This evening as I was traveling to a Christmas eve service, I received an image of Jesus that brought new significance to the Birth of Christ. As a parent one of my most precious memories is when my new born child took hold of my finger. Even when I was a child myself, I was always amazed at the smallness of a newborn's tiny hands and feet and I would offer my finger to the infant with hopes of a tiny clutch.
Tonight as I ponder the birth of Jesus, I love the image of the infant Jesus wrapping His tiny hand around the finger of Mary. This infant child, God Himself, taking hold of the finger of mankind. Jesus Christ with His tiny hands and feet was worshiped that night by angels and shepherds, the Star announcing His birth. Baby Jesus, a gift from God.
Jesus' hands that grabbed His mother's finger were the same hands that would be nailed to a cross. His tiny feet were the feet nailed to that tree. The life born that Christmas day, was the life that Jesus surrendered for our sins.
Christmas Day is a day to remember that God came to take hold of the finger of mankind.
Discover and Proclaim the Truth of The Bible which is: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life." (John 3:16 NRSV). Jesus came to humanity to proclaim and give evidence to that love and He has commanded us to do the same. We, who believe, must not merely be followers, but we must be proclaimers of the Gospel Message and we can only do that by being filled with the love of God.
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
"I'm Only Human!"....No longer an excuse...John 17
I have always liked John 17 and referred to it as Jesus' prayer where he prays for himself, for His disciples, and for all who come to believe in Him. But as we studied this chapter in our Bible study, the words and the prayer became so much more. It is true, that the prayer is broken into the three parts mentioned, but the totality is where I was moved. Chapter 17 is a summation and a close to Jesus human walk, which He willingly lived and surrendered for us.
Verses 1-5 give us a clear picture of His relationship with His Father as it was and as it is after His resurrection. Jesus prays to God in His humanity and acknowledging the sovereignty and glory of God, which He gave up when He came to earth. He is worshipping His Father.
Verses 6-19 are the verses where He prays for the disciples. These verses reveal His love and acknowledges God's love for them. Christ's prayer tells us that He received the disciples as a gift from God... They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. 7 Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. Do we treat our families and friends as a gift from God? Do acknowledge our appreciation and devotion of this gift by sharing His Word...the Gospel? Do we know that if we want to protect our loved ones, then we must put our faith in God , because this world will not provided for us or them.
He also states that when the disciples came to belief in Him, that they were no longer of the world...14 I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. 15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. This is also true of us when we come to know Jesus...we are "born again"...set apart from the world.
Verses 20- 26 reveal that Jesus' prayer is for us as well as His disciples. We who come to believe through His word are included in His prayer and the oneness He has with His Father is the oneness he wants for us. Jesus looks at us as He looks at the disciples...a gift from His Father.
Jesus knows our human condition and He lived it and lives it every day with us through His Spirit. He has prayed for us and I have no doubt that God received His prayer and is answering it daily. We are set apart and we have words to share that the world needs to hear. The words are God's, the time is now, and the place is where God has put us and the words are for the people God has given us.
Verses 1-5 give us a clear picture of His relationship with His Father as it was and as it is after His resurrection. Jesus prays to God in His humanity and acknowledging the sovereignty and glory of God, which He gave up when He came to earth. He is worshipping His Father.
Verses 6-19 are the verses where He prays for the disciples. These verses reveal His love and acknowledges God's love for them. Christ's prayer tells us that He received the disciples as a gift from God... They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. 7 Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. Do we treat our families and friends as a gift from God? Do acknowledge our appreciation and devotion of this gift by sharing His Word...the Gospel? Do we know that if we want to protect our loved ones, then we must put our faith in God , because this world will not provided for us or them.
He also states that when the disciples came to belief in Him, that they were no longer of the world...14 I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. 15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. This is also true of us when we come to know Jesus...we are "born again"...set apart from the world.
Verses 20- 26 reveal that Jesus' prayer is for us as well as His disciples. We who come to believe through His word are included in His prayer and the oneness He has with His Father is the oneness he wants for us. Jesus looks at us as He looks at the disciples...a gift from His Father.
Jesus knows our human condition and He lived it and lives it every day with us through His Spirit. He has prayed for us and I have no doubt that God received His prayer and is answering it daily. We are set apart and we have words to share that the world needs to hear. The words are God's, the time is now, and the place is where God has put us and the words are for the people God has given us.
Monday, September 23, 2013
Is The Church Dying???
Jesus Christ's Church is not dying! Jesus has established His Church in the hearts of all who believe in Him. Anyone who believes in Him shall never perish and will have everlasting life (John 3:16); therefore His Church will never die! It is not about a Sunday morning head count, it is about an eternal heart count!
You can find article after article pointing out the dropping attendance in churches across America which may cause you to conclude that The Church is dying. As a member of one of those "dying churches" I need to remind myself of the church that I am really a member of....I am a follower of Jesus Christ and a member of His Body. He has adopted me as a brother, a son, a child of the Living God. I am filled with His Spirit and He has a plan for me. When I claim and proclaim my identity in Him and follow where He leads, I know that I am part of an eternal family.
Jesus has established His Church in me and His Church will be evidenced when I accept and obey His leading. His Church is glorified and His Grace is evidenced where He chooses, when He chooses and through those He chooses. Quite frankly, if I identify myself as a Methodist, or a Presbyterian, or a Catholic, etc. I often feel like I am part of a dying organization. However, when I identify myself with Christ, I am filled with joy and purpose.
There are wonderful churches around the world filled with Jesus's Church. Perhaps, some churches could do a better job of embracing The Church living within the organization instead of seeking to be "relevant" within society by adopting man-designed programs, committees, and business models ("busy-ness"). I assume that Jesus knows how to be relevant and He gave us some pretty specific commands...Love God, Love One Another, and Preach the Gospel. He even provides the power to do these things through His Spirit.
Jesus touched people one on one. If we follow His example we will learn that His Church thrives through our availability and not by our ability.
Perhaps churches should divest themselves of worldly possessions and goals if these things are getting in the way of claiming their identity in Jesus; so that His Fruits...Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Generosity, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control (Galatians 5: 22-23) will be what the world sees instead of a dying church.
You can find article after article pointing out the dropping attendance in churches across America which may cause you to conclude that The Church is dying. As a member of one of those "dying churches" I need to remind myself of the church that I am really a member of....I am a follower of Jesus Christ and a member of His Body. He has adopted me as a brother, a son, a child of the Living God. I am filled with His Spirit and He has a plan for me. When I claim and proclaim my identity in Him and follow where He leads, I know that I am part of an eternal family.
Jesus has established His Church in me and His Church will be evidenced when I accept and obey His leading. His Church is glorified and His Grace is evidenced where He chooses, when He chooses and through those He chooses. Quite frankly, if I identify myself as a Methodist, or a Presbyterian, or a Catholic, etc. I often feel like I am part of a dying organization. However, when I identify myself with Christ, I am filled with joy and purpose.
There are wonderful churches around the world filled with Jesus's Church. Perhaps, some churches could do a better job of embracing The Church living within the organization instead of seeking to be "relevant" within society by adopting man-designed programs, committees, and business models ("busy-ness"). I assume that Jesus knows how to be relevant and He gave us some pretty specific commands...Love God, Love One Another, and Preach the Gospel. He even provides the power to do these things through His Spirit.
Jesus touched people one on one. If we follow His example we will learn that His Church thrives through our availability and not by our ability.
Perhaps churches should divest themselves of worldly possessions and goals if these things are getting in the way of claiming their identity in Jesus; so that His Fruits...Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Generosity, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control (Galatians 5: 22-23) will be what the world sees instead of a dying church.
Monday, September 9, 2013
God's Grace Revealed...John 9... Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind
Our "Wrestling With Scripture" Bible Study group had a great discussion on John 9 where Jesus healed a blind man who had been born blind. The chapter shows the Grace of God which Jesus offers to us all. Here is a quick recap of Jesus extending His Grace:
Verses 1-7: Jesus healed the blind man even though the man did not seek healing or even know who Jesus was. Jesus wanted God to be glorified by this encounter. The man exercised faith by following Jesus' instructions and he received Christ's gift.
Verses 8-34: The blind man's neighbors were surprised with the healing and took him to the Pharisees to show them that a miracle had occurred. The man continued in faith as he explained the miracle to the crowd proclaiming that only a prophet from God could do such a thing. Jesus' works are evidence of His Deity and glorify God, which was why he came...so that we may know that He was sent by the Father (John 17: 3). Jesus came so that we may believe and be saved from our sins, but the Pharisees refused to believe. God's Grace was available but not received because of a lack of belief and faith. The Pharisees had this opportunity to acknowledge that only a prophet from God could perform this healing, yet they denied what was so evident; thereby, denying the Messiah, who God had sent for their salvation.
Verses 35-41: Jesus sought the blind man after the Pharisees had interrogated him and kicked him out of the tabernacle. At this meeting Jesus offered the true healing for which he was sent...redemption and salvation through Himself. Jesus revealed that He was the Son of Man...and the man believed. This happened in front of the Pharisees who refused to believe.
God's Grace is available to all who believe in Jesus. Jesus came so that we can believe. His love and grace draw us to Him. By faith in Him, by obedience and seeking Him, our belief grows stronger and stronger and becomes a light for others to see.
Verses 1-7: Jesus healed the blind man even though the man did not seek healing or even know who Jesus was. Jesus wanted God to be glorified by this encounter. The man exercised faith by following Jesus' instructions and he received Christ's gift.
Verses 8-34: The blind man's neighbors were surprised with the healing and took him to the Pharisees to show them that a miracle had occurred. The man continued in faith as he explained the miracle to the crowd proclaiming that only a prophet from God could do such a thing. Jesus' works are evidence of His Deity and glorify God, which was why he came...so that we may know that He was sent by the Father (John 17: 3). Jesus came so that we may believe and be saved from our sins, but the Pharisees refused to believe. God's Grace was available but not received because of a lack of belief and faith. The Pharisees had this opportunity to acknowledge that only a prophet from God could perform this healing, yet they denied what was so evident; thereby, denying the Messiah, who God had sent for their salvation.
Verses 35-41: Jesus sought the blind man after the Pharisees had interrogated him and kicked him out of the tabernacle. At this meeting Jesus offered the true healing for which he was sent...redemption and salvation through Himself. Jesus revealed that He was the Son of Man...and the man believed. This happened in front of the Pharisees who refused to believe.
God's Grace is available to all who believe in Jesus. Jesus came so that we can believe. His love and grace draw us to Him. By faith in Him, by obedience and seeking Him, our belief grows stronger and stronger and becomes a light for others to see.
Friday, August 23, 2013
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth....1 Corinthians 13: 6 (NIV)
I Corinthians 13 is a popular chapter, referred to us the Love chapter, and is frequently read at weddings. I have thought of it as revealing what Love looks like, but verse 6 makes me stop and get a real glimpse of what Love does not look like...
1 Corinthians 13: 6
(NIV): Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
(NRSV): It does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth.
Chapter 13 opens telling us that without Love, we are nothing more than noisy gongs or clanging cymbals (vs. 1) and if we are truly to be followers of Christ, Love must be the ingredient that binds us with Him and is the evidence of that relationship.
As I read verse 6, it hit me that I do delight in evil and rejoice in wrong doing every time I participate in rumor, slander, or just seek to listen to those who agree with me in conflicts or political views. While I watch TV, I am steered toward news reports that announce crimes, wrongdoings of others, sensational events of how evil people can be. The TV stations don't get my attention by showing goodness, they get my attention by advertising evil, and I look forward to hearing all about it.
If I am really honest with myself, I do delight in the downfall or exposure of evil and wrongdoings of people I disagree with. With that truthful confession I must acknowledge that I do not have the Love of Christ within me, because His Love is not measured in increments...it either exists in its purity or does not.
I will take my encouragement from the last words of verse 6...I will rejoice in truth. The truth in all situations is that God is in control and His love will defeat evil. His righteousness overcomes all the wrong that we are exposed to throughout the day, so I will seek and hang on to His promises and grace. I choose to focus on Jesus and let Him be my delight and not the evil which the world is trying to lure me with.
1 Corinthians 13: 6
(NIV): Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
(NRSV): It does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth.
Chapter 13 opens telling us that without Love, we are nothing more than noisy gongs or clanging cymbals (vs. 1) and if we are truly to be followers of Christ, Love must be the ingredient that binds us with Him and is the evidence of that relationship.
As I read verse 6, it hit me that I do delight in evil and rejoice in wrong doing every time I participate in rumor, slander, or just seek to listen to those who agree with me in conflicts or political views. While I watch TV, I am steered toward news reports that announce crimes, wrongdoings of others, sensational events of how evil people can be. The TV stations don't get my attention by showing goodness, they get my attention by advertising evil, and I look forward to hearing all about it.
If I am really honest with myself, I do delight in the downfall or exposure of evil and wrongdoings of people I disagree with. With that truthful confession I must acknowledge that I do not have the Love of Christ within me, because His Love is not measured in increments...it either exists in its purity or does not.
I will take my encouragement from the last words of verse 6...I will rejoice in truth. The truth in all situations is that God is in control and His love will defeat evil. His righteousness overcomes all the wrong that we are exposed to throughout the day, so I will seek and hang on to His promises and grace. I choose to focus on Jesus and let Him be my delight and not the evil which the world is trying to lure me with.
Friday, August 2, 2013
The Four Spiritual Laws
As I was preparing for a discussion a couple weeks ago, I came across the Bill Bright's Four Spiritual Laws which were introduced in 1952 as part of the Campus Crusade for Christ program. These Spiritual Laws or truths spoke to me and aligned with Christ's working in me regarding the word "Receive" . Over the last month I have been reminded over and over that I am to receive from God and these laws are truths which I need to receive and share with others.
The Four Spiritual Laws are:
Sin is the alternative to Jesus. If we choose to live a life which is contrary to God's plan, a life of sin, we will never experience His love and the joy and peace that He desires for us. Jesus came to overcome sin and to offer Himself as a sacrifice for us so that we do not have to experience the separation from God's love and a life of being lost and without purpose.
Every day, we need to receive the truth that God loves us and has a plan for us, which He reveals through His Spirit, abiding in us when we receive Jesus as our Lord.
The Four Spiritual Laws are:
- God loves you and offers a wonderful plan for your life. (John 3:16, John 10:10)
- Man is sinful and separated from God. Therefore, he cannot know and experience God's love and plan for his life. (Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23)
- Jesus Christ is God's only provision for man's sin. Through Him you can know and experience God's love and plan for your life. (Romans 5:8,I Corinthians 15:3-6, John 14:6)
- We must individually receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord; then we can know and experience God's love and plan for our lives. (John 1:12, Ephesians 2:8,9, John 3:1~8, Revelation 3:20)
Sin is the alternative to Jesus. If we choose to live a life which is contrary to God's plan, a life of sin, we will never experience His love and the joy and peace that He desires for us. Jesus came to overcome sin and to offer Himself as a sacrifice for us so that we do not have to experience the separation from God's love and a life of being lost and without purpose.
Every day, we need to receive the truth that God loves us and has a plan for us, which He reveals through His Spirit, abiding in us when we receive Jesus as our Lord.
Monday, July 15, 2013
The Gospel Message...Receive It
1 Corinthians 15:3-4 (NIV)
3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures
The Gospel Message, the message of God's grace and love through Jesus, is a message that must be received, not just heard. The Holy Spirit breathes the Truth into our hearts and it becomes our strength and sustenance of life. We cannot proclaim the Kingdom of God, the Gospel Message, unless we have received it. As a friend told me last week, it would be like sharing a drink of water from an empty glass.
Jesus calls us to be His witnesses, sent into the world to proclaim the message of His Grace, and we cannot do that if it has not taken root in us. God doesn't want us to just parrot the words, but to live the message of Grace. When we have received Christ as our Lord & Savior, we have received His Spirit, which lives within us to share the Truth in our own lives and as evidence for others.
Bill Bright introduced The Four Spiritual Laws in 1952. These laws reveal the laws, or truths, that govern man's relationship with God. These are truths that we must embrace as we live in relationship with God and the truths for others to acknowledge as they seek His love and receive the gift of salvation.
- God loves you and offers a wonderful plan for your life.
- Man is sinful and separated from God. Therefore, he cannot know and experience God's love and plan for his life.
- Jesus Christ is God's only provision for man's sin. Through Him you can know and experience God's love and plan for your life.
- We must individually receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord: then we can know and experience God's love and plan for our lives.
The Holy Spirit delivers these truths to us individually so that we can be "children of God" (Romans 8:14) and they are our talking points as we witness to others.
Monday, June 24, 2013
"Daughter, your Faith has made you well, Go in peace."...Luke 8: 48
Luke 8: 43-48... 43 Now a woman, having a flow of blood for twelve years, who had spent all her livelihood on physicians and could not be healed by any, 44 came from behind and touched the border of His garment. And immediately her flow of blood stopped. 45 And Jesus said, “Who touched Me?” When all denied it, Peter and those with him said, “Master, the multitudes throng and press You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’”
46 But Jesus said, “Somebody touched Me, for I perceived power going out from Me.” 47 Now when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before Him, she declared to Him in the presence of all the people the reason she had touched Him and how she was healed immediately. 48 And He said to her, “Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace.”
During our discussion in our Bible study of this story, we see similarities with other stories where Jesus' healing was attributed to the faith that He witnessed;
.......the healing of the centurion's servant in Luke 7:9...“I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!”.
.......the healing of the leper in Luke 5: 2-13...12 And it happened when He was in a certain city, that behold, a man who was full of leprosy saw Jesus; and he fell on his face and implored Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” 13 Then He put out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Immediately the leprosy left him.
Jesus made himself available to those in need and as those in need sought Him in faith, they received and left differently than they were before their encounter. Christ makes himself available to us as well. One thing is very clear, however; those who came to Jesus in faith also knew the condition they were in. They turned to Jesus because they had no where else to turn; and He responded to them.
But we see an example with the rich young ruler (Luke 18: 18-23) where the person coming to Jesus doesn't recognize his true condition and therefore leaves the encounter with Christ disappointed. The rich youg man wanted to follow Jesus but Jesus prescribed a healing that required a faith in Christ that the man did not have...and the man missed out on the "healing" that Jesus offered.
We all have faith but in whom or in what do we put that faith? We see in Jesus that he makes himself available to us so that all we need to do is put our faith in Him, confessing and acknowledging our true sinful condition and our need for Him, and he will heal us. We also see in the final words to the healed woman, that His desire for us as we leave our encounter with Him is that we "GO IN PEACE!"
46 But Jesus said, “Somebody touched Me, for I perceived power going out from Me.” 47 Now when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before Him, she declared to Him in the presence of all the people the reason she had touched Him and how she was healed immediately. 48 And He said to her, “Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace.”
During our discussion in our Bible study of this story, we see similarities with other stories where Jesus' healing was attributed to the faith that He witnessed;
.......the healing of the centurion's servant in Luke 7:9...“I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!”.
.......the healing of the leper in Luke 5: 2-13...12 And it happened when He was in a certain city, that behold, a man who was full of leprosy saw Jesus; and he fell on his face and implored Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” 13 Then He put out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Immediately the leprosy left him.
Jesus made himself available to those in need and as those in need sought Him in faith, they received and left differently than they were before their encounter. Christ makes himself available to us as well. One thing is very clear, however; those who came to Jesus in faith also knew the condition they were in. They turned to Jesus because they had no where else to turn; and He responded to them.
But we see an example with the rich young ruler (Luke 18: 18-23) where the person coming to Jesus doesn't recognize his true condition and therefore leaves the encounter with Christ disappointed. The rich youg man wanted to follow Jesus but Jesus prescribed a healing that required a faith in Christ that the man did not have...and the man missed out on the "healing" that Jesus offered.
We all have faith but in whom or in what do we put that faith? We see in Jesus that he makes himself available to us so that all we need to do is put our faith in Him, confessing and acknowledging our true sinful condition and our need for Him, and he will heal us. We also see in the final words to the healed woman, that His desire for us as we leave our encounter with Him is that we "GO IN PEACE!"
Monday, June 3, 2013
The Lord's Prayer...
Jesus shows us how much He loves us and how much He wants us to be relationship with God just as He is in these words:
Matthew 6: 9-13 (NKJV) 9" In this manner, therefore, pray:
Matthew 6: 9-13 (NKJV) 9" In this manner, therefore, pray:
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
10 Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
13 And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."
Hallowed be Your name.
10 Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
13 And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."
As I was driving the other day I started meditating on this prayer and it hit me that Jesus did not present this prayer as an instructor to his students. He included himself in the prayer which reveals how He relates to God, His Father, in His humanity. Here is Jesus Christ, One with God, praying to our Father...(not your Father); asking for our daily bread and asking for forgiveness for our debts (sins). He even continues to the point of asking God to protect us from temptation. He included Himself in this prayer which shows how much He loves us. He gave up His glory in Heaven to walk with us as totally human and in this prayer He shows us the relationship that He has with His Father and invites us to have that same relationship.
Jesus reveals His love for God and His awe of Him. He shares God's own heart when He prays for God's kingdom to be here on earth as it is in heaven. Jesus' faith and trust in God is shown in the words asking for our daily bread...our sustenance...and most surpising is He asks for foregiveness and protection from temptation. Jesus who was sinless asks for deliverance from sin and temptation. He embraces us in His humanity, taking our sins, the sins of the world as His own. He knew that He had to rely on the love and power of God to overcome these sins which would separate Him from His Father. He shows us and makes available to us the relationship that God wants to have with us...in our weakness...in our sin..in our humanity.
Through Jesus' death and resurrection we are delivered from sin. By believing in Jesus, we recieve the Holy Spirit who will help us to repent from sin and find rest and peace in salvation as we joyfully experience God's kingdom on earth and in Heaven for eternity.
Friday, May 24, 2013
Pentecost Sunday..."All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit..."
Acts 2: 1-4 : When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues (languages) as the Spirit enabled them.
I visited a church Sunday (Pentecost Sunday) and heard a sermon in which I cannot recall the name of Jesus being used or mention of the Holy Spirit. Now in fairness to the preacher, he did mention both in the children's story time and told them about Pentecost being the fiftieth day after Easter, but the sermon to the adult congregation focused on the relevance of the church today. The pastor cited the dropping attendance and membership of the mainstream churches, Methodists, Presbyterian, Baptist, Church of Christ, Catholic, etc. and posed the question of why. He proceeded to speak about the need for the church to be relevant in today's world and spoke of several social issues where the church needs to have influence and impact. He spoke about gun control, the environment, tolerance; specifically gay and lesbian rights, and government social programs.
If we look at the Scriptures we find that the birth of Jesus' church was not because of its impact on society but was entirely the work of the Holy Spirit. In Peter's first sermon, Acts 2: 14-41, we see the birth of the church was built on the acknowledgement that Jesus is the Messiah, born of a virgin, crucified dead and buried, and raised from the grave by His Father, God in heaven, and that all who turn to Him in repentance of their sins, will be forgiven and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Verses 38-39: 38 Peter replied, “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. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
I was speaking to a pastor who is a personal friend, and as we discussed the relevance sermon last Sunday he pointed out that too many churches have lost sight that all relevance for the church must be defined by the Holy Spirit and it all begins with "Jesus Christ and Him crucified" (1 Corinthians 2: 2). The church will have an impact and influence within society, but it will be the work of the Holy Spirit working through believers who have repented and received His Spirit, and more often than not it will be God's people sharing His love one on one...feeding a hungry person, providing shelter to the homeless, touching and loving the unclean, giving Godly counsel to the hopeless. The work of the Holy Spirit will not look like or be mistaken for any political social programs which are filled with pride, waste, corruption, and prejudices. When the Holy Spirit is involved, God will be Glorified!
The work of the Holy Spirit is to share God's Love, Jesus Christ, so that salvation is received by all who come to know Jesus.
I visited a church Sunday (Pentecost Sunday) and heard a sermon in which I cannot recall the name of Jesus being used or mention of the Holy Spirit. Now in fairness to the preacher, he did mention both in the children's story time and told them about Pentecost being the fiftieth day after Easter, but the sermon to the adult congregation focused on the relevance of the church today. The pastor cited the dropping attendance and membership of the mainstream churches, Methodists, Presbyterian, Baptist, Church of Christ, Catholic, etc. and posed the question of why. He proceeded to speak about the need for the church to be relevant in today's world and spoke of several social issues where the church needs to have influence and impact. He spoke about gun control, the environment, tolerance; specifically gay and lesbian rights, and government social programs.
If we look at the Scriptures we find that the birth of Jesus' church was not because of its impact on society but was entirely the work of the Holy Spirit. In Peter's first sermon, Acts 2: 14-41, we see the birth of the church was built on the acknowledgement that Jesus is the Messiah, born of a virgin, crucified dead and buried, and raised from the grave by His Father, God in heaven, and that all who turn to Him in repentance of their sins, will be forgiven and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Verses 38-39: 38 Peter replied, “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. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
I was speaking to a pastor who is a personal friend, and as we discussed the relevance sermon last Sunday he pointed out that too many churches have lost sight that all relevance for the church must be defined by the Holy Spirit and it all begins with "Jesus Christ and Him crucified" (1 Corinthians 2: 2). The church will have an impact and influence within society, but it will be the work of the Holy Spirit working through believers who have repented and received His Spirit, and more often than not it will be God's people sharing His love one on one...feeding a hungry person, providing shelter to the homeless, touching and loving the unclean, giving Godly counsel to the hopeless. The work of the Holy Spirit will not look like or be mistaken for any political social programs which are filled with pride, waste, corruption, and prejudices. When the Holy Spirit is involved, God will be Glorified!
The work of the Holy Spirit is to share God's Love, Jesus Christ, so that salvation is received by all who come to know Jesus.
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Luke 4: 43..."I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God..."
Jesus began His ministry teaching in the synagogues unlike any other teacher. He read words from the prophet Isaiah, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He has anointed me to bring good news to the poor..." Jesus understood and embraced this anointing. The crowds did not want Him to leave because they knew they were being taught by someone appointed by God. His response:
Luke 4: 43-44 43 But he said to them, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other cities also; for I was sent for this purpose.” 44 So he continued proclaiming the message in the synagogues of Judea.
How many people attending churches...pastors and laity alike, really understand the singularity of God's purpose for us? Jesus defeated Satan and overcame our sins so that we will receive, as adopted children, the riches of His kingdom. I sit through sermon after sermon getting the "How to be a better (blank)" message. Fill in the blank with all sorts of Christian labels: servant, leader, teacher, preacher, prayer warrior, father, mother, wife, husband, son, daughter. I look at our church bulletin and see color ads announcing Diet or Exercise programs, Celebrate Recovery and Recovery International programs available in our church and then if I look real hard in the black and white plain-text section I find out that we also have Bible study groups that meet as well. I believe that this pretty much highlights where we are focused...on ourselves and our wellness.
Jesus' message was that God loves us and sent Jesus so that we could be with Him in heaven for eternity. Jesus revealed God's nature by contrasting it with our human nature, but I find that far too often, we are trying to get comfortable with a better and improved, more acceptable human condition instead of allowing Jesus to transform us. The self-help programs keep us in control and we can receive the praise for our progress.
The good news that Jesus proclaimed is the same today as it was when He was teaching. God loves us and wants to save us. He sent us Jesus to teach us and reveal His love and He anoints us with His Spirit to proclaim the message that Christ proclaimed. The message is found in God's own words and we don't need to add our own techniques and slant to make it more effective. Jesus had faith in His Father's love and His Father's word. Faith is trusting, believing, and having confidence in whom we place our faith, and if we put our faith in God, His anointing will be all we need to see His purpose for us. His Spirit leads us in Holy devotions and Holy living so that the Good News is revealed in our living and in our speaking.
Luke 4: 43-44 43 But he said to them, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other cities also; for I was sent for this purpose.” 44 So he continued proclaiming the message in the synagogues of Judea.
How many people attending churches...pastors and laity alike, really understand the singularity of God's purpose for us? Jesus defeated Satan and overcame our sins so that we will receive, as adopted children, the riches of His kingdom. I sit through sermon after sermon getting the "How to be a better (blank)" message. Fill in the blank with all sorts of Christian labels: servant, leader, teacher, preacher, prayer warrior, father, mother, wife, husband, son, daughter. I look at our church bulletin and see color ads announcing Diet or Exercise programs, Celebrate Recovery and Recovery International programs available in our church and then if I look real hard in the black and white plain-text section I find out that we also have Bible study groups that meet as well. I believe that this pretty much highlights where we are focused...on ourselves and our wellness.
Jesus' message was that God loves us and sent Jesus so that we could be with Him in heaven for eternity. Jesus revealed God's nature by contrasting it with our human nature, but I find that far too often, we are trying to get comfortable with a better and improved, more acceptable human condition instead of allowing Jesus to transform us. The self-help programs keep us in control and we can receive the praise for our progress.
The good news that Jesus proclaimed is the same today as it was when He was teaching. God loves us and wants to save us. He sent us Jesus to teach us and reveal His love and He anoints us with His Spirit to proclaim the message that Christ proclaimed. The message is found in God's own words and we don't need to add our own techniques and slant to make it more effective. Jesus had faith in His Father's love and His Father's word. Faith is trusting, believing, and having confidence in whom we place our faith, and if we put our faith in God, His anointing will be all we need to see His purpose for us. His Spirit leads us in Holy devotions and Holy living so that the Good News is revealed in our living and in our speaking.
Saturday, May 4, 2013
Joshua 1...."BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS"
We read these words four times in Joshua 1. God is about to give the Jews the promised land as Joshua leads the Israelites through the Jordan River and God's words of encouragement are "Be Strong and Courageous". God is telling Joshua to put his faith in Him. Jesus tells us the same thing in Matthew 6 when He tell us "do not worry about your life...."
As I look back over my "Christian Walk" it looks like a roller coaster ride. I have the highs followed by the lows, and I believe that those lows are times when I took my eyes off Christ, put my faith in myself or someone else instead of God, and worry, fear, and discouragement took over. God does not want us to be on this roller coaster ride after we receive Christ as our Savior.
Because I have received Jesus and His Spirit lives within me, I do not have to fall from the highs every time life throws me a challenge. It is in the midst of the challenges that God's grace can be most apparent and His power and love experienced. By keeping my eyes on Christ and putting my faith in God, every day can be another day of being raised higher and higher with God's glory shining brighter and brighter.
As I look back over my "Christian Walk" it looks like a roller coaster ride. I have the highs followed by the lows, and I believe that those lows are times when I took my eyes off Christ, put my faith in myself or someone else instead of God, and worry, fear, and discouragement took over. God does not want us to be on this roller coaster ride after we receive Christ as our Savior.
Because I have received Jesus and His Spirit lives within me, I do not have to fall from the highs every time life throws me a challenge. It is in the midst of the challenges that God's grace can be most apparent and His power and love experienced. By keeping my eyes on Christ and putting my faith in God, every day can be another day of being raised higher and higher with God's glory shining brighter and brighter.
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Luke 7: 9 Jesus was Amazed!
This passage is from the story where Jesus heals the slave of a Centurion, an officer in the Roman army. This Roman had shown great faith in Jesus when he asked for Jesus to heal one of his slaves, insisting that Jesus could do it just by speaking the word.
Luke 7: 1-10 7 After Jesus had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. 2 A centurion there had a slave whom he valued highly, and who was ill and close to death. 3 When he heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to him, asking him to come and heal his slave. 4 When they came to Jesus, they appealed to him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy of having you do this for him, 5 for he loves our people, and it is he who built our synagogue for us.” 6 And Jesus went with them, but when he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to say to him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; 7 therefore I did not presume to come to you. But only speak the word, and let my servant be healed. 8 For I also am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and the slave does it.” 9 When Jesus heard this he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, he said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” 10 When those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave in good health.
As I read these words, the fact that Jesus was "amazed" caused me to pause. Here is God, creator of all things, amazed by a man. This just reveals how much in love, God is with us, that he looks upon us with amazement when we put our faith in Him. This is evidence that God did not create us as puppets on a string to be manipulated by Him, but He created us to be in a relationship where we can be amazed by Him and He can be amazed by us.
The next time I am wowed by God's grace and love, I will find joy in knowing that God will rejoice that my faith in Him is growing.
Luke 7: 1-10 7 After Jesus had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. 2 A centurion there had a slave whom he valued highly, and who was ill and close to death. 3 When he heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to him, asking him to come and heal his slave. 4 When they came to Jesus, they appealed to him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy of having you do this for him, 5 for he loves our people, and it is he who built our synagogue for us.” 6 And Jesus went with them, but when he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to say to him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; 7 therefore I did not presume to come to you. But only speak the word, and let my servant be healed. 8 For I also am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and the slave does it.” 9 When Jesus heard this he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, he said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” 10 When those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave in good health.
As I read these words, the fact that Jesus was "amazed" caused me to pause. Here is God, creator of all things, amazed by a man. This just reveals how much in love, God is with us, that he looks upon us with amazement when we put our faith in Him. This is evidence that God did not create us as puppets on a string to be manipulated by Him, but He created us to be in a relationship where we can be amazed by Him and He can be amazed by us.
The next time I am wowed by God's grace and love, I will find joy in knowing that God will rejoice that my faith in Him is growing.
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Children of God in a Warped & Crooked Generation
Philippians 2: 14-15 14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.”[c] Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky
Paul's instruction to the church in Philippi is for the purpose of building up believers so that Christ's Church is truly a light in the world. If the church in not in unity and oneness with one another and Jesus, we will look more like the warped generation instead of the family of God. I grew up in a family where four of us siblings were all in high school at the same time. Each of us was very aware that our behavior, our accomplishments, and our values were always being compared to our brothers and sisters. I imagine my younger brother, who followed us, faced the comparisons as well. Our successes helped the family name and the failings either hurt the family name or we were labeled as the rebel child. As I look back on those days, I know that I behaved better and tried to live up to the family name when I identified myself with my family. That is Paul's purpose here...as believers we need to claim our identity and the adoption as children into the family of God.
The result of embracing that identity can be found in verses 19-21 19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also 'may be cheered when I receive news about you. 20 I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare. 21 For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.
Paul shows us his heart and points to Timothy's heart as hearts filled with "genuine concern" for others. I embrace God's word when he uses words like "genuine" because He is sharing His assessment and His joy in Paul and Timothy. They are looking out for others, just as Christ does. As Christ's church, we need to put His concerns above our own, and He demonstrated that concern as He hung on the cross between two sinners. He died so that He could make those who believe blameless, as He did with the thief who believed He was the Son of God. All of mankind is represented by those two thieves. We will either be the one who believes and finds salvation, or the one who mocks and defies His Love and Sacrifice and will be forever separated from the love of God. Jesus' desire is that all should come to believe, so as His children that desire should be our own. We need to seek His transforming power that comes by the Holy Spirit so that we may become blameless and pure, children of God so that we will shine among them like stars in the sky .
Paul's instruction to the church in Philippi is for the purpose of building up believers so that Christ's Church is truly a light in the world. If the church in not in unity and oneness with one another and Jesus, we will look more like the warped generation instead of the family of God. I grew up in a family where four of us siblings were all in high school at the same time. Each of us was very aware that our behavior, our accomplishments, and our values were always being compared to our brothers and sisters. I imagine my younger brother, who followed us, faced the comparisons as well. Our successes helped the family name and the failings either hurt the family name or we were labeled as the rebel child. As I look back on those days, I know that I behaved better and tried to live up to the family name when I identified myself with my family. That is Paul's purpose here...as believers we need to claim our identity and the adoption as children into the family of God.
The result of embracing that identity can be found in verses 19-21 19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also 'may be cheered when I receive news about you. 20 I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare. 21 For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.
Paul shows us his heart and points to Timothy's heart as hearts filled with "genuine concern" for others. I embrace God's word when he uses words like "genuine" because He is sharing His assessment and His joy in Paul and Timothy. They are looking out for others, just as Christ does. As Christ's church, we need to put His concerns above our own, and He demonstrated that concern as He hung on the cross between two sinners. He died so that He could make those who believe blameless, as He did with the thief who believed He was the Son of God. All of mankind is represented by those two thieves. We will either be the one who believes and finds salvation, or the one who mocks and defies His Love and Sacrifice and will be forever separated from the love of God. Jesus' desire is that all should come to believe, so as His children that desire should be our own. We need to seek His transforming power that comes by the Holy Spirit so that we may become blameless and pure, children of God so that we will shine among them like stars in the sky .
Saturday, March 16, 2013
Ephesians 6: 10-19 The Full Armor of God
Ephesians 6: 10-11 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.
Paul goes on to tell us that our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, the authorities, the powers of this dark world and the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (vs. 12) These verses make it clear that we live in a world where we will encounter evil. In verse 13 it says Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground.... He doesn't say "if the day of evil comes" he says "when" it comes. There is no doubt that we are going to encounter evil and the only question is how will we face it. Will we succumb to evil, join in the evil, run from it, or will we confront it with the Lord and in His power?
Paul tell us to stand firm with the Belt of Truth buckled around our waist, with the Breastplate of Righteousness in place. When I think of the belt I picture a contractor with his tool belt. In his tool belt, he has all the tools he needs to accomplish his work...everything is right there within reach. Soldiers figure out how to carry their equipment and weapons so that in the heat of battle, they have what they need within reach. That is God's Belt of Truth. When we know God's promises and the truth of His love for us, we can face the work and the battlefield with confidence. With His Breastplate of Righteousness, we know that he will guard our hearts, so that we recognize evil for what it is and we embrace the righteousness of God which helps us stand firm. He Fits our Feet with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. That assures me that with the gospel message as our message, we will step into the battlefield with a purpose...to introduce peace and salvation to the world.
God also equips us with the Shield of Faith so that we can repel the attacks of Satan who tries to defeat us with lies, deception, doubt, and despair. Faith in Christ, defeats Satan. He also gives us the Helmet of Salvation...the promise and assurance of final victory...the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God. God's word is more powerful than all the lies of this world. If we proclaim His word, seek His word, and share His word, we will experience His Mighty Power.
As we wake up each day, we need to know that we will be walking in a world where evil exists and Paul tells us to pray in the Spirit on all occasions. It is through prayer and the work of the Holy Spirit, that we will be clad in the Full Armor of God and live as victors...not victims.
Paul goes on to tell us that our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, the authorities, the powers of this dark world and the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (vs. 12) These verses make it clear that we live in a world where we will encounter evil. In verse 13 it says Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground.... He doesn't say "if the day of evil comes" he says "when" it comes. There is no doubt that we are going to encounter evil and the only question is how will we face it. Will we succumb to evil, join in the evil, run from it, or will we confront it with the Lord and in His power?
Paul tell us to stand firm with the Belt of Truth buckled around our waist, with the Breastplate of Righteousness in place. When I think of the belt I picture a contractor with his tool belt. In his tool belt, he has all the tools he needs to accomplish his work...everything is right there within reach. Soldiers figure out how to carry their equipment and weapons so that in the heat of battle, they have what they need within reach. That is God's Belt of Truth. When we know God's promises and the truth of His love for us, we can face the work and the battlefield with confidence. With His Breastplate of Righteousness, we know that he will guard our hearts, so that we recognize evil for what it is and we embrace the righteousness of God which helps us stand firm. He Fits our Feet with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. That assures me that with the gospel message as our message, we will step into the battlefield with a purpose...to introduce peace and salvation to the world.
God also equips us with the Shield of Faith so that we can repel the attacks of Satan who tries to defeat us with lies, deception, doubt, and despair. Faith in Christ, defeats Satan. He also gives us the Helmet of Salvation...the promise and assurance of final victory...the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God. God's word is more powerful than all the lies of this world. If we proclaim His word, seek His word, and share His word, we will experience His Mighty Power.
As we wake up each day, we need to know that we will be walking in a world where evil exists and Paul tells us to pray in the Spirit on all occasions. It is through prayer and the work of the Holy Spirit, that we will be clad in the Full Armor of God and live as victors...not victims.
Saturday, March 9, 2013
Luke 24: 13-35...The Walk to Emmaus
The first sermon about Jesus' life after His resurrection was delivered by Jesus himself. These verses tell of Jesus' encounter with two believers walking to Emmaus after His crucifixion. We see that as they are walking Christ approached them, unrecognized, and listened to them and their confusion about what had happened over the past few days to Jesus of Nazareth. They shared with Him the events about Jesus being crucified and the empty tomb.
In verses 25-27 Jesus delivers the gospel message.. 25 Then he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! 26 Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?” 27 Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures. Jesus used the scriptures, the prophesies, the Word of God to teach these two men about Himself.
I find it interesting that He taught from the scriptures. He interpreted the Word of God which reveals Christ and in verse 32 we see the impact of God's word... 32 They said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?”
Jesus knew and shows us here that the Word of God speaks to our hearts.. " so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it." (Isaiah 55:11) We look for inspiration and direction from lots of books and put our trust in the teaching of others, when it is God Himself and the Bible where the true inspiration and direction can be found. Pastors today download sermons from the internet and buy sermon material online and the result is churches are dying. Scriptures point to and teach about Christ. Too many churches teach about us and how we are to live, how we are to eat, how we are to give, how we are to be, when God gave us His word so that He can transform us into His likeness.
We all, and especially pastors, need to spend more time in the scriptures seeking the truth of Christ so that OUR HEARTS WILL BURN WITHIN US AS THE SCRIPTURES ARE OPENED TO US!
In verses 25-27 Jesus delivers the gospel message.. 25 Then he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! 26 Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?” 27 Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures. Jesus used the scriptures, the prophesies, the Word of God to teach these two men about Himself.
I find it interesting that He taught from the scriptures. He interpreted the Word of God which reveals Christ and in verse 32 we see the impact of God's word... 32 They said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?”
Jesus knew and shows us here that the Word of God speaks to our hearts.. " so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it." (Isaiah 55:11) We look for inspiration and direction from lots of books and put our trust in the teaching of others, when it is God Himself and the Bible where the true inspiration and direction can be found. Pastors today download sermons from the internet and buy sermon material online and the result is churches are dying. Scriptures point to and teach about Christ. Too many churches teach about us and how we are to live, how we are to eat, how we are to give, how we are to be, when God gave us His word so that He can transform us into His likeness.
We all, and especially pastors, need to spend more time in the scriptures seeking the truth of Christ so that OUR HEARTS WILL BURN WITHIN US AS THE SCRIPTURES ARE OPENED TO US!
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
"With The Eyes of Your Heart Enlightened"...Ephesians 1: 18
Ephesians 1:17-19
New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
17 I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, 18 so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power.
The "eyes of our hearts" are enlightened as a result of Jesus blessing us with a spirit of wisdom and revelation. Through our relationship with Him he helps us to know more fully and to live more confidently. Notice however, that our knowing and living are not so we can receive glory, but so that we may know and be more aware of His Glory.
Our enlightenment is so that we " may know what is the hope to which he has called " us. What is that hope? John 3: 17 “Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him." Jesus gives us wisdom and revelation so that we can join Him in His Father's plan of salvation. We can be witnesses because of the hope and assurance that we have of His perfect will.
Our enlightenment is so that we may know "what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints." What are these riches and this glorious inheritance? As we walk with Christ, filled with His Spirit, we become more and more aware of God's love. We find ourselves thanking God more often and with more awe. The riches and the inheritance that Jesus makes known to us through the revelation of His Spirit is God's Love for us and the oneness with Him which Jesus prayed for in John 17.
Our enlightenment is so that we may know "what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power." What is this immeasurable greatness of his power? God's Grace is so hard for us to understand and embrace. We cannot imagine a salvation which we do not deserve or earn. We cannot imagine forgiveness without making sacrifices or groveling before God. We cannot fathom a love that would suffer death for us, so that we can come before God as unblemished children. The greatness of God's power is that He chooses us worthy and by His Grace we are saved!
The "eyes of our hearts" are enlightened as a result of Jesus blessing us with a spirit of wisdom and revelation. Through our relationship with Him he helps us to know more fully and to live more confidently. Notice however, that our knowing and living are not so we can receive glory, but so that we may know and be more aware of His Glory.
Our enlightenment is so that we " may know what is the hope to which he has called " us. What is that hope? John 3: 17 “Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him." Jesus gives us wisdom and revelation so that we can join Him in His Father's plan of salvation. We can be witnesses because of the hope and assurance that we have of His perfect will.
Our enlightenment is so that we may know "what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints." What are these riches and this glorious inheritance? As we walk with Christ, filled with His Spirit, we become more and more aware of God's love. We find ourselves thanking God more often and with more awe. The riches and the inheritance that Jesus makes known to us through the revelation of His Spirit is God's Love for us and the oneness with Him which Jesus prayed for in John 17.
Our enlightenment is so that we may know "what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power." What is this immeasurable greatness of his power? God's Grace is so hard for us to understand and embrace. We cannot imagine a salvation which we do not deserve or earn. We cannot imagine forgiveness without making sacrifices or groveling before God. We cannot fathom a love that would suffer death for us, so that we can come before God as unblemished children. The greatness of God's power is that He chooses us worthy and by His Grace we are saved!
Monday, February 4, 2013
The Holy Spirit ...The Only Explanation
Acts 28: 30-31...30 He lived there two whole years at his own expense[f] and welcomed all who came to him, 31 proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.
We finished the Book of Acts this week and as we reviewed the study we realized that all the acts of conversion, the acts of faith and endurance, the acts of the lost seeking the message of Christ, the acts of mercy shown by the unsaved can only be explained by the active will of God lived out by His Holy Spirit in His believers. These last two verses are a good summary. The people in Rome came to Paul to to hear the teaching about Jesus and of the Kingdom of God.
When we are walking with God, people will see a difference and hear a new truth that is not of this world. We see all through the Book of Acts, that people sought out believers to hear a new message. God's message is not of this world. It brings a new light into the world to overcome the confusion, the deception, and the despair of the world. Through the Holy Spirit, God's word is spoken and lived out in those who believe in Him. When you look around and see the impact that people like Mother Teresa had and the message that Rev. Billy Graham delivered, there is no doubt that the Holy Spirit was behind their ministries.
When we are being the messengers God wants us to be, there is no doubt nor concern about who will provide and empower our ministries.
We finished the Book of Acts this week and as we reviewed the study we realized that all the acts of conversion, the acts of faith and endurance, the acts of the lost seeking the message of Christ, the acts of mercy shown by the unsaved can only be explained by the active will of God lived out by His Holy Spirit in His believers. These last two verses are a good summary. The people in Rome came to Paul to to hear the teaching about Jesus and of the Kingdom of God.
When we are walking with God, people will see a difference and hear a new truth that is not of this world. We see all through the Book of Acts, that people sought out believers to hear a new message. God's message is not of this world. It brings a new light into the world to overcome the confusion, the deception, and the despair of the world. Through the Holy Spirit, God's word is spoken and lived out in those who believe in Him. When you look around and see the impact that people like Mother Teresa had and the message that Rev. Billy Graham delivered, there is no doubt that the Holy Spirit was behind their ministries.
When we are being the messengers God wants us to be, there is no doubt nor concern about who will provide and empower our ministries.
Saturday, January 26, 2013
God of Order...not Chaos!
1 Corinthians 14: 33... For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—
This passage is in a letter from Paul talking to the Corinthians about worship. But it reveals a truth of God that we need to live our lives by. In our Wrestling With Scripture Bible study, I asked the question, "What is Satan's goal?" Two or three people said in unison "chaos" which surprised me. I expected to hear sin or temptation, but as we discussed this, it became clear that chaos really describes what we face every day...the confusion, the distortions, the lack of clarity, the doubts that surrounds us.
Our study this week was the last few chapters of Acts. As we looked at all that Paul endured...prison, persecution, ship wreck, and all the uncertainty of his life, we became aware that he did not live in chaos. When we are confronted with life's challenges and trials, if we focus on all that is challenging us, we soon become overwhelmed. We become so focused on our problems that we forget that Christ is beside us. Psalm 23 1-2: The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.
Paul kept his focus on Jesus and he knew Him as that Shepherd who gave him peace and rest in the midst of trouble. He embraced the ministry that Jesus gave him and he considered those whom he witness too to as being granted to him by God (Acts 27: 24).
The wonderful thing is that as we focus on Jesus when we are in the midst of chaos, we allow Him to be our Shepherd and the chaos of Satan is put in it's proper place...behind us.
This passage is in a letter from Paul talking to the Corinthians about worship. But it reveals a truth of God that we need to live our lives by. In our Wrestling With Scripture Bible study, I asked the question, "What is Satan's goal?" Two or three people said in unison "chaos" which surprised me. I expected to hear sin or temptation, but as we discussed this, it became clear that chaos really describes what we face every day...the confusion, the distortions, the lack of clarity, the doubts that surrounds us.
Our study this week was the last few chapters of Acts. As we looked at all that Paul endured...prison, persecution, ship wreck, and all the uncertainty of his life, we became aware that he did not live in chaos. When we are confronted with life's challenges and trials, if we focus on all that is challenging us, we soon become overwhelmed. We become so focused on our problems that we forget that Christ is beside us. Psalm 23 1-2: The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.
Paul kept his focus on Jesus and he knew Him as that Shepherd who gave him peace and rest in the midst of trouble. He embraced the ministry that Jesus gave him and he considered those whom he witness too to as being granted to him by God (Acts 27: 24).
The wonderful thing is that as we focus on Jesus when we are in the midst of chaos, we allow Him to be our Shepherd and the chaos of Satan is put in it's proper place...behind us.
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Acts 23-25...God's Custom Designed Ministry
In our Wednesday evening Bible Study...Wrestling With Scripture...we read of Paul being persecuted, put on trial, the false accusations, the witness of his faithfulness to God, and his qualities as an apostle of Jesus Christ. As we discussed Paul's trials and his faith, we looked at his uniqueness which God used in very specific ways. Paul was a Jew, which allowed him to claim the God of Abraham as his God. He was a Pharisee, which gave him position and status in Jewish society that even Jesus did not have. He was highly educated, which gave him credibility and the ability to communicate effectively. And he was a Roman, which gave him rights that most Jews did not have.
Jesus could have blinded anyone on the road to Damascus, but He chose Paul with all these attributes, and as we read of Paul's ministry, we see how God used them to spread the Gospel. It was Paul's Roman citizenship which ultimately opened the door for Paul to go to Rome to spread the good news of Jesus to the most power nation on earth.
Paul lived for Jesus and he embraced God's plan as his own. Paul had no purpose other than to proclaim Jesus to the world. God's plan is so apparent in Paul's life and it becomes clear that Paul's ministry was designed by God, specifically for him.
God has designed specific ministries for all who believe in Jesus. We each have unique qualities, unique talents, and specific experiences that God will use for His glory. He gives us opportunities to share Jesus and the good news of salvation through Him, which we can share because we have experienced Him in our own lives.
The truth is though, that if we do not embrace the uniqueness of our relationship with Jesus and share it with others, we will not appreciate it for ourselves. When we respond to the opportunity to share Jesus, we will become more aware of the very special and unique role that He invites us to embrace. God has custom designed a ministry for each of us and God will equip us to carry it out as only we can, cloaked in His righteousness.
Jesus could have blinded anyone on the road to Damascus, but He chose Paul with all these attributes, and as we read of Paul's ministry, we see how God used them to spread the Gospel. It was Paul's Roman citizenship which ultimately opened the door for Paul to go to Rome to spread the good news of Jesus to the most power nation on earth.
Paul lived for Jesus and he embraced God's plan as his own. Paul had no purpose other than to proclaim Jesus to the world. God's plan is so apparent in Paul's life and it becomes clear that Paul's ministry was designed by God, specifically for him.
God has designed specific ministries for all who believe in Jesus. We each have unique qualities, unique talents, and specific experiences that God will use for His glory. He gives us opportunities to share Jesus and the good news of salvation through Him, which we can share because we have experienced Him in our own lives.
The truth is though, that if we do not embrace the uniqueness of our relationship with Jesus and share it with others, we will not appreciate it for ourselves. When we respond to the opportunity to share Jesus, we will become more aware of the very special and unique role that He invites us to embrace. God has custom designed a ministry for each of us and God will equip us to carry it out as only we can, cloaked in His righteousness.
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