Work to Do

How shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? Hebrews 2:3a, NIV

The writer of Hebrews reminds his readers to pay attention and be mindful of the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ. If disobedience of the law brought judgment and punishment to those who neglected it how much more so will neglect of the gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ bring judgment and punishment upon those who are neglectful?

Are we mindful of the gospel of Jesus Christ? Are we doing what He commanded us to do?

Before ascending into heaven, Christ’s last words to His disciples were: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8, NIV)

Jesus left us with a job to do before His return. Have you ever been left with a task to complete before someone returns? Did you hurry to complete the task or did you adopt a laissez-fair attitude about your work?

Consider for a moment the tragedy of adopting a laissez-fair attitude about Acts 1:8. The cost is this—day after day, souls leaving this world without hearing the good news of Jesus Christ.

In David Platt’s book, Radical (Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream), he says the gospel of Christ calls for action, not reflection. “We need to return with urgency to a biblical gospel, because the cost of not doing so is great for our lives, our families, our churches, and the world around us” (p. 19). The cost of non-discipleship is far too great. As Christians we need to rid ourselves of the useless junk in our lives so valued by the world and commit ourselves fully to following Christ.

The situation is urgent—for how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation?

God Bless!

Living Sacrifice/Reasonable Service

As I read through the books of law in the Old Testament, especially Leviticus and Deuteronomy, I’m always amazed at the number of various sacrifices. And of course, before any sacrifices could be offered by the priest on behalf others, he had to go through a process of ritual cleansing and atonement for his own sins.

However, as Christians, we have the assurance of Christ Jesus—God’s one and only Son, the perfect sacrifice, who laid down His life for us at the cross for our sins—dying for sins He did not commit so that we might choose eternal life that we don’t deserve, (John 3:16). The Apostle Paul, in Ephesians 5:2, states it this way: “…Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

If you recently accepted Christ, you may be asking, “So…what’s the next step?” Far too many Christians seem to stop with the salvation experience. Too many think, “Well, I’ve got my ticket to heaven stamped and validated so now I can sit back and relax.” However, if that were true, God would take us immediately to heaven. Since typically, that does not happen it stands to reason God has other plans for us (including fitting us for heaven to live with Him there).

It is not my intention to give you an exhaustive to-do list, but to direct you to what is called our reasonable service. To complete Paul’s thought in Ephesians 5:2 mentioned above, he tells us in verse 1, we are to follow God’s example. Verse 2, begins by telling us we are to “walk in the way of love”. So, just as God loved us and gave us His Son; Christ loved us and gave Himself for us and by way of example, we are to love others.

Further, Paul states in Romans 12:1: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” Offering our lives—the way we live, everything we do, whatever we say, etc.—as a testament of God’s love for us. The King James Version translates the ending of the verse as, “which is your reasonable service”.

This does not speak of a passive life-style. Instead, it portrays a picture of someone busy in the service of God. And it calls this busy, active life-style of service to God reasonable, true, and proper worship.

I hope you aren’t feeling overwhelmed but instead you are feeling the assurance of the power of the Holy Spirit residing within—knowing you can do whatever God asks of you, in whatever circumstances you find yourself. If so, you are on the right track. When God brings you to something He equips you for it and leads you through it. Because of that dear friends, “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased”. Hebrews 13:15-16

Amen and may God richly bless you!

Surrender to Win

See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ. Colossians 2:8, NIV

In the secular world dependency is seen as weakness and immaturity while Christians see dependence upon God as not only a measure of maturity but also a necessity in the walk of faith. Surrendering all, to the secular world, is not in any way the pathway to advancement; however, in God’s kingdom it means we trust our Lord and Savior in such a way to give Him complete control, saying, "I’m here, I’m available to do what You want me to do—to go where You want me to go—to say what You want me to say whatever the circumstances may be."

Surrendering all means living unhindered and expectantly, knowing our God is able. He loves us; He seeks us and draws us to Him. He leads and directs us as we travel through life; He forgives us when we come before Him with repentance in our hearts. Because God is faithful, we can live by faith and not by sight (Galatians 2:20). Our God is worthy; He is all powerful and He wants the best for His children. Surrender your all to Him today.

Yours, LORD, is the greatness and the power
and the glory and the majesty and the splendor,
for everything in heaven and earth is yours.
Yours, LORD, is the kingdom;
you are exalted as head over all.
1 Chronicles 29:11, NIV

God bless!

Life's Instruction Book

I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Psalm 119:11, 105, NIV

The fast-paced hustle and bustle of the Christmas season has ceased and the New Year’s celebrations have come and gone. Among the list of things this means for me personally is that I have finished reading through the Bible from cover to cover and I’m ready to begin the task anew.

While some may think this a boring and rigorous task, I look upon it with great enthusiasm and pleasure. In fact, I have come to look upon this daily ritual of Bible-reading as absolutely addictive. The more I read the word of God, the more I want to read it; the more I learn about the ways of God, the more I want to learn. As I read through my Bible, I am continually inspired, awestruck, amazed and in love with our great and awesome God.

How can you not want to read the Bible? It is God’s holy word in book form! It is a collection of books which spans at least 1500 years, written by some 40 authors all inspired by the one true God (2 Timothy 3:16). The Bible continues to be the best-selling book of all time. How can you not be excited by a book like that?

The Bible is our instruction book for life; it tells us how to live and it keeps us on the right path. Knowing what the Bible says keeps us from being fooled and drawn in by false teachings and false prophets—God is never going to reveal, speak, or otherwise communicate to anyone anything that is contrary to what is already written in His word!

Micah 6:8 tells us the Lord requires of us that we, act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with Him. The Lord requires this of us. You learn how to do these things by reading your Bible!

In 2 Timothy 2:15, the Apostle Paul admonishes a young Timothy to, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth”. Read your Bible!

In Ephesians 6:13-17, when the Apostle Paul is encouraging the putting on of the “full armor of God” in order to be protected from evil, he describes, “the sword of the Spirit” as “the word of God”. In point of fact, Christ defended Himself and rebuked the devil, when being tested in the wilderness after His baptism, by using scripture, (Matthew 4:1-11). Read your Bible—it is your instruction book for life—be informed!

There are many reading plans and various translations of the Bible available. Daily Bibles, many which include a daily devotional, are broken down into the daily readings and are readily available at your local book seller. Through use of the internet and email you can have daily readings delivered directly to your inbox.

Your time investment is approximately 15 minutes a day. A small investment indeed considering the enormous benefit derived! You will discover and reap the rich blessings of God as you keep asking, keep seeking, and keep knocking, (Matthew 7:7-8), through the reading of His holy word!!

Obligated to Tell

“Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me. When I say to the wicked, ‘You wicked person, you will surely die,’ and you do not speak out to dissuade them from their ways, that wicked person will die for their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood. But if you do warn the wicked person to turn from their ways and they do not do so, they will die for their sin, though you yourself will be saved. Ezekiel 33:7-9, NIV

Did you know, as a follower of Christ, you are obligated to tell others of Him? You are obligated to tell your neighbor, your fellow man, that unless they accept Christ as the Risen Savior, they will die in their sin. The obligation to tell is recorded several places within the Bible. The references most familiar to us concerning this are no doubt, Matthew 28:19-20, also known as “The Great Commission”, and Acts 1:8.

My point to you is this: too many Christians think the job of spreading the “Good News”, telling others of Christ, belongs to the pastor or the outreach committee, or in general, the church staff. My friends, this could not be further from the truth. The statement is directed to the church, the body of believers, YOU.

It is of utmost importance to note when the charge is given it is spoken by our Lord: It is an assignment, a command, an order, a directive; we are told “you”…“go”. The statement is an imperative one. It is a necessity, it is a requirement and it is urgent.

Don’t hide your light but let it shine brightly and boldly (Matthew 5:14-16). Let everyone know you are an Ambassador for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20). Spread the Good News of Jesus Christ today and everyday.

God Bless!

Hearts on Fire

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8, NIV

Women’s Missionary Union (WMU), founded in 1888 has always been an auxiliary to the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC). The WMU vision statement reads, WMU “challenges Christian believers to understand and be radically involved in the mission of God. One of the magazines published by WMU to the SBC is Missions Mosaic. The theme of the November 2010 issue, (Vol. 16, No. 3), is clearly Acts 1:8 and focuses upon the power of the Holy Spirit and boldly speaking and spreading God’s word.

This focus upon Acts 1:8 supports the WMU Watchword for 2010-2012, which is Hebrews 12:1-2. These verses urgently proclaim the need of speaking boldly and spreading the gospel. Verse 1 reads, “let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”

My question is this, are we winning the race or losing it? Or better yet, are we truly even competing? Are we running the race with perseverance or carelessly sauntering along?

Acts, chapters 1 and 2 tell us that following the ascension of Jesus into heaven, about 120 of His believers had gathered together in an upstairs room in Jerusalem. Included in the group were the eleven Disciples of Christ; a group of women who were followers of Jesus; Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers. The people gathered were ordinary men and women who were about to experience the extraordinary. It is important to note that according to Acts 1:14, the group was “joined together constantly in prayer.”

A great revival was about to begin. When the day of Pentecost came, we are told a loud sound resembling the noise of a violent wind entered the room; the group then saw what appeared to be tongues of fire resting upon their each of their heads and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit.

The city of Jerusalem was no doubt filled to capacity because of Pentecost and the news spread quickly. Peter used this opportunity to boldly proclaim the message he had been given. “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit”, Acts 2:38.

According to Acts, chapter 2, verse 41, those who accepted the message on this day were baptized and what had been a church of 120 had suddenly added about three thousand new members! The revival had begun and the fire was spreading! The truth of the gospel was spreading wildly and spreading quickly because of the hearts on fire with the good news of Jesus Christ. The men and women who had waited in prayer for the Comforter to come; those whose hearts were now filled with the power of the Holy Spirit were boldly speaking and preaching in the name of Jesus.

The same fire that burned in the hearts of that small group on the day of Pentecost can be, should be, burning within each of us today. As Christians, our hearts should be burdened for the lost. We should be denying ourselves daily, taking up our crosses daily, and obeying God without reservation. The whole world needs a spiritual wildfire to begin and it is possible because all fires begin with just one spark. Are you willing to be the one spark that begins a spiritual wildfire in your home, church, and community? If so, my challenge to you is this:

1. Commit to meet everyday for thirty days with a friend (or several) to pray and share God’s word with one another. Pray for your country and its leaders; pray for the lost; pray that we as Christians will have hearts on fire with the Holy Spirit and boldly proclaim Christ.
2. Commit to share God’s love with someone each day.
3. Don’t quit! Challenge others. Be faithful in prayer. Allow God to work, expecting that He will. Watch where He leads you next.

Revival begins from within with just one person. Dear Lord, please let it be me.

I’ll close with one last thought…Do you know what Satan loves best about Christians? Silence.

God Bless!

Will You Stand in the Gap?

“I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one.” Ezekiel 22:30, NIV

Are you willing to stand in the gap, before God, on behalf of your country, so God will not destroy it? You may ask, why would God allow a country to be destroyed? Because of continued, willful and presumptuous sin; that’s why.

God sent the prophet, Ezekiel, (along with many others, over an extended period of time) to warn Israel they had sinned against God and that unless they turned from their wicked ways, God was going to punish them severely.

In Ezekiel 22:6-12, the sins committed by the nation of Israel are listed. Included were the mistreatment of parents; oppression of orphans and widows; worship of idols (which included child sacrifice); sexual impurity including adultery, fornication, rape, incest, homosexuality; the accepting of bribes and widespread extortion. It is no surprise the paragraph ends with these words, “And you have forgotten me, declares the Sovereign LORD”.

We live in a time when the shock appeal of reading the above list of sins escapes us. These same sins are commonplace in our country today. God hates sin today as much as He hated sin in the time of Ezekiel. Without repentance, punishment will come.

Is there hope for America? Yes, I believe there is but only if we have people willing to stand before God on behalf of the land. Are you such a person?

In 2 Chronicles 7:14, God tells us: if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

God is calling on His people, Christians, to humble themselves before Him and pray. God is calling on His people, Christians, to seek His face. God is calling on His people, Christians, to turn from their wicked ways. Then and only then, will He hear our prayers, forgive our sins and heal our land.


God Bless!