Forward Progress

Finally, brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. 1 Thessalonians 4:1, NIV

On Sunday I had the pleasure of visiting the church where a childhood friend is the pastor’s wife. They were celebrating their 25th anniversary of serving in this particular church. One of the sections of the day’s program was a review of the church’s history. The church was established some 55 years ago and they have had four pastors to serve; I cannot remember the length of time the first two pastors served but the last two lengths of service I do recall—21 years and 25 years. The numbers in membership have grown tremendously; an average of about 50 in Sunday School has grown to about 250; around 500 have been baptized in the last 25 years and they now average offerings of about $13,000 each Sunday. It is truly amazing what can happen when you let go and let God; blessings follow obedience.

In all of this I was reminded the Christian walk should be one of growth and forward progress. As we follow our Lord in obedience to Him, we should be moving onward, learning, growing, maturing as we walk on the journey of faith. This should be true of our individual journey and should be true of our local body of believers, and thus should be true of our church.

As parents, we look forward excitedly to our children learning and progressing through each level of maturity. It is also the will of our Heavenly Father that we learn, mature and make forward progress in our spiritual journey.

Are you where you should be in your journey of faith? Are you doing what you should be doing? If not, why not? Seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit; spend time alone with God; confess, repent, believe; He not only has the answer; He IS the answer.

God Bless!

Performance Review

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Romans 12:1

When I worked full-time, each year I was called in by my supervisor for an annual performance review. I had an overall job description and working from that description a list of performance objectives had been generated. Each year I would be graded as to how well I had performed each task. This served as a review or a reminder of what was expected of me daily.

Romans 12 is one of those, “In case you’ve forgotten how you are supposed to act, here’s a reminder” chapters of the Bible. If you ever feel confused or perhaps in denial about what you should be doing in terms of your daily Christian walk, read Romans 12.

It begins by telling us that in view of God’s mercy, we are to offer our complete selves to Him in worship. As a child of God we are to be nonconformists in regard to the world; we may live in the world for a short time but we are to walk in the way of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We are to be humble; to have fellowship with other members of the Body; to use our spiritual gifts; to love all sincerely; to live in harmony with everyone without partiality; to live peaceably and we are not to avenge ourselves—God will take care of that.

I challenge you to read Romans 12 today. Evaluate yourself using the performance standards listed. I don’t know about you, but there are some areas on which I need to focus.

God Bless!

Got Questions?

How can a young man keep his way pure?
By living according to your word.

I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:9, 11 (NIV)

I sometimes wonder how we as Christians can willfully neglect the reading of God’s word. The Bible is a treasure. It God’s holy word…WRITTEN DOWN and highly accessible!

Do you want to know about the character of God? Read the Bible.

Do you want to know more about the will of God? Read the Bible.

Do you want to learn about the promises of God? Read the Bible.

Do you want to learn more about how God blesses those that obey Him? Read the Bible.

Do you want an instruction book on how to live the best kind of life possible? Do you yearn for hope and joy in your life; do you need assurance that you are loved? Read the Bible.

Do you need, want, or desire greater faith? "Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of Christ", Romans 10:17, (NASB); READ THE BIBLE!

The law from your mouth is more precious to me
than thousands of pieces of silver and gold. (Psalm 119:72, NIV)

Your word, O LORD, is eternal;
it stands firm in the heavens. (v. 89)

How sweet are your words to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth! (v. 103)

Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light for my path. (v. 105)

All your words are true;
all your righteous laws are eternal. (v. 160)

May my tongue sing of your word,
for all your commands are righteous. (v. 172)

Got questions? The Bible has the answers.

God Bless!

Is That Your Final Answer?

You are the one I am teaching today.
I want you to trust in the Lord.
I have written 30 sayings for you.
They will give you knowledge and good advice.
I am teaching you words that are completely true.
Then you can give the right answers to the one who sent you. Proverbs 22:17-21 (NIRV)

When you are asked about things spiritual, how do you reply? Do you become flushed and frightened and attempt to change the subject or do you answer gladly and without hesitation? Solomon wrote we need to be able to hear and then speak the wisdom of God to others with accuracy.

But make sure in your hearts that Christ is Lord. Always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks you about the hope you have. Be ready to give the reason for it. But do it gently and with respect. 1 Peter 3:15 (NIRV)

We are to be prepared to share the story of Christ with others; don’t play the role of “Artful Dodger”—don’t live your life as an under-cover Christian, hoping no one will find you out.

So we are Christ's official messengers. It is as if God were making his appeal through us. Here is what Christ wants us to beg you to do. Come back to God! 2 Corinthians 5:20 (NIRV)

We are ambassadors for Christ. If you’re a little rusty on the definition of an ambassador allow me to refresh your memory. An ambassador is a “diplomatic official of the highest rank, sent by a sovereign as its resident representative” (dictionary.com).

We are the official messengers sent out on behalf of Christ appealing to the world, "Come to God" or "Come back to God", whichever message is appropriate dependant upon the person to whom we are speaking. As Christians, our purpose in life is to share the good news of Jesus Christ. Be ready!

God Bless!

Help Me!

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will. Romans 8:26-27 (NIV)

When Jesus said He would send us a comforter and a helper in the form of the Holy Spirit, He was not speaking metaphorically; He was speaking literally. Once you accept Christ as Savior and Lord of your life, the Holy Spirit takes up residence within your heart.

F.B. Meyer wrote of the Holy Spirit saying, “When the Spirit comes in power to the soul, He teaches us to know God, and truth, and things hidden from the wise and prudent.”

Likewise, Henry W. Beecher wrote, “I understand this: that there is a divine influence which is moving upon men, and which is developing itself in the form of yearnings, and of vague aspirations, and of spiritual longings, for which we have no expression; and that these yearnings and longings are the product of God’s Spirit in us, dwelling in us, stimulating us, exciting us. This is the evidence of His presence, that there is that vital longing, that incessant yearning, for something higher and better…with soul moanings—the most affecting of all things.”

Take comfort, you are never alone. The Holy Spirit is with you, guiding you, leading you, teaching you, comforting you, helping you, and always making intercession on your behalf.

If you are without the Comforter, accept Christ today. Admit that you are a sinner; “for all have sinned…”—Romans 3:23. Believe that Jesus is God’s Son; “for God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son…”—John 3:16. Confess your faith in Jesus; “for whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved”—Romans 10:13.

Go to Christ in heart-felt prayer, confessing you are a sinner and your need for a Savior. Invite Him into your life; He’s waiting for you. Hold fast—help is on the way! Amen.

God Bless!

We Have Come to Worship

For the LORD is great and greatly to be praised, Psalm 96:1a

This morning I got up singing a scripture song I learned as a child: “The joy of the Lord is my strength”, which comes from Nehemiah 8. Nehemiah and Ezra had gathered together the remnant (from captivity) of the Jews in Jerusalem, reading and teaching them from the book of the Law of Moses. Upon hearing the words of the book the people were grieved and began to cry, however; they were told, “This day is holy to the LORD your God; do not mourn or weep. Do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

How often do we, as God’s people, humble ourselves before Him? How often are we brought to tears—tears of conviction or tears of joy—upon hearing God’s word? How often do we stop and contemplate, the joy of the Lord is our strength; that without Him we are nothing?

Psalm 96 tells us our God, “is great and greatly to be praised” (v. 1). Our God is the Creator who made the heavens (v. 5)—honor, majesty, strength and beauty are before Him (v. 6). Our Lord reigns (v. 10).

I challenge you today to take the time to praise and worship our great God; right now in this very minute. Forget your list of needs, wants, and desires; forget about how busy you are. Just take a moment, clear your mind and go humbly before the Lord and worship Him. He is worthy! Amen.

God Bless!

Trials Will Come

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him. James 1:2-4, 12

James tells us that trials will come to us but that is not a bad thing. For through trials we are refined; character, integrity and patience are developed as we become mature and complete. Without the process of refinement, upon testing, we would be easily broken.

No one becomes a long distance runner overnight. It is a process. Muscles are stretched, tested then rested and tested again until endurance and perseverance are gained. (Remember, once endurance is gained, it must be maintained.)

Are you being stretched and tested through the trials of life? Hold on; don’t be afraid; Christ is with you. Remain joyful for you are being perfected for the journey ahead.

God Bless!