"And David said to Abishai, and to all his servants, Behold, my son, which came forth of my bowels, seeketh my life: how much more now may this Benjamite do it? let him alone, and let him curse; for the LORD hath bidden him. It may be that the LORD will look on mine affliction, and that the LORD will requite me good for his cursing this day. And as David and his men went by the way, Shimei went along on...and cursed as he went, and threw stones at him, and cast dust" (2 Sam. 16:10-13).
King David's son Absalom had conspired to overthrow him and make himself King. During that time a man named Shimei of the family of Saul began to curse David and throw stones at him. David was with his mighty men when Shimei began to curse him. Abishai, one of the mightiest of David's men, when he heard Shimei cursing, was ready to literally take off his head. It would have been easy for David to justify taking this man out. But David's faith looked beyond his circumstances to a God who’s able to turn a curse into a blessing. God is able to take the evil intentions and actions of others and turned them on its head to accomplish his purpose in our lives without ever ordaining the sin. When Joseph's own brothers conspired to kill him and then sold him into slavery in Egypt, things look real bad for him. But God was with Joseph and although Joseph's brethren's actions were evil, God worked them out from good. After things appeared to go from bad to worse, eventually Joseph by the providence of God was promoted by Pharaoh to second in command of all of Egypt. Joseph had this to say to his brethren after he was promoted: "But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive"(Gen. 50:20). Like David, Joseph saw his circumstance in the light of God's sovereignty and power and did not retaliate against his brethren.
I’ve heard it said that there are three levels of life: The hellish level, the human level and the heavenly level. Someone at the hellish level will return evil for good. Someone at the human level (where most people are at, including many Christians) return good for good or evil for evil. But someone who is at the heavenly level, will by the grace of God return good for evil. What level of life characterizes your life? The Apostle Paul wrote, “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:17-21). We forfeit heavenly intervention and favor when we act in hellish or human ways in response to the evil actions of others. Let God be your avenger.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Monday, August 30, 2010
Live for God's pleasure and find that he's the greatest treasure.
"The horseleach hath two daughters, crying, Give, give. There are three things that are never satisfied, yea, four things say not, It is enough: The grave; and the barren womb; the earth that is not filled with water; and the fire that saith not, It is enough" (Prv. 30:15-16).
The more fuel you feed a fire the more it burns. Fire can never get enough fuel. Fire can be quenched but it can never be satisfied. "The enjoyment of God is the only happiness with which our souls can be satisfied. To go to heaven, fully to enjoy God, is infinitely better than the most pleasant accommodations here. Fathers and mothers, husbands, wives, or children, or the company of earthly friends, are but shadows, but God is the substance. These are but scattered beams, but God is the sun. These are but streams. But God is the ocean" (Jonathan. Edwards).
When Jesus is not enough nothing will ever be enough. We were made for much more than the trappings of this life can ever offer. We were made for God and apart from him there will be a vacuum in our souls that can never be filled--a thirst that can never be quenched. When all the saints of all time get to heaven they will gather around God's throne while they worship him saying, "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created" (Rev. 4:11). We were created for God's pleasure and it's God's pleasure for us to find our joy in him. When we live to bring God pleasure we will find that he is the greatest treasure. Why are we trying to find joy in the fish bowl of this world when God bids us to come and enjoy the ocean of his goodness? "Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness" (Psalm 107:7-8).
The more fuel you feed a fire the more it burns. Fire can never get enough fuel. Fire can be quenched but it can never be satisfied. "The enjoyment of God is the only happiness with which our souls can be satisfied. To go to heaven, fully to enjoy God, is infinitely better than the most pleasant accommodations here. Fathers and mothers, husbands, wives, or children, or the company of earthly friends, are but shadows, but God is the substance. These are but scattered beams, but God is the sun. These are but streams. But God is the ocean" (Jonathan. Edwards).
When Jesus is not enough nothing will ever be enough. We were made for much more than the trappings of this life can ever offer. We were made for God and apart from him there will be a vacuum in our souls that can never be filled--a thirst that can never be quenched. When all the saints of all time get to heaven they will gather around God's throne while they worship him saying, "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created" (Rev. 4:11). We were created for God's pleasure and it's God's pleasure for us to find our joy in him. When we live to bring God pleasure we will find that he is the greatest treasure. Why are we trying to find joy in the fish bowl of this world when God bids us to come and enjoy the ocean of his goodness? "Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness" (Psalm 107:7-8).
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Contentment is found near to the heart of God
"And David comforted Bathsheba his wife, and went in unto her, and lay with her: and she bare a son, and he called his name Solomon: and the LORD loved him. And he sent by the hand of Nathan the prophet; and he called his name Jedidiah, because of the LORD" (2 Sam. 12:24-25).
When Solomon was young he enjoyed a special love relationship with God. The name Jedidiah means beloved of the Lord. When he first became King, God said to him in a dream, "Ask what I shall give thee." Knowing that he could have asked the Lord for anything, Solomon chose to ask God for wisdom to lead His people. Solomon was content is his love relationship with God. Jeremiah Burroughs wrote, "Contentment is not by addition but by subtraction: seeking to add a thing will not bring contentment. Instead, subtracting from your desires until you are satisfied only with Christ brings contentment." Solomon found great contentment and satisfaction in knowing God. But later in life the bible says of Solomon, "For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father" (1Kings 11:4). In the Law, Moses warned against Kings multiplying wives and riches: "Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away: neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold." In the New Testament Paul the Apostle wrote, "Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy..." (1 Tim. 6:17). I believe that there is very little contentment today among Christian because they are trying to find it in the things of this world. Christianity has been hi jacked by the American dream. “The reward of the American dream is safety, security, and success found in more comfort, better stuff, and greater prosperity. But the reward of Christ trumps all these things and beckons us to live for an eternal safety, security and satisfaction that far outweighs everything this world has to offer” (David Platt). It is for that eternal and heavenly reward that great Christians live for, and as a result they make an eternal difference in this life. For example, the bible says of Moses: “By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; 25Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; 26Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward” (Hebrews 11:24-26). It's been said that some Christians are so heavenly minded that they're no earthly good. I haven't met that person yet. Our problem is that we get so earthly minded that we’re no heavenly good. Christians that find their safety, security and satisfaction in knowing and trusting in the living God not only find contentment, but are willing to take radical risk—to sacrifice everything for the cause of Jesus Christ. Guard your heart from deceitful lust with contentment by staying near to the heart of God.
When Solomon was young he enjoyed a special love relationship with God. The name Jedidiah means beloved of the Lord. When he first became King, God said to him in a dream, "Ask what I shall give thee." Knowing that he could have asked the Lord for anything, Solomon chose to ask God for wisdom to lead His people. Solomon was content is his love relationship with God. Jeremiah Burroughs wrote, "Contentment is not by addition but by subtraction: seeking to add a thing will not bring contentment. Instead, subtracting from your desires until you are satisfied only with Christ brings contentment." Solomon found great contentment and satisfaction in knowing God. But later in life the bible says of Solomon, "For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father" (1Kings 11:4). In the Law, Moses warned against Kings multiplying wives and riches: "Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away: neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold." In the New Testament Paul the Apostle wrote, "Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy..." (1 Tim. 6:17). I believe that there is very little contentment today among Christian because they are trying to find it in the things of this world. Christianity has been hi jacked by the American dream. “The reward of the American dream is safety, security, and success found in more comfort, better stuff, and greater prosperity. But the reward of Christ trumps all these things and beckons us to live for an eternal safety, security and satisfaction that far outweighs everything this world has to offer” (David Platt). It is for that eternal and heavenly reward that great Christians live for, and as a result they make an eternal difference in this life. For example, the bible says of Moses: “By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; 25Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; 26Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward” (Hebrews 11:24-26). It's been said that some Christians are so heavenly minded that they're no earthly good. I haven't met that person yet. Our problem is that we get so earthly minded that we’re no heavenly good. Christians that find their safety, security and satisfaction in knowing and trusting in the living God not only find contentment, but are willing to take radical risk—to sacrifice everything for the cause of Jesus Christ. Guard your heart from deceitful lust with contentment by staying near to the heart of God.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Mephibosheth: A portrait of God's abundant mercies
"And David said unto him (Mephibosheth), Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father's sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually. And he bowed himself, and said, What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am?" (2 Sam. 9:7-8).
David was experiencing the mighty hand of God giving him victory after victory over his enemies. During this time David was so overcome with the goodness and mercy of God that he wanted to show his gratefulness by extending mercy and kindness to someone else. David found Mephibosheth, who was the most seemingly and unlikely person to receive of his goodness, and showered him with blessings. When Mephibosheth was five years old, Saul and Jonathan his father were killed in battle. In those days when a king would die and a new dynasty came into power, the remaing male members of the the royal family were hunted and killed to elimanate a potential rival to the throne. When Mephiboseth's nurse heard of the death of Saul and Jonathan she fled with the child in haste and accidentally dropped him. The fall crippled him for life. Because of his connection to Saul, he lived in virtual isolation and was unable to claim any of his father's inheritance. There didn't seem to be much hope for Mephibosheth until David was moved to show the kindness and goodness of the Lord. Mephibosheth was not seeking for David mercy or had anything to really offer him, but by grace David sought him and brought to sit at the Kings table. The mercy that Mephibosheth experienced is a beautiful picture of the grace and mercy that believers receive when they trust Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and savior. Paul the Apostle wrote, "And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast" (Eph. 2:1-9). When we were alienated from God because of our sin, lost and without hope, the love and mercy of God found a way to redeem our souls. Jesus went to the cross where the wrath of God was poured out on him in our place that we might be reconciled to God to sit at his table in heaven with Jesus for all eternity. Thank God and praise him for the abundant grace and everlasting mercies we receive through faith in the atoning death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
David was experiencing the mighty hand of God giving him victory after victory over his enemies. During this time David was so overcome with the goodness and mercy of God that he wanted to show his gratefulness by extending mercy and kindness to someone else. David found Mephibosheth, who was the most seemingly and unlikely person to receive of his goodness, and showered him with blessings. When Mephibosheth was five years old, Saul and Jonathan his father were killed in battle. In those days when a king would die and a new dynasty came into power, the remaing male members of the the royal family were hunted and killed to elimanate a potential rival to the throne. When Mephiboseth's nurse heard of the death of Saul and Jonathan she fled with the child in haste and accidentally dropped him. The fall crippled him for life. Because of his connection to Saul, he lived in virtual isolation and was unable to claim any of his father's inheritance. There didn't seem to be much hope for Mephibosheth until David was moved to show the kindness and goodness of the Lord. Mephibosheth was not seeking for David mercy or had anything to really offer him, but by grace David sought him and brought to sit at the Kings table. The mercy that Mephibosheth experienced is a beautiful picture of the grace and mercy that believers receive when they trust Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and savior. Paul the Apostle wrote, "And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast" (Eph. 2:1-9). When we were alienated from God because of our sin, lost and without hope, the love and mercy of God found a way to redeem our souls. Jesus went to the cross where the wrath of God was poured out on him in our place that we might be reconciled to God to sit at his table in heaven with Jesus for all eternity. Thank God and praise him for the abundant grace and everlasting mercies we receive through faith in the atoning death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
The ultimate raw deal
"Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me" (John 21:21-22).
After Jesus revealed to Peter how he would in the future glorify God through martyrdom, Peter responded, "and what shall this man do?" He was referring to John "the beloved" who was next to Jesus. Did Peter think he was getting a raw deal? In his heart was he saying, And what about John, is he going to suffer the same fate as me? Peter had his eyes on the wrong person. The crucified risen savior, who he had days before betrayed, was standing right in front of him without holding anything against him, but Peter was focused on whether or not John was going to have it easier than him in life. Jesus responded, "If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me." Peter eventually got his eyes back on Jesus and started thinking right. He did continue to follow the Lord and his whole attitude would change. After the ascension of Jesus, Peter and the other Apostle set out to fulfill the Lord's commission to make disciple of all nations. Peter boldly preached the gospel in the power of the Spirit even in the face of intense persecution. After Peter and some other Apostles were beaten by religious leaders for preaching the gospel, Luke wrote in the book of Acts, "And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ” (Acts 5:40-42). Tradition says that when Peter was being crucified for his faith, he asked to be placed on the cross upside down because he felt unworthy to die like Jesus did. Have you ever felt like life is unfair and that others always seem to have it better than you do? In times like these we need to get our eyes off ourselves and others and look unto Jesus. He didn't have it easy when he went to the cross to die for our sin so that we can have a relationship with God in this life and for all eternity. The author of Hebrews wrote, "For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds" (Hebrews 12:3). When you think that others got it better than you do, remember that Jesus got the ultimate raw deal to save your soul from hell.
After Jesus revealed to Peter how he would in the future glorify God through martyrdom, Peter responded, "and what shall this man do?" He was referring to John "the beloved" who was next to Jesus. Did Peter think he was getting a raw deal? In his heart was he saying, And what about John, is he going to suffer the same fate as me? Peter had his eyes on the wrong person. The crucified risen savior, who he had days before betrayed, was standing right in front of him without holding anything against him, but Peter was focused on whether or not John was going to have it easier than him in life. Jesus responded, "If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me." Peter eventually got his eyes back on Jesus and started thinking right. He did continue to follow the Lord and his whole attitude would change. After the ascension of Jesus, Peter and the other Apostle set out to fulfill the Lord's commission to make disciple of all nations. Peter boldly preached the gospel in the power of the Spirit even in the face of intense persecution. After Peter and some other Apostles were beaten by religious leaders for preaching the gospel, Luke wrote in the book of Acts, "And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ” (Acts 5:40-42). Tradition says that when Peter was being crucified for his faith, he asked to be placed on the cross upside down because he felt unworthy to die like Jesus did. Have you ever felt like life is unfair and that others always seem to have it better than you do? In times like these we need to get our eyes off ourselves and others and look unto Jesus. He didn't have it easy when he went to the cross to die for our sin so that we can have a relationship with God in this life and for all eternity. The author of Hebrews wrote, "For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds" (Hebrews 12:3). When you think that others got it better than you do, remember that Jesus got the ultimate raw deal to save your soul from hell.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Baalperazim: Break through power
"And David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up to the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the LORD said unto David, Go up: for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into thine hand. And David came to Baalperazim, and David smote them there, and said, The LORD hath broken forth upon mine enemies before me, as the breach of waters. Therefore he called the name of that place Baalperazim" (2 Sam. 5:20).
My friend recently shared with me that while watching a program on the history channel on the life of David, he learned that one of the keys to David's success was his great military strategies. Although David fought many great battles, the key to his success was not his strategy but in his dependence upon God. It was said repeatedly of David that he "inquired of the Lord." In other words, he sought God's will and help in prayer and as a result he experienced break through power. "The one concern of the devil is to keep Christians from praying. He fears nothing from prayerless studies, prayerless work and prayerless religion. He laughs at our toil, mocks at our wisdom, but trembles when we pray" (Samuel Chadwick). In our walk and work for the Lord all of our best efforts, ideas and creativity will be of no eternal value if they are not birth in prayer. Pray until God breaks through.
My friend recently shared with me that while watching a program on the history channel on the life of David, he learned that one of the keys to David's success was his great military strategies. Although David fought many great battles, the key to his success was not his strategy but in his dependence upon God. It was said repeatedly of David that he "inquired of the Lord." In other words, he sought God's will and help in prayer and as a result he experienced break through power. "The one concern of the devil is to keep Christians from praying. He fears nothing from prayerless studies, prayerless work and prayerless religion. He laughs at our toil, mocks at our wisdom, but trembles when we pray" (Samuel Chadwick). In our walk and work for the Lord all of our best efforts, ideas and creativity will be of no eternal value if they are not birth in prayer. Pray until God breaks through.
Joab's trumpet call: Love covers a multitude of sin
"Then Abner called to Joab, "Shall the sword devour forever? Do you not know that the end will be bitter? How long will it be before you tell your people to turn from the pursuit of their brothers?" And Joab said, "As God lives, if you had not spoken, surely the men would not have given up the pursuit of their brothers until the morning." So Joab blew the trumpet, and all the men stopped and pursued Israel no more, nor did they fight anymore" (2 Sam. 2:26-28).
Shortly after the death of King Saul, David was anointed King over the house of Judah. But Abner, the commander of Saul's army got behind Saul's son and made him King over Israel. These dual loyalties divided the children of Israel and brought them to the brink of war. Abner reminded Joab that they were "brothers" not enemies. This simple reminder prevented a bitter war. God desires for Christian to strive together in unity and harmony for the cause of the gospel. Satan, on the other hand wants to divide churches and get believers fighting each other rather than the battles of the Lord. Sadly, too many churches today have become fractured and divided because of problems that have arisen that were not worked out and dealt with in a Christian way. What causes division in churches, marriages and relationships in general are not problems but people. Every church and marriage will experience problems. Why? Because churches and marital relationships are made up of imperfect people. It's been said that there are no perfect churches or Pastors. If you find one don't join it because you'll mess it up. The problem is not that there are problems to big for God to solve just people to small to solve them. It’s sad but true (I know it first hand) that Christians can act more like alley cats than brothers and sister in Christ. It’s easy to be a Christian when everything is going smoothly and everyone agrees with you. The true test of our Christianity and spiritual maturity is in how we react when things don’t seem to be going your way? What do you do when someone offends, disagrees with you or is chosen before you? What comes out when you’re squeezed is the greatest measure of our level of Christian maturity. One of the major things that creates division and brings destruction to homes, marriages and churches is that when there’s a problem people attack people rather than the problems. When problems and issues threaten to divide brothers and sisters in Christ we must not forget who the real enemy is. The enemy is not your wife or husband. The enemy is not you’re brother of sister in Christ. Your enemy is the devil who wants to steal, kill and destroy. When Joab was reminded that those who he was pursuing to destroy were his brethren, he “…blew the trumpet, and all the men stopped and pursued Israel no more, nor did they fight anymore." By blowing that trumpet, Joab was being more than just loyal to King David, he was being loyal to God. If ever you find yourself in attack mode against a brother or a sister, may you hear Joab’s trumpet call and remember to first be loyal to the one who went to the cross for the person in your crosshairs. “And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8).
Shortly after the death of King Saul, David was anointed King over the house of Judah. But Abner, the commander of Saul's army got behind Saul's son and made him King over Israel. These dual loyalties divided the children of Israel and brought them to the brink of war. Abner reminded Joab that they were "brothers" not enemies. This simple reminder prevented a bitter war. God desires for Christian to strive together in unity and harmony for the cause of the gospel. Satan, on the other hand wants to divide churches and get believers fighting each other rather than the battles of the Lord. Sadly, too many churches today have become fractured and divided because of problems that have arisen that were not worked out and dealt with in a Christian way. What causes division in churches, marriages and relationships in general are not problems but people. Every church and marriage will experience problems. Why? Because churches and marital relationships are made up of imperfect people. It's been said that there are no perfect churches or Pastors. If you find one don't join it because you'll mess it up. The problem is not that there are problems to big for God to solve just people to small to solve them. It’s sad but true (I know it first hand) that Christians can act more like alley cats than brothers and sister in Christ. It’s easy to be a Christian when everything is going smoothly and everyone agrees with you. The true test of our Christianity and spiritual maturity is in how we react when things don’t seem to be going your way? What do you do when someone offends, disagrees with you or is chosen before you? What comes out when you’re squeezed is the greatest measure of our level of Christian maturity. One of the major things that creates division and brings destruction to homes, marriages and churches is that when there’s a problem people attack people rather than the problems. When problems and issues threaten to divide brothers and sisters in Christ we must not forget who the real enemy is. The enemy is not your wife or husband. The enemy is not you’re brother of sister in Christ. Your enemy is the devil who wants to steal, kill and destroy. When Joab was reminded that those who he was pursuing to destroy were his brethren, he “…blew the trumpet, and all the men stopped and pursued Israel no more, nor did they fight anymore." By blowing that trumpet, Joab was being more than just loyal to King David, he was being loyal to God. If ever you find yourself in attack mode against a brother or a sister, may you hear Joab’s trumpet call and remember to first be loyal to the one who went to the cross for the person in your crosshairs. “And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8).
Monday, August 23, 2010
Love must become the major theme of our lives
"If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love...This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you" (John 15:10-13).
The Apostle John wrote more about love than any other writer of the Bible. It’s no wonder that he did for he was intimately acquainted with the love of Jesus. He wrote, "Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved." John was that disciple, whom Jesus loved. Love became the theme of His life because he was personally touched by the love of Jesus. In order for Christian to become a compelling and attractive example of who Christ is in our world, the love of Jesus must become the theme of our lives. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:35). How do we demonstrate the love of Jesus before a watching world? Jesus said, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). It’s easy to love others when there something in it for me. Jesus said, “For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?” (Matthew 5:46). There’s nothing special about loving others who love us. There’s nothing compelling about doing good unto those who do good things for us. The true test of whether or not we know the “greater love” that Jesus spoke of is seen in our response to others when they disappoint us, hurt us or let us down? Are we quick to forgive others that have wronged us or do we harbor bitterness and resentment? Do we do good unto others expecting nothing in return? Does selfless acts of sacrificial love characterized our lives? John wrote, “My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.”(1 John 3:18). The love that we are to exemplify as Christians is not something that we manufacture in our own strength. Instead it’s produced by the Spirit of God as we pursue a closer relationship with Jesus Christ (Romans 5:5). “The world will not be changed by the overabundance of our information but by the outflow of our intimacy” (Daniel Henderson). May Jesus' love be the theme of our lives.
The Apostle John wrote more about love than any other writer of the Bible. It’s no wonder that he did for he was intimately acquainted with the love of Jesus. He wrote, "Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved." John was that disciple, whom Jesus loved. Love became the theme of His life because he was personally touched by the love of Jesus. In order for Christian to become a compelling and attractive example of who Christ is in our world, the love of Jesus must become the theme of our lives. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:35). How do we demonstrate the love of Jesus before a watching world? Jesus said, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). It’s easy to love others when there something in it for me. Jesus said, “For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?” (Matthew 5:46). There’s nothing special about loving others who love us. There’s nothing compelling about doing good unto those who do good things for us. The true test of whether or not we know the “greater love” that Jesus spoke of is seen in our response to others when they disappoint us, hurt us or let us down? Are we quick to forgive others that have wronged us or do we harbor bitterness and resentment? Do we do good unto others expecting nothing in return? Does selfless acts of sacrificial love characterized our lives? John wrote, “My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.”(1 John 3:18). The love that we are to exemplify as Christians is not something that we manufacture in our own strength. Instead it’s produced by the Spirit of God as we pursue a closer relationship with Jesus Christ (Romans 5:5). “The world will not be changed by the overabundance of our information but by the outflow of our intimacy” (Daniel Henderson). May Jesus' love be the theme of our lives.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Encourage yourself in the Lord
"And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God" (1 Sam. 30:6).
When David and his men were away from their village the enemy came and invaded their land. As they were returning to their village, they discovered that their homes were burned down and their families taken captive. Then David and his men were overcome with grief and wept until they had no more power to weep. In their grief David's men blamed him for what happen and conspired to kill him. If we are not careful our grief can turned to bitterness and bitterness can cause us to want to hurt somebody. David, on the other hand, did not allow his grief to turn to bitterness. Instead, David turn to God and encouraged himself in the Lord. One of our biggest problems is that in our minds we allow our circumstances to become bigger than God. Often when we our distressed about our problems we resort to carnal means to try and resolved them and create bigger problems for ourselves. Too often God is not our first resource but our last resort (see blog entitled, “Is God your first resource or your last resort?) If we do get around to praying, more often than not our prayers are more about petition than God’s person. But prayer is more than just giving God a Christmas list. The most important thing about prayer is that we see God. Oswald Chambers wrote, “The whole meaning of prayer is that we may know God.” “Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth” (Psalm 46:10). The greatest blessing of coming before God in prayer is God himself. The Psalmist wrote, “O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods. 4In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also. 5The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land. 6O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker” (Psalm 95:1-6). Do you kneel before God to worship and adore him as you reflect upon his glory and majesty? Fear will turn to faith when worry turns to worship. God is bigger than your problems. Trust him to see you through.
When David and his men were away from their village the enemy came and invaded their land. As they were returning to their village, they discovered that their homes were burned down and their families taken captive. Then David and his men were overcome with grief and wept until they had no more power to weep. In their grief David's men blamed him for what happen and conspired to kill him. If we are not careful our grief can turned to bitterness and bitterness can cause us to want to hurt somebody. David, on the other hand, did not allow his grief to turn to bitterness. Instead, David turn to God and encouraged himself in the Lord. One of our biggest problems is that in our minds we allow our circumstances to become bigger than God. Often when we our distressed about our problems we resort to carnal means to try and resolved them and create bigger problems for ourselves. Too often God is not our first resource but our last resort (see blog entitled, “Is God your first resource or your last resort?) If we do get around to praying, more often than not our prayers are more about petition than God’s person. But prayer is more than just giving God a Christmas list. The most important thing about prayer is that we see God. Oswald Chambers wrote, “The whole meaning of prayer is that we may know God.” “Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth” (Psalm 46:10). The greatest blessing of coming before God in prayer is God himself. The Psalmist wrote, “O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods. 4In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also. 5The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land. 6O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker” (Psalm 95:1-6). Do you kneel before God to worship and adore him as you reflect upon his glory and majesty? Fear will turn to faith when worry turns to worship. God is bigger than your problems. Trust him to see you through.
Friday, August 20, 2010
"And Jonathan... went to David...and strengthened his hand in God" (1 Sam. 23:16).
"And David saw that Saul was come out to seek his life: and David was in the wilderness of Ziph in a wood. 16. And Jonathan Saul's son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God. 17. And he said unto him, Fear not: for the hand of Saul my father shall not find thee; and thou shalt be king over Israel, and I shall be next unto thee; and that also Saul my father knoweth. 18. And they two made a covenant before the LORD: and David abode in the wood, and Jonathan went to his house” (1 Sam. 23:15-18).
The Lord never intended for any of us to be Lone Ranger Christians. No one person should ever take the place of God in our lives, but the Lord often uses others to strengthen and encouraged us in Him. David was a man after God's own heart, but even he needed the encouragement of others and so do we. "Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend" (Proverbs 27:17). Do you have relationships with others that sharpen you in the ways of the Lord rather than make you dull? David and Jonathan had more than a passing friendship. In 1 Samuel 18:3 we read, "Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul." David had a covenant relationship with Jonathan. In other words, he committed himself to Jonathan to be there for him and Jonathan committed himself to be there for David. To Jonathan, being there for David meant more than just giving him a pat on the back. Jonathan was there to “strengthen his hand in God”—to help him fulfill his God given purpose to be the next King of Israel. We not only need encouragement; we need to make ourselves accountable to others. We need to give others the permission to do whatever is necessary to help get us to where God wants us to be. In addition to having committed friends that help to sharpen us in the Lord, God has designed and ordained for the local church to be the greatest support group in our lives. The Apostle Paul wrote, “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ…” (Eph. 4:11-13). In order to reach our full potential and grow spiritually we must be more than just your average Sunday morning church attendee. We must be committed members of a local bible believing church where we can serve and allow ourselves to be accountable to others before God. Seek out a Jonathan in your life,(someone who will strengthen you in the Lord), and be a Jonathan in the lives of others. Thank God for the Jonathans in our lives.
The Lord never intended for any of us to be Lone Ranger Christians. No one person should ever take the place of God in our lives, but the Lord often uses others to strengthen and encouraged us in Him. David was a man after God's own heart, but even he needed the encouragement of others and so do we. "Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend" (Proverbs 27:17). Do you have relationships with others that sharpen you in the ways of the Lord rather than make you dull? David and Jonathan had more than a passing friendship. In 1 Samuel 18:3 we read, "Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul." David had a covenant relationship with Jonathan. In other words, he committed himself to Jonathan to be there for him and Jonathan committed himself to be there for David. To Jonathan, being there for David meant more than just giving him a pat on the back. Jonathan was there to “strengthen his hand in God”—to help him fulfill his God given purpose to be the next King of Israel. We not only need encouragement; we need to make ourselves accountable to others. We need to give others the permission to do whatever is necessary to help get us to where God wants us to be. In addition to having committed friends that help to sharpen us in the Lord, God has designed and ordained for the local church to be the greatest support group in our lives. The Apostle Paul wrote, “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ…” (Eph. 4:11-13). In order to reach our full potential and grow spiritually we must be more than just your average Sunday morning church attendee. We must be committed members of a local bible believing church where we can serve and allow ourselves to be accountable to others before God. Seek out a Jonathan in your life,(someone who will strengthen you in the Lord), and be a Jonathan in the lives of others. Thank God for the Jonathans in our lives.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Is God your first resource or your last resort?
"Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast." (Psalm 57:1).
Many commentators agree that David wrote Psalm 57 after experiencing tremendous pressure, while running from Saul. King Saul, to whom David was a loyal servant, wanted to kill him because of demonic inspired jealousy. As a result, David fled from Saul leaving his wife behind and his close and dear friend Jonathan. Emotionally, David must have been experiencing deep discouragement and disappointment. While on the run, he went to Ahimelech the priest for provision, who became fearful of David's unexpected visit. Ahimelech asked David about why he had come alone, and David told Ahimelech one lie after another (See 1 Samuel 21-22). In desperation, David asked Ahimelech if he had any weapons and he advised David that all he had was Goliath's sword. Our mightiest weapon is prayer. Why was David lying and asking Ahimelech a priest for weapons, rather than calling for a prayer meeting? I believe at this time that David allowed his problems to become bigger than God and resorted to carnal means to try and resolve them. Since all Ahimelech had was Goliath's sword, David took it and departed. What good was relying on Goliath's sword going to do for him? It was so big and heavy it must have been more of a burden than anything else. What good did it do for Goliath when David was seeing straight? At that time David stood up to the most fearsome man on the planet when all of the armies of Israel were terrified, including Saul, because of how big Goliath was. But David didn't see how much bigger Goliath was than they were; all he could see was how much bigger God was than Goliath. After leaving Ahimelech with Goliath's Sword, Saul found out about Ahimelech helping David, and had him murdered along with other priests, who were serving with him. David's next move was even crazier. He fled to Achish, King of the Philistines (Israel's enemies) to seek refuge. They obviously did not receive him with open arms. Fearing for his life among the Philistines, he resorted to pretending that he was crazy. I know it's unbelievable, so I'm going to cut and paste the account for you to read for yourself: "And David arose and fled that day for fear of Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath.11And the servants of Achish said unto him, Is not this David the king of the land? did they not sing one to another of him in dances, saying, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands? 12And David laid up these words in his heart, and was sore afraid of Achish the king of Gath.13And he changed his behaviour before them, and feigned himself mad in their hands, and scrabbled on the doors of the gate, and let his spittle fall down upon his beard" (1 Sam. 21:10-13). Can you believe what the sweet Psalmist of Israel has resorted to? In fear, David fled once again and escaped to the cave Adullam. It was there that he cried out to God and was inspired to write the words of Psalm 57: "Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast." Finally, David turned to the God of mercies and took refuge under the shadow of his wings. If we were God we would have responded, "Now you come to me for help? After going to Ahimelech, lying to him for some bread and Goliath 's sword, you come to me? If you had not gone to him he would still be alive. If that wasn't enough, you actually thought that you could seek refuge among the Philistines?" No, God didn't say anything like that. Instead, when David cried out to God, the Lord, in his tender mercies, spread his loving wings and gave refuge unto one of his beloved servants. What a God! May our loving, gracious and heavenly Father be our first resource and not our last resort.
Many commentators agree that David wrote Psalm 57 after experiencing tremendous pressure, while running from Saul. King Saul, to whom David was a loyal servant, wanted to kill him because of demonic inspired jealousy. As a result, David fled from Saul leaving his wife behind and his close and dear friend Jonathan. Emotionally, David must have been experiencing deep discouragement and disappointment. While on the run, he went to Ahimelech the priest for provision, who became fearful of David's unexpected visit. Ahimelech asked David about why he had come alone, and David told Ahimelech one lie after another (See 1 Samuel 21-22). In desperation, David asked Ahimelech if he had any weapons and he advised David that all he had was Goliath's sword. Our mightiest weapon is prayer. Why was David lying and asking Ahimelech a priest for weapons, rather than calling for a prayer meeting? I believe at this time that David allowed his problems to become bigger than God and resorted to carnal means to try and resolve them. Since all Ahimelech had was Goliath's sword, David took it and departed. What good was relying on Goliath's sword going to do for him? It was so big and heavy it must have been more of a burden than anything else. What good did it do for Goliath when David was seeing straight? At that time David stood up to the most fearsome man on the planet when all of the armies of Israel were terrified, including Saul, because of how big Goliath was. But David didn't see how much bigger Goliath was than they were; all he could see was how much bigger God was than Goliath. After leaving Ahimelech with Goliath's Sword, Saul found out about Ahimelech helping David, and had him murdered along with other priests, who were serving with him. David's next move was even crazier. He fled to Achish, King of the Philistines (Israel's enemies) to seek refuge. They obviously did not receive him with open arms. Fearing for his life among the Philistines, he resorted to pretending that he was crazy. I know it's unbelievable, so I'm going to cut and paste the account for you to read for yourself: "And David arose and fled that day for fear of Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath.11And the servants of Achish said unto him, Is not this David the king of the land? did they not sing one to another of him in dances, saying, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands? 12And David laid up these words in his heart, and was sore afraid of Achish the king of Gath.13And he changed his behaviour before them, and feigned himself mad in their hands, and scrabbled on the doors of the gate, and let his spittle fall down upon his beard" (1 Sam. 21:10-13). Can you believe what the sweet Psalmist of Israel has resorted to? In fear, David fled once again and escaped to the cave Adullam. It was there that he cried out to God and was inspired to write the words of Psalm 57: "Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast." Finally, David turned to the God of mercies and took refuge under the shadow of his wings. If we were God we would have responded, "Now you come to me for help? After going to Ahimelech, lying to him for some bread and Goliath 's sword, you come to me? If you had not gone to him he would still be alive. If that wasn't enough, you actually thought that you could seek refuge among the Philistines?" No, God didn't say anything like that. Instead, when David cried out to God, the Lord, in his tender mercies, spread his loving wings and gave refuge unto one of his beloved servants. What a God! May our loving, gracious and heavenly Father be our first resource and not our last resort.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Peace is not the absence of trouble bu the presence of Jesus
"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" (John 14:27). We live in a world where trouble, trials and even tragedy exist. Two days ago I stood next to a mother who had to identify her sons body at the morgue after he was killed in a car crash. Life is hard sometimes and becoming a Christian doesn't exempt anyone from having to go through some hard times no matter what some of those T.V. preachers say. Jesus said, "In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). In a world of uncertainties Jesus promised his followers peace. The peace that He gives is not the absence of trouble but his presence in the midst to carry us through. Like a father holding a scared child, your heavenly father will hold you up and bring calmness to your soul.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Loyalty: Remembering that it's not all about me.
"And the women answered... as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands. And Saul was very wroth...and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom? And Saul eyed David from that day and forward" (1 Sam. 18:7-9).
Although David was a loyal servant of King Saul, he became jealous of David and began to look upon him with suspicion. Saul was envious of David because to him being the King was no longer about serving God and his purposes, but about serving himself. When your relationships with others becomes about what they can do for you, rather than how you can be a blessing to them, you're more like the devil than Jesus. King Saul not only looked upon David with suspicion but he attempted several times to kill him. David, on the other hand remained loyal to King Saul, not only in spite of the fact that Saul tried to kill him, but he remained loyal knowing that he was to be the next King of Israel. Although King Saul did not deserve it, David honored him until the end because he honored God and viewed Saul as the Lord's anointed. David didn't have his own agenda. It's remarkable to me that David didn't view King Saul as an obstacle to him actually reigning on the throne of Israel, although it was decreed by God that he was to be the next king. Instead, he viewed himself as a servant of God and of the King, who was still currently on the throne, and he was going to honor him until God said otherwise. David had his chances to take Saul out. But he was determined to wait on God to promote him in His time rather the taking matters into his own hands. In the mean time, he was content to play his harp for the king and carry his armor.
Thomas Merton wrote, "To consider persons and events and situations only in the light of their effect upon myself is to live on the doorstep of hell." That certainly applied to Saul but not David. "David didn't have the "it's all about me" attitude. There was something much bigger then "me" operating in his life, namely a high and holy view of God. Loyalty, which David exemplified in his dealing with Saul, is a byproduct of remembering that it's not all about me. In his actions, David demonstrated a Christ-like humility. We are exhorted by the Apostle Paul to show that same humility and love towards one another. He wrote, "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross" (Philip. 2:4-8).
David was loyal to an undeserving king because he was humbled by an all powerful God and like Jesus, God exalted him. Oh how the church needs a heavy dose of loyalty for one another that flows from humility. "Practicing loyalty means first of all maintaining perspective. Many disagreements and divisions start when we focus on a minor detail and forget the big picture. I think the most Christians agree on goals of ministry but sometimes disagree on how to reach those goals. It's not the purposes of the church or biblical principles we follow that create problems in ministry, but the procedures we use to accomplish those purposes and implement those principles. We can't compromise the commission the Lord has given us, but we can negotiate the elements of the programs by which we hope to serve Him. We can't always have our way, and a willingness to give up some of our rights may lubricate the machinery' (Warren Wiersbe).
According to the Merriam Webster dictionary, loyalty means to be "faithful to a private person to whom fidelity is due." But Jesus was faithful to us not because we showed ourselves to be faithful. He was faithful to us unto death because his love for us compelled him to be. If a church is going to be healthy we need to keep our eyes on the big picture--we need to keep our eyes on Christ and his cause in the world. We are to be loyal to our Church leaders, we are to be loyal to one another because we are loyal to Christ. Our loyalty and faithfulness is not about what others can do for me but what we can do for others that is going to advance the cause of Christ. There will be true loyalty among Christians when they remember that's it's not about me. David humbled himself and remained loyal and faithful to an undeserving king because he kept his eyes of the Lord. He would not take matters into his own hands in order to promote himself and in due time God exalted him. Jesus went all the way to Calvary for sinners like you and me. May we be loyal and faithful to one another and love each other like Jesus loved us.
Although David was a loyal servant of King Saul, he became jealous of David and began to look upon him with suspicion. Saul was envious of David because to him being the King was no longer about serving God and his purposes, but about serving himself. When your relationships with others becomes about what they can do for you, rather than how you can be a blessing to them, you're more like the devil than Jesus. King Saul not only looked upon David with suspicion but he attempted several times to kill him. David, on the other hand remained loyal to King Saul, not only in spite of the fact that Saul tried to kill him, but he remained loyal knowing that he was to be the next King of Israel. Although King Saul did not deserve it, David honored him until the end because he honored God and viewed Saul as the Lord's anointed. David didn't have his own agenda. It's remarkable to me that David didn't view King Saul as an obstacle to him actually reigning on the throne of Israel, although it was decreed by God that he was to be the next king. Instead, he viewed himself as a servant of God and of the King, who was still currently on the throne, and he was going to honor him until God said otherwise. David had his chances to take Saul out. But he was determined to wait on God to promote him in His time rather the taking matters into his own hands. In the mean time, he was content to play his harp for the king and carry his armor.
Thomas Merton wrote, "To consider persons and events and situations only in the light of their effect upon myself is to live on the doorstep of hell." That certainly applied to Saul but not David. "David didn't have the "it's all about me" attitude. There was something much bigger then "me" operating in his life, namely a high and holy view of God. Loyalty, which David exemplified in his dealing with Saul, is a byproduct of remembering that it's not all about me. In his actions, David demonstrated a Christ-like humility. We are exhorted by the Apostle Paul to show that same humility and love towards one another. He wrote, "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross" (Philip. 2:4-8).
David was loyal to an undeserving king because he was humbled by an all powerful God and like Jesus, God exalted him. Oh how the church needs a heavy dose of loyalty for one another that flows from humility. "Practicing loyalty means first of all maintaining perspective. Many disagreements and divisions start when we focus on a minor detail and forget the big picture. I think the most Christians agree on goals of ministry but sometimes disagree on how to reach those goals. It's not the purposes of the church or biblical principles we follow that create problems in ministry, but the procedures we use to accomplish those purposes and implement those principles. We can't compromise the commission the Lord has given us, but we can negotiate the elements of the programs by which we hope to serve Him. We can't always have our way, and a willingness to give up some of our rights may lubricate the machinery' (Warren Wiersbe).
According to the Merriam Webster dictionary, loyalty means to be "faithful to a private person to whom fidelity is due." But Jesus was faithful to us not because we showed ourselves to be faithful. He was faithful to us unto death because his love for us compelled him to be. If a church is going to be healthy we need to keep our eyes on the big picture--we need to keep our eyes on Christ and his cause in the world. We are to be loyal to our Church leaders, we are to be loyal to one another because we are loyal to Christ. Our loyalty and faithfulness is not about what others can do for me but what we can do for others that is going to advance the cause of Christ. There will be true loyalty among Christians when they remember that's it's not about me. David humbled himself and remained loyal and faithful to an undeserving king because he kept his eyes of the Lord. He would not take matters into his own hands in order to promote himself and in due time God exalted him. Jesus went all the way to Calvary for sinners like you and me. May we be loyal and faithful to one another and love each other like Jesus loved us.
Monday, August 16, 2010
God is not handcuffed by our limitations.
"And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few" (1Sam. 14:6).
I'm always encouraged when I'm reminded that God is not handcuffed by my limitations. When we are faithfully doing what God has called us to do for his kingdom we can trust that he will work for us, whether we are few or many, rich or poor, young or old. In fact, he specializes in using ordinary people to do extraordinary things. Paul wrote, "For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise..." (1 Cor. 1:26-27). God is most glorified in the lives of those who in their weakness trust him to do what only he can. Trust him to use you for his glory.
I'm always encouraged when I'm reminded that God is not handcuffed by my limitations. When we are faithfully doing what God has called us to do for his kingdom we can trust that he will work for us, whether we are few or many, rich or poor, young or old. In fact, he specializes in using ordinary people to do extraordinary things. Paul wrote, "For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise..." (1 Cor. 1:26-27). God is most glorified in the lives of those who in their weakness trust him to do what only he can. Trust him to use you for his glory.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
It's never right to do wrong to do right.
"And Samuel said, What hast thou done? And Saul said, Because I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that thou camest not within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered themselves together...Therefore said I, The Philistines will come down now upon me to...and I have not made supplication unto the LORD: I forced myself therefore, and offered a burnt offering. And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God...for now would the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever" (1 Sam. 13:10-13).
It's real easy to justify wrong actions especially when things don't seem to be going our way. When King Saul was facing an opposing enemy, rather than waiting on the Lord, he took matters into his own hands. He offered sacrifice to the Lord, which was not his place to do. It's never right to do wrong to do right. We are prone to make rash decisions when others fail to meet our expectations and let us down. Recently two faithful servants of the Lord chose to leave our church because of unmet expectations. But after giving it some thought and seeking godly counsel they had a change of mind and decided to stay. They realize that their decision to leave was influenced more by emotions rather than God's leading in their lives. We have far too many Christians bailing out of their churches, marriages and jobs because of unmet expectations. The best churches have problems. Couples that have healthy marriages that stay together have a lot of the same problems that other couples have the choose divorce as a way out. Someone said, "There's no problem to big for God to solve; only people too little to solve them." The Psalmist wrote, "My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him" (Psalm 62:5). Don't depend on man to meet your expectations, but rather depend on God to do so. Man will let you down. Don't be surprised by it. But God will never let you down. Be faithful where you are and don't make a move until you clearly have God's leading and blessing. Be very diligent to discern God's voice especially when you're discouraged and disappointed. I've heard it said that most of our unhappiness is the result of listening to ourselves rather than talking to ourselves. When you’re discouraged about circumstances that seem unfavorable, like the Psalmist, learn to preach to yourself saying, "My soul, wait thou only upon God..." Wait on Lord and trust him to come through for you in his time.
It's real easy to justify wrong actions especially when things don't seem to be going our way. When King Saul was facing an opposing enemy, rather than waiting on the Lord, he took matters into his own hands. He offered sacrifice to the Lord, which was not his place to do. It's never right to do wrong to do right. We are prone to make rash decisions when others fail to meet our expectations and let us down. Recently two faithful servants of the Lord chose to leave our church because of unmet expectations. But after giving it some thought and seeking godly counsel they had a change of mind and decided to stay. They realize that their decision to leave was influenced more by emotions rather than God's leading in their lives. We have far too many Christians bailing out of their churches, marriages and jobs because of unmet expectations. The best churches have problems. Couples that have healthy marriages that stay together have a lot of the same problems that other couples have the choose divorce as a way out. Someone said, "There's no problem to big for God to solve; only people too little to solve them." The Psalmist wrote, "My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him" (Psalm 62:5). Don't depend on man to meet your expectations, but rather depend on God to do so. Man will let you down. Don't be surprised by it. But God will never let you down. Be faithful where you are and don't make a move until you clearly have God's leading and blessing. Be very diligent to discern God's voice especially when you're discouraged and disappointed. I've heard it said that most of our unhappiness is the result of listening to ourselves rather than talking to ourselves. When you’re discouraged about circumstances that seem unfavorable, like the Psalmist, learn to preach to yourself saying, "My soul, wait thou only upon God..." Wait on Lord and trust him to come through for you in his time.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Seek the praise of God more than the praise of men.
"Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God" (John 12:42-43).
I believe the saying is true, "If we don't stand for something we will fall for anything." Far too often we settle for going along with something for the sake of getting along. In a Church God desires for there to be unity and harmony. But God doesn't want his people to compromise truth for the sake of unity or because we are afraid that it will cost us something. God wants us to be salt and light and if we are not willing to stand for what is right we are not worth our salt. If there's a problem in your relationships or especially in your Church , God doesn't want you to ignore it. When there's a problem we must talk to the right person about the problem not talk about him/her in a spirit of grace and humility. We must do so with the goal of seeking resolution and reconciliation if needed. In everything we do let us seek the praise of God more than the praise of men.
I believe the saying is true, "If we don't stand for something we will fall for anything." Far too often we settle for going along with something for the sake of getting along. In a Church God desires for there to be unity and harmony. But God doesn't want his people to compromise truth for the sake of unity or because we are afraid that it will cost us something. God wants us to be salt and light and if we are not willing to stand for what is right we are not worth our salt. If there's a problem in your relationships or especially in your Church , God doesn't want you to ignore it. When there's a problem we must talk to the right person about the problem not talk about him/her in a spirit of grace and humility. We must do so with the goal of seeking resolution and reconciliation if needed. In everything we do let us seek the praise of God more than the praise of men.
"I'll be praying for you" is not just something nice to say in passing...
"Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in. ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and right way: Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you" (1 Sam. 12:23-24).
The Prophet Samuel was one of Israel's most respected leaders. He was a man of great character and integrity before God and his people. He not only taught the people the good and right way, he live it. Thomas Morel wrote, "The first great gift we can bestow on others is a good example." Samuel's life spoke as powerfully as his words. He was a great leader not only because he lived what he preached but he was also a man of prayer. "I'll pray for you" was not just something nice to say to someone in passing; it was a conviction that Samuel practice continuously. His conviction about the power of intercessory prayer was so strong that he considered it a sin if he were to cease praying for his people. I shared this thought at a meeting tonight and one of my brothers said, "Samuel viewed not praying for others as a sin? I'm just starting to realize that I need to get a better handle on some of my anger issues. I guess I have still have a long way to go to get to that level." May we be God's gift to others by living lives of integrity and praying for others without ceasing.
The Prophet Samuel was one of Israel's most respected leaders. He was a man of great character and integrity before God and his people. He not only taught the people the good and right way, he live it. Thomas Morel wrote, "The first great gift we can bestow on others is a good example." Samuel's life spoke as powerfully as his words. He was a great leader not only because he lived what he preached but he was also a man of prayer. "I'll pray for you" was not just something nice to say to someone in passing; it was a conviction that Samuel practice continuously. His conviction about the power of intercessory prayer was so strong that he considered it a sin if he were to cease praying for his people. I shared this thought at a meeting tonight and one of my brothers said, "Samuel viewed not praying for others as a sin? I'm just starting to realize that I need to get a better handle on some of my anger issues. I guess I have still have a long way to go to get to that level." May we be God's gift to others by living lives of integrity and praying for others without ceasing.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Is Jesus at home in your life?
"Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus" (John 11:5).
I've heard it said, "Jesus does not have favorites but he does have intimates." Martha, her sister Mary and Lazarus definitely had a very special love relationship with Jesus Christ. What was it about this family that brought them into such an intimate relationship with Jesus? In Luke 10:38 we learn that when Jesus came into their village they received him into their house. In their house Jesus was made to feel at home. Jesus desires to be at home in your life. He wants us to experience that his love is better than life. He will come and knock on the door of your heart, but he will not force his way in. We must open the door and let him in. Jesus said, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Rev. 3:20). Has Jesus made himself at home in your house? Is he welcome in every area of your life? Open the door of your heart and life to Jesus and you will know a love that truly satisfies.
I've heard it said, "Jesus does not have favorites but he does have intimates." Martha, her sister Mary and Lazarus definitely had a very special love relationship with Jesus Christ. What was it about this family that brought them into such an intimate relationship with Jesus? In Luke 10:38 we learn that when Jesus came into their village they received him into their house. In their house Jesus was made to feel at home. Jesus desires to be at home in your life. He wants us to experience that his love is better than life. He will come and knock on the door of your heart, but he will not force his way in. We must open the door and let him in. Jesus said, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Rev. 3:20). Has Jesus made himself at home in your house? Is he welcome in every area of your life? Open the door of your heart and life to Jesus and you will know a love that truly satisfies.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
They got what they wanted and lost what they had
"But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD. And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them" (1 Sam. 8:6-7).
During the days of Samuel the the prophet the people of God began comparing themselves with the nations around them and feeling insecure. These nations were ruled by Kings, but the Israelites were led by Judges like Samuel, who was a godly man full of the wisdom of God. Under Samuel's leadership, Israel experienced the mighty hand of God delivering them from their enemies. But rather than looking up to God and trusting his faithfulness for their future, they looked at the nations around them and wanted to be like them. Although God warned them through Samuel of the consequences of having a King ruling over them, they insisted on getting their way. The result was that they got what they wanted, but lost what they had. There our times when we desire things that God does not will for our lives but we insist on getting our way. God through his Spirit will convict us, warn us and even send somebody our way to counsel us against making a wrong decision, but typically he will not forcebly stop us. If you want it bad enough, (i.e. a relationship,job, material possessions, business venture), God might just say, "you think you know better than me; have at it." Sometimes we just need to learn the hard way. Let us never think that we can have it our way and expect God's favor and blessing. "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death" (Proverbs 14:10). There are times that we can be pursuing something that's good but that God did not initiate. It's been said, "what God doesn't intiate he does't appreciate." But when God is in it we can trust that "God's will done in God's way will never lack God's supply." Let God reign supreme in your life so that it may never be said of you, "he got what he wanted but lost what he had."
During the days of Samuel the the prophet the people of God began comparing themselves with the nations around them and feeling insecure. These nations were ruled by Kings, but the Israelites were led by Judges like Samuel, who was a godly man full of the wisdom of God. Under Samuel's leadership, Israel experienced the mighty hand of God delivering them from their enemies. But rather than looking up to God and trusting his faithfulness for their future, they looked at the nations around them and wanted to be like them. Although God warned them through Samuel of the consequences of having a King ruling over them, they insisted on getting their way. The result was that they got what they wanted, but lost what they had. There our times when we desire things that God does not will for our lives but we insist on getting our way. God through his Spirit will convict us, warn us and even send somebody our way to counsel us against making a wrong decision, but typically he will not forcebly stop us. If you want it bad enough, (i.e. a relationship,job, material possessions, business venture), God might just say, "you think you know better than me; have at it." Sometimes we just need to learn the hard way. Let us never think that we can have it our way and expect God's favor and blessing. "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death" (Proverbs 14:10). There are times that we can be pursuing something that's good but that God did not initiate. It's been said, "what God doesn't intiate he does't appreciate." But when God is in it we can trust that "God's will done in God's way will never lack God's supply." Let God reign supreme in your life so that it may never be said of you, "he got what he wanted but lost what he had."
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth
"Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, neither was the word of the LORD yet revealed unto him. And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the LORD had called the child. Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth." (1 Sam. 3:7-9).
In the days of Samuel it was very rare for God to speak to his people. They had come to a place where every man did that which was right in their own eyes. God's word was no longer valued. Turning a deaf ear to God led Israel to unprecedented depths of sin and depravity. If you want to hear from God you must cultivate a listening ear and be quick to obey God's voice. "The value of consistent prayer is not that He will hear us, but that we will hear Him" (McGill). Listen and obey.
In the days of Samuel it was very rare for God to speak to his people. They had come to a place where every man did that which was right in their own eyes. God's word was no longer valued. Turning a deaf ear to God led Israel to unprecedented depths of sin and depravity. If you want to hear from God you must cultivate a listening ear and be quick to obey God's voice. "The value of consistent prayer is not that He will hear us, but that we will hear Him" (McGill). Listen and obey.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Honor God and He will Honor you
"And there came a man of God unto Eli, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD...Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and at mine offering, which I have commanded in my habitation; and honourest thy sons above me, to make yourselves fat with the chiefest of all the offerings of Israel my people? Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed" (1 Sam. 2:28-30).
Eli and his sons abused their priestly rights and took advantage of the people. Eli's sons were wicked, but Eli honored them more than he honored God. Many Christians are concerned with their reputation—their image more than their character before God. So what if we cheat on our taxes. So what if we view porn on the internet once in a while. So what if we gossip about a brother in Christ. As long as they don’t find out and everyone else thinks I’m a fine and outstanding Christian, all is well. Some of us want to be liked by others more than we want to please God to the point that we will compromise the truth if necessary. Are you a lover of pleasure more than a lover of God? Do you desire the honor, admiration and praise of man more than the honor that God bestows? Are you a people pleaser more than you are a God pleaser? In seeking to gain the honor of men we can lose the honor of God. "Let no one imagine that he will lose anything of human dignity by this voluntary sell-out of his all to his God. He does not by this degrade himself as a man; rather he finds his right place of high honor as one made in the image of his Creator. His deep disgrace lay in his moral derangement, his unnatural usurpation of the place of God. His honor will be proved by restoring again that stolen throne. In exalting God over all he finds his own highest honor upheld" (Tozer). Honor God above all else and he will honor you.
Eli and his sons abused their priestly rights and took advantage of the people. Eli's sons were wicked, but Eli honored them more than he honored God. Many Christians are concerned with their reputation—their image more than their character before God. So what if we cheat on our taxes. So what if we view porn on the internet once in a while. So what if we gossip about a brother in Christ. As long as they don’t find out and everyone else thinks I’m a fine and outstanding Christian, all is well. Some of us want to be liked by others more than we want to please God to the point that we will compromise the truth if necessary. Are you a lover of pleasure more than a lover of God? Do you desire the honor, admiration and praise of man more than the honor that God bestows? Are you a people pleaser more than you are a God pleaser? In seeking to gain the honor of men we can lose the honor of God. "Let no one imagine that he will lose anything of human dignity by this voluntary sell-out of his all to his God. He does not by this degrade himself as a man; rather he finds his right place of high honor as one made in the image of his Creator. His deep disgrace lay in his moral derangement, his unnatural usurpation of the place of God. His honor will be proved by restoring again that stolen throne. In exalting God over all he finds his own highest honor upheld" (Tozer). Honor God above all else and he will honor you.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
The good shepherd knows his sheep
"I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine" (John 10:14). Jesus is the good shepherd and as the good shepherd he gave his life for the sheep. All who trust the good shepherd as Lord and savior are given eternal life. But eternal life is more than just knowing that you're going to heaven when you die. Life eternal is knowing the Lord personally and being known of him. All of us know who the president of the USA is. But If you went to his house and tried to get in by saying, "I'm here to see President Obama", you would not be allowed in. If u didn't take no for an answer and insisted you would spend the night not in the white house but in a jail house. But if you knew the president intimately and he knew you intimately and you said, "I'm so and so and I'm here to see the president, you would be given access. Does Jesus know you? There is no greater joy in life than to know Jesus and grow in our relationship with. Trust him as savior and Lord and you will know him in this life and for all eternity.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Sometimes our biggest problem is refusing to see the problem
"And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind. And some of the Pharisees...said unto him, Are we blind also? Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth" (John 9:39-41).
Have you ever thought you knew a lot about something until you met someone that knew a whole lot more and it made you realize that you have much more to learn? The religious leaders of Jesus' day knew a lot of Bible but compared to Jesus they knew nothing. But because of the pride in their hearts they were unteachable. They thought they knew it all. They were so full of themselves that they actually thought that they could teach Jesus a thing or two. Their pride made them unable to recognize who Jesus was and the needs in their own lives. They had the word of God but they refused to believe in the one who the word of God revealed to be the son of God. They were given light but refused to respond to the light that was given and therefore were made blind. For those who were blind and in darkness Jesus came to bring light in order that they might see him as savior and Lord, believe and be saved from their sin. Those who responded to the light that Jesus gave them were given more light. Those who did not were blinded and as a result remained in their sin. Is your pride preventing you from seeing what you need to see about yourself and others? Sometimes our biggest problem is not being able to see the problem.
Pride will keep you in the dark. Humility allows us to see ourselves in the light of who God is so that we might be saved and sacntified. "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up" (James 4:10).
Have you ever thought you knew a lot about something until you met someone that knew a whole lot more and it made you realize that you have much more to learn? The religious leaders of Jesus' day knew a lot of Bible but compared to Jesus they knew nothing. But because of the pride in their hearts they were unteachable. They thought they knew it all. They were so full of themselves that they actually thought that they could teach Jesus a thing or two. Their pride made them unable to recognize who Jesus was and the needs in their own lives. They had the word of God but they refused to believe in the one who the word of God revealed to be the son of God. They were given light but refused to respond to the light that was given and therefore were made blind. For those who were blind and in darkness Jesus came to bring light in order that they might see him as savior and Lord, believe and be saved from their sin. Those who responded to the light that Jesus gave them were given more light. Those who did not were blinded and as a result remained in their sin. Is your pride preventing you from seeing what you need to see about yourself and others? Sometimes our biggest problem is not being able to see the problem.
Pride will keep you in the dark. Humility allows us to see ourselves in the light of who God is so that we might be saved and sacntified. "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up" (James 4:10).
Thursday, August 5, 2010
"Clean up the screen in your front window"
"Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment" (John 7:24).
When Jesus said those words he was admonishing certain religious Jews that judged him for healing on the sabbath. They could not see the good that Jesus did because their hearts, which were filled with envy, clouded their judgment. Can you imagine that they couldn't see anything good in what Jesus did? They couldn't see any good in the one whose name is "Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father and the Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6). They couldn't see any good in the one who is the "good shepherd" who gave his life for the sheep. They couldn't see any good in the one who said, from the cross, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do." When Jesus did good by healing the sick their hearts were so messed up that they saw it as evil. "Why is it that we often fail to use right judgment and arrive at false conclusions? The reasons are many. First, before any information arrives at our intellect for analysis it must pass through our preconceptions, assumptions, beliefs, opinions, prejudices, selective memory, and feelings. Our mind is also a master of deception...For instance, we may judge someone to be intellectually inferior to us simply because they share another opinion" (C. Galozzi). We see with our hearts more then we see with our physical eyes. When our hearts are dirty we can't see straight. I remember hearing a story once about a grumpy old man who complained a lot. His next door neighbors were Christians and they would come by and check up on him because he live alone and was not in the greatest health. When they would come by they would always hear him complainning about this or that. And without fail he would always complain about how dirty and grimy the neighbors car and house across the street looked. Well, it dawn on one of the neighbors that the dirt and grime was not on the neighbor's house and car but on the screen in his front window. So they said to the old man, "Sir the problem is that the screen in your window is dirty. Clean up that screen in front of your window and your will realize that your neighbors house just happens to be the most beautiful house on the block. Too often we see through a dirty heart. Clean up your dirty heart and judge righteously. May we see through hearts and eyes that have been changed by the grace and love of Jesus Christ.
When Jesus said those words he was admonishing certain religious Jews that judged him for healing on the sabbath. They could not see the good that Jesus did because their hearts, which were filled with envy, clouded their judgment. Can you imagine that they couldn't see anything good in what Jesus did? They couldn't see any good in the one whose name is "Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father and the Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6). They couldn't see any good in the one who is the "good shepherd" who gave his life for the sheep. They couldn't see any good in the one who said, from the cross, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do." When Jesus did good by healing the sick their hearts were so messed up that they saw it as evil. "Why is it that we often fail to use right judgment and arrive at false conclusions? The reasons are many. First, before any information arrives at our intellect for analysis it must pass through our preconceptions, assumptions, beliefs, opinions, prejudices, selective memory, and feelings. Our mind is also a master of deception...For instance, we may judge someone to be intellectually inferior to us simply because they share another opinion" (C. Galozzi). We see with our hearts more then we see with our physical eyes. When our hearts are dirty we can't see straight. I remember hearing a story once about a grumpy old man who complained a lot. His next door neighbors were Christians and they would come by and check up on him because he live alone and was not in the greatest health. When they would come by they would always hear him complainning about this or that. And without fail he would always complain about how dirty and grimy the neighbors car and house across the street looked. Well, it dawn on one of the neighbors that the dirt and grime was not on the neighbor's house and car but on the screen in his front window. So they said to the old man, "Sir the problem is that the screen in your window is dirty. Clean up that screen in front of your window and your will realize that your neighbors house just happens to be the most beautiful house on the block. Too often we see through a dirty heart. Clean up your dirty heart and judge righteously. May we see through hearts and eyes that have been changed by the grace and love of Jesus Christ.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Jesus in every book of the Bible
"And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not. Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life" (John 5:38-40).
Jesus was speaking to religious Jews when he said, "And ye have not his word abiding in you..." They had a lot of head knowledge about the word of God but they did not know the main reason the bible was written and that is to magnify the Lord Jesus Christ. The word of God will take root and bare fruit in our lives when it brings us to a saving and sanctifying knowledge of Jesus (John 15:1-8). We must search the scripture daily not simply to come to know more about the word of God but in order to get to know more intimately the God of the word through his son Jesus Christ. Your life will reflect the image of Christ as you behold his glory in the mirror of God's word (2 Cor. 3:18). On the internet I founnd the followings descriptions of Jesus from every book of the bible that I trust will bless your heart:
• In Genesis, Jesus Christ is the seed of the woman.
• In Exodus, He is the passover lamb.
• In Leviticus, He is our high priest.
• In Numbers, He is the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night.
• In Deuteronomy, He is the prophet like unto Moses.
• In Joshua, He is the captain of our salvation.
• In Judges, He is our judge and lawgiver.
• In Ruth, He is our kinsman redeemer.
• In 1st and 2nd Samuel, He is our trusted prophet.
• In Kings and Chronicles, He is our reigning king.
• In Ezra, He is the rebuilder of the broken down walls of human life.
• In Esther, He is our Mordecai.
• In Job, He is our ever-living redeemer.
• In Psalms, He is our shepherd.
• In Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, He is our wisdom.
• In the Song of Solomon, He is the loving bridegroom.
• In Isaiah, He is the prince of peace.
• In Jeremiah, He is the righteous branch.
• In Lamentations, He is our weeping prophet.
• In Ezekiel, He is the wonderful four-faced man.
• In Daniel, He is the forth man in life's "fiery furnace."
• In Hosea, He is the faithful husband, forever married to the backslider.
• In Joel, He is the baptizer with the Holy Ghost and fire.
• In Amos, He is our burden-bearer.
• In Obadiah, He is the mighty to save.
• In Jonah, He is our great foreign missionary.
• In Micah, He is the messenger of beautiful feet.
• In Nahum, He is the avenger of God's elect.
• In Habakkuk, he is God's evangelist, crying, "revive thy work in the midst of the years."
• In Zephaniah, He is our Saviour.
• In Haggai, He is the restorer of God's lost heritage.
• In Zechariah, He is the fountain opened up in the house of David for sin and uncleanness.
• In Malachi, He is the Sun of Righteousness, rising with healing in His wings.
• In Matthew, He is King of the Jews.
• In Mark, He is the Servant.
• In Luke, He is the Son of Man, feeling what you feel.
• In John, He is the Son of God.
• In Acts, He is the Savior of the world.
• In Romans, He is the righteousness of God.
• In I Corinthians, He is the Rock that followed Israel.
• In II Corinthians, He is the Triumphant One, giving victory.
• In Galatians, He is your liberty; He sets you free.
• In Ephesians, He is Head of the Church.
• In Philippians, He is your joy.
• In Colossians, He is your completeness.
• In 1st and 2nd Thessalonians, He is your hope.
• In I Timothy, He is your faith.
• In II Timothy, He is your stability.
• In Philemon, He is your Benefactor.
• In Titus, He is truth.
• In Hebrews, He is your perfection.
• In James, he is the Power behind your faith.
• In I Peter, He is your example.
• In II Peter, He is your purity.
• In I John, He is your life.
• In II John, He is your pattern.
• In III John, He is your motivation.
• In Jude, He is the foundation of your faith.
• In Revelation, He is your coming King.
o He is the First and Last, the Beginning and the End!
o He is the keeper of Creation and the Creator of all!
o He is the Architect of the universe and the Manager of all times.
o He always was, He always is, and He always will be...
o Unmoved, Unchanged, Undefeated, and never Undone!
o He was bruised and brought healing!
o He was pierced and eased pain!
o He was persecuted and brought freedom!
o He was dead and brought life!
o He is risen and brings power!
o He reigns and brings Peace!
o The world can't understand him,
o The armies can't defeat Him,
o The schools can't explain Him, and
o The leaders can't ignore Him.
o Herod couldn't kill Him,
o The Pharisees couldn't confuse Him, and
o The people couldn't hold Him!
o Nero couldn't crush Him,
o Hitler couldn't silence Him,
o The New Age can't replace Him, and
o Donahue can't explain Him away!
o He is light, love, longevity, and Lord.
o He is goodness, Kindness, Gentleness, and God.
o He is Holy, Righteous, mighty, powerful, and pure.
o His ways are right, His word is eternal,
o His will is unchanging, and His mind is on me.
o He is my Redeemer, He is my Savior,
o He is my guide, and He is my peace!
o He is my Joy, He is my comfort,
o He is my Lord, and He rules my life!
• I serve Him because His bond is love,
• His burden is light, and His goal for me is abundant life.
• I follow Him because He is:
o the wisdom of the wise,
o the Power of the powerful,
o the Ancient of days,
o the Ruler of rulers,
o the Leader of leaders,
o the Overseer of the overcomers, and
o the Sovereign Lord of all that was and is and is to come.
And if that seems impressive to you, try this for size:
• His goal is a relationship with ME!
• He will never leave me,
o never forsake me,
o never mislead me,
o never forget me,
o never overlook me,
o and never cancel my appointment in His appointment book!
• When I fall, He lifts me up!
• When I fail, He forgives!
• When I am weak, He is strong!
• When I am lost, He is the way!
• When I am afraid, He is my courage!
• When I stumble, He steadies me!
• When I am hurt, He heals me!
• When I am broken, He mends me!
• When I am blind, He leads me!
• When I am hungry, He feeds me!
• When I face trials, He is with me!
• When I face persecution, He shields me!
• When I face problems, He comforts me!
• When I face loss, He provides for me!
• When I face Death, He carries me Home!
• He is everything for everybody, everywhere, every time, and every way.
• He is God, He is faithful.
• I am His, and He is mine!
• My Father in heaven can whip the father of this world!
So, if you're wondering why I feel so secure, understand this . . .
GOD said it and that settles it.
God is in control, I am on His side, and that means all is well with my
soul.
Everyday is a blessing because GOD IS!
Jesus was speaking to religious Jews when he said, "And ye have not his word abiding in you..." They had a lot of head knowledge about the word of God but they did not know the main reason the bible was written and that is to magnify the Lord Jesus Christ. The word of God will take root and bare fruit in our lives when it brings us to a saving and sanctifying knowledge of Jesus (John 15:1-8). We must search the scripture daily not simply to come to know more about the word of God but in order to get to know more intimately the God of the word through his son Jesus Christ. Your life will reflect the image of Christ as you behold his glory in the mirror of God's word (2 Cor. 3:18). On the internet I founnd the followings descriptions of Jesus from every book of the bible that I trust will bless your heart:
• In Genesis, Jesus Christ is the seed of the woman.
• In Exodus, He is the passover lamb.
• In Leviticus, He is our high priest.
• In Numbers, He is the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night.
• In Deuteronomy, He is the prophet like unto Moses.
• In Joshua, He is the captain of our salvation.
• In Judges, He is our judge and lawgiver.
• In Ruth, He is our kinsman redeemer.
• In 1st and 2nd Samuel, He is our trusted prophet.
• In Kings and Chronicles, He is our reigning king.
• In Ezra, He is the rebuilder of the broken down walls of human life.
• In Esther, He is our Mordecai.
• In Job, He is our ever-living redeemer.
• In Psalms, He is our shepherd.
• In Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, He is our wisdom.
• In the Song of Solomon, He is the loving bridegroom.
• In Isaiah, He is the prince of peace.
• In Jeremiah, He is the righteous branch.
• In Lamentations, He is our weeping prophet.
• In Ezekiel, He is the wonderful four-faced man.
• In Daniel, He is the forth man in life's "fiery furnace."
• In Hosea, He is the faithful husband, forever married to the backslider.
• In Joel, He is the baptizer with the Holy Ghost and fire.
• In Amos, He is our burden-bearer.
• In Obadiah, He is the mighty to save.
• In Jonah, He is our great foreign missionary.
• In Micah, He is the messenger of beautiful feet.
• In Nahum, He is the avenger of God's elect.
• In Habakkuk, he is God's evangelist, crying, "revive thy work in the midst of the years."
• In Zephaniah, He is our Saviour.
• In Haggai, He is the restorer of God's lost heritage.
• In Zechariah, He is the fountain opened up in the house of David for sin and uncleanness.
• In Malachi, He is the Sun of Righteousness, rising with healing in His wings.
• In Matthew, He is King of the Jews.
• In Mark, He is the Servant.
• In Luke, He is the Son of Man, feeling what you feel.
• In John, He is the Son of God.
• In Acts, He is the Savior of the world.
• In Romans, He is the righteousness of God.
• In I Corinthians, He is the Rock that followed Israel.
• In II Corinthians, He is the Triumphant One, giving victory.
• In Galatians, He is your liberty; He sets you free.
• In Ephesians, He is Head of the Church.
• In Philippians, He is your joy.
• In Colossians, He is your completeness.
• In 1st and 2nd Thessalonians, He is your hope.
• In I Timothy, He is your faith.
• In II Timothy, He is your stability.
• In Philemon, He is your Benefactor.
• In Titus, He is truth.
• In Hebrews, He is your perfection.
• In James, he is the Power behind your faith.
• In I Peter, He is your example.
• In II Peter, He is your purity.
• In I John, He is your life.
• In II John, He is your pattern.
• In III John, He is your motivation.
• In Jude, He is the foundation of your faith.
• In Revelation, He is your coming King.
o He is the First and Last, the Beginning and the End!
o He is the keeper of Creation and the Creator of all!
o He is the Architect of the universe and the Manager of all times.
o He always was, He always is, and He always will be...
o Unmoved, Unchanged, Undefeated, and never Undone!
o He was bruised and brought healing!
o He was pierced and eased pain!
o He was persecuted and brought freedom!
o He was dead and brought life!
o He is risen and brings power!
o He reigns and brings Peace!
o The world can't understand him,
o The armies can't defeat Him,
o The schools can't explain Him, and
o The leaders can't ignore Him.
o Herod couldn't kill Him,
o The Pharisees couldn't confuse Him, and
o The people couldn't hold Him!
o Nero couldn't crush Him,
o Hitler couldn't silence Him,
o The New Age can't replace Him, and
o Donahue can't explain Him away!
o He is light, love, longevity, and Lord.
o He is goodness, Kindness, Gentleness, and God.
o He is Holy, Righteous, mighty, powerful, and pure.
o His ways are right, His word is eternal,
o His will is unchanging, and His mind is on me.
o He is my Redeemer, He is my Savior,
o He is my guide, and He is my peace!
o He is my Joy, He is my comfort,
o He is my Lord, and He rules my life!
• I serve Him because His bond is love,
• His burden is light, and His goal for me is abundant life.
• I follow Him because He is:
o the wisdom of the wise,
o the Power of the powerful,
o the Ancient of days,
o the Ruler of rulers,
o the Leader of leaders,
o the Overseer of the overcomers, and
o the Sovereign Lord of all that was and is and is to come.
And if that seems impressive to you, try this for size:
• His goal is a relationship with ME!
• He will never leave me,
o never forsake me,
o never mislead me,
o never forget me,
o never overlook me,
o and never cancel my appointment in His appointment book!
• When I fall, He lifts me up!
• When I fail, He forgives!
• When I am weak, He is strong!
• When I am lost, He is the way!
• When I am afraid, He is my courage!
• When I stumble, He steadies me!
• When I am hurt, He heals me!
• When I am broken, He mends me!
• When I am blind, He leads me!
• When I am hungry, He feeds me!
• When I face trials, He is with me!
• When I face persecution, He shields me!
• When I face problems, He comforts me!
• When I face loss, He provides for me!
• When I face Death, He carries me Home!
• He is everything for everybody, everywhere, every time, and every way.
• He is God, He is faithful.
• I am His, and He is mine!
• My Father in heaven can whip the father of this world!
So, if you're wondering why I feel so secure, understand this . . .
GOD said it and that settles it.
God is in control, I am on His side, and that means all is well with my
soul.
Everyday is a blessing because GOD IS!
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Can God commit himself to you?
"Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover... many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did. But Jesus did not commit (or entrust) himself unto them, because he knew all men." (John 2:23)
We've all been encouraged to "trust God," especially in times of difficulty. God is so very trustworthy and we must learn to depend on him. But have you ever been asked the question, "Does God trust you?" During the earthly ministry of Christ there were some who believed in Jesus, but he did not entrust himself to them. In other words, he did not get close to them. It's been said that God does not have any favorites but he does have intimates. There were those who believed in Jesus only because of his miracles. Many today are believing in God for a miracle but have not surrendered their lives to the man, Christ Jesus. The prime objective of Jesus when he came to this earth was not to heal people of their diseases but to save them from their sin through his atoning work on the cross. When it comes to salvaton we must admit that we our sinners in need of mercy and trust that Christ died on the cross to pay the price for our sin and rose again to give us life (John 1:11-12; 3:16; Romans 3:23; 5:8; Romans 10:9). There are those who profess to be saved that have only believed on Jesus for a better life, prosperty, or a miracle of some kind, but not because they understand their need for redemption in order to be free from the condemnation of sin and enter into an eternal relationship with God. Jesus will not entrust himself to a person or allow them to receive the power to become a child of God if they're simply believing that Jesus is a miracle worker, a goood teacher but have never trusted him as savior and Lord of their life. This subject of Jesus entrusting himself to others does not only apply to the lost but to the saved as well. Christians can also become self centered and lose sight of what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ. Those who continue like the Apostle Paul, "to press toward the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Philip. 3) will continue to grow in the Lord and experience greater intimacy and power with Him. When a Chrisitan's motivation for seeking the Lord becomes more about pleasing self rather than pleasing God, they will not experiece the fullness of God in their lives. Jesus said, "seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you"(Matthew 6:31). God will give you what you need to live on when you need him in order to live. The world will not be changed by the over abundance of our information but by the outflow of are intimacy with God. Seek the Lord with all your heart and God will provide what you need most, a closer walk with Jesus.
We've all been encouraged to "trust God," especially in times of difficulty. God is so very trustworthy and we must learn to depend on him. But have you ever been asked the question, "Does God trust you?" During the earthly ministry of Christ there were some who believed in Jesus, but he did not entrust himself to them. In other words, he did not get close to them. It's been said that God does not have any favorites but he does have intimates. There were those who believed in Jesus only because of his miracles. Many today are believing in God for a miracle but have not surrendered their lives to the man, Christ Jesus. The prime objective of Jesus when he came to this earth was not to heal people of their diseases but to save them from their sin through his atoning work on the cross. When it comes to salvaton we must admit that we our sinners in need of mercy and trust that Christ died on the cross to pay the price for our sin and rose again to give us life (John 1:11-12; 3:16; Romans 3:23; 5:8; Romans 10:9). There are those who profess to be saved that have only believed on Jesus for a better life, prosperty, or a miracle of some kind, but not because they understand their need for redemption in order to be free from the condemnation of sin and enter into an eternal relationship with God. Jesus will not entrust himself to a person or allow them to receive the power to become a child of God if they're simply believing that Jesus is a miracle worker, a goood teacher but have never trusted him as savior and Lord of their life. This subject of Jesus entrusting himself to others does not only apply to the lost but to the saved as well. Christians can also become self centered and lose sight of what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ. Those who continue like the Apostle Paul, "to press toward the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Philip. 3) will continue to grow in the Lord and experience greater intimacy and power with Him. When a Chrisitan's motivation for seeking the Lord becomes more about pleasing self rather than pleasing God, they will not experiece the fullness of God in their lives. Jesus said, "seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you"(Matthew 6:31). God will give you what you need to live on when you need him in order to live. The world will not be changed by the over abundance of our information but by the outflow of are intimacy with God. Seek the Lord with all your heart and God will provide what you need most, a closer walk with Jesus.
Monday, August 2, 2010
"Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it"
"And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it"(John 2:3-5).
While Jesus was present at a wedding reception with his disciples, the wine ran out. Mary informs Jesus of the situation and seems to receive a mild rebuke from Jesus who said, "Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come." Wine was symbolic of the blood that Jesus would shed for the remission of ours sins. Therefore, the Lord's statement was more a revelation then a rebuke. I wonder if Mary understood what Jesus meant? Did she really hear what he was saying? When reading the word of God do you prayerfully listen for the voice of God? Are you taking time to study and meditate on the word of God in order to understand and discern God's will for your life? The key to life is to hear and obey God's voice. Have you ever had someone say to you, "just follow your heart or do whatever makes you happy?" Bad advice. The prophet Jeremiah wrote, "the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked who can know it" (Jer. 17:9). Our heart will lead us astray and our feelings are too fickel and therefore unreliable. Someone said that emotions are great followers but terrible leaders. At the weeding, Mary said to the servants, "Whatsoever he saith unto u, do it." Now that's great counsel! One of the greatest hindrances to living the victorious life that God desires for us is listening to the wrong voice. Diligently seek to discern God's voice, especially in times of disappointment, discouragement and disillusionment. The outcome of obeying Mary's advice to do what Jesus commanded at the weeding in Cana of Galilee, was the very first miracle in the earthly ministry of our Lord. Today we are the clay water pots that Jesus wants to fill with his Spirit in order to work miracles in and through our lives. In the Scriptures wine is not only symbolic of blood but it's also symbolic of joy (Judges 9:13; Psalm 104:15). "Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it" and supernatural joy and peace will overflow in your life.
While Jesus was present at a wedding reception with his disciples, the wine ran out. Mary informs Jesus of the situation and seems to receive a mild rebuke from Jesus who said, "Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come." Wine was symbolic of the blood that Jesus would shed for the remission of ours sins. Therefore, the Lord's statement was more a revelation then a rebuke. I wonder if Mary understood what Jesus meant? Did she really hear what he was saying? When reading the word of God do you prayerfully listen for the voice of God? Are you taking time to study and meditate on the word of God in order to understand and discern God's will for your life? The key to life is to hear and obey God's voice. Have you ever had someone say to you, "just follow your heart or do whatever makes you happy?" Bad advice. The prophet Jeremiah wrote, "the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked who can know it" (Jer. 17:9). Our heart will lead us astray and our feelings are too fickel and therefore unreliable. Someone said that emotions are great followers but terrible leaders. At the weeding, Mary said to the servants, "Whatsoever he saith unto u, do it." Now that's great counsel! One of the greatest hindrances to living the victorious life that God desires for us is listening to the wrong voice. Diligently seek to discern God's voice, especially in times of disappointment, discouragement and disillusionment. The outcome of obeying Mary's advice to do what Jesus commanded at the weeding in Cana of Galilee, was the very first miracle in the earthly ministry of our Lord. Today we are the clay water pots that Jesus wants to fill with his Spirit in order to work miracles in and through our lives. In the Scriptures wine is not only symbolic of blood but it's also symbolic of joy (Judges 9:13; Psalm 104:15). "Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it" and supernatural joy and peace will overflow in your life.
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