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!