OK. I missed three weeks at least in keeping up this blog. So I will now add three outlines to it and kind of make up for lost time. Time has actually been the shortage it seemed for the past three weeks.
These are messages from Philippians.
Phil. 3:1-14 - "...AND LIVE REJOICING EVERY DAY"
In these dark days before the return of our Lord, we can still live rejoicing every day.
1. FOUND IN HIM. This is the basis for all of our joy. It means that we are saved, "in Him". Ephesians 1 gives us al ist of all of the blessings that we have "in Him", as saved people. 2 Corinthians 5 makes it clear that we can be righteous only through His wonderful work on the cross. In order to have true joy, you must be found in Him, not having your own righteousness.
2. FELLOWSHIP WITH HIM. Some people were saved forty years ago, but have not continued to experience fellowship with the Lord on a daily basis. Therefore, there are many Christian people who are not experiencing the joy of their Christian faith. It is sad. Notice what Paul says in this passage about the all-consuming passion of His life, "That I may know him. . ." (v. 10). We will know Him through a daily fellowship with Him in His Word. We will know Him as we experience trials and sufferings in our lives. We will experience His tender care and learn more of what He experienced for us as we walk the dark valleys of life. The true key to fellowship is found in the phrase, "Being made conformable to his death." Only as we learn to die to self and allow His Holy Spirit to guide our lives can we experience His power in our daily lives.
3. FORGETTING. Most of us are not too thrilled about being forgetful, but this is where forgetfulness can be a blessing. We must forget the previous way of living. Instead of glorying in our sinful past and shameful practices, let us do some forgetting. Paul was forgetting the religious deadness that had been his life. Paul was forgetting the past hurts inflicted at times by those who should have loved him most, and whom he had served. Paul was forgetting his past successes and not living on faded glories. It is high time that many of us do some forgetting.
4. FOCUSING. Find out your purpose in life: glorifying the Lord! Make this the one "cause" that you live for. "I press toward the mark for the prize." There is a prize that awaits those who live for the glory of God. Look forward to your Heavenly investments and not so much toward your earthly investments. Our materialistic lifestyle has ruined the joy of many Christians. You cannot experience joy if all your living for is your 401K and retirement. Our real retirement is out of this world!
God bless you today!
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Beautiful Christians
Christianity does not paint a "pie in the sky" and ignore the pains and pressures of our lives. We do not have a promise of a life without trials and tests. Yet, in the midst of these adversities, we discover reasons to rejoice. We have found several already in our study in Philippians. In Philippians 2:25-30, we see yet another reason: WE CAN REJOICE BECAUSE WE HAVE A MERCIFUL GOD.
Reading in Job, we discover that sometimes believers face serious trials. There is a night-time of the soul. Family struggles may be yours. Financial struggles may be mine. All of us will face loss and trials of our faith. Yet, in the book of Job we find in chapter 35 that God gives "songs in the night"! We have a merciful God.
Paul tells about two men God used to be "songs in the night" for him. One was Timothy of whom he says that he was "like-minded" and that he would "naturally care" for the people of Philipi. He was a man after Paul's own heart. This says a lot for Timothy. It is high praise. Timothy relieved the burden from Paul's shoulders. He could be entrusted with the care of this church because of his character. Paul, sitting in jail, could sing (as he was prone to do) because of the faithfulness of Timothy.
The second verse of Paul's song was a man named Epaphroditus. This brother is not mentioned anywhere else in the New Testament except in Philippians. His name means "blessed by Aphrodite" or "lovely and charming". Aphrodite was the goddess of love, beauty, and gambling. Seems like too many in our day worship at the altar of this false god. Epaphroditus displayed real spiritual beauty in his life not because of anything to do with Aphrodite, but because of what Jesus had done in his life. Jesus alone can make our lives beautiful and charming.
I am thinking of a man who was cantankerous and obstinate. Children feared him as well as adults. Alcohol enslaved him and his family suffered. Yet, he had a praying wife, and one day God reached down and got a hold of Sam Jones' heart. He got saved! His life was transformed. He was used by God across America for several years as an evangelist preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. His life was different and beautiful because of the Lord Jesus.
Epaphroditus demonstrated the grace of God in his life in three ways. First, his life was balanced. He was no lop-sided Christian as so many are today. There are three basic areas of our Christian lives, and he excelled in all of them. He walked in fellowship with the Lord and other believers as a son of God and a brother. His fellowship was right. Instead of being contrary, he demonstrated what Jesus said would show true discipleship. He loved the brethren. Paul called him "my brother". He loved Epaphroditus and enjoyed his fellowship in the Lord.
Not only was Epaphroditus a man who walked with God and had his fellowship right, he also worked for God. He was a labourer. Paul was definitely a worker, and he found a kindred spirit in Epaphroditus. He was someone who would not only enjoy the carry-in dinner, but would show up for the work day as well.
Epaphroditus demonstrated his good balanced Christianity by being a warrior. He was a fellow-soldier. That means he was right alongside of Paul in the battle. He recognized that the battle was not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual wickedness in high places. He was not fighting against the man of God, but right in there shoulder to shoulder with him covering his back. It is time that we recognize we are in a battle and that we also lift up the blood-stained banner of the cross! Our victory will not come through carnal, fleshly means. Our success only comes through obedience to the Word of God and the Spirit of God. Let us engage the enemy. It is time to take back territory from the enemy by leading souls to the Savior. Epaphroditus was balanced.
He was also BURDENED. In our carefree days before the coming of our Savior it behooves us to not be so "light". We have been fed froth when we need the sincere milk of the Word and the strong meat of the Word. It is time for us to begin to carry the burden that the Lord would have for us. It is time to take up our cross daily. What was this burden that Epaphroditus carried? It was the same one Paul also carried. . .the care of the churches. He was concerned about the people of God. He wanted these brothers and sisters in the Lord to experience the joy of the Lord. I believe he was one of those fellas you wanted to see coming because you knew that he was going to be a blessing. He had a wonderful spirit. His burden to lift up God's people resulted in their joy and rejoicing. Paul told the Philippians to hold him in high honor. We used to sing the old song "Others". Lord, help me live from day to day; In such a self-forgetful way. That even when I kneel to pray; My prayer shall be for others. Others, Lord, yes others. Let this my motto be. Help me to live for others; that I might live like Thee." It is time for us to get back to this focus.
Finally, Epaphroditus was a beautiful Christian because he was BRAVE. Epaphroditus, as you may remember, was named for the goddess of love, beauty, and gaming. In fact when gamblers would roll their dice, they would say, "Epaphroditus!" instead of "Seven come eleven" or whatever they say. They were asking for their goddess to somehow bless their gambling. Foolish to think that since gambling is like throwing your money out the window, but that is what they did. Epaphroditus, on the other hand, risked his life without thought for his own welfare, in the work of the Lord. He was nearly dead because of his service to the Lord in this fashion. In a day when it is popular in Christian circles to rust out rather than burn out, let's take a page from this servant of God. He was willing to place himself in the front-lines of the battle without thought for his own safety or health. Reason? So that he could live in obedience to the Savior. It did not matter if a situation seemed threatening, if the Lord told him to go. When he received the command, he obeyed in fearless obedience. God mercifully brought him through!
Ask God to make you a beautiful Christian. Balanced, not warped; Burdened with the needs of others; and bravely obeying the Savior wherever He leads.
Reading in Job, we discover that sometimes believers face serious trials. There is a night-time of the soul. Family struggles may be yours. Financial struggles may be mine. All of us will face loss and trials of our faith. Yet, in the book of Job we find in chapter 35 that God gives "songs in the night"! We have a merciful God.
Paul tells about two men God used to be "songs in the night" for him. One was Timothy of whom he says that he was "like-minded" and that he would "naturally care" for the people of Philipi. He was a man after Paul's own heart. This says a lot for Timothy. It is high praise. Timothy relieved the burden from Paul's shoulders. He could be entrusted with the care of this church because of his character. Paul, sitting in jail, could sing (as he was prone to do) because of the faithfulness of Timothy.
The second verse of Paul's song was a man named Epaphroditus. This brother is not mentioned anywhere else in the New Testament except in Philippians. His name means "blessed by Aphrodite" or "lovely and charming". Aphrodite was the goddess of love, beauty, and gambling. Seems like too many in our day worship at the altar of this false god. Epaphroditus displayed real spiritual beauty in his life not because of anything to do with Aphrodite, but because of what Jesus had done in his life. Jesus alone can make our lives beautiful and charming.
I am thinking of a man who was cantankerous and obstinate. Children feared him as well as adults. Alcohol enslaved him and his family suffered. Yet, he had a praying wife, and one day God reached down and got a hold of Sam Jones' heart. He got saved! His life was transformed. He was used by God across America for several years as an evangelist preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. His life was different and beautiful because of the Lord Jesus.
Epaphroditus demonstrated the grace of God in his life in three ways. First, his life was balanced. He was no lop-sided Christian as so many are today. There are three basic areas of our Christian lives, and he excelled in all of them. He walked in fellowship with the Lord and other believers as a son of God and a brother. His fellowship was right. Instead of being contrary, he demonstrated what Jesus said would show true discipleship. He loved the brethren. Paul called him "my brother". He loved Epaphroditus and enjoyed his fellowship in the Lord.
Not only was Epaphroditus a man who walked with God and had his fellowship right, he also worked for God. He was a labourer. Paul was definitely a worker, and he found a kindred spirit in Epaphroditus. He was someone who would not only enjoy the carry-in dinner, but would show up for the work day as well.
Epaphroditus demonstrated his good balanced Christianity by being a warrior. He was a fellow-soldier. That means he was right alongside of Paul in the battle. He recognized that the battle was not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual wickedness in high places. He was not fighting against the man of God, but right in there shoulder to shoulder with him covering his back. It is time that we recognize we are in a battle and that we also lift up the blood-stained banner of the cross! Our victory will not come through carnal, fleshly means. Our success only comes through obedience to the Word of God and the Spirit of God. Let us engage the enemy. It is time to take back territory from the enemy by leading souls to the Savior. Epaphroditus was balanced.
He was also BURDENED. In our carefree days before the coming of our Savior it behooves us to not be so "light". We have been fed froth when we need the sincere milk of the Word and the strong meat of the Word. It is time for us to begin to carry the burden that the Lord would have for us. It is time to take up our cross daily. What was this burden that Epaphroditus carried? It was the same one Paul also carried. . .the care of the churches. He was concerned about the people of God. He wanted these brothers and sisters in the Lord to experience the joy of the Lord. I believe he was one of those fellas you wanted to see coming because you knew that he was going to be a blessing. He had a wonderful spirit. His burden to lift up God's people resulted in their joy and rejoicing. Paul told the Philippians to hold him in high honor. We used to sing the old song "Others". Lord, help me live from day to day; In such a self-forgetful way. That even when I kneel to pray; My prayer shall be for others. Others, Lord, yes others. Let this my motto be. Help me to live for others; that I might live like Thee." It is time for us to get back to this focus.
Finally, Epaphroditus was a beautiful Christian because he was BRAVE. Epaphroditus, as you may remember, was named for the goddess of love, beauty, and gaming. In fact when gamblers would roll their dice, they would say, "Epaphroditus!" instead of "Seven come eleven" or whatever they say. They were asking for their goddess to somehow bless their gambling. Foolish to think that since gambling is like throwing your money out the window, but that is what they did. Epaphroditus, on the other hand, risked his life without thought for his own welfare, in the work of the Lord. He was nearly dead because of his service to the Lord in this fashion. In a day when it is popular in Christian circles to rust out rather than burn out, let's take a page from this servant of God. He was willing to place himself in the front-lines of the battle without thought for his own safety or health. Reason? So that he could live in obedience to the Savior. It did not matter if a situation seemed threatening, if the Lord told him to go. When he received the command, he obeyed in fearless obedience. God mercifully brought him through!
Ask God to make you a beautiful Christian. Balanced, not warped; Burdened with the needs of others; and bravely obeying the Savior wherever He leads.
Monday, August 31, 2009
LONG TIME NO SEE
Hi! It has bee too long since I have posted something, and I will try to be more faithful to my Monday ramblings. Yesterday was a good day at Wildwood. The Lord was working. Good preaching in the morning. . .Dr. B. Fish-fry and ice cream lat night, and that makes any kind of preaching acceptable.
Here is an outline. Who knows where it originally comes from. It is not original to me, but it did inspire me.
WHY GOD'S SALVATION IS SO GREAT
1. It is great because of its ABILITY
2. It is great because of its AVAILABILITY
3. It is great because of its RELIABILITY
4. It is great because of its DURABILITY
5. It is great because of its DESIRABILITY
Take it and run with it! May the Lord bless you as you present His great salvation to those who need it. May you never be guilty of neglecting it.
Here is an outline. Who knows where it originally comes from. It is not original to me, but it did inspire me.
WHY GOD'S SALVATION IS SO GREAT
1. It is great because of its ABILITY
2. It is great because of its AVAILABILITY
3. It is great because of its RELIABILITY
4. It is great because of its DURABILITY
5. It is great because of its DESIRABILITY
Take it and run with it! May the Lord bless you as you present His great salvation to those who need it. May you never be guilty of neglecting it.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Forgive!
Mark 11:25-26 show us that when we pray, we must not harbor an unforgiving or bitter spirit. It is imperative that we get rid of the "feuding" spirit. Too often our prayers are hindered because we fail to forgive those who have hurt us. Listen to this verse, ". . .even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." This is only the end of the verse, but it is the part that sets the pre-requisites and guidelines for our own forgiveness of others.
How has Christ forgiven us?
1. He forgives us FREELY.
2. He forgives us FULLY.
3. He forgives us FOREVER.
You can fill in the blanks of this skeleton outline. Fleshing it out will thrill your soul.
It is vitally important that we can experience this forgiveness and then pass this kind of forgiveness on to others. One columnist made the comment that what she envied most about Christians was our ability to forgive. Are you holding a grudge? Has a root of bitterness wrapped its tendrils around your heart? Would you be willing to be made willing to let it go? Quit hamstringing your prayers with an unforgiving spirit!
God's best to you!
How has Christ forgiven us?
1. He forgives us FREELY.
2. He forgives us FULLY.
3. He forgives us FOREVER.
You can fill in the blanks of this skeleton outline. Fleshing it out will thrill your soul.
It is vitally important that we can experience this forgiveness and then pass this kind of forgiveness on to others. One columnist made the comment that what she envied most about Christians was our ability to forgive. Are you holding a grudge? Has a root of bitterness wrapped its tendrils around your heart? Would you be willing to be made willing to let it go? Quit hamstringing your prayers with an unforgiving spirit!
God's best to you!
Monday, June 15, 2009
Pray In Faith
The purpose of this week's message is to encourage your faith in God and His Word. Our entire Christian lives are the fruit of faith. We are saved by grace through FAITH. We walk by FAITH and not by sight. Whatever we do must be done in faith, or it is sin. Faith is vital, and faith is extremely important in our praying. When we ask for God's intervention we must come to Him in faith, and we must ask in faith. James says that we must ask in faith nothing wavering. We need strong faith especially in these times of great moral and spiritual weakness.
Paul sailed on a ship bound for Rome, but that ship encountered a storm. For days the crew fought to keep the ship afloat. After many days, all hope was lost. Everyone expected to die in the sea. At this point Paul stood up and made a clear statement, "I believe God." The Lord had stood by him in the night and showed him that all would be well. He simply took God at His Word. Let me echo this statement, "I believe God."
I believe that God will save those who call upon Him in repentance and faith.
I believe God answers prayer.
I believe God brings us through trials and troubles without abandoning us.
I believe Christ's promise to return.
Do you? Faith without works is dead. It is like rowing a boat with one oar. If you believe that Jesus saves those who call upon Him, you will call upon Him and urge others to do so as well. If you believe that God answers prayer, you will pray and keep on praying, and pray at all times. If you believe that God stands beside you in the trials of life, you will not give up hope or despair, but take heart and have peace. If you believe Jesus is coming like He said He would, then you will look up and keep your heart and life pure to be unashamed at His appearance.
God will strengthen our faith as we get into His Word and allow It to get into us. "The just shall live by faith." Will you trust God today?
Paul sailed on a ship bound for Rome, but that ship encountered a storm. For days the crew fought to keep the ship afloat. After many days, all hope was lost. Everyone expected to die in the sea. At this point Paul stood up and made a clear statement, "I believe God." The Lord had stood by him in the night and showed him that all would be well. He simply took God at His Word. Let me echo this statement, "I believe God."
I believe that God will save those who call upon Him in repentance and faith.
I believe God answers prayer.
I believe God brings us through trials and troubles without abandoning us.
I believe Christ's promise to return.
Do you? Faith without works is dead. It is like rowing a boat with one oar. If you believe that Jesus saves those who call upon Him, you will call upon Him and urge others to do so as well. If you believe that God answers prayer, you will pray and keep on praying, and pray at all times. If you believe that God stands beside you in the trials of life, you will not give up hope or despair, but take heart and have peace. If you believe Jesus is coming like He said He would, then you will look up and keep your heart and life pure to be unashamed at His appearance.
God will strengthen our faith as we get into His Word and allow It to get into us. "The just shall live by faith." Will you trust God today?
Friday, June 5, 2009
It's JUNE!!
The month of weddings and anniversaries has arrived. Our family has been on the road, and are back in MS for a breather. We will be heading out Monday for another family thing - GRADUATION!! Breanna, will be receiving her diploma down in San Antonio, and we will go and cheer her on. It will be good to visit with the TX branch of the family.
Last week were in SC at a wedding. My sister, Lori's oldest daughter was married! Congrats to Aaron and Melissa as you begin a new home and family in the Lord. May the Lord give you many happy years together.
Here is a tidbit to ponder:
JUSTICE is when we get what we deserve. MERCY is when we don't get what we deserve. GRACE is when we get what we don't deserve. God's grace is amazing!!
Have a great week in the Lord! How many of you have an anniversary this month?
Last week were in SC at a wedding. My sister, Lori's oldest daughter was married! Congrats to Aaron and Melissa as you begin a new home and family in the Lord. May the Lord give you many happy years together.
Here is a tidbit to ponder:
JUSTICE is when we get what we deserve. MERCY is when we don't get what we deserve. GRACE is when we get what we don't deserve. God's grace is amazing!!
Have a great week in the Lord! How many of you have an anniversary this month?
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Memorial Day
We just celebrated Memorial Day here in the US. For some this is a time of cookouts and outdoor fun, or maybe even baseball. It is those things, but so much more. Dr. Gene Howard presented his FREEDOM and SACRIFICE message for us at the church Sunday. It was an awesome reminder of the sacrifices made by men and women for our national liberty. Thanks to all of our veterans and their families. Our nation is free today because of those who have willingly laid down their lives for our great freedoms. Let us lay down our own lives so that America might remain free and enjoy the liberties that are granted by the second most precious piece of literature in our history, the U.S. Constitution. (The Holy Bible being the #1)
Our freedom springs from a freedom of the soul. The US Constitution reflects eternal, Biblical truths that form the basis of true liberty. When Jesus Christ died on the cross of Calvary, He purchased true freedom for all who place their faith in Him. Thank God for America! Thank Him more for our Savior Jesus Christ! Our citizenship is heavenly as well as earthly. Let us be faithful to our Lord and stand up for the Bill of Rights so wisely provided by our founding fathers. Since we enjoy the freedom of religion, let us freely exercise this right. Let's be all that Christians should be. Without this kind of Christianity, real Bible Christianity, we will lose our rights to this free expression. I believe that God wants to bless America again, but not while we lukewarm Christians do no more than warm a pew on Sunday morning. Entertainment has never been the object of Christianity, so let's stop focusing on entertaining and return to real worship of our holy God.
More next week.
Our freedom springs from a freedom of the soul. The US Constitution reflects eternal, Biblical truths that form the basis of true liberty. When Jesus Christ died on the cross of Calvary, He purchased true freedom for all who place their faith in Him. Thank God for America! Thank Him more for our Savior Jesus Christ! Our citizenship is heavenly as well as earthly. Let us be faithful to our Lord and stand up for the Bill of Rights so wisely provided by our founding fathers. Since we enjoy the freedom of religion, let us freely exercise this right. Let's be all that Christians should be. Without this kind of Christianity, real Bible Christianity, we will lose our rights to this free expression. I believe that God wants to bless America again, but not while we lukewarm Christians do no more than warm a pew on Sunday morning. Entertainment has never been the object of Christianity, so let's stop focusing on entertaining and return to real worship of our holy God.
More next week.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Wow! It's Wednesday Already.
Sometimes there are just too many things to do. :-) We are having a very busy week this week. School will be over for the term on Thursday night. FREEDOM RALLY is coming this weekend, along with a Youth Rally. We would have hired some bees, but they said that it looked like there was too much on our plates.
For the past several weeks on Sunday nights we have looked at Prayer and having our prayers answered. Sunday night the message focused on ASKING IN JESUS' NAME. In order to pray, and get answers from the Lord, we must ask in Jesus' name. He is our access to the Father.
His name carries authority to save. Acts 4:12 makes this clear.
His name calls us to surrender. He is the Lord. Philippians 2 states that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Yield to Him today.
His name provides access to the Heavenly throne room. Hebrews 4 calls us to come boldly to the throne of grace so that we can find mercy, and grace to help in time of need. Christ has opened up the way for us to access the Father.
This is why we can have our prayers answered. John 15:16 shows that when we make requests of the Father in the name of Jesus, our petitions will be granted.
What does it mean to ask in Jesus' name? Asking is requesting a thing or favor from someone else. Often we have not because we ask not. Prayer indeed is asking. Who are we to ask? The Father. This of course is GOD. He is the Creator and Sustainer of life. His coffers are full. He has riches untold. Indeed, He is the One worthy of our petitions. Then we see the little preposition "in". This word shows location. All of our petitions must be wrapped up in a certain place, a certain location. "My" a pronoun showing ownership and therefore authority. "Name" a title that reveals the character of the person. When we ask "in Jesus' name", we are asking for His glory, asking in line with His character, and asking for His sake (in light of what He has done in dying on the cross and making the way to God open).
The name of Jesus is not a magic charm. The seven sons of Sceva found this out when trying to cast out demons using the name of Jesus. In order to pray in Jesus' name one must first have a relationship with this Jesus. Do you know Him? Are you trusting Him for cleansing from sin and the salvation of your soul?
Sometimes people do not get their prayers answered simply because they are not a child of God. Religion will not save you. Morality will not save you. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father but by me." You can come to the Father for salvation by trusting the atoning work of Jesus Christ. Then you can come to the Father with all of your requests in the name, for the glory of, in line with the character of, and to further the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ. Let us pray!
For the past several weeks on Sunday nights we have looked at Prayer and having our prayers answered. Sunday night the message focused on ASKING IN JESUS' NAME. In order to pray, and get answers from the Lord, we must ask in Jesus' name. He is our access to the Father.
His name carries authority to save. Acts 4:12 makes this clear.
His name calls us to surrender. He is the Lord. Philippians 2 states that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Yield to Him today.
His name provides access to the Heavenly throne room. Hebrews 4 calls us to come boldly to the throne of grace so that we can find mercy, and grace to help in time of need. Christ has opened up the way for us to access the Father.
This is why we can have our prayers answered. John 15:16 shows that when we make requests of the Father in the name of Jesus, our petitions will be granted.
What does it mean to ask in Jesus' name? Asking is requesting a thing or favor from someone else. Often we have not because we ask not. Prayer indeed is asking. Who are we to ask? The Father. This of course is GOD. He is the Creator and Sustainer of life. His coffers are full. He has riches untold. Indeed, He is the One worthy of our petitions. Then we see the little preposition "in". This word shows location. All of our petitions must be wrapped up in a certain place, a certain location. "My" a pronoun showing ownership and therefore authority. "Name" a title that reveals the character of the person. When we ask "in Jesus' name", we are asking for His glory, asking in line with His character, and asking for His sake (in light of what He has done in dying on the cross and making the way to God open).
The name of Jesus is not a magic charm. The seven sons of Sceva found this out when trying to cast out demons using the name of Jesus. In order to pray in Jesus' name one must first have a relationship with this Jesus. Do you know Him? Are you trusting Him for cleansing from sin and the salvation of your soul?
Sometimes people do not get their prayers answered simply because they are not a child of God. Religion will not save you. Morality will not save you. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father but by me." You can come to the Father for salvation by trusting the atoning work of Jesus Christ. Then you can come to the Father with all of your requests in the name, for the glory of, in line with the character of, and to further the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ. Let us pray!
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Principles of Prayer - Part 3
Is there a secret to getting our prayers answered? Not really a secret, but there are certain truths involving our communication with God that can make prayer more than just a misuse of energy. Too often what we call prayer just isn't real prayer. Someone once made the comment, "Jesus never mentions unanswered prayer." Certainly His prayers always received the requested desire, but what about yours and mine?
First, our prayers are often hindered by our own unconfessed sins. So we must be clean before God so that our prayers will be heard. "If I regard iniquity in my heart the Lord will not hear me." Psalm 66:18.
Next, we must pray with proper motivation. Whatever we do must be for the glory and honor of our God. Selfish praying bounces off of the ceiling! ". . .because we ask amiss that we may consume it upon our lusts," according to James 4.
God wants us to be able to communicate with Him. In fact He opened up the way into His presence through the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus at Calvary. So, we can come to the Lord in prayer, and not only that, God has given us the Holy Spirit so that we can pray correctly. This is the third principle of effective prayer: Pray in the Holy Spirit.
Jude verse 20 calls this "praying in the Holy Ghost."
Ephesians 6:18 reminds us, "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints."
Zechariah 12:10 also foretells this privilege, "And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications:. . ."
Elijah prayed earnestly. The Spirit of God that was upon him, of which Elisha received a double portion, was the Spirit of prayer, earnest and effective prayer.
Jesus gives us a wonderful promise, "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever." (John 14:16) The Holy Spirit, the Comforter has been given to believers so that we can pray, and pray effectively and fervently so that the work of witnessing can be done.
Romans 8:26 states, "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." You and I can pray effectively because of the Holy Spirit Who lives in us and guides our prayers.
Let us then be filled with the Spirit of God. Being filled with the Spirit means to be CONTROLLED by Him, to be SUBMITTED to His power and leadership, and to be YIELDED to Him. The results of this filling are seen in the context of Ephesians 5:18. Singing, worshipping the Lord in melody with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs (don't miss the fact that the Holy Spirit is always holy), submission to the Lord and those who are in authority or partnered with me in the work of God (spouses), and service. The Holy Spirit has been given so that we are transformed into "Christians" in our words, deeds, attitudes, attendances, dress, home-life, and every other part of our lives. Sin grieves Him. Dirt defiles Him. Disobedience quenches Him. And when this happens? Our prayer-lives suffer.
We have a vital connection with the Lord. Let us be constantly cultivating our life in the Spirit. Let the Word of God dwell in you richly is the admonition. We are invited to "draw near" in Hebrews. Anything that would hinder us must be removed! Oh, that we would be a glorious church without spot or wrinkle or any such thing!
First, our prayers are often hindered by our own unconfessed sins. So we must be clean before God so that our prayers will be heard. "If I regard iniquity in my heart the Lord will not hear me." Psalm 66:18.
Next, we must pray with proper motivation. Whatever we do must be for the glory and honor of our God. Selfish praying bounces off of the ceiling! ". . .because we ask amiss that we may consume it upon our lusts," according to James 4.
God wants us to be able to communicate with Him. In fact He opened up the way into His presence through the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus at Calvary. So, we can come to the Lord in prayer, and not only that, God has given us the Holy Spirit so that we can pray correctly. This is the third principle of effective prayer: Pray in the Holy Spirit.
Jude verse 20 calls this "praying in the Holy Ghost."
Ephesians 6:18 reminds us, "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints."
Zechariah 12:10 also foretells this privilege, "And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications:. . ."
Elijah prayed earnestly. The Spirit of God that was upon him, of which Elisha received a double portion, was the Spirit of prayer, earnest and effective prayer.
Jesus gives us a wonderful promise, "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever." (John 14:16) The Holy Spirit, the Comforter has been given to believers so that we can pray, and pray effectively and fervently so that the work of witnessing can be done.
Romans 8:26 states, "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." You and I can pray effectively because of the Holy Spirit Who lives in us and guides our prayers.
Let us then be filled with the Spirit of God. Being filled with the Spirit means to be CONTROLLED by Him, to be SUBMITTED to His power and leadership, and to be YIELDED to Him. The results of this filling are seen in the context of Ephesians 5:18. Singing, worshipping the Lord in melody with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs (don't miss the fact that the Holy Spirit is always holy), submission to the Lord and those who are in authority or partnered with me in the work of God (spouses), and service. The Holy Spirit has been given so that we are transformed into "Christians" in our words, deeds, attitudes, attendances, dress, home-life, and every other part of our lives. Sin grieves Him. Dirt defiles Him. Disobedience quenches Him. And when this happens? Our prayer-lives suffer.
We have a vital connection with the Lord. Let us be constantly cultivating our life in the Spirit. Let the Word of God dwell in you richly is the admonition. We are invited to "draw near" in Hebrews. Anything that would hinder us must be removed! Oh, that we would be a glorious church without spot or wrinkle or any such thing!
Monday, May 4, 2009
Answers to Prayer - part 2
What can prayer do? According to Genesis, prayer can rescue a saved family from a bad situation (Lot). Prayer can bring national deliverance, as seen in Exodus. Prayer shut up the heavens so that it would not rain, and then opened the heavens so that it would rain again. Prayer brought healing to those who were sick. Prayer opens the storehouse of God's provision. Prayer brings the power of the Holy Spirit upon our lives and ministries. Thank God for prayer! What a marvelous privilege! It is a shame that such a powerful tool can be disabled. Let's look at another principle for answers to prayer: PRAY WITH THE PROPER MOTIVES.
James 4:3 shows us that sometimes our prayer are unanswered because we "ask amiss" that we may consume whatever it is we are asking for on our own desires. How can we examine our motives. . .the things that cause us to ask God for His blessings? I believe that we should follow three principles: 1. God's plan must be our focus; 2. God's person must be our delight; and, 3. God's provision must be our satisfaction.
One of my favorite prayer promises is found in Matthew 7:7 "Ask and it shall be given you; seek and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." If I pull this verse out of context, you would say I have joined with the "name it and claim it" group. In fact, Scripture must be taken in It's context to make Heavenly sense. The last part of chapter six, in Matthew, provides the proper context. Reading in verse thirty-three, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto thee." We can receive that for which we pray, if our motives are right. From these verses we see that God's Plan Must be Our Focus. This weeds out many improper motives.
Next, God's Person Must be Our Delight. Psalm 37:4 "Delight thyself also in the Lord and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart." This is an awesome verse! He will give thee the desires of thine heart. Again, the context makes the condition for this promise clear. When we delight ourselves in the Lord, not in what He gives, but in Him, then He will give us the desires of our hearts. Do you delight in the Lord? If we delight in the Lord, we will also delight in what He says. Our Bibles will not be neglected. Preaching time and Bible study time will not be neglected either if we truly delight in Him. When we delight in the Lord, we will also delight in His work. We cannot be consistently having answers to prayer and not be involved in the work of God. Often my father-in-law makes the statement, "Every Christian needs to be an active member of a local Bible-preaching church." When we truly delight in the Lord, we will be an active part of His work. If we delight in the Lord we will delight in His ways. Our decision-making processes indicate whether or not we truly delight in the Lord. "My sheep hear my voice. . .and they follow me," Jesus said. How do you make decisions? Those who delight in the Lord will earnestly and honestly seek His leadership in every decision of life. A preacher friend of mine used to invite sarcasm because he would pray about everything, even the kind of peanut butter he was going to buy. I say, he was simply delighting in the Lord, His Shepherd. Our motives are revealed when we delight in the Lord.
Our motivation can also be exposed by our contentment or the lack thereof. God's Provision Must be Our Satisfaction. Ask yourself, "Am I satisfied with what God gives or do I seek something else. . .something more?" Satan tempted the first woman and the first man with this very temptation to be unsatisfied with God's provision. God's gifts to us are enough. For our salvation, Jesus' sacrifice and the shedding of His precious blood is enough. Seek nothing else for salvation. Simply trust Him. For our sanctification, the Word of God and the wondrous Holy Spirit at work in our lives are sufficient. Thank God His provision provides perfectly for our needs. For our daily sustenance, God has promised to provide what we need. Yet, many of the times we are greedily seeking MORE! Lehman Strauss made this statement: "The true purpose of prayer is not to get the things that we want from God, but to make us content with the things He wants us to have." Have we learned to be content? Jesus warned the brother seeking the inheritance to beware of covetousness. His warning should not go unheeded today.
So. . .what motivates our prayers? Do we pray for the same reason as the Pharisees? To show off our vocabulary? Listen to Psalm 24 "Who shall ascend in to the hill of the Lord, or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands and a pure heart. . ." The Word of God alone can show us our true motives. When we get our motivation cleaned up, our prayers can begin to be answered. Let us pray, and get our prayers answered for the glory of God. "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all to the glory of God." Keep praying!
James 4:3 shows us that sometimes our prayer are unanswered because we "ask amiss" that we may consume whatever it is we are asking for on our own desires. How can we examine our motives. . .the things that cause us to ask God for His blessings? I believe that we should follow three principles: 1. God's plan must be our focus; 2. God's person must be our delight; and, 3. God's provision must be our satisfaction.
One of my favorite prayer promises is found in Matthew 7:7 "Ask and it shall be given you; seek and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." If I pull this verse out of context, you would say I have joined with the "name it and claim it" group. In fact, Scripture must be taken in It's context to make Heavenly sense. The last part of chapter six, in Matthew, provides the proper context. Reading in verse thirty-three, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto thee." We can receive that for which we pray, if our motives are right. From these verses we see that God's Plan Must be Our Focus. This weeds out many improper motives.
Next, God's Person Must be Our Delight. Psalm 37:4 "Delight thyself also in the Lord and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart." This is an awesome verse! He will give thee the desires of thine heart. Again, the context makes the condition for this promise clear. When we delight ourselves in the Lord, not in what He gives, but in Him, then He will give us the desires of our hearts. Do you delight in the Lord? If we delight in the Lord, we will also delight in what He says. Our Bibles will not be neglected. Preaching time and Bible study time will not be neglected either if we truly delight in Him. When we delight in the Lord, we will also delight in His work. We cannot be consistently having answers to prayer and not be involved in the work of God. Often my father-in-law makes the statement, "Every Christian needs to be an active member of a local Bible-preaching church." When we truly delight in the Lord, we will be an active part of His work. If we delight in the Lord we will delight in His ways. Our decision-making processes indicate whether or not we truly delight in the Lord. "My sheep hear my voice. . .and they follow me," Jesus said. How do you make decisions? Those who delight in the Lord will earnestly and honestly seek His leadership in every decision of life. A preacher friend of mine used to invite sarcasm because he would pray about everything, even the kind of peanut butter he was going to buy. I say, he was simply delighting in the Lord, His Shepherd. Our motives are revealed when we delight in the Lord.
Our motivation can also be exposed by our contentment or the lack thereof. God's Provision Must be Our Satisfaction. Ask yourself, "Am I satisfied with what God gives or do I seek something else. . .something more?" Satan tempted the first woman and the first man with this very temptation to be unsatisfied with God's provision. God's gifts to us are enough. For our salvation, Jesus' sacrifice and the shedding of His precious blood is enough. Seek nothing else for salvation. Simply trust Him. For our sanctification, the Word of God and the wondrous Holy Spirit at work in our lives are sufficient. Thank God His provision provides perfectly for our needs. For our daily sustenance, God has promised to provide what we need. Yet, many of the times we are greedily seeking MORE! Lehman Strauss made this statement: "The true purpose of prayer is not to get the things that we want from God, but to make us content with the things He wants us to have." Have we learned to be content? Jesus warned the brother seeking the inheritance to beware of covetousness. His warning should not go unheeded today.
So. . .what motivates our prayers? Do we pray for the same reason as the Pharisees? To show off our vocabulary? Listen to Psalm 24 "Who shall ascend in to the hill of the Lord, or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands and a pure heart. . ." The Word of God alone can show us our true motives. When we get our motivation cleaned up, our prayers can begin to be answered. Let us pray, and get our prayers answered for the glory of God. "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all to the glory of God." Keep praying!
Monday, April 27, 2009
Getting Answers to Prayer - Part One
In order to get our prayers answered, take the first step and get clean before God. None of us want to live in filth physically. The smells, the feel, the oily look, the . . .well you get the picture. Several years ago I joined a group on a trip to Honduras, and came back with a hanging bag that had to be put down because it had absorbed some kind of a bad, stinky odor! We had a little puppy, or should I say "poopy", when I was very young who would decorate the carpet with multi-colored droppings. Needless to say, this is not the way to live long and prosper in the Sauvageot household. Most of us have a level of tolerance when it comes to cleaning. At a certain point an internal alarm goes off and we MUST CLEAN. Then again, you can visit some places and wonder where the alarm level is for those people.
Wouldn't it be great if our spiritual sensitivity was so acute that ANY SIN set off a loud spiritual cleaning alarm? God will not hear our prayers when we "regard iniquity in our heart". He has the power and desire to clean us up, but we must first come to Him for cleansing. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to forgive us form all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9)
We can either be sin "coverers" or sin "confessors". Sin "coverers', like Achan, will not prosper. However, when we come clean with God and agree with Him regarding our particular sins, He will clean us up. 1 John 3:22 carries a powerful promise: "And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight."
It is time to clean up! I don't know about you, but I must have instant and full access to the heavenly throneroom. My budget requires it. My ministry requires it. My friendships require it. Every part of my life necessitates that God brings His power and His help. Like preacher Harold Clayton from over in Texas, I wake up in the mornings and pray, "Lord, HELP!" How about you? Do you also have a need of daily and moment-by-moment heavenly intervention? If you do, then come to the fountain for salvation's cleansing, and then have your feet washed daily so that you gain access in prayer.
GOD BLESS YOU TODAY!!
Wouldn't it be great if our spiritual sensitivity was so acute that ANY SIN set off a loud spiritual cleaning alarm? God will not hear our prayers when we "regard iniquity in our heart". He has the power and desire to clean us up, but we must first come to Him for cleansing. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to forgive us form all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9)
We can either be sin "coverers" or sin "confessors". Sin "coverers', like Achan, will not prosper. However, when we come clean with God and agree with Him regarding our particular sins, He will clean us up. 1 John 3:22 carries a powerful promise: "And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight."
It is time to clean up! I don't know about you, but I must have instant and full access to the heavenly throneroom. My budget requires it. My ministry requires it. My friendships require it. Every part of my life necessitates that God brings His power and His help. Like preacher Harold Clayton from over in Texas, I wake up in the mornings and pray, "Lord, HELP!" How about you? Do you also have a need of daily and moment-by-moment heavenly intervention? If you do, then come to the fountain for salvation's cleansing, and then have your feet washed daily so that you gain access in prayer.
GOD BLESS YOU TODAY!!
Monday, April 20, 2009
Principles of Giving
A little girl was given a dollar bill and a quarter with the instructions to put whichever one she wanted to in the offering at church. When the family got home, her mother asked her which one she had given. "Mamma, I was going to give the dollar, but the preacher said that the Lord loves a cheerful giver, and giving the quarter would make me more cheerful. So I gave the quarter."
1 Corinthians 16's first few verses provide some powerful principles of giving.
1. Giving is God's program. God Himself is the Giver. He is the source of every good and every perfect gift. He gave the very best, when He gave His only begotten Son to die for your sins and for mine. He has ordained that His children should also be givers. Offerings to care for the needs of widows, to care for the needs of preachers, and to assist struggling congregations can be discovered in the book of Acts and the Epistles. Before we begin the next bake-sale or garage sale, let's first ask ourselves, "Am I doing my part in God's program?"
2. Giving is a Priority. These believers were told that they should give on the first day of the week, as an act of worship. Throughout the Bible giving and worship are tied together. We really do not worship unless we are giving something to God. Romans 12:1-2 show us that our reasonable service, our act of true worship, is to present ourselves to God totally. This includes our wealth. Abraham returned from the battle with the kings and presented tithes to the King of Salem in an act of worship. The OT Law called for sacrfices, bulls, goats, sheep, turtledoves, and meal so that people could come to God in worship. The first day of the week became the Christian sabbath as believers began to gather and worship in celebration of the resurrection. It was on this day of the week that Paul instructed the Corinthians to bring their offerings in worship.
3. Give Personally. "Every one of you." Nobody can beg to be excused from this one. Young and old, rich and poor, new convert and ripened saints are all included. "Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Every heart should unite in worship of our Lord, and our giving indicates our heart-focus.
4. Give Proportionally. This passage says, "as God hath prospered". Financially, God has prospered some more than others. With this blessing, God also adds the responsibility of giving more. One Biblical truth to be mentioned in this idea of proportional giving is the tithe: or tenth. This principle is first observed in the life of Abraham and the other patriarchs. Worship, submission, protection, and blessing are all related to this truth. Malachi 3 clarifies some of these truths regarding the tithe. Jesus sat by the temple one day and watched the people give their offerings, and he made a startling statement concerning one poor widow woman. He declared that she had given more than all of the others, though she only gave two mites. . .a very small amount. Reason? She gave ALL.
5. God protects the gifts. Instructions are given here to select faithful individuals to safe-guard the offering while it is intransit. This speaks of good stewardship and accountability. God watches over His own. He expects us to also take care of the offerings being given. By the way, God not only protects the offerings that are given, He also protects the church from those who would give with deceitful hearts and motives. Ananias and Sapphira show this to be true!
We live in times of financial crisis. Even in these times, God expects us to be faithful in our giving. Remember, He is our Source. I thought of a widow woman picking up sticks so that she could feed her son one last time and then sit down and die of starvation. While she was picking up the sticks, a preacher gave her instructions to cook him a little cake first. She told him her story, but obeyed anyway. God took care of her and her son throughout the time of drouth. We serve the same God today. One preacher said. "He owns the cattle on a thousand hills, the hills, and the taters under those hills!" Amen! Let us trust and obey Him.
1 Corinthians 16's first few verses provide some powerful principles of giving.
1. Giving is God's program. God Himself is the Giver. He is the source of every good and every perfect gift. He gave the very best, when He gave His only begotten Son to die for your sins and for mine. He has ordained that His children should also be givers. Offerings to care for the needs of widows, to care for the needs of preachers, and to assist struggling congregations can be discovered in the book of Acts and the Epistles. Before we begin the next bake-sale or garage sale, let's first ask ourselves, "Am I doing my part in God's program?"
2. Giving is a Priority. These believers were told that they should give on the first day of the week, as an act of worship. Throughout the Bible giving and worship are tied together. We really do not worship unless we are giving something to God. Romans 12:1-2 show us that our reasonable service, our act of true worship, is to present ourselves to God totally. This includes our wealth. Abraham returned from the battle with the kings and presented tithes to the King of Salem in an act of worship. The OT Law called for sacrfices, bulls, goats, sheep, turtledoves, and meal so that people could come to God in worship. The first day of the week became the Christian sabbath as believers began to gather and worship in celebration of the resurrection. It was on this day of the week that Paul instructed the Corinthians to bring their offerings in worship.
3. Give Personally. "Every one of you." Nobody can beg to be excused from this one. Young and old, rich and poor, new convert and ripened saints are all included. "Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Every heart should unite in worship of our Lord, and our giving indicates our heart-focus.
4. Give Proportionally. This passage says, "as God hath prospered". Financially, God has prospered some more than others. With this blessing, God also adds the responsibility of giving more. One Biblical truth to be mentioned in this idea of proportional giving is the tithe: or tenth. This principle is first observed in the life of Abraham and the other patriarchs. Worship, submission, protection, and blessing are all related to this truth. Malachi 3 clarifies some of these truths regarding the tithe. Jesus sat by the temple one day and watched the people give their offerings, and he made a startling statement concerning one poor widow woman. He declared that she had given more than all of the others, though she only gave two mites. . .a very small amount. Reason? She gave ALL.
5. God protects the gifts. Instructions are given here to select faithful individuals to safe-guard the offering while it is intransit. This speaks of good stewardship and accountability. God watches over His own. He expects us to also take care of the offerings being given. By the way, God not only protects the offerings that are given, He also protects the church from those who would give with deceitful hearts and motives. Ananias and Sapphira show this to be true!
We live in times of financial crisis. Even in these times, God expects us to be faithful in our giving. Remember, He is our Source. I thought of a widow woman picking up sticks so that she could feed her son one last time and then sit down and die of starvation. While she was picking up the sticks, a preacher gave her instructions to cook him a little cake first. She told him her story, but obeyed anyway. God took care of her and her son throughout the time of drouth. We serve the same God today. One preacher said. "He owns the cattle on a thousand hills, the hills, and the taters under those hills!" Amen! Let us trust and obey Him.
Monday, April 13, 2009
He Lives!
We serve a wonderful Savior. Not only was He willing to come to earth, live in poverty, endure all kinds of opposition, and die on the rugged cross, He also was able to rise from the dead. Romans 1:4 "And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection. . ." 1 Corinthians 15:57 shows that we have victory through Jesus Christ, "But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
He gives us victory by fulfilling the Law. The Law was given so that we might know ourselves GUILTY before God. Romans 10:4 shows us that the Law could not save us because it had an natural weakness, our flesh. We could not keep the Law! Jesus did. He satisfied the righteous demands of the Law of God. Not only that, Colossians 2 shows us that He took the handwriting of ordinances that was against us and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross. That means that in Jesus the Law no longer has any accusations that will stick!
He gives victory by defeating sin. Jesus defeated sin in His birth. Instead of being born to a human father and inheriting the sinful nature of Adam's race, Jesus was born of supernatural means. Luke 1:35 tells how this happened. It was by the power of the Holy Spirit that Jesus was born of a virgin birth, and it is important that we believe this. Without the virgin birth, we have no perfect Savior able to redeem us. Jesus was born of perfect birth. Jesus also lived a perfect life. Instead of being "pretty good", or some "prophet", Jesus lived and died without sin. Only on the cross did Jesus taste the bitter cup of sin and sin's penalty when he was made sin for us. But remember the next phrase of htis verse from 2 Corinthians 5:21, ". . .who knew no sin. . ." Jesus lived a perfect life. He knew no sin. Even His enemies could find no fault in Him at all. Certainly Jesus was tempted. Satan tempted Him in the wilderness. The book of Hebrews states that He was tempted in all points like as we are, yet without sin. Though severely tempted, Jesus lived a sinless life. Then He died a sinless death, a vicarious death, for you and for me. In the Old Testament, the Jews were instructed to take a lamb for their family and set it aside for a period of time. This was done in order to examine that lamb. Blemishes or deformities would disqualify the lamb. The lamb had to be without blemish and without spot in order to become the Passover sacrifice. Jesus is our Passover Lamb. He is without blemish and without spot. He has defeated sin.
Not only has Jesus fulfilled the Law and defeated sin, He has also removed the sting of death. Walk through history's graveyard and you will find that the brightest and best have met and succumbed to the last enemy, death. Caesar and Alexander, Lenin and Mao, Socrates and Aristotle, and the list is endless, all are in the grave. Great religious leaders, Mohammed, Buddah, Confucius, Smith ALL IN THE GRAVE! But, especially at this time of the year, we walk through a garden spot, look for a wounded body seeking to bring our belated gifts only to find that He is not here! He is risen as He said! He has removed the sting of death! Death now is but the foyer to eternal life for those who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. So the question becomes more important: WHAT WILL YOU DO WITH JESUS WHICH IS CALLED CHRIST? He is the Son of God. He is the soon coming King. He has fulfilled the Law, defeated sin, and removed death's sting. Will you trust Him today for your salvation. He alone can take away your sin.
He gives us victory by fulfilling the Law. The Law was given so that we might know ourselves GUILTY before God. Romans 10:4 shows us that the Law could not save us because it had an natural weakness, our flesh. We could not keep the Law! Jesus did. He satisfied the righteous demands of the Law of God. Not only that, Colossians 2 shows us that He took the handwriting of ordinances that was against us and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross. That means that in Jesus the Law no longer has any accusations that will stick!
He gives victory by defeating sin. Jesus defeated sin in His birth. Instead of being born to a human father and inheriting the sinful nature of Adam's race, Jesus was born of supernatural means. Luke 1:35 tells how this happened. It was by the power of the Holy Spirit that Jesus was born of a virgin birth, and it is important that we believe this. Without the virgin birth, we have no perfect Savior able to redeem us. Jesus was born of perfect birth. Jesus also lived a perfect life. Instead of being "pretty good", or some "prophet", Jesus lived and died without sin. Only on the cross did Jesus taste the bitter cup of sin and sin's penalty when he was made sin for us. But remember the next phrase of htis verse from 2 Corinthians 5:21, ". . .who knew no sin. . ." Jesus lived a perfect life. He knew no sin. Even His enemies could find no fault in Him at all. Certainly Jesus was tempted. Satan tempted Him in the wilderness. The book of Hebrews states that He was tempted in all points like as we are, yet without sin. Though severely tempted, Jesus lived a sinless life. Then He died a sinless death, a vicarious death, for you and for me. In the Old Testament, the Jews were instructed to take a lamb for their family and set it aside for a period of time. This was done in order to examine that lamb. Blemishes or deformities would disqualify the lamb. The lamb had to be without blemish and without spot in order to become the Passover sacrifice. Jesus is our Passover Lamb. He is without blemish and without spot. He has defeated sin.
Not only has Jesus fulfilled the Law and defeated sin, He has also removed the sting of death. Walk through history's graveyard and you will find that the brightest and best have met and succumbed to the last enemy, death. Caesar and Alexander, Lenin and Mao, Socrates and Aristotle, and the list is endless, all are in the grave. Great religious leaders, Mohammed, Buddah, Confucius, Smith ALL IN THE GRAVE! But, especially at this time of the year, we walk through a garden spot, look for a wounded body seeking to bring our belated gifts only to find that He is not here! He is risen as He said! He has removed the sting of death! Death now is but the foyer to eternal life for those who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. So the question becomes more important: WHAT WILL YOU DO WITH JESUS WHICH IS CALLED CHRIST? He is the Son of God. He is the soon coming King. He has fulfilled the Law, defeated sin, and removed death's sting. Will you trust Him today for your salvation. He alone can take away your sin.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
1 Corinthians 13
A More Excellent Way – 1 Corinthians 13
Introduction:
A Good Teacher and a Great Teacher
"Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go" (Mat_8:19).
A number of years ago a Johns Hopkins University professor asked his graduate students to locate 200 boys, ages 12-16 and research their family backgrounds. The assignment was then to predict their future. The students were sent to the slum area of the city to find the boys. The conclusion reached by the graduate students was that 90 percent of those researched would spend time in jail. The final chapter of this study would not completed until 25 years later.
When the 200 original students were sought after, some 25 years later, John Hopkins sent the researchers into the slum area again. Some of the group still remained in the slums, others had moved away, a few had died. In all they were able to locate 180 of the original 200. What they found amazed them. Only four had ever been to jail (remember the prediction had been 90 percent of 200)!
What caused this figure to be so low when all indications pointed to a larger number? When the researchers began to ask this question they found that they were getting the same answer, "Well, there was this teacher...." Pressed further, the researchers found that the teacher in all cases was one and the same. The boys had all been influenced by the same teacher.
The graduate students traced down the teacher, now living in a retirement home, and inquired about her remarkable influence over a group of boys who were headed for a life of crime. She really could not think of any reason why she would have this kind of influence. She did mention that "I truly loved my students."
1. The Power of Charity
- w/o charity our words are empty
- w/o charity our preaching is powerless
- w/o charity our faith is of no benefit
- w/o charity our giving profits nothing
They Killed My Brother
I vividly remember an incident that took place at our Greek Keswick in Macedonia one year. The Lord had just opened the door for a special ministry among the Turks. After I announced it, a devout Christian woman came up to me, placed some Greek currency in my hand, and said, "I want this used to win Turks to Christ. They killed my brother, but I want to be the first to contribute to their cause." There will be a special reward for that woman at the day of judgment for believers.
- w/o charity our supreme sacrifice is 0
But with charity, our words are made health and healing, our preaching reaches down and touches the hearts of our fellow men, our faith touches the lives of those who will come behind us, our gifts mean so much more than just money, and our supreme sacrifice of ourselves is transformed into something glorious.
2. The Personality of Charity
- Charity is long-suffering; James 5:7
- Charity is kind (gentle in Behavior)
- Charity does not envy (from – BOIL)
- Charity vaunteth not itself (braggart)
- Charity is not puffed up; 1 Cor. 4:6, like bellows. . .
- Charity does not behave unseemly; is not indecent. . .1 Cor. 7:36 “uncomely”
- Charity seeks not her own; 1 Cor 10:24,33; not after personal interests
Christian Love
That great blind preacher, George Matheson, adequately grasped the idea of Paul when he wrote: "Christian love is the only kind of love in which there is no rivalry, no jealousy. There is jealousy among the lovers of art; there is jealousy among the lovers of song; there is jealousy among the lovers of beauty. The glory of natural love is its monopoly, its power to say, 'It is mine.' But the glory of Christian love is its refusal of monopoly. The spiritual artist-the man who paints Christ in his soul-wants no solitary niche in the temple of fame. He would not like to hear anyone say, 'He is the first of his profession; there is not one that can hold a candle to him.' He would be very sad to be thus distinguished in his profession of Christ, marked out as a solitary figure. The gladdest moment to him will always be the moment when the cry is heard, 'Thy brother is coming up the ladder also; thy brother will share the inheritance with thee.' "
- Charity is not provoked; can be good Acts 17:16, or bad Acts 15:39
- Charity thinketh no evil; does not make a list of the wrongs done, like a ledger.
- Charity rejoices not in iniquity; Romans 1:32. . .be careful of your entertainment.
- Charity rejoices in the truth – truth personified as opposed to unrighteousness.
- Charity beareth all things – the idea is of a roof, a protection or covering – 1 Peter 4:8
- Charity believeth all things; not gullible, but having faith in people. . .
- Charity hopeth all things; seeing the bright side, not despairing.
- Charity endueth all things; perseveres as a stout-hearted soldier; Jim Vineyard’s green beret experience in Vietnam walking out with broken bone in his leg.
3. The Perfection of Charity
- Perfect in its endurance, “never faileth”
- Perfect in its expression, the Book
- Perfect in its experience, seeing Him
Introduction:
A Good Teacher and a Great Teacher
"Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go" (Mat_8:19).
A number of years ago a Johns Hopkins University professor asked his graduate students to locate 200 boys, ages 12-16 and research their family backgrounds. The assignment was then to predict their future. The students were sent to the slum area of the city to find the boys. The conclusion reached by the graduate students was that 90 percent of those researched would spend time in jail. The final chapter of this study would not completed until 25 years later.
When the 200 original students were sought after, some 25 years later, John Hopkins sent the researchers into the slum area again. Some of the group still remained in the slums, others had moved away, a few had died. In all they were able to locate 180 of the original 200. What they found amazed them. Only four had ever been to jail (remember the prediction had been 90 percent of 200)!
What caused this figure to be so low when all indications pointed to a larger number? When the researchers began to ask this question they found that they were getting the same answer, "Well, there was this teacher...." Pressed further, the researchers found that the teacher in all cases was one and the same. The boys had all been influenced by the same teacher.
The graduate students traced down the teacher, now living in a retirement home, and inquired about her remarkable influence over a group of boys who were headed for a life of crime. She really could not think of any reason why she would have this kind of influence. She did mention that "I truly loved my students."
1. The Power of Charity
- w/o charity our words are empty
- w/o charity our preaching is powerless
- w/o charity our faith is of no benefit
- w/o charity our giving profits nothing
They Killed My Brother
I vividly remember an incident that took place at our Greek Keswick in Macedonia one year. The Lord had just opened the door for a special ministry among the Turks. After I announced it, a devout Christian woman came up to me, placed some Greek currency in my hand, and said, "I want this used to win Turks to Christ. They killed my brother, but I want to be the first to contribute to their cause." There will be a special reward for that woman at the day of judgment for believers.
- w/o charity our supreme sacrifice is 0
But with charity, our words are made health and healing, our preaching reaches down and touches the hearts of our fellow men, our faith touches the lives of those who will come behind us, our gifts mean so much more than just money, and our supreme sacrifice of ourselves is transformed into something glorious.
2. The Personality of Charity
- Charity is long-suffering; James 5:7
- Charity is kind (gentle in Behavior)
- Charity does not envy (from – BOIL)
- Charity vaunteth not itself (braggart)
- Charity is not puffed up; 1 Cor. 4:6, like bellows. . .
- Charity does not behave unseemly; is not indecent. . .1 Cor. 7:36 “uncomely”
- Charity seeks not her own; 1 Cor 10:24,33; not after personal interests
Christian Love
That great blind preacher, George Matheson, adequately grasped the idea of Paul when he wrote: "Christian love is the only kind of love in which there is no rivalry, no jealousy. There is jealousy among the lovers of art; there is jealousy among the lovers of song; there is jealousy among the lovers of beauty. The glory of natural love is its monopoly, its power to say, 'It is mine.' But the glory of Christian love is its refusal of monopoly. The spiritual artist-the man who paints Christ in his soul-wants no solitary niche in the temple of fame. He would not like to hear anyone say, 'He is the first of his profession; there is not one that can hold a candle to him.' He would be very sad to be thus distinguished in his profession of Christ, marked out as a solitary figure. The gladdest moment to him will always be the moment when the cry is heard, 'Thy brother is coming up the ladder also; thy brother will share the inheritance with thee.' "
- Charity is not provoked; can be good Acts 17:16, or bad Acts 15:39
- Charity thinketh no evil; does not make a list of the wrongs done, like a ledger.
- Charity rejoices not in iniquity; Romans 1:32. . .be careful of your entertainment.
- Charity rejoices in the truth – truth personified as opposed to unrighteousness.
- Charity beareth all things – the idea is of a roof, a protection or covering – 1 Peter 4:8
- Charity believeth all things; not gullible, but having faith in people. . .
- Charity hopeth all things; seeing the bright side, not despairing.
- Charity endueth all things; perseveres as a stout-hearted soldier; Jim Vineyard’s green beret experience in Vietnam walking out with broken bone in his leg.
3. The Perfection of Charity
- Perfect in its endurance, “never faileth”
- Perfect in its expression, the Book
- Perfect in its experience, seeing Him
Friday, January 30, 2009
How to Know What not to Wear
Bible doctrine should apply to our lives. Making these applications is the duty of the Bible expositor and the mother with the little ones she is training on a daily basis. A verse from 1 Corinthians chapter eleven jumps out at me. Here is a great doctrinal truth: But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. Awesome verse of Scripture speaking of the plan of Scriptural responsibility. This verse has been misunderstood. It does not mean that men are better than women, but it does remind us that God has an order of responsibility. When we follow this, God-given order, He receives glory in our homes, in our churches, and in our nation.
This great doctrine of the Scriptures is applied to something that seems to be very mundane, very ordinary, our dress standards. Now a lot of people just get mad when they hear that the preacher is going to be speaking on that subject. Sometimes people have left churches after just such a sermon. That is certainly not my intention, to run someone away from a church that loves them and where the Word of God is preached. Listen, there are some places that you can go where nobody says anything about how Christians ought to or ought not to dress. The Bible talks about it, why should we avoid it? Some have ridden their personal hobby horses over and over this subject ad infinitum, ad nauseum. This not all of the Bible, but it is important. Especially in our day of loose morals and exposure, we need the truths of God's Word to help us stay on track and be better witnesses for our Savior.
1. Your dress should distinguish your sex. Ladies should be recognizable as ladies and not wear a man's apparel. In some cultures this would mean that the ladies would wear billowy, baggy things that look like trousers. Men would wear a skirt or flowing robe in some cultures that would oppose a woman wearing such "manly" attire! Men, in our culture, must not be cross-dressers! Let's obey the Deuteronomy 22:5 injunction and guard our wardrobe. Men dress like men. Ladies, dress with femininity and godly grace. Away with the unisex fads and fashions.
2. Your dress should not hinder your testimony for Jesus Christ. Dressing in some modern styles does more harm to our testimony for Christ than it does good. Matthew 5:14-16 tells us that we are the salt and the light in our culture, and therefore, we should act and dress in such a way that God is seen. Sometimes we know better what would not be pleasing to the Lord in regards to our dress standards. Something that is too revealing, too form-fitting, too low, or too high is easily spotted as not being a good witness for the Lord. I thank the Lord for standards. It is good to know what is expected at our places of work, and a higher standard is better. How much more should we as believers lift up the standard in our personal grooming as well as our personal behavior.
3. Your dress should not cause some fellow-believer to stumble. In most of our cities, there are certain districts in which you will find women standing on the corners, just like is mentioned in Proverbs 7, and "selling their wares". How do these women, who need to find real freedom and forgiveness in Christ, dress? Sadly, there are church-ladies whose dress does not seem much different. Of course there is no excuse for Christian men yielding to fleshly temptations to illicit affairs, and there is not excuse for women (supposedly Christian women) dressing like a street-walker! Let's be on our guard. Men, you too should dress and deport yourself in such a way as to honor the Lord. Wouldn't it be a shame for the preacher to show up at a wedding with his swimming trunks on? There is a time for the trunks, but it is not in the place of worship. Let the common sense that God has given you, the Word of God, and a genuine desire for your brothers and sisters in Christ to live honorable and pure lives govern your dress code. Raise the bar!
4. Your dress ought to remind you of what Jesus has done for you. There is a reason that God provided clothing of skins for Adam and Eve. Clothing is designed to conceal, not to reveal. Standing naked before God, Adam and Eve knew that they had sinned and deserved the righteous punishment of a holy God. God knew all about their rebellion and sinful behavior. They were caught. Aprons of fig leaves would not suffice for a covering, and point to man's best efforts in religion to cover the guilt of an unregenerate race. God will never be appeased or pleased with religion. More is needed! An acceptable covering must be found. Blood must be shed for a covering to be provided. God Himself will do the deed. What a picture of Calvary and the covering God has provided for our sins! Rejoice, there is a sacrifice that atones, covers, all of our sins! "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved and thy house." Acts 16:31. Will you receive Him and be clothed in His righteousness today? If this is your desire, please contact me today.
This great doctrine of the Scriptures is applied to something that seems to be very mundane, very ordinary, our dress standards. Now a lot of people just get mad when they hear that the preacher is going to be speaking on that subject. Sometimes people have left churches after just such a sermon. That is certainly not my intention, to run someone away from a church that loves them and where the Word of God is preached. Listen, there are some places that you can go where nobody says anything about how Christians ought to or ought not to dress. The Bible talks about it, why should we avoid it? Some have ridden their personal hobby horses over and over this subject ad infinitum, ad nauseum. This not all of the Bible, but it is important. Especially in our day of loose morals and exposure, we need the truths of God's Word to help us stay on track and be better witnesses for our Savior.
1. Your dress should distinguish your sex. Ladies should be recognizable as ladies and not wear a man's apparel. In some cultures this would mean that the ladies would wear billowy, baggy things that look like trousers. Men would wear a skirt or flowing robe in some cultures that would oppose a woman wearing such "manly" attire! Men, in our culture, must not be cross-dressers! Let's obey the Deuteronomy 22:5 injunction and guard our wardrobe. Men dress like men. Ladies, dress with femininity and godly grace. Away with the unisex fads and fashions.
2. Your dress should not hinder your testimony for Jesus Christ. Dressing in some modern styles does more harm to our testimony for Christ than it does good. Matthew 5:14-16 tells us that we are the salt and the light in our culture, and therefore, we should act and dress in such a way that God is seen. Sometimes we know better what would not be pleasing to the Lord in regards to our dress standards. Something that is too revealing, too form-fitting, too low, or too high is easily spotted as not being a good witness for the Lord. I thank the Lord for standards. It is good to know what is expected at our places of work, and a higher standard is better. How much more should we as believers lift up the standard in our personal grooming as well as our personal behavior.
3. Your dress should not cause some fellow-believer to stumble. In most of our cities, there are certain districts in which you will find women standing on the corners, just like is mentioned in Proverbs 7, and "selling their wares". How do these women, who need to find real freedom and forgiveness in Christ, dress? Sadly, there are church-ladies whose dress does not seem much different. Of course there is no excuse for Christian men yielding to fleshly temptations to illicit affairs, and there is not excuse for women (supposedly Christian women) dressing like a street-walker! Let's be on our guard. Men, you too should dress and deport yourself in such a way as to honor the Lord. Wouldn't it be a shame for the preacher to show up at a wedding with his swimming trunks on? There is a time for the trunks, but it is not in the place of worship. Let the common sense that God has given you, the Word of God, and a genuine desire for your brothers and sisters in Christ to live honorable and pure lives govern your dress code. Raise the bar!
4. Your dress ought to remind you of what Jesus has done for you. There is a reason that God provided clothing of skins for Adam and Eve. Clothing is designed to conceal, not to reveal. Standing naked before God, Adam and Eve knew that they had sinned and deserved the righteous punishment of a holy God. God knew all about their rebellion and sinful behavior. They were caught. Aprons of fig leaves would not suffice for a covering, and point to man's best efforts in religion to cover the guilt of an unregenerate race. God will never be appeased or pleased with religion. More is needed! An acceptable covering must be found. Blood must be shed for a covering to be provided. God Himself will do the deed. What a picture of Calvary and the covering God has provided for our sins! Rejoice, there is a sacrifice that atones, covers, all of our sins! "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved and thy house." Acts 16:31. Will you receive Him and be clothed in His righteousness today? If this is your desire, please contact me today.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Taming Temptation
Everybody faces temptations. The Bible talks about the sin that so easily besets us in Hebrews 12, while speaking to believers. Getting saved does not mean you will no longer be tempted. In fact, you become a target when you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. However, the Lord also gives His children power to overcome temptation. Not that we will become perfect and sinless. . .because as long as we are in these old bodies of ours, sin will be too present among us. When we are tempted, let's use these three avenues of escape.
1. FLEE when you are tempted in your flesh.
The works of the flesh are mentioned in Galatians 5 right after the fruit of the Spirit. Our flesh, the old sinful nature that we still have, takes natural desires and incites us to fulfill these desires in an ungodly way. Sexual sins, gluttony, laziness, and other sins would be called sins of the flesh.
Joseph illustrates the way to avoid sin when tempted in your flesh. . .HE RAN AWAY! Sometimes we simply put ourselves in bad situations. Stay out of the places that you know will cause you to be tempted. Don't go down to the bar. Don't wander the streets at night. Then there are times when a fleshly temptation comes into our lives and the only recourse we have is to get out of the area. There is nothing wrong with running away. You don't have to stay and try to fight the thing. Get out of there! Joseph ended up in jail by false accusation, but God had been honored and would continue to honor him.
2. Faith overcomes the world.
The world tempts us to get "stuff", to keep up with the Jones', to treasure the things that will not last for eternity. In the Bible the world often refers to a system of thinking and of acting that is contrary to the Lord. "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. . ." 1 John 2:15 says. James 4 warns us that friendship with the world makes us enemies of God.
Be aware. This world is no friend of God!
In order to overcome the world, strengthen your faith. Get into the Word of God and allow it to get into you. Faith overcomes the world. Faith looks at life from God's point of view. Faith sees an eternal perspective that the world avoids. So strengthen your faith. Read, study, memorize, and personalize the Scriptures. Gain a place of faithfulness to church attendance. Away with this hit and miss stuff, your faith will never grow when you are not faithful to God's house. Begin to put the commands of God into practice in your life. Associate with those whose faith is strong. Other Christians can help you see things from God's perspective. Above all, do not neglect your personal Bible time.
3. FIGHT the devil.
The devil is not a figment of your imagination. He is real, and he is your enemy, Christian. How can we ever hope to defeat this master-mind enemy? "Be sober, be vigilant, for your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about seeking whom he may devour." 1 Peter 5:8. "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you," James says. Ephesians 6 lists our armor as Christians as we fight against the unseen world of spiritual darkness. Our Christianity is also a warfare. "Onward Christian soldiers marching as to war, with the cross of Jesus going on before."
Fight the devil by getting as close to God as you can. "Draw nigh to God. . .resist the devil." When we were small children and were frightened or threatened, our answer was to run to daddy or to mom. That was a place we considered safe. When storms come, we often seek out a place of safety. . . a storm cellar or basement. "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." Let us learn to get closer to Him.
We draw near through the blood of Jesus, and we overcome the devil through the blood of Jesus. We draw nigh to God as we praise Him, and we overcome the enemy through the word of our testimony (praise). We draw near to God as we offer Him sacrifices of selfless worship, yielding ourselves as living sacrifices to Him, and we overcome the devil as we love not our lives even to the death. Revelation 12:11 speaks of the overcomers.
God wants you to be an overcomer. You do not have to sin every time you are tempted. God makes a way of escape according to 1 Corinthians 10:13. Let us not get the idea that we have arrived and cannot fall to temptation, because when you think you can stand, you will certainly fall. Rely upon the Lord's avenues of escape and tame temptation in your life.
1. FLEE when you are tempted in your flesh.
The works of the flesh are mentioned in Galatians 5 right after the fruit of the Spirit. Our flesh, the old sinful nature that we still have, takes natural desires and incites us to fulfill these desires in an ungodly way. Sexual sins, gluttony, laziness, and other sins would be called sins of the flesh.
Joseph illustrates the way to avoid sin when tempted in your flesh. . .HE RAN AWAY! Sometimes we simply put ourselves in bad situations. Stay out of the places that you know will cause you to be tempted. Don't go down to the bar. Don't wander the streets at night. Then there are times when a fleshly temptation comes into our lives and the only recourse we have is to get out of the area. There is nothing wrong with running away. You don't have to stay and try to fight the thing. Get out of there! Joseph ended up in jail by false accusation, but God had been honored and would continue to honor him.
2. Faith overcomes the world.
The world tempts us to get "stuff", to keep up with the Jones', to treasure the things that will not last for eternity. In the Bible the world often refers to a system of thinking and of acting that is contrary to the Lord. "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. . ." 1 John 2:15 says. James 4 warns us that friendship with the world makes us enemies of God.
Be aware. This world is no friend of God!
In order to overcome the world, strengthen your faith. Get into the Word of God and allow it to get into you. Faith overcomes the world. Faith looks at life from God's point of view. Faith sees an eternal perspective that the world avoids. So strengthen your faith. Read, study, memorize, and personalize the Scriptures. Gain a place of faithfulness to church attendance. Away with this hit and miss stuff, your faith will never grow when you are not faithful to God's house. Begin to put the commands of God into practice in your life. Associate with those whose faith is strong. Other Christians can help you see things from God's perspective. Above all, do not neglect your personal Bible time.
3. FIGHT the devil.
The devil is not a figment of your imagination. He is real, and he is your enemy, Christian. How can we ever hope to defeat this master-mind enemy? "Be sober, be vigilant, for your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about seeking whom he may devour." 1 Peter 5:8. "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you," James says. Ephesians 6 lists our armor as Christians as we fight against the unseen world of spiritual darkness. Our Christianity is also a warfare. "Onward Christian soldiers marching as to war, with the cross of Jesus going on before."
Fight the devil by getting as close to God as you can. "Draw nigh to God. . .resist the devil." When we were small children and were frightened or threatened, our answer was to run to daddy or to mom. That was a place we considered safe. When storms come, we often seek out a place of safety. . . a storm cellar or basement. "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." Let us learn to get closer to Him.
We draw near through the blood of Jesus, and we overcome the devil through the blood of Jesus. We draw nigh to God as we praise Him, and we overcome the enemy through the word of our testimony (praise). We draw near to God as we offer Him sacrifices of selfless worship, yielding ourselves as living sacrifices to Him, and we overcome the devil as we love not our lives even to the death. Revelation 12:11 speaks of the overcomers.
God wants you to be an overcomer. You do not have to sin every time you are tempted. God makes a way of escape according to 1 Corinthians 10:13. Let us not get the idea that we have arrived and cannot fall to temptation, because when you think you can stand, you will certainly fall. Rely upon the Lord's avenues of escape and tame temptation in your life.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Middle of January
The frog says, "Time's fun when you're having flies!" Well, time is flying for us all. May we have grace to "Redeem the time". The family is doing well, praise the Lord. We are seeing the Lord work in our lives through submission to His plan. Sometimes, He has us in a place where all we can do is yield. That is the very place He can bless us.
This week's outlines is a topical outline preached in series from 1 Corinthians. From chapter 10, "Christ Our Rock"
1. He is My Rock of Redemption; 2 Samuel 22:47 gives praise to the Lord for being the rock of my salvation.
- We know that Jesus is the door to salvation; John 10:9
- He is the only way to be saved; Acts 4:12; John 14:6
- He saves us and makes us new; 2 Corinthians 5:17. George Beverly Shea was asked one time what he knew, to which he replied, "Not much but I do know Who has changed my life."
- Jesus suffered outside the gate, so that we might be saved and changed; Hebrews 13:12
Our redemption is past, present, and future: Saved from the penalty of sin, from the power of sin, and, soon, from the very presence of sin. 1 John 1:7b ". . .and the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son cleasneth us from all sin."
2. He is the Rock of Refreshment and Restoration; Psalm 23:3 says, "He restoreth my soul." Christian, do you find yourself needing this refreshing from the Lord? Remember. . .
- He protects us; Psalm 32:7 says, "Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance." Too often we forget to stop and listen to the music. He is our shelter amidst the storms of life. He makes even the most tenuous position a stronghold. How is it that Saul, the king of Israel, cannot find David as he searches desperately? David is hidden by God. How is it that for three and a half years Ahab cannot locate a very noticeable character named Elijah? God is his refuge and hiding place. He protects us as well.
- He also gives us rest sometimes from the storms, but often in the storms. Psalm 37:7; There is healing and help in our time alone with the Father. Spencer Tracy was asked what he looked for in a script and he said, "Days off." Jesus is the One Who leads us "apart" for seasons of rest and refreshment in the Word and in talking to the Lord.
- He restores my strength. . .Psalm 103:5 makes it clear that our youth can be renewed as we are satisfied in Him. He restoreth my soul. He revives my old, cold heart. He may use a preacher, but He can use a lot of things to do this wonderful heart-softening work.
3. He is the Rock of Resolution; Psalm 40:2 "He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings." He saved me and gave me a purpose. Sometimes Christians are undependable, up and down, but the Lord wants us to be established, to be steadfast, to have a purpose in life. 1 Peter 5:10; Romans 12:1-2; Proverbs 3:5-6. Winston Churchill felt that he was 'walking with destiny' as he took the mantle of premiership in WW2. How much more should we feel this same way as we follow our Lord, as we walk with Him. He is better than an indefinite destiny. He gives fulfillment that so many are looking for at this time. Jeremiah 1:5 shows that God has a purpose for our lives even before we are born. Let's discover His purpose. He wants you to be saved, to be sanctified or set apart to serve Him, and He wants you to be thanking Him for all things. . .thus revealing your trust in Him.
4. He is my Rock of Rejoicing; Isaiah 42:11 ". . .Let the inhabitants of the rock sing." Don't mar your testimony with a long face all the time. I am not one for cheesy grins, but there should be the light of joyin your eye and a ready smile on your lips as you remember who you are in Christ and what you have in Him. Your worst day as a believer is better than a lost person's best day! Have you forgotten to "Delight thyself also in the Lord"? (Psalm 37:4) Colossians 3:2 says "Set your affectoin on things above, not on things on the earth. . ." If we have found this joy of salvation here on earth, we have more than this transitory life to enjoy. One day, and it could be today, the trumpet will sound, the dead in Christ shall arise, and we shall join the ransomed throng at the the throne in Heaven to rejoice in Him forever. Who will be there? The blood-washed ones. Are you one of those who have been washed? If not, you can be. "Come now and let us reason together saith the Lord though your sins be as scarlet they shall be as white as snow, though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." What an invitation! Will you answer?
God bless you today and throughout this week. Set your affection on things above. Pass the love of Christ along to everybody around you.
This week's outlines is a topical outline preached in series from 1 Corinthians. From chapter 10, "Christ Our Rock"
1. He is My Rock of Redemption; 2 Samuel 22:47 gives praise to the Lord for being the rock of my salvation.
- We know that Jesus is the door to salvation; John 10:9
- He is the only way to be saved; Acts 4:12; John 14:6
- He saves us and makes us new; 2 Corinthians 5:17. George Beverly Shea was asked one time what he knew, to which he replied, "Not much but I do know Who has changed my life."
- Jesus suffered outside the gate, so that we might be saved and changed; Hebrews 13:12
Our redemption is past, present, and future: Saved from the penalty of sin, from the power of sin, and, soon, from the very presence of sin. 1 John 1:7b ". . .and the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son cleasneth us from all sin."
2. He is the Rock of Refreshment and Restoration; Psalm 23:3 says, "He restoreth my soul." Christian, do you find yourself needing this refreshing from the Lord? Remember. . .
- He protects us; Psalm 32:7 says, "Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance." Too often we forget to stop and listen to the music. He is our shelter amidst the storms of life. He makes even the most tenuous position a stronghold. How is it that Saul, the king of Israel, cannot find David as he searches desperately? David is hidden by God. How is it that for three and a half years Ahab cannot locate a very noticeable character named Elijah? God is his refuge and hiding place. He protects us as well.
- He also gives us rest sometimes from the storms, but often in the storms. Psalm 37:7; There is healing and help in our time alone with the Father. Spencer Tracy was asked what he looked for in a script and he said, "Days off." Jesus is the One Who leads us "apart" for seasons of rest and refreshment in the Word and in talking to the Lord.
- He restores my strength. . .Psalm 103:5 makes it clear that our youth can be renewed as we are satisfied in Him. He restoreth my soul. He revives my old, cold heart. He may use a preacher, but He can use a lot of things to do this wonderful heart-softening work.
3. He is the Rock of Resolution; Psalm 40:2 "He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings." He saved me and gave me a purpose. Sometimes Christians are undependable, up and down, but the Lord wants us to be established, to be steadfast, to have a purpose in life. 1 Peter 5:10; Romans 12:1-2; Proverbs 3:5-6. Winston Churchill felt that he was 'walking with destiny' as he took the mantle of premiership in WW2. How much more should we feel this same way as we follow our Lord, as we walk with Him. He is better than an indefinite destiny. He gives fulfillment that so many are looking for at this time. Jeremiah 1:5 shows that God has a purpose for our lives even before we are born. Let's discover His purpose. He wants you to be saved, to be sanctified or set apart to serve Him, and He wants you to be thanking Him for all things. . .thus revealing your trust in Him.
4. He is my Rock of Rejoicing; Isaiah 42:11 ". . .Let the inhabitants of the rock sing." Don't mar your testimony with a long face all the time. I am not one for cheesy grins, but there should be the light of joyin your eye and a ready smile on your lips as you remember who you are in Christ and what you have in Him. Your worst day as a believer is better than a lost person's best day! Have you forgotten to "Delight thyself also in the Lord"? (Psalm 37:4) Colossians 3:2 says "Set your affectoin on things above, not on things on the earth. . ." If we have found this joy of salvation here on earth, we have more than this transitory life to enjoy. One day, and it could be today, the trumpet will sound, the dead in Christ shall arise, and we shall join the ransomed throng at the the throne in Heaven to rejoice in Him forever. Who will be there? The blood-washed ones. Are you one of those who have been washed? If not, you can be. "Come now and let us reason together saith the Lord though your sins be as scarlet they shall be as white as snow, though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." What an invitation! Will you answer?
God bless you today and throughout this week. Set your affection on things above. Pass the love of Christ along to everybody around you.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
A New Year and Some New Stuff
This is not a resolution, but it is an attempt to faithfully add something each week to our blog: sermon outlines. Some of them will be a blessing and some of them might not. I am praying that they will help people who are in need spiritually. . .or maybe a preacher could use one or two of them in a pinch.
What To Do In Troubled Times
Genesis 32
1. Jacob's Problem - He had one when he left home and he had that one multiplied when he comes back.
Family problems?
Money problems?
Personal trouble?
Trouble at work? Needing work?
The real question is what shall we do when the troubles come? Job says that man is of few days and full of trouble. We grow up getting into and out of troubles.
The problem Jacob had is one that was bigger than he was. It was life and death. Did you realize that the spiritual problem faced by every person - SIN - is a life and death problem? "For the wages of sin is death. . ." This is the biggest problem that people face. It is the biggest problem that you face. Other problems might be symptoms of the real problem. "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23
What shall be done with the problems that are simply out of our reach. We have gone to the well of strength and found it dry. We have gone to the well of knowledge or experience and found them lacking. What shall be done?
2. Jacob's plan. His was an elaborate plan. Wave after wave of a "gift" were sent to Esau. Then the company was divided in hopes that at least one group would survive. Making plans is not wrong. Organization is not wrong, unless we trust in the plan or program instead of the Lord. Then it is wrong. Daniel prayed three times a day. He was organized. It would do us well in the new year to pray three times a day on purpose. David prayed three times a day and praised seven times a day. Maybe our own personal time with God could use some organization. Just beware of trusting in the planning more than the Lord. Even the best of plans can be brought to nothing.
3. Jacob's prayer. Now Jacob is getting on the right track. Notice that his prayer is based upon the covenant of God. His prayer is humbly asked. He speaks to the One he knows has spoken to him. How our praying benefits when we are immersed in the Word of God. Our faith is strengthened and proper boldness enters our praying as we receive the precious and powerful promises God gives in His Word. Prayer must be more than flowery words. Jacob's prayer is directly to the point asking for something specific. Sometimes we suffer because we do not pray. We do not ask. Sometimes we suffer because we ask selfishly.
4. God takes Jacob another step. Notice: Jacob's persistence. Everyone else has passed over the brook except him, and the angel of the Lord meets him and there is a great struggle. Simple praying opens the door to serious struggle with God. God wants to work on the inside of us. He wants to bring about the transformation of our character. So we enter the wrestling arena. All night long, Jacob wrestles with God. He seeks God's blessing. He had stolen Isaac's blessing years before, but he will not steal this blessing. He will pay for it in struggle and in pain. "I will not let thee go!" Where is the perseverance among God's people today. We live in the "instant" society. We want everything fast and easy. Christian, you must be willing to hang on to God. George Mueller prayed for some people for over fifty years before they came to Christ. Will you hang on like that? God doesn't make it any easier when He reaches out and touches Jacob's thigh. Sometimes we have trials to test our resolve. At what level is our faith? With his hip out of joint, Jacob keeps holding on to the One Who is able to truly bless. Never forget the character of the One with whom you wrestle. It will help you while you are holding on to remember that the Lord is good and a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. Never forget the patience of God and how He does not reward us according to out iniquities, but accoring to His mercy. Though He touches your hip now, He is the One who will grant your request and then some. Keep holding on!
5. Jacob's prevailing. As the day breaks, the angel of the Lord asks Jacob a strange thing, "What is thy name?" In his relenting to give the blessing, God still requires that we come before Him in transparency. Who are you? All Jacob could do is be honest. All he could do is admit that he was the deceiver, the supplanter, the trickster. What we often miss when we maintain our own righteousness. God knows our hearts. He knows our wickedness! He sees the real us. Yet, He wants us to admit it, too. We live in the Bible belt, where folks could be saved if they would admit they needed saving. We live in the Bible belt were folks could have revival if they would admit that they needed it. Instead churches become social clubs, women's groups run off preachers, and the only church growth you can find are in the places where there is entertainment and no preaching against sin. Will we not hear the voice of God? "What is thy name?" What is it? Hypocrite, Rebel, Liar, Whisperer? Jacob, the deceiver, that is my name. We admit our lowliness, and God begins to act. He changes Jacob's name to Israel - God's Prince. This is grace. Undeserved kindness.
Still however the blessing has not been given. Another aspect must be noted before the blessing is given. Jacob turns the question God has asked him around, "Tell me, I pray thee, thy name." Here is the last doorway to receiving the blessing of God. . .seeking after Him alone. If you want to be saved, you must trust Christ alone. He alone is the way to the Father according to John 14:6 and Acts 4:12. If you want God's blessing in your life, you must seek Him alone. It's nice to have His gifts and such, but He is better than they are. It is nice to enjoy His prospering, but He is better than His good blessings. "Seek my face," He calls to us. Jacob's question concerning the name of his Heavenly Adversary says that Jacob is now, finally interested in the right thing: God's own character. . .Who He is. This is where the victory can be found for every trial. Get up close to Him and find out Who He is. Have you ever wondered why the Lord has the name, "Lily of the valley"?
How can we be blessed in the new year? Colossians 3:1-2 "If ye then be risen with Christ seek those things which are above where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth." Matthew 6:33 "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you."
Seek Him for salvation, and you will have it.
Seek Him for sanctification and you will grow.
Seek Him in service.
Seek Him is separation. . .two ways, from the world, from sin, and unto the Lord.
May God bless you as you enter this new year with your problems that you might wrestle with the Lord until you receive all He has for you. Do not stop short of His blessing. If you need spiritual help or prayer, please feel free to send me and e-mail at mike@wildwoodbaptistonline.com. Looking forward to hearing from you. God bless you.
What To Do In Troubled Times
Genesis 32
1. Jacob's Problem - He had one when he left home and he had that one multiplied when he comes back.
Family problems?
Money problems?
Personal trouble?
Trouble at work? Needing work?
The real question is what shall we do when the troubles come? Job says that man is of few days and full of trouble. We grow up getting into and out of troubles.
The problem Jacob had is one that was bigger than he was. It was life and death. Did you realize that the spiritual problem faced by every person - SIN - is a life and death problem? "For the wages of sin is death. . ." This is the biggest problem that people face. It is the biggest problem that you face. Other problems might be symptoms of the real problem. "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23
What shall be done with the problems that are simply out of our reach. We have gone to the well of strength and found it dry. We have gone to the well of knowledge or experience and found them lacking. What shall be done?
2. Jacob's plan. His was an elaborate plan. Wave after wave of a "gift" were sent to Esau. Then the company was divided in hopes that at least one group would survive. Making plans is not wrong. Organization is not wrong, unless we trust in the plan or program instead of the Lord. Then it is wrong. Daniel prayed three times a day. He was organized. It would do us well in the new year to pray three times a day on purpose. David prayed three times a day and praised seven times a day. Maybe our own personal time with God could use some organization. Just beware of trusting in the planning more than the Lord. Even the best of plans can be brought to nothing.
3. Jacob's prayer. Now Jacob is getting on the right track. Notice that his prayer is based upon the covenant of God. His prayer is humbly asked. He speaks to the One he knows has spoken to him. How our praying benefits when we are immersed in the Word of God. Our faith is strengthened and proper boldness enters our praying as we receive the precious and powerful promises God gives in His Word. Prayer must be more than flowery words. Jacob's prayer is directly to the point asking for something specific. Sometimes we suffer because we do not pray. We do not ask. Sometimes we suffer because we ask selfishly.
4. God takes Jacob another step. Notice: Jacob's persistence. Everyone else has passed over the brook except him, and the angel of the Lord meets him and there is a great struggle. Simple praying opens the door to serious struggle with God. God wants to work on the inside of us. He wants to bring about the transformation of our character. So we enter the wrestling arena. All night long, Jacob wrestles with God. He seeks God's blessing. He had stolen Isaac's blessing years before, but he will not steal this blessing. He will pay for it in struggle and in pain. "I will not let thee go!" Where is the perseverance among God's people today. We live in the "instant" society. We want everything fast and easy. Christian, you must be willing to hang on to God. George Mueller prayed for some people for over fifty years before they came to Christ. Will you hang on like that? God doesn't make it any easier when He reaches out and touches Jacob's thigh. Sometimes we have trials to test our resolve. At what level is our faith? With his hip out of joint, Jacob keeps holding on to the One Who is able to truly bless. Never forget the character of the One with whom you wrestle. It will help you while you are holding on to remember that the Lord is good and a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. Never forget the patience of God and how He does not reward us according to out iniquities, but accoring to His mercy. Though He touches your hip now, He is the One who will grant your request and then some. Keep holding on!
5. Jacob's prevailing. As the day breaks, the angel of the Lord asks Jacob a strange thing, "What is thy name?" In his relenting to give the blessing, God still requires that we come before Him in transparency. Who are you? All Jacob could do is be honest. All he could do is admit that he was the deceiver, the supplanter, the trickster. What we often miss when we maintain our own righteousness. God knows our hearts. He knows our wickedness! He sees the real us. Yet, He wants us to admit it, too. We live in the Bible belt, where folks could be saved if they would admit they needed saving. We live in the Bible belt were folks could have revival if they would admit that they needed it. Instead churches become social clubs, women's groups run off preachers, and the only church growth you can find are in the places where there is entertainment and no preaching against sin. Will we not hear the voice of God? "What is thy name?" What is it? Hypocrite, Rebel, Liar, Whisperer? Jacob, the deceiver, that is my name. We admit our lowliness, and God begins to act. He changes Jacob's name to Israel - God's Prince. This is grace. Undeserved kindness.
Still however the blessing has not been given. Another aspect must be noted before the blessing is given. Jacob turns the question God has asked him around, "Tell me, I pray thee, thy name." Here is the last doorway to receiving the blessing of God. . .seeking after Him alone. If you want to be saved, you must trust Christ alone. He alone is the way to the Father according to John 14:6 and Acts 4:12. If you want God's blessing in your life, you must seek Him alone. It's nice to have His gifts and such, but He is better than they are. It is nice to enjoy His prospering, but He is better than His good blessings. "Seek my face," He calls to us. Jacob's question concerning the name of his Heavenly Adversary says that Jacob is now, finally interested in the right thing: God's own character. . .Who He is. This is where the victory can be found for every trial. Get up close to Him and find out Who He is. Have you ever wondered why the Lord has the name, "Lily of the valley"?
How can we be blessed in the new year? Colossians 3:1-2 "If ye then be risen with Christ seek those things which are above where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth." Matthew 6:33 "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you."
Seek Him for salvation, and you will have it.
Seek Him for sanctification and you will grow.
Seek Him in service.
Seek Him is separation. . .two ways, from the world, from sin, and unto the Lord.
May God bless you as you enter this new year with your problems that you might wrestle with the Lord until you receive all He has for you. Do not stop short of His blessing. If you need spiritual help or prayer, please feel free to send me and e-mail at mike@wildwoodbaptistonline.com. Looking forward to hearing from you. God bless you.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Happy New Year!!
Where did the lat year go? Talk about time flying. Well, God has given us another day to serve Him. Let's use it to the best of our ability and talent. There are souls to win, lives to touch, people to encourage, songs to be sung, books to be written, and smiles to be distributed.
I don't know what all will happen in this new year. There will be some blessings, some heartaches, some troubles, trials, and tribulation. Whatever comes our way, we have a God Who holds us in the palm of His hand. . .safely. Can you trust Him? Will you?
The challenges for me in 2009 will be different than what you face, but let's trust the Lord and take the challenges. Resolutions are not evil. Paul pressed toward the mark and so should we. So set some goals, work them out down to the daily bite-sized achievable kind, and start today. "Redeeming the time, because the days are evil." Are they evil? Read the paper and then answer. Let's do our part in redeeming the time God gives us.
Bless you in the New Year!!
I don't know what all will happen in this new year. There will be some blessings, some heartaches, some troubles, trials, and tribulation. Whatever comes our way, we have a God Who holds us in the palm of His hand. . .safely. Can you trust Him? Will you?
The challenges for me in 2009 will be different than what you face, but let's trust the Lord and take the challenges. Resolutions are not evil. Paul pressed toward the mark and so should we. So set some goals, work them out down to the daily bite-sized achievable kind, and start today. "Redeeming the time, because the days are evil." Are they evil? Read the paper and then answer. Let's do our part in redeeming the time God gives us.
Bless you in the New Year!!
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