We have been struggling with our study of the Book of Isaiah. We are about 1/3 of the way through it and it has been a very laborious journey. We finished chapter 23 and we had to pause and ask why these chapters are in the Bible. Is God showing us how he could predict the future through His Prophet Isaiah. It's easy to start to look at the historic evidence and stop there, but that same evidence can be found in other Books of the Bible. This week, we asked how this can serve us today and we concluded, that through His Prophet we get to look through the eyes of God Himself and see the world as he sees it.
God, through Isaiah, pointed to all the nations surrounding Judah and warned the Jews of the judgment that was coming to all those nations. He was warning the Jews not to adopt the ways of the world and turn their backs to God as the Northern tribes in Israel had done. That same warning applies to us today. God judges nations and therefore it is vitally important who the leaders of the nations are. God tells us to submit to our government, so if we elect non-believers, people who do not acknowledge Jesus as Savior, Son of God, and Redeemer, then we are agreeing to follow leaders who will lead us away from God.
The Church must embrace the teachings of the Bible which will help us to see the temptations of the world for what they are, and to hear the warnings that God shares through His Spirit. One other thing that has become evident through our study of Isaiah is that God is bigger that we can fathom and we fail to recognize His magnificence, His providence, and His love for us. He will judge the world and He wants us to be judged in the righteousness of Christ.
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.
Friday, October 25, 2019
Sunday, September 15, 2019
"The voice of my Savior needs to be louder than the voice of my accuser!"...Pastor Ronnie Reid
Matthew 13 13; 16-17 (NKJV) Jesus said, "But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear; for assuredly, I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it."
"The voice of my Savior needs to be louder than the voice of my accuser!".
When Pastor Reid said those words in his sermon, it really got my attention. I knew immediately that God had a message for me in those words. I am one of those people who follows news, politics, sports...just about anything the world wants to throw at me. Not only do I follow current events, but I also have opinions about most everything I hear (or see). Now I have some very smart friends, as evidenced by the fact that most of them recognize the brilliance of my opinions and I know they would support me if I pursued a political office. Full disclosure and confession....I want the acceptance and agreement of friends and family too much! I'm quick to get their approval and honestly don't give much thought to the other side of arguments/ opinion when they don't line up with mine.
Not only am I dismissive of others opinions, but honestly I'm dismissive of the people offering these opinions as well. I see them as less intelligent, less informed, lacking enlightenment, and less caring and compassionate. Full disclosure and confession...My pride is surfacing.
With the words of Pastor Ronnie, I recognize that instead of listening for God to speak through the news, the debates, the chaos that the world bombards us with, I parrot the world. It doesn't matter which side of issues you are on, the world supplies the talking points, the re-posts, the headlines, the photos to share.
The Holy Spirit's "Still Small Voice" is available to us if we tune out the world and listen for and seek God's voice. God's word will draw us to be more loving, more patient, kinder, more faithful and joyful. We will discover that peace can be experienced not by winning the argument but by being right, and that only comes by giving God a voice.
"The voice of my Savior needs to be louder than the voice of my accuser!".
When Pastor Reid said those words in his sermon, it really got my attention. I knew immediately that God had a message for me in those words. I am one of those people who follows news, politics, sports...just about anything the world wants to throw at me. Not only do I follow current events, but I also have opinions about most everything I hear (or see). Now I have some very smart friends, as evidenced by the fact that most of them recognize the brilliance of my opinions and I know they would support me if I pursued a political office. Full disclosure and confession....I want the acceptance and agreement of friends and family too much! I'm quick to get their approval and honestly don't give much thought to the other side of arguments/ opinion when they don't line up with mine.
Not only am I dismissive of others opinions, but honestly I'm dismissive of the people offering these opinions as well. I see them as less intelligent, less informed, lacking enlightenment, and less caring and compassionate. Full disclosure and confession...My pride is surfacing.
With the words of Pastor Ronnie, I recognize that instead of listening for God to speak through the news, the debates, the chaos that the world bombards us with, I parrot the world. It doesn't matter which side of issues you are on, the world supplies the talking points, the re-posts, the headlines, the photos to share.
The Holy Spirit's "Still Small Voice" is available to us if we tune out the world and listen for and seek God's voice. God's word will draw us to be more loving, more patient, kinder, more faithful and joyful. We will discover that peace can be experienced not by winning the argument but by being right, and that only comes by giving God a voice.
Friday, April 19, 2019
Commandment #9...Exodus 20:16 “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor".
My son just returned from a vacation in Europe where he enjoyed the history and the discovery of cities in France, Spain, and Portugal. Of course vacationing overseas put him out of touch with U.S. news and events. When he returned I asked him if he was glad to be home and he made an interesting comment. He said that the problem coming home is that he is constantly being lied to. He said that here in the United States with all the TV advertising and the 24/7 "news"/ commentary programs, we are bombarded with lies and deceptions Sadly, I have to agree with his observation.
God gave us His Ten Commandments because He wants us to be in relationship with Him and to live in peace with one another. The first four Commandments draw us into a relationship with Him that enable us to keep or return to keeping the other six Commandments. With my son's comment about the lies we experience, Commandment #9 came to mind; “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor".
What is False Testimony? The phrase bearing false testimony is commonly described as lying. However, it is more specifically referred to giving false testimony as a witness. In other words, it is the act of telling a falsehood about something or someone to others in a legal context. In my opinion, it includes telling half-truths (lies), deceiving people to believe untruths, and sharing the deceptions with others even if you were not the original source.
Who is our neighbor? Jesus makes it clear in the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10: 25-37) that everyone we encounter is a neighbor. In this world of Facebook and Twitter, we can spread lies, deceptions, falsehoods through posts, re-posts and re-tweets, and just by being wrong in our opinions and understandings. I honestly have to confess that probably the most truthful thing I can say is "I don't know." God will give us discernment if we seek it, however we are usually so quick to embrace opinions that agree with our thinking, that we don't question the truthfulness.
As Christians, I have to wonder what kind of impact we can have in the world, if we collectively and deliberately refuse to re-post or re-tweet lies, falsehoods, and half-truths and consciously refuse to participate in deceiving others. Satan introduced sin into this world through lies and deception. Let's not join him in his work.
God gave us His Ten Commandments because He wants us to be in relationship with Him and to live in peace with one another. The first four Commandments draw us into a relationship with Him that enable us to keep or return to keeping the other six Commandments. With my son's comment about the lies we experience, Commandment #9 came to mind; “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor".
What is False Testimony? The phrase bearing false testimony is commonly described as lying. However, it is more specifically referred to giving false testimony as a witness. In other words, it is the act of telling a falsehood about something or someone to others in a legal context. In my opinion, it includes telling half-truths (lies), deceiving people to believe untruths, and sharing the deceptions with others even if you were not the original source.
Who is our neighbor? Jesus makes it clear in the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10: 25-37) that everyone we encounter is a neighbor. In this world of Facebook and Twitter, we can spread lies, deceptions, falsehoods through posts, re-posts and re-tweets, and just by being wrong in our opinions and understandings. I honestly have to confess that probably the most truthful thing I can say is "I don't know." God will give us discernment if we seek it, however we are usually so quick to embrace opinions that agree with our thinking, that we don't question the truthfulness.
As Christians, I have to wonder what kind of impact we can have in the world, if we collectively and deliberately refuse to re-post or re-tweet lies, falsehoods, and half-truths and consciously refuse to participate in deceiving others. Satan introduced sin into this world through lies and deception. Let's not join him in his work.
Tuesday, March 12, 2019
WHAT IS THE SOURCE OF YOUR HOPE?
Jeremiah 17:7 New King James Version (NKJV)
“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
And whose hope is the Lord.
And whose hope is the Lord.
I was watching the news the other morning and I heard a young man who was sitting on a panel (I believe it was a college campus setting) say that unless young people have hope for a bright future, they will disrupt the status quo and fight for change. I remember my younger days when I embraced the same tenet and felt empowered to pursue the changes that were self-prescribed or served up by society. The problem with this pursuit became clear over time and experience as I discovered that I was placing my HOPE in people and systems that were not trustworthy.
The world encourages us to place our HOPE in people, political parties, governments, social programs, and our own abilities. The reality is that if these are where we place our hope we will always be disappointed because all of these are constantly changing.
When a society places itself between people and God or attempts to completely obscure God, that society is nurturing hopelessness. Hopeless people become more and more dependent on others or on government and their downward spiral continues.
The good news is that God has set His followers (Christians) apart from society. In us the hopeless can find a light in the darkness. 1 Peter 3: 15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear God will use us to bring hope to the hopeless, to speak wisdom to the confused and to reveal the trustworthiness of God. God is steadfast in His love and His plan is good. That is the message the world needs.
Saturday, March 2, 2019
The Words in "RED"...delivered to me.
This week in our Bible study we were reading Acts 26 as Paul was delivering his defense to king Agrippa. What he was actually doing was giving his testimony regarding his conversion and receiving the salvation offered by Jesus. In his testimony he shared the words spoken to him by Jesus. This is Jesus who has been crucified and has risen from the grave with the words of Jesus printed in Red in this Bible translation.
ACTS 26: 15 So I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 16 But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you. 17 I will [b]deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I [c]now send you, 18 to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified[d] by faith in Me.’ "
These words of Jesus were not spoken in a sermon or in a temple, or to His group of Apostles. They were spoken to Paul individually and privately...for his ears only. This led to a discussion and discovery in the group that we all have "Words in Red" in our own lives that are the foundation of our own testimony and faith walk. I believe that His personal words to us begin, as they did with Paul, with an invitation to turn from our sin in repentance and to accept His invitation of salvation and redemption by receiving Him as our Savior. As we walk with Jesus, He will speak to us in that Still Small Voice words of encouragements, conviction, peace, love, direction and promise. His words are delivered in love and with power specifically for us. As Christians we need to recognize His voice and receive them into our hearts, highlighting them as "Words In Red", and respond to Him in praise, worship, and in obedience.
ACTS 26: 15 So I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 16 But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you. 17 I will [b]deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I [c]now send you, 18 to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified[d] by faith in Me.’ "
These words of Jesus were not spoken in a sermon or in a temple, or to His group of Apostles. They were spoken to Paul individually and privately...for his ears only. This led to a discussion and discovery in the group that we all have "Words in Red" in our own lives that are the foundation of our own testimony and faith walk. I believe that His personal words to us begin, as they did with Paul, with an invitation to turn from our sin in repentance and to accept His invitation of salvation and redemption by receiving Him as our Savior. As we walk with Jesus, He will speak to us in that Still Small Voice words of encouragements, conviction, peace, love, direction and promise. His words are delivered in love and with power specifically for us. As Christians we need to recognize His voice and receive them into our hearts, highlighting them as "Words In Red", and respond to Him in praise, worship, and in obedience.
Wednesday, January 23, 2019
Don't Ask God, "Why?'...Ask Him, "What Now, Lord?"
1 Timothy 2: 5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself a ransom for all, (NKJV)
Most of us live life believing that we are doing well and our plans and efforts will give us a life that is pretty good. Then our world gets turned upside down...death of a loved one, divorce, loss of job, loss of health, or even societal upheaval that ruins relationships. The control we thought we had, spirals out of control. We don't know where to turn. All the advise and comfort others extend do nothing to ease the pain and hopelessness. Prayers do not bring the relief or produce the results that we so desperately seek.
Then, one day, through our tears we cry out, "Why God...Why God...Why?". At that moment God in a a calm, comforting voice responds, "Don't ask 'Why' ask 'What Now Lord?" That is when He calls us to take Him off the witness stand and put ourselves there.
When I put God in the Judge's seat and I put myself on the witness stand, I realize that the mercy and grace I need are out of my reach. I am like Job in Job 9:3...I have no defense and the consequences I face are of my own doing. I need a Mediator to plead for me. Jesus is that Mediator and He is the Way that leads us to the next moment.
The question "Why?" is actually evidence that we are questioning the goodness of God's plan or whether He is really in control. When we ask "What now, Lord?" we are acknowledging that he has a plan for us and He invites us to trust Him and His providence over our lives. Jesus prayed that we be one with Him as Jesus is one with Him. My world spirals out of control because of the choices and the lifestyle I embrace when I push God aside and put myself, my possessions, my family, my desires where God needs to be.
When my prayer becomes "What now God?" He opens the door to moving beyond my despair to receive His comfort and guidance. I am no longer stuck in hopelessness, but living with His promises. His healing has eternal consequences which lift us above the current circumstances and gives us peace. The answer to "Why" is always the same...God wants us to be aware of His majesty and the great chasm that exists between Him and us in our human condition. The chasm can only be spanned by Jesus Christ.
Most of us live life believing that we are doing well and our plans and efforts will give us a life that is pretty good. Then our world gets turned upside down...death of a loved one, divorce, loss of job, loss of health, or even societal upheaval that ruins relationships. The control we thought we had, spirals out of control. We don't know where to turn. All the advise and comfort others extend do nothing to ease the pain and hopelessness. Prayers do not bring the relief or produce the results that we so desperately seek.
Then, one day, through our tears we cry out, "Why God...Why God...Why?". At that moment God in a a calm, comforting voice responds, "Don't ask 'Why' ask 'What Now Lord?" That is when He calls us to take Him off the witness stand and put ourselves there.
When I put God in the Judge's seat and I put myself on the witness stand, I realize that the mercy and grace I need are out of my reach. I am like Job in Job 9:3...I have no defense and the consequences I face are of my own doing. I need a Mediator to plead for me. Jesus is that Mediator and He is the Way that leads us to the next moment.
The question "Why?" is actually evidence that we are questioning the goodness of God's plan or whether He is really in control. When we ask "What now, Lord?" we are acknowledging that he has a plan for us and He invites us to trust Him and His providence over our lives. Jesus prayed that we be one with Him as Jesus is one with Him. My world spirals out of control because of the choices and the lifestyle I embrace when I push God aside and put myself, my possessions, my family, my desires where God needs to be.
When my prayer becomes "What now God?" He opens the door to moving beyond my despair to receive His comfort and guidance. I am no longer stuck in hopelessness, but living with His promises. His healing has eternal consequences which lift us above the current circumstances and gives us peace. The answer to "Why" is always the same...God wants us to be aware of His majesty and the great chasm that exists between Him and us in our human condition. The chasm can only be spanned by Jesus Christ.
Sunday, January 13, 2019
Tune out the noise of the world...Tune in THE STILL SMALL VOICE
God’s Revelation to Elijah
11 Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; 12 and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire [e]a still small voice.
13 So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave.
We are surrounded by a noisy world and bombarded with the chaos and despair which is delivered by 24 hour news/ opinion channels, Twitter, Facebook, blogs, and well-meaning opinionated friends (I’m guilty). We are confronted daily with "Breaking News", "Devastating Events", "Latest News" and the challenge we have is to sort through all these to find news vs. opinion vs propaganda vs distortion vs lies.
The good news is that through Jesus, God has sent His Holy Spirit to us as a counselor and advocate to break through the noise of this world and speak to us through A Still Small Voice. When we repent and receive Jesus as our Savior, His Spirit lives within us (Acts2:38 and Luke 11:9-13) and we see the world through God's eyes and not as the world see it. The Holy Spirit delivers truth and brings order to the chaos. There is no such thing as "Breaking News" to God. He is not caught off guard by events and He is not deceived by the efforts to distort, confuse, and mislead the world. Those are efforts of Satan and those who do not know God. The Still Small Voice of the Holy Spirit will help us to live with Hope, Peace, and Love as revealed in and through followers of Jesus.
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