Merry Christmas 2011!

For Unto Us A Child is Born

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The Power of Forgiveness

“And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.” Ephesians 4:32, HCSB

When I first thought about writing a post on forgiveness I began to attempt to recall past hurts and disappointments that resulted in resentment and bitterness for me. As I tried to recall these things I realized I could only manage vague recollections of the events. Why? Because of the power of the Holy Spirit which enabled me to forgive fully and completely the heartaches and hurts of the past.

Until just a few years ago I was a person filled with repressed anger, bitterness and resentment. At that time I could give you a detailed litany of not only the wrongs I had endured but I could also list for you each person responsible and exactly what they had done that caused me pain. I was consumed and controlled by the pain of the past.

I told myself I was okay because I had forgiven everyone. After all, being a Christian for many years I was well acquainted with scripture concerning forgiveness. I could easily quote the Lord’s Prayer which includes the words, “forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors,” Matthew 6:12, HCSB.

But if I had truly forgiven everyone, then why was it that just the mention of a past hurt would cause me to suddenly become angry and upset? I came to realize I had allowed bitterness to set-up housekeeping within my soul. It became obvious to me that I had merely given lip-service to the act of forgiveness.

Bitterness results when unforgiveness has been left to sit, soak and stew. I once read bitterness is akin to taking poison and hoping someone else will die. It steals your life by robbing you of peace, comfort and happiness. Bitterness is a consuming hatred.

My so-called forgiveness had not been genuine; it lacked authenticity. In order for an act to be genuine, it must be supported by the evidence. If bitterness continues to reside within your heart you are unable to exemplify those acts which would provide evidence to support true forgiveness.

Jesus says in Matthew 12:34, “The mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart.” Again in Matthew 15:18 Jesus says, “What comes out of the mouth comes from the heart.”

It was only when I came to true repentance in my heart that I knew how it felt to feel genuine forgiveness toward others. Through the power of the Holy Spirit was I able to forgive completely. And through the work of the Holy Spirit I was able to learn about forgiveness—what it does and what it does not do.

Forgiveness does not correct or rewrite the past; it does not condone wrong-doing or otherwise unacceptable behavior. It does not change the person who wronged you. However, forgiveness does change you and because of the restorative power of forgiveness it rewrites your future. Through the act of forgiveness you will find you are not only able to love others fully but you are also able to love yourself. Authentic forgiveness destroys the bitterness, the resentment, and the anger that poisons and cripples.

Unforgiveness robs you of fellowship with God and extinguishes spiritual growth. Repentance brings forgiveness and forgiveness brings freedom, liberty, and peace in Christ Jesus. Isaiah 61:1, also known as the Messiah’s Jubilee says, “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and freedom to the prisoners,” HCSB. Unforgiveness is a prodigious imprisoner and it gives Satan an advantage in our lives, (2 Corinthians 2:11)!

The Apostle Paul, in Colossians 3:12-14, says we are to put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, accepting one another and forgiving one another, just as Christ has forgiven us. And above all we are to put on love which is the perfect bond of unity.

My pastor, Dr. Richard Kaufman, says the following on a regular basis: “The biggest bottleneck to blessings and revival in the modern church is unforgiveness and the lack of repentance on the part of believers.” Further, he says everybody needs forgiveness; everybody wants it; and when you receive it, it changes everything!”

Is your life filled with the peace, power and liberty of the Holy Spirit or is your life consumed with hatred, bitterness, and anger? Make the choice today to forgive those who have wronged you, just as Christ has forgiven you. Then go to Him in prayer; He is waiting to hear from you. Remember, God does not want flowery speeches or fancy words from us but instead He desires heartfelt prayer, sincere worship and geniune devotion. Bring your offering of worship to Him today; don’t delay.

Dear Lord, I pray for clean hands and a pure heart that I may worship You in spirit and in truth. I earnestly pray You forgive me for the times I have withheld forgiveness from others—there is no excuse for withholding forgiveness. I sincerely pray that You forgive me my trespasses as I forgive those who have trespassed against me. I desire true fellowship with You O Lord. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

God Bless!

Heaven is Real and So is Hell

The Devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet are, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

Then the sea gave up its dead, and Death and Hades gave up their dead; all were judged according to their works. Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And anyone not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire. Revelation 20:10, 13-15, HCSB

Then the One seated on the throne said, "Look! I am making everything new." He also said, "Write, because these words are faithful and true." And He said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give to the thirsty from the spring of living water as a gift. The victor will inherit these things, and I will be his God, and he will be My son. But the cowards, unbelievers, vile, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars—their share will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death." Revelation 21:1-8, HCSB

Even though far more people readily acknowledge belief in heaven than hell, according to the Bible, both exist. And just as eternal life in heaven will be far better than we can imagine; eternal punishment in the lake of fire will be far worse than we can imagine.

While God is loving, merciful, and just—He is first and foremost righteous and holy (Leviticus 11:44, 45; 1 Peter 1:16). As such, He cannot tolerate sin. Habakkuk 1:13 says that God’s eyes are too pure to look on evil and that He cannot tolerate sin. Romans 3:23 says that all have sinned and Romans 6:23 says the punishment for sin is death. Just as God is an infinite and eternal Being—the deserved punishment for our sin is eternal death.

The Good News is that God is love, (1 John 4:8), and as such has provided for us a way of escape; a way of redemption through faith in Jesus Christ His Son: For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life, John 3:16, HCSB.

Do you know Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior? If not, do not delay in coming to know Him. Scripture tells us in Isaiah 55:6-7, HCSB, "Seek the Lord while He may be found; call to Him while He is near. Let the wicked one abandon his way and the sinful one his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, so He may have compassion on him and to our God, for He will freely forgive". Second Corinthians 6:2, HCSB, says, "Now is the acceptable time; look, now is the day of salvation".

God will not wait forever for you to make a decision. The Bible teaches in Romans 1, verses 24, 26, and 28, that the Lord will eventually give people over to the hardness of their own hearts. There may come a point when God no longer draws you to Him, revealing your need for a Savior, (John 6:44).

Don’t delay. Today; right now; bow your head in prayer and admit to God you’re are a sinner; repent and turn from your sin. Believe that Jesus is God’s Son and that He came into the world to save everyone. Confess your faith in Jesus as Savior; as Lord of your life and choose to live your life for Him from this moment on.

God Bless!

NOTE: If you do know Jesus as Lord, don’t neglect to pray daily for those who are lost and dying in sin. Pray for those who minister to them; pray that as the Father draws them they have open minds and receptive hearts; and pray that you speak with complete boldness the Good News of Jesus Christ!

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is God's power for salvation to everyone who believes. Romans 1:16, HCSB

Speak with Boldness

And now, Lord, consider their threats, and grant that Your slaves may speak Your message with complete boldness...When they had prayed, the place where they were assembled was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak God's message with boldness. Acts 4:29, 31, HCSB

This past week a young man I knew died. I hadn’t seen him in about three years but these are some of the things I remember about him. He loved sports, movies, music, and he loved to joke-around. He was attractive, tall, and had a pleasant disposition. He loved his parents and spoke of them often. He loved his brother and his niece and nephew; in fact, he LOVED children. His love for children was such that he spent time working with children diagnosed with disabilities.

What I don’t know about is the condition of his soul. I know that when I last saw him, he was not a believer. The last contact I had with him was to let him know I was praying for him. Whether or not he ever accepted Christ I do not know nor will I ever know.

I have cried over the loss of someone so young. I have cried over the pain I know his parents are feeling. Most of all I have cried because I know that if he died without Christ he is forever lost. And that pain is the most acute of all.

I would like to put the painful memories aside and begin to forget; but I cannot. For the death of this young man is now a reminder to me of the urgency of the gospel. The urgency of the gospel is that Christ could return at any time and it is also that any of us can step into eternity at any time because we do not know the day of our death. All we have is the moment in which we now live.

The urgency of the gospel is that we live in a world of lost and dying people. And these people live around us; they aren’t all strangers—they are family members and friends. It is our job to tell them that Jesus died on the cross to save them; to tell them about how on the third day Jesus arose and is now seated at the right hand of the Father; to tell them it is not about how good or bad they are but it is about how good God is and how much He loves us. "For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life”. John 3:16, HCSB

Pray for courage; speak with boldness and spread the gospel with urgency.

God Bless!

What Are You Doing?

Even though we are speaking this way, dear friends, in your case we are confident of the better things connected with salvation. For God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you showed for His name when you served the saints—and you continue to serve them. Now we want each of you to demonstrate the same diligence for the final realization of your hope, so that you won't become lazy, but imitators of those who inherit the promises through faith and perseverance. Hebrews 6:9-12, HCSB

I think most of us evaluate our day’s work in one way or another. I typically think in terms of, “what did I accomplish today” and I love days when I can say to myself, “Wow. I got a lot done today. It’s been a productive day.”

However, I’ve heard my pastor say more than once we should ask ourselves daily, “What have I done today that made an eternal difference?” Posing that particular question to yourself at the end of each day will most definitely change your focus and your view of your day’s accomplishments. Suddenly the evaluation of your day’s work is far more poignant.

Hebrews 6:9-12 certainly seems to support working on behalf of God’s kingdom by saying we aren’t to become lazy, (v. 12) but, in fact, are to continue to serve, (v.10). The book of James also supports this. In chapter 2, verses 14-26, the author, James, presents his case for faith and works. James specifically writes in verses 17, 18, and 26 that faith without works is dead. Further, he tells us, using examples to support his claim, it is through works that faith is perfected; hence, active faith is demonstrated through works, (v. 22).

Our works will not save us. We are saved through the mercy and grace of God, through faith, Ephesians 2:8. But once we are saved we are most definitely to be doing, working, serving, etc., because of our faith and because of the outpouring of love of our Almighty God that compels us to do so.

Make no mistake—other are always watching us. They watch not only to see what we do but they also watch to see what we do not do. Further, how you re-act is as important, if not more so as how you act.

Recall that Jesus, as a twelve-year-old, was accidentally left behind in Jerusalem after the Passover. His family returned, searching frantically for Him. When they found Him (after three days!), He asks them, "Why were you searching for Me? Didn't you know I would be involved with my Father’s business?" Luke 2:49

What are you doing and how involved are you in your Father’s business?

God Bless!

To Know You

 I long and yearn for the courts of the LORD; my heart and flesh cry out for the living God. Psalm 84:2, HCSB

A line from a song written by Mark Hall of Casting Crowns says, “To know You is to wanna tell the world about You.” The chorus of the song includes this line, “To know You is to want to know You more.”

I have found both statements to be true in my own life.  The more I read, learn, and come to know the character and person of Christ, the more I want to know and the more I want others to know of Him. I believe this a desire based in God’s love and I believe it is a yearning that will not be fully satisfied this side of heaven.

Lysa Terkeurst writes in her book, “Made to Crave” that “We were made to crave—long for, want greatly, desire eagerly, and beg for—God. Only God,” (21). Lysa goes on to say, “God never intended for us to want anything more than we want Him,” (29).

Psalm 84 tells of longing for God and His house.  It speaks of yearning for the house of the LORD and crying out for God, v. 2; it says happy are those who reside in God’s house and praise Him continuously, v. 4; it also says happy are those whose strength is in the Lord, v. 5; and happy is the person who trusts in the Lord, v. 6.

David wrote in Psalm 19:1 that the heavens declare the glory of God and they proclaim the work of His hands. Since nature itself proclaims the greatness of God surely it follows that those who know Him personally as Lord and Savior would want to proclaim His great name; His glory; and His power.

Pray with me that not only will we crave God more and more but that we will also come to know all the fullness of the Holy Spirit within our lives. Pray that our lives will become a bright and shining witness for Jesus Christ in the world—proclaiming His love and glorifying His great name. Amen.

God Bless!

Without Faith It is Impossible to Please God

 Now without faith it is impossible to please God, for the one who draws near to Him must believe that He exists and rewards those who seek Him. Hebrews 11:6, HCSB

Recently I had the pleasure of hearing a young man in our church give a sermon on faith. He said faith requires three things: acceptance, trials, and endurance. This prompted me to devote some time to the study of faith.  Through this I gained new insights and reaffirmed others.

As children of Adam we are all born with a sinful nature. We have nothing to offer in and of ourselves alone; nothing with which to commend ourselves to the perfect Creator. In fact, Jeremiah 17:9 says the heart is deceitful above all else. But through the infinite mercy of our loving God we are offered an unspeakable gift—an opportunity for redemption through Jesus Christ.

Jesus said no man comes to Him unless the Father draws, leads, or brings him, John 6:44. The Apostle Paul also reminds us of this in Ephesians 2:8 when he says we are saved through grace, by faith—it is a gift of God. Again, we do nothing on our own merit for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Romans 3:23.

If we do accept this wonderful gift the spiritual journey has just begun. Unfortunately, too many are satisfied with their status of “babes” in Christ. They not only fail to increase in faith but also never make any progress toward spiritual maturity.

On the other hand, if we are truly interested in growing our faith we will look to God’s word, the Bible. Paul said that faith comes from what is heard and what is heard comes through the message about Christ, Romans 10:17. Therefore, we must be in the Word.

Pray is an important element in growing in faith and spiritual maturity. We get to know others through communication and we communicate to God through prayer. Looking to the Bible we can find many examples that point to the importance of prayer. Luke 11:1 is only one of the many examples in the Bible that shows us the importance of prayer. Jesus lead by example and His devotion to prayer did not go unnoticed by those around Him. One day as Jesus finished praying, His disciples asked Him to teach them to pray just as John the Baptist had taught his disciples to pray.

Certainly obedience is an important factor in spiritual growth. Obedience is not optional, it is a requirement. In obedience we step out of our comfort zone in faith and we are rewarded with even deeper faith as we watch how God works on our behalf.

However, through obedience we will often suffer trials--trials which we must learn to embrace. Our trials serve to exercise our faith; trials refine us—mold us, shape us. James tells us the trials we endure mature us and make us complete and lacking nothing, James 1:2-4. Trials help us to become firmly rooted in Christ and established in the faith, Colossians 2:7. It is through the process of spiritual maturity that we grow into the likeness of Christ, Galatians 3:27.

What is the result of and goal of our faith? The Apostle Peter tells us in 1 Peter 1:3-9 the goal of our faith is the salvation of our souls and the benefits we enjoy are that we have a living hope; an imperishable inheritance; we are protected by God’s power and we have inexpressible joy.

Don’t wait to enjoy all the blessings God has in store for you. Ask God to help you in your walk of faith. He rewards those who seek Him and He yearns to give you an abundant life now. Begin now—worship intentionally—live expectantly as you passionately pursue the Lord’s will in all things!

God Bless!

If You Only Believe

 Therefore, I tell you, all the things you pray and ask for—believe that you have received them, and you will have them. Mark 11:24, HCSB

During the last week before the crucifixion Jesus and His disciples were passing through the town of Bethany. Jesus, being hungry, saw a fig tree and went to see if there were any figs on it. Finding none, Jesus cursed the fig tree saying that no one would ever eat of it again.

The next day, when passing the fig tree again, the disciples were amazed to find the fig tree already withered. Jesus tells them (in point of fact, He assures them) that anyone who has faith in God and does not doubt can indeed move mountains.

Jesus goes on to say that when we pray and ask for something, our faith should be such that we believe we have already received that for which we asked. This is the power of effective prayer.

Concerning effective prayer, 1 John 5:14-15, HCSB, says: “Now this is the confidence we have before Him: whenever we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears whatever we ask, we know that we have what we have asked Him for.

James 1:5-6, speaking of praying for wisdom, tells us we are to ask in faith without doubting. Our confidence, our faith, our strength, our power, our ability to ask believing that we have already received comes through the power of God in Christ Jesus. It is not just that we exercise faith but it is that our faith is in our Sovereign God.

As humans, our minds and our strength are so limited.  But don’t despair for we have an infinitely powerful God. We don’t have to depend upon and should not depend upon our own limited resources. As Christians, the Spirit of Almighty God lives within us and that is all the power we need—the same power that raised Christ from the dead, Romans 8:11.

And that is why when we pray in faith to God, without doubting, we can ask and believe that our request has already been granted. May God Richly Bless You!

Forever Active

"Do not lack diligence; be fervent in Spirit; serve the Lord." Romans 12:11, HCSB

Are you waiting for others to do the job God has called you to do? And if no one steps up to do that job, do you simply walk away, without regret, leaving the job undone?

Years ago I heard a pastor say something like this, “Perhaps your gift is just filling a pew each and every Sunday.” May I respectfully, disagree with this notion? For I am convinced beyond a shadow of a doubt the Bible teaches we are to be active, not passive, in God’s service.

Now make no mistake, the Bible does indeed say we are to meet together as Christians and encourage one another, Hebrews 10:25. But I have never read anything in the Bible that indicates a Spiritual gift is passive. Everything I read in the Bible indicates we are to be active, in fact, forever active, in the Lord’s service. (Even when God named Himself, “I AM”, He used active voice! –Exodus 3:14)

In calling His disciples Jesus said, “Follow Me.” In the telling of the parable of the large banquet Jesus said to go out and make [compel] them to come in, Luke 14:16-23. The Great Commission found in Matthew 28:19-20 can be easily summed up in two words: GO and DO.

As Christians, we are to grow more and more like Christ. Paul writes in Ephesians 4:15, we are to grow in every way into Him—Christ.  This goal can only be achieved through activity.

It also follows that retirement is not an option. We are to serve until death. Just think of how old the Apostle John must have been when he received and wrote down the Revelation, not to mention the ages of the patriarchs of the Old Testament.

Commit yourself to being forever active for the cause of Christ and His Kingdom. Don’t walk away from the work (and blessings) God has designed especially for you.

“To Him who loves us and has set us free from our sins by His blood,” Revelation 1:5, HCSB. AMEN!

God Bless!

The True One

 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding so that we may know the true One. We are in the true One—that is, in His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. 1 John 5:20, HCSB

Throughout my life I have used food to comfort me when I’m upset, anxious, etc. My lack of self-control over food has wreaked havoc with my weight but the real problem, as a Christian, is much bigger.

I have abused my body with poor food choices and lack of exercise and that is sin because of the harm it has caused my physical body—I am not my own, I’ve been bought with a price and therefore I am a temple of the Holy Spirit who lives within me, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. But most important is the fact that anything we choose over God is sin, Exodus 20:3. Anytime we choose to replace God with something else or someone else we are elevating that thing or person to idol-status in our lives.

In my case, I have sought comfort and solace in food instead of seeking comfort and solace in the Lord. The truth is a harsh one for me but through the power of the Holy Spirit, the problem can be conquered, Romans 8:37. (Recommended Reading: “Made to Crave; Satisfying Your Deepest Desire with God, Not Food,” Lysa Terkeurst, Zondervan, 2010)

The Apostle Paul wrote of glorifying God in both body and spirit in 1 Corinthians 6:12-13, HCSB, when he said, “Everything is permissible for me,” but not everything is helpful. “Everything is permissible for me,” but I will not be brought under the control of anything. “Foods for the stomach and the stomach for foods,” but God will do away with both of them.

“Everything is permissible for me,” and “foods for the stomach and the stomach for foods” were apparently popular notions of the day. Paul corrects this thinking by adding that just because things are permitted does not mean they are beneficial and further anything that controls you is not helpful—the word “addiction” should leap to your mind. Paul also states that in the case of food and the stomach, both will be done away with (in the glorified body).

When I recognized I was putting food before God—I was horrified. I was disgusted by the realization of the preeminence I had given food in my life. The solution: confession and repentance—a turning away from sin and turning to the true One; the only One that can give true comfort and true peace.

God Bless!

Reasonable Service

Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. Romans 12:1-2, HCSB

Do you not know that your body is a sanctuary of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, HCSB

I don't drink alcohol; I don’t gamble; I don’t smoke; I don’t take illegal drugs nor do I abuse prescription medications; and I was never sexually promiscuous. However, I do have a problem with food. I love to eat and I made food my drug of choice many years ago. Food is my comfort—it is what calms me down when I am nervous or upset. Food is my addiction.

As a result of my addiction, I have struggled with weight issues my whole life. Several months ago, the Holy Spirit began to deal with me about the state of my health. After all, as Christians, we are not our own; we are bought with a price and we are to glorify God with our bodies. We do that by presenting our bodies to Him as a living sacrifice. (And BTW, that is our reasonable service as opposed to our above and beyond service. WoW! That hits home doesn’t it?)

If I’m abusing my body with food and I’m not exercising as I should then it follows that I’m presenting a substandard (i.e., unacceptable) sacrifice to the Lord.  Also, along with impeding my ability to perform well I am more than likely affecting the longevity of my earthly life. To cut to the chase—I’m sinning against God because I’m abusing my body.

We are to praise the Lord in our spirit and we are to praise Him with our physical bodies. God meant for us to put good things into our bodies. That’s why we feel better when we eat the good stuff. God meant for us to exercise our bodies—our bodies are built for movement—that’s why we have about 206 bones but three to four times (depending on who you ask) as many muscles—and that’s why we feel better when we exercise regularly.

My solution? I have started to walk for exercise again. The Holy Spirit has allowed me to see that I can make walking more than just exercise, it can be worship as well.

Bringing my body into submission as far as food is concerned is more difficult for me. But I know the battle can be won. I now realize the battle is not just a physical battle but also a spiritual battle. And the good news is that God is on my side! However, my battle with food is not a battle I can win in my own strength. If I could have won the battle on my own I would have won it years ago. No, for me this is a battle that can only be won through total dependence upon the Lord. He is there to bridge the gap for me.

Lysa Terkeurst, President of Proverbs 31 Ministries has written a book, “Made to Crave; Satisfying Your Deepest Desire with God, Not Food”. In the book, Lysa writes, “Moment by moment we have the choice to live in our own strength and risk failure or to reach across the gap and grab hold of God’s unwavering strength. And the beautiful thing is, the more dependent we become on God’s strength, the less enamored we are with other choices. “(168-169)

Yes, God is there to stand in the gap for us; to give us strength when we are weak. Many times we must lose to win. There must be a stripping away of those things that hold us down and hold us back from being what God intends for us to be. But we can be sure that, “He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion,” Philippians 1:6, HCSB.

God Bless!

I AM WHO I AM

God replied to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you." Exodus 3:14, HCSB

In his book, “No More Secondhand God”, Buckminster Fuller said, “God is a verb. I wonder if Mr. Fuller came up with the idea of God being a verb after reading Exodus 3:14. As one of the great thinkers of the 20^th century and an author who wrote of God, Mr. Fuller surely pondered the thought of the Uncreated One; the Eternal One; the One who is unchanging and absolute; the “One who is, who was, and who is coming,” (Revelation 1:4).

Since the beginning of time man has attempted to describe our great and awesome God. However, try as we might, our descriptions are always inadequate. Why? Because God is so much more than we our earthly minds can fathom.

God reveals Himself through nature; He has revealed Himself through historical events and people and through His unerring word, the Bible. And yet we are able to come to know Him intimately through trusting in Jesus Christ His Son. “For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16, HCSB

If you haven’t already done so, I invite you to come to know God through reliance upon His Son. Come to know the extravagant love of the Father through the Son. Enjoy a personal relationship with God both now and throughout eternity.

“You love Him, though you have not seen Him. And though not seeing Him now, you believe in Him and rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy, because you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” 1 Peter 1:8-9, HCSB

God Bless!

Standing in the Gap

“I searched for a man among them who would repair the wall and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land so that I might not destroy it, but I found no one.” Ezekiel 22:30, HCSB (also see Isaiah 41:28; 59:16; 63:5)

Standing in the gap before God means interceding on behalf of someone or a group of people, such as a country or nation, in prayer. This resonated with me deeply, very recently, when I realized how little time I spend in prayer for my country.

I’m never able to read through Isaiah or Jeremiah without thinking about the United States and how closely the sins of our country today resemble those of Israel and Judah. It has been said that what one generation tolerates, the next accepts and we have tolerated ourselves right into the muck and scum of depravity and immorality.

What are we to do? Pray. We are to pray; we are to stand in the gap before God and pray on behalf of our nation. In Ezekiel 22:30, God searched for a man to pray on behalf of the land and found no one. Isaiah 59:16 says God was appalled there was no one to intervene and again in Isaiah 63:5 it says that God was amazed that there was no one to give support.

We are to pray. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says we are to pray continually; without ceasing. We are to stand in the gap before God on behalf of the land and on behalf of others.

The Apostle Paul in giving instructions to Timothy on prayer said:

“First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” 1 Timothy 2:1-4, HCSB

Notice the “why” of the above—we’re to prayer for others so that “WE may lead a tranquil and quiet life” and because it pleases God. Increase the boundary of your prayers to include your nation as a whole and others individually for this pleases God whose desire it is that ALL be saved. So be faithful in praying for others as the Holy Spirit directs and then watch expectantly as God answers those prayers in mercy and in grace.

God Bless!!

Accepted

When I was growing up I felt different. I felt I didn’t belong. I not only wondered if I was adopted but I also hoped I was adopted. For if only I were adopted, I could rationalize why it was I was different and be okay with it.

By nature I am reclusive. I was very shy as a child. My mother, my brother, and my sister always enjoyed being around people and blended in easily with the crowd. I never cared for crowds. As a child birthday parties, trick or treating on Halloween and Easter eggs hunts were well outside my comfort zone; not to mention big family gatherings.

As an adult I felt rejection. I was primed for it of course. What an easy transition from feeling different to feeling rejection; it really is a small step. I felt rejected by my father because he was around so seldom when I growing up—he had demons of his own he was battling. I felt rejected by my husband—again, a man battling demons of his own. I felt rejected by my maternal grandfather—after all; I was so very different from everyone else in the family. These men said they loved me; it was me who judged their actions to be in conflict with their words.

By way of explanation—I am a person who has always looked at the world as black and white; no grays allowed. That viewpoint does help to keep you out of trouble—I have always been an honest person. The downside of the black-white viewpoint is that it tends to make you somewhat rigid—someone is either right or wrong—there are no allowances for pre-existing conditions, situations or circumstances.

I grew up in a Christian family. (God has always been so good to me!) I grew up in church. I accepted Christ as a teenager and I have known without a doubt since that time that Christ lived within my heart. I interject this because there are people who believe that when we accept Christ as Savior we suddenly become fully spiritually mature—but spiritual maturity is a process. Why did I feel rejected and unloved? I was spiritually immature and placed blame on others when it was not theirs to bear.

A few years ago I was reading a passage of scripture that no doubt I had read before when the Holy Spirit spoke to me…and this time I listened…I really listened. And this is what I learned: I am loved and I am accepted because He loves me. Reading from the New King James Version, Ephesians 1:3-6 says this:

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.”

It does not matter how others may feel about me, I am accepted in the Beloved. I am adopted, a joint-heir with Christ and I became that when I repented of my sins and asked Him to come and live in my heart. God loves me—HE loves me…even me! For someone like me who felt different—who felt acutely rejected—that knowledge is monumental! The acceptance of that truth allowed me to forgive others completely; that knowledge destroyed the bitterness that I had allowed to build up inside of my heart; that knowledge instilled within me an ability to love others more completely. That knowledge allowed me to take another step toward spiritual maturity!

We often hear it said, “Let go and let God.” It is a simple statement but simple does not equate to easy. What are you harboring in your heart today? Is it anger; bitterness; self-pity? What I want you to know today—whether you are a Christian or non-Christian—God loves you. He really, really does. I pray with all my heart that you believe that statement. GOD LOVES YOU!

If you are a Christian, you have already been accepted in the Beloved. And if you are not a Christian, God loves you and gave His Son to die on the cross for your sins. Jesus died, was buried, and arose victoriously—conquering death—for you. Come to Christ today. Pray and ask Christ to come into your heart today and become accepted in the Beloved.

"For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16, HCSB

“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:13, NIV

“…God who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did.” Romans 4:17b, NKJV

Have faith in God!

God bless!

Deep Roots and Spiritual Growth

We are asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, so that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing [to Him], bearing fruit in every good work and growing in the knowledge of God. Colossians 1:9b-10, HCSB

This spring I planted five new shrubs. At the time I was unaware we would experience a drought situation in our area. In the beginning I kept the plants watered but then I was away from home during the hottest portion of the summer and the plants suffered greatly without the appropriate amount of water to sustain them.

Recently I pulled up the five shrubs and threw them away. The root structure of the plants was very shallow, having never become fully established, making it easy to pull the plants out of the ground. Without a proper root structure to provide the required nutrients the plants were doomed.

This reminds me of how very important it is to be deeply rooted in the word of God so that we may experience proper growth and maturity. If we are firmly planted in God’s word we will receive the vital nutrients needed in order to thrive and therefore not be doomed to fruitless living.

In explaining the parable of the sower to His disciples, Jesus said this: “When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” Matthew 13:19-23, NIV

When we are faithful and obedient to God’s word in our lives we allow the Holy Spirit to move freely within us—teaching, guiding, and directing our walk of faith. Feed on the Word and be obedient to it—walk worthy—grow, mature, and be fruitful!

God bless!

The Ministry-Bug

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me”. Galatians 2:20, NIV1984

I don’t know what the ministry-bug looks like but I do know what it feels like and I also know there is no cure for it. Oh, there may be times when you are attacked and because of those attacks you briefly think, “I’m-just-not-going-to-do-this-any-longer.”  But inevitably you feel that stirring in your soul and before you know it you’re doing it again. Once again, you are completely engrossed, obsessed, and occupied with spreading the Good News and the love of Jesus with others. You are down on your knees asking God, “Fill me Lord with Your Spirit. Send me where You would have me go. Speak through me; saturate me with Your Being. Allow me to see others as You see them. Teach me to love others as You love them; use all I am for Your kingdom’s cause; let all my passion always be for Your glory. Amen.”

I confess the ministry-bug term is not original with me. My pastor used it last night in his sermon and I thought, “What a great term; I love it; I’ve got to use that!”

The point I’d like to get across to you today is that there is no such thing as the average Christian life. You’re either living a Spirit-filled-life or you aren’t. Going to church on Sunday morning, occasionally reading your Bible and quickly saying your prayers before you fall into bed every night may seem adequate to you but it is not the Spirit-filled life that God seeks for you. It is not the abundant life God has in store for you. There is SO MUCH MORE and it lies outside the walls of your church building.

Our Lord desires to have an intimate-walking-talking relationship with each of us. Open the door to His presence and His power. Be filled with His wisdom, courage, and strength. Become fully dependent upon Him.

When you invite Jesus into your life daily to live His life in you and through you may expect the remarkable. Expect the abundant life. Expect to be bitten by the ministry-bug and expect an exciting adventure and complete joy…even through the trials.

“You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone. As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead”. James 2:24, 26, NIV

God bless you!!

Comfort for God's People

Do you not know? Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:28-31, NIV1984

I LOVE to read Isaiah 40 and it happened to be a part of my daily Bible readings this morning. I don’t believe I have ever read this chapter without my heart leaping for joy. How can anyone not be completely moved by these words?

Let me quickly remind you of some other familiar passages within Isaiah 40. Verse three was quoted by John the Baptist in the third chapter of Matthew—the voice of one calling in the desert, prepare the way of the LORD. Verse 40 is a favored memory verse for teachers—flowers and grass may fail but the word of the LORD stands forever. Verse 11 speaks of our good and loving Shepherd. And backup to verse 10 which speaks of the Sovereign LORD coming in power and His reward being with Him; and there’s much more—read it—stop—read it now!!

Isaiah 40 contains feel-good-comforting-amazing-exciting-stuff for those who know and love the Lord. This chapter serves to remind me that not only is God still in control but also that He always has been and always will be in control...for He is the eternally Sovereign Lord God.

Yesterday I went to the doctor and he told me something I didn’t want to hear and I was upset. I called my husband and then I wanted to call my sister but I knew I’d start crying…and then I stopped! I said, “Kaye is God suddenly no longer in control because you received what you consider bad news?” Certainly not! Suddenly I felt very silly. Yes, confession is good for the soul and communicating in prayer with Almighty God who loves me and forever holds me in His hand is even better.

Enough said. Before I leave you with a closing scripture just let me say—briefly upset yesterday; privileged this morning to discover one of my favorite, comforting passages as a part of my daily Bible readings…God is so good; so loving. He loves us extravagantly and knows us intimately. I know it does get better than this because the Bible tells me so but this is really good too!

"So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised." Hebrews 10:35-36, NIV1984

May God richly bless you!

God Bless the Broken Road

"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." Matthew 7:13-14, NIV1984

Several years ago Marcus Hummon along with Bobby Boyd and Jeff Hanna wrote a song called, "God Blessed the Broken Road". It’s been recorded several times by different artists; the one with which I’m most familiar is by Selah. The song, although written as a romantic one, just as easily pictures a person progressing through life on the straight and narrow walk of faith.

Consideration of the straight and narrow road is familiar but considered less often are the detours, the potholes, the steep hills, the deep valleys one incurs along the way. Many seem to believe that once you make it through the narrow gate onto the road called Straight it is smooth sailing the rest of the way. Nothing could be further from the truth for no one grows to maturity without growing pains.

"I set out on a narrow way many years ago…I got lost a time or two…I couldn't see how every sign pointed straight to you…"

The process of maturity is not an easy one. We tend to get a lot of bumps and bruises along the way because we make poor choices. But even through that difficult process, the Holy Spirit is always there speaking to us, leading us in the way we should go if we would just recognize and listen to His pleadings. The bumps and bruises happen when we pull so strongly against the lead in order to go our own way. Only in retrospect do we realize we should have listened more carefully to the gentle voice of God, (I Kings 19:12-13) tugging at our heart, mind, and soul.

"I think about the years I spent just passing through; I'd like to have the time I lost and give it back to you…"

Unfortunately, the process of spiritual maturity can take many years and regret of what we may consider time lost is ridiculous. God works continually shaping us into the person He wants us to be; He is the Potter, we are the clay, (Isaiah 64:8).

"…You just smile and take my hand, you've been there you understand; it's all part of a grander plan that is coming true…"

In James, chapter 1, verses 2-4, we find these words: "Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing, (HCSB). My dear friends, God not only blessed the broken road but more importantly He continues to bless it!

The Simplicity of Salvation

“The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”” Acts 16:29-30, NIV

This morning as I walked I listened to a wonderful podcast by Dr. Adrian Rogers, (http://www.lwf.org) entitled, “The Simplicity of Salvation”. The text for the sermon was taken from Acts 16 which tells of Paul and Silas preaching in Philippi; the crowd being incited to riot; the missionaries arrested, stripped, beaten, flogged and thrown into prison. With the other prisoners listening, Paul and Silas begin to pray and sing hymns. A violent earthquake shakes the prison so severely the doors are opened and all the prisoners’ chains are loosed. Fearful, the jailer awakens, runs into the prison and believing the prisoners have escaped, draws his sword to take his own life. Quickly, Paul assures the jailer everyone is still there. It is after all these events the jailer asks, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

What a powerful story! Imagine the thoughts that must have been rushing through the minds of the other prisoners who had been listening to the prayers and songs of Paul and Silas. Consider the power of the Holy Spirit at work in the heart of the jailer who sees everything that has taken place and realizes immediately something supernatural has happened here; contemplate the conviction in his heart and the need and desire to know more. “What must I do to be saved?” The answer, simply, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved,” Acts 16:31.

The word “saved” in the Greek is sozo and means to deliver, to heal, to make whole. But from what is it that we are to be saved? We are to be saved from the penalty of sin which is eternal death; “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,” John 3:16, NIV. Jesus paid the sin debt in full when He died on the cross for our sins. He conquered death which was evidenced by His resurrection.

Romans 3:23 states we have all sinned. To be a morally good person is not enough; Isaiah 64:6 says that all our righteous acts are as filthy rags before a Sovereign God. Most of us know sin is what we do wrong but sin is also NOT doing that which is right. In short, what goodness there may be in humanity without God is sin.

It takes but one sin to keep you out of heaven. Think of it this way, if you were hanging by a chain over a deep ravine and only ONE link of that chain broke you would still plunge to your death in the abyss below. Peter, preaching redemption through Jesus in Acts 4:12, NIV, says, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.” Willingly confess the Lord—the Master; Jesus—the Christ, the Messiah, the Anointed One, and you will be saved. Believe—emotionally commit and surrender yourself today to Christ and you will be saved. AMEN!

God Bless!

Wherever He Leads

Recently, the Lord has allowed and enabled my husband and me to purchase a home close to our older daughter and her family. We never imagined we would have this opportunity but God is in the details and in fact, the Apostle Paul writes in Ephesians 3:20, NIV, our Lord “is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.”

I want to share with you a few thoughts about how God moves in our lives and remind you when following God you do not need to know the all the details. The need-to-know-everything-at-all-times is part of the desire for self-reliance, self-advancement and self-sufficiency with which we are all too familiar. As Americans, we have been inundated with this philosophy and gladly espouse it to others readily.  God, on the other hand, expects us to be faithful and obedient without knowing all the details.

When we were looking at properties and I first noticed the house we ended up purchasing I really liked it but I did not entertain looking at it because I knew it was out of our price range. I recall mentioning the property to my husband who promptly replied, “Don’t even think about it—any offer we could afford to make wouldn’t be considered seriously”.  However, after much prayer, I was able to convince my husband to step out on faith and make an offer.

Much to the surprise of my husband and our realtor—who negotiated on our behalf—a bid just a couple of thousand dollars above our original bid was accepted by the sellers. Our realtor and the selling realtor had been so doubtful about the offer they negotiated informally and finalized the process only after the negotiations were finished.

While God has graciously provided us with a home close to our children I’m not exactly sure why He has moved us here. The reason may be revealed to me sometime later or I may never know…but knowing all the details is not necessary.

Seeing God at work in my life helps me to know that I’m where I’m supposed to be at this moment and I have faith that as I need to know the next step of the plan the Lord will reveal that to me also, in His perfect time, not mine.

As Christians we speak a great deal about knowing God’s will for our lives. It is important to know His will for our lives and our prayer each and every day should be, “Lord, what would you have me to do today”? Intelligent obedience knows God’s will; intentional obedience not only seeks His will but also submits to His will immediately. We are to make ourselves available to God—to do what He wants us to do when He wants us to do it and how He wants us to do it. Perfect obedience doesn’t need to know the all the details; perfect obedience just does—quickly, sweetly, and completely.

“I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have preserved my life.” Psalm 119:93 NIV

God Bless!

Sharing Your Faith

"For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (HCSB)

We share our faith daily with others through the way we live. Others look at us to see if “we practice what we preach”. They look at our actions; our re-actions; and our attitudes. But what I’m speaking of at the moment is sharing with another the how’s and why’s of becoming a Christian.

The how’s are easy enough to remember. We teach them in Sunday School regularly and in Vacation Bible School yearly. In fact, if your church purchases VBS materials through Lifeway, then you know that each year Jeff Slaughter writes a new ABC song each year.

This year’s song was called, “Why Don’t You?”  Jeff began the song with John 3:16. The chorus of the song used the ABCs of Becoming a Christian:

(A)  Admit to God you’re are a sinner

Repent and turn from your sin

(B)  Believe that Jesus is God’s Son

 And that He came into the world to save everyone

(C)  Confess your faith in Jesus

As your Savior and your Lord

And choose to live your life for Him forevermore 

Scripture verses associated with the ABCs are Romans 3:23, 6:23, 10:9-10, and 10:13. John 3:16 is also used. It has been said, John 3:16, the best known Bible verse, is the gospel in a nutshell. The Roman Road to Salvation, another popular way to share the how’s of becoming a Christian, uses these same verses. 

The why’s of becoming a Christian can be and should be answered with your own personal testimony. What was your life like before knowing Christ as your personal Savior and what is your life like now? How is your life different? Write down your personal story so that you can easily share it with others. 

Though well acquainted with the how’s and why’s of becoming a Christian many still find sharing their faith with others difficult. Why? Is it fear of failure or is that we are stifled by feelings of inadequacy?

The modern world preaches self-sufficiency but as Christians we are to be completely reliant upon God who “has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant,” (2 Corinthians 3:6, NIV). “It is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose,” (Philippians 2:13, NIV).

We are inadequate, but God is not. We are to have faith and make the effort; it is God who does the work. Bill Bright, founder of Campus Crusade for Christ has said, “Witnessing is taking the initiative to share Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit, and leaving the results to God.” When Jesus was telling His disciples of coming trials they would endure, He told them, “Just say whatever is given you at that time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit,” Mark 13:11, NIV.

Jesus, your Lord and Savior, has done great and wonderful things for you. Go and tell others—they are waiting to hear your story. “In your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,” 1 Peter 3:15, NIV.

God Bless!