a Women’s volleyball match October 3rd. The admission fee is six dollars, which is how much it costs to buy these nets. For those of you who can’t make it to either of these events, we have a donation website. The link will be provided below. Will you follow the Lord’s command with a glad heart? :)
Please consider donating to this event, and if you feel the Lord leading you to do so, follow this link to the site:
http://www.teamworldvision.org/cornerstone
Jesus teaches us a lot about the condition of our hearts. The condition of our hearts when we offer our tithes and offerings is no different. In Luke 21: 1-4, “Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. “I tell you the truth, “ he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.” What Jesus is saying here is that it doesn’t matter how much money you put in, but on how much your heart is willing to give. The rich people gave their donations out of duty to the Jewish Law. The widow, however, was willing to give up everything she had to contribute.
There are many ways to contribute in offering. Here is an opportunity to exercise our hearts of giving. At Cornerstone University, we are hosting the third annual Night of Nets. The event is to raise awareness on the malaria epidemic in Africa and to raise money to provide bed nets to African families. These nets prevent mosquitos, which carry the virus, from transferring the disease to children. Anyone in the area is welcome to join us to watch the Men and Women’s soccer matches on the 26th and 28th of September at seven o’ clock. We also have a Women’s volleyball match October 3rd. The admission fee is six dollars, which is how much it costs to buy these nets. For those of you who can’t make it to either of these events, we have a donation website. The link will be provided below. Will you follow the Lord’s command with a glad heart? :)
Please consider donating to this event, and if you feel the Lord leading you to do so, follow this link to the site:
http://www.teamworldvision.org/cornerstone
Tuesday, September 18th, 2012
“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things,” said Apostle Paul to the Colossians (3:2). This verse is one of the very many that we easily memorize because of Sunday school jingles or some other memory tactic, but what does it mean to us as modern-day Christians? Are we to set aside all earthly things that we possess to please God? Are we bound, because of our faith, to become hermits? We, as a Body of Christ, should take full advantage of the beautiful creation that God has given us to flourish in, but it should not be any more than that. Everyday things that we use to live should stay as “things,” and nothing more.
As adolescents, we are prone to set our happiness on temporary things, such as significant others, social networking sites, reading, eating, sleeping, and listening to music; the list goes on. As long as our happiness is based on temporary things, our happiness is only temporary. We wish that the things in our lives give us never-ending happiness, but they aren't able to provide that happiness for us because earthly things are made by man; therefore, the things in our lives are flawed.
What is left to trust in if everything is bound to eventually fail us? If everything is UN-perfect, it would make the most sense to keep trust in the One person that is perfect. He came to this earth and went through the trials that we often face in life except He didn't sin. Instead of looking around us and depending on the things on earth and praying that it follows through for our benefits, we ought to look above to God and trust in Him with our treasures set above where Christ keeps our place in Heaven with Him. In Matthew 6:19-21, Jesus Christ proclaimed to “not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
When having trust in Christ, no person can take that away. When we fully believe that God sent His only son to die on the cross, where he rose again three days later, nothing can affect our passion for the love that is shown for us. God's Word will not fade away. We ought to keep our hearts focused on God and what He wants for us in our lives, rather than allowing the things of this earth to steer us off our paths. Allow God to be the center of your life, “and he will keep your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:6) :)
As adolescents, we are prone to set our happiness on temporary things, such as significant others, social networking sites, reading, eating, sleeping, and listening to music; the list goes on. As long as our happiness is based on temporary things, our happiness is only temporary. We wish that the things in our lives give us never-ending happiness, but they aren't able to provide that happiness for us because earthly things are made by man; therefore, the things in our lives are flawed.
What is left to trust in if everything is bound to eventually fail us? If everything is UN-perfect, it would make the most sense to keep trust in the One person that is perfect. He came to this earth and went through the trials that we often face in life except He didn't sin. Instead of looking around us and depending on the things on earth and praying that it follows through for our benefits, we ought to look above to God and trust in Him with our treasures set above where Christ keeps our place in Heaven with Him. In Matthew 6:19-21, Jesus Christ proclaimed to “not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
When having trust in Christ, no person can take that away. When we fully believe that God sent His only son to die on the cross, where he rose again three days later, nothing can affect our passion for the love that is shown for us. God's Word will not fade away. We ought to keep our hearts focused on God and what He wants for us in our lives, rather than allowing the things of this earth to steer us off our paths. Allow God to be the center of your life, “and he will keep your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:6) :)
Monday, September 17th, 2012
Let's face it- life changes. From the moment we take our first breath to our final moment, we are always in a state of change. Friends will come and go, ways of life will ebb and flow, and when one moment you may be at the top of the mountain, the next moment you may feel as though you are at the bottom of the pit. As Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes, there is a time for everything, but in the end, life will go on. However, how should we change spiritually? What should our maturity in the faith look like? First off, we'd like to point out that there is no such thing as a spiritual standstill. If one is not growing in their faith, they are sliding backwards. Such are the powers of spiritual warfare. Consider yourself in a tug-of-war. If you are not being pulled towards one side, you are being pulled towards the other. Also, remember that the team that wins is the one most equipped and ready for the battle. If you feed your sin, it will grow and overcome the spirit, and God will allow you to be taken over by your sin, as can be seen in Romans 1:28, where Paul says "Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done." This is why it is so important to continue to grow in faith and maturity; as Christ said in Matthew 6:24, "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other." In the end, it boils down to the question, "What does this look like?" First of all, spiritual growth comes through the expanding of the mind. I Corinthians 14:20 commands us to "...not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature." Likewise, it is explained in Romans 12:2 that we should "...not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will." In his letter to the Hebrews, the Apostle paints a fantastic metaphor of this be comparing spiritual growth to physical growth. He states in Hebrews 5:12-13 that "...by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child." The people of God at this time were stuck on the basics of what they believed, when in actuality, they should have been teaching others the Gospel by that point. We grow in the Spirit through the study of Scripture, the infallible Word of God, and through communion with other believers. Paul relates in I Corinthians 13:11 that "when I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways." What are we to do with this when Christ exclaims in Luke 18:17 that "Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” Are we to be like a child, or unlike one? In actuality, we are to be both. In salvation, we are to be childlike (notice, not childish) and accept the free gift Christ is offering without trying to understand every theological question beforehand. If we come to the table of grace looking for the answers to every question, we will only leave unsatisfied. But if we come to the table and simply lay all of our fears, doubts, and failures at the Cross, we will gain eternal life. When it comes to spiritual growth, we are to mature and develop in our understanding of the truths of God. We need to set aside the baby food and start chewing on the meat of Scripture, the sections which at times may be difficult to swallow. It is when we come to this point that we will see the Holy Spirit helping us to grow in our walk! :)
Monday, September 10th, 2012
God is great, powerful, mighty, and just. He is the Creator of the universe, the Maker of all things visible and invisible. He spoke this world into existence, and formed man out of the dust as the crown of His creation. Yet Adam chose to turn from God, and instead fell into sin when He disobeyed God's law. Through this, man was cast away and out of the presence of the Almighty; but all was not lost. Through the seed of the woman, God sent a Savior named Jesus Christ who lived the life we could not live, and though He was tempted just as we are, He yet knew no sin. He was in fullness the incarnate Son of God, the second member of the Holy Trinity. He was turned over to the authorities as a criminal and was made our ransom by taking on the guilt of His people, and dying on the Cross for our transgressions. Then, in triumph over the grave, He was raised on the third day, and walked on the earth once again. He was seen by hundreds of witnesses before He ascended into Heaven to sit at the right hand of God, waiting for the day when He will return to bring His chosen people, the church, home to Him. To those who deny Him and reject the faith, the completely just and righteous Judge condemns them to an eternal separation from Him. But for those who believe in His name and accept the free gift of salvation, He gives them new life and the right to become children of God.
This is the basic confession of faith of those who are truly saved. Looking at these truths, what do we see? We see a perfect God dying for a sinful and wicked people. An innocent lamb being slaughtered as a sacrifice to atone for Israel. The truth is, we are so far from God that there is nothing that we can do to come anywhere remotely close to Him. We owe Him our lives, and it is to Him that we need to give our glory, our honor, and our praises. This is why Christ said in Matthew 22:37 that "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." Early in the Old Testament, in Deuteronomy 6:5, it says to "Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." In Mark 12:30, the Word of God tells us to "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength." And in case you missed it, Luke 10:27 explains that we should "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind." Ultimately, we need to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, because He gave it all for us, and we deserved nothing. That is the truth that gives us hope, brings us joy, grants us comfort, and pours out on us a new life in Christ Jesus our Lord! :)
This is the basic confession of faith of those who are truly saved. Looking at these truths, what do we see? We see a perfect God dying for a sinful and wicked people. An innocent lamb being slaughtered as a sacrifice to atone for Israel. The truth is, we are so far from God that there is nothing that we can do to come anywhere remotely close to Him. We owe Him our lives, and it is to Him that we need to give our glory, our honor, and our praises. This is why Christ said in Matthew 22:37 that "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." Early in the Old Testament, in Deuteronomy 6:5, it says to "Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." In Mark 12:30, the Word of God tells us to "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength." And in case you missed it, Luke 10:27 explains that we should "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind." Ultimately, we need to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, because He gave it all for us, and we deserved nothing. That is the truth that gives us hope, brings us joy, grants us comfort, and pours out on us a new life in Christ Jesus our Lord! :)
Tuesday, September 4th, 2012
The fellowship of believers makes up the body of Christ, as Romans 12:5 tells us that " in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others." The earthly church is not the building, but the people in the building who are joined together in unity of the Spirit. But why is this so important? Hebrews 10:14-15 commands the members of the church to "consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." One reason it is so important to join together is to encourage one another to persevere in the race to the ultimate goal of our faith. When the times get tough and the road gets bumpy, it is so much easier making your way through the trial when you have a helping hand along side you. Galatians 6:2 explains that we are to "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." It is not merely a suggestion to join together in community- it is a biblical command. We find hope in Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 which says that "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken." We are to join in community to encourage each other, learn together, and as this verse explains, help others when they slip. Accountability is so vital in the life of the believer, for the man is to be pitied who falls and cannot get up. In the end, our goal as a fellowship comes from the lips of Christ, when He says in Matthew 5:14 that "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden." We are to join together to be the light of the world, the city on a hill, and we are to reflect the work of Christ and the truth of the Gospel to this fallen world. We are to display His love and mercy to all, reflecting His life, preaching His death, and spread hope because of His resurrection! :)
Monday, September 3rd, 2012
Well, we are back in business and up and running once again!
Those of us who recently started school at Cornerstone University learned a new song this week called "All I Have Is Christ" (be sure to check out the song of the week). Today, we will be taking a look at a single verse that echoes the truth of this song. Philippians 3:8 says "What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ." Now, anyone who is saved would probably utter the church answer and say that all we really need is Christ. For Christ is our wellspring of life, and it is through Him that we live. However, would we really say that He is all that we have? Would we go as far as to admit that our worldly possessions, our status, anything but our saving faith mean nothing? In this verse, the Apostle Paul speaks of everything other than Christ as being rubbish, other translations saying trash. In reality, this word for rubbish literally translates as a heap of feces. Graphic as that may be, it really gets the point across of what little value anything in this life has. There is no person, no thing, no idol that we can make that has any value when set in the light of God. If we are really true to ourselves, we can see the amazing fact that all we really have is Christ. He is all we need, He is all we have, and it is in Him that we find life, joy, happiness, and the hope of eternity spent in the kingdom of God! :)
Those of us who recently started school at Cornerstone University learned a new song this week called "All I Have Is Christ" (be sure to check out the song of the week). Today, we will be taking a look at a single verse that echoes the truth of this song. Philippians 3:8 says "What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ." Now, anyone who is saved would probably utter the church answer and say that all we really need is Christ. For Christ is our wellspring of life, and it is through Him that we live. However, would we really say that He is all that we have? Would we go as far as to admit that our worldly possessions, our status, anything but our saving faith mean nothing? In this verse, the Apostle Paul speaks of everything other than Christ as being rubbish, other translations saying trash. In reality, this word for rubbish literally translates as a heap of feces. Graphic as that may be, it really gets the point across of what little value anything in this life has. There is no person, no thing, no idol that we can make that has any value when set in the light of God. If we are really true to ourselves, we can see the amazing fact that all we really have is Christ. He is all we need, He is all we have, and it is in Him that we find life, joy, happiness, and the hope of eternity spent in the kingdom of God! :)
Saturday, August 25th, 2012
Galatians 5:22-23 "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control."
Over the past two weeks, we have taken a look at the nine fruits of the Spirit, and today we come to the final one- self control. I'm sure looking at the first eight, many of us could pick out Scripture references that explain about them, but what about self control? When we think about the way of living as a believer, does self control make the top ten list of things we consider? Well, according to the Bible, it should make the top nine. Proverbs 25:28 has a very strong and forward statement about self control: "A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls." We all are, at the very core of our being, complete sinners who are lost and held captive by sin. Obviously, becoming a believer does not mean that you stop sinning, but that your sins are forgiven. Self control comes into play because left on our own, we will always fall into a pattern of sin. This is why the proverb speaks of a city broken into and left without walls. With nothing to hold us back, we will continue to sin and fall deeper into the pit of guilt. But when we have self control, we think before acting or saying something, and thus keep ourselves from sin. I Corinthians 10:13, known to many of us, says that "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it." Both Adam and Christ were tempted; Adam chose to sin, and Christ remained faithful. Adam had no self control and would not accept the way of escape that God had provided him. Likewise, we often know the right and wrong thing to do in a situation, and bend towards the latter. It is the practice of self discipline and control that will lead us towards God's way of escape that He provides for us in every circumstance. I Corinthians 9:24-27 says "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified." We have all be in the position where to obtain a goal, we practice self control over our minds and bodies, and in the end, we reach that goal. That is precisely what we need to be doing in times of temptation. We need to discipline ourselves in the ways of Christ to arm ourselves for the battle. We need to tie our shoes and stretch out our limbs to prepare for the race ahead of us. In everything, we must learn to overcome our mind, secure our heart, and focus on the single goal of the believer- to bring glory to God. It is only in this that we can persevere to the end, and win the race once and for all! :)
Over the past two weeks, we have taken a look at the nine fruits of the Spirit, and today we come to the final one- self control. I'm sure looking at the first eight, many of us could pick out Scripture references that explain about them, but what about self control? When we think about the way of living as a believer, does self control make the top ten list of things we consider? Well, according to the Bible, it should make the top nine. Proverbs 25:28 has a very strong and forward statement about self control: "A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls." We all are, at the very core of our being, complete sinners who are lost and held captive by sin. Obviously, becoming a believer does not mean that you stop sinning, but that your sins are forgiven. Self control comes into play because left on our own, we will always fall into a pattern of sin. This is why the proverb speaks of a city broken into and left without walls. With nothing to hold us back, we will continue to sin and fall deeper into the pit of guilt. But when we have self control, we think before acting or saying something, and thus keep ourselves from sin. I Corinthians 10:13, known to many of us, says that "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it." Both Adam and Christ were tempted; Adam chose to sin, and Christ remained faithful. Adam had no self control and would not accept the way of escape that God had provided him. Likewise, we often know the right and wrong thing to do in a situation, and bend towards the latter. It is the practice of self discipline and control that will lead us towards God's way of escape that He provides for us in every circumstance. I Corinthians 9:24-27 says "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified." We have all be in the position where to obtain a goal, we practice self control over our minds and bodies, and in the end, we reach that goal. That is precisely what we need to be doing in times of temptation. We need to discipline ourselves in the ways of Christ to arm ourselves for the battle. We need to tie our shoes and stretch out our limbs to prepare for the race ahead of us. In everything, we must learn to overcome our mind, secure our heart, and focus on the single goal of the believer- to bring glory to God. It is only in this that we can persevere to the end, and win the race once and for all! :)
Friday, August 24th, 2012
Galatians 5:22-23 "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control."
If there is one thing that is hard to do, it is be gentle when you are upset. But Scripture commands us as believers to be gentle and calm, not hostile towards those who are pushing you to your limits. The bar is raised very high in Titus 3:2. which commands us to "speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people." Why should we display the fruit of gentleness? Well, besides the obvious of it being a sign of faith, II Timothy 2:24-26 tells us that "the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will." The first part of this passage once again sets the standard for Christians: kind to everyone; patiently enduring evil; correcting his opponents with gentleness. The second demonstrates what will happen. The unbeliever, seeing your ability to be kind and hospitable, may lead to God opening their eyes leading them to repentance. To be gentle, in essence, is to be a mirror of Christ and plant a seed in another's life, and may cause them to think to themselves, "Hey, I'm not like that. Why can he be so slow to anger?" As with anything else in our faith, we need to live according to the Bible in both our words and our actions. Proverbs 15:1 tells us that "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." Speaking gently as well as acting gently will demonstrate Christ. However, it is important to remember that being gentle does not mean being a pushover. Too often do those who we would look at as gentle are also the ones we see getting walked all over. During Christ's ministry, it is continuously seen that He was both gentle with the meek and humble, yet stern with those who were arrogant and prideful. We, also, can be stern and gentle at the same time, as strange as that may sound. If we see another brother or sister tripping up, we are not to beat around the bush about it. We are to bring in to their attention, but do it in an attitude of gentleness and love, as Galatians 6:1 tells us when it says, "Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted." To be humble is a sign of wisdom, as we are told in James 3:17, which says that "the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere." Do not fall into a pattern of living a life of anger. Instead, speak and ask gently, turn away wrath, and be a mirror of the image of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! :)
If there is one thing that is hard to do, it is be gentle when you are upset. But Scripture commands us as believers to be gentle and calm, not hostile towards those who are pushing you to your limits. The bar is raised very high in Titus 3:2. which commands us to "speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people." Why should we display the fruit of gentleness? Well, besides the obvious of it being a sign of faith, II Timothy 2:24-26 tells us that "the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will." The first part of this passage once again sets the standard for Christians: kind to everyone; patiently enduring evil; correcting his opponents with gentleness. The second demonstrates what will happen. The unbeliever, seeing your ability to be kind and hospitable, may lead to God opening their eyes leading them to repentance. To be gentle, in essence, is to be a mirror of Christ and plant a seed in another's life, and may cause them to think to themselves, "Hey, I'm not like that. Why can he be so slow to anger?" As with anything else in our faith, we need to live according to the Bible in both our words and our actions. Proverbs 15:1 tells us that "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." Speaking gently as well as acting gently will demonstrate Christ. However, it is important to remember that being gentle does not mean being a pushover. Too often do those who we would look at as gentle are also the ones we see getting walked all over. During Christ's ministry, it is continuously seen that He was both gentle with the meek and humble, yet stern with those who were arrogant and prideful. We, also, can be stern and gentle at the same time, as strange as that may sound. If we see another brother or sister tripping up, we are not to beat around the bush about it. We are to bring in to their attention, but do it in an attitude of gentleness and love, as Galatians 6:1 tells us when it says, "Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted." To be humble is a sign of wisdom, as we are told in James 3:17, which says that "the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere." Do not fall into a pattern of living a life of anger. Instead, speak and ask gently, turn away wrath, and be a mirror of the image of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! :)
Wednesday, August 22nd, 2012
Galatians 5:22-23 "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control."
Scripture has a lot to say about being faithful, that much is clear. In fact, it is of so much importance that God made it one of the ten big ones: Exodus 20:16 says that "You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor." It goes without saying that lying is wrong; believers and (most) unbelievers agree on that matter. Blatantly speaking untruths to others is seen as wrong not only by God, but by (almost) every human civilization on earth. It is seen as a characteristic of honor to be a man or woman of truth. But faithfulness does not simply mean not telling lies. It means upholding to every law of God that is written throughout the Bible. Deuteronomy 28:1 explains that "If you faithfully obey the voice of the LORD your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth." To the one who is faithful, God will trust that man with much and put him in an authority over much. This can be seen in Christ's words as He spoke in Luke 16:10-12 "One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in that which is another's, who will give you that which is your own?" If you are known as one who cannot be trusted, who will place any trust in you? The benefits of being faithful can be seen in Proverbs 28:20, which says that "A faithful man will abound with blessings, but whoever hastens to be rich will not go unpunished." We are to be faithful in all things, in every way we live. Every promise we make we should follow through with, and every word we speak should come from the heart and from truth. Jesus said in 5:37 to "Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one." Ultimately, why should we be producing the fruit of faithfulness as believers? Because we serve and worship a Lord and King who is faithful in all things. Hebrews 13:8 gives us hope in that "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Deuteronomy 31:6 comforts us because we can "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." He was faithful and followed through with the story line of redemption, to the point of the Cross. He laid down His life so that His people could be brought back to Him. He laid down His life for His sheep, and in that, we have confidence in our salvation. As believers, we are called to live a life that reflects Christ. Christ lived the life of truth. Make it your goal to be filled with the fruit of faithfulness, just as Christ was faithful to the end for you! :)
Scripture has a lot to say about being faithful, that much is clear. In fact, it is of so much importance that God made it one of the ten big ones: Exodus 20:16 says that "You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor." It goes without saying that lying is wrong; believers and (most) unbelievers agree on that matter. Blatantly speaking untruths to others is seen as wrong not only by God, but by (almost) every human civilization on earth. It is seen as a characteristic of honor to be a man or woman of truth. But faithfulness does not simply mean not telling lies. It means upholding to every law of God that is written throughout the Bible. Deuteronomy 28:1 explains that "If you faithfully obey the voice of the LORD your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth." To the one who is faithful, God will trust that man with much and put him in an authority over much. This can be seen in Christ's words as He spoke in Luke 16:10-12 "One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in that which is another's, who will give you that which is your own?" If you are known as one who cannot be trusted, who will place any trust in you? The benefits of being faithful can be seen in Proverbs 28:20, which says that "A faithful man will abound with blessings, but whoever hastens to be rich will not go unpunished." We are to be faithful in all things, in every way we live. Every promise we make we should follow through with, and every word we speak should come from the heart and from truth. Jesus said in 5:37 to "Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one." Ultimately, why should we be producing the fruit of faithfulness as believers? Because we serve and worship a Lord and King who is faithful in all things. Hebrews 13:8 gives us hope in that "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Deuteronomy 31:6 comforts us because we can "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." He was faithful and followed through with the story line of redemption, to the point of the Cross. He laid down His life so that His people could be brought back to Him. He laid down His life for His sheep, and in that, we have confidence in our salvation. As believers, we are called to live a life that reflects Christ. Christ lived the life of truth. Make it your goal to be filled with the fruit of faithfulness, just as Christ was faithful to the end for you! :)
Tuesday, August 21st, 2012
Galatians 5:22-23 "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control."
Of the nine fruits of the Spirit, the fruit of goodness could be said to encompass all the rest. So what does goodness look like? Goodness is following the law of God, which put simply means obeying His Word. James 3:13 says "Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom." We show goodness by living wisely and making choices about situations based on what we are told in Scripture. However, there may be another side to this fruit. If you look up the word "goodness" in a concordance, the verses listed have to do with God pouring out His goodness on us, not the good works that we produce. Now, obviously, good works will be produced by those who live according to the Spirit. But could another sign of this fruit be God pouring out His goodness on us? The psalmist writes in Psalm 23:6 that "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever." When we trust God and are filled with the Holy Spirit, not only will goodness be seen in our lives through our actions, but God will also grant us goodness and mercy in life. Psalm 31:19 praises God in saying "Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind!" Since we here at the Flock do not want to appear to be preaching the prosperity gospel, be sure to go back and look at what we defined goodness as. Romans 8:28 says that "We know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." Goodness, as a fruit of the Holy Spirit, will be seen as good works in your life, as well as God's goodness towards you, all according to His will and His purpose. It is in this truth that we can say that our God is so good! :)
Of the nine fruits of the Spirit, the fruit of goodness could be said to encompass all the rest. So what does goodness look like? Goodness is following the law of God, which put simply means obeying His Word. James 3:13 says "Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom." We show goodness by living wisely and making choices about situations based on what we are told in Scripture. However, there may be another side to this fruit. If you look up the word "goodness" in a concordance, the verses listed have to do with God pouring out His goodness on us, not the good works that we produce. Now, obviously, good works will be produced by those who live according to the Spirit. But could another sign of this fruit be God pouring out His goodness on us? The psalmist writes in Psalm 23:6 that "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever." When we trust God and are filled with the Holy Spirit, not only will goodness be seen in our lives through our actions, but God will also grant us goodness and mercy in life. Psalm 31:19 praises God in saying "Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind!" Since we here at the Flock do not want to appear to be preaching the prosperity gospel, be sure to go back and look at what we defined goodness as. Romans 8:28 says that "We know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." Goodness, as a fruit of the Holy Spirit, will be seen as good works in your life, as well as God's goodness towards you, all according to His will and His purpose. It is in this truth that we can say that our God is so good! :)
Monday, August 20th, 2012
Taking a quick break from the fruits of the Spirit, which we will return to tomorrow, we would like to show you a compilation of verses, and make a connection to one of the most beloved hymns of all time.
Hebrews 4:16 "Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."
Before the throne of God above
Hebrews 10:14 "Because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy."
I have a strong, a perfect plea
Hebrews 4:14 "Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess."
A great High Priest who's name is love
I John 2:1 "My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous."
Who ever lives and pleads for me
Isaiah 49:16 "See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me."
My name is graven on His hands, my name is written on His heart
John 10:28 "I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand."
I know that while in heaven He stands, no tongue can bid me thence depart, no tongue can bid me thence depart
Psalm 25:2 "In you I trust, O my God. Do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me."
When Satan tempts me to despair, and tells me of my guilt within
Romans 8:1 "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."
Upward I look and see Him there, who made an end to all my sin
Galatians 5:1 "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery."
Because the sinless Savior died, my sinful soul is counted free
Philippians 2:15 "So that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe."
For God the just is satisfied to look on Him and pardon me, to look on Him and pardon me
Revelation 5:12 "In a loud voice they sang: 'Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!'"
Behold Him there the risen Lamb
I John 1:7 "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin."
My perfect spotless righteousness
Malachi 3:6 "I the LORD do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed."
The great unchangeable I AM
Psalm 24:8 "Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle."
The King of glory and of grace
John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
One with Himself I cannot die
Ephesians 1:7 "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace."
My soul is purchased by His blood
John 10:29 "My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand."
My life is hid with Christ on high, with Christ my Savior and my God, with Christ my Savior and my God!
One with Himself I cannot die! My soul is purchased by His blood! My life is hid with Christ on high, with Christ my Savior and my God!
With Christ my Savior and my God!
Hebrews 4:16 "Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."
Before the throne of God above
Hebrews 10:14 "Because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy."
I have a strong, a perfect plea
Hebrews 4:14 "Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess."
A great High Priest who's name is love
I John 2:1 "My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous."
Who ever lives and pleads for me
Isaiah 49:16 "See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me."
My name is graven on His hands, my name is written on His heart
John 10:28 "I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand."
I know that while in heaven He stands, no tongue can bid me thence depart, no tongue can bid me thence depart
Psalm 25:2 "In you I trust, O my God. Do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me."
When Satan tempts me to despair, and tells me of my guilt within
Romans 8:1 "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."
Upward I look and see Him there, who made an end to all my sin
Galatians 5:1 "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery."
Because the sinless Savior died, my sinful soul is counted free
Philippians 2:15 "So that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe."
For God the just is satisfied to look on Him and pardon me, to look on Him and pardon me
Revelation 5:12 "In a loud voice they sang: 'Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!'"
Behold Him there the risen Lamb
I John 1:7 "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin."
My perfect spotless righteousness
Malachi 3:6 "I the LORD do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed."
The great unchangeable I AM
Psalm 24:8 "Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle."
The King of glory and of grace
John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
One with Himself I cannot die
Ephesians 1:7 "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace."
My soul is purchased by His blood
John 10:29 "My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand."
My life is hid with Christ on high, with Christ my Savior and my God, with Christ my Savior and my God!
One with Himself I cannot die! My soul is purchased by His blood! My life is hid with Christ on high, with Christ my Savior and my God!
With Christ my Savior and my God!
Thursday, August 16th, 2012
Galatians 5:22-23 "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control."
Let's be honest- it is very easy to get upset with others. People will say or do something that you disagree with or offends you, and it's natural to retaliate with hostility and anger. However, as followers of Christ, we are called to be kind to all who are in our life. Now, it is very easy to be kind to a friend and loved one; that goes without saying. The hard thing to do is be kind to those who seem to continually get on your nerves. Nevertheless, Christ commands us in Luke 6:35 to "love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil." When it comes to the grace of God, we need to distinguish between the two forms. There is selective grace, which is given to believers who trust in Him, and there is common grace, which is God's blessing that is poured out on every person. In this verse, we read that the Lord is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. It is God who puts each breath into the lungs of a person, and it is His protection that keeps believers and unbelievers alike safe throughout the day. When we consider the grace of God, we can see how He is the perfect example of what being kind to your enemies is all about. God, who has all power, authority, and right to wipe the human race off the face of the planet because of their sin, pours out His grace on mercy on every living being under the sun each and every day. Ephesians 4:32 reminds us to "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." This also emphasizes the grace of the Father who, in Christ, gave us the greatest and most undeserved gift of kindness and love we could ever receive. Why is it that He, who has every right to cast judgement on us all, can be so kind and forgiving to fallen man, yet we who are all fallen cannot forgive another when the wrong us? Truth be told, being angry with another and holding a grudge hurts you the most, and this is why Proverbs 11:17 explains that "A man who is kind benefits himself, but a cruel man hurts himself." A man who shows kindness and compassion to all benefits others as well as himself, while those who practice cruelty tear others down, but in reality is merely hurting himself the most. Galatians 6:10 says that "So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith." We are to be kind to the unbelievers in our lives, just as Christ loved us while we were still sinners, but we especially need to show compassion to our brothers and sisters in the faith. Today, if you feel upset or angry towards someone else, remember to show the fruit of kindness, and in so doing, you will reflect the Cross and the love that God first displayed to you! :)
Let's be honest- it is very easy to get upset with others. People will say or do something that you disagree with or offends you, and it's natural to retaliate with hostility and anger. However, as followers of Christ, we are called to be kind to all who are in our life. Now, it is very easy to be kind to a friend and loved one; that goes without saying. The hard thing to do is be kind to those who seem to continually get on your nerves. Nevertheless, Christ commands us in Luke 6:35 to "love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil." When it comes to the grace of God, we need to distinguish between the two forms. There is selective grace, which is given to believers who trust in Him, and there is common grace, which is God's blessing that is poured out on every person. In this verse, we read that the Lord is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. It is God who puts each breath into the lungs of a person, and it is His protection that keeps believers and unbelievers alike safe throughout the day. When we consider the grace of God, we can see how He is the perfect example of what being kind to your enemies is all about. God, who has all power, authority, and right to wipe the human race off the face of the planet because of their sin, pours out His grace on mercy on every living being under the sun each and every day. Ephesians 4:32 reminds us to "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." This also emphasizes the grace of the Father who, in Christ, gave us the greatest and most undeserved gift of kindness and love we could ever receive. Why is it that He, who has every right to cast judgement on us all, can be so kind and forgiving to fallen man, yet we who are all fallen cannot forgive another when the wrong us? Truth be told, being angry with another and holding a grudge hurts you the most, and this is why Proverbs 11:17 explains that "A man who is kind benefits himself, but a cruel man hurts himself." A man who shows kindness and compassion to all benefits others as well as himself, while those who practice cruelty tear others down, but in reality is merely hurting himself the most. Galatians 6:10 says that "So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith." We are to be kind to the unbelievers in our lives, just as Christ loved us while we were still sinners, but we especially need to show compassion to our brothers and sisters in the faith. Today, if you feel upset or angry towards someone else, remember to show the fruit of kindness, and in so doing, you will reflect the Cross and the love that God first displayed to you! :)
Wednesday, August 15th, 2012
Galatians 5:22-23 "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control."
It goes without saying that one of the hardest things to do in times of need is have patience. However, as we've looked at, patience is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit, and therefore should be reflected in the life of the believer. A dear friend once said that you need to be very careful to pray for patience, because God will put you in situations that will require patience. In Romans 12:12, it tells us to "Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." It is so difficult to be patient with God and try to understand what He is doing when the going gets tough, but nonetheless, we need to remember that He is in control and sees the big picture, and we do not.
Another difficult thing to do is be patient in your walk. What we mean by this is that sometimes it may seem like you are trying your hardest to live faithfully, and yet, there appears to be no planting of seeds in others and effecting those who you are trying to mirror Christ to. However, Galatians 6:9 gives us hope in the truth that "let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." Similarly, it sometimes seems as though we are not growing in our walk, even though we may be digging into the Word and prayer. But Romans 8:25 says that "if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience." To be patient is to wait on the Lord in all matters, whether it be in your personal or social life. Your prayers will be answered, but only if you wait to hear what God is saying. You will understand God's direction for your life, but only if you stop and listen for it. Proverbs 3:6, a very well known verse, says that "in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." God will make known to you your path. However, you will only understand it if you are patience and wait upon the Lord! :)
It goes without saying that one of the hardest things to do in times of need is have patience. However, as we've looked at, patience is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit, and therefore should be reflected in the life of the believer. A dear friend once said that you need to be very careful to pray for patience, because God will put you in situations that will require patience. In Romans 12:12, it tells us to "Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." It is so difficult to be patient with God and try to understand what He is doing when the going gets tough, but nonetheless, we need to remember that He is in control and sees the big picture, and we do not.
Another difficult thing to do is be patient in your walk. What we mean by this is that sometimes it may seem like you are trying your hardest to live faithfully, and yet, there appears to be no planting of seeds in others and effecting those who you are trying to mirror Christ to. However, Galatians 6:9 gives us hope in the truth that "let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." Similarly, it sometimes seems as though we are not growing in our walk, even though we may be digging into the Word and prayer. But Romans 8:25 says that "if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience." To be patient is to wait on the Lord in all matters, whether it be in your personal or social life. Your prayers will be answered, but only if you wait to hear what God is saying. You will understand God's direction for your life, but only if you stop and listen for it. Proverbs 3:6, a very well known verse, says that "in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." God will make known to you your path. However, you will only understand it if you are patience and wait upon the Lord! :)
Monday, August 13th, 2012
Today we will be taking a break from the fruits of the Spirit to feature a special video. If you were asked to name the one attribute of God Almighty that is portrayed most in Scripture, what would your answer be? Would it be love? justice? grace or mercy? In this brief but immensely powerful film, segments are taken from three sermons preached by R. C. Sproul, CJ Mahaney, and John Piper, as they delve into the exploration of who God is.
Isaiah 6:1-13 "In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another and said: 'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!' And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. And I said: 'Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!'"
Above all else, God is holy, and that is what we will be proclaiming forever more in His eternal kingdom. We look forward to the day when we will be standing around the throne and shouting that He is holy, holy, holy, the whole earth is filled with His glory! :)
Above all else, God is holy, and that is what we will be proclaiming forever more in His eternal kingdom. We look forward to the day when we will be standing around the throne and shouting that He is holy, holy, holy, the whole earth is filled with His glory! :)
Saturday, August 11th, 2012
Galatians 5:22-23 "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control."
While it is common to hear political and religious organizations continuously demand for world peace, what does that look like? How do we define what true peace is? What do we do with Christ's statement in Matthew 10:34 when He says "Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword."? If peace is one of the fruits of the Spirit, we need to showing peace in our lives. The Biblical definition of peace can be found in John 14:27, which says "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." Scriptural peace is a feeling of contentment and security, not when the road is smooth, but when the going gets rough. In this verse, we are called to not let our hearts be troubled, nor afraid. This type of peace, which we can find in any circumstance, is the peace found in the knowledge of the promises of God. I Peter 3:11 says of the believer to "Let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it." In other words, peace is found in many ways. One is, as we just mentioned, the peace of the steadfastness of God's Word. But what is this peace that Peter wrote about when we "turn away from evil and do good"? We recently looked at the existence of conscience, and it can be determined from this verse that we also find peace when our conscience is clear and we are seeking peace by doing good. To be sure, any believer can attest to the peace found when the Spirit is not convicting them. In all things and in all circumstances, we are to have the peace which God grants us. Philippians 4:6-7 says "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." This verse shows how another way to experience peace is through prayer, through acknowledging to God that you need His help. If there is one verse that can show us why we can have peace in Christ, it is II Thessalonians 3:16, which says "Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all." :)
While it is common to hear political and religious organizations continuously demand for world peace, what does that look like? How do we define what true peace is? What do we do with Christ's statement in Matthew 10:34 when He says "Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword."? If peace is one of the fruits of the Spirit, we need to showing peace in our lives. The Biblical definition of peace can be found in John 14:27, which says "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." Scriptural peace is a feeling of contentment and security, not when the road is smooth, but when the going gets rough. In this verse, we are called to not let our hearts be troubled, nor afraid. This type of peace, which we can find in any circumstance, is the peace found in the knowledge of the promises of God. I Peter 3:11 says of the believer to "Let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it." In other words, peace is found in many ways. One is, as we just mentioned, the peace of the steadfastness of God's Word. But what is this peace that Peter wrote about when we "turn away from evil and do good"? We recently looked at the existence of conscience, and it can be determined from this verse that we also find peace when our conscience is clear and we are seeking peace by doing good. To be sure, any believer can attest to the peace found when the Spirit is not convicting them. In all things and in all circumstances, we are to have the peace which God grants us. Philippians 4:6-7 says "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." This verse shows how another way to experience peace is through prayer, through acknowledging to God that you need His help. If there is one verse that can show us why we can have peace in Christ, it is II Thessalonians 3:16, which says "Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all." :)
Friday, August 10th, 2012
For the next few days, we will be looking at the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit, as found in Galatians 5:22-23, which says that "the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control." As we have spent much time looking at the Biblical aspect of love, we will be examining what the Scripture has to say about the second fruit of the Spirit- joy. As believers, we are called to a high standard of joy, as is found in Philippians 4:4, where are told to "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice." In all things, we are to find joy in the fact that we have been forgiven through the blood of Christ by the grace of God. It is interesting that, in many passages found in the Bible, joy corresponds directly with hope. For example, looking at Romans 12:12, it says that we are to "Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." Romans 15:13 says "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope." Proverbs 10:28 explains that "The hope of the righteous brings joy, but the expectation of the wicked will perish." What is the connection between joy and hope? It's obvious, is it not? If we have no hope, there is no joy, but because of the Cross, we have eternal hope, and so therefore, we have eternal joy! In the Apostle's second letter to the Corinthians 7:4, he writes that "I am acting with great boldness toward you; I have great pride in you; I am filled with comfort. In all our affliction, I am overflowing with joy." Paul, who knew a thing or two about suffering, still counted every moment that he breathed as joy, for he knew that with every moment, he could be a living testimony for what Christ had done in his life. As far as suffering goes, Paul also writes in James 1:2-3 that we are to "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance." Many of us are currently feeling the weight of the trials that life brings us, whether it be physical, emotional, or even spiritual pain. However, when we feel that we are at rock bottom and life couldn't possibly get any worse, we need to remember what truths remain. Christ is not dead, He is alive! We are not held by the chains of death anymore, we are free! There is no more condemnation for those who in Him, we receive forgiveness! These truths are now and forever, and that is definitely worth being joyful about! :)
Wednesday, August 8th, 2012
Today's message is written with one goal in mind: to alert us all to the sad truth about modern day Christianity. It has been recorded that there are over 38,000 different Christian denominations. This does not include the thousands of other sub-denominations that separate based on one thing: doctrine. The problem is, there are so many different belief systems claiming to be Christian, it is no wonder people say we don't know what we believe; for a vast number of those who call themselves believers, it's true. Romans 12:5 says that "in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others." The truth is, there is only one church of Christ, and all who believe are members of that church. But through our differences, we are exclaiming to the world that you can believe a vast array of ideas and still be considered a Christian. Now, we are not saying that only one denomination is truly saved. What we are saying is that between the divisions of the earthly church, we are doing a lot more damage than good. Titus 2:1 gives us a very simple instruction: "teach what accords with sound doctrine." Where do we get this sound doctrine from? The Scriptures, the Word of God. We are called in Titus 1:9 to "hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that [we] may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it." If you hear a pastor or teacher say something, never take it as it is. Pastors and teachers are human, too, and it's obvious that they also can make mistakes. In everything that you hear, be sure to check with the Bible and see what it says, do not simply believe it because it is what someone taught. Above all, remember that if it is in the Word, it is true. It matters none whether you agree with it or not- if it is in the Word, it is unquestionably true. We need to start going to the Bible to find what we really set our faith in. It is only when we do that that the truth will take hold of our hearts! :)
Tuesday, August 7th, 2012
One of the most prominent issues within the church body is on the doctrine of salvation, or the question of the thought of once saved, always saved. The basis of this conflict is the question: can a true believer loose their salvation? There are arguments for both sides, and we will look at what Scripture says about this issue. We will explore the different questions and answer them Biblically, because we affirm that it is only through the authority of God's Word that these discussions can be settled.
Here are some of the common questions that are asked:
1) Is it possible to lose your salvation?
In the Bible, one of the names given to Christ is the Good Shepherd, and the believers are called His sheep. The book of John 10:27-28 explains that "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand." As the sheep in Christ's flock, it is impossible for us to stray away from our Shepherd and His protection. Also, Romans 8:1 affirms the idea that "there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus", showing that we as His people cannot be lost. Philippians 1:6 explains that we are to be "confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." When we come to saving faith through and in Christ, the Holy Spirit lives in us and works through us, and the Spirit will continue to work in the life of the believer to the very end. Romans 8:38-39 gives us hope in that "I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." The true believer is eternally secure in his or her salvation through Jesus.
2) Does this mean that we can live however we want to?
We have looked at this question before, and we are reminded in James 2:17 that "faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." When a sinner excepts Christ as His Lord and Savior and the Holy Spirit enters his or her life, it will be their desire to live in holiness and righteousness, and be an example of who Christ was. Galatians 5:22-23 says that "the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." A follower of Christ should display these attributes of their salvation, and the true believer will display good fruit as they represent Christ in this fallen world.
3) What does this say about those who leave Christianity?
Since we affirm that it is impossible to lose your salvation, but if you are truly saved, your life will be bearing good fruit, then the only result is that the apostates, those who have turned their back on Christ, were never really saved in the first place. Now, we realize that it is not up to us to determine if someone is saved or not. But based on what Scripture says, we will see fruit in the life of the believer. II Peter 2:20 says, speaking of the apostate, that "if they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning." Likewise, Luke 8:13 explains that "the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away." We recently examined the Parable of the Sower, and this is what becomes of those who fall in the shallow ground. Their faith is not real, and some would say that they lose their salvation. But really, they were never saved in the first place.
Now, this topic can raise the question, how do I know if I am really saved? We will be exploring this subject in the days to come. However, for those of us who are truly believers in Christ, we can rest in the joy and peace that there is nothing that can ever pull us out of the love and safety of God! :)
Here are some of the common questions that are asked:
1) Is it possible to lose your salvation?
In the Bible, one of the names given to Christ is the Good Shepherd, and the believers are called His sheep. The book of John 10:27-28 explains that "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand." As the sheep in Christ's flock, it is impossible for us to stray away from our Shepherd and His protection. Also, Romans 8:1 affirms the idea that "there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus", showing that we as His people cannot be lost. Philippians 1:6 explains that we are to be "confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." When we come to saving faith through and in Christ, the Holy Spirit lives in us and works through us, and the Spirit will continue to work in the life of the believer to the very end. Romans 8:38-39 gives us hope in that "I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." The true believer is eternally secure in his or her salvation through Jesus.
2) Does this mean that we can live however we want to?
We have looked at this question before, and we are reminded in James 2:17 that "faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." When a sinner excepts Christ as His Lord and Savior and the Holy Spirit enters his or her life, it will be their desire to live in holiness and righteousness, and be an example of who Christ was. Galatians 5:22-23 says that "the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." A follower of Christ should display these attributes of their salvation, and the true believer will display good fruit as they represent Christ in this fallen world.
3) What does this say about those who leave Christianity?
Since we affirm that it is impossible to lose your salvation, but if you are truly saved, your life will be bearing good fruit, then the only result is that the apostates, those who have turned their back on Christ, were never really saved in the first place. Now, we realize that it is not up to us to determine if someone is saved or not. But based on what Scripture says, we will see fruit in the life of the believer. II Peter 2:20 says, speaking of the apostate, that "if they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning." Likewise, Luke 8:13 explains that "the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away." We recently examined the Parable of the Sower, and this is what becomes of those who fall in the shallow ground. Their faith is not real, and some would say that they lose their salvation. But really, they were never saved in the first place.
Now, this topic can raise the question, how do I know if I am really saved? We will be exploring this subject in the days to come. However, for those of us who are truly believers in Christ, we can rest in the joy and peace that there is nothing that can ever pull us out of the love and safety of God! :)
Friday, August 3rd, 2012
How fallen is man? This basic question has actually caused a great deal of argument among church councils through the centuries. Is there any portion of man that is not controlled by our sinful nature, and if so, how does that relate to our choice of actions? The heart of man is described to it's core in Mark 7:23-23, where we read that "it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person." Sin penetrates down to the deepest level of the heart, and as this verse describes, it is from the heart that we disobey God and His Word. Also, in Jeremiah 17:9, we are told that "the heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure." In other words, in it's fallen state, the heart cannot and should not be trusted. Still, can there be anything at all, any little island of righteousness found in the heart of man? 1 Corinthians 2:14 explains that "The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit." Our heart cannot possibly understand or comprehend the things of God if our heart is not redeemed in Christ. It is only through the power of the Spirit that we discern and understand the truth, and therefore those who are not saved are blind to the truth of what we believe. Before one comes to saving faith, Ephesians 2:3 explains that we also "lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath." So ultimately, how deep does sin penetrate? According to Scripture, there is not one ounce of righteousness left in the heart of fallen man. While we are not yet saved, we are completely ruled by our sinful nature. But through salvation, we can break free from our sinful desires and finally begin to understand the powerful truth of what was accomplished by the work of Christ on the Cross! :)
Thursday, August 2nd, 2012
One of the simplest verses in Scripture, and yet most powerful, can be found in I Corinthians 13:13, which says "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." This passage is found at the end of what is one of the most well known passages of Scripture, I Corinthians 13, commonly called the Love Chapter. Today, we will be looking at each of these three concepts. The first is faith. Hebrews 11:1 gives the perfect definition of faith, when it says "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." In other words, we place faith in anything we trust in and all that we believe in that cannot be seen. The second, hope, is the feeling that what we believe in is true. To explain faith and hope, it can be helpful to think of a chair. The moment before you sit down in a chair, you put your faith in the fact that the chair will hold your weight and that it will not collapse underneath you. You cannot prove it will hold you until you sit on it, and you must believe in the invisible forces that keep you seated on the chair properly. You therefore demonstrate both faith and hope in the chair. How much more should we put our faith and hope in the Creator of the universe, who holds all things under His will? The third and final concept, love, has been called the most powerful expression that man can demonstrate. This is because God's ultimate purpose for creating the universe is so that He could pour out His love on His creation, and receive love, praise, and honor in return. The Trinity is upheld in perfect love, with each member supporting each of the other two in perfect love and unity. But what is love, really? While many would go back to I Corinthians 13 to find the Biblical description of love, it can actually be found in two verses that display the same message. Romans 5:8 explains that "God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Also, probably the most well known verse in the entire Bible, John 3:16 reminds us that "God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." Perfect love means putting other's needs before your own, which boils down to one word: sacrifice. Jesus Christ was the ultimate picture of true love by dying on the Cross for us as a perfect and holy sacrifice. There is no greater example of love found in history, nor will there ever be. The final portion of this passage explains that "the greatest of these is love." Why is this true? Well, there are two answers. One, because Jesus Christ died to show us love. It's that simple. The second reason has great insight into the plan of redemption. A very wise friend explained it this way. When God's eternal kingdom is finally established, there will be only one expression of feeling. Faith will not be necessary because we will be surround by all that we had faith in. Hope will be gone, because all that we had hoped for will have come to pass. But love, love will remain for eternity. God's love for His people will be displayed every moment in the eternal Kingdom, just as it is now. But when we find ourselves there, we will be back in paradise, basking in the presence of God and His love. II Corinthians 5:17 says that "if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" Love will be renewed in our lives when that day comes. But for now, continue to grow in understanding of what a powerful love Christ has already displayed for us on the Cross! :)
Wednesday, August 1st, 2012
Yesterday's message about the first and second Adam had a lot of information in it, and we want to be sure that you caught all of it. Today, we will be recapping the parallels between the temptation of the first man and the temptation of the Son of Man.
1) Adam lived in the perfect Creation, where sin had not yet entered the world. Christ lived in a wicked world cursed by man's fallenness.
2) Adam was tempted in the Garden of Eden, where his every need was met and cared for. Christ was tempted in the barren desert, after He had gone without food for forty days.
3) Adam walked in the presence of God in the garden. Christ left the presence of the Father to come to earth and live as a man.
4) Adam had only one law that God had commanded of him. Christ, living in the fallen world, faced every temptation and yet still upheld the Law.
5) Adam ignored the voice of God and instead chose to obey what Satan whispered in his ear. Christ ignored the voice of Satan and looked to the Father for His strength.
6) Adam doubted the word of God. Christ fought against the tempter by using the word of God.
7) Adam felt drawn towards the possibility of being like God, knowing both good and evil. Christ, who was in His very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped.
8) Adam sinned and was cursed with death and the absence from the presence of God. Christ did not sin, died for the sins of His people, and restored redeemed man to the presence of God.
As can be seen, the parallels between Christ and Adam are extensive, which makes one marvel at God's perfect plan of redemption from the very beginning. I Corinthians 15:45 reminds us that "The first man Adam became a living being; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit." Through the first comes sin, death, and separation from God. But through Christ, comes forgiveness, life, and the joy of standing in the presence of Him forever! :)
1) Adam lived in the perfect Creation, where sin had not yet entered the world. Christ lived in a wicked world cursed by man's fallenness.
2) Adam was tempted in the Garden of Eden, where his every need was met and cared for. Christ was tempted in the barren desert, after He had gone without food for forty days.
3) Adam walked in the presence of God in the garden. Christ left the presence of the Father to come to earth and live as a man.
4) Adam had only one law that God had commanded of him. Christ, living in the fallen world, faced every temptation and yet still upheld the Law.
5) Adam ignored the voice of God and instead chose to obey what Satan whispered in his ear. Christ ignored the voice of Satan and looked to the Father for His strength.
6) Adam doubted the word of God. Christ fought against the tempter by using the word of God.
7) Adam felt drawn towards the possibility of being like God, knowing both good and evil. Christ, who was in His very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped.
8) Adam sinned and was cursed with death and the absence from the presence of God. Christ did not sin, died for the sins of His people, and restored redeemed man to the presence of God.
As can be seen, the parallels between Christ and Adam are extensive, which makes one marvel at God's perfect plan of redemption from the very beginning. I Corinthians 15:45 reminds us that "The first man Adam became a living being; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit." Through the first comes sin, death, and separation from God. But through Christ, comes forgiveness, life, and the joy of standing in the presence of Him forever! :)
Tuesday, July 31st, 2012
Genesis 3:1-7
"Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, 'Did God really say, "You must not eat from any tree in the garden"?' The woman said to the serpent, 'We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, "You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die."''You will not certainly die,' the serpent said to the woman. 'For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.' When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves."
Matthew 4:1-11
"Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, 'If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.' Jesus answered, 'It is written: "Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God."' Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 'If you are the Son of God,' he said, 'throw yourself down. For it is written: "He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone."' Jesus answered him, 'It is also written: "Do not put the Lord your God to the test."' Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 'All this I will give you,' he said, 'if you will bow down and worship me.' Jesus said to him, 'Away from me, Satan! For it is written: "Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only."' Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him."
Meet Adam and Eve. Commonly known as the first man and woman, they literally had life in perfection. Located in the beautiful and lush Garden of Eden, every care was attended to by the Creator, who formed the earth for them. They had access to the entire garden, except the tree in the middle of the garden, which, if eaten, would curse them and all their descendants with sin and the power of death. When the tempter came, they ignored all that God had provided for them, forgot that they needed nothing else but to be in the presence of God, and ate of the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil. The result: the fall of mankind and the entrance of sin and death, as God had promised. But above all, man was no longer able to be in the presence of Almighty God.
Meet Jesus Christ. Commonly known as the Son of God, He was raised by a poor couple in a tiny village where He worked as a carpenter. He lived in a world that was cursed by sin, yet He Himself knew no sin. Being in very nature the second member of the Trinity, He left the presence of the Father and came to earth as a man to be the fulfillment of the holy Law of God. Once again, the tempter came, and this time brought Christ to a dry, barren desert. This was a time where Jesus was at His weakest, after fasting for forty days following His baptism. However, unlike the first Adam, the second Adam demonstrated His power over Satan, and resisted every temptation that faced Him. He lived a perfect life, but humbled Himself to the state of a servant and obeyed the will of the Father to the point of the Cross. He took on the sins of the world, and in that, He crushed the head of the tempter, destroyed the chains of sin, and vanquished the grip of death forever. The result: the redemption of mankind for all who will turn to Him and accept His sacrificial blood as atonement for their sin. But above all, Christ became the mediator between God and man, the veil was torn, and redeemed men can once again enter into the presence of God. All of this because of how Jesus, the second Adam, did what the first Adam could not do. He lived a sinless life, died the redeeming death, and rose again to proclaim to His children that "It is finished!" :)
"Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, 'Did God really say, "You must not eat from any tree in the garden"?' The woman said to the serpent, 'We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, "You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die."''You will not certainly die,' the serpent said to the woman. 'For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.' When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves."
Matthew 4:1-11
"Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, 'If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.' Jesus answered, 'It is written: "Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God."' Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 'If you are the Son of God,' he said, 'throw yourself down. For it is written: "He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone."' Jesus answered him, 'It is also written: "Do not put the Lord your God to the test."' Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 'All this I will give you,' he said, 'if you will bow down and worship me.' Jesus said to him, 'Away from me, Satan! For it is written: "Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only."' Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him."
Meet Adam and Eve. Commonly known as the first man and woman, they literally had life in perfection. Located in the beautiful and lush Garden of Eden, every care was attended to by the Creator, who formed the earth for them. They had access to the entire garden, except the tree in the middle of the garden, which, if eaten, would curse them and all their descendants with sin and the power of death. When the tempter came, they ignored all that God had provided for them, forgot that they needed nothing else but to be in the presence of God, and ate of the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil. The result: the fall of mankind and the entrance of sin and death, as God had promised. But above all, man was no longer able to be in the presence of Almighty God.
Meet Jesus Christ. Commonly known as the Son of God, He was raised by a poor couple in a tiny village where He worked as a carpenter. He lived in a world that was cursed by sin, yet He Himself knew no sin. Being in very nature the second member of the Trinity, He left the presence of the Father and came to earth as a man to be the fulfillment of the holy Law of God. Once again, the tempter came, and this time brought Christ to a dry, barren desert. This was a time where Jesus was at His weakest, after fasting for forty days following His baptism. However, unlike the first Adam, the second Adam demonstrated His power over Satan, and resisted every temptation that faced Him. He lived a perfect life, but humbled Himself to the state of a servant and obeyed the will of the Father to the point of the Cross. He took on the sins of the world, and in that, He crushed the head of the tempter, destroyed the chains of sin, and vanquished the grip of death forever. The result: the redemption of mankind for all who will turn to Him and accept His sacrificial blood as atonement for their sin. But above all, Christ became the mediator between God and man, the veil was torn, and redeemed men can once again enter into the presence of God. All of this because of how Jesus, the second Adam, did what the first Adam could not do. He lived a sinless life, died the redeeming death, and rose again to proclaim to His children that "It is finished!" :)
Monday, July 30th, 2012
One of the most famous of Christ's parables can be found in Matthew 13:1-9. This parable is known as the Parable of the Sower.
"That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. Then he told them many things in parables, saying: "A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. Whoever has ears, let them hear."
In this passage, Christ is explaining about four different reactions that people have when they hear the message of the Gospel. The first is the seeds on the path, which are those who hear the message, and just as quickly, turn the other way and run as fast and as far from "religion" as they can. The second, the seeds on the rocky places, are those who hear it and accept it quickly, but don't understand the sacrifice that needs to be given when you become a real believer. An example of this would be someone who believes in the Prosperity Gospel, that God wants us to have the most comfortable life we can, full of health, wealth, and relaxation. However, when the going gets tough, and the some comes out and scorches them, they immediately push off Christianity as not all that they thought it would be. Their shallow roots, showing that they didn't truly understand, results in the death of the whole plant. The seeds among the thorns are those who are pulled away by the callings of the world. They may seem as though they believe at first, but the temptations of their sinful desire reveals their unbelief, and ultimately, they fall away. The final seeds are the true believers. These are those who, after coming to repentance, grow and develop and pour their faith into others, who become the bountiful crop that can be harvested from that one true believer's commitment to the Gospel.
It's easy to see that only the fourth type of seed shows the marks of a true believer. However, it is also important to remember that more than one seed can be planted. With every mention of Christ, a new seed is planted in the unbeliever's life. The thing that most needs to be remembered is that it is only your job to plant the seed. You cannot make a seed grow, for only the Father can do that. No one can save another, it is solely up to God pulling them to Him. But, with Jesus' commandment to go and make disciples, it is our job to be the seed planters in this sin filled world. Once we do that, we need to step aside and watcher the Creator work on His seeds! :)
"That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. Then he told them many things in parables, saying: "A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. Whoever has ears, let them hear."
In this passage, Christ is explaining about four different reactions that people have when they hear the message of the Gospel. The first is the seeds on the path, which are those who hear the message, and just as quickly, turn the other way and run as fast and as far from "religion" as they can. The second, the seeds on the rocky places, are those who hear it and accept it quickly, but don't understand the sacrifice that needs to be given when you become a real believer. An example of this would be someone who believes in the Prosperity Gospel, that God wants us to have the most comfortable life we can, full of health, wealth, and relaxation. However, when the going gets tough, and the some comes out and scorches them, they immediately push off Christianity as not all that they thought it would be. Their shallow roots, showing that they didn't truly understand, results in the death of the whole plant. The seeds among the thorns are those who are pulled away by the callings of the world. They may seem as though they believe at first, but the temptations of their sinful desire reveals their unbelief, and ultimately, they fall away. The final seeds are the true believers. These are those who, after coming to repentance, grow and develop and pour their faith into others, who become the bountiful crop that can be harvested from that one true believer's commitment to the Gospel.
It's easy to see that only the fourth type of seed shows the marks of a true believer. However, it is also important to remember that more than one seed can be planted. With every mention of Christ, a new seed is planted in the unbeliever's life. The thing that most needs to be remembered is that it is only your job to plant the seed. You cannot make a seed grow, for only the Father can do that. No one can save another, it is solely up to God pulling them to Him. But, with Jesus' commandment to go and make disciples, it is our job to be the seed planters in this sin filled world. Once we do that, we need to step aside and watcher the Creator work on His seeds! :)
Friday, July 27th, 2012
You may have noticed that the past two days, there has not been a message. The reason for this is because today, we are going to look at what Scripture has to say about silence. In our busy lives, sometimes there seems to be no end to the chores and tasks at hand that we need to accomplish before the day is through. In fact, probably all of us can attest to one of those days where evening comes and you can't remember the time passing by because of all that you did. Well, the Bible surprisingly talks quite a bit about being quiet and waiting on the Lord. The psalmist wrote in Psalm 46:10 to "Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" In this passage, what does it mean to be still? It does not mean simply slowing down the pace; it refers to coming to a complete halt, dropping all that you are doing, and worshiping Him in fullness. Sometimes it seems that we blow through devotions or rush through a prayer so that we simply get it done, and when we look back, we realize that we learned nothing from our 'time with God', and obtained nothing, which ultimately results in a waste of time. If you're doing it but not growing from it, it could be said that there really is no purpose in it. Lamentations 3:26 reminds us that "It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord." This passage emphasizes the importance of silence as we wait to hear what He has to say. That brings up the other side of discussion. To be silent but have closed ears is just as ineffective as ignoring God all together. Jesus Himself said it many times, but one example is found in Matthew 11:15, which quotes Christ saying "He who has ears to hear, let him hear." One of the most powerful verses when it comes to listening to God is found in Romans 10:17, which says that "faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ." What does this look like in the life of a believer? It means being willing to drop everything when it is time for Him. It means not putting anything before the importance of the Word of God. It means having open minds and listening ears when God speaks and directs you. Ultimately, it means being willing to remain silent and listen for what the King has to say! :)
Tuesday, July 24th, 2012
We recently explored how the existence of God can be irrefutably proven simply in the existence of shoes. Today, we will be looking at another way that God reveals Himself on a deeper, more personal level. This is the power and urging of what we call our conscience. We first need to define what a conscience is, and what it does. Webster's defines it as "an inner feeling or voice viewed as acting as a guide to the rightness or wrongness of one's behavior." Isaiah 30:21 explains that "your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, 'This is the way, walk in it,' when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left." So the conscience is the ethical and moral force or 'voice' in your mind which guides you in the way you act. The conscience can be viewed as part of God's common grace, existing in every man and woman. The role of a conscience is described in Romans 2:15, which states that "They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them." Based on this passage, we see that a conscience does one of two things. When it senses that a wrong thought or action is drawing near or has occurred, it accuses us and lays heavy on our heart. That is where the feeling of guilt comes from- a burdened conscience. On the other hand, our conscience can also grant us an excuse, such as if we are wrongly charged with something we did not commit. When the conscience is clear, we feel relief and peace, even in times of persecution. Now, it needs to be clarified that a conscience does not act upon the law of God. That is, while the conscience is indeed planted in the mind of men by God, it can be trained to work under different rulings. For example, the conscience of a Muslim will wholeheartedly urge the Muslim on to fulfill the work of Muhammad and rid the world of all non-Muslims. A conscience can even be so trained as to the point where it does not effect the person's thoughts or actions in any way. Hebrews 10:22 says to "Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water." This passage speaks of an evil conscience, enforcing the idea that a conscience can be trained to respond opposite to good and bad situations. One example of this is the Apostle Paul, who explains in Acts 23:1 that, up until his conversion, he had "lived [his] life before God in all good conscience up to this day." Paul, then Saul, was a man who upheld to the laws of God (or so he thought), and worked according to the urging of his own conscience. But as a persecutor of the saints, he realized after his repentance that he had trained his conscience in evil except in good. In summary, it is important to remember two things when it comes to obeying your conscience. One, you must train it in the way of righteousness, and use the Bible as your basis for life decisions. Secondly, when your conscience is trained correctly, listen to it! We fall so often into doing the opposite of what we know to be right, and ignore our conscience until it is too late. Make your goal to be in the position that Paul was in, with the ability to say that your conscience is clear. In the words of our good friend Jiminy Cricket, always let your conscience be your guide, but only if you have trained it in the foundations of the Word of God! :)
Monday, July 23rd, 2012
It seems that, in today's society, it is expected for people to throw certain four letter words into a conversation, no matter what the topic is. Walking down the halls of the schools of our nation, it is easy to see that this next generation needs to learn how to think before speaking, and to put a censor on their voice box. However, this raises the question, is using profane language a sin? Many will argue that they are just words, while others will say without question that no one should ever utter one of those words. As believers, we can only go back to the ultimate source of authority and see what it says on the subject. Now, Scripture does not blatantly come right out and say that certain words are or are not appropriate to use. But looking at Ephesians 4:29, it says "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." This implies that there are things we should not say. But, as is shown in the Bible as a characteristic of God, He does not simply care about the action, He also cares about the attitude. Matthew 15:18 quotes Christ, where He says that "the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man 'unclean.'" If this is true, then what should be reflected in the heart of a believer? Should words that degrade or belittle others, or words that are perverse in nature, be coming out of the mouth of one who claims to be saved? If we are to be reflecting Christ, and if He is truly in charge of our lives, should we be uttering foul things? Ephesians 5:4 tells us to "Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving." Likewise, Colossians 3:8 says "But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth." Ultimately, our hearts reflect our Savior, and our lives are supposed to display who He is to this fallen world. There is no place for obscenity or fouls words from the mouth of a Christian, because that does not display the truth of our Lord. Proverbs 21:23 reminds us that "Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble." Don't use God's gift of speech in degrading ways. Instead, as the psalmist wrote in Psalm 63:3, "Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you"! :)
Thursday, July 19th, 2012
Today we will be examining a single verse that holds with it a deep philosophical explanation that can answer a very common question raised by those who refuse to believe. The Apostle Paul in Romans 1:20 writes that "For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse." If this is true, why are there so many people that can continually deny the fact of God's existence? Skeptics always bring up the question: where is the cold, hard proof that God exists? Why can't we accept that the universe came around by chance? As Dr. R. C. Sproul puts it, the existence of God can be absolutely proven with the existence of shoes.
Look down at your feet, and look at your shoe. As you look at your shoe, you can see that it is there, correct? In other words, it exists. Now, because it is there and you can see it, we can make an assumption based on that fact. That shoe must be one of four things. It is either 1) eternal, 2) self creating, 3) created, or 4) non-existent. Let's look at number 4 first. We've already come to the conclusion that you can see your shoe. However, it is possible to conclude that the shoe is a figment of your imagination; simply a mirage. However, you cannot concretely feel a mirage if it does not exist, because by definition, it is not there. Therefore, number 4 can deducted from the list, as we know beyond a shadow of a doubt that this shoe exists. That leaves us with three options. Let's now look at number 1. Can the shoe be eternal? If you look at the form, it is made of material that is made up of molecules, which are made of atoms, which breaks that shoe down to a composure of elements at it's base. Now, whether you take the side of there being a God or there not being a God (since, also by definition, you must believe one of the two), neither side claims that matter is eternal. Because the shoe is made of matter, we can conclude that it is not eternal. Now for number 2. The idea of self creation, again by definition, goes by the first law of logic, which is called the Law of Non Contradiction. That is, an object cannot be something and not be that same something at the same time. Now, that is a little confusing, so let's apply it to the shoe. For the shoe, or for anything, to be self creating, what does that mean? For something to create itself means that it must exist before it exists. It must be before it is! Anyone can figure out that that is a logical impossibility, which let's us remove that option from the list. After reviewing these options, the only possible conclusion is that the shoe was created.
It is unlikely that anyone would have said that your shoe was anything but a created object. We know that shoemakers create shoes, which is why they are here. And yet, why do people say that the entire universe, the most complex system to ever exist, came around by chance? Logically, there is no other option than for there to be a creator God who set the universe into motion. Going back to Romans 1:20, looking at creation reveals that there is a Creator who formed all that exists. There really is no excuse for anyone to claim that there is no God, because that truth is made evident in something as simple as a shoe. Today, look up, out, and around at the planet that God created for us, and thank Him for revealing His power and majesty in something as simple as a shoe! :)
Look down at your feet, and look at your shoe. As you look at your shoe, you can see that it is there, correct? In other words, it exists. Now, because it is there and you can see it, we can make an assumption based on that fact. That shoe must be one of four things. It is either 1) eternal, 2) self creating, 3) created, or 4) non-existent. Let's look at number 4 first. We've already come to the conclusion that you can see your shoe. However, it is possible to conclude that the shoe is a figment of your imagination; simply a mirage. However, you cannot concretely feel a mirage if it does not exist, because by definition, it is not there. Therefore, number 4 can deducted from the list, as we know beyond a shadow of a doubt that this shoe exists. That leaves us with three options. Let's now look at number 1. Can the shoe be eternal? If you look at the form, it is made of material that is made up of molecules, which are made of atoms, which breaks that shoe down to a composure of elements at it's base. Now, whether you take the side of there being a God or there not being a God (since, also by definition, you must believe one of the two), neither side claims that matter is eternal. Because the shoe is made of matter, we can conclude that it is not eternal. Now for number 2. The idea of self creation, again by definition, goes by the first law of logic, which is called the Law of Non Contradiction. That is, an object cannot be something and not be that same something at the same time. Now, that is a little confusing, so let's apply it to the shoe. For the shoe, or for anything, to be self creating, what does that mean? For something to create itself means that it must exist before it exists. It must be before it is! Anyone can figure out that that is a logical impossibility, which let's us remove that option from the list. After reviewing these options, the only possible conclusion is that the shoe was created.
It is unlikely that anyone would have said that your shoe was anything but a created object. We know that shoemakers create shoes, which is why they are here. And yet, why do people say that the entire universe, the most complex system to ever exist, came around by chance? Logically, there is no other option than for there to be a creator God who set the universe into motion. Going back to Romans 1:20, looking at creation reveals that there is a Creator who formed all that exists. There really is no excuse for anyone to claim that there is no God, because that truth is made evident in something as simple as a shoe. Today, look up, out, and around at the planet that God created for us, and thank Him for revealing His power and majesty in something as simple as a shoe! :)
Wednesday, July 18th, 2012
If there is one thing that everyone has and that most people take for granted, it is their family. Whether you come from a large family or a small one; whether you're an only child or have a lot of siblings; whether you come from a two parent home or one; you spend a majority of your first 18 years of life (or more for some) with those that you call your family. Sadly, the biblical definition of a family unit is quickly being thrown out in our society, and the foundational truths are mostly if not wholly disregarded. What does God's intentional design for a family look like? Let's take a look at a few verses for each role in the family.
First, the husband and wife are to be one with each other, as Genesis 2:24 explains that "Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh." The husband is to be the head of the family, and the wife is to be under him and submit to him. Ephesians 5:22 says "Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord." Likewise, the husband is to love and cherish his beloved, protect her as his own, and not take advantage of his responsibility. Ephesians 5:25 says for "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her." The marriage relationship is a partnership where both members are to look out for each other and hold each other's desires and happiness as a greater importance than their own.
Secondly, the role of parents and their children. Ephesians 6:2 reminds the children of the Ten Commandments given in Exodus 20, and says to "Honor your father and mother --which is the first commandment with a promise." The verse before, Ephesians 6:1, says "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right." In a home where the biblical family is upheld, a parent's desire is solely for the good of their child, and even when it seems like parents don't understand, it is important to remember that they are only acting upon what they know to be best. However, fathers are commanded in Ephesians 6:4 that they should "not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord." As it is the children's role to obey and follow, it is the parent's role to lead and discipline their children. After all, the root word of discipline is disciple, and that is what parents are meant to do for their children- disciple them and help them grow in their walk with Christ.
Brothers and sisters do not always see eye to eye. In fact, for some families, the sibling agreements are the rarity in most cases. However, Psalm 133:1 exclaims "Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers and sisters dwell in unity!" The truth is, siblings will argue, because it is in our DNA not to agree with those who share most of the same DNA as us. But as this verse explains, things run a lot more smoothly when siblings get along, as any parent can attest to. This goes back to how important it is for children to be brought up right. If love is displayed in the home by the parents, love will be reflected off the children towards each other.
As for the extended family, that is answered simply. I Timothy 5:8 explains that "if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." When the times get tough, and that is inevitable, we need to be able to rely on our family as much as they should be able to rely on us.
At the center of the family is love. Love is the bond that holds family together, and at the center of love is Christ. The importance of being surrounded with a family that portrays Christ cannot properly be expressed in words. Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us to "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." Christ needs to be the cornerstone of the family, and it is only then that a family can grow together. God places us in a specific family for a reason, and you'll only every have one. Life is short, so make use of the time you have here on earth to ensure that you will all be together some day in the eternal family, surrounded by our extended family of believers. Look to Him and grow in your faith, and your family will grow together in Him also! :)
First, the husband and wife are to be one with each other, as Genesis 2:24 explains that "Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh." The husband is to be the head of the family, and the wife is to be under him and submit to him. Ephesians 5:22 says "Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord." Likewise, the husband is to love and cherish his beloved, protect her as his own, and not take advantage of his responsibility. Ephesians 5:25 says for "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her." The marriage relationship is a partnership where both members are to look out for each other and hold each other's desires and happiness as a greater importance than their own.
Secondly, the role of parents and their children. Ephesians 6:2 reminds the children of the Ten Commandments given in Exodus 20, and says to "Honor your father and mother --which is the first commandment with a promise." The verse before, Ephesians 6:1, says "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right." In a home where the biblical family is upheld, a parent's desire is solely for the good of their child, and even when it seems like parents don't understand, it is important to remember that they are only acting upon what they know to be best. However, fathers are commanded in Ephesians 6:4 that they should "not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord." As it is the children's role to obey and follow, it is the parent's role to lead and discipline their children. After all, the root word of discipline is disciple, and that is what parents are meant to do for their children- disciple them and help them grow in their walk with Christ.
Brothers and sisters do not always see eye to eye. In fact, for some families, the sibling agreements are the rarity in most cases. However, Psalm 133:1 exclaims "Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers and sisters dwell in unity!" The truth is, siblings will argue, because it is in our DNA not to agree with those who share most of the same DNA as us. But as this verse explains, things run a lot more smoothly when siblings get along, as any parent can attest to. This goes back to how important it is for children to be brought up right. If love is displayed in the home by the parents, love will be reflected off the children towards each other.
As for the extended family, that is answered simply. I Timothy 5:8 explains that "if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." When the times get tough, and that is inevitable, we need to be able to rely on our family as much as they should be able to rely on us.
At the center of the family is love. Love is the bond that holds family together, and at the center of love is Christ. The importance of being surrounded with a family that portrays Christ cannot properly be expressed in words. Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us to "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." Christ needs to be the cornerstone of the family, and it is only then that a family can grow together. God places us in a specific family for a reason, and you'll only every have one. Life is short, so make use of the time you have here on earth to ensure that you will all be together some day in the eternal family, surrounded by our extended family of believers. Look to Him and grow in your faith, and your family will grow together in Him also! :)
Tuesday, July 17th, 2012
In our Sunday school class at church this past week, we were discussing an interesting question. What is the Biblical description of a follower and a disciple, and is it possible to be one but not the other? First, it is important to distinguish between the two terms. What is a follower? There are a few verses that we can look at. Matthew 16:24 says, "Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.'" John 8:12 explains that "When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'" In simple terms, a follower of Christ is one who is saved by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ. If this is true, then what is the difference between a follower and a disciple? John 8:31-32 explains that "Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, 'If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.'" Likewise, Luke 6:40 explains to us that "A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher." You see, the difference between a follower and a disciple is this: if you are a follower, you are saved, but if you are a disciple, you are saved and you are growing in your faith. Now, obviously, if you are a follower, you should also be a disciple, but we aren't always in a state of growth. When we hit those cycles of habitual sin that we can't seem to overcome, we begin to do a backslide. Picture our walk with Christ as being on a steep hill; if you don't keep persevering forward and growing, you will be heading backwards. That is why it is vital to surround yourselves with other believers who will help you mature and will build you up in the faith. That is at the core of what it means to be a disciple. But take heed, because discipleship is not easy or free. Becoming a follower of Christ involves accepting the free gift that Christ presents to you, the gift of eternal life through His blood. Discipleship, on the other hand, is very costly. Luke 14:25-35 says this about discipleship:
"Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: 'If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple. And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, "This fellow began to build and was not able to finish." Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Will he not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple. Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile; it is thrown out. "He who has ears to hear, let him hear.'"
To be a disciple, it means giving up everything for the sake of Christ. Don't ever back down or give in to the demands of our world, because they do not satisfy. Continue to push forth, press on, and grow, because our ultimate goal is described in Ephesians 5:1-2 "Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children, and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." :)
"Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: 'If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple. And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, "This fellow began to build and was not able to finish." Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Will he not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple. Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile; it is thrown out. "He who has ears to hear, let him hear.'"
To be a disciple, it means giving up everything for the sake of Christ. Don't ever back down or give in to the demands of our world, because they do not satisfy. Continue to push forth, press on, and grow, because our ultimate goal is described in Ephesians 5:1-2 "Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children, and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." :)
Monday, July 16th, 2012
Today, we have a special message written by one of our readers, who wanted to share what was on her mind. Thanks for writing this message! :)
When a person decides to give their lives to Christ, they are making a lifetime commitment to live for Him. No longer will a person “go through the motions” of life like they used to, but what is there to do? What is their “calling” as a believer of God? A person doesn’t suddenly have a revelation that tells them what God has in store for them in their walk.
Last Christmas, my uncle got me a book. At first, I thought The Purpose Driven Life: What On Earth Am I Here For? by Rick Warren would be the most boring book to read in history, but I was suddenly pushed headfirst into what Warren had to say about the purpose for every person living on Earth yesterday, today, and forever. Personally, I wanted my curiosity for my reason for living to be content. Forty days later, Warren summed up his initial question, “What is the purpose-driven life?” with five words: worship, ministry, evangelism, fellowship, and discipleship. At first glance, I felt the need to bang my head on something because it seemed too obvious. As I continued to read, however, I found that it made sense with how “simple” it was. Worship is important in the life of a Christian because we, as a Body, need to show thanksgiving and love to Him, as he loves us. Ministry is important because we need to love others by showing the love that God displays to us. Okay, so far, there’s loving God and loving others. Lots of love, so what are the other three? What connects the last three with their importance in the life of a Christian is the Great Commission:
“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations [evangelism], baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit [fellowship], and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you [discipleship]. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age’” (Matt. 28:18-20).
This part of the Bible is referenced all the time when it comes to finding what God wants for us while we live on Earth. I find myself asking, “I know what to do, but how do I do it?” I wish I could say there is a definite answer to this question, but there isn’t. It all depends on the person because God sets every talent, every niche, and every passion in our hearts, knowing that we have the potential to make use of it and, perhaps, change the lives of people in the process. The apostle Paul writes, “We have different gifts according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach….” The list goes on and on! Every gift known to mankind is there for a specific reason. It is our jobs to see that our gifts and talents are used to worship God and minister to those we meet every day. Simply giving a cup of cold water to a person in need is ministry. Jesus said, “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”
Even if you don’t consider what you do a gift, “whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” It’s the thought that you are serving to others in the attempts to show the love of God that counts! Serving in any way shows a strong will to be like Christ, and the word “Christian” literally means “little Christ.” We ought to act like Him in any given situation that we face in life. Let’s be little Christs today. Let’s BE BOLD! :)
When a person decides to give their lives to Christ, they are making a lifetime commitment to live for Him. No longer will a person “go through the motions” of life like they used to, but what is there to do? What is their “calling” as a believer of God? A person doesn’t suddenly have a revelation that tells them what God has in store for them in their walk.
Last Christmas, my uncle got me a book. At first, I thought The Purpose Driven Life: What On Earth Am I Here For? by Rick Warren would be the most boring book to read in history, but I was suddenly pushed headfirst into what Warren had to say about the purpose for every person living on Earth yesterday, today, and forever. Personally, I wanted my curiosity for my reason for living to be content. Forty days later, Warren summed up his initial question, “What is the purpose-driven life?” with five words: worship, ministry, evangelism, fellowship, and discipleship. At first glance, I felt the need to bang my head on something because it seemed too obvious. As I continued to read, however, I found that it made sense with how “simple” it was. Worship is important in the life of a Christian because we, as a Body, need to show thanksgiving and love to Him, as he loves us. Ministry is important because we need to love others by showing the love that God displays to us. Okay, so far, there’s loving God and loving others. Lots of love, so what are the other three? What connects the last three with their importance in the life of a Christian is the Great Commission:
“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations [evangelism], baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit [fellowship], and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you [discipleship]. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age’” (Matt. 28:18-20).
This part of the Bible is referenced all the time when it comes to finding what God wants for us while we live on Earth. I find myself asking, “I know what to do, but how do I do it?” I wish I could say there is a definite answer to this question, but there isn’t. It all depends on the person because God sets every talent, every niche, and every passion in our hearts, knowing that we have the potential to make use of it and, perhaps, change the lives of people in the process. The apostle Paul writes, “We have different gifts according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach….” The list goes on and on! Every gift known to mankind is there for a specific reason. It is our jobs to see that our gifts and talents are used to worship God and minister to those we meet every day. Simply giving a cup of cold water to a person in need is ministry. Jesus said, “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”
Even if you don’t consider what you do a gift, “whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” It’s the thought that you are serving to others in the attempts to show the love of God that counts! Serving in any way shows a strong will to be like Christ, and the word “Christian” literally means “little Christ.” We ought to act like Him in any given situation that we face in life. Let’s be little Christs today. Let’s BE BOLD! :)
Friday, July 13th, 2012
Mark 10:17-22 "As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. 'Good teacher,' he asked, 'what must I do to inherit eternal life?' 'Why do you call me good?' Jesus answered. 'No one is good--except God alone. You know the commandments: 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.'' 'Teacher,' he declared, 'all these I have kept since I was a boy.' Jesus looked at him and loved him. 'One thing you lack,' he said. 'Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.' At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth."
Many people read this passage and are confused at some of the points that Christ made. First of all, why did Jesus ask why the man called Him good? Is this evidence of Christ denying His deity? Not at all. Christ knew that this man found his security in his own goodness, and Christ is explaining to him that only God alone is good. By Christ being called the Good Teacher, He is in fact pronouncing His deity with this statement. Next, the man's confession that he had kept the law of God shows that he did not fully understand the teachings of Christ. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says in Matthew 5:28 that "I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart." Likewise, in I John 3:15, it says that "Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him." God is not interested solely in our outward actions, but also in our thoughts and what is in our heart, because as Matthew 15:18 explains, "the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man 'unclean.'" The question is, has this man really kept the law of God? Christ goes to the very first commandment, "You shall have no other gods before me". Jesus knew that this man valued his wealth and power, and so He asked him to give it up. Finally, the man realized that his status was his god, and he knew that he had not kept the law even since he had woken up that morning.
So the question is, how good is good? How good do we have to be to get into Heaven, and is anyone good enough on their own? Anyone who has been saved for a week understands the truth of Romans 3:23, "for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." No one can get into Heaven on their own, because we've been in sin since we were conceived in our mother's womb. But ultimately, the final question is this: why do we still try to earn it? Obviously, as believers, we are called to do good works, as James 2:17 reminds us that "faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." But why do we get into the mindset that we are somehow adding to what Christ did on the Cross? As Paul said, all we have to bring before God is filthy rags, not worth anything. So today, as you try to do good in your life and the life of others, remember that it is not your actions that add anything. The price is already paid, and your works are the expression of obedience towards Christ, who paid it all! :)
Many people read this passage and are confused at some of the points that Christ made. First of all, why did Jesus ask why the man called Him good? Is this evidence of Christ denying His deity? Not at all. Christ knew that this man found his security in his own goodness, and Christ is explaining to him that only God alone is good. By Christ being called the Good Teacher, He is in fact pronouncing His deity with this statement. Next, the man's confession that he had kept the law of God shows that he did not fully understand the teachings of Christ. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says in Matthew 5:28 that "I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart." Likewise, in I John 3:15, it says that "Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him." God is not interested solely in our outward actions, but also in our thoughts and what is in our heart, because as Matthew 15:18 explains, "the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man 'unclean.'" The question is, has this man really kept the law of God? Christ goes to the very first commandment, "You shall have no other gods before me". Jesus knew that this man valued his wealth and power, and so He asked him to give it up. Finally, the man realized that his status was his god, and he knew that he had not kept the law even since he had woken up that morning.
So the question is, how good is good? How good do we have to be to get into Heaven, and is anyone good enough on their own? Anyone who has been saved for a week understands the truth of Romans 3:23, "for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." No one can get into Heaven on their own, because we've been in sin since we were conceived in our mother's womb. But ultimately, the final question is this: why do we still try to earn it? Obviously, as believers, we are called to do good works, as James 2:17 reminds us that "faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." But why do we get into the mindset that we are somehow adding to what Christ did on the Cross? As Paul said, all we have to bring before God is filthy rags, not worth anything. So today, as you try to do good in your life and the life of others, remember that it is not your actions that add anything. The price is already paid, and your works are the expression of obedience towards Christ, who paid it all! :)
Wednesday, July 11th, 2012
One of the biggest mistakes made in the believer's life is believing in what many call the Prosperity Gospel. That is that God wants you to be healthy, wealthy, and comfortable, enjoying life and having no worries at all. Now, it is not to be said that those who are wealthy are sinning, or that health won't come to us by the grace of God. But as the common phrase goes, God is not a vending machine, and praying for something does not mean that your prayer will be answered the way you want. God does answer prayer, but in His own time and in His own way. One of the biggest examples of what living as a believer is like is found in Mark 13:13, where Christ says that "All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved." In fact, the verse right before that, Mark 13:12, explains that "Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death." Many skeptics loo at this verse and say that Christ is admonishing families being destroyed, but that is not what He is saying. Christ is saying that, if you are really going to live for Him, you have to be ready to give up everything, whether it be wealth, power, or even relationships. A testament to the hardships of the faith can be seen in the deaths of the disciples, being that all of them except John were murdered in gruesome ways and became martyrs for the Gospel. Matthew 16:24 quotes Christ as He said "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." That is truly what it means to be a follower of Christ. We need to be willing to put every fear and every second thought behind us and serve Him above all. We need to walk as Christ walked, and continue to press on in faith. However, there is no need to fear when hardships come, because as Isaiah 41:10 reminds us, "do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." We can find peace in the truth that, as Hebrews 4:15 explains, "we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin." The walk of a believer is hard, but with every step, Christ is right there with you. Always be willing and ready to take up your Cross and follow Him! :)
As Christianity is rapidly becoming suppressed and even illegal in many countries around the world, believers are being martyred by the thousands each month. Please visit the organization The Voice of the Martyrs at www.persecution.com and consider signing up for their free monthly magazine.
As Christianity is rapidly becoming suppressed and even illegal in many countries around the world, believers are being martyred by the thousands each month. Please visit the organization The Voice of the Martyrs at www.persecution.com and consider signing up for their free monthly magazine.
Tuesday, July 10th, 2012
Many of you know the feeling when you leave home for a while to go on a missions trip or a church event, and you come beck feeling as though you are on a spiritual high. That feeling can keep you going for a few weeks, but eventually, it wears off, right? While away at Lake Ann Baptist Camp, a sermon was preached called "4 Ways to Follow Jesus When You Go Home", and it gave the basis of how to keep running the race when life just seems to be rolling on by. Today's passage of Scripture is a rather long one, John 21:1-23:
"Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way: Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. "I’m going out to fish," Simon Peter told them, and they said, "We’ll go with you." So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. He called out to them, "Friends, haven’t you any fish?" "No," they answered. He said, "Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some." When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, "It is the Lord," he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread. Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish you have just caught." So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." None of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.
When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?" "Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs." Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep." The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep. Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go." Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, "Follow me!"
Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, "Lord, who is going to betray you?") When Peter saw him, he asked, "Lord, what about him?" Jesus answered, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me." Because of this, the rumor spread among the believers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?"
After Christ's resurrection, He appeared to His disciples many times, this time being while they were fishing on the Sea of Galilee. He called out to them from the shore of the sea, and Peter instantly jumped out of the boat and swam to shore. That is the first thing to remember: Jesus will always find you. Just as Peter left Christ by betraying Him, so he was brought back to Christ by three times confessing his love for Him. Christ will never give up on you, even when you turn your back on Him. He loves you so much that nothing you ever do can separate you from Him. The second thing to remember is that Jesus will always bring you to a decision. He asked Peter three times, "Do you love me?" When ever we are faced with a trial or temptation in life, that is the question that we need to think of. Do you love Him more than the other option you are faced with? Remember that I Corinthian 10:13 says that "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." When you come to that point where you need to make a decision, no one can decide for you. The question is, who are you going to follow? The third point to remember is that Jesus will always help you. In this passage, Christ explains to Peter the type of death that he is going to go through, but He gives Peter peace by explaining that through it all, Christ will be the one leading him and guiding him through it. This is a reminder of Deuteronomy 31:6, which says "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." The Holy Spirit dresses us and prepares us for situations that we would never be able to get through on our own. The final thing to remember is that Jesus will always be personal. For those of you who have read C.S. Lewis' books The Chronicles of Narnia, you remember that Aslan, the great Lion who portrayed Christ through the series, reminded the others that he would tell them no one's story but their own. That is what Jesus does for us. He is Lord and God over all creation, and yet He cares so much for us that He knows every one of our needs. He took our sins on the Cross so that we could be His, and even when life is passing by, these truths remain strong. He loves you, He died for you, and He is ALWAYS there for you! :)
"Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way: Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. "I’m going out to fish," Simon Peter told them, and they said, "We’ll go with you." So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. He called out to them, "Friends, haven’t you any fish?" "No," they answered. He said, "Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some." When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, "It is the Lord," he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread. Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish you have just caught." So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." None of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.
When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?" "Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs." Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep." The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep. Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go." Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, "Follow me!"
Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, "Lord, who is going to betray you?") When Peter saw him, he asked, "Lord, what about him?" Jesus answered, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me." Because of this, the rumor spread among the believers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?"
After Christ's resurrection, He appeared to His disciples many times, this time being while they were fishing on the Sea of Galilee. He called out to them from the shore of the sea, and Peter instantly jumped out of the boat and swam to shore. That is the first thing to remember: Jesus will always find you. Just as Peter left Christ by betraying Him, so he was brought back to Christ by three times confessing his love for Him. Christ will never give up on you, even when you turn your back on Him. He loves you so much that nothing you ever do can separate you from Him. The second thing to remember is that Jesus will always bring you to a decision. He asked Peter three times, "Do you love me?" When ever we are faced with a trial or temptation in life, that is the question that we need to think of. Do you love Him more than the other option you are faced with? Remember that I Corinthian 10:13 says that "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." When you come to that point where you need to make a decision, no one can decide for you. The question is, who are you going to follow? The third point to remember is that Jesus will always help you. In this passage, Christ explains to Peter the type of death that he is going to go through, but He gives Peter peace by explaining that through it all, Christ will be the one leading him and guiding him through it. This is a reminder of Deuteronomy 31:6, which says "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." The Holy Spirit dresses us and prepares us for situations that we would never be able to get through on our own. The final thing to remember is that Jesus will always be personal. For those of you who have read C.S. Lewis' books The Chronicles of Narnia, you remember that Aslan, the great Lion who portrayed Christ through the series, reminded the others that he would tell them no one's story but their own. That is what Jesus does for us. He is Lord and God over all creation, and yet He cares so much for us that He knows every one of our needs. He took our sins on the Cross so that we could be His, and even when life is passing by, these truths remain strong. He loves you, He died for you, and He is ALWAYS there for you! :)
Monday, July 9th, 2012
After being gone for a few weeks, it is great to be up and running again! However, sitting down to type away this message brought a question to mind- with all that has happened during the past few weeks, what message should be shared? After making many new friends this summer and also seeing some for probably the last time, and after thinking about the last message on change, it must follow that we look at what Scripture says about Heaven. If we look at the book of Revelation 5:9-13, it says that "[the elders around the throne] sang a new song, saying, 'Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.' Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, 'Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!' And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, 'To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!'" This passage paints a picture of what Heaven will be like, and let's examine the three statements of the elders. First, they spoke to Christ saying that He alone is worthy to open the seal, as He made it possible through His blood for His people to be rulers over the earth. This is not speaking of our present earth, but the future earth, the new Jerusalem, where the saints and believers will hold positions of authority over God's new and final kingdom. The second and final statements are alike, spoken by the entire company of heaven, acknowledging Christ's right to be held above all as the first-born Son (blessing), Lord (honor), God (glory), and King (might) forever. In the new Kingdom, God will ultimately reign forever more in His perfect righteousness. This reminds us of I Peter 2:11, where it says "as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul." Truth be known, this earth is not our final home. But we are here for a purpose: to spread the good news of the life, death, and resurrection of Christ to all the nations. As a congregation of believers, we should long for the day of Christ's return, but also take hold of the life we have been given, and use it all for the glory of God, looking forwards to the ultimate goal and prize of our salvation! :)
Thursday, June 14th, 2012
Today's message is going to be short and to the point. The truth of the matter is, if there is one thing that each and every one of us will experience throughout our lives, it is change. It's very easy to sink into a habitual cycle of day after day activities, but no one knows when something will happen that turns life upside down for a while. However, Scripture offers us words of comfort and courage when the times get tough and our schedules seem to be falling apart. First of all, no matter what is happening, we can find strength when we rely on God to watch over us. Joshua 1:9 says "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Secondly, He never changes. Hebrews 13:8 reminds us that " Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." The attributes of God have been the same since eternity past, and they will remain through eternity future. Lastly, at the very moment that it may feel like we hit rock bottom, it is nothing new to God. I Corinthians 10:13 explains that "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." So whether you are finding yourself stuck in a never ending repetition of events, or you're on the other side of the coin and wish life would just get back to normal, always remember the truth of Philippians 4:13- "For I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength!" :)
Wednesday, June 13th, 2012
It is wonderful to have friends with whom you can share the love of Christ with and discuss what God has been teaching you on your walk with Him. Why is friendship and communion with believers so important? Hebrews 10:24-25 says "let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." Community within the body of Christ is so crucial, because how can we have accountability without it? How can we grow, learn, and develop when we are not surrounding ourselves with those who can help us and encourage us? In fact, Galatians 6:2 reminds us that we need to "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." Also, Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 says that "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken." One of the best examples of why fellowship is so important is the human body. The Apostle Paul examined this in I Corinthians 12:20-25, where he writes "As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, 'I have no need of you,' nor again the head to the feet, 'I have no need of you.' On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it." All in all, Scripture is filled with references that point to the vitality of the joining together of the believers in worship and in fellowship. Christ surrounded Himself with His brothers in the faith, who, with the exception of one, went on the be the leaders of the first church. Proverbs 27:17 reminds us that "As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend." Take the time today to thank God for bringing other believers into your life, and ultimately, for giving us a hope to believe in! :)
Tuesday, June 12th, 2012
What is truth? This was the very question that Pontious Pilate asked Jesus when the Jewish religious leaders brought Christ before Him on the day of His crucifixion. John 18:38 says this: "'What is truth?' Pilate asked. With this he went out again to the Jews and said, 'I find no basis for a charge against him.'" In today's society, the concept of relativity has taken a hold on the beliefs of many people. The belief that all truth is relative to each individual, and that there are no absolutes in life has become a very prominent view. Relativism affirms that each person perceives truth through their own understanding, and therefore no one can say that anyone's truth is incorrect. However, thinking this way makes for immense logical and moral dilemmas. If what is true for you is not true for me, than who can declare any laws over one action or another? Can it be true that Christ was risen and also was not risen? Don't the boundaries of math, science, philosophy, and every other field of study dissolve if there is no absolute truth? And what does relativism say about how we as humans are to act? Can a murderer really be punished for his crimes if they are justifiable in his own mind? The Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry took the theory of relativism and applied it to a real life situation. We would like to share it with you today.
The setting: A thief is casing a jewelry store so he can rob it. He has entered it to check out any visible alarm settings, locks, layout, etc. In the process, he unexpectedly got involved in a discussion with the owner of the jewelry store whose hobby is the study of philosophy and he believes that truth and morals are relative.
"So," says the owner, "everything is relative. That is why I believe that all morals are not absolute, and that right and wrong is up to the individual to determine within the confines of society. But there is no absolute right and wrong."
"That is a very interesting perspective," says the thief. "I was brought up believing there was a God, and that there was right and wrong. But I abandoned all of that and I agree with you that there is no absolute right and wrong, and that we are free to do what we want."
The thief leaves the store, returns that evening, and breaks in. He has disabled all the alarms and locks and is in the process of robbing the store. That is when the owner of the store enters through a side door. The thief pulls out a gun. The owner cannot see the man's face because he is wearing a ski mask.
"Don't shoot me," says the owner. "Please take whatever you want and leave me alone."
"That is exactly what I plan to do," says the thief.
"Wait a minute. I know you. You are the man that was in the store earlier today. I recognize your voice."
"That is very unfortunate for you," says the thief. "Because now you also know what I look like, and since I do not want to go to jail I am forced to kill you."
"You cannot do that," says the owner.
"Why not?"
"Because it is not right," pleads the desperate man.
"But did you not tell me today that there is no right and wrong?"
"Yes, but I have a family, children that need me, and a wife."
"So? I am sure that you are insured and that they will get a lot of money. But since there is no right and wrong, it makes no difference whether or not I kill you. And if I let you live you will turn me in and I will go to prison. Sorry, but that will not do."
"But it is a crime against society to kill me. It is wrong because society says so."
"As you can see, I don't recognize society's claim to impose morals on me. It's all relative. Remember?"
"Please do not shoot me. I beg you. I promise not to tell anyone what you look like. I swear it!"
"I do not believe you and I cannot take that chance."
"But it is true! I swear I'll tell no one."
"Sorry, but it cannot be true because there is no absolute truth, no right and wrong, no error, remember? If I let you live and then I leave, you will break your so-called promise because your morals and promises are relative. There is no way I can trust you. Our conversation this morning convinced me of that."
"But it is wrong to kill me. It isn't right!"
"It is neither right or wrong for me to kill you. Since truth is relative to the individual, if I kill you, that is my truth. And, it is obviously true that if I let you live I will go to prison. Sorry, but you have killed yourself."
"No. Please do not shoot me. I beg you."
"Begging makes no difference."
.... Bang....
Truth is, there is an absolute truth that we are all called to live our lives by. It is the infallible, perfect Word of God. Colossians 2:8 warns that we must "See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ." When looking at Scripture, it is important and necessary to remember that you are not holding an everyday book in your hands. You are holding the record of the words spoken directly from the mouth of the Creator, who has all authority over His creation to rule and reign over us in every way. His words are the ultimate authority on every event that takes place in the entirety of the universe. When you study the Bible, do not cease to remember what Christ spoke in John 8:32, where He said "you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." True freedom is this: that we live according to the truth of the Bible and use it to direct our ways! :)If you would like to learn more about Relativism, please visit: www.carm.org/relativism
The setting: A thief is casing a jewelry store so he can rob it. He has entered it to check out any visible alarm settings, locks, layout, etc. In the process, he unexpectedly got involved in a discussion with the owner of the jewelry store whose hobby is the study of philosophy and he believes that truth and morals are relative.
"So," says the owner, "everything is relative. That is why I believe that all morals are not absolute, and that right and wrong is up to the individual to determine within the confines of society. But there is no absolute right and wrong."
"That is a very interesting perspective," says the thief. "I was brought up believing there was a God, and that there was right and wrong. But I abandoned all of that and I agree with you that there is no absolute right and wrong, and that we are free to do what we want."
The thief leaves the store, returns that evening, and breaks in. He has disabled all the alarms and locks and is in the process of robbing the store. That is when the owner of the store enters through a side door. The thief pulls out a gun. The owner cannot see the man's face because he is wearing a ski mask.
"Don't shoot me," says the owner. "Please take whatever you want and leave me alone."
"That is exactly what I plan to do," says the thief.
"Wait a minute. I know you. You are the man that was in the store earlier today. I recognize your voice."
"That is very unfortunate for you," says the thief. "Because now you also know what I look like, and since I do not want to go to jail I am forced to kill you."
"You cannot do that," says the owner.
"Why not?"
"Because it is not right," pleads the desperate man.
"But did you not tell me today that there is no right and wrong?"
"Yes, but I have a family, children that need me, and a wife."
"So? I am sure that you are insured and that they will get a lot of money. But since there is no right and wrong, it makes no difference whether or not I kill you. And if I let you live you will turn me in and I will go to prison. Sorry, but that will not do."
"But it is a crime against society to kill me. It is wrong because society says so."
"As you can see, I don't recognize society's claim to impose morals on me. It's all relative. Remember?"
"Please do not shoot me. I beg you. I promise not to tell anyone what you look like. I swear it!"
"I do not believe you and I cannot take that chance."
"But it is true! I swear I'll tell no one."
"Sorry, but it cannot be true because there is no absolute truth, no right and wrong, no error, remember? If I let you live and then I leave, you will break your so-called promise because your morals and promises are relative. There is no way I can trust you. Our conversation this morning convinced me of that."
"But it is wrong to kill me. It isn't right!"
"It is neither right or wrong for me to kill you. Since truth is relative to the individual, if I kill you, that is my truth. And, it is obviously true that if I let you live I will go to prison. Sorry, but you have killed yourself."
"No. Please do not shoot me. I beg you."
"Begging makes no difference."
.... Bang....
Truth is, there is an absolute truth that we are all called to live our lives by. It is the infallible, perfect Word of God. Colossians 2:8 warns that we must "See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ." When looking at Scripture, it is important and necessary to remember that you are not holding an everyday book in your hands. You are holding the record of the words spoken directly from the mouth of the Creator, who has all authority over His creation to rule and reign over us in every way. His words are the ultimate authority on every event that takes place in the entirety of the universe. When you study the Bible, do not cease to remember what Christ spoke in John 8:32, where He said "you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." True freedom is this: that we live according to the truth of the Bible and use it to direct our ways! :)If you would like to learn more about Relativism, please visit: www.carm.org/relativism
Thursday, June 7th, 2012
Have you ever tried to play hide and seek with God? The first round of hide and seek was played in the Book of Genesis, after Adam and Eve had eaten of the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. Once they had tasted the fruit, the man and woman tried to hide from the presence of God. In Genesis 3:9, we read "But the LORD God called to the man, 'Where are you?'" Now, the question is, did God really not know where they were? Of course not, but His calling out to them was the first example of man's separation from the Creator. Another example of man trying to hide from God is found in Jonah 1:3, where it says that "Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the LORD." When we sin, it seems to be human instinct to try to run away from the Lord. Yet, being out of the presence of God is one of the consequences of our sin. However, this needs to be explained. Psalm 139:8-10 says that "If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast." No matter where we go, we cannot be out of the sight of God. But while we are in sin, we are pushing ourselves out of His presence, because sin cannot stand in the light of His perfect and holy righteousness. And that is where Christ steps in as our intercessor. When we sin, we need to remember that we cannot hide from God, and to try to do so is to add to the weight of our guilt. This is why the psalmist wrote in Psalm 139:23-24 to "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." Do not try to play hide and seek with the Savior. Instead, turn to Him in repentance, humble yourself, and you will be forgiven! :)
Wednesday, June 6th, 2012
The Book 0f Ruth
Summary: The Book of Ruth offers a striking contrast to the Book of Judges, but its story is associated with the same period. In Judges, national sin and corruption portray a dark picture. The story of Ruth the Moabitess and her loyalty and devotion to Naomi, her Hebrew mother-in-law, presents the reader with a picture of the nobler side of Hebrew life in the days of the judges.
Christ Portrayed: As the summary mentioned, Ruth's story is completely opposite of that of Judges. Her example of loyalty, bravery, and love for her mother-in-law demonstrates how Christ will always be there for those who believe in Him. The key verse in this book is found in chapter 1 verse 16: "But Ruth replied, 'Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.'" Ruth became a part of the family of her husband, and vowed to be with them until the end. Similarly, Psalm 100:3 reminds us to "Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture." By putting our faith and trust in Him, we become the children of the Father, and we live under a King who was, is, and always will be there for His kingdom! :)
Summary: The Book of Ruth offers a striking contrast to the Book of Judges, but its story is associated with the same period. In Judges, national sin and corruption portray a dark picture. The story of Ruth the Moabitess and her loyalty and devotion to Naomi, her Hebrew mother-in-law, presents the reader with a picture of the nobler side of Hebrew life in the days of the judges.
Christ Portrayed: As the summary mentioned, Ruth's story is completely opposite of that of Judges. Her example of loyalty, bravery, and love for her mother-in-law demonstrates how Christ will always be there for those who believe in Him. The key verse in this book is found in chapter 1 verse 16: "But Ruth replied, 'Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.'" Ruth became a part of the family of her husband, and vowed to be with them until the end. Similarly, Psalm 100:3 reminds us to "Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture." By putting our faith and trust in Him, we become the children of the Father, and we live under a King who was, is, and always will be there for His kingdom! :)
Tuesday, June 5th, 2012
The Book of Judges
Summary: Named after the "Judges of Israel," the heroic leaders whose deeds it records, this book covers a period of time from the death of Joshua to the birth of Samuel, an era often called "the dark ages" of Hebrew history. Here is a story, on the human side, of disobedience and disaster, and on the divine side, of direction and deliverance. Of the 13 judges named, only 3 are well known: Deborah, Gideon, and Samson.
Christ Portrayed: The book of Judges is the perfect example of what happens when man tries to command his own life. The record of the judges over Israel examines the rulings of 13 different people, all who we ordained by God to keep His people on the right path. However, just as we continuously are stubborn and sinful, and refuse to follow His Word and law, He continually reminds us what we should and should not be doing. Even after God rescued them from the land of Egypt and brought them to the Promised Land, they still turned away from Him. Judges 2:3 says that "I will not drive them out before you; they will become traps for you, and their gods will become snares to you." Some may question why Christ was not sent at this period in history, in the "dark ages" of the Hebrew people, as the summary mentioned. However, God still had a plan for the nation of Israel. Judges 3:4 explains that "They were left to test the Israelites to see whether they would obey the LORD's commands, which he had given their ancestors through Moses."We as believers are called not to judge others, because how can sinful man justly judge sinful man? But James 4:12 reminds us that Jesus is the Judge, as it says that "There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy." The judges of old could not perfectly display God's laws; Christ did. That is why He is the One true Judge of the world, but also, He is the One who grants grace and mercy to those who accept it! :)
Summary: Named after the "Judges of Israel," the heroic leaders whose deeds it records, this book covers a period of time from the death of Joshua to the birth of Samuel, an era often called "the dark ages" of Hebrew history. Here is a story, on the human side, of disobedience and disaster, and on the divine side, of direction and deliverance. Of the 13 judges named, only 3 are well known: Deborah, Gideon, and Samson.
Christ Portrayed: The book of Judges is the perfect example of what happens when man tries to command his own life. The record of the judges over Israel examines the rulings of 13 different people, all who we ordained by God to keep His people on the right path. However, just as we continuously are stubborn and sinful, and refuse to follow His Word and law, He continually reminds us what we should and should not be doing. Even after God rescued them from the land of Egypt and brought them to the Promised Land, they still turned away from Him. Judges 2:3 says that "I will not drive them out before you; they will become traps for you, and their gods will become snares to you." Some may question why Christ was not sent at this period in history, in the "dark ages" of the Hebrew people, as the summary mentioned. However, God still had a plan for the nation of Israel. Judges 3:4 explains that "They were left to test the Israelites to see whether they would obey the LORD's commands, which he had given their ancestors through Moses."We as believers are called not to judge others, because how can sinful man justly judge sinful man? But James 4:12 reminds us that Jesus is the Judge, as it says that "There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy." The judges of old could not perfectly display God's laws; Christ did. That is why He is the One true Judge of the world, but also, He is the One who grants grace and mercy to those who accept it! :)
Monday, June 4th, 2012
We recently examined the story of the Philistine god falling before the ark of the covenant. Again, I Samuel 5:3- tells that "When the people of Ashdod rose early the next day, there was Dagon, fallen on his face on the ground before the ark of the LORD! They took Dagon and put him back in his place." They came in and saw the statue of their god, Dagon, fallen prostrate before the Ark. They set it back up, but it was in vain. The next day, as I Samuel 5:4 tells, "there was Dagon, fallen on his face on the ground before the ark of the LORD! His head and hands had been broken off and were lying on the threshold; only his body remained." We looked at how God cannot and will not stand for any idols in our lives. However, there was an aspect that we did not look at, which is another very important lesson to be learned from this account. If we look closely at this, we will realize a mistake that we often make when it comes to dealing with idols. After the Philistines discovered their god fallen prostrate, what did they do? They set it back up. How often do we set our idols back up, even after God has displayed His power over them? We work so hard to build them up, and when God knocks them down, we may turn to Him for a short while, but when life settles back to normality, they go right back to the center of our worship. The very essence of an idol is that it is created by the hands of man, and is therefore an act of sin. Micah 5:13 explains that "I will destroy your carved images and your sacred stones from among you; you will no longer bow down to the work of your hands." Being sinful by nature, the things we worship and place before our God will ultimately be destroyed by His glory. And yet, we continually place our trust in those things that we know are coming down. Do not place your trust in the work of your own hands. Today, put your trust in the Creator, the Lord, and the Savior Jesus Christ, who's eternal kingdom stands for eternity! :)
Friday, June 1st, 2012
A personal message from the writer
Hello to all of the members of the Flock who I am so happy to be able to share these messages with each day. Your constant prayers and words of encouragement are so uplifting and are always appreciated. Just a short message today about something that just happened recently in my life. As of yesterday, I am officially finished with high school, and I spent some time reflecting on the things I have learned through my time there. I would like to share these life lessons with you now.
First of all, remember that no matter how many people are against you, you can stand firm through every trial that comes your way. I Corinthians 16:13 says that you need to "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong." Attending a public school surrounded by teachers and students who disagree with and disregard those things which we consider the foundation of the faith, it was sometimes very difficult to not give into 'peer pressure' and occasionally I stumbled. But that leads to another thing that was reinforced in my life: the fact that God is ready and willing to forgive us when we stumble, if we only turn to the Cross and repent. I John 1:9 reminds us that "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." While that verse may be familiar to many of us, it is very easy to forget when the going gets tough. That leads to the third and final lesson I was reminded of. It is absolutely vital in the life of the believer to know, study, and meditate on the Word. It's been said before, and I'll say it again, a Christian that does not study Scripture is like going into battle without your sword. Psalm 119:11 says that "I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you." Joshua 1:8 acknowledges that "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success." Why do we need to study it? II Timothy 3:16 explains that "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness." We cannot expect to stand firm when we don't know what we are stand on. The Word of God is the essence of our faith, and we need to know what it says.
Again, thanks to everyone for joining with me in these brief delves into God's Word. I'm sure that we will continue to push forward in the moths to come. Stand firm on the Bible, stand proud of the Cross, and stand tall in the light of the Resurrection! :)
Hello to all of the members of the Flock who I am so happy to be able to share these messages with each day. Your constant prayers and words of encouragement are so uplifting and are always appreciated. Just a short message today about something that just happened recently in my life. As of yesterday, I am officially finished with high school, and I spent some time reflecting on the things I have learned through my time there. I would like to share these life lessons with you now.
First of all, remember that no matter how many people are against you, you can stand firm through every trial that comes your way. I Corinthians 16:13 says that you need to "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong." Attending a public school surrounded by teachers and students who disagree with and disregard those things which we consider the foundation of the faith, it was sometimes very difficult to not give into 'peer pressure' and occasionally I stumbled. But that leads to another thing that was reinforced in my life: the fact that God is ready and willing to forgive us when we stumble, if we only turn to the Cross and repent. I John 1:9 reminds us that "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." While that verse may be familiar to many of us, it is very easy to forget when the going gets tough. That leads to the third and final lesson I was reminded of. It is absolutely vital in the life of the believer to know, study, and meditate on the Word. It's been said before, and I'll say it again, a Christian that does not study Scripture is like going into battle without your sword. Psalm 119:11 says that "I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you." Joshua 1:8 acknowledges that "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success." Why do we need to study it? II Timothy 3:16 explains that "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness." We cannot expect to stand firm when we don't know what we are stand on. The Word of God is the essence of our faith, and we need to know what it says.
Again, thanks to everyone for joining with me in these brief delves into God's Word. I'm sure that we will continue to push forward in the moths to come. Stand firm on the Bible, stand proud of the Cross, and stand tall in the light of the Resurrection! :)
Wednesday, May 30th, 2012
The Book of Joshua
Summary: This book serves as the connecting link between the Pentateuch and the later historical books; it name is derived from the principal character, Joshua. Chapters 1 to 23 describe the conquest of the land and it division among the tribes of Israel. In the final chapters (23-24), Joshua, somewhat after the fashion of Moses, exhorts the people in a series of farewell addresses "to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses," and solemnly challenges them to the renewal of their covenant commitment to God.
Christ Portrayed: As mentioned in yesterday's passage, the book of Joshua also emphasizes how the promises of God always come true, just as Christ was the covenant answer to the prophecies of the Messiah. Speaking of the Messiah, today we would like to remind you of one of the many promises of God that came true through the power of the Cross. Isaiah 40:29-31 says this: "He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint." That verse brings hope to the believer, and no matter what, we can know that the power of the Word of God will always watch over us and guide us along the way! :)
Summary: This book serves as the connecting link between the Pentateuch and the later historical books; it name is derived from the principal character, Joshua. Chapters 1 to 23 describe the conquest of the land and it division among the tribes of Israel. In the final chapters (23-24), Joshua, somewhat after the fashion of Moses, exhorts the people in a series of farewell addresses "to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses," and solemnly challenges them to the renewal of their covenant commitment to God.
Christ Portrayed: As mentioned in yesterday's passage, the book of Joshua also emphasizes how the promises of God always come true, just as Christ was the covenant answer to the prophecies of the Messiah. Speaking of the Messiah, today we would like to remind you of one of the many promises of God that came true through the power of the Cross. Isaiah 40:29-31 says this: "He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint." That verse brings hope to the believer, and no matter what, we can know that the power of the Word of God will always watch over us and guide us along the way! :)
Tuesday, May 29th, 2012
The Book of Deuteronomy
Summary: The final book of the Pentateuch derives its English name from the Greek work deuteronomion, meaning the "second law", or the "law repeated". Deuteronomy is essentially Moses’ farewell address to a new generation in which he summons them to hear the law of God, to be instructed in the application of its principles to the new circumstances awaiting them, and to renew intelligently the covenant God had made with their fathers - a covenant that must be faithfully observed as the condition of God’s blessings upon them in the Promised Land.
Christ Portrayed: As Moses passed away and the people of God passed on into the Promised Land, the promise of God to His children was fulfilled and the covenants were made anew. Just as the promises of God held fast through the times of the exile, so God's promise of a messiah also was made known and fulfilled in the second person of the Trinity, Jesus Christ. Numbers 23:19 reminds us that "God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?" As members of the body of Christ, we can rest assured that when God speaks, His words are true. Also, as the Old Testament is full of prophecy, we can know that Christ is the fulfillment of all the words of the prophets concerning the Lamb of God. Romans 10:4 says that "Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes." Deuteronomy, the final book of the Law, reveals Jesus to be the One who made perfect the law of God, and ultimately, through His perfect life, He died the death that was needed to make us clean in the eyes of the Father! :)
Summary: The final book of the Pentateuch derives its English name from the Greek work deuteronomion, meaning the "second law", or the "law repeated". Deuteronomy is essentially Moses’ farewell address to a new generation in which he summons them to hear the law of God, to be instructed in the application of its principles to the new circumstances awaiting them, and to renew intelligently the covenant God had made with their fathers - a covenant that must be faithfully observed as the condition of God’s blessings upon them in the Promised Land.
Christ Portrayed: As Moses passed away and the people of God passed on into the Promised Land, the promise of God to His children was fulfilled and the covenants were made anew. Just as the promises of God held fast through the times of the exile, so God's promise of a messiah also was made known and fulfilled in the second person of the Trinity, Jesus Christ. Numbers 23:19 reminds us that "God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?" As members of the body of Christ, we can rest assured that when God speaks, His words are true. Also, as the Old Testament is full of prophecy, we can know that Christ is the fulfillment of all the words of the prophets concerning the Lamb of God. Romans 10:4 says that "Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes." Deuteronomy, the final book of the Law, reveals Jesus to be the One who made perfect the law of God, and ultimately, through His perfect life, He died the death that was needed to make us clean in the eyes of the Father! :)
Monday, May 28th, 2012
The Book of Numbers
Summary: The name of this book originated from the two numberings of the people related in it: the first at Sinai in the second year of the Exodus and another on the plains of Moab opposite Jericho in the 40th year. A better title is the one give by the Hebrew themselves, Bemidhbar ( "In the Wilderness"), for it describes the locale of the major events of the book. In all these events, the writer sees the guiding hand of God, sustaining, delivering, and keeping covenant with His people, as He prepares them for entrance into the land promised first to Abraham (Gen. 12:1).
Christ Portrayed: To be honest, at first it was a little difficult to find how Christ was portrayed in the book of Numbers. However, as explained in the summary, we continuously see the providential hand of God working for and protecting His people. This is how Christ is for His people. II Thessalonians 3:5 says that "May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance." In every situation, Christ is continuously guiding the us on our path of life, and through perseverance in Him, we will one day reach out eternal reward! :)
Summary: The name of this book originated from the two numberings of the people related in it: the first at Sinai in the second year of the Exodus and another on the plains of Moab opposite Jericho in the 40th year. A better title is the one give by the Hebrew themselves, Bemidhbar ( "In the Wilderness"), for it describes the locale of the major events of the book. In all these events, the writer sees the guiding hand of God, sustaining, delivering, and keeping covenant with His people, as He prepares them for entrance into the land promised first to Abraham (Gen. 12:1).
Christ Portrayed: To be honest, at first it was a little difficult to find how Christ was portrayed in the book of Numbers. However, as explained in the summary, we continuously see the providential hand of God working for and protecting His people. This is how Christ is for His people. II Thessalonians 3:5 says that "May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance." In every situation, Christ is continuously guiding the us on our path of life, and through perseverance in Him, we will one day reach out eternal reward! :)
Friday, May 25th, 2012
The Book of Leviticus
Summary: This book was so named because it treats of laws of service and worship of special importance to the Tribe of Levi. It has been aptly called "the Handbook of the Priests". Many basic precepts of the New Testament are foreshadowed in this book, such as the seriousness of sin in God’s sight, the necessity of atonement for sin, the holiness of God, and the necessity of a mediator between God and man.
Christ Portrayed: The book of Leviticus includes hundreds of laws that God established for His people. It put on display how much God despises sin, which then portrays how far we have truly fallen from our perfect and righteous God. As mentioned above, it also focuses on the need of a Savior to redeem mankind from their sin. Leviticus 17:11, recording God's law, says that "For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one's life." While the people of God were in the wilderness, they were required to make sacrifices for an atonement for their sin. However, in the book of Hebrews 10:4, it says that " it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins". Christ is shown as the only One who could come to take away the sins of the world once and for all, and it is in that which our faith is grounded in! :)
Summary: This book was so named because it treats of laws of service and worship of special importance to the Tribe of Levi. It has been aptly called "the Handbook of the Priests". Many basic precepts of the New Testament are foreshadowed in this book, such as the seriousness of sin in God’s sight, the necessity of atonement for sin, the holiness of God, and the necessity of a mediator between God and man.
Christ Portrayed: The book of Leviticus includes hundreds of laws that God established for His people. It put on display how much God despises sin, which then portrays how far we have truly fallen from our perfect and righteous God. As mentioned above, it also focuses on the need of a Savior to redeem mankind from their sin. Leviticus 17:11, recording God's law, says that "For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one's life." While the people of God were in the wilderness, they were required to make sacrifices for an atonement for their sin. However, in the book of Hebrews 10:4, it says that " it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins". Christ is shown as the only One who could come to take away the sins of the world once and for all, and it is in that which our faith is grounded in! :)
Thursday, May 24th, 2012
The Book of Exodus
Summary:The name means "going out" or departure". While it refers to one of the most important events of the book, the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt, other highly significant events are also found here, such as the oppression of the Chosen People in Egypt, the flight and call of Moses, and God’s covenant with the nation Israel at Sinai - an experience climaxed by His giving of the moral law (Ten Commandments) through Moses to the people. A code of secular laws is also included, and the latter part of the book contains an elaborate description of the sacred Ark of the Covenant and its ten (tabernacle), God’s place of dwelling among His people.
Christ Portrayed: The book of Exodus is most notably mentioned for the account of Moses' life. However, many parallels are overlooked between Moses and Christ. Just as Moses was sent down the Nile River because of the Pharaoh's decree to kill the firstborn boys of the Hebrews, so also in Matthew 2:13, as King Herod issued a decree for the firstborns to be killed, "an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. 'Get up,' he said, 'take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.'" Just as Moses spent 40 years in the desert as a shepherd, so also did Christ wait 30 years before He began His earthly ministry. Just as Moses led his people out of Egypt and away from slavery, so Christ rescues His children from being slaves to sin. In Exodus chapter 20, Moses receives the Law of God which he passes on to his people. In the New Testament, Christ fulfills the law and the prophecy as He reveals Himself as Messiah. The entire book of Exodus is a prelude to the great story of the Good News of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ! :)
Summary:The name means "going out" or departure". While it refers to one of the most important events of the book, the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt, other highly significant events are also found here, such as the oppression of the Chosen People in Egypt, the flight and call of Moses, and God’s covenant with the nation Israel at Sinai - an experience climaxed by His giving of the moral law (Ten Commandments) through Moses to the people. A code of secular laws is also included, and the latter part of the book contains an elaborate description of the sacred Ark of the Covenant and its ten (tabernacle), God’s place of dwelling among His people.
Christ Portrayed: The book of Exodus is most notably mentioned for the account of Moses' life. However, many parallels are overlooked between Moses and Christ. Just as Moses was sent down the Nile River because of the Pharaoh's decree to kill the firstborn boys of the Hebrews, so also in Matthew 2:13, as King Herod issued a decree for the firstborns to be killed, "an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. 'Get up,' he said, 'take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.'" Just as Moses spent 40 years in the desert as a shepherd, so also did Christ wait 30 years before He began His earthly ministry. Just as Moses led his people out of Egypt and away from slavery, so Christ rescues His children from being slaves to sin. In Exodus chapter 20, Moses receives the Law of God which he passes on to his people. In the New Testament, Christ fulfills the law and the prophecy as He reveals Himself as Messiah. The entire book of Exodus is a prelude to the great story of the Good News of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ! :)
Wednesday, May 23rd, 2012
We recently examined how each of the books of the Bible are a picture of Christ and what He did for us. For the next few weeks, we will be exploring each book of Scripture more in depth as we move through Genesis to Revelation. Also, we will be including a short summary from our brothers and sisters at holybible.com. Today, we begin with Genesis.
Summary: The word "genesis" signifies "generation" or "origin" and comes from the Greek translation of Genesis 2:4, which says that "This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created". It is an appropriate title for the first book of the Bible, which contains the record of the origin of the universe, the human race, family life, nations, sin redemption, etc. The first 11 chapters, which deal with primeval or pre-Patriarchal times, present the antecedents of Hebrew history from Adam to Abraham. The remaining chapters (12 - 50) are concerned with God’s dealings with the Patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and Jacob’s son Joseph, all "fathers" of the people whom God has chosen to carry out His plan for the redemption of mankind. The book closes with these "Chosen People" in Egypt.
Christ Portrayed: As we've examined before, Genesis 3:15 displays the entire framework of redemptive history when God, speaking to the serpent, says "I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel." In the beginning of the first book, Christ is shown to be a member of the trinity, equal to the Father, as Genesis 1:26 states, "Then God said, 'Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.'" He is seen as the one who will come to crush the head of sin, Satan, and death. With Abraham's near sacrifice of Issac and God's provision of the sheep to take the place of Isaac, we again see how Christ steps in to pay the penalty for our sin, and, as Isaiah 53:7 reminds us, "He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth." God spared Abram and Lot's family, just as He saves His people. Joseph, sold into slavery by his brother, but eventually saving the lives of his family through God's ordained plan, helps us to see that Romans 8:28 is true, which says that "In all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose". From the very beginning, it is easy to see that Christ is there through all things, and that in Genesis, He is displayed as Creator, Maker, Redeemer, and Friend! :)
Summary: The word "genesis" signifies "generation" or "origin" and comes from the Greek translation of Genesis 2:4, which says that "This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created". It is an appropriate title for the first book of the Bible, which contains the record of the origin of the universe, the human race, family life, nations, sin redemption, etc. The first 11 chapters, which deal with primeval or pre-Patriarchal times, present the antecedents of Hebrew history from Adam to Abraham. The remaining chapters (12 - 50) are concerned with God’s dealings with the Patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and Jacob’s son Joseph, all "fathers" of the people whom God has chosen to carry out His plan for the redemption of mankind. The book closes with these "Chosen People" in Egypt.
Christ Portrayed: As we've examined before, Genesis 3:15 displays the entire framework of redemptive history when God, speaking to the serpent, says "I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel." In the beginning of the first book, Christ is shown to be a member of the trinity, equal to the Father, as Genesis 1:26 states, "Then God said, 'Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.'" He is seen as the one who will come to crush the head of sin, Satan, and death. With Abraham's near sacrifice of Issac and God's provision of the sheep to take the place of Isaac, we again see how Christ steps in to pay the penalty for our sin, and, as Isaiah 53:7 reminds us, "He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth." God spared Abram and Lot's family, just as He saves His people. Joseph, sold into slavery by his brother, but eventually saving the lives of his family through God's ordained plan, helps us to see that Romans 8:28 is true, which says that "In all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose". From the very beginning, it is easy to see that Christ is there through all things, and that in Genesis, He is displayed as Creator, Maker, Redeemer, and Friend! :)
Monday, May 21st, 2012
With the exception of John 3:16, Genesis 1:1 is probably the most well known and yet the least accepted. Genesis 1:1 says that "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." Most people don't understand the huge ramifications of this verse. What happens to the basis of Scripture if God did not create? What occurs if we dismiss the first chapters of the book of Genesis and accept a worldview that does not allow for creation? Well, if God did not create, then He has no power to guide our lives. If God did not create, there is absolutely no reference for moral right and wrong. If God did not create, He is not judge and the whole foundation of accountability is gone. Christ Himself spoke about His creation, so to deny creation is to make Christ a liar. In essence, to deny that God created is to deny the very bottom of what our faith is based on, and when the foundation is gone, nothing can stand up under it. Becoming a believer does not begin by acknowledging Christ as Savior. Becoming a believer begins with acknowledging God as Creator. Can we be confident that He did create when we are surrounded by a society so rampant with godless worldviews? Romans 1:20 gives us hope when it says that "since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse." We can find joy in the fact that God did create, and because of that, the rest of our faith is built on a firm foundation! :)
Thursday, May 17th, 2012
Not many people know the story of King Solomon and the baby, found in I Kings 3:16-28. We will recount this story for you.
"Now two prostitutes came to the king and stood before him [King Solomon]. One of them said, 'Pardon me, my lord. This woman and I live in the same house, and I had a baby while she was there with me. The third day after my child was born, this woman also had a baby. We were alone; there was no one in the house but the two of us. During the night this woman’s son died because she lay on him. So she got up in the middle of the night and took my son from my side while I your servant was asleep. She put him by her breast and put her dead son by my breast. The next morning, I got up to nurse my son—and he was dead! But when I looked at him closely in the morning light, I saw that it wasn’t the son I had borne.' The other woman said, 'No! The living one is my son; the dead one is yours.' But the first one insisted, 'No! The dead one is yours; the living one is mine.' And so they argued before the king. The king said, 'This one says, "My son is alive and your son is dead," while that one says, "No! Your son is dead and mine is alive."' Then the king said, 'Bring me a sword.' So they brought a sword for the king. He then gave an order: 'Cut the living child in two and give half to one and half to the other.' The woman whose son was alive was deeply moved out of love for her son and said to the king, 'Please, my lord, give her the living baby! Don’t kill him!' But the other said, 'Neither I nor you shall have him. Cut him in two!' Then the king gave his ruling: 'Give the living baby to the first woman. Do not kill him; she is his mother.' When all Israel heard the verdict the king had given, they held the king in awe, because they saw that he had wisdom from God to administer justice."'
Many skeptics will look at this passage and use it to display how God must have been cruel and violent to allow this to happen. What if both of the women had continued to argue? Would King Solomon really have cut the baby in half? However, this story, for the believer, has a much deeper meaning. In every waking moment, we as believers are under constant attack from the prince of this earth. We are in a tug-of-war, so to speak, but here is the truth of the matter. If you look at the story, you can see that the real mother gave up her son because she wanted what was best for him. She was willing to sacrifice her needs to protect her little child. Similarly, Christ gave up His life to keep His children safe and to rescue them from the eternal death. Perfect love is sacrifice to no end, and that is exactly what Christ did for us. We are the baby, helpless and about to die. Christ is our Father, going to any length to protect us. That truth gives us joy and hope in every situation! :)
"Now two prostitutes came to the king and stood before him [King Solomon]. One of them said, 'Pardon me, my lord. This woman and I live in the same house, and I had a baby while she was there with me. The third day after my child was born, this woman also had a baby. We were alone; there was no one in the house but the two of us. During the night this woman’s son died because she lay on him. So she got up in the middle of the night and took my son from my side while I your servant was asleep. She put him by her breast and put her dead son by my breast. The next morning, I got up to nurse my son—and he was dead! But when I looked at him closely in the morning light, I saw that it wasn’t the son I had borne.' The other woman said, 'No! The living one is my son; the dead one is yours.' But the first one insisted, 'No! The dead one is yours; the living one is mine.' And so they argued before the king. The king said, 'This one says, "My son is alive and your son is dead," while that one says, "No! Your son is dead and mine is alive."' Then the king said, 'Bring me a sword.' So they brought a sword for the king. He then gave an order: 'Cut the living child in two and give half to one and half to the other.' The woman whose son was alive was deeply moved out of love for her son and said to the king, 'Please, my lord, give her the living baby! Don’t kill him!' But the other said, 'Neither I nor you shall have him. Cut him in two!' Then the king gave his ruling: 'Give the living baby to the first woman. Do not kill him; she is his mother.' When all Israel heard the verdict the king had given, they held the king in awe, because they saw that he had wisdom from God to administer justice."'
Many skeptics will look at this passage and use it to display how God must have been cruel and violent to allow this to happen. What if both of the women had continued to argue? Would King Solomon really have cut the baby in half? However, this story, for the believer, has a much deeper meaning. In every waking moment, we as believers are under constant attack from the prince of this earth. We are in a tug-of-war, so to speak, but here is the truth of the matter. If you look at the story, you can see that the real mother gave up her son because she wanted what was best for him. She was willing to sacrifice her needs to protect her little child. Similarly, Christ gave up His life to keep His children safe and to rescue them from the eternal death. Perfect love is sacrifice to no end, and that is exactly what Christ did for us. We are the baby, helpless and about to die. Christ is our Father, going to any length to protect us. That truth gives us joy and hope in every situation! :)
Tuesday, May 13th, 2012
In a world where so much can get us down, it is always important to be joyful. One of God's greatest gifts is the ability to laugh, and believe it or not, there are several Scripture passages that have to do with laughter. Psalm 126:2 says "Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, 'The Lord has done great things for them.'" Job 8:21 tells us that "He will yet fill your mouth with laughter, and your lips with shouting." And Proverbs 15:12 reminds us that "A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed." Anyone who looks at creation can see clearly that God has a sense of humor. Today, we would like to share a joke with you in hopes that it may brighten your day, if only a little!
Moses, Jesus, and an old bearded man were out playing golf one day.
Moses pulled up to the tee and drove a long one. It landed in the fairway but rolled directly toward a water trap. Quickly, Moses raised his club, the water parted and it rolled to the other side safe and sound.
Next, Jesus strolls up to the tee and hits a nice long one directly toward the same water trap. It landed directly in the center of the pond and kind of hovered over the water. Jesus casually walked out on the pond and chipped it up onto the green.
The third guy gets up and sort of randomly whacks the ball. It heads out over the fence and into oncoming traffic on a nearby street. It bounces off a truck and hits a nearby tree.
From there it bounces onto the roof of a nearby shack and rolls down into the gutter, down the downspout, out onto the fairway and right toward the pond.
On the way to the pond, it hits a little stone and bounces out over the water and onto a lily pad where it rested quietly. Suddenly, a very large bullfrog jumped up on the lily pad and snatched the ball into his mouth.
Just then, an eagle swooped down and grabbed the frog and flew away.
As they passed over the green, the frog squealed with fright and dropped the ball which bounced right into the hole for a beautiful hole-in-one.
Jesus turned to the old man and said, "Dad, if you keep doing that, we're not inviting you next time!"
Laughter is always good medicine. Proverbs 17:22 reminds the believer that "A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." Take a moment today to thank God for laughter, and never forget to have joy in the blessings we have through Christ! :)
Moses, Jesus, and an old bearded man were out playing golf one day.
Moses pulled up to the tee and drove a long one. It landed in the fairway but rolled directly toward a water trap. Quickly, Moses raised his club, the water parted and it rolled to the other side safe and sound.
Next, Jesus strolls up to the tee and hits a nice long one directly toward the same water trap. It landed directly in the center of the pond and kind of hovered over the water. Jesus casually walked out on the pond and chipped it up onto the green.
The third guy gets up and sort of randomly whacks the ball. It heads out over the fence and into oncoming traffic on a nearby street. It bounces off a truck and hits a nearby tree.
From there it bounces onto the roof of a nearby shack and rolls down into the gutter, down the downspout, out onto the fairway and right toward the pond.
On the way to the pond, it hits a little stone and bounces out over the water and onto a lily pad where it rested quietly. Suddenly, a very large bullfrog jumped up on the lily pad and snatched the ball into his mouth.
Just then, an eagle swooped down and grabbed the frog and flew away.
As they passed over the green, the frog squealed with fright and dropped the ball which bounced right into the hole for a beautiful hole-in-one.
Jesus turned to the old man and said, "Dad, if you keep doing that, we're not inviting you next time!"
Laughter is always good medicine. Proverbs 17:22 reminds the believer that "A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." Take a moment today to thank God for laughter, and never forget to have joy in the blessings we have through Christ! :)
Monday, May 12th, 2012
Who can be saved? Is there anyone that is so far away from God that they are 'unreachable'? The perfect example of this is the Apostle Paul, formerly called Saul. Saul was, in the eyes of the Jews, a righteous man. Philippians 3:5-6, where Paul speaks of who he was before his conversion, says this: "Circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless." However, Paul goes on to say in Philippians 3:8 that in the eyes of God, he considers "everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things." There are two ways to live, and Romans 8:5 says that "Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires." Still, there is hope! The thief on the cross to the right of Christ confessed faith in Him in his last hours, and Christ replied in Luke 23:43 that "today you will be with me in paradise." God's grace and mercy does not end until death. While we are still living, God's arms are still open and He is still willing to forgive. Ephesians 2:10 says that "we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them". We are all sinners, and no sinner cannot be saved. God can and will bring those to Him who He has meant to save. That is the reason we need to go out and continually proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ our Lord! :)
Friday, May 11th, 2012
God's Word is full of promises. In fact, if God hadn't made promises to His people, we as believers would have no hope. But we do have hope, because II Peter 1:4 reminds us that "because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires." Let's take some time to remember some of the promises that God has made with us.
Matthew 5:4 "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted."
Revelation 21:4 "And He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away."
Psalm 23:4 "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me."
Psalm 119:50 "This is my comfort in my affliction, That Your word has revived me."
Isaiah 41:10 "Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."
Isaiah 43:2 "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you."
II Corinthians 1:3-4 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."
I Thessalonians 4:13-14 "But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus."
These are a small few of the many promises that we can place our faith in. We know that we can trust the Word of God, as Psalm 18:30 says that "As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him." We have many things to be thankful for. And the promises of God are certainly something to praise Him for! :)
Matthew 5:4 "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted."
Revelation 21:4 "And He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away."
Psalm 23:4 "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me."
Psalm 119:50 "This is my comfort in my affliction, That Your word has revived me."
Isaiah 41:10 "Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."
Isaiah 43:2 "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you."
II Corinthians 1:3-4 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."
I Thessalonians 4:13-14 "But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus."
These are a small few of the many promises that we can place our faith in. We know that we can trust the Word of God, as Psalm 18:30 says that "As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him." We have many things to be thankful for. And the promises of God are certainly something to praise Him for! :)
Thursday, May 10th, 2012
Today we feature a poem from a 17 year old girl from New Zealand named Laura Lauridsen. She has gone through so much hardship and trials in her life, yet God led her to write this poem which has touched many lives across the globe.
Don't Stop Knocking, By Laura Lauriden
I was awakened from sleep one night.
by somebody knocking at the door.
Sleepily I turned on my light.
And put my feet on the floor.
Carefully I climbed down each stair
Rounded a corner - I was almost there.
But just before I opened the door.
The person gave up and knocked no more.
A man was praying to the Lord
For something he wanted so dear
But after a while he thought to himself.
'Maybe God doesn't care.'
Broken hearted he got off his knees.
Thinking 'God won't ever answer my pleas'
And just be fore God would have opened the door.
That man gave up and knocked no more.
Don't stop knocking! Don't you quit!!
God will answer- when He sees fit.
And though you're discouraged just kneel down and pray.
God might answer today.
In the Bible we are told to cast on God our care.
If we pray in Jesus' name -God will answer our prayer.
Some times the answer he gives is --wait.
And sometimes it is --no.
But don't quit praying...don't give up!
Until the answer you know.
Don't Stop Knocking, By Laura Lauriden
I was awakened from sleep one night.
by somebody knocking at the door.
Sleepily I turned on my light.
And put my feet on the floor.
Carefully I climbed down each stair
Rounded a corner - I was almost there.
But just before I opened the door.
The person gave up and knocked no more.
A man was praying to the Lord
For something he wanted so dear
But after a while he thought to himself.
'Maybe God doesn't care.'
Broken hearted he got off his knees.
Thinking 'God won't ever answer my pleas'
And just be fore God would have opened the door.
That man gave up and knocked no more.
Don't stop knocking! Don't you quit!!
God will answer- when He sees fit.
And though you're discouraged just kneel down and pray.
God might answer today.
In the Bible we are told to cast on God our care.
If we pray in Jesus' name -God will answer our prayer.
Some times the answer he gives is --wait.
And sometimes it is --no.
But don't quit praying...don't give up!
Until the answer you know.
Wednesday, May 9th, 2012
If you get a chance, please take about ten minutes to read this essay about the scientific, historical, and prophetical accuracy of Scripture :)
Biblical Accuracy.docx | |
File Size: | 23 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Tuesday, May 8th, 2012
If there is one thing that believers and non believers alike struggle with, it is the problem of suffering. Non believers look at it as a question of, if there is a God, why do bad things still happen? For the believer, it is a similar question, but in a different way. The believer asks, "What am I supposed to be learning from this trial?" We have covered the problem of suffering and trials a few times, but there are two points that still remain to be mentioned. First of all, there is a large difference between causing a trial to happen and allowing it to happen. In James 1:13, we are reminded that, "When tempted, no one should say, 'God is tempting me.' For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone." God does not cause sin and does not create temptations in our lives; that comes around by the work of Satan and our own sinful nature. However, God does allow for trials to come our way. The story of Job is a perfect example. In Job 1:12, Satan comes to God and asks the Father to allow him to test Job. "The LORD said to Satan, 'Very well, then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.' Then Satan went out from the presence of the LORD." Again, God does not tempt us nor cause us to sin. But what, then, is His purpose for allowing suffering in our lives to happen? Romans 5:3-5 answers this questions where it tells us that "we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." Trials are sent our way as a test of our faith, and the amazing thing is that, whether we succeed or fail in our trial, God gets the glory. In our failures, we come to Christ broken and humbled, acknowledging that we cannot do it on our own. In our triumphs, the power and work of the Holy Spirit is revealed in our lives. Through each struggle, we need to strive to jump the hurdle and keep on running, but when we fail, we need to remember to get back up and keep on running. Ultimately, our hope and assurance rests on Christ's words which He spoke in John 16:33: "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." Our faith is in the One who has given us a way to look towards Him through each circumstance, because He has overcome the world. He has won the battle and the war, and He is the end goal for those who are running in the great race! :)
Monday, May 7th, 2012
In the time of Christ, blindness was a common problem that affected every way that the blind lived their life. They were frequently cast outside of the city and viewed as outsiders not fit to be with the rest of the people. Interestingly enough, all four of the gospels report circumstances where Christ healed the blind. However, if the truth be told, we were all once blind in our sin and lost in our transgressions. If you imagine every belief system as a long row of people, the leader of the row is the main figure in that belief. For Muslims, Muhammad would be at the front, for Christians, Christ would be the head, and so forth. The difference is that Christ is the only one who has never been blind. All of the leading figures in all other world religions are blind and are leading all of their followers down a path headed for destruction. We, too, before we were saved, were blind. One of the blind men that Christ healed gave this testimony in John 9:25 "He replied, 'Whether he is a sinner or not, I don't know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!'" Probably the most famous hymn, written by former slave trader John Newton who was converted after hearing a slave song crying out to God, speaks these words: "I once was lost, but now I'm found, was blind but now I see." One of the most encouraging passages in Scripture that speaks on this topic is found in Ephesians 2:1-5 , where it says "As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved." We are made to see through Christ, and we are made alive in Christ. That is the truth of the Cross, and through that, we can find joy in the fact that one day, we will see Him, who made an end to all our sin, face to face! :)
Friday, May 4th, 2012
Today, we would like to share a fascinating concept from an article published on Pastor Al Hughes' website, which he has been happy to share with us. Before it is shared, we need to realize that Christ is the storyline of Scripture. Many people look at the Old and New Testament and see two separate stories, but that is not the case. In fact, Genesis 3:15 sets up the whole story when it says "And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel." The truth is, Christ is reflected in every single book of the Bible. Listed below are the conclusions that Pastor Hughes made about each book.
In Genesis, He is the promised Seed.
In Exodus, He is the Smitten Rock.
In Leviticus, He is the sacrificial Lamb.
In Numbers, He is the Brazen Serpent.
In Deuteronomy, He is the Prophet like unto Moses.
In Joshua, He is Captain of the Lord's hosts.
In Judges, He is the angel of the Lord appearing unto Manoah.
In Ruth, He is the Kinsman Redeemer.
In I and II Samuel, He is the prophesied Son of David.
In I and II Kings and I and II Chronicles, He is the One greater than Solomon.
In Ezra, He is One with the good hand.
In Nehemiah, He is the Wall-builder.
In Esther, He is Unseen Hand.
In Job, He is the Living Redeemer.
In Psalms, He is the coming Messiah.
In Proverbs, He is Wisdom.
In Ecclesiastes, He is the truth above the sun.
In the Song of Solomon, He is the Rose of Sharon.
In Isaiah, He is Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father.
In Jeremiah, He is the Lord our Righteousness.
In Ezekiel, He is the Prince who enters the Eastern Gate.
In Daniel, He is the Ancient of Days.
In Hosea, He is the Husband of Gomer.
In Joel, He is the One roaring out of Zion.
In Amos, He is the One standing upon the altar.
In Obadiah, He is the Humbler of Edom's pride.
In Jonah, He is typified as in the heart of the earth three days and three nights.
In Micah, He is the Ruler of Israel.
In Nahum, He is our Stronghold in the day of wrath.
In Habakkuk, He is the Lord in His Holy Temple.
In Zephaniah, He is the Lord in the midst.
In Haggai, He is the desire of all nations.
In Zechariah, He is the One wounded in the house of His friends.
In Malachi, He is the Sun of Righteousness.
In Matthew, He is the King of the Jews.
In Mark, He is the servant of the Lord.
In Luke, He is the Son of Man.
In John, He is the Son of God.
In Acts, He is the Builder of the Church.
In Romans, He is the Justifier of him who believes.
In I Corinthians, He is the first-fruits from among the dead.
In II Corinthians, He is the unspeakable gift.
In Galatians, He is the Seed of Abraham.
In Ephesians, He is head of the church.
In Philippians, He is the supplier of every need.
In Colossians, He is the preeminent One.
In I and II Thessalonians, He is the returning Lord.
In I Timothy, He is God manifest in the flesh.
In II Timothy, He is the Lord, the righteous judge.
In Titus, He is the Blessed Hope.
In Philemon, He is Savior of Slaves.
In Hebrews, He is the High Priest.
In James, He is the Judge standing before the door.
In I Peter, He is the chief shepherd.
In II Peter, He is the day star arising in our heart.
In I John, He is our Advocate.
In II John, He is the confession of one who is true.
In III John, He is source of prosperity.
In Jude, He is coming with ten thousands of his saints.
In Revelation, He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords!
Christ is the cornerstone of Scripture. He is the first and the last, the alpha and the omega, the beginning in the end. From the front cover to the back, He is all. Praise be to Christ in whom our entire faith is built upon! :)
*http://www.avhughes.com/images/christbook.html
In Genesis, He is the promised Seed.
In Exodus, He is the Smitten Rock.
In Leviticus, He is the sacrificial Lamb.
In Numbers, He is the Brazen Serpent.
In Deuteronomy, He is the Prophet like unto Moses.
In Joshua, He is Captain of the Lord's hosts.
In Judges, He is the angel of the Lord appearing unto Manoah.
In Ruth, He is the Kinsman Redeemer.
In I and II Samuel, He is the prophesied Son of David.
In I and II Kings and I and II Chronicles, He is the One greater than Solomon.
In Ezra, He is One with the good hand.
In Nehemiah, He is the Wall-builder.
In Esther, He is Unseen Hand.
In Job, He is the Living Redeemer.
In Psalms, He is the coming Messiah.
In Proverbs, He is Wisdom.
In Ecclesiastes, He is the truth above the sun.
In the Song of Solomon, He is the Rose of Sharon.
In Isaiah, He is Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father.
In Jeremiah, He is the Lord our Righteousness.
In Ezekiel, He is the Prince who enters the Eastern Gate.
In Daniel, He is the Ancient of Days.
In Hosea, He is the Husband of Gomer.
In Joel, He is the One roaring out of Zion.
In Amos, He is the One standing upon the altar.
In Obadiah, He is the Humbler of Edom's pride.
In Jonah, He is typified as in the heart of the earth three days and three nights.
In Micah, He is the Ruler of Israel.
In Nahum, He is our Stronghold in the day of wrath.
In Habakkuk, He is the Lord in His Holy Temple.
In Zephaniah, He is the Lord in the midst.
In Haggai, He is the desire of all nations.
In Zechariah, He is the One wounded in the house of His friends.
In Malachi, He is the Sun of Righteousness.
In Matthew, He is the King of the Jews.
In Mark, He is the servant of the Lord.
In Luke, He is the Son of Man.
In John, He is the Son of God.
In Acts, He is the Builder of the Church.
In Romans, He is the Justifier of him who believes.
In I Corinthians, He is the first-fruits from among the dead.
In II Corinthians, He is the unspeakable gift.
In Galatians, He is the Seed of Abraham.
In Ephesians, He is head of the church.
In Philippians, He is the supplier of every need.
In Colossians, He is the preeminent One.
In I and II Thessalonians, He is the returning Lord.
In I Timothy, He is God manifest in the flesh.
In II Timothy, He is the Lord, the righteous judge.
In Titus, He is the Blessed Hope.
In Philemon, He is Savior of Slaves.
In Hebrews, He is the High Priest.
In James, He is the Judge standing before the door.
In I Peter, He is the chief shepherd.
In II Peter, He is the day star arising in our heart.
In I John, He is our Advocate.
In II John, He is the confession of one who is true.
In III John, He is source of prosperity.
In Jude, He is coming with ten thousands of his saints.
In Revelation, He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords!
Christ is the cornerstone of Scripture. He is the first and the last, the alpha and the omega, the beginning in the end. From the front cover to the back, He is all. Praise be to Christ in whom our entire faith is built upon! :)
*http://www.avhughes.com/images/christbook.html
Thursday, May 3rd, 2012
Statistics have shown that there are about 18.8 million people that are clinically recognized as depressed, with thousands more who have not reported. On average, about 15% of people who are recognized as depressed will take their own life, which brings the figures to about 2.8 million people committing suicide each year due to depression. This raises the question: with everyone chasing the "American Dream" and acting as though they have it all together, why is there so much sorrow and depression in our world? For the believer, Romans 12:12 reminds us to "Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." There are times when we will feel broken; having a faith in Christ does not pull you out of the way of tribulation. But we can still have hope and joy, even in our darkest hour! Psalm 34:17-18 tells us that "When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit."The Apostle Paul is a great example of a man who endured to the end. Throughout the book of Acts, Paul was kicked out of cities, stoned, thrown in prison, and on numerous occasions, left for dead. And yet, Paul wrote in Philippians 3:8 that "What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ." James 1:2-3 also encourages us to "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance." Christ Himself was called the suffering servant and a man of sorrows. Truth be told, we will go through the valley and hit bumps in the road. However, since we rely on Christ as our Rock and our Redeemer, we can still have joy through any situation! Galatians 5:22 says that one of the fruits of the spirit is joy, so we are to be filled with joy in every situation. It is not easy, that much anyone will admit. We may not find joy in that situation, but look past the problem and try to remember the big picture; no matter what you are going through, Christ has still risen! No matter how hard the path seems, God still reigns! No matter how many times your hope weakens and you don't think you can go on, remember! We have a new life through Christ, not necessarily a life of ease and comfort, but certainly a life of joy and hope! Suffering and joy are not opposites; on the contrary, they can go hand in hand. Christ suffered to the utmost on the Cross, but through that death, we find our joy. There is nothing that should ever cast a shadow over that truth, and when you learn to remember Him above all, your life will overflow with hope, with faith, and with unending joy! :)
Tuesday, May 1st, 2012
It is estimated that there are 21 major world religions around the world, with sects and offshoots of over 120,000 different varieties of those 21. That is why so many people find it hard to believe that there could only be one true way, and that every single other path leads ultimately to death. However, Christ reminded us in Matthew 7:14 that "small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." There are many things that separate Christianity from all other religions, but this is at the core: Christianity is the only faith that teaches that man cannot do it on his own. Christianity is the only faith that acknowledges that as humans, we are fallen and there is nothing we can do to earn favor from God. Christianity is the only faith in which God came down to man and gave up His life for us. Christianity is the only faith where the central figure is not buried in a grave. The truth of the matter is, we cannot do it on our own- but we don;t have to. Christ has provided us with a way out! As Christ told us, He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and we need to fully rely on Him in everything that we say, think, and do. It is on Christ in whom we stand, and in the end, it is before Christ that every knee will bow! :)
Monday, April 30th, 2012
One of the forefront beliefs about Jesus of Nazareth is the thought that He was simply a good teacher who lead many people to the right path. However, one simply has to look at the radical statements that Christ made about Himself, about others, and about life to know that He cannot simply be a "good teacher" or another "prophet". When we look at the words of Christ, there can only be one three conclusions to make about Him: either He was a compulsive liar, an insane lunatic, or He was who He claimed to be, the Son of God. Looking at the first, we can rightfully conclude that He was not a liar, because He fulfilled every prophecy of the Old Testament in His words and actions. Also, if He were simply insane, He would not have been able to perform all the miracles and works of power that He did. That leaves us with only one option. Truthfully, if we believe Scripture to be true, then we need not even question who Christ is. Amazingly, many people today state that Christ never claimed to be God. Let's look at a few verses which Christ spoke:
Revelation 1:17-18 "When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades."
John 10:30 "I and the Father are one."
Mark 14:61-62 "But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer. Again the high priest asked him, 'Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?' 'I am,' said Jesus. 'And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.'"
If there is one thing that testifies to who Christ believed Himself to be, it is His death on the Cross. If Christ knew outright that He was not God, He would not have taken on death and the power of sin. Philippians 2:6-8 reminds us that Christ, "Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death--even death on a cross!" Christ demonstrated that He was God through His perfect life; Christ revealed the love of God by His death on the Cross; and finally, Christ displayed the power of God in His resurrection and triumph over the grace. That is the truth, that is what we have as our hope, and that is definitely a message worth living for! :)
Revelation 1:17-18 "When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades."
John 10:30 "I and the Father are one."
Mark 14:61-62 "But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer. Again the high priest asked him, 'Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?' 'I am,' said Jesus. 'And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.'"
If there is one thing that testifies to who Christ believed Himself to be, it is His death on the Cross. If Christ knew outright that He was not God, He would not have taken on death and the power of sin. Philippians 2:6-8 reminds us that Christ, "Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death--even death on a cross!" Christ demonstrated that He was God through His perfect life; Christ revealed the love of God by His death on the Cross; and finally, Christ displayed the power of God in His resurrection and triumph over the grace. That is the truth, that is what we have as our hope, and that is definitely a message worth living for! :)
Saturday, April 28th, 2012
Let's face it- there are events that will happen that upset us and make us angry. When we feel wronged, one of the easiest things to do is hold a grudge or feel bitter towards the one who wronged you. However, James 1:19-20 speaks this: "Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God." Holding a grudge against another does not only hurt that person, it also hurts you. When you are filled with anger, a quick temper so easily rises to the surface, and you speak or do things that you would not otherwise do under a normal mood. Proverbs 15:1 says that "A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." Since Scripture discourages anger, what are we to do when we are wronged? Christ answers this question in Matthew 18:15 when He says that "If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over." Christ then when on to say this: "But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector." Sadly, there may come a time when the wrongdoer will not repent of the wrong that they did, and when that occurs, the last resort is to simply ignore them. However, that is not the last thing to do. There is a difference between not relating to someone and not forgiving them. When someone wrongs us, our first response should be to forgive, whether they acknowledge their wrong or not. Colossians 3:13 urges us to "Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." That is the very essence of forgiveness- Christ died for the sins of each and every believer even before the sins were even committed. Look at it this way: God, who is perfect and righteous, shows us grace and mercy, and forgives our sins when we call on the name of Christ. How much more so should two sinners be able to forgive each other? Recall the account of Peter's question on forgiveness as recorded in Matthew 18:21-22. "Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times? Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times." For now, God's forgiveness is unceasing. In the end times, there will be a time when it is too late for forgiveness, but at this time, He is still willing and wanting to forgive. When you feel tempted to be angry, remember Who it was that poured out His blood on the Cross so that you can be forever forgiven, and seen as without fault in the sight of the Lord! :)
Friday, April 27th, 2012
John 3:19 "This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil." There are many things that others do that frustrate us. Whether it be continuous swearing or guys wearing their pants below their knees, many things can annoy or upset us. However, something that we must remember is this: Why should they be acting any different? Those who are still in their sin practice their art very well, and the truth is that, sometimes, it is the believer that needs to be the one changing his or her ways. The unsaved spirit is still in darkness, but the believer has been brought "out of darkness into His wonderful light" (I Peter 2:9). For an unsaved sinner to sin is evidence of their lost ways; a saved sinner walking in the wrong direction is evidence of their straying. Matthew 15:18 reminds us that "things that come out of the mouth come from the heart", and since our heart is secured in Christ, what should our lives reflect? If you find yourself wandering in the wrong direction, do not just push it off and continue in sin. Turn to Him and remember who it is that you belong to! :)
Thursday, April 26th, 2012
Luke 15:24 "'For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate." Of any of Christ's parables, the story of the Prodigal Son is probably the most well known and loved. However, many people do not realize that this story is not about one son betraying his father and squandering his inheritance. There are two brothers in this situation, the rebel brother and the religious brother. The rebel goes to his father and basically wishes him dead, then takes his inheritance and wastes it only the vanities of the world, leaving him broken and defeated. The older brother, the religious one, stays at home with his father, but when the younger returns home, he sticks up his nose and takes on the 'holier than though art' view of himself. In this story, the father represents our Father God. The younger brother is the rebel sinner who makes his failures blatant and obvious. The older brother is the religious sinner who sins in pride, vanity, and self glorification. As sinners, we take on the form of one of these two brothers. In either case, both types of sinners have been redeemed at the foot of the Cross. If you find yourself appearing as the rebel, remember that in the end, you will never be able to rise unless you return back home from your sinfulness to the grace and mercy of God. If you take on the part of the religious, know that you are no better than your rebel brothers, and that humbleness and acceptance go a long way in the kingdom of God. Ultimately, we need to turn to the Father, the only one that can offer all of us true forgiveness! :)
Wednesday, April 25th, 2012
We received a message today from one of our daily readers who responded to the message on April 23rd. We received permission to post it on today's message, so here is what it said: "Yesterday's devotional was right on target for me. A very dear friend lost her husband very unexpectedly on Saturday. I want to minister to her and be a blessing to her. Words are hard to find at times like this, but for those of us who are saved and have the promise of seeing our saved loved ones again, His Word is always the best comfort. I plan to share your devotional with her. Though she knows all these things, she needs the reminder that He will carry her when she can no longer walk; He is really the only one who can lighten her load and get her through this trial. Thanks." This is exactly what we as believers are called to do. Philippians 2:4 reminds each of us, as a family of Christ, to "look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." As the body, it is not only our responsibility to reach out to those who have not yet come to know our Savior, but also to love and support those who have joined with us in faith. We all go through tough times, and Galatians 6:2 tells us to "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." When someone in the body in mourning, we need to be sorrowful with them. In times of joy, we should rejoice. But above all things, we need to remind each other of John 15:13, which says that "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." Two verses later, in John 15:15, Christ spoke these words: "I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you." Christ said that the greatest act of love is laying down your life for a friend, and Christ calls us His friends. That is at the core of Christ's redeeming death on the Cross. His death bore our burden, and His resurrection brought us new joy. In times of sorrow, look to Him who calls us friends, and who displayed to the world what true love really is! :)
Tuesday, April 24th, 2012
Today, we want to hear from you! Please fill out the guest book and send us a verse or a topic that you have been studying recently, and we'll feature it in a message this week! Share with us what you have been learning! :)
Monday, April 23rd, 2012
Job 1:21 "The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away; blessed be the name of the Lord." Matt Redman put this verse into a song (see the Song of the Week) that has become near and dear to many of us over the past few months. When pain, trials, and suffering come our way, it is so simple just to raise your hands towards God and ask, "What are you doing, Lord? Why are you letting this happen?" The truth of the matter is that we won't always know why God is allowing certain trials to come into our life. All we can do is continue to pray and, as Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." It takes a lot of faith and a lot of strength to remember God's promises when the going gets tough, but it is only then that we can have peace in our transgressions. The band Third Day wrote a song in which one of the verses speaks this truth: "Even though the journey's long , and I know the road is hard, well, the One who's gone before me- He will help me carry on. After all that I've been through, now I realize the truth- that I must go through the valley to stand upon the mountain of God." We believers are promised in Romans 8:28 that "in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." We don't see the big picture, but He does. We can't understand the plan of God, but He is watching us and protecting us. We only see what lies before us, but He knows what is at the end of the road. The path is never a smooth ride, but in the end, there is only one thing that those who have placed their faith in Christ and endured to the end will be able to say- "I have trusted in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, Redeemer, King, and God!" :)
Saturday, April 21st, 2012
Galatians 6:7 "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows." Continuing with the fruit theme, there is a much deeper meaning to this verse than what appears on the surface. Let's say we plant a tomato seed, and it produces a tomato plant. There are three things to note about this plant. One, it produces what it is. As mentioned yesterday, a tomato plant will not produce apples. Also, it produces more than one tomato. A tomato vine that only produces one tomato is not a very successful plant. And thirdly, it takes time to grow. A seed placed in the ground does not simply sprout into a tomato. Applying this to our own lives, we can look at both good and bad fruit. If we plant bad seeds, we will reap bad fruit, we will reap more bad fruit than what we bargained for, and the consequences will not come right away. Conversely, if we plant good seeds, we will produce good fruit, our seeds will grow into more blessings, and the benefits will come later than when we planted the seeds. Wise words from a loving mother to her son! :)
Friday, April 20th, 2012
One of the major Biblical metaphors comes in the form of fruit. That may sound strange, but many times, Christ and the apostles refer to believers producing fruit as a result of their faith. In Luke 6:43, we read that "No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit." It's a pretty general concept, but when you think about it, it makes sense. If we sow the seeds of an apple tree, will the tree produce oranges? Of course not. That's why Galatians 6:7 reminds us that "A man reaps what he sows." Something to remember is that a tree's life source is not the fruit, it is the roots. The fruit represents what the roots are grounded in, which is why Matthew 15:18 says that "the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man unclean." The fruit of the believer represents the roots of the faith, and since our roots are grounded in the Christ our Redeemer, we should only be producing good fruit. However, because we are still sinful, we still produce bad fruits. There are two types of bad fruits that can be produced; sins of commission and sins of omission. Sins of commission are when we do what we shouldn't do. The other, sins of omission, are when we don't do what we should do. For example, a sin of commission would be to steal, while a sin of omission would be to not give generously. Either way, both of these present themselves as bad fruit in the believer's life. Ultimately, you can't get rid of bad fruit by pulling them off or even breaking off the branch. Bad fruit will only be destroyed when the tree is pulled out at it's roots- it's life source. Similarly, resisting temptation can only happen when we attack the heart issue of the sin. Do not try to cut off the bad fruits at the stem. Rely and trust Christ, and hack the bad tree off at the roots. Only then will the good seeds begin to grow! :)
Thursday, April 19th, 2012
Matthew 12:22 "Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see." We've already explored Christ's power over nature, in His calming of the storm on the sea. But Christ displayed His power not only over the physical realm, but the spiritual realm, also. The truth is, there is an invisible war going on in the life of every believer. Each day, Satan and his legion of demons are posing an assault on those who follow Christ. Do you ever feel like those who you know that are not saved seem to be going through less trials? Satan already has those who have not trusted Christ held by chains, so he focuses his effort on the believers. However, we need to remember that the battle is already won! In Romans 12:21, we are told to "not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." How can we stand firm against the war going on inside us? Paul, writing to Timothy, wrote this in I Timothy 1:18-19 "This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, having faith and a good conscience." W wage the good warfare by having faith and a good conscience- by placing our trust in God and by repenting from sin. Each and every failure gives Satan a foothold on pulling us down again, but through repentance and God's forgiveness, we rise once again to fight the good fight. Do not give in to the whispers of the Tempter in your ear; listen to the call of the Father to trust in Him! :)
Wednesday, April 18th, 2012
Of all the commands in Scripture, there is one which occurs in almost every book of the Bible. The most well known example of this command is in Isaiah 41:10, where God speaks to His people and says "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." God's command to 'fear not' has, is, and always will be a source of hope for the believer. What are some things that we fear? The fear of man, of failure, of the unknown, all express our lack of trust in God. In Matthew 8, Christ was sleeping on a boat while a terrible storm was raging. The disciples were sore afraid, and woke Jesus so that He would do something about the problem. Matthew 8:26 records Christ's words as He said, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" More often than not, we act no differently than the disciples did time and time again. Yet, we really have nothing to fear! The only thing that needs to be feared is the wrath of God, which was poured out on Christ for our sake, and as believers, we are covered by that perfect sacrifice. Because of the covering of our sin, Romans 8:31 reminds us that "If God is for us, who can be against us?" Hebrews 13:6 is another verse that can fill us with hope as it says "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" Really, what can man do to us? Does it matter that men hold the power to take our physical lives? Who can touch our souls but God? We are promised in John 10:28 that "I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand." We are forever in the hand of God, and since "in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28), there is no reason to fear anything. We can place our hope, faith, and trust in the One who is, and know that we have nothing to fear. Not just the big things, but "in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7) Fear not, for God is in control, and He holds our lives in the safety of His hands! :)
Tuesday, April 17th, 2012
If there is one word that our culture loves to throw into the face of the believers, it is this: tolerance. Tolerance has been seeping into the pulpits and teachings of churches and nations around the world, and things such as evolution, homosexuality, universalism, and several other unbiblical doctrines are now in the 'mainstream Christianity'. Christ, in Matthew 10:34 spoke these words: "Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword." Now, this verse can be taken out of context, and it can be commented that here, Christ is going against His own teachings on loving your enemies; this is not so. Later on in Matthew 16:24, Christ tells us that "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." If there is any one man who is the prime example of Biblical intolerance, it is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. After all, they crucified Him for the things that He taught about man, about God, and about Himself. He taught that "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). See, religious tolerance looks at each and every belief system, and accepts it for truth. For a believer to do this contradicts everything that they claim to believe in. Mohammed did not lead the world to the truth- Christ sets us free. Buddha did not show the world the way to live- Christ sets us free. The thousands of Hindu gods and goddesses do not determine our fate- Christ sets us free. To believe in Christ is the one and only way to the Father, and all other religions only lead to condemnation. However, it is always important to love the sinner and hate the sin. We do not know who God has planned for redemption; all we can do is go out there and spread the Good News! When we teach the world about what He did for us, there will be no more need for tolerance. In the end, each and every believer will be gathered together before the throne of God. Christ lived, breathed, and died to save you. That is the truth that will set you free! :)
Monday, April 16th, 2012
The very first of the ten commandments was given in Exodus 20:3- "You shall have no other gods before me." Many believers look at that and think that nothing can come before God. However, that is not what the first commandment means. In the original Hebrew, the word 'before' in this verse literally translates as 'in the presence of'. That is, God is not saying that there can be nothing ahead of Him; He is saying that there can be no other god in His presence. God does not expect there to be a second place after Him. There can be nothing that we even compare to Him. In the book of I Samuel, the fifth chapter records the story of the Philistines, who captured the Ark of the Covenant from the people of Israel. The Philistines took the Ark into the temple of their god, and set it amongst their idols. I Samuel 5:3 tells that "When the people of Ashdod rose early the next day, there was Dagon, fallen on his face on the ground before the ark of the LORD! They took Dagon and put him back in his place." They came in and saw the statue of their god, Dagon, fallen prostrate before the Ark. They set it back up, but it was in vain. The next day, as I Samuel 5:4 tells, "there was Dagon, fallen on his face on the ground before the ark of the LORD! His head and hands had been broken off and were lying on the threshold; only his body remained." God cannot and will not tolerate us making idols in our lives. This is why Christ said in Mark 12:30 that the greatest commandment is to "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength." Anything that we put before our God is an idol, but also anything we bring into the presence of God is also an idol. We as believers need to remember Who created us and what He did because of His love for us, and when we do, we will truly be able to put Him first and foremost in our lives! :)
Saturday, April 14th, 2012
After Christ's resurrection, He reappeared to the disciples, and continued doing works and miracles on earth for forty days until His ascension back into Heaven, where He sits at the right hand of the Father until He comes again. But just as the story of Christ does not end with His death on the Cross, the legacy of Christ did not end with His ascension. As the book of Matthew 28:19-20 records, Christ commanded His disciples to "go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." The disciples were left with a task to go and spread the great news of the Gospel, which every believer today is still called to do. Nevertheless, there are skeptics who will continually argue that we believe in vain, and Christ never rose from the dead; after all, I Corinthians 15:13 reminds us that "If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised", and everything we live for is a lie. However, if there is one thing that so powerfully testifies to the truth of Christ's resurrection, it is how each of the disciples died. Acts 12:1-2 explains that "It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword." Peter was crucified upside down, Thomas was burned alive, Matthew was beaten to death with an ax, and the Apostle Paul was beheaded. Each of the disciples, with the exception of John, died a brutal death for the sake of the Gospel, and their martyrdom legacy continues to this day. All around the world, there are missionaries and preachers being murdered because of what they speak about who Christ is. The apostles were there, and they saw Christ alive again; none of them, just as none of us, are willing to give up our lives for something we know as a blatant lie. The disciples died and went willingly because they knew that what they were speaking was the truth. Philippians 1:21 says that "to live is Christ and to die is gain." There is nothing worth giving up our lives for like the Gospel. After all, while men can physically take our lives, what can they do to our soul? That is in God's hands alone. Our world is heading towards the persecution of the believers again- do not give up hope! While the battle is just beginning, the war is already won, and Christ is the victor! We can stand with our heads lifted high because of the glory of Christ our Savior and Redeemer! Death is not the end for us. Death is the opening chapter of when we really begin to live! :)
Thursday, April 12th, 2012
If there is one thing that stirs up fear in many people's lives, it is the thought of being alone. Loneliness and separation lead so often to anxiety and depression, and everyone goes through times of hopelessness where they feel completely isolated from the rest of the world. However, there is hope for each and every believer when this feeling arises. Psalm 139:8-10 says that "If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast." No matter where we are in our life, or what we are doing, God is and always will be there, walking along side of us and bearing our burden when the load becomes overwhelming. Many have heard the story of the footprints in the sand, but if you have not, here it is:
One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord. Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky. In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand. Sometimes there were two sets of footprints, other times there were one set of footprints. This bothered me because I noticed that during the low periods of my life, when I was suffering from anguish, sorrow or defeat, I could see only one set of footprints. So I said to the Lord, "You promised me Lord, that if I followed you, you would walk with me always. But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life there have only been one set of footprints in the sand. Why, when I needed you most, you have not been there for me?" The Lord replied, "The times when you have seen only one set of footprints, is when I carried you."
I Peter 5:7 calls the believer to "Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you." Those words speak such hope to those of us who find ourselves feeling empty and alone. The Bible speaks many times of God telling His people that He will never leave them nor forsake them, and God's Word always remains true. We can and we should always go to Him in times of need, and above all, we need to remember that, when the going gets tough and the road gets bumpy, it is those times that He will be the one carrying us! :)
One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord. Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky. In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand. Sometimes there were two sets of footprints, other times there were one set of footprints. This bothered me because I noticed that during the low periods of my life, when I was suffering from anguish, sorrow or defeat, I could see only one set of footprints. So I said to the Lord, "You promised me Lord, that if I followed you, you would walk with me always. But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life there have only been one set of footprints in the sand. Why, when I needed you most, you have not been there for me?" The Lord replied, "The times when you have seen only one set of footprints, is when I carried you."
I Peter 5:7 calls the believer to "Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you." Those words speak such hope to those of us who find ourselves feeling empty and alone. The Bible speaks many times of God telling His people that He will never leave them nor forsake them, and God's Word always remains true. We can and we should always go to Him in times of need, and above all, we need to remember that, when the going gets tough and the road gets bumpy, it is those times that He will be the one carrying us! :)
Wednesday, April 11th, 2012
Earlier last month, we talked about what repentance is and why the believer needs to be engaged in true, heartfelt repentance every day. However, there is an internal feeling that Satan can and does use against us frequently- guilt. It is normal and good to feel guilty after you sin, which leads to repentance. But Satan can so easily twist that feeling into a fear of being unforgiven. I John 1:9 says that "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." But that little voice in our ear will be whispering that God doesn't want us, He is ashamed of us, and we are too far gone to be forgiven. King David, after he sinned with Bathsheba, wrote Psalm 51, which is his prayer of repentance to God, asking for mercy and forgiveness. "Have mercy on me, O God,according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge." (Psalm 51:1-4) The truth is, when we humbly come to the Cross and lay down our burdens there, God desires and is always willing to forgive us of our sins. Guilt can build up inside of us, until we reach the point where we feel so weighed down by our own failures that we loose sight of what Christ did in His atonement for us. Romans 8:1 gives us believers such hope when it says that "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Also, Romans 5:1 tells us that "since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Feeling guilty and repenting is a sign of the Holy Spirit dwelling within you; wallowing in guilt is a sign of the Deceiver trying to manipulate you. Later on in Psalm 51, David writes this: "Create in me a pure heart, O God,and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me." (Psalm 51:10-12) When guilt leads to repentance, it creates a renewed and joyful spirit in the believer. Do not be held down by the chains of guilt; be uplifted by the restoring forgiveness and grace of our Savior! :)
Tuesday, April 10th, 2012
James 4:6 "But He gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'" Pride is at the root of any sin. It is fallen man declaring that his feelings, thoughts, or desires will serve him better than the law of God. In the Garden, Satan tempted Adam and Eve saying "For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." (Genesis 3:5) They bought the lie that God would become jealous of them if they ate of the fruit of the Tree, and from that lie, sin entered the world. To be prideful is to make an idol of yourself, and worship your own status in the world over Almighty God, who is the only One who deserves the glory. However, humbleness brings grace. The most humble act ever committed was the death of Christ. Philippians 2:6-7 tells us that Christ, "Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness." Jesus humbled Himself and took on the sin of the world, when in actuality, if there was any man who ever had the eternal right to be proud, it was our Savior. Christ humbled Himself at the Cross, and we need to reflect Him and do the same. When we are lost in our sin, and we find ourselves at the foot of the Cross with nothing at all to offer, we can come broken and humble, and it is there that God gives us grace and mercy. It is so easy to put yourself above God, but as believers, we cannot do that. When we remember what Christ went through to conquer our pride, we can truly worship the Savior in our humbleness! :)
Monday, April 9th, 2012
There always seems to be a very gradual decline in the level of "spirituality" after a holiday for a believer, especially Easter or Christmas. As we sink back into the flow of everyday life, we loose that fire and passion that we have during the big days of our faith. James 1:17 tells us that "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and His words and His promises never change or cease. So why does the celebration ever stop? In John's revelation, it was revealed to him that "Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night they never stop saying: 'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.'" The celebration in Heaven and in the new Jerusalem never and will never stop, as we will always be singing our praises to Him. The "God-high" feeling that so many believers long for should never really wear off, because we truly have so much to be praising God for each and every day. Besides the infinite amount of blessings that God graciously pours out on us, there are also the big truths that we have come to know and believe about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He lived the perfect life, fulfilled every messianic prophecy, was God incarnate, came to the world to rescue His people, died on a Cross to make the payment for our sin, was resurrected the third day, defeated the power of death and sin once and for all, and will one day be coming back for His people to take them home to eternal fellowship with Him! In every situation, it gives the believer so much joy to remember all that the Word of God has told us; these truths are and always will be true, and that is definitely a reason for celebration! :)
Saturday, April 7th, 2012
Matthew 28:6 "He is not here; He has risen, just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay." This is the battle cry of every believer; Christ did not simply come to die for our sins, but He also came to rise again and conquer sin, Satan, and death once and for all! If Christ had simply died and not rose again, He would just be another great teacher in a grave who couldn't escape the inevitable end of men- death. The Buddha's body was cremated and his ashes are still preserved; Mohammed's body lies in a tomb in Saudi Arabia; even the Jews still revere the burial place of Abraham. However, visit the Garden Tomb in Israel, and you will see that it is empty, for Christ is not there, He has risen! An agnostic once said this: "The true religion will answer this question: Has anyone defeated death, and if so, is there any way we can get in on it?" That man, Lee Strobel, then went on to become a famous Christian author and apologist after researching and studying nearly 40 different world religions. In Genesis 3:15, God cursed the serpent saying "And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel." The third chapter of Genesis paints the entire storyline of Scripture, and in the end, through Christ's death and resurrection, Satan and sin were crushed beneath the foot of Jesus. Acts 1:3 tells us that "After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God." Christ is risen! He is alive! And through Him, we have, will, and always will claim the victory!!!! :)
Friday, April 6th, 2012
John 19:20 “When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”
What was accomplished at the Cross?
1. Atonement was made for our sin
In the Old Testament, the temporary appeasement of God’s wrath came through the sacrificing of animals. However, animals cannot save anyone, and the Israelites had to sacrifice to God every day.
And then Christ died.
Hebrews 10:4 explains that “it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.” However, by Christ dying on the Cross, II Corinthians 5:21 tells us that “God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.”
2. Separation between God and men was abolished
In the Old Testament, only the high priest could enter into the Holy of Holies, the presence of God, once a year to make atonement for sin. Because of the curse that was put on Adam and Eve in the Garden, sinful man could no longer see the glory of the perfect God, and Exodus 33:20 explains that “you cannot see My face, for no one may see Me and live.”
And then Christ died.
Ephesians 2:14-16 says that “For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.” Christ died and the veil was torn, and man could once again come to God through Jesus’ sacrifice, which made the ultimate bridge between the sinful and the sinless. Christ was fully God and fully man and only He could ever bring the people back to the Father.
3. The love of God was displayed
Throughout history, God has displayed His grace and mercy towards His creation, but because of sin, men could not fully adhere to His love.
And then Christ died.
Romans 5:8 tells us that “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” The Cross was the ultimate representation of God’s love, which made a way for us to be drawn into Him and truly be able to worship Him freely.
Christ did not simply die; the story doesn’t end with Christ hanging on the Cross. Three days after His death, the angels proclaimed that “He is not here; He has risen, just as He said!” (Matthew 28:6) While we are made clean in the death of Christ, we are made new in the resurrection of Christ.
II Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”
Romans 6:11 “In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.”
I Corinthians 15:22 “For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.”
He is risen! :)
What was accomplished at the Cross?
1. Atonement was made for our sin
In the Old Testament, the temporary appeasement of God’s wrath came through the sacrificing of animals. However, animals cannot save anyone, and the Israelites had to sacrifice to God every day.
And then Christ died.
Hebrews 10:4 explains that “it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.” However, by Christ dying on the Cross, II Corinthians 5:21 tells us that “God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.”
2. Separation between God and men was abolished
In the Old Testament, only the high priest could enter into the Holy of Holies, the presence of God, once a year to make atonement for sin. Because of the curse that was put on Adam and Eve in the Garden, sinful man could no longer see the glory of the perfect God, and Exodus 33:20 explains that “you cannot see My face, for no one may see Me and live.”
And then Christ died.
Ephesians 2:14-16 says that “For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.” Christ died and the veil was torn, and man could once again come to God through Jesus’ sacrifice, which made the ultimate bridge between the sinful and the sinless. Christ was fully God and fully man and only He could ever bring the people back to the Father.
3. The love of God was displayed
Throughout history, God has displayed His grace and mercy towards His creation, but because of sin, men could not fully adhere to His love.
And then Christ died.
Romans 5:8 tells us that “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” The Cross was the ultimate representation of God’s love, which made a way for us to be drawn into Him and truly be able to worship Him freely.
Christ did not simply die; the story doesn’t end with Christ hanging on the Cross. Three days after His death, the angels proclaimed that “He is not here; He has risen, just as He said!” (Matthew 28:6) While we are made clean in the death of Christ, we are made new in the resurrection of Christ.
II Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”
Romans 6:11 “In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.”
I Corinthians 15:22 “For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.”
He is risen! :)
Thursday, April 5th, 2012
What do we bring to the table? Since salvation is by grace alone, and we have nothing to show for ourselves that can save us, do we play any part in our salvation at all? First of all, we, in our fallen nature, will never choose God on our own. Romans 3:10-11 says that "There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God." In fact, Ephesians 1:4 says that "He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight." Our salvation has been set forth since before time began. The truth is, there is nothing that we take part in that saves us. It is only when the Holy Spirit opens our eyes and reveals the truth to us that we can have faith and believe. However, through salvation, we need to respond with good works. A believer is filled with the Holy Spirit, and Galatians 5:22-23 says that "the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." Also, James 2:17 says that "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." We do not do good works as an act towards salvation, because good works adds nothing. We do good works in response to our knowledge and understanding of the precious gift that God has given us in the sacrifice of His Son Jesus Christ. Good works shows the Holy Spirit, strengthens the testimony of the saints, and ultimately, brings glory to God through us! :)
Wednesday, April 4th, 2012
Atheism and agnosticism seem to be running rampant in today's society. The "belief" that there is no higher power, or that we really just can't know if there is, seem to be views which many are coming to accept as fact. With evolution being taught in every science class around the country, and the constant pressure of keeping matters of church and state separate, it is no wonder that people are questioning or even denying the existence of God. However, Romans 1:20 tells us "For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse." Whether someone believes in God or not, He does exist, and there on the day of judgement, no one will have any excuse at all for their disbelief. Just look at the world around you! Here we are, sitting on a sphere suspended by nothing in space, placed at precisely the right distance from the Sun which provides the perfect amount of energy. We live on a planet that has every necessary element to sustain life, every means by which humans can fulfill God's command to be fruitful and multiply. When you take just a moment to think about the events that take place every day, there is no way to explain the earth we live on except by trusting in the Creator God. Author and Pastor Mark Driscoll put it this way: "Why is it that the men and women who are educated beyond their intelligence, have more degrees than Fahrenheit, and IQs off the charts, why have they not come to realize the fact that God exists, created us, and loves us?" Richard Dawkins, world renown author, biological evolutionist, and atheism representative, was once asked in an interview what he would say to God if he got to Heaven and found out that He existed. His response: "I would look at Him and say, 'Sir, why did you do so well to hide yourself?'" That answer will never stand up to the truth of God, because there is no excuse to disbelief. John 3:19 says that "This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil." The reason that so many people deny the existence of God is not because they have sound reasoning or strong evidence to back them up; it is because men who are in the darkness love the darkness and despise the light. We as believers need to praise God that our eyes were opened to the truth about who God s, what He has done, and how we are called to respond. We are the children of the Creator God, so let's starting living like we have a purpose, because we do- to carry out the plans of our Father! :)
Tuesday, April 3rd, 2012
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace." Sometimes we stumble upon verses which need a lot of study and explanation. Other verses, like the ones above, need not be explained. As you are reading these verses today, take the time to slowly go over each portion and come to grips with what it is telling you. Many of us like to feel in control of our lives, but we are not; God is. Read it, reread it, and make it your prayer today to live according to God's plan! :)
Monday, April 2nd, 2012
Matthew 21:9 "The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Hosanna in the highest!"" Christ entered the city of Jerusalem riding on a donkey, and the people hailed Him as their King and Lord. A week later, these same people would cry out to the Pharisees to crucify Him as a blasphemer and criminal. How like those people we are! We claim to be the citizens of Christ's kingdom, yet in our sin we continuously heave our insults against Him. Christ died for our transgressions, paid the price for our iniquities, and willing gave Himself up to the wrath and judgement of the Father. Christ entered the city on a donkey, but if we look at John's account of Revelation 19:11, it says this: "I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war." In times of peace, a king would enter the city on a donkey, such as Christ did on the road to the Cross; He road this donkey to the Cross, where He made peace between God and man. However, in times of war, a king would ride on a white horse, such as Christ does in the end times. Jesus took on the judgement at the Cross, and the day is drawing near where He will be the Judge, the perfect Judge who will do justice upon the world. For the believer, we have the hope that He will be our King and leader, and with God as our leader, there is no way we can loose. The battle may just be beginning, but the war has already been won! :)
Saturday, March 31st, 2012
Sometimes we feel like we can't have an impact. We look at our own lives, our own defeats, our own guilt, and we say to ourselves, "Why would God want to use me?" If people could see the dirt that we try so hard to cover up, our testimony for Christ would be ruined, right? Here's the thing- God knows all that we have done, and no matter how far we try to run or how deep we try to bury it, 1st John 3:20 tells us that "God is greater than our hearts, and He knows everything." And yet, God still wants to use us for the advancement of the kingdom. All it takes is a look at the people in the Bible to know that God uses the weak to lead the strong. There's Peter, the disciple that always knew the perfect time to say the wrong thing, who ended up becoming the leader of the first church; Moses, a fearful man that couldn't speak in front of anyone, who led God's people to the Promised land; King David, an adulterer and murderer, who is known to this day as a man after God's own heart. Then there is the greatest example of all- our Savior Jesus Christ. Born to a virgin in a manger, raised as a carpenter, worked as a servant leader out of love, what this the great King that the nation of Israel was expecting? Christ was known as a man of sorrows, the good shepherd, names that are in no way a description of what one would think a King is. Yet He lived without sin, and was the perfect picture of what He said in Matthew 20:16: "So the last will be first, and the first will be last." We are all the 'least of these', and we all have our failures. But God can and will still use you if you let Him. Jonah tried to run, and still ended up fulfilling God's plan. It only takes one spark to start a forest fire, one drip to form a river, and one willing spirit to start a revival for the Word. When we rely on God, He uses us regardless of our past mistakes. Put your life in the hands of the Father, and there is no telling where He will take you! :)
Friday, March 30th, 2012
We all go through times where we feel guilty, defeated, and extremely far away from God. The truth is, because of the internal sin we all have, we are as far away from God as we can possibly get. In Genesis 3:23, after Adam had fallen, "the Lord God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken." The punishment for sin was death, but it was also separation from God. Where as once they could walk with God in the Garden, they had now been banished from the very presence of God. Thankfully, the story does not end there! A man name Jesus Christ, who was God incarnate, came to this earth and died so that the gap between God and His creation could be filled. Jesus paid the price that needed to be paid, and in so doing, Mark 15:38 says that "the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom", and we all had access once again to walk with our Father. One day, the new Jerusalem will be here on earth, and we will be able to live with Him again in perfection for eternity. Before His ascension, Christ told His disciples in Matthew 28:20 that "surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." He is always with us; we are never alone. He walks with us through every trial and every circumstance, and Psalm 23:4 tells the believer the great truth about His presence- "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." We are saved from the wrath of God, by the sacrifice of God, through the spirit of God, and into the presence of God. Because of sin, we are as far from God as we can get; because of Christ, we are as close to God as we can get, until the day He comes back for us! :)
Thursday, March 29th, 2012
Luke 12:24 "Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!" Let's face it- there are a lot of things that we do not have that we would like to have. Whether it be a new car, a bigger house, or the newest technology, we would all like to have that "new thing" that everyone else wants. There is nothing wrong with wanting something, but too often it becomes an idol in our lives. But shouldn't an all loving God want us to be happy and have these things? Philippians 4:19 answers this question: "And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." God will provide us with that which we need, not everything that we want. The amazing thing is that, when you become a believer, your wants and your needs will become one and the same. We want God's will to be done in our lives, and that want is always granted to us by grace. God opens and closes doors with every choice we make, and His provisions lead us and reveal to us where God has directed our life to go. If we look closely and examine our lives deeper, it is so easy to see all that God has blessed us with. Praise God, who gives and takes away, and directs us all according to His perfect will! :)
Wednesday, March 28th, 2012
Proverbs 28:13 "He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy." Sin is the breaking of God's law. The punishment for our sin is a physical death, which no one can get out of. However, the second punishment, the worst punishment, is a spiritual death which leads to eternal damnation and separation from God. There is only one way to be saved from judgement, and that is by the saving power of Christ. When we repent of our sin and turn away from the broad road, we are welcomed into the family as a child of the risen King. In the book of Luke 15:7, Christ speaks these words: "I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent." Christ explained earlier in Luke 5:32 that he did "...not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." Therefore, if you are a sinner, you were part of Christ's mission. When we feel guilt, that is the Holy Spirit moving inside us, and that is a call to repentance. True repentance is much more than being sorry. It happens too often where the believer tells God that they are sorry and then continues right on in their sin. If we're honest with ourselves, we can probably admit that that is sometimes true in our own lives. C. S. Lewis, in his novel Mere Christianity said this:
"...fallen man is not simply an imperfect creature who needs improvement; he is a rebel who must lay down his arms. Laying down your arms, surrendering, saying you are sorry, realizing that you have been on the wrong track and getting ready to start life over again from the ground floor - that is the only way out of our 'hole'. This process of surrender - this movement full speed astern - is what Christians call repentance. Now repentance is no fun at all. It is something much harder than merely eating humble pie. It means unlearning all the self-conceit and self-will that we have been training ourselves into for thousands of years."
So that's it; true repentance is laying down your arms, admitting that you cannot do it on your own and you need a way out, and then turning to Christ and handing Him the steering wheel. It is not merely a thought process, it also requires a change in attitude and a change in action. God is always ready and willing to forgive when you come humbly to Him. Stop trying to rely on yourself, and remind yourself that He must be the one that has the control! :)
"...fallen man is not simply an imperfect creature who needs improvement; he is a rebel who must lay down his arms. Laying down your arms, surrendering, saying you are sorry, realizing that you have been on the wrong track and getting ready to start life over again from the ground floor - that is the only way out of our 'hole'. This process of surrender - this movement full speed astern - is what Christians call repentance. Now repentance is no fun at all. It is something much harder than merely eating humble pie. It means unlearning all the self-conceit and self-will that we have been training ourselves into for thousands of years."
So that's it; true repentance is laying down your arms, admitting that you cannot do it on your own and you need a way out, and then turning to Christ and handing Him the steering wheel. It is not merely a thought process, it also requires a change in attitude and a change in action. God is always ready and willing to forgive when you come humbly to Him. Stop trying to rely on yourself, and remind yourself that He must be the one that has the control! :)
Tuesday, March 27th, 2012
II Corinthians 4:16-18 "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." If there is any verse that can put joy into the believer's heart, it is this one. In this life, we will all slowly pass out of this world, because of sin. But because of our faith, we have been made new in Christ, and we have a hope in the eternal life that we will soon go to. Pain comes, trouble arises, and trials are ever present each day. Sometimes it feels like there is no way we can go on, and we wonder to ourselves, "Where is God? What is He doing in all of this?" That is where verse 18 comes in. We do not see it all, but He does. We might not understand what is going on, but He does. Our Father is preparing a place for us in His eternal Kingdom, which will never pass away. That is the hope that we find ourselves in when we look to Christ! :)
Monday, March 26th, 2012
James 4:4 "You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God." That verse speaks very powerfully about who we should be and what our lives should look like as believers. The definition of 'enmity' is "a feeling of hostility or ill will, as between enemies". In fact, if you look back to the third chapter of Genesis, God speaks these words to the serpent: "And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel." The Word speaks of our making friendship with the world as the same feeling God has towards Satan, which is ultimately why Christ died on the Cross. This is why it is so important for us to be in the world, but not of it. Romans 12:2 says "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--His good, pleasing and perfect will." We, as followers of Christ, need to reflect Christ in what we say, what we do, and how we do. We need to walk on the straight and narrow path. We are the city on the hill, and no one who lights a flame hides it under a bowl once they light it. Christ has made you new and has set your flame alight again. Let it shine! :)
Saturday, March 24th, 2012
Psalm 30:5 "For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning." Have you gone to bed after a hard day which felt like a battle field, and then woke up the next morning feeling completely renewed and joyful? That experience is one of the many blessings that we receive as believers. However, this verse is not just speaking of the physical, it is also speaking of the spiritual. One of the many reoccurring themes in the Word is the concept of light and dark; those who trust in Christ are taken from darkness into light. So when the psalmist says that weeping only remains for the night, he is saying that defeats only occur with those who are not saved. Now, we're not saying that trials don't come in the believer's life, because each day we are faced with new struggles, and many times we do fall. But that is where our rejoicing comes in the morning. When we fall, we have the strength to get back up, and that strength is the Holy Spirit working in us because of the Cross. We can be joyful because of His cry that "It is finished!", and we are no more in the chains of sin and the grip of the deceiver. We are safe in His hands, and Romans 8:38-39 tells us that "... neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." That is our hope, that is our strength, and that is definitely something that we can rejoice in when the morning comes! :)
Friday, March 23rd, 201
One of Jesus' many commandments is found in Matthew 5:44 "But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." That is almost never an easy thing to do, and sometimes we feel compelled to feel anger towards those who persecute us. The question was raised, what about the many Psalms in which David prays for the judgement on his enemies? Is that still loving them? The thing to remember is this. You can show love to someone by asking God to bring them to Him. God shows mercy on those He chooses, and He shows justice to the others; both are acts of love. To be reconciled in Christ and humbled at the Cross can mean to be shown either mercy or justice, and the greatest act of love was Christ dying on the Cross. When you love your enemies, it makes a testimony for Christ about what He came to do. His ministry on earth was demonstrated by showing grace to the humble and judgement to the proud- both are acts of love. 1st John 4:19 says that "We love because He first loved us", so it is our duty to pass on that love to those that need it the most! :)
Thursday, March 22nd, 2012
It is so easy to feel overcome by sin and guilt. We feel burdened down with a heavy load on our back, which we ourselves can never get rid of on our own. One of Satan's lies that he spits at us is that we are hopeless, that God could never forgive us because our sin is too great. Do you ever feel like no one could understand what you're going through, like God would look at you and turn away His face? A verse that has given many believers strength is 1st Corinthians 10:13, which says that "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." All it takes is telling an accountability partner your problems, and really being honest with them, to realize that you are definitely not the only one struggling in that area. God is faithful, and 1st John 1:9 says that "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." It's been said many times before, and it will be said again- our God is a much bigger Savior than we our sinners! As the old hymn says, "Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe, sin had left a crimson stain, He's washed it white as snow!" You are made clean by the blood of the Lamb, the perfect sacrifice of our Lord. How great is our God! :)
Wednesday, March 21st, 2012
We want to hear from you today! Please go to the Guest Book page and send us a message, and tell us a verse you've been studying or a lesson that God has been teaching you lately, and we'll feature it in tomorrow's message! Proverbs 1:5 says to "Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance." Share with us! :)
Tuesday, March 20th, 2012
Isaiah 64:6 "We are all infected and impure with sin. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags. Like autumn leaves, we wither and fall, and our sins sweep us away like the wind." Sin is everywhere, all the time, in every moment of every day. This world is constantly in a state of deprivation from the holiness that God intended and created us for. Sin is, for lack of a better description, a genetic defect that is passed on through every generation, starting with Adam and going down through the line. There are no exceptions, no exemptions from the stains of our rebellion. Romans 3:23, a verse that many believers can say without thinking about it, says "For all have sinner and fallen short of the glory of God." Scripture talks a lot about what sin is, but sometimes, we need a reminder of it's definition. The theologian John Wesley once wrote a letter to his mother asking for her concept of what sin is, and while it did not directly come from Scripture, we feel that it's safe to say that God certainly put this response into her heart. Susanna Wesley said this: "Take this rule: whatever weakens your reason, impairs the tenderness of your conscience, obscures your sense of God, or takes off your relish of spiritual things; in short, whatever increases the strength and authority of your body over your mind, that thing is sin to you, however innocent it may be in itself." What does Satan do to tempt us into sin? We can look back to the Garden of Eden, at the moment before the fall of man. The scene: Eve, holding the forbidden fruit, Adam standing next to her, and the serpent, the craftiest of all the creatures, letting out his weapon. Genesis 3:1 records his words: "Did God really say..."; yes, there is more to the verse, but that's as far as we need to look. Did God really say... Satan tempts us by taking God's words and twisting them to put doubt into our hearts. That is precisely what he tried to do with Christ, but Christ always triumphed over sin. And Christ defeated Satan by using something everyone in the United States has access to... the Word of God! That is the only way to resist temptation- with the perfect Word of God. Joshua 1:8 says "Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful." That is how you can overcome temptation. Hebrews 4:12 tells us that "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Study the Word, and arm yourself with the Book of Truth, because only then will you be able to stand on solid ground when the devil sends an earthquake your way! :)
Monday, March 19th, 2012
Mark 12:29-31 "'The most important one,' answered Jesus, 'is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."'" The two commandments that our Lord Jesus Christ said were the most important; the two commandments that we as the people of God most often break. It is so easy for our sight to be clouded by all of the stuff that we constantly pour into our lives. We are swayed by the media, the trends, and the people around us, and we forget about what the only One who really matters thinks. Each and every thing that we put in front of how we love God is an idol. You know, why is it so easy for us to get ticked off at people? A pastor once put it this way: as humans, we are all fallen, and in our fallenness, we are all alike. Yet, we constantly forget to love the sinners, and hate the sin. We are so prone and so quick to judge those around us, which we have no right to do. "Judge not, lest you be judged"; a heavy and hitting statement. God is sinless (as defined by the very nature of God). Yet when we become believers, He pours unending love on us. That leaves the question: Why do we feel that we can express anger and hatred towards sinners just like us, when our perfect God looks on us in our total unholiness, and He still loves us? If we would just follow those two commandments, how much different would this world be? Many people look on the Christian population and they see a lot of hypocrites who can talk the talk but don't walk the walk. Be honest with yourself- can we blame them? It's time that we step up to the plate and start living as Christ commanded us. It's time we start living in love :)
Saturday, March 17th, 2012
Jeremiah 29:11 "'For I know the plans I have for you', says the Lord. 'Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you hope and a future'." It doesn't always seem like this verse is true. Every day, we are hit with hardships and trials that make us wonder what God is doing. The thing we need to remember is that we don't see the big picture, but He does. A friend of many of ours, who was recently diagnosed with a very serious disease, can attest to the fact that he has been able to reach people that, had this not happened, he never would have reached. "Plans to prosper and not to harm you, to give you hope and a future." God does not make decisions based on what we want, but on what He knows we need. Prospering does not mean becoming wealthy or having ever need met. To God, prospering is so much more than that. It's yielding the fruits of the Spirit when all odds seem against you. It's finding a peace and joy when you don't know how much time you have left. It's looking to God when all others tell you to "Curse God and die." Yes, there is so much truth to the verse of the song that says, "Even in the valley, God is good." We cannot trust in any earthly thing to give us a future. This world is fallen, and everything in it can only offer temporary pleasure. But Christ offers us true joy and unending happiness, if we could only look past the current problem and realize that He is looking out for us. We are very often faced with a situation that we don't think we can get through. And the truth is, we can't. Not without God. But the book of Romans reminds us that, if God is for us, who can be against us? Don't tell God how big your mountain is. Tell your mountain how big God is! :)