Shepherd of Hope

Allow God’s Peace to Rule You – Part 1

2012-03-12T11:32:00.002-04:00

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. - Colossians 3:15

Are you experiencing upheaval in your life? Are you awake nights distracted with anxious thoughts about potential problematic outcomes to life situations? Are you paralyzed by fear? Do you feel like you are falling apart, exhausted by multiple tensions in life? God has help for you. He has a peace that will help you through the anxiety producing circumstances of life. All you have to do is ask for His peace and follow His instructions and it can be yours.

The word “peace” (εἰρήνη ĕirēnē, i-ray´-nay) refers to rest, peace, prosperity, tranquility, harmony, or health. We are talking about a particular kind of peace in this study; “the peace of God.” In the Old Testament “peace” is translated from the Hebrew term shalom. This is more than mere cessation of war. The peace God offers involves positive prosperity as well. We receive such peace by setting our mind on God (Is. 26:3). In the New Testament we gain further understanding and see clearly God offers is peace in the midst of difficulties. His peace helps us to rise above or wade through hardship. We need His peace.

Peace not presumption. This peace is not based on presumption like when the children of Israel thought they could make things right with God after they refused to go into the Promised Land by presuming to go on in their own strength (Num. 14:39-45). That only led to less peace and more defeat. Nor is it peace the false peace of a presumptuous false prophet (Deut. 18:20). ). Peace is not something we can earn or manipulate. Peace is a gift of God’s grace and comes from a close relationship with the Lord.

Peace not procrastination. This peace does not lead to procrastination. Sometimes God will have us “stand still” and watch Him fight for us (2 Chron. 20:17). But more often than not God’s peace is provided for and in the battle. At the very least we need to be in prayer to secure God’s peace. While we should wait on God’s peace in decisions, we need to act in that peace when it is obtained. Where do we find such peace?

Peace from Jesus. Jesus said:

John 14:27 - Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

John 16:33 - These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

True lasting peace comes through faith in Jesus and is good before, in and after the battles of life. The world offers false peace. The world offers mindless meditative peace or relative peace. But the peace Jesus offers enables us, (no matter how difficult or dark a life situation we find ourselves in), to have a heart untroubled and unafraid. The peace offered by Jesus transcends and surpasses anything the world has to offer.

Peace on Two levels. Through faith in Christ we have “peace with God” (Romans 5:1). Outside of Christ we are at war with God (Rom. 8:7). When we put our faith in Jesus and enter into a saving relationship with God in Christ, we then move to being at peace with Him. Our war with God is over when we surrender to Jesus as Savior and Lord. This is why Paul opens his letters with the phrase “Grace to you and peace” (e.g. Rom. 1:7; 1 Cor. 1:3; 2 Cor. 1:2; Gal. 1:3; Eph. 1:2; Phil. 1:2; Col. 1:2; 1 Thess. 1:1; 2 Thess. 1:2; Philemon 3). The one who has received forgiveness for their sins through faith in Christ by God’s gracious gift is one who then enters into and experiences peace with God and eternal life.

But it is possible to be at peace with God and not have the “peace of God.” Peace with God and the peace of God are distinct. Peace with God necessarily comes first. But the peace of God does not necessarily or automatically follow entering into peace with God. As Christians we may allow pockets of resistance to the Lordship of Jesus in our lives. These can take many forms. It may be a relational compromise such as a Christian entering into an unequally yoked relationship with an unbeliever (2 Cor. 6:11 – 7:1). It can be a compromise in integrity such as gossiping, speaking a half truth or bearing false witness (Eph. 4:29). It may be a disregard of the still small voice of the Spirit or a neglect of a portion of God’s word (Jer. 44:5). Other examples could be listed. Such things create peace-disrupting obstacles. All sin and fleshly behavior is peace disrupting. A person can still have peace with God in that they are saved from their sin. But with such pockets of resistance the peace of God can be lost. Thankfully it can be regained through confession and repentance.

Peace through prayer. The peace of God comes through prayer. In Paul’s letter to the Philippians he writes:

Philippians 4:6-7 - Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Here Paul is writing to believers and recognizing that it is possible for believers to be anxious or not be experiencing the peace of God. His solution is to in every situation pray and in faith be thankful to God and set your situation and requests before God. If we do this the result will be “and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” The peace offered through Christ goes beyond our understanding because it comes independent of our circumstances. Such peace comes from God and is a work of the Holy Spirit. All we need do is release and surrender our circumstances to the Lord. And as we do that God takes over and bathes us in His peace that surpasses, even defies human explanation. God’s peace transcends “all understanding.”

Peace through pure thoughts. God’s promise to His people is that if they focus on Him He will give us peace (Isaiah 26:3). A little further on in Philippians Paul adds:

Philippians 4:8-9 - 8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

Here Paul teaches us that right thinking is intertwined with the peace of God too. He also connects applying the things “you learned and received and heard and saw in me” to not only the peace of God but to “the God of peace” who is promised to “be with you” when in faith you do these things. When we take every thought and submit it to Jesus it clears the channels of communication between us and the Lord (2 Cor. 10:3-5). Wrong thoughts create spiritual static. Right thoughts lead to clear and crisp reception between us and the Lord. That leads to the peace of God.

In the second part of this study we will look at the parameters within which we can experience the peace of God. We will also look at the danger of having a false peace. Until then, apply in the Spirit what you’ve learned and let the peace of God rule you.

The Mindset for Marital Bliss

2012-03-09T10:20:00.002-05:00

In the battle over defining marriage those who are for same-sex marriage contend the state of marriage is so bad that broadening its definition to incorporate homosexual and lesbians can’t make it any worse. Such an accusation, to our shame, is not completely groundless. Marriage is in trouble.

Where have marriages gone wrong? What is at the root of the breakdown in marriage? There are a myriad of studies and articles, as well as books and blog spots on this topic. The basic rudimentary problem is that couples have gotten away from marriage as a particular Christian institution. Marriage can be blissful. But marriage is also a minefield of potential problems. Marriage will test a person’s resolve and reveal a person’s character. Marriage is not easy, without Jesus, without a deep, living, growing, abiding personal saving relationship with Jesus, marriage is near impossible. Why is that?

Not every successful or enduring marriage is Christian. But the qualities of Christ I will mention here are characteristic of successful marriages. I speak from the personal experience of 32 years of blissful marriage and 26 years as a pastor who has counseled many couples. Marriage is a creation of God (Gen. 2:24-25). A marriage fails to fulfill one of its greatest purposes if it is void of Christ. True marriage is Christian marriage. A marriage is one of God’s greatest tools to form Christ in people. God designed marriage to illustrate the relationship between Christ and the church (Eph. 5:21-33). Marriage is the means to form families. Families are living epistles of how Christ works in and through people. Families are the factories to generate new generations of disciples of Christ. Christ-centered marriages hold the fabric of society together. Because of this marriage is under attack; to destroy the God ordained purposes for marriage.

So just what is the mindset that leads to marital bliss? The mindset that leads to marital bliss is scriptural and Christlike. There are three premises or principles that a married couple needs for their marriage to function properly and be a blessing. And then a clear understanding of the role of the husband and wife is needed.

First, the mindset for marital bliss is mutually submissive. Ephesians 5:21 introduces the great marriage passage of the Bible and speaks of a couple submitting to one another. It states, "submitting to one another in the fear of God." The term "submitting" means, "to subject to, to make subject, and to be under obedience, to subordinate, to subdue, to submit, or be in subjection.” The grammar of the term implies an ongoing action of being submitted. The first attitude for a blissful marriage is subordinating your desires to that of your spouse. If you want a joyful marriage, put Jesus first, your other second, and yourself last. A husband and a wife can learn from each other. They strengthen each other. They are a team not competing adversaries.

What drives or motivates us to submit us to one another? "The fear of God" or our mutual respect and reverence for God. Our view of God is motivation for being mutually submitted to one another. Our attitude is to be looking to submit to one another. This should be our objective and aim. Marriages breakdown because partners have bought into the cockeyed carnal notion that they have to look out for number one, me. Instead we need to submit to God and then to each other. Do you believe God enough to submit to and trust Him? Do you trust Him enough to give up your “rights”? Pray about that and answer honestly. And then consider what the Bible says about your “rights.”

Second, the mindset for marital bliss knows it has no rights. 1 Corinthians 6:20 states, "For you were bought at a price therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's." If we have been bought by God, then we have no rights! This verse eliminates all defenses, all excuses, and all alternatives to God's will. If we have been bought, and bought by the precious blood of Jesus (1 Pet 1:18-19), then nothing, nothing God asks us to do is too much to ask. It is with this in mind that we should approach God's roles for husbands and wives.

Akin to this are Paul's inspired words, "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me" (Gal. 2:20). This is our objective for life and that would include marriage. If you are going to approach your marriage from a Christian perspective, from a spiritual perspective, these two verses should describe your attitude as husband and wife. So pause a moment and maybe write out those verses and prayerfully meditate on them. Do you really take them to heart? Do you take them seriously? Pray about it.

Third, the mindset for marital bliss is loving. 1 Corinthians 13:8a states, "Love never fails." This is not any kind of love. It is not secular self-centered, self-serving love. It is selfless, sacrificial Christlike agape love. This is God’s brand of love (cf. Rom. 5:8). The love that never fails comes from the Holy Spirit who indwells the genuinely saved (Rom. 5:5; 8:9-11; Gal. 5:22-24). This love is defined in 1 Cor. 13:4-7 where it is described as willing to suffer long, kind, wants the best for others, is humble, polite and discreet, selfless, patient and easy going, pure thinking, truthful, faithful, hopeful and enduring. This love is exemplified in Christ who gave Himself for us on the cross (2 Cor. 5:14ff.). This love is the identifying mark of disciples (John 13:35). This is love that counts the cost and pays up. This is love that sacrifices. This is love that gives up self for the sake of glorifying God by doing what is right and in accord with His word. This is love that is demonstrated and validated in obedience (John 14:15, 21). It's easy to claim we are loving. The proof of the reality of such love is obedience to the Lord and His word. Obedience even when it requires we subordinate our “needs.” That's the challenge that reveals the truth.

The wife's submission - "Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord" (Eph. 5:22). The wife is to submit or subordinate herself to her own husband (not men in general). This submission is illustrated in the subjection of the church to Jesus (Eph. 5:23-24). This is further defined as, "let the wife see that she respects her husband" (Eph. 5:33b). This is the greatest need for husbands. It is why Paul singles it out to wives. The heart cry of every husband is for the support and respect of his wife. When a wife removes her support and respect, or when a husband feels that she has, he becomes like a ship at sea with windless sails, dead in the water. Respect and support is the life giving air for the husband-body. It is the lifeblood of a healthy husband.

You as a wife may have numerous reasons to withhold your support and respect from your husband. You may claim to support and respect him in various ways (past and present). But the proof is in whether or not your husband actually feels that support. If he doesn't, then you need to find a way to rectify that. You need to support and respect him in an effective way, a way he feels that support. You need to go before the Lord and ask Him to show you how to do this. Ask Him for wisdom. This is your calling, your challenge. You can take incremental steps; maybe crawling that leads to baby steps and then longer strides. But this is your role in the marriage. As with the husband, this is a product of God's love in you. Love is a fruit of the Spirit. To the extent you love, you are filled with the Spirit. That love compels us (2 Cor. 5:14). It compels us and directs us in faith. Faith always involves risk. That can be scary. But God will guide you. He will never leave you nor forsake you (Heb. 13:5).

The Husband's submission - "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her" (Ephesians 5:25). As a husband you are directly and clearly called to love you wife. That love entails a giving yourself for her quality. When we accept Jesus as Savior we relinquish all rights. We have been bought at a price, we are no longer our own. If we are no longer our own, and we belong to God, and He commands us as husbands to give our lives for our wives in love, then we have no defense, no excuse, no rational or scriptural reason to act in a way that is less than selflessly loving. If we package this call to selfless loving in subordinating ourselves to our wives then we come to them asking, "Honey, how do you want me to love you?" Her wish (except for something that is sinful) then becomes our command. Isn't this what Jesus said to His followers? "And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son" (John 14:13). That is loving like Christ.

Husband, what is your bride asking you for? As a husband, as a servant leader in the home following in the footsteps of Jesus (Mark 10:45; 1 Peter 2:21; 1 John 2:6) listen to what she says. Then do everything in your power to meet those needs. That is our calling as husbands. Everything else in our lives will be affected by our answer to that call. Look at Jesus. What did He hold back? "He loved them to the end" (John 13:1).

If God entrusts a precious bride to us, and we fail or refuse to treat that bride as He instructs us to, no matter the cost, then how can He entrust anything else to us? Love your wife as Christ loved the church. Love her with your words. Love her with your work. Love her in serving her. Love her. Pray and ask the Lord to show you how to love your wife. But love her. Your marriage begins or ends dependent on your love.

While marriage vows are not found in the Bible, they do express a scripturally sound commitment. Those experiencing marital difficulties should review their vows made in the sight of God. They should prayerfully ask the Lord to minister to them in their situation in light of those vows. Do you remember your wedding day vows? Maybe they went something like this:

In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, I, ______, take you _______to be my wife/husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until we are parted by death. This is my solemn vow.

It only takes a moment to utter such words. It takes a lifetime to fully understand their profound significance. Only a fool makes empty vows before God (Ecclesiastes 5:1-7). The pathway to marital bliss is to take God’s word to heart and in the power the Spirit provides, pay your vow to God and to each other. That is the mindset for marital bliss.

What is Agape Love - Part 2

2012-03-08T08:28:00.001-05:00

What is love? It is silence--when your words would hurt. It is patience--when your neighbor's curt. It is deafness--when a scandal flows. It is thoughtfulness--for other's woes. It is promptness--when stern duty calls. It is courage--when misfortune falls.

We’ve spoke in great detail about what love is. But we miss the substance of this description of the more excellent way of love if we fail to realize that this is a picture of Jesus. If we insert the name of Jesus in the place of the word love in these verses, we have a beautiful picture of Jesus. What happens if we try and insert our names in the place of love in this passage? Your answer to that question will go a long way in determining your spiritual maturity. God is love (1 John 4:8). Jesus is God (John 1:1-3, 14; 8:58; 10:30; 14:9). Jesus is love, agape love.

Paul then states, “Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.” If you want what you do for the Lord to be empowered and overcoming, do it in love. If you want what you do for the Lord to endure, do it in love. Love never fails. Think about that. Prophecies fail, tongues will stop and knowledge will disappear, but love and that which is done in love, will endure powerfully. Love overcomes the hard heart that loveless prophecies alone failed to move. Love reaches the throne of God in prayer where loveless tongues failed to break through the clouds of heaven. Love has staying power on the listener where loveless regurgitation of knowledge goes in one ear and out the other vanishing away. That is the anointing of God that is on whatever is done in agape love. That is agape love.

By now only the hardest heart would not be moved by God’s agape love. We need more of this kind of love. But this is not something we can drum up on our own. Agape love is something God must pour into our hearts. He will do that if we invite Him to do so. But first we must turn from our sin, repent, and ask His forgiveness. We must do this through faith in Christ. Jesus alone is our atoning sacrifice. He died on the cross to pay our penalty and sin debt. Salvation from our sins is a gift of God’s grace to be received by faith. When we do that, God then gives us spiritual life by the Holy Spirit who indwells us. Then we embark on a life of holiness worked in us by the Holy Spirit. He conforms us to the likeness of Jesus who “is love.” This is a fantastic prospect and promise. In fact scripture states, “Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Romans 5:5). Agape love is a gift of God, received through faith in Christ, worked in and trough us by the Holy Spirit. Receive it now. Live it forever.

What is Agape Love? - Part 1

2012-03-07T07:34:00.002-05:00

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 - 4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.

What is love? That is one of the greatest questions. And the answer is given in these verses. Let’s examine these verses. The term “love” is translated from the Greek term agape (ἀγάπη agapē, ag-ah´-pay) which means, “love, i.e. affection or benevolence.” This is a word used to refer to the “love feast” of the early church and is often translated, “charity, dear, love.” It is in particular the brand of love associated with God (John 3:16; Rom. 5:5, 8). That is why we aren’t merely asking “What is love?” but “What is Agape Love?”

Paul defines what agape love is and does as well as what love is not. He defines love from every direction here which is why this is such a valuable passage in defining love. So just what is agape love?

First, love suffers long (13:4a). “Suffer long” comes from the Greek term makrothumeo (μακροθυμέω - makrŏthumĕō, mak-roth-oo-meh´-o) which means, “to be long-spirited, forbearing or patient; longsuffering, patiently endure.” Love has staying power. Love keeps at its objective even though suffering and difficulty may be involved. Love is like the Father waiting for the prodigal to return home (Luke 15:11-32). Paul is a good example of this because his compelling love in ministry moved and motivated him to continue on in the face of constant adversity (2 Corinthians 6:2-10).

Second, love is kind (13:4b). The word “kind” comes from the Greek term chresteuomai (χρηστευομαι - chrēstĕuŏmai, khraste-yoo´-om-ahee) which means, “to show oneself useful, i.e. act benevolently; be kind.” Love is an action. A loving person does not sit by and feel sorry for themselves or others, but a loving person takes loving action to help and act benevolently toward those around them. God demonstrated His love toward us in that while we were sinners He sent Jesus to die for us and redeem us (Romans 5:8). We ought to do the same in His love (Proverbs 19:22; Luke 6:35; Romans 12:10; Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:12-13).

Third, love does not envy (13:4c). Envy is to covet what another person has (ζηλόω - zēlŏō, dzay-lŏ´-o or ζηλεύω zēlĕuō dzay-loo´-o). A loving person will rejoice and be glad for the blessings of God bestowed on others. Carnal Corinthian Christians are envious and jealous, and therefore unloving (1 Corinthians 3:3). Envy is a trait of the sinful fleshly nature (Galatians 5:21). Love is not self-centered. Love does not see everything and everyone in terms of what “I” have or do not have. Love doesn’t get caught up in keeping up with the Joneses. Love is the fruitful produce of the Holy Spirit working in a person (Galatians 5:22).

Fourth, love does not parade itself (13:4d). The idea of the phrase, “parade itself” (περπερεύομαι - pĕrpĕrĕuŏmai, per-per-yoo´-om-ahee) is to be a “braggart; to boast; vaunt itself.” It is to make yourself the center of attention. Love is not proud. It doesn’t seek the spotlight. The loving person is a good listener who does not feel they have to be the center of attention in a group or a conversation. Pride leads to a host of problems in life and therefore pride should be overcome by way of God’s love (Proverbs 13:10; 16:18).

Fifth, love is not puffed up (13:4e). A loving person is not filled with hot air. The phrase “puffed up” comes from the Greek term phusioo (φυσιόω phusiŏō, foo-see-ŏ´-o) which means literally, “blowing; to inflate.” In a figurative sense it means, “make proud, haughty, puff up.” Love is discreet, humble and genuine. The puffed up person is the person who presents themselves as something more than they actually are. Jesus denounced hypocrisy (Matthew 23:23). Love leads us to be genuine and real before God and people (Romans 12:9).

Sixth, love does not behave rudely (13:5a). The loving person is a polite person who respects others and does not march around uncaringly like a bull in a china shop. To be “rude” (ἀσχημονέω - aschēmŏnĕō, as-kay-mon-eh´-o) is to be (i.e. act) unbecoming; behave self uncomely (unseemly).” Love esteems others as better than themselves (Philippians 2:3).

Seventh, love does not seek its own (13:5b). The loving person is not out for themselves. The loving person seeks the best for others. Love is diametrically opposed to carnality which is rooted in serving self. Jesus gave Himself on the cross so we could be reconciled to God (2 Corinthians 5:14-21; 8:9).

Eighth, love is not provoked (13:5c). “Provoked” comes from the Greek term paroxuno (παροξύνω - parŏxunō, par-ox-oo´-no) and means, “to sharpen alongside.” It means to always be on edge. It’s like a person looking for a fight with anyone and everyone who might tread on their turf or rights. Remember a loving person is “long suffering” and therefore is not easily provoked but easy going and able to laugh off or not take offense easily at offenses. The loving person overcomes evil and their enemies with love (Luke 6:35; Romans 12:21).

Ninth, love thinks no evil (13:5d). “Evil” (κακός - kakŏs, kak-os´) means, “worthless; depraved, injurious; bad, evil, harm, ill, noisome, wicked.” Evil means rotten. Rotten things are not on the mind of the loving person. A loving person does not look at those around them with a look that is accusatory of evil. A loving person does not see evil in others or think the worst of people. Love thinks on holy things (Philippians 4:8-9).

Tenth, love does not rejoice in iniquity (13:6a). Love is not happy when injustices occur, even to their enemies (“iniquity” – ἀδικία - adikia, ad-ee-kee´-ah) is a word used to describe “injustice; wrongfulness of character, life or act; unrighteousness, and wrong.” A loving person is grieved over injustice, even when it happens to an enemy (Proverbs 24:17; Matthew 5:44). Fools overlook sin but the one who loves takes its consequences seriously (Proverbs 14:9).

In this first part of answering the question What is Agape Love? We have seen what love is not. In the second part of this study we will see what love is. We have seen the negative. Now we will turn to the positive. Until we do, make sure to love with agape love.

Above All Put On Love

2012-03-05T08:13:00.003-05:00

Colossians 3:14 - 14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.

“But above all these things,” Paul says. What things? Your world view (3:1-4), putting to death worldly ways in your life (3:5-9), and putting on the attributes of the new man in Christ such as renewing knowledge of Jesus, impartiality, tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering and forgiveness. There is something that transcends all of these because in reality this one thing incorporates all of the above. That thing is love.

This “love” (ἀγάπη - agapē, ag-ah´-pay) is not a measured affection but literally a love feast, an overflowing lavishing of love on others. It’s interesting that the Greek word agape was not a commonly used word in the secular world. It took Christ to define such love. In Christ God lavished His love on us. Christians are to communicate that love to others. Christians love God supremely because of His love for us. Christians love others sacrificially in obedience to prove our love (John 14:15, 21). Christians love sacrificially as a love offering to the One who loves us so much. He loved so we love (1 John 4:7-12).

Not only is the love lavishing, it is an overcoming love. It is not a love like the world knows. It doesn’t only love those that reciprocate in love. It goes beyond that, it overcomes to love even our enemies. It loves the unlovable (e.g. Luke 6:32-35). That is what God did for us. He loved us while we were still sinners (Rom. 5:8). This is a full rich kind of love and because it comes from God it is a love that “never fails” (1 Cor. 13:4-8a).

The love of God is incredible. It is powerful. It is what distinguishes the Christian from every other person, (or at least it should.) A case can be made that a loveless Christian is no Christian at all (cf. 1 John 3:14-16). Love is the fruit of the Spirit, the evidence of spiritual life (Gal. 5:22-25). If you call yourself a Christian, do you love? Do you love with an agape kind of love? Do you lavish God’s love on others or do you limit its dispersal like the world does?

Love is the “bond of perfection.” The word “bond” (σύνδεσμος - sundĕsmŏs, soon´-des-mos) refers to a ligament, a joint tie, a fastener, or that which ties together. Love is the bond, the glue, that holds us together. Like the cross members that hold a ship together, or like the links in a strong chain, love makes a sturdy relational structure.

How do we define such love? In Jesus selfless sacrificing longsuffering giving of Himself on the cross we see the extent and quality of this love that binds together. It is by viewing His love for us that we are inspired and compelled to love in the same way (2 Cor. 5:14ff.). It is through the indwelling Holy Spirit that we receive such love (Rom. 5:5).

Someone has said, “It is natural to love those who love us. It is supernatural to love those who hate us.” That is why love is the glue and bond of perfection. The love of Christ moves us to go beyond what would normally be expected. We need love to hold us together. We are so weak. But the love of Christ is so strong.

For instance, the following piece by an unknown author illustrates love:

What is love?
It is silence--when your words would hurt.
It is patience--when your neighbor's curt.
It is deafness--when a scandal flows.
It is thoughtfulness--for other's woes.
It is promptness--when stern duty calls.
It is courage--when misfortune falls.

You can see how such love will guard relationships and hold them together. Sometimes we need to be silent instead of addressing an issue with someone. They may not be ready to hear. Sometimes God would have us trust Him silently and let Him do the talking. Patience is required to bear the hurts of others. It’s not a bad idea to shut out scandalous tidbits of information. It’s always good to be mindful of other’s needs. A servant is prompt when the Lord calls us to a task. There are times when courage is required to take steps of faith or stand still in faith. All of it is an expression of agape love.

Often I have couples come to me for counseling. Inevitably the root issue is one of love or a lack thereof. There are always different situations with differing details. But the bottom line always comes down to love. Too often the problem stems from one or both of the partners being more concerned about who is right and winning an argument than they are about genuinely loving each other with an agape love.

Husbands, you are called by God to love your wives with an agape love. That means lavishing love on them. That means sacrificing to love them; sacrificing your rights and pride. That means serving in love. That means loving through pain and hurt. And wives, you are called to submit to your own husband in love. Without the love of the Spirit to empower you that won’t happen (Eph. 5:21-33). The question remains for each husband and wife, “Will you count the cost? Will you go to the cross for your mate? For Jesus? Will you deny yourself and walk in the love of the Spirit?”

Both husbands and wives need to put on love in their marriages. And parents and children need to put on love in their relationships. And brothers and sisters in Christ need to put on love in the church. Wherever we are and in all that we do, we need to put on God’s love (e.g. Eph. 6:1-9).

The call to love like Jesus is not an easy calling to answer. In fact it can be one of the most difficult if not the most difficult things the Christian does. That is why we need to rely on the Holy Spirit to provide us that love and empower us to love (Rom. 8:26a). No matter how difficult loving others is, it is always worth it. And God is able to cause every circumstance to work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). That is God’s promise. That is God’s purpose; to love. God is faithful. He will do what He promises to do. Trust Him. Love.

When we trust God and put on this love, it becomes for us the bond of “perfection” (τελειότης - tĕlĕiŏtēs, tel-i-ot´-ace) or perfectness, completeness, maturation. It is through love that we realize our purpose as Christ’s disciples. Love is what distinguishes a follower of Jesus, a disciple of Jesus (John 13:34-35). As we follow in the steps of Jesus and love we find it is often a very difficult road. But with the power of the Spirit, like Jesus, we love to the end (John 13:1). And in the end, like Jesus, we will come through victorious. Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. And empowered by the love of the Spirit we can be more than conquerors (Romans 8:37-39). That is a glorious thing to experience. That is an enriching edifying way to live. Those who live to love like Jesus are His instruments to bring glory to His name. Above all put on love.

Apply Jesus' Name in Everything

2012-03-01T06:47:00.002-05:00

Colossians 3:17 - 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

In these words Paul gives us a truth to be applied in, “whatever you do in word or deed.” Whatever you say and whatever you do, this is how to do it according to the inspired words of Paul. And how are we to say and do things? We are to govern what we say and what we do according to, “do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”

What does it mean to say and do “all in the name of the Lord Jesus”? In scripture we see the name of someone associated with the nature of that person. When Jacob wrestled with the Lord and submitted to His Lordship in his life, God gave him a new name. He went from Jacob the heal catcher to Israel governed by God. Names hold definitive purpose in scripture. God Himself reveals His nature through the various names He gives in scripture.

There are approximately 117 names in the Bible used to refer to Jesus. In the Old Testament some of the names Jesus is referred to are: The Seed of the woman (Gen. 3:15); “the Angel of the LORD” (Gen. 16:9-14; Judges 6:11-14); The Captain of the LORD’s Army (Joshua 5:4); the “Anointed” (Psalm 2:2); Child, Son, Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6); Commander (Isaiah 55:4); Righteousness (Jeremiah 23:6; 33:16); Desire of nations (Haggai 2:7); the Branch (Zechariah 3:8); and Messiah (Daniel 9:25).

In the New Testament Jesus is referred to as: our Advocate (1 John 2:1); Almighty, Alpha and Omega (Rev. 1:8; 21:6), the Amen (Rev. 3:14); the Author and Finisher of our faith (Heb. 12:2); The Bread of Life (John 6:35); the Bridegroom (Matthew 9:15); Bright and Morning Star (Rev. 22:16); The Chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5:4); Christ (Matthew 1:16; 2:4); Cornerstone (Eph. 2:20); Deliverer (Romans 11:26); the Door (John 10:7, 9); Emmanuel – God with us (Matthew 1:23); the Express Image of God (Hebrews 1:3); the Friend of sinners (Matthew 11:19); the Gift of God (2 Cor. 9:15); The Good Shepherd (John 10:11, 14); The Great Shepherd (Hebrews 13:20); Head of the Church (Col. 1:18); Heir of all things (Hebrews 1:2); High Priest (Hebrews 3:1; 7:1); Holy One of God (Mark 1:24); Jesus (Matthew 1:21); King of Israel (Matthew 27:42; John 1:49); Lamb of God (John 1:29, 36); Light of the World (John 9:5); Lord of lords (Rev. 19:16); Master (Mat. 8:19); Mediator (1 Tim. 2:5); our Passover (1 Cor. 5:7); Physician (Matthew 9:12); Potentate (1 Tim. 6:15); Power of God (1 Cor. 1:24); Prince (Acts 3:15; 5:31); Propitiation (1 John 2:2; 4:10); Ransom (1 Tim. 2:6); Resurrection and life (John 11:25); Sacrifice (Eph. 5:2); Savior (Luke 1:47; 2:11); Servant (Mark 10:45; cf. also Isaiah 42:1; 49:5-7); Son of God (Luke 1:35; Matthew 16:16); Son of Man (Matthew 18:11); Stone (Matthew 21:42; Mark 12:10; Acts 4:11; Romans 9:32-33; Eph. 2:20; 1 Peter 2:6-7); Teacher (Matthew 26:18; John 3:2); True Vine (John 15:1); the Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14:6); and the Word (John 1:1; Rev. 19:13).

A name defines who the named is. We learn various aspects of a person by how they are referred to. Therefore we learn about Jesus from how He chooses to name Himself. But what does it mean to say and do everything “in the name of the Lord Jesus”?

We see in the Bible that the followers of Jesus took on His name (Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16). To be called a “Christian” meant you identified yourself with Jesus as well as lived in service of Jesus. Paul is defining what it means to be a Christian when he tells the Colossians to say and do all that they do in the name of Jesus. This means primarily four things.

First, to talk and walk in the name of Jesus means to live holy and Christlike. It means whatever we say or do should be in line with, in agreement with that represented by the name of Jesus. When we think of the name of Jesus, when we think of Jesus, we think of love, sacrifice, redemption, servanthood, humility, and a host of other holy attributes. To say and do everything in the name of Jesus means to walk as He walked, follow in His steps, and be Christ’s representatives in all we do.

Second, to talk and walk in the name of Jesus means to rely on Jesus’ authority. When you sign a check you authorize the bank to pay out a certain amount of money from your account. Authority can be transferred to another. Pharaoh delegated his authority over Egypt to Joseph by giving him his authoritative signet ring (Gen. 41:38-42). Similarly, Jesus gives us the authority found in His name. He said if we pray for anything in His name we would receive it (John 14:13-14; 15:16; 16:23-26). This of course presupposes we seek for things in a holy Christlike way as mentioned above. There is power in the name of Jesus (Mark 9:39; 16:17).

Third, to talk and walk in the name of Jesus means to abide in His presence. Jesus said where two or three gather in His name, He would be there (Matthew 18:20). When we talk or walk in the name of Jesus we do so in His presence. Jesus spoke about receiving little ones in His name and that to do so was “to receive Me” Matthew 18:5; Mark 9:37, 39; Luke 9:48). To talk and walk in Jesus’s name means all service for Jesus should be done in the presence of Jesus.

Fourth, to talk and walk in the name of Jesus means to live thankfully. Paul states, “giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” Jesus instructed His disciples to pray to “our Father in heaven” (Mathew 6:9). And as we have seen in the above second point Jesus instructed us to pray in His name. Paul says we are to give thanks to God the Father through Jesus. We are to thank God the Father for His Son, salvation and eternal life that comes as a gift of His grace through faith in Jesus His Son. We are to ever be thankful for all God has done for us in Christ. We witness, serve, forgive, and grow in our relationship with God all through Christ and with a thankful heart for this gracious provision of God in Christ. In other words, we don’t live out the Christian life by a sense of duty; we live the Christian life out of a sense of thanksgiving. Our Christian life should be our love offering to the Lord. We are to live with thankful hearts toward God.

Warren Wiersbe writes: “All that we say and do should be associated with the name of Jesus Christ. By our words and our works, we should glorify His name. If we permit anything into our lives that cannot be associated with the name of Jesus, then we are sinning. We must do and say everything on the authority of His name and for the honor of His name.” Apply Jesus name in all you say and do.

Islamic Infiltration - Bridgette Gabriel

2012-02-28T10:40:00.001-05:00

Boycott The Home Depot

2012-02-25T08:22:00.001-05:00

Allow God’s Word to Dwell Richly in You!

2012-02-23T10:40:00.002-05:00

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. – Colossians 3:16

What dwells in you? What do you fill up on? What do you put into your mind and heart? In our culture the focus is on what we physically consume and put in our bodies. That affects physical longevity. But there is something more important than that. What you put in your mind and heart affects your eternity. If you feed your mind and heart with unholy, purely secular, worldly junk food you’ll be run down spiritually and clogged with sludge. If you feed your mind and heart with “the word of Christ” you’ll be fruitful and spiritually healthy.

The Apostle Paul exhorts us to fill up on “the word of Christ.” This is the Bible which is the word of Christ in that “in the volume of the book it is written of Me” (Heb. 10:7; Psalm 40:7). Jesus is the central theme of scripture. Jesus is central and preeminent (Col. 1:15-20). Therefore it is logical and expected that Paul should refer to God’s word this way and then exhort us to “Let the word of Christ dwell in you . . .”

Eternal life is all about knowing Jesus (John 17:3). Jesus reveals Himself to us in scripture. That is why it is so important for us to take in the word of God. A.W. Tozer spoke of this when he wrote:

"Let us seek to know Him in the Word. It is in the Word we will find the Holy Spirit. Don't read too many other things. Some of you will say, "Look who's talking!" Well, go ahead and say it, I don't mind; but I am reading fewer and fewer things as I get older, not because I'm losing interest in this great, big, old suffering world, but because I'm gaining interest in that other world above. So I say, don't try to know everything. You can't. Find Him in the Word, for the Holy Ghost wrote this book. He inspired it, and He will be revealed in its pages."

The word of God is living in that it is not some archaic irrelevant book that has nothing to say to contemporary society and its people. Far from it! The word of God is always pertinent (Heb. 4:12). It is the “Holy Bible.” “Holy” means unique. There is no other book like the Bible. It transcends history and serves as a timeless source of wisdom for the ages.

What does it mean for something to “dwell in you”? “Dwell in you,” a translation of one Greek term, means to inhabit, or dwell in. The grammar of this verb gives the sense of a continuous action that we practice and that is absolutely necessary. Therefore we could translate Paul’s words it is absolutely essential that you always take action to have the word of Christ dwell in you.

We are to always actively seek to have the word of Christ dwell in us “richly” or copiously, abundantly, richly. It’s as though we are to spare no expense and make every effort to see that the word of Christ is overflowing inside us. When was the last time you spared no expense or made it a priority to feed on God’s word?

Why is this so important? Because the word of Christ is God’s Holy Book. An unknown writer has described The Bible – God’s Holy Book in the following way:

This Book contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and it’s decisions immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveler’s map, the pilgrim’s staff, the pilot’s compass, the soldier’s sword, and the Christian’s charter. Christ is its subject, our good it’s design, and the glory of God its end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently and prayerfully. It is given to you in life, will be open in the judgment, and be remembered forever. It involves the highest responsibility, rewards the greatest labor, and condemns all who trifle with its holy precepts.”

We are to have the word of Christ dwell in us richly “in all wisdom.” The word wisdom means skill. If knowledge is the accumulation of facts, then wisdom is the ability to apply facts to solve problems. Therefore, we are to be skilled in applying God’s word to life and its many situations. We are to be diligent in studying God’s word in or that we can use it skillfully in life (2 Tim 2:15).

Paul says “teaching,” we are to teach the word of Christ. John Wesley spoke of his process of letting the word of Christ dwell in him and then from that he taught. He stated:

To candid, reasonable men, I am not afraid to lay open what have been the inmost thoughts of my heart. I have thought, I am a creature of a day, passing through life as an arrow through the air. I am a spirit come from God, and returning to God: Just hovering over the great gulf; till, a few moments hence, I am no more seen; I drop into an unchangeable eternity! I want to know one thing, — the way to heaven; how to land safe on that happy shore. God himself has condescended to teach the way: For this very end he came from heaven. He hath written it down in a book. O give me that book! At any price, give me the book of God! I have it: Here is knowledge enough for me. Let me be homo unius libri. [i.e. A man of one Book]. Here then I am, far from the busy ways of men. I sit down alone: Only God is here. In his presence I open, I read his book; for this end, to find the way to heaven. Is there a doubt concerning the meaning of what I read? Does anything appear dark or intricate? I lift up my heart to the Father of Lights: — "Lord, is it not thy word, ’If any man lack wisdom, let him ask of God?’ Thou ’givest liberally, and upbraidest not.’ Thou hast said; ’If any be willing to do thy will, he shall know.’ I am willing to do, let me know, thy will." I then search after and consider parallel passages of Scripture, "comparing spiritual things with spiritual." I meditate thereon with all the attention and earnestness of which my mind is capable. If any doubt still remains, I consult those who are experienced in the things of God; and then the writings whereby, being dead, they yet speak. And what I thus learn, that I teach.

The teaching of God’s word should flow out of personal contact with God through His word. Teaching the Bible is not a mere academic task. It is valuable to have an understanding of the original languages, theology, doctrine, but unless those things are applied personally and anointed by Holy Spirit empowerment, they are worthless.

Some seminaries are referred to in a derogatory sense as cemeteries. This is because there are Spiritless professors whose focus is on the letter rather than the Spirit behind God’s letters of His word. They lack a reverence for God’s word. They hack it up with pompous opinionated critiques. They put themselves in a place of judgment over God’s word. And because God’s word is God’s means of salvation and sanctification their desecration of it prevents them and their students from experiencing either (e.g. 1 Peter 1:22-25; 2:1-3; 2 Pet. 2). God’s word is settled in heaven, it lights our way, it is truth (Ps. 119:89, 105, 160; John 17:17). We have no right to change it; we forfeit our distinctiveness as Christians when we do (Deut. 4:1-8; Rev. 22:18-19).

Those who abuse God’s word inevitably become the white-washed tombs full of dead men’s bones Jesus referred to (Matthew 23:27). These professors work hard at removing or discounting any true spiritual substance from God’s word. They look at the things of the Spirit miracles and anything supernatural with jaundiced eyes. They disregard the finger of God. They are unteachable skeptics who feel it their calling to “educate” away any spiritual life they see in students. They are like the hypocritical religious leaders of Jesus day who, “travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves” (Mat. 23:15). There are Spirit-filled seminaries and seminary teachers. Such teachers are to be sought ought and appreciated. But there are others who sap the spiritual life of students and those should be set aside until they repent.

Paul spoke of “admonishing one another” with the word of Christ.” “Admonishing” means to caution, to gently reprove, to put in mind of, to caution or instruct. We are to live by the word and seek to be used by the Lord to help others do the same. We are to be able to find counsel for our life situations as well as counsel others in their life situations from the word of Christ.

C.H. Spurgeon spoke of the way we should approach and handle the word of God stating:

"How are we to handle this sword of 'It is written'? First, with deepest reverence. Let every word that God has spoken be law and gospel to you. Never trifle with it; never try to evade its force or change its meaning. God speaks to you in this book as much as if he came to the top of Sinai and lifted up his voice with thunder.

I like to open the Bible and pray, 'Lord God, let the words leap off the page into my soul; make them vivid, powerful, and fresh to my heart.'"

Our Lord Himself felt the power of the Word. It was not so much the devil who felt the power of 'It is written" as Christ Himself. The manhood of Christ felt an awe of the Word of God, and so the Word became a power to Christ. To trifle with Scripture is to deprive yourself of its aid. Reverence it, and look up to God with devout gratitude for having given it to you.

Interestingly, Paul speaks of admonishing or gently instructing “one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Worship is a means God uses to instruct us in the word of Christ. Worship ceases to be worship when its focus gets off of Christ and His word.

“Psalms” are songs of praise, a sacred ode, and refer to song arrangements involving instruments and voices. “Hymns” are songs of celebration. Hymns may refer to Biblical Psalms. “Spiritual” means non-carnal, supernatural, eternal oriented, spiritual as opposed to secular. “Songs” means singing. The idea in all of these words is the edifying instruction of God’s word through music and singing.

Paul referring to “psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs” in the context of exhorting the reader to “let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another” tells us that worship is to be scriptural. That means the songs we sing in worship are to be in agreement with scripture and include God’s word. Instrumentals in worship are nice, but they do not communicate words and therefore are outside of what Paul is speaking of here. And the songs we sing in worship are to be tools God uses to instruct those singing. The songs we sing are to be doctrinally sound so that they teach us the truth of the word of Christ.

What dwells in you, images of secular TV? Word pictures of impure worldly literature? The word of God is pure (Ps. 119:140). If you take it in it will clean you out (Eph. 5:26). The word of God will revive you (Psalm 119:25). The word of God will show you who you really are (James 1:23-25). The word of God is the scalpel God uses to perform spiritual surgery (Heb. 4:12). But the greatest thing about God’s word is that it is the word of Christ. Jesus is the word made flesh (John 1:14). Let that word of Christ dwell in you richly. You won’t regret it.

Known to God from Eternity are all His works – Acts 15:18

2012-02-13T10:14:00.002-05:00

Nothing surprises God. An attribute that makes God, God, and which separates Him from us is His foreknowledge. God is not limited by time. He knows what is going to happen before it happens. When and if you get to heaven God is not going to be surprised you made it or didn’t make it. He knows. God has a plan for the world, for Israel, for the church and for each of us individually.

It is God’s plan for the world that everyone be saved. Peter is inspired to write, “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). God loves the world and sent His only Son Jesus to make a way for the world to be saved. Salvation comes through faith in Jesus and His redemptive work on the cross (John 3:16). God made it as simple as possible for people to be saved. He provided one way for salvation, Jesus (John 14:6; Acts 4:10, 12). It grieves God terribly when people are not saved (Ezek. 18:32; 33:11). Hell and eternal separation from God was never God’s intention. Hell was prepared for the devil and His demons, not for people (Mat. 25:41). But if people persist in their sin and reject God’s salvation He will sentence them to eternity in hell (Eph. 5:3-7; Col. 3:5-6; Rev. 20:11-15). Sin is like cancer; it is never benign; it is always malignant. Therefore God will not allow sin into heaven (Rev. 21:27). That too is part of God’s plan. God has a plan for the world, salvation not hell.

God has a plan for Israel. He says, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” All Israel has to do is, “. . . call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.” His promise is, “And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart” (Jer. 29:11-13). At the time of these inspired words God’s people were in captivity. These were words of hope in a time of great despair and disappointment. His promise to Israel was, “I will be found by you, says the LORD, and I will bring you back from your captivity; I will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, says the LORD, and I will bring you to the place from which I cause you to be carried away captive” (Jer. 29:14). God was faithful to do this the first time. On May 14, 1948 He did it a second time with the creation of the establishment of the nation of Israel. He did all of this because God has a plan for Israel. He has a plan and purpose for Israel known to Him from eternity. God isn’t finished with Israel yet (cf. Romans 11).

God has a plan for the church. The context of Acts 15:18 is the Jerusalem Council where the church was discussing the transition from legalism to grace, from Old Testament to New Testament, from Israel to the Church. In the beginning the church consisted mostly of Jews who accepted Jesus as the promised prophesied Messiah. But in Acts 10 the conversion of the Gentile Cornelius and his household created a question as to what if any Jewish laws were to be kept by newly converted Gentiles? Some were saying that unless Gentile converts were circumcised they could not be saved (Acts 15:1). They were attaching a work to the Gospel of salvation by grace through faith in Christ. This led to a great and pivotal discussion for the church. It was decided that it would be wrong and outside the will of God to put “a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear” (Acts 15:10). Instead it was asserted that “we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved . . . .” (Acts 15:11).

None of this surprised God. In fact He spoke to Peter three times in a vision telling him that what God was cleaning up should not be called unclean (Acts 10). A letter was drafted with the stipulations that Gentile converts should merely “abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from things strangled, and from blood” (Acts 15:20). This was all God’s plan for the church.

The church is where we learn of the riches we have in Christ (Eph. 1). The church is the instrument to bring salvation to a lost world (Eph. 2:1-9). The church was to be the place where Jews and non-Jews, everyone, could be united in Christ (cf. Eph. 2:11ff.). The church is where we learn of the love of God and how He is eager, willing and able to do “exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us” to His glory (Eph. 3:13-21).The church is the place where people are equipped to serve the LORD and bring Him glory (Eph. 4:11-12). The church is a light in a dark world (Eph. 5). The church is where God helps us put our spiritual armor on (Eph. 6:10-17). The church is where we learn to pray (Eph. 6:18ff.).

But God also has an individual plan for each of us. We are God’s poetry. We are His work of art. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Eph. 2:10). Each Christian is a letter from God to a lost world (2 Cor. 3:2-3). God’s plan for you is to make you like Jesus (Rom. 8:29). When we realize that it helps us understand why we experience some of the things that we do.

We shy away from and try to avoid at all costs anything that causes discomfort. That is our temporal earthly mindset. But God looks at us and ministers to us from an eternal heavenly perspective. The most important thing for us from God’s point of view is that our faith be established and proven genuine (1 Peter 1:6-7). It is in and through trials that we gain the greatest insight into Jesus and who He is and what He is all about (1 Peter 1:8-9). God’s plan for us is to know Him, to know Jesus; that is eternal life (John 17:3). His plan is not only that we know Him through the power of His resurrection, but that we know Him also through the fellowship of His sufferings (Phil. 3:10; cf. also Phil. 2:1-16).

Yes, God has a plan for us. At times that plan will involve discipline and even pain in order to bring us “out to rich fulfillment” (Psalm 66:10-12). Because God loves us He disciplines us (Heb. 12:3-15). God uses everything for good in the lives of those who love Him (Rom. 8:28). Don’t ever forget that. God is for us (Rom. 8:31-32). He wants what is best for us. “Known to God from eternity are all His works.” The world, Israel, the church and we are His works. No matter what, trust Him. He knows what He is doing.

Would You Consider?

2012-02-08T18:41:00.000-05:00

Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. - 1 Corinthians 4:1

Dear Friends,

This blog is a ministry. From time to time it is good to assess ministry in order to be a good steward of the time and effort involved in its upkeep and to determine the leading of the Lord.

In order to gauge the direction in which the Lord is leading would you consider joining the membership of the Shepherd of Hope blog site?

Would you consider inviting others to become members of this site? This will enable me to determine the direction in which the Lord is leading.

Joining the blog site will give you an automatic notice when a new teaching or other material is posted. It will also help gauge the audience which the site is reaching. This will give a better indication about what materials are most appropriate to minister to those interested in the site. It will also help in considering how to broaden the ministry field.

To join the blog just click the button on the right side of the blog site and follow the instructions. It's very easy.

I would also welcome your comments and suggestions about how to better the site and make it more helpful and God glorifying.

If you choose not to join the blogsite, would you please give the reason for your decision.

Even if you choose to disregard this request, would you also consider praying for this ministry venture in faith?

You are appreciated and I pray the Lord directs you to join me in this ministry. God bless.

in His service, by His grace, for His glory,

Pastor Claude

Life is a Vapor (Psalm 39)

2012-02-08T08:57:00.002-05:00

Jesus stated that we are supposed to live by every word of God (Deut. 8:3; Mat. 4:4; Luke 4:4) But Jesus also said we will be judged for our every word (Mat. 12:33-37; cf. also Mat. 15:18-19; Mark 7:20; James 3:6). What we say over a lifetime is important. God is keeping track. We will be held accountable.

This is why the Psalmist in Psalm 39 says, “ I will guard my ways, lest I sin with my tongue” (39:1a). In the New Testament we are told that if we can master our tongue it is a measure of Christian perfection (James 3:2-12). It’s wise to guard our words. And this is especially the case “while the wicked are before me” (39:1b) because to speak haphazardly around the wicked only leads to further sin.

Therefore the psalmist kept silent and held his peace. It wasn’t easy. It seems maybe the psalmist got a little obstinate and “held my peace even from good” (39:2a). Maybe he thought, okay, if I have to hold my tongue to be righteous, if I’m going to be held accountable for my words, then I just won’t speak at all! In other words, he gave God and everyone else the silent treatment. Not good. This only led to sorrow; His “sorrow was stirred up” and his “heart was hot within me.” It led to frustration. As he contemplated his situation in silence “the fire burned” within him (39:2b-3). Why? Because to be silent and control your tongue is a way of surrendering to the Lord.

To be silent is to relinquish control. It is to trust God with your situation. It is to entrust yourself to God and let Him be your defender. The flesh within, who wants to rule and attack offenders, burns and bristles at the thought of being silently trustful of the LORD.

We need to ask the Lord to help us put things in perspective. That is what the psalmist did. “LORD, make me know my end . . . what is the measure of my days, that I may know how frail I am” (39:4). God in His Sovereign Creatorship, “Indeed, You have made my days as handbreadths, and my age is as nothing before You; certainly every man at his best state is but vapor. Selah.” (39:5). God is in control. We are a “vapor” before Him. We are a puff of smoke, transitory. We are like a shadow. Our accumulated wealth doesn’t follow us into the grave (39:6). There are no U-Haul trailers on hearses.

The antidote to our sinful nature is to keep silent and surrender to the Lord. The answer to our questions, “what do I wait for?” The solution to our sin problem; our transience is, “My hope is in You” (39:7). He alone can deliver us from our transgressions (39:8). We keep our silence trusting in Him (39:9). God alone can remove the death plague of sin from us (39:10). God alone is in a position to correct us (39:11). What we need to do is pray to the LORD; sincerely’ even with tears, pray to the LORD (39:12). We need to throw ourselves on the mercy of God. He has the power of life and death (39:13).

What do we learn from this psalm?

We learn life is a vapor; life is short. In James it states, “whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” (James 4:14).

We learn death is sure. In Hebrews it confirms, “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,” (Heb. 9:27).

We learn sin is the curse and source of death. Scripture tells us:

• Romans 3:23 - 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

• Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

• Galatians 3:10-13 -10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.” 11 But that no one is justified by the law [works; our own efforts to be right before God] in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.” 12 Yet the law is not of faith, but “the man who does them shall live by them.” 13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”),

Finally, we learn Christ is the cure. Christ is the cure for out death producing sin:

• Romans 1:16 - For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

• 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 - Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,

• Romans 5:8 - But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

• 2 Corinthians 5:21 - For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

• 1 Corinthians 15:54-58 - 54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” 5 “O Death, where is your sting? Hades, where is your victory?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

Life is a vapor. Death is sure. Sin is the curse. Christ is the cure. “Are you ready to go home with the Lord? Are you ready to go to be with Jesus?” The Bible says:

•

John 5:24 - “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.

Then You also Will Appear with Him

2012-02-07T08:05:00.002-05:00

Paul says, “When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory” (Colossians 3:4). Is Christ your life? Is He your all in all? The word “life” (ζωή zōē, dzo-ay´ ) refers to existence itself; animate as opposed to inanimate. It also refers to one’s means of existence or livelihood, or how one supports oneself in life. And lastly it refers to lifestyle or how one lives. God is the source of life for all living things (Acts 17:25). There is a quality of life however (Luke 16:25; 1 John 5:16; 1 Tim. 4:8; 1 Pet. 3:10). The quality of this life is determined by whether or not we receive the words of life (Acts 5:20). Those words point us to a relationship with Jesus and to His resurrection (1 Cor. 15:19).

We receive eternal life through faith in Christ. Christ has life and is the source of life as is the Father (John 5:26). Jesus came to manifest life to the world (1 John 1:2). He is the “Prince of life” (Acts 3:15). Jesus came to offer us an abundant life (John 10:10). Keep in mind that He offered this abundant life to those who were physically alive. Jesus was offering therefore, a new existence as well as a higher quality of life. He came to manifest Himself as the Source of life, eternal life as well as to show a way of living in which we know God in Christ (John 17:3).

Humanity, because of sin, is alienated from the life of God (Eph. 4:18). Humanity needs to be redeemed from the penalty of sin and regenerated to new life in Christ. This is offered by God as a gift of His grace through faith in Jesus (John 3:15; 5:24). Once this life is received it leads to an ongoing eternal relationship with Jesus (John 6:35, 63). This new life evidences itself in a new found love (1 John 3:14-15). One day we will be given resurrection bodies to live eternally with God in heaven (2 Cor. 5:4; 2 Tim. 1:10).

Is Jesus your life? Is Jesus really your top priority in life? Does your life reflect that? Does your thinking reflect that? In your thoughts do you love God supremely? Supremely? Are you available on His demand? Are you attentive to His call, to His direction? Are you obedient to Him and what He reveals to you? Is Jesus your Lord, truly your Lord? Is your life centered on Christ? Or is Christ on the outskirts of your life? Is He your all in all or just one other item or activity amongst all you have and do? Does Jesus and His eternal priorities and purposes govern the way you live? Or do you live the way you want to live? These are questions we need to ask and answer in all prayerful soberness.

The word “appears” (φανερόω - phanĕrŏō, fan-er-ŏ´-o) means render apparent, manifestly declare, manifest, reveal or show. This word occurs twice in this sentence. There are two appearances referred to here, Christ’s and ours. When we die and appear before Jesus, Jesus’ appearance to us will reveal who we are and what we are worth in terms of how we lived (Heb. 9:27). When Jesus appears at the Rapture then we will stand before Him and it will appear who we are in terms of how we lived (Rom. 14:10; 2 Cor. 5:10). When at His Second Coming Jesus manifests Himself to the world for all to see (Rev. 1:3), and it is clearly revealed to all that all He is and all He has said is true, then it will be manifested, shown and declared who has believed in Him and who has not believed in Him, who belongs to Him and who does not belong to Him, who has lived for Him and how has not lived for Him (e.g. Matthew 25:31-46).

This is the Last Days church. When we look at the church today, the spirit of it in many cases is lukewarm as described by Jesus in Revelation (Rev. 3:14ff.). Are we living in the Last Days? Only God truly knows. But when we observe the world in light of God’s prophetic word, we see a greater percentage of these prophetic puzzle pieces coming together than ever before. I personally believe we are living in the Last Days just prior to the return of Christ.

In light of the seriousness of these Days we should be praying for and seeking revival. In the book How to Experience Revival (which is a compilation of excerpts from Charles Finney’s sermons on revival), Finney states revival is needed when:

When there is a lack of brotherly love and Christian confidence among believers, then revival is needed. . . . when there are dissensions, jealousies, and evil rumors among believers. . . .Revival is needed when there is a worldly spirit in the Church. . . . When the Church finds its members falling into gross and scandalous sins, then it is time to wake up and cry to God for a revival of religion. . . . When sinners are careless and stupid, it is time for Christians to get to work. . . . If a minister finds he has lost, in any degree, the confidence of his people, he should work for a revival knowing it is the only means of regaining their confidence. . . . If an elder or private member of the church finds his brethren cold toward him, there is only one way to restore their faith. It is by being revived himself and pouring out the splendor of Jesus from his life. The fact is Christians are more to blame for not being revived than sinners are for not being converted.

We need a revival. Charles Finney defined revival as, “Revival is renewed conviction of sin and repentance, followed by an intense desire to live in obedience to God. It is giving up one’s will to God in deep humility.” Greg Laurie, a popular and Spirit filled pastor and evangelist comments on revival stating:

"The word 'revival' means 'to restore to one's original condition, to get back to the way that you used to be.' And so when God speaks of revival He's speaking to His own people and He's saying that we should get back to that walk with Him that we may have had at an earlier time in our lives. . . . Revival is not something that just happens across the board, it's something that happens in an individual's life. We can pray, 'Oh Lord send an awakening, send a revival!' But it starts with me. It starts with you. . . . We need to get back to the time-honored, God-tested, tried and true message of the Bible. . . . God has told us how to live." If you have less hunger and thirst for God's righteousness now than at an earlier time in your walk with the Lord, you are in a backslidden state, you need revival!

We should find it normal to love God supremely and others sacrificially by faith in the power of the Spirit. If we aren’t loving God supremely and others sacrificially we need to be revived. For some, such a life is something they have never fully experienced. By faith in prayer then they should seek it with all their heart. This is God’s will for you! This is the abundant life Jesus spoke of (John 10:10). We need to be stirred.

Hosea said it well when he was used by God to call the people to break up their hardness:

Hosea 10:12 - Sow for yourselves righteousness; Reap in mercy; Break up your fallow ground, For it is time to seek the LORD, Till He comes and rains righteousness on you.

It is time to seek the LORD until refreshing rains of righteousness are poured out on us from above. But the ground of our hearts is often heard and the refreshing rains of God’s Spirit cannot penetrate us. Our hardness needs to be broken. We need to be broken and awakened before the Lord. Charles Finney was an instrument of God used to break up fallow hard hearted people which led to great revival. He suggested we take a personal inventory and prayerfully look at a number of areas where confession and repentance in the Spirit of prayer would lead to breaking up and softening any hardness in us. These areas are:

Sins of omission:

o Ingratitude – Unthankfulness toward God
o Lack of love toward God – lessening of affection to God or divided affections leading to not loving God supremely
o Neglect of Bible Reading
o Unbelief – instances when you charged God with lying or not living up to His word
o Neglect of prayer
o Poor spiritual attitude
o Lack of love for lost souls
o Lack of concern for unbelievers plight
o Hypocrisy
o Neglect family duties – devotions
o Neglect of personal devotions
o Neglect of self denial

Sins of Commission

o Worldly mindedness
o Pride – vanity: e.g. decorating your body physically rather than preparing your heart spiritually when going to church.
o Envy – e.g. you can’t stand to hear others praised
o Critical spirit – e.g. speaking of others in less than a loving way
o Slander – e.g. speaking unnecessarily about faults of others.
o Lack of seriousness – e.g. excessive light-heartedness and superficiality before Holy God
o Lying
o Cheating
o Hypocrisy – “How many times have you confessed sins that you did not mean to stop committing?”
o Robbing God – e.g. misspending money and time; misapplied talents
o Bad temper – e.g. abuse to loved ones
o Hindering others from being useful – e.g. weakening other Christian’s influence by insinuations against them

Finney then comments:

“If, as you proceed with this project, you find that your spirit is still not rejoicing, search yourself. You will see there is still sin blocking your full awareness of the Spirit of God within you. This lack of joy is your signal that you have not been faithful and thorough. Your self-examination requires a full attack – it is not a gentle pastime. It is tearing sin away from yourself revealing what can be painful.

You must honestly look at yourself, using your Bible as your checkpoint. Do not expect God to miraculously break up your fallow ground for you. You must actively participate, and you must submit your will. If you look at yourself accurately, taking note of your sins, you will definitely feel something. You cannot see your sins for what they are without deeply feeling something.

Experience proves the benefit of going over our history in this way. Start your work now. Resolve that you will never stop until you find you can pray. You will never have access to the full power of the Holy Spirit dwelling within you unless you completely confess your sins. Let there be this deep work of repentance and full confession, this breaking down before God. . . .

This is a good strategy to experience revival now. It will help you prepare for the appearing of Jesus and your appearing before Him.

Christian Palestinianism -

2012-02-02T10:55:00.005-05:00

The following teaching is something every Bible believing lover of Israel needs to view and be aware of. Christian Palestinianism is false, unbiblical, bigoted, and a blasphemous movement that is creeping into the church, the evangelical chuch. There is a perspective and teaching being endorsed and promoted in the church that is anti-Jewish and anti-Israel and in reality anti-Bible.

One consequence of this teaching is to usher in Chrislam which is a warped and perverse melding together of Christianity and Islam. The Land of Israel therefore becomes The Land of Palestine.Jesus is no longer Jewish, He is Palestinian. Jesus is the first martyred Palestinaian! Israel is seen not as a small minority nation defending itself against nearly 300 million enemies, but as practicing apartheid against Palestinians. What was once exposed as Replacement Theology is now promoted as Fulfillment Theology.

Don't be deceived. Some of the purveyors of such religious pornography are merely trying to hide their cowardice in shrinking from standing for Christ and His gospel. They fear Islam. They hide behind a veil of tolerance and unity. Others are simply antisemitic. Still others are caught up in an imbalanced view of the Church rooted in the Replacement Theology of Reformed Theology.

Make no mistake about it, this is a latter day deception (1 Timothy 4:1). There are Jewish people who themselves are caught up in this deception and committing national suicide in supporting their enemies. Israel and her supporters are being smeared with every kind of negative and repulsive word labels and propaganda. Go to the word. Don't be deceived. Take a stand for the Lord and His word. Watch this video and be prepared and equipped. Pray and be empowered by the Spirit. Then, put His armor on and take a stand for Israel and the word of God (Eph. 6:10-18).

What Does God See When He Looks at You?

2012-02-02T10:06:00.001-05:00

What Does God See When He Looks at You? In Psalm 33 it states, “The LORD looks from heaven; He sees all the sons of men. From the place of His dwelling He looks on all the inhabitants of the earth; He fashions their hearts individually; He considers all their works” (Psalm 33:13-15). When God looks at you, what does He see? When it says that God “fashions” (יָצַר - yâtsar, yaw-tsar’) it means that God molds or squeezes into shape like a potter does to a piece of pottery he is making. God uses the circumstances and the stuff of life to mold you. How is His work in you coming along? Have you considered His work in you? Scripture tells us that God has a plan for each of us (e.g. Jer. 29:11-14; Eph. 2:10).

In his book Measure Your Life – 17 Ways to Evaluate Your Life from God’s Perspective Wesley L. Duewel points out that the Lamb’s Book of Life contains the names of every believer (cf. Exodus 32:32-33; Psalm 69:28; Daniel 12:1; Luke 10:20; Philippians 4:3; Revelation 20:12; 21:27). He also points out that there are other books that keep a detailed record of our lives (Psalm 87:6; Daniel 7:10; Revelation 20:12). He mentions that a “scroll of remembrance” is written and kept concerning those who fear the Lord and honor His name. He quotes Malachi which states:

Malachi 3:16, 18- 16 Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, And the LORD listened and heard them; So a book of remembrance was written before Him For those who fear the LORD And who meditate on His name. . . . 18 Then you shall again discern between the righteous and the wicked, Between one who serves God And one who does not serve Him.

Do you fear and honor God? Do you meditate on His name? What is in your section of God’s book of remembrance? Duewel goes on to list ten areas of information that, based on scripture, will be sources of information in each of our records. These areas are worth taking note of and are as follows:

1. Your whole life – Romans 14:10-12; I Corinthians 3:11-15; 2 Corinthians 5:10; 1 Peter 4:5.
2. Your words – Psalm 19:14; Malachi 3:16; Matthew 12:36-37
3. Your thoughts – Proverbs 15:26; 19:14; 94:11; 139:2, 23; Isaiah 55:7; Matthew 9:4; 15:19; Romans 2:15-16; Hebrews 4:12.
4. Your secrets – Ecclesiastes 12:14; Romans 2:16
5. Your motives – Proverbs 16:2; 1 Corinthians 4:5
6. Your tears – Psalm 56:8
7. Your prayers – Revelation 5:8; 8:3-4
8. Your gifts to God – Philippians 4:17-18; Hebrews 13:16
9. Your helping others – Matthew 24:34-40
10. Your visiting those who need you – Matthew 24:34-40

This is only a very brief summary of some of the areas upon which our heavenly records are being assembled. We are not saved on the basis of any work we do, but rewards will be given out in heaven. They will be based on how we live once we accept Jesus as our Savior and Lord. Looking at those ten areas of assessment, how do you think you would fare? What do you think is written in your book? Be honest. In some parts maybe there would be less written than you would have liked, such as in your tears and prayers for the lost, your gifts to God or dealing with others sacrificially. In other areas there may be more written than you would have liked such as in your thoughts, secrets and motives. When Jesus appears it will be very revealing to us and for us.

In Hebrews it states: “And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things re naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give an account” (Hebrews 4:13). There is a day of accounting on the horizon. Are you mindful of that? Are you concerned with that? Have you been living and investing your life in a way that will pay dividends on judgment day? Are you fearful of the impending day of accounting or do you look forward to it? Remember what has already been said, this one life will soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.
If the Lord appeared right now, would you have regrets about how you lived your life in Christ? Would you be excited to present to Him all you have done for His glory? Or would you hang your head in regret and shame because you stand naked before Him with nothing to show your loving appreciation for all He has done for you? Which group are you in?

Chuck Smith - A Memoir of Grace

2012-01-31T10:10:00.002-05:00

Pastor Chuck Smith was used by God to reach a lost generation of hippies. The Lord used him to start a contemporary revival that has blossomed and continues to spread throughout the world today. Below are some timeless quotes of what Pastor Chuck refers to in his biography as "important lessons the Lord has drilled into me." These truths are born from a life used mightily by God and worth a prayerful look and Spirit-enabled application to our lives.

Here are the lessons to glean from the life of this man of God used mightily by the Lord. If we take them in, pray for God's guidance, and follow in the Spirit, God may just use these lessons to spark another of His generation saving revivals. Pray it through! God Your will be done!

• Do not despise ‘the day of small things’ (Zechariah 4:10). Our own hearts are capable of concocting some grandiose visions of how we can serve God or how He should use us. But in His school, God begins with the alphabet. He patiently lays a foundation in our lives before raising the walls and towers. I have found that it is important to be willing to do no more than plant seeds, even if we will not live to see the harvest.” (p, 202)

• ‘It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth’ (Lamentations 3:27). One of the worst things that can happen to a young minister is to experience early success. It is all too easy for us to believe that, ‘By the strength of my hand I have done it’ (Isaiah 10:13). Until we have sat for a while in failure and come to the end of ourselves, we will neither know nor credit God’s grace for whatever good we may do. Nor will we be able to minister grace to others in their time of need and failure. . . . God rarely wastes His time trying to explain to us what He is doing and what it means. . . . Preoccupation with the troubles of the moment is what makes our hearts and minds vulnerable to panic and anxiety. We need to back away and get the eternal perspective from which it is more clear that ‘our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory’ (2 Corinthians 4:17).” (p. 202-203)

• Whatever you do, ‘grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ’ (2 Peter 3:18). I cannot overemphasize the important of the role that grace plays in every aspect of our lives. When it becomes obvious that I have not made as much progress in holiness as God desires, grace fills the distance between where I am and where I should be, and draws me forward. Grace makes what is impossible for me by my own strength, not only possible but also much easier than I could have imagined.” (p. 203)

• “Remember the two greatest commandments: “love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, with all they mind, and wit all thy strength’ and ‘Love thy neighbor as thyself’ (Mark 12:30-31). . . . love the outsider, the sinner, and the enemy. . . . (1 John 3:18).” (p. 204).

• Prepare yourself – as much as it is humanly possible – to obey Jesus to do something even if it is ridiculous like ‘Stretch forth thine hand’ when your hand is paralyzed (Mark 3:1-5). Even when you have ‘toiled all night’ fishing and caught nothing – let down the net if Jesus tells you to do so (Luke 5:4-7). We sometimes balk at Jesus’ strange commands thinking, But if nothing happens I will look so stupid. Here is the heart of the matter: It is not about you. It is about the work of Jesus and the glory of God. His thoughts are always higher than ours and His work is always greater than what we ask or think. I may not always get it right the first time, but I have become more consistent in just doing what He says when He tells me, ‘Open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it’ (Psalm 81:10).” (p. 204).

• Exercise your best wisdom and always be cautious when dealing with money. I cannot stress strongly enough the importance of handling your finances with integrity. . . . (1 Timothy 6:9) . . . . (Proverbs 27:23-27) . . . . When a moneymaking opportunity looks too good to be true, it is.” (p. 205).

• Beware the praise of the crowd (Luke 6:26). . . . When we put our effort into pleasing people, it disables our service to Christ (Galatians 1:10).” (p. 205)
• “I would especially direct this lesson to pastors: ‘Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine’ (2 Timothy 4:2). In other words, simply teach the word simply. The greatest service you can provide to the people in your care is to make the Bible accessible to them. Give them the ‘sincere milk of the Word’ in a way that is easily digested. . . . (1 Peter 2:2; Hebrews 5:12-14). The best Bible teaching is not that which dazzles people with the profound intellect of their teacher, but that which puts its truth squarely in their hands.” (p. 206).

• “For many years I have enjoyed a life of extraordinary blessing and I am convinced that is God’s will for every Christian. But before getting to that place in life, I learned many difficult lessons – and I am still learning – for God never allows us to fully make ourselves at home in this world.” (p. 206).

• “In the preparation, discouragements and defeats are necessary. Had I been successful early on, I would have taken credit for all that God did. I would not have been able to handle the recognition that God gave me but would have taken credit for the success. God wants to receive the glory for the work He does, so He first prepares the person to be the instrument He desires to use. That preparation includes a lot of failure in order to learn the difference between God’s work and your own. God leads you through failure so that when He works you will know for certain you are not responsible for the success. Then God alone receives the credit. God wants to work, bout the glory need to go to God.” (p. 206-207)

• “I have not been able to tell my story apart from God.” (p. 207).

• “I am no different in God’s sight from anyone else. The blessings He’s given me are available to all, and I am convinced that any person can live a life as full and as joyous as mine has been.” (p. 207)

• “Just keep your eyes on the Lord and follow Him as closely as possible. Be patient, for in His time when He finally connects all the dots, you will realize that truly all things work together for good. Even as Paul encouraged us in Galatians 6:9, ‘Let us not be weary in well doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.’ May the Lord grant you the grace and patience to wait on Him until His full purpose is completed I and through your life, and you have the joy of hearing Him say, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.’” (p. 207).

Will the Flag of Islam Fly Over the White House?

2012-01-26T10:02:00.002-05:00

The Muslim cleric in this short video clip states one day the flag of Islam will fly over the white house. An alternative female representative of Islam states Islam is pluralistic. I would contend that the view that Islam is pluralistic is in the very small minority. History would confirm that is true as well. Islam, wherever it has spread, has been a religion that subjugates and oppresses all other religions. Muslims are being encouraged to infiltrate every area of American society in order to influence it toward sympathy with Islam. This is accomplished by financial investment, political involvement, establishing a presence in our educational institutions and throughout society. Christian, we are called to be salt and light in every aspect of society. If we do not get involved, others will fill the vacuum. We need revival and the outpouring of the Spirit to help us answer Christ's call. Pray my brothers and sisters, pray.

Restore Us O God - Part 2

2012-01-16T09:29:00.003-05:00

How can we experience restoration, revival? What are the steps we take to be restored and revived in our relationship with the Lord? Psalm 80 goes on to state:

5 You have fed them with the bread of tears, And given them tears to drink in great measure.

The first step to restoration is conviction for the sin that hinders. This involves repentance and that repentance involves a deep teary sense of regret and a desire for restoration with the Lord. It is not mere shedding of tears. It is a deep conviction for sin that results in a change of mind and heart toward that sin (2 Cor. 7:10). Repentance means we regret our sin, desire restoration and do not plan to repeat that sin. It is the Holy Spirit who convicts the sinner of their sin (John 16:8-11).

6 You have made us a strife to our neighbors, And our enemies laugh among themselves.

Without God’s presence, we are impotent and helpless, a laughingstock before our enemies. When we stray from the Lord and His word our relationships with those around us often become adversarial and aggravated.

7 Restore us, O God of hosts; Cause Your face to shine, And we shall be saved!

Repentance then leads to a cry for God to shine forth; for His glory and power to come down again on His people.

8 You have brought a vine out of Egypt; You have cast out the nations, and planted it. 9 You prepared room for it, And caused it to take deep root, And it filled the land.

Israel is the vine God rescued from the world of Egypt and planted in a fruitful place where it could take root. The LORD is the Vinedresser who digs, plants, cares for and cultivates the vine of His people (Luke 13:6-9).

10 The hills were covered with its shadow, And the mighty cedars with its boughs. 11 She sent out her boughs to the Sea, And her branches to the River. 12 Why have You broken down her hedges, So that all who pass by the way pluck her fruit? 13 The boar out of the woods uproots it, And the wild beast of the field devours it.

Israel was growing and spreading until she lost God’s protective covering. She was lunging ahead of the Lord. Without God’s covering she was vulnerable to robbery and loss. She was in danger of being uprooted and devoured. Without God we are at the mercy of others. We need to guard against lunging ahead or lagging behind the Lord. We need to walk in step with Him; going where He wants us to go and staying where He wants us to stay. That is true of individuals. That is true also of nations.

In the book of Jeremiah we read:

Jeremiah 18:7-12 - 7 The instant I speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, to pull down, and to destroy it, 8 if that nation against whom I have spoken turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I thought to bring upon it. 9 And the instant I speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it, 10 if it does evil in My sight so that it does not obey My voice, then I will relent concerning the good with which I said I would benefit it. 11 “Now therefore, speak to the men of Judah and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD: “Behold, I am fashioning a disaster and devising a plan against you. Return now everyone from his evil way, and make your ways and your doings good.” ’ ” 12 And they said, “That is hopeless! So we will walk according to our own plans, and we will every one obey the dictates of his evil heart.”

God always gives ample warning before He passes judgment. He is merciful in that if a nation repents He will relent of the disaster they deserve because of their sin. It that nation continues in sin, God will relent of doing good to that nation. God warned Judah about their sin and the consequences. They disregarded God’s call to repentance as “hopeless!” They saw no future in following God. That’s sad. They went into captivity and suffered greatly.

When we look at the United States today and view it through the lens of Jeremiah’s prophetic word I shouldn’t surprise us to see the many troubles our nation is experiencing. Our nation has been indoctrinated from within through education and the media to forsake God. We as a nation seem to see no future in following God. We too cry, “hopeless!” And if we as a nation persist in our rejection and resistance to God, that hopeless cry will apply to us in some very grave ways. What is the answer? What is the solution? Revival!

14 Return, we beseech You, O God of hosts; Look down from heaven and see, And visit this vine

We need to call out to God for His return, “Lord visit us again! We miss You! We need You!” It is only when we come to God as the only solitary and preeminent need for our lives, the indispensible and supreme Person in our lives, the King of kings and Lord of lords, only when we are willing and eager to have Him take His rightful position in our lives, then and only then will He bring revival to us.

The poem Revival – God’s Way by Estelle Gifford Jackson expresses what is needed for revival to come:

Revival – God’s Way

Where is the hope for Revival –
God’s Holy Spirit outpoured
Convicting of sin, and of judgment,
And righteousness of the Lord?

When nothing else is important –
Only God’s presence Divine,
When Christians quit worldly pleasures,
Then God, His ear will incline.

Desperate prayer for Revival
Will cleanse the Church by the Word.
Then clothed in spotless, white linen,
The Bride clears the way for her Lord.

Prayer is the key to Revival,
Prayer that is true Spirit-born,
Nights of compassionate weeping – Intercession for all the forlorn.

Then will the burdens be lifted,
Then all the sinners will cry,
Then all the chains will be loosened
And worldly passions will die.

The lost ones will yield to God’s Spirit
When Christians, cleanses, weep and pray;
God’s Living Water flows outward;
This is “Revival – God’s Way”!

15 And the vineyard which Your right hand has planted, And the branch that You made strong for Yourself.

We need to return to the root truth that we are what we are because of God and without Him we are lost! America has a godly Christian heritage. When need to get back to our roots.

16 It is burned with fire, it is cut down; They perish at the rebuke of Your countenance.

Without God we are lost! Ready to be burned in the fire! Perishing at His rebuke! Like Israel, God brought them into the world and God can and did take them out as a nation. He would eventually restore them, but only when they had paid their just due and been thoroughly disciplined by Him.

17 Let Your hand be upon the man of Your right hand, Upon the son of man whom You made strong for Yourself. 18 Then we will not turn back from You; Revive us, and we will call upon Your name.19 Restore us, O LORD God of hosts; Cause Your face to shine, And we shall be saved!

We need the touch of the Lord. We need His strength. We need revival! We need God’s reviving power! Restore us O LORD and shine Your glory down on us! Without Your touch we are weak and wasted. We need revival. Then and only then, when revival comes, can we call upon God and experience the shine of His glorious presence in our lives. Then and only then will we experience His salvation life. Then and only then will we find restoration.

Restore Us O God - Part 1

2012-01-12T14:56:00.003-05:00

Psalm 80 speaks of a time of hardship in which the restoration of God is needed for His people. The difficulty apparently had led to depression and discouragement. They were beginning to realize they needed God’s restoration. They needed to be revived. They had lost their passion for God. Perhaps this loss of passion was the cause of their difficulties.

There is a lesson for all of us to learn from this psalm. Do you have a passion for God? Are you only so-so or lukewarm? Jesus finds such a state in His followers repulsive. He said as much to the church of Laodicea (cf. Rev. 3:14-22). And unfortunately the contemporary Church is much like the Laodiceans. Leonard Ravenhillin his book Revival God's Way (page 57)states:

The New Testament Church did not depend on a moral majority, but rather on the holy minority. The Church right now has more fashion than passion, is more pathetic than prophetic, is more superficial than supernatural. The church the Apostles ministered in was a suffering church; today we have a sufficient church. Events in the Spirit-controlled Church were amazing; in this day the Church is often just amusing. The New Testament Church was identified with persecutions, prisons, and poverty; today many of us are identified with prosperity, popularity, and personalities.

Jesus rebuked the Laodicean church for being lukewarm, thinking they had need of nothing while in reality they were spiritually “wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked.” Jesus counsel to them was to “buy from Me gold refined in the fire.” The key is “from Me.” Jesus said to these people, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” The gold, the most valuable possession of Jesus, is our intimate relationship with Him; coming into His presence. “He who has an ear, let him her what the Spirit says to the churches.” Hear what Psalm 80 says about restoration and revival.

Psalm 80:1 - Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, You who lead Joseph like a flock; You who dwell between the cherubim, shine forth!

God is prayerfully appealed to as the Shepherd of Israel His flock. And this is no small thing. Ravenhill comments:

The self-satisfied do not want to pray.
The self-sufficient do not need to pray.
The self-righteous cannot pray.

God has been working on these people. Their circumstances and loses are percolating within them and has finally brought them back to their God.

As Shepherd, God directs us to green pastures of His word to graze in, protects us from predators, and keeps us close to His presence. This presence is alluded to in the words, “You who dwell between the cherubim.” This brings to mind the ark of the covenant whose lid had two gold cherubs with wings outstretched toward each other. This lid was “the mercy seat” (Exodus 25:17ff.). It was here where God’s glory, His presence manifested itself to His people (Exodus 40).

Here is a call for the glory of the Lord to “shine forth!” God’s glory or shinning forth is closely connected with the manifestation of His presence (e.g. Exodus 32 and 33). When we look at the Old Testament God led His people with a pillar of fire by night. The fire of the LORD provided warmth, light to see the way in the dark, and protection from enemies. As the Shepherd of Israel, God oversees Israel like a flock. The psalm starts off with a pronounced recognition of God’s Shepherding oversight and then cries out for it to be renewed in the lives of the people.

2 Before Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh, Stir up Your strength, And come and save us! 3 Restore us, O God; Cause Your face to shine, And we shall be saved!

Here is a call for revival. A revival is an extraordinary manifestation of the glory of God. The word “restore” can also be translated “Turn us again” and means to return or go back, bring back. The people had lost something and were crying out to God to restore what had been lost. That they cry out for God to shine forth implies they were missing the presence of the LORD in their lives. They rightly associated this with salvation and sought to be restored.

4 O LORD God of hosts, How long will You be angry Against the prayer of Your people?

The people of Israel sensed the displeasure of God. What might have incurred the anger of God toward His people? Sin causes God to turn a deaf ear to the sinner (cf. Psalm 66:18). God is holy and pure and finds sin and wicked practices repulsive (Hab. 1:13). Sin separates us from God who is Holy (Isaiah 59:2).

Now God’s people were coming around. They were coming to recognize their wrongs before God and wanting restoration were crying out to God for restoration. God waits to assure that the sinner recognizes the seriousness of their sin.

Martyn Lloyd-Jones in his book Revival states:

“If you do not see your hopelessness, and your utter despair, before this holy, righteous God, who hates sin with the whole of his being, you have no right to talk about revival, or to pray for it. What revival reveals above everything else is the sovereignty of God, and the iniquity, the helplessness, the hopelessness, of man in sin.” – p. 42

Without a humbling recognition of our sin and guilt, revival will not come.

It is time for us to humble ourselves before God. Look around you. The state of our nation and this world has happened on our watch. The apostle Peter said judgment begins in the house of God (1 Peter 4:17). It is time for us to do some self- assessment, some self-judgment. We need to humbly come before God and ask Him to search us to identify sin (Psalm 139:23-24). Then we need to humbly confess our sin and seek God’s cleansing of it by the blood of Jesus (1 John 1:7, 9). In Part 2 of this study we will look at the steps to restoration with God. Keep it all in prayer. Pray for a heaven sent revival. God bless you all.

Prayer urgently needed!

2012-01-11T12:11:00.000-05:00

Calvary Chapel of Hope is in the process of constructing two full power FM radio stations on Long Island (WGSS 89.3 – God Still Speaks and WOBH 89.7 – Our Blessed Hope). This is a tremendous opportunity to reach this community with God’s word and worship. The FCC licenses to build these two stations are time sensitive. WGSS must be built and broadcasting by April 2012. WOBH must be built and broadcasting by June of 2012. Time is running out! In order to get these stations up and running locations have to be found to place our antennas. A location has been found for WGSS but we are having red tape difficulty in securing a zoning permit to build our tower/antenna. We do not yet have a location for the WOBH station. There is a lot of work to be done and not a lot of time to complete it. We know prayer is where the battle is won. Prayer is what moves the Hand that moves the world. Prayer makes the difference. Please join us in praying for the following:

1. Pray for God’s anointing and empowerment of the Holy Spirit to complete these ventures in faith.
2. Pray God would give us wisdom to build and run these two stations.
3. Pray God would send help to get these stations built; the expert and skilled individuals to build and run these stations.
4. Pray we get the zoning permit from the Village of Lindenhurst Long Island soon so that we can build our tower and antenna for WGSS.
5. Pray we find a location to place our antenna for WOBH in the Captree Island area of southern Long Island.
6. Pray God provides the funds for these ventures in faith.
7. Pray these stations are built and running before the FCC licenses expire.
8. Pray that any obstacles put in place by the enemy or human opposition will be broken down and removed.
9. Pray God would impress and burden many people to make these requests a priority in their prayers.
10. Pray God is glorified in the process as well as the practical use of these two stations; that He uses these stations to bring revival.

Ravi Zecharias Responds to a Muslim Student

2011-12-29T10:49:00.000-05:00

Resolutions or Regeneration - Part 2

2011-12-28T07:38:00.003-05:00

O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! - Romans 7:24-25a

We’re looking at an alternative to resolutions, regeneration. It’s common at this time of year for people to make resolutions. As we saw in the first part of this study, resolutions are not effective ways to work changes in our lives. If people want to change they don’t need resolutions, they need regeneration. How can a person enter into this state of regeneration?

First, realize your real problem is sin. Sin is the destructive cancer like thing within you that is keeping you from successfully changing for the better. The Bible says:

Romans 3:10, 23 - 10 As it is written: “There is none righteous, no, not one; . . . 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Sin keeps us from God (Isaiah 59:1-2) and it is God alone who can work true change in us. Sin keep our focus on sinful self where we will wallow in defeat and despair.

Second, realize only spiritual birth or spiritual life can make a true lasting eternal change in you It is the gospel that is the power of God to save us from sin (Romans 1:16). Jesus told the religious Pharisee Nicodemas that he “must” be born again. Jesus said:

John 3:3-7 - 3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’

Here we see by way of comparison that Jesus taught Nicodemus just as he had been born physically he needed to experience spiritual birth as well. This is not something we can work in ourselves, which leads us to the next realization.

Third, realize regeneration is a work of God offered by His grace through faith in His only Son Jesus. The Bible says that salvation is a work of God (John 6:29). The Holy Spirit convicts us of our sin and our need of salvation (John 16:8-11). It is God who draws us out of our sin to Himself (John 6:44). And God draws us to Himself by dealing with our sin through faith in Jesus (John 6:29).

Here is the beauty of how God resolves our sinful predicament. He has sent Jesus to pay for our sinful debt (because we are unable to pay that debt off on our own). And He has done away with our sin as we put our faith in Jesus and His work (2 Corinthians 5:21). This is why at the end of Paul’s passage in Romans 7 he is inspired to proclaim:

Romans 7:24-25a - 24 O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!

It is a glorious thing to turn over the reigns of your life to God. We need to stop trying in our own strength (i.e. weakness). We need to turn form our way of doing things and surrender or turn to God and His way. This leads us to our final realization.

Fourth, realize you need to repent or turn humbly to God from your sinful self ways and rely fully on God’s gracious provision and strength. We can’t work our way out of the mire of our sin (Psalm 69). It is only by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ that this regeneration can occur (Ephesians 2:4-9). If we turn from our self efforts and self interests to God then we can expect times of refreshing from the Lord (Acts 2:38-39).

It has been said:

Our lives are fields that primarily contain weeds. We cannot produce strawberries. We can mow the weeds, but that effort alone will never produce acceptable fruit. If we really want that fruit we will have to go deeper. We must plow up the whole field and start again with new plants.

We can’t change by resolution. We need the regenerative work of God to change.

But I’ve Done that and I’m Still Failing and Faltering

Sometimes those who have experienced regeneration continue to have difficulties in their lives; why is that? Those who have received God’s gracious gospel provision in Christ need to realize a few things too.

First, realize transformation is only begun at regeneration and is a life-long process. The Bible refers to Christians as “being sanctified” (Hebrews 2:11; 10:14). Change is a process that God works in us over time as we live a life of surrender to Him (Romans 12:1-2). Regeneration is when the Holy Spirit comes to indwell a person (1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19-20). It is the Holy Spirit that helps us to overcome our weaknesses (Romans 8:26). The work of the Spirit in us is to transform us into the likeness of Jesus (Romans 8:29). This is God’s purpose for us and should be our goal and target in life.

Second, realize the problem is that many who have been regenerated continue to live to please self rather than to please God. There are what are called carnal Christians who live to please themselves rather than to please God. The Christian who lives to please self will only find discord and disruption in their lives much the same as before they were regenerated (1 Corinthians 3:1-4; James 4:1-6). To overcome this problem the Christian must turn their focus on God and seek to please Him by faith (Hebrews 11:6). Paul explains this well when he is inspired to write:

Romans 8:1-9 - There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.

When we are regenerated through faith in Christ we are called by God to walk no longer after the things of the flesh or to walk in the power of the flesh, but we are called to live in the Spirit (8:1). It is this life in the Spirit that can set us free from our futile fleshly lives (8:2). God does away with the destructive and depressing affects of sin in a person through faith in Christ (8:3-4). This new life of spiritual regeneration is an entirely new way of life and an entirely new way of looking at life (8:5). If we continue to have a fleshly mindset after regeneration we will continue to experience its destructive and depressing ways (8:6). It will hinder our relationship with God (8:7) and prevent us from pleasing God (8:8). In fact that is exactly the issue; in our flesh we seek to please self; in the Spirit we seek to please God. The truth is when we seek to please ourselves no one will be happy. But when we seek to please God everyone benefits. Without the Spirit in your life, you don’t even belong to God (8:9), which leads us to our final realization for the believer.

Third, realize victory comes through abiding in Christ. The closer we come to Jesus the more power we will have over sin in our lives. We are to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 13:14). In other words, get as close to Jesus as possible, as close as your very clothes, and you will have more and more power over the flesh. Drawing close to Jesus is the way of escape from many a problem issue in the life of the Christian (1 Corinthians 10:13). Jesus put it this way:

John 15:4-8 - 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

We need to “abide” or stick close to Jesus. When we get away from Jesus we shrivel up spiritually like a piece of fruit plucked from a tree. If we stay connected to Jesus, we will grow and become fruitful in Him.

How do we do this? How do we abide in Jesus? The key is in the words “My disciples.” A disciple is a learner who studies the words of Jesus (verse 7 i.e. the Bible) and surrenders to the Spirit to apply those words to their lives (John 8:31-32, 34-36). Disciples also “ask” (verse 7) or pray because prayer is a declaration of dependence on God and a means of relating verbally with God in Christ. A disciple lastly does all they do to bring glory to God which is the culmination of spiritual fruitfulness (verse 8). The more we seek to bring glory to God the further away from self we move. The further away from self we move and the closer we come to God, the more power to live victoriously in life we will experience.

In his book The Power of the Spirit, William Law, writing in the early 1700s, makes the following statement about the church living in the flesh rather than the Spirit:

A letter learned zeal has but one nature wherever it is, and can only do that for Christians which it did for Jews. As in ancient times it brought forth scribes, Pharisees, hypocrites, and crucifiers of Christ; as it afterwards brought forth heresies, schisms, popes, papal decrees, images, and anathemas; so in Protestant churches it will do the same things, only under different names. The empty idolatry of Rome will show itself even without crucifixes and indulgences. Images of wood and clay will only be exchanged for images of doctrines. Grace, works, imputed sin, imputed righteousness, and election will all have their worshipping advocates, dividing the body of Christ in their very zeal to defend their own good opinions about Scripture doctrines. And so great will be the blindness thus generated that every kind of gossip, slander, and hatred will be pursued by brother against brother, all of it done in the name of Him who prayed that we might be one. . . . Our divine Master compares the religion of the learned Pharisees to ‘whited sepulchers, outwardly beautiful, but inwardly full of dead men’s bones.’ How was it that a religion so serious in its restraints, so beautiful in its outward form and practices, and commanding such reverence from all that beheld it, was yet charged by Truth itself with being ‘inwardly full of hypocrisy and iniquity’? It was only for this one reasons: because it was a religion of self. Wherever self has power and keeps up its own interests, even in teaching or defending sound Scripture doctrines, there is that very same Pharisee still alive whom Christ with so much severity of language constantly condemned. The reason for such heavy condemnation is that self is the root and sum total of all sin. Every sin that can be named is centered in it. Self is nothing else but the creature broken off from God: the power of Satan living and working in us the sad continuance of that first turning from God, which was the whole fall of our first parents. (Emphasis added.)

Unfortunately what William Law wrote 300 years ago was not heeded by much of the church and today we have a church that is more carnal and centered on its sarx, than it is filled with and empowered by the Holy Spirit. We cannot afford to allow our flesh to rule us; we need the Spirit to overcome it and empower us to do all that God has wonderfully laid out for us to do. If you are a Christian and have slipped back into the futility of a life lived for self and in the weakness of self, surrender to God anew and He will empower you to victorious Christian living. That would be a great way to start a new year.

Heart Cry - Stand with Israel, the Apple of God's Eye

2011-12-27T16:11:00.000-05:00

"HEART CRY"- THE FILM THAT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE from Emanuel Nahum on Vimeo.

The Truth About Jerusalem Today

2011-12-27T08:49:00.001-05:00

Resolution or Regeneration? - Part 1

2011-12-26T09:37:00.004-05:00

O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! - Romans 7:24-25a

Every year on New Years Eve people make New Year’s Resolutions promising to change themselves for the better. But New Year’s resolutions are doomed to failure. If people want to change they don’t need resolutions, they need regeneration.

How Successful are New year’s Resolutions?

How successful are New Year’s resolutions? Statistics in a study from the Journal of Clinical Psychology showed the following:

•

40 to 45% of American adult make one or more resolutions each year.
• Among the top new years resolutions are resolutions about weight loss, exercise, and stopping to smoke. Also popular are resolutions dealing with better money management / debt reduction.
• The following shows how many of these resolutions are maintained as time goes on:
- past the first week: 75%
- past 2 weeks: 71%
- after one month: 64%
- after 6 months: 46%

Another study estimated that 97% of New Year’s resolutions do not work. In this study entitled New Years Resolutions: Why Don’t They Work ? Michael York of the Michael York Learning Center theorized the reason why resolutions don’t work is because people expect to fail and that they don’t know how to properly set goals in order to keep their resolutions. But I would say that the reason people don’t expect to keep their resolutions is because they have learned from experience that they can’t keep their resolutions and no amount of proper goal setting is going to change that.

So what’s the answer; how can we change for the better? The answer is that we need regeneration not resolutions.

Why Resolutions Can’t Work

The reason why a resolution can’t work is because it depends on me, myself and I; it depends on my own “strength.” The Bible refers to this self-centered dependence upon self as the flesh. Paul was inspired to speak of the predicament of the flesh when in Romans he writes:

Romans 7:18-24 - 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. 19 For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. 20 Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. 21 I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. 22 For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?

Do you see the futility of relying on your own strength to try to do good things? The New Living Translation (more of a paraphrase) of the Bible renders this portion of scripture in the following way:

18 I know I am rotten through and through so far as my old sinful nature is concerned. No matter which way I turn, I can’t make myself do right. I want to, but I can’t. 19 When I want to do good, I don’t. And when I try not to do wrong, I do it anyway. 20 But if I am doing what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing it; the sin within me is doing it. 21 It seems to be a fact of life that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. 22 I love God’s law with all my heart. 23 But there is another law at work within me that is at war with my mind. This law wins the fight and makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. 24 Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin?

These words express the futility, frustrations and ultimate failure of attempts at self-reformation and that is exactly what a New Year’s resolution is. The reason such attempts at change are doomed to failure is because they depend on an inadequate power source, the sinful self. Read what the Bible says about our self, the me, myself and I of who we are:

•

Genesis 6:5 - 5 Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
• Job 14:4 - Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? No one!
• Job 15:14-16 - “What is man, that he could be pure? And he who is born of a woman, that he could be righteous?15 If God puts no trust in His saints, And the heavens are not pure in His sight,16 How much less man, who is abominable and filthy, Who drinks iniquity like water!
• Psalm 5:9 - For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; Their inward part is destruction; Their throat is an open tomb; They flatter with their tongue.
• Psalm 51:5 - Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me.
• Isaiah 64:6 - But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, Have taken us away.
• Jeremiah 17:9 - “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?
• Mark 7:21-23 - 21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22 thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within and defile a man.”
• Ephesians 2:1-3 - And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.

These verses are ample evidence that anything that depends on this flesh or us, is doomed to fail to reach its goal. If that is the case, then how can a person change successfully?

Regeneration the Way to True Transformation

Sometimes we can have what we believe are the best of intentions, but they are the wrong intentions. Our motives are not always what they ought to be. We may want to change, but if our motive is only to please our self, then we are only compounding our problem and off the mark. What we need is an entirely new way of looking at things and an entirely new way of doing things. What we need is REGENERATION.

What is regeneration? Regeneration is a work of the Spirit wherein He gives spiritual eternal life to a repentant sinner. In Paul’s letter to Titus he is inspired to write:

Titus 3:3-7 - 3 For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

The term “regeneration” (παλιγγενεσία - paliggĕnĕsia, pal-ing-ghen-es-ee´-ah ) means new birth, regeneration, or rebirth. This is a compound word made up of the Greek term palin which means “again” and the Greek term genesis which means “birth.” Regeneration is the work of God to change us from death to life spiritually. God regenerates the person who receives Jesus as Savior. All of this is a work of God offered graciously as a gift to be received by us.

Jesus described regeneration with the following words:

John 5:24 - 24 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.

Regeneration is passing from death to life spiritually. Just as we are physically born, we must be spiritual born again if we are ever to be changed from our present state of sinful futility. Before we are spiritually born again we don’t even understand our true need (1 Corinthians 2:14). We need to be born again, we need to be spiritual born of the Holy Spirit (John 3:3, 5).

How do I get this regeneration? If you want to change for the better you have to realize the following. That is what we will consider in the second part of this study. Start seeking God now and don’t miss the next part of this study! God be with you.

“Why Did He Come?”

2011-12-17T07:03:00.002-05:00

Christmas has become such a busy time of year with decorations, parties, shopping, cooking and such. There is a magazine called Garbage magazine and years ago it gave the following stats about Christmas:

Americans used 28,497,464 rolls and sheets of wrapping paper, 16,826,362 packages of tags and bows, 372,430,684 greeting cards, and 35,200,000 Christmas trees during the 1989 Christmas season. Garbage Magazine, quoted in Signs of the Times, 12-1991, p. 7.

Who can doubt that the garbage produced by Christmas today is even greater? Jesus didn’t come to produce garbage. But why did He come?

With all the activity it is easy to forget about the meaning of Christmas, the reason for the season. Why did He come? Why did Jesus come? If we really want to know the reason for the season we should go to Jesus and see what He said. What did Jesus say was the purpose of His coming? The specific phrase, “I have come” (in which Jesus indicates why He came), is uttered by Jesus 10 times in the gospels. Let’s look at what Jesus said about why He came.

Why did Jesus come? Jesus came to give a message. Jesus said, “Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because for this purpose I have come forth.”(Mark 1:38; Luke 4:43). He came to preach. Jesus even gave the content of His message saying He came to bear witness to the truth (which is the word of God according to Him - John 17:17). He said, “. . . for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” (John 18:37). Have you heard His message of truth and have you received it by faith?

Jesus didn’t only communicate His message verbally, but He communicated it by His nature. Jesus said He came in His Father’s name: “I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive.” (John 5:43). To come in someone’s name meant you came as a representative; you came in a way to convey the will and nature of that person. Jesus came in His Father’s name in that He revealed the nature of God because He was and is God in the flesh (John 1:1-2,14; 10:30; 14:6-11; Colossians 1:19; 2:9-10). That is the real communication of Christmas.

Why did Jesus come? Jesus came to divide. It is common to think that Jesus came to unite, but in fact Jesus’ own words indicate He came for just the opposite purpose; He came to divide. The evidence of this provocative statement is found in Matthew 10:34 where it states, “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword.” Jesus goes on to say that there would be family division because of Him (see Matthew 10:34-39). Family gatherings at Christmas can often erupt into all out war. But the tension and stress and division Jesus is talking about here is not caused by family squabbles or wrong or bad gifts, it is caused by taking a stand with Jesus.

Our hearts are often filled with divided loyalties. We are divided between the world and Jesus; our own self centered desires (lusts) versus our relationship with Jesus. In the process of change for the better, for something to be made right, it must often first be broken down. Sometimes before peace comes, there is a battle, even a war (e.g. Before Romans 8, there is a Romans 7). A divided heart has to be broken before it can receive what God has for it (Joel 2:12-14). Jesus is either Lord of all in your life or He is not Lord at all. For Jesus to do His work in your heart, in your life and beyond that to your family and loved ones, He must be first and Lord. If Jesus is not Lord in your life, when He gives instruction by the Holy Spirit, you may not follow it, or you may only partially follow it and make things worse than they already are. You have to lose your life in Him. You have to totally trust in Jesus for Him to work effectively in you (Acts 8:37).

A time will come when we will need to take a stand for Jesus in the presence of our unsaved family members and friends. We are not to take such a stand in and unloving insensitivity or harshness. That would bring shame to the name of Jesus. But we are to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15; 1 Peter 3:15-16). We need to put Jesus first and care more for the lost souls of family members than merely keeping the peace or status quo of Christmas. That is the real challenge of Christmas.

Why did Jesus come? Jesus came to do God’s will. Early in His ministry and life Jesus said: “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.” (John 6:38). To accomplish God’s will Jesus would have to give His life as a ransom, a payment to God’s justice for the penalty of sin (Matthew 26:36-46; Romans 6:23; 2 Corinthians 5:21). It is because of Jesus’ obedience and sacrifice that we can be saved from our sin (1 John 1:7, 9; 2:1-2). That is the real compassion of Christmas.

Why did Jesus come? Jesus came “for judgment,” to be the deciding factor in life. Jesus said: “For judgment I have come into this world, . . . ” (John 9:39a). Not everyone accepts that Jesus is God or even that they are separated from God because of their sin. Jesus came as the deciding factor; He came that those who are genuinely seeking can find eternal life in Him and that those who are playing games will be exposed for their hypocrisy. Jesus is the fulcrum, the watershed, the deciding factor in your eternal destiny. What you do with Jesus will determine whether or not you remain lost in or are saved from your sin. Give Jesus your heart; trust your heart to Him and He will give you a new heart suited for eternal life with Him (Jeremiah 17:9-10; Ezekiel 18:31; 36:26). That is the real call of Christmas.

Why did Jesus come? Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil. The result of Jesus sacrifice was to disarm Satan and ultimately all his works. The New Testament says: “He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.” (1 John 3:8; see also Colossians 2:13-15; Hebrews 2:14). Never forget that you are in a spiritual (Ephesians 6:10-18). Satan is a loser and he knows it. But he still has some fight in him. Christmas time is a battle of the bulge in more ways than one. That is the real combat of Christmas.

Why did Jesus come? Jesus came to comfort the hurting. Remember, though there is often pain in following Jesus, He will not let you be tested beyond what you are able (1 Corinthians 10:13) and He will not allow you to be broken beyond repair. Whatever breaking God allows in your life will be used for His good purposes (Romans 8:28-29). Of Jesus it was said, “A bruised reed He will not break, And smoking flax He will not quench, Till He sends forth justice to victory” (Matthew 12:20; Isaiah 42:3). Trust Jesus with everything. That is the real comfort of Christmas.

Why did Jesus come? Jesus came to serve and redeem the lost world. Jesus said, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45; see also John 3:16-21). Jesus said: “for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10). Some go on search and destroy missions; Jesus went on a search, save and disciple mission. And we are called to follow in His steps (1 Peter 2:21; 1 John 2:6). That is the real commitment of Christmas.

That is why Jesus came, that mission was begun at Christmas, the birth of Jesus. Jesus came a long way for you and me. Jesus gave a lot for us; He gave His life so that you and I and every sinner could be brought out of darkness into God’s light and experience salvation from our sin, by God’s grace through faith in Jesus. Has His mission been accomplished in you? Jesus has a gift that surpasses any Christmas gift you’ve ever known, life in Him. To receive that gift of life is as easy as ABC, all you have to do is:

Admit you are a sinner (like all humans are) – Romans 3:23. Understand that sin left unattended to will lead first to physical death and then eternal death (eternal separation from God) – Romans 6:23a; Ezekiel 18:4. Turn from your sinful life to Jesus and God will give you a fresh start (Acts 2:38).

Believe and receive Jesus as your Savior (Romans 6:23b; Romans 8:9-10). Don’t depend on your works, they can’t deal with your sin, depend on Jesus; Jesus completed work on the cross is what deals with sin (Ephesians 2:8-19; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Titus 3:5).

Commit your life wholeheartedly to Him; live for Him (Acts 2:42; 8:37; Galatians 2:20; 1 Peter 2:21; 1 John 2:6).

M.R. Dehaan, founder of the Radio Bible Class wrote the following poem that is a good summation of the reason Jesus came.

Can This Be Christmas

What's all this hectic rush and worry?
Where go these crowds who run and scurry?
Why all the lights -- the Christmas trees?
The jolly "fat man," tell me please!

Why, don't you know? This is the day
For parties and for fun and play;
Why this is Christmas!

So this is Christmas, do you say?
But where is Christ this Christmas day?
Has He been lost among the throng?
His voice drowned out by empty song?

No. He's not here -- you'll find Him where
Some humble soul now kneels in prayer,
Who knows the Christ of Christmas.

But see the many aimless thousands
Who gather on this Christmas Day,
Whose hearts have never yet been opened,
Or said to Him, "Come in to stay."

In countless homes the candles burning,
In countless hearts expectant yearning
For gifts and presents, food and fun,
And laughter till the day is done.

But not a tear of grief or sorrow
For Him so poor He had to borrow
A crib, a colt, a boat, a bed
Where He could lay His weary head.

I'm tired of all this empty celebration,
Of feasting, drinking, recreation;
I'll go instead to Calvary.

And there I'll kneel with those who know
The meaning of that manger low,
And find the Christ -- this Christmas.

I leap by faith across the years
To that great day when He appears
The second time, to rule and reign,
To end all sorrow, death, and pain.

In endless bliss we then shall dwell
With Him who saved our souls from hell,
And worship Christ -- not Christmas!

God bless you with His coming and have a meaningful Spirit filled Christmas.

Circumcision of the Heart - Part 3

2011-12-14T08:10:00.002-05:00

Colossians 2:11-13 - 11 In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. 13 And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses,

The circumcision of the heart results in a glorious life and freedom from slavery to trespasses. “Trespasses” (παράπτωμα - paraptōma, par-ap´-to-mah) refer to a false step, blunder, “a lapse from uprightness, a sin, a moral trespass, misdeed, is translated ‘fall.’” Prior to conversion we are out of step with God. Earlier in Colossians Paul stated our need to be reconciled because we were out of sync with God (1:20). Here Paul points to the wobbly walk we have apart from Christ. We walk wobbly because we walk with a heavy burden of sin. This existence is characteristic of the one who is, “being dead in your trespasses.” This is the person who needs to be born of the Spirit; born again; saved from their sin. And God provides by grace a way for this person to be forgiven their trespasses; the cross (2:14).

But there is a further application to be made here. Paul refers to “the uncircumcision of your flesh.” Notice he states a twofold condition. He states of the Colossians, “And you, being dead in your trespasses . . .” That’s the first condition which needs salvation. He then uses the conjunction “and” to add a further condition. The “and” can refer to something concurrent or an addition, or it can refer to something that follows. Paul says, the second condition is, “and the uncircumcision of your flesh.” That is the second condition and that needs the circumcision of the heart. Sometimes these two aspects are dealt with concurrently or at the point of accepting Christ as Savior. But at other times there is a lapse of time before the flesh is recognized as an unwanted unreliable tenant and then is circumcised.

The flesh is like a tenant who crosses the line of boundaries. The flesh doesn’t stay in its place but barges into your living space. Like a rude boorish visitor who comes in and takes over like they own the place, eating your food, wearing your clothes, turning your TV to the channels it likes, and just taking over. The flesh is a pest and makes your life miserable once you accept Jesus into your life. Why? because your flesh intrudes on your every attempt at conversation with Jesus. When you want to go out with Jesus the flesh is an unwanted presence. When you want to celebrate with Jesus, the flesh crashes the party. You get sick and tired of the flesh’s constant presence. But he’s persistent and powerful and wont’ go away. You try to get rid of him but he just won’t leave you alone. The flesh can be an oppressive bully. Jesus can and will step in to free us from the bully flesh. He will help us to drop the flesh like a bad habit. He will help us to throw the flesh off like a smelly shirt. Jesus will circumcise our flesh away from us.

The flesh is also very deceptive. It influences us in subtle ways that hinder our walk with Jesus. The flesh tempts us to be self-confident. It tricks us into thinking we can do it ourselves in whatever we are doing, even good things for Jesus. This leads to let downs. At times we live an up and down existence as Christians. We walk wobbly as Christians. It’s as though we are still dead as we attempt to live right but in our own fleshly power. Life is a struggle living in the flesh in our own strength (e.g. Rom. 7:24). We are dragged down by trespasses, or stumbling and bumbling as Christians.

When I was a kid I had a toy called a gyroscope. It was a round circular object inside another circular ring with a rod in it. Both spun independently of each other. You could spin it like a top and it made for a fun past time. You’d spin it and watch it to see how long it would last before it ran out of energy and toppled over. It was especially fun to watch it spin close to the edge of a table until it slowed down and fell crashing to the floor. My point is when we try to live as Christians in our own strength we are like that gyroscope. We may spin fast and perfectly at first, but eventually we will run out of energy and topple over into sin. We need to be energized by the Lord, by the Holy Spirit in particular. His energy does not dissipate. We, because we are humans, need regular re-fillings of the Spirit (e.g. the early church filled with the Spirit in Acts 2 and then again in 4:31). The Holy Spirit is always ready to oblige us. Our flesh gets in the way of this. That is why it needs to be circumcised out of the way.

A Subsequent Work?

It should be mentioned that not everyone accepts the idea of the possibility of this circumcision of the flesh or baptism with the Holy Spirit as being a subsequent work to salvation. Not everyone accepts that a second work of God’s grace in the heart is a valid proposition in the Bible. They state that a person receives the Holy Spirit at conversion and that the baptism with the Holy Spirit is conversion. But there is good scriptural evidence to show the reality of a second work of God in the believer. The second work of God in the believer is also confirmed in the personal experiences of believers.

Jesus told His disciples to wait in Jerusalem until they received the “Promise of My Father” which He described as “power from on high” (Luke 24:49). He breathed on the disciples and commanded them to “Receive the Holy Spirit” at the end of the gospel (John 20:22). This imperative of Jesus confirms the ones He spoke to were born again or had received the indwelling Holy Spirit prior to the empowerment Jesus was speaking about that was fulfilled in Acts. Can there really be any realistic doubt that the disciples were not born again after the resurrection of Jesus at the end of the gospels?

In Acts Jesus clarified that the Promise of His Father and this power was linked to the Holy Spirit coming “upon you” (Acts 1:4-5, and 8). The fulfillment of this empowerment occurs in Acts 2 and was subsequent or after the conversion of the disciples. This empowerment is referred to as the baptism with the Holy Spirit (e.g. Acts 19:4-5). It is also described in terms of a purifying of the heart (Acts 15:8-9). And it is this last aspect of this subsequent work of God that is pertinent to the circumcision of the heart.

The circumcision of the heart is God’s means to purify the heart. The heart needs to have spiritual surgery to cut away the flesh or sinful selfish nature of a person. It is the flesh that constantly contradicts and wars against the voice and will of the Holy Spirit. The flesh is like an obstinate aggravating unwanted entity that intrudes on the Holy Spirit’s conversations with us. The Spirit speaks to our heart but the flesh is there to intrude and contradict what the Spirit says. The flesh discourages us from obeying the Holy Spirit. The flesh must be surgically removed. The Holy Spirit is the surgeon. We need only present ourselves to Him for surgery to remove the flesh. That flesh, once removed, will grow back if we choose to feed it by following its tempting incitements. If we walk in the Spirit we will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh and we will experience victory and an empowered life (e.g. Gal. 5:16).

The circumcision of the heart involves God providing us with a new aliveness where we live victoriously over the momentary lapses where we succumb to the enticing of the flesh. There always remains the potential or possibility of falling because we are never immune to temptations. But if we do sin Jesus remains our Advocate (1 John 2:1f).

We can live victoriously in this life. Victory is the product of living “together with Him.” It is a life where we exalt in God’s forgiveness. God forgives all our sins at conversion. And He will even cleanse our hearts from our fleshly sinful nature as we walk with Him. That work is ongoing too. We will never in this life be free from the possibility of sinning. And in all likelihood there will be times when we sin. We will sense that within as any sin or fleshly behavior grieves the Holy Spirit. Therefore this is not sinless perfection. But it is a life of victory over fleshly lapses due to spiritual immaturity.

God created humanity in His image (Gen. 1:27). God’s plan and purpose for humanity is to be like Jesus (Rom. 8:29). The serpent tempted Eve with the prospect of becoming like God (Gen. 3:5). The serpent took God’s holy plan of Christlikeness and warped it; desecrated it with a sinful selfish proud motivation. You can’t achieve God’s purposes by relying on the sinful nature; or on the flesh (Gal. 3:1ff.). That is because the fleshy sinful nature is inherently sinful and at war with God (Rom. 8:7). The flesh is always warring and competing against God for control and rule. There can be only one Lord or Master in our heart and life. Therefore the heart needs to be circumcised and the flesh removed from power.

The flesh or sinful nature has a proclivity to proudly assert itself as “God.” The flesh is always trying to take the place of God. It is the flesh that wants us to rely on the Law or ritual so that it can say, “See what I have done. See what I have accomplished.” That is a religious mindset. That is the flesh. The gospel is all about what God has done in Christ. We relate to God on the basis of His grace and provision for us. The perfect holy life involves loving God supremely because of what God has done for us. We love God supremely out of thanks. We love others sacrificially as a way to offer God an appreciative offering of our love for Him. We present ourselves in full surrender to God because we have been bought by Him (1 Cor. 6:19-20). We belong to God; He is Lord of our lives (Rom. 10:9-10).

Have you experienced the circumcision of your heart by Jesus? Are you a wobbly Christian? Do you struggle with an unwanted tenant within who intrudes and pushes you around like a bully? Jesus wants to free you from such wretchedness. He wants to cut your flesh away. He wants to help you throw off your flesh and have a freer closer relationship with Him. He wants to circumcise your heart. Seek Him and ask Him to cut your flesh away. Throw your flesh off and let it follow as a defeated foe in your victory procession in Christ.

The Circumcision of the Heart - Part 2

2011-12-13T11:21:00.002-05:00

That "circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter;" — that the distinguishing mark of a true follower of Christ, of one who is in a state of acceptance with God, is not either outward circumcision, or baptism, or any other outward form, but a right state of soul, a mind and spirit renewed after the image of Him that created it; — is one of those important truths that can only be spiritually discerned. And this the Apostle himself intimates in the next words, — "Whose praise is not of men, but of God." As if he had said, "Expect not, whoever thou art, who thus followest thy great Master, that the world, the men who follow him not, will say, ’Well done, good and faithful servant!’ Know that the circumcision of the heart, the seal of thy calling, is foolishness with the world. Be content to wait for thy applause till the day of thy Lord’s appearing. In that day shalt thou have praise of God, in the great assembly of men and angels."
To be more particular: Circumcision of heart implies humility, faith, hope, and charity. . . . At the same time we are convinced, that we are not sufficient of ourselves to help ourselves; that, without the Spirit of God, we can do nothing but add sin to sin; that it is He alone who worketh in us by his almighty power, either to will or do that which is good; it being as impossible for us even to think a good thought, without the supernatural assistance of his Spirit, as to create ourselves, or to renew our whole souls in righteousness and true holiness.

The circumcision of the heart is a removal hindrances to holiness by God in the heart of one fully surrendered to Him.

What is the circumcision of the heart? Before we look at the particular statements by Paul in our passage we need to understand a few things about Circumcision. Physical circumcision was a rite of identification performed the eighth day after birth (Lev. 12:3). What we should consider is that birth preceded circumcision. Similarly, the new birth in the Spirit can precede the circumcision of the heart. Some people accept the Lord in a way that the circumcision of the heart is concurrent with conversion. At other times the circumcision of the heart is more of a subsequent work.

A phrase similar in meaning to the circumcision of the heart is The baptism with the Holy Spirit. The baptism with the Holy Spirit is a subsequent work of the Holy Spirit in the heart of the believer (compare John 20:22 with Acts 1:4-5, 8; 2:1-4). This is a work that involves two aspects heart purifying and empowering. In Acts 2 we see the empowering aspect of the baptism with the Holy Spirit. In Acts 15:8-9 we see the purifying aspect of the baptism with the Holy Spirit as described by Peter. The circumcision of the heart emphasizes the purifying aspect of the baptism with the Holy Spirit.

Circumcision represents something done to a very private part of a person. Similarly, God wants to do a deep work that affects even the most private and personal areas of our lives. God wants us to surrender every part of ourselves to Him. He wants us to withhold nothing from Him. Circumcision, therefore, is a very apt choice of God to illustrate this desire of His.

Circumcision was also something that was celebrated. As we look at what Paul says about circumcision of the heart let us receive the work of God in our hearts by faith and hen celebrate what God is doing and will do by faith in us.

First, Circumcision of the heart is something we experience in our relationship to Jesus. Paul says, “in Him” (2:11a). This points us to our relationship with Jesus which is based on God’s grace and trust in Christ as our Savior and Lord (John 1:16-17; Eph. 2:8-9). It refers to an abiding relationship with Jesus (John 15). It starts and ends with Jesus.

Second, Circumcision of the heart is a work of God in us. Paul refers to it as, “you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands” (2:11b). This is not something done with human hands; it is not a work by us on our selves. It is a work of God in us (e.g. Phil. 2:13). This is a work of God on our heart. And if it is a work of God it involves receiving it by faith. Our part is to cooperate with God. He is the surgeon, we are the patient. The patient merely needs to present themselves for the surgery. We simply have to come to Him in faith surrendering to Him to do His work in us.

Third, Circumcision of the heart is putting off the flesh. Paul then says, “by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh . . .” (2:11c). As we have said the flesh refers to our sinful nature which is bundle of self-centeredness: selfishness, self-reliance, self-satisfaction, self-exaltation, self-promotion, self-serving, and lust. “Putting off” (ἀπέκδυσις - apĕkdusis, ap-ek´-doo-sis) means to divest, put off, renounce. The idea involves the disarming of an enemy who is then led off in the victor’s procession. It involves undressing. We undress or disarm the flesh.

Prior to this circumcision of the flesh we wore our flesh; it was what we were known by, like a uniform. The flesh was worn like a uniform that represents a team, company or some other group we belong to. And like a team, company or group, we did things in a certain way; in this case, the ways of the flesh (Gal. 5:19-21). But by the circumcision of the flesh we put off or throw aside the uniform of the flesh and put on the uniform of those who live by the Spirit.

What enemy is disarmed here? “the body of the sins of the flesh.” The flesh! How is it disarmed? “by the circumcision of Christ.” The Christian is still tempted by the sinful flesh nature. But the sinful flesh nature is disarmed in Christ. Jesus has cut it off from its supply of blood. Our sinful nature is something we will need to be aware of our entire lives. But through the circumcision of Christ it is defeated and can only follow in our victory procession as a conquered foe.

We appropriate this circumcision of the flesh by faith and conquer it in the Spirit. We put it off in that we don’t wear it. The control and influence of the flesh is broken. It may still entice us. But it only has power as we yield to it. Instead we by faith must yield to the Spirit (e.g. Romans 6). Instead we invite Jesus to clothe Himself with us and we too submit to and surrender to Jesus; we put Him on.

Fourth, Circumcision of the heart is about Christlikeness. Paul refers to, “by the circumcision of Christ” (2:11d) This circumcision is particularly “the circumcision of Christ.” Jesus does this circumcision to us as we present ourselves to Him in faith. And the nature of this circumcision takes on the nature of its Author, Jesus. It is His circumcision. God’s plan is for us to be like Jesus (Rom. 8:29; cf. also 1 Peter 2:21; 1 John 2:6).

Fifth, Circumcision of the heart involves dying to self and rising to new life by faith in God’s working. Paul finally says we are, “buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses” (2:12-13). We identify with Christ’s death in our baptism. Jesus died on the cross. We who come to Him willfully die to self. This is God’s purpose for us (e.g. 2 Cor. 5:14-15). We do this by faith. And we are raised to newness of life with Jesus by faith (e.g. Rom. 6:4). Our faith is in “the working of God.” We surrender to Him and trust in Him to do the work in us. God is real. He really does make a difference. He really will circumcise your heart if you present yourself to Him and trust Him to do it. The proof of this is in Jesus’ own resurrection. If God raised Jesus from the dead, He will circumcise our hearts and subdue the flesh in our lives too.

Are you controlled by your flesh and its lusts? Is it defeating you or are you defeating it? Are you led by the flesh or the Holy Spirit? Are you growing in your faith and becoming more and more like Jesus? Or are you self-centered and worldly? Ask the Lord to search your heart and listen to His honest appraisal of you. In our final part of this series we will consider the subsequent nature of the circumcision of the heart. This is a work that can happen after our conversion experience. If God has something more for you, wouldn’t you want to experience it? Don’t miss the last part of this three part series to find the answers to these questions.

The Circumcision of the Heart - Part 1

2011-12-12T10:45:00.001-05:00

In Everything by Prayer - A.W. Tozer

2011-12-07T08:41:00.001-05:00

Merry Christmas, My Friend - By James M. Schmidt, a Marine Lance Corporal

2011-12-05T18:48:00.000-05:00

Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone,
In a one bedroom house made of plaster & stone.
I had come down the chimney, with presents to give
and to see just who in this home did live
As I looked all about, a strange sight I did see,
no tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.
No stocking by the fire, just boots filled with sand.
On the wall hung pictures of a far distant land.
With medals and badges, awards of all kind,
a sobering thought soon came to my mind.
For this house was different, unlike any I'd seen.
This was the home of a U.S. Marine.
I'd heard stories about them, I had to see more,
so I walked down the hall and pushed open the door.
And there he lay sleeping, silent, alone,
Curled up on the floor in his one-bedroom home.
He seemed so gentle, his face so serene,
Not how I pictured a U.S. Marine.
Was this the hero, of whom I’d just read?
Curled up in his poncho, a floor for his bed?
His head was clean-shaven, his weathered face tan.
I soon understood, this was more than a man.
For I realized the families that I saw that night,
owed their lives to these men, who were willing to fight.

Soon around the Nation, the children would play,
And grown-ups would celebrate on a bright Christmas day.
They all enjoyed freedom, each month and all year,
because of Marines like this one lying here.
I couldn’t help wonder how many lay alone,
on a cold Christmas Eve, in a land far from home.
Just the very thought brought a tear to my eye.
I dropped to my knees and I started to cry.
He must have awoken, for I heard a rough voice,
"Santa, don't cry, this life is my choice
I fight for freedom, I don't ask for more.
My life is my God, my country, my Corps."
With that he rolled over, drifted off into sleep,
I couldn't control it, I continued to weep.
I watched him for hours, so silent and still.
I noticed he shivered from the cold night's chill.
So I took off my jacket, the one made of red,
and covered this Marine from his toes to his head.

Then I put on his T-shirt of scarlet and gold,
with an eagle, globe and anchor emblazoned so bold.
And although it barely fit me, I began to swell with pride,
and for one shining moment, I was Marine Corps deep inside.
I didn't want to leave him so quiet in the night,
this guardian of honor so willing to fight.
But half asleep he rolled over, and in a voice clean and pure,
said "Carry on, Santa, it's Christmas Day, all secure."
One look at my watch and I knew he was right,
Merry Christmas my friend, Semper Fi and goodnight.

Why Did He Come Down?

2011-12-05T12:55:00.002-05:00

No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven. - John 3:13

Jesus said those words to the Pharisee Nicodemas the night he came inquiring. That’s an appropriate context for Christmas time. Christmas is about Jesus coming down from heaven. And this verse tells us why Jesus came down.

Christmas brings a lot of religious people out of the woodwork. There are people who wouldn’t think of stepping into a church except on Christmas (and maybe Easter). That is the product of religious blindness. That is the bad fruit of shallow superficial secularized religion. God has so much more than that for us. Nicodemas was a Pharisee and as such, a very religious man. We can learn a lot from Jesus’ conversation with him. We can learn why Jesus came down.

The Pharisees were a religious sect who lived to uphold Jewish traditions and the Mosaic Law (Mark 7:3, 5-8). They were well educated, underwent rigorous training, and had a privileged position in Jewish society. They were sticklers for outward details, fasted regularly and were zealous for Judaism (Matthew 23:23; Luke 5:33; 18:11-12; Matthew 23:15). But they were walking contradictions. Scripture indicates they were covetous and lived to impress people with ostentatious outward displays (Matthew 23:5-7; Luke 7:36-50; 16:14). They were at times cruel persecutors of their opposition (Acts 9:1; Phil. 3:5-6). Jesus called the Pharisees “vipers” (Matthew 12:24, 34), spiritually “blind” (Matthew 15:12-14), “serpents” (Matthew 23:33), “children of the devil” (John 8:13, 44) and “hypocrites” (Matthew 23:13-19). He said they manipulated the Scriptures to make a profit (Matthew 15:1-9). They were “lovers of money” who Jesus said, ”justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts” (Luke 16:14, 15). Not only did they not know the truth or God, but Jesus said they hindered others from finding and knowing God (Matthew 23:15). The Pharisees for the most part rejected Jesus (Matthew 12:24-34). Religious people reject Jesus and His truth. That’s why Jesus came down.

Nicodemas was honest enough to recognize Jesus had something he didn’t have. Jesus taught something that was foreign to him and his religious sect, something otherworldly, heavenly. He recognized Jesus was “a teacher come from God” (John 3:2a). He had power to work miracles and it was obvious to Nicodemus that “no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him” (John 3:2b). There is evidence that Nicodemas eventually became a follower of Jesus (John 7:50-53; 19:39-42). But how did Jesus break through the religious hide of this Pharisee? He came down.

What Jesus said to Nicodemus is the same thing He says to all those who approach God in a religious way. Jesus said to Nicodemus the religious man, “No one has ascended to heaven . . .” Why did Jesus say this? He said this to make the point that no one can work their way to heaven. That has been true since the first religious effort of humanity at the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11). Religion focuses on human efforts and what people must do to get to heaven. Our efforts to be righteous, appease God our Judge, and ascend to heaven, are as filthy rags to God (Isaiah 64:6). There are none righteous, not one, and all fall short of the glory of God, all have sinned (Romans 3:10, 21). Sin separates a person from God (Isaiah 59:2). God is holy and will not look on wickedness (Habakkuk 1:13). If we regard sin in our heart God will not hear us (Psalm 66:18).

Without God we are doomed to hell, spiritually dead, destined to eternity in a dark loneliness tormented by regret and separation from a Holy Loving God (Romans 6:23; Revelation 21:8). There is nothing we can do on our own by our own efforts to rid ourselves of the curse of sin (Galatians 3:10). Indeed, Jesus started His conversation with Nicodemus with the halting words, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). Nicodemus didn’t understand. He voiced his confusion by asking Jesus how an old man could be physically born a second time (John 3:4). Jesus elaborated by saying, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’” (John 3:5-7). The point is Nicodemus was religious, but he had no spiritual life. This is why he couldn’t understand the heavenly message Jesus brought. Nicodemus needed spiritual life. Just as he had received physical life at his birth, he needed a second birth, a spiritual birth. This second birth was a spiritual work of the Holy Spirit (John 3:8). Like the wind it couldn’t be seen, but like the wind it can move powerfully. John the Baptist said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven” (John 3:27). That’s why Jesus came down.

Nicodemus still didn’t understand (John 3:9). Jesus gently but firmly challenged Nicodemus, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things?” (John 3:10). As a teacher of Israel Nicodemus should have known these things, but without the Spirit there is always a lack of understanding of spiritual things (1 Cor. 2:14). Jesus had a heavenly message and Nicodemus wasn’t receiving it (John 3:11-12). Nicodemus, like so many other religious people, was missing the whole point of who Jesus was and what he was offering. That’s why Jesus came down.

There is a second reason Jesus told Nicodemus “No one has ascended to heaven.” Jesus meant to pave the way to introducing Himself as the unique, holy, Savior. Jesus set the contrasting tone between Himself and all others by saying, “but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man . . . .” These words would have had shock value with the Pharisee. Some Jews believed that Moses ascended to heaven to get the Law directly from God. But a proper study of God’s Word reveals that Moses ascended Mount Sinai and God met him there to deliver the Law (Exodus 19:3, 14, 17, 20, 24). Jesus was correcting this false notion and at the same time communicating to Nicodemus the truth of the incarnation of Jesus “the Son of Man.” No man, not even Moses, has ascended to heaven, only Jesus had a heavenly origin. But there was a connection between something Moses did and Jesus. That’s why Jesus came down.

In the Old Testament journey of God’s people from Egypt to the Promised Land they frequently grew impatient and weak in faith and complained against God. On one such occasion they were particularly ungrateful toward God and God disciplined them by bringing “fiery serpents” who apparently had a fiery venom. Many died and the people repented. God instructed Moses to make a fiery serpent out of bronze, put it on a pole for all to see and all who looked at the bronze serpent would live (Numbers 21:5-9). Jesus referred back to this historical event and applied it to Himself saying to Nicodemus, “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:14-15). That’s why Jesus came down.

These words of Jesus must have caused Nicodemus, the religious man, to ponder just who it was that he was talking to. It must have really caused him to think when Jesus also referred to Himself as, “the Son of Man who is in heaven.” “Son of Man”? “In heaven”? What could this mean? There is no other like Jesus. He alone has a heavenly address. He left His heavenly abode to be the “the Son of Man.” Why did Jesus refer to Himself as “the Son of Man”? Jesus wanted Nicodemus to know that He was the promised Messiah of the Old Testament (Daniel 7:13). Jesus was the One foretold in the scriptures (Luke 18:31). He is not only a son of man; He is the Son of Man. Jesus came to reverse the curse that came through Adam’s sin. That’s why He came down.

As the Son of Man Jesus brought heaven down to earth. Jesus the Son of Man had command and Lordship over the most holy parts of the Law such as the Sabbath (Matthew 12:8). As the Son of Man Jesus had the authority to forgive sins (Matthew 9:6), to save and redeem the lost on the basis of His substitutionary atoning death (Matthew 20:28; Luke 19:10), and resurrection from the dead (Matthew 28; Mark 16; Luke 24; John 20), assign eternal rewards (Matthew 16:27; 19:28), spoke of future judgment of the world (Matthew 13:41), and His ultimate actual return in glory (Matthew 24:27-37). And as the Son of Man Jesus came with glorious good news from heaven; news revealing God’s great gift:

John 3:16-21 - 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 18 “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”

These are earth shattering, Pharisee shaking words. The Son of Man is the “Son of God.” Salvation from sin is offered by God to everyone! There is a way to escape the curse of sin and not perish! Belief in Jesus is the determining factor in whether a person is condemned or receives eternal life. People are condemned to perish because of their sin. The word “perish” (GK. APOLLUMI) means literally ruined, or lost. Those who refuse to believe in Jesus are condemned because they loved the dark evil of sin more than the light of God’s loving provision in Jesus. Believing in Jesus leads to eternal life and that life is a life of truth; that truth is found in God’s word (John 17:17). That’s why Jesus came down.

The “belief” (Gk. PISTEUO) that saves is not mere ascent. This belief is more than mere intellectual ascent. “Belief” here means “adherence to, committal to, faith in, reliance upon, trust in a person or an object, and this involves not only the consent of mind, but an act of the heart and will of the subject.” Saving faith is characterized by repentance, turning away from sin and the life of sin to God for forgiveness and to following Him obediently. Saving faith is defined by the acronym Forsaking All I Trust Him not my religious works, for salvation. God has offered the greatest gift; His only Son Jesus. He has offered Him to pay the penalty for our sins. He has provided a free gift of salvation from our sins and eternal life through faith in Jesus. That’s the greatest gift. That is the greatest gift of Christmas. Will you receive it? That’s why Jesus came down.

Revival Praying - Part 2

2011-12-01T05:21:00.001-05:00

Revival praying is praying with urgency. It is prayer that ushers into the presence of God as our shelter. It is prayer whose petitioner is humble and teachable before God. It is prayer that asks God to answer for His name’s sake. Have you ever experienced prayer like that? That is the way God desires we pray. In this second part of Revival Praying we will look further at what revival praying is. God help us to pray revival prayers!

The spirit’s urgency (143:7). “Answer me speedily, O LORD; My spirit fails! Do not hide Your face from me, Lest I be like those who go down into the pit.” David approached God with urgency in his heart. He was in a desperate situation. If the commentators are correct he was either fleeing for his life from King Saul or dealing with the betrayal of his own son Absalom. Each instance was a life or death situation. David was at the end of himself. He ran to God and pleaded with Him to not hide His face. If He did, David said he would just die. God was his last hope.

Sometimes that’s where we need to be to really get serious with the Lord. Sometimes God allows us to experience trial and suffering or situations where all other resources are exhausted and He is the only One left to turn to. It’s sad that God is often our last resort when He ought to be the first! God often allows situations to reach critical mass in order to bring us to our knees before Him. Revival is birthed out of urgency.

The soul’s shelter (143:8-9). >“Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, For in You do I trust; Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, For I lift up my soul to You. 9 Deliver me, O LORD, from my enemies; In You I take shelter.” No matter how bad things get, David knows he can find shelter and solace with the Lord. What a blessing it is to know the God of the universe. That is the essence of eternal life (John 17:3). What a blessing it is to go to God and have Him put His loving arms around us and to experience His lovingkindness.

Knowing the love of God and experiencing it first hand through the gospel (John 3:1-21) makes it easy to trust Him. Once we are born of His Spirit we continue on with Him. Once we experience His salvation, we progress on in sanctification by walking in the Spirit (Gal. 5). This sanctifying walk involves obedience. We can’t say we love God if we aren’t willing to obey Him (e.g. John 14:21). Obedience is essential if we are to see revival. If we regard iniquity in our heart the Lord hits the pause button (Psalm 66:18). But when we repent off our sin and seek to follow Him He will help us and protect us when we face the enemies of life in their various forms.

The Spirit’s goodness (143:10). >“Teach me to do Your will, For You are my God; Your Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness.” All of this is a work of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin (John 16:8-11). He regenerates us to eternal life (John 3:1-21). He communicates and testifies of Jesus helping us to know Him (John 14-16). The Holy Spirit empowers us to serve the Lord (Acts 1:8; 2:1ff.). It is the Holy Spirit who is “good.”

The adjective “good” here means good in every way. It is a very broad word. The Holy Spirit is good in every way. He will lead us in an upright way, a balanced, straight, right way. The Holy Spirit is good and will direct us in the way we ought to go.

It is the Holy Spirit that works revival in answer to our prayers. And yet, such blessing is often left on the table due to passivity toward prayer. Leonard Ravenhill comments on this problem saying:

“One wonders why this is such an isolated experience in the Church today. True prayer is Spirit-born. True prayer is praying ‘in the Holy Ghost.’ Those filled with the Spirit are filled with prayer. There is something very questionable and unbiblical about those who claim a baptism of the Spirit and yet know nothing of extended periods in prayer. I am sure Jesus prayed before the Spirit descended upon Him at the Jordan, though there is no record of it. . . . We are in a tough spiritual battle these days. Yet the church that prays will be a prevailing church. Praying in secret means prevailing in public. . . . Revival can be brought to this generation by prayer, by faith, by cleansing, and by obedience to the will of God.”

The Holy Spirit is good and offers us so much. It would be foolish to ignore the work of the Spirit. It would be foolish to leave the spigot closed when through prayer we can experience the torrents of living water of the Spirit that comes in revival (John 7:37-39).

Revival for His sake (143:11-12). “Revive me, O LORD, for Your name’s sake! For Your righteousness’ sake bring my soul out of trouble. 12 In Your mercy cut off my enemies, And destroy all those who afflict my soul; For I am Your servant.” Here we come to the climax of the psalm, David’s prayerful cry for revival. “Revive me, O LORD” David cries. David uses the Almighty name of God, the “I Am” name. The English word “LORD” when it is in all capitols refers to the Name of God first given to Moses in the desert of Sinai. It is the same name Jesus used in reference to Himself and His deity (John 8:58). It is the Name for God that communicates His vast capabilities. He is all that He ever needs to be all the time. To Almighty God, to the LORD David cries out for revival.

Now notice something very important. David, despite all his needs and difficulties does not call for revival for himself. David calls for revival “for Your name’s sake!” This is a key for revival to come. God will not answer calls for revival that our motivated by self. Again Leonard Ravenhill comments on this saying:

“The tragedy is that this miserable self hinders revival, for it sabotages its own praying. . . . If we pray with one eye on success, there is no hope of revival for us, and if we are praying with an idea that we might be projected to the forefront, we bury every hope of revival. We must not pray for revival as a cure for the empty seats in the churches. We must not pray for a heaven-sent deluge merely to extend our particular body of believers. Prayer for revival must be pure. In pure prayer not one element of double interest can be allowed. Our first request concerning revival must be that God be glorified; afterwards, not before, will come our request for sinners to be saved and a believing that the heavens will be rent. God’s conditions have been met.”

If we want revival, we must pray for it to God with the right motives. Our first motive must be that God would be glorified that His righteousness and will be done. Only when this is our preeminent motive can we then seek the salvation of the lost and that God pour out His Spirit upon us. The heart is deceitful above all things and we are often self-deceived (Jer. 17:9-10). We need God’s help to purify our hearts from wrong selfish motives (e.g. Acts 15:8-9). We need to first seek His glory, the glory of His name. Then we can seek His help to destroy the enemies that afflict our souls. In all of this we remain His servant.

Revival praying begins with God and ends with God. We enter into it as God’s servant being led by the Spirit in our praying. And so, if revival is to come we need to seek Him, humbly, on His terms.

We need revival. That should be at the top of all our prayer lists. We live in a busy world with many distractions. But we have to take time to seek the Lord in prayer if we are to see our need for revival and experience it. That is the crux of this concluding poem.

Seeking Thee

Lord, I seek Thee for renewing
Of my faith and of my love.
Rush and care are my undoing –
Touch me, Savior, from above.

Pass me not, O holy Savior.
Leave me not to grope and fail.
Through Thy blood I seek Thy favor.
With Thy grace I can prevail.

Faith moves in to claim the promise.
Peace revives and floods my soul.
Make me now Thy chosen chalice,
Giving drink that makes men whole.

Seeking Thee, seeking Thee,
Touch and give me liberty.

We’re seeking You O LORD for revival. Please glorify Yourself in our midst, not for us, but for Your name’s sake. We surrender to Your service. We look to You. Revive us, O LORD, for Your names, sake!

Revival Praying - Part 1

2011-11-29T21:53:00.001-05:00
Ever been persecuted or have an enemy try to crush you to the ground? Ever feel overwhelmed not only by personal distress, but community, state, national, or the world’s “distress of nations”? In such times the only valid response that bears hope of relief and redemption is to turn to the Lord. In such times what we need is revival.

Why revival? Maybe that’s not a familiar word to you. Weley L. Duewel defines a revival as:

“when God manifests His presence in overwhelming reality. . . . God’s presence and power are so mightily and extensively at work during revival that God accomplishes more in hours or days than usually results from years of faithful nonrevival ministry. . . . During revival people are moved toward Christ, people who can be moved in no other way. Many prayers that have gone unanswered for years are gloriously answered.”

We need a revival. Look around at breaking and broken marriages, divided families, confusion over identity (sexual and otherwise), addictions, lusts gone wild, betrayal, busyness, and poverty (material and spiritual). Look around you, look inside you, look and feel the pain and lostness. We need revival.

When we look at our nation today it’s not difficult to see, we need revival. When I look at the world, the wars, the terror, the rebellion and unrest, the injustices, the suffering, the atheism, the religious fanaticism, the lost souls, and the overall ignorance and even apathy toward God, I say, we need revival. We need the presence of the Lord. We need a mighty work of God. We need for God to make His presence known in a powerful and pervasive way. We need revival.

How do we go about getting a revival? Revival is not something we can just formulize into being. Only God, in His sovereign determination and will, can give revival. But there is evidence that we can beseech God for that revival. There is evidence that we can pray to God for revival. Prayerful supplication coupled with trust in Him who knows what we need before we ask, can bring revival.

Psalm 143 is an example of revival praying. Some believe the context of the psalm is Saul’s persecution of David. Others believe this psalm was written by King David when his son Absalom had rebelled against him. When those in power persecute you or those you love betray you it can be discourage you even devastate you. David knew what he needed to do in such times. He needed to pray. He needed revival as we will see. If you are going through a difficult personal time or burdened over the state of the world around you, I encourage you to join me as I take in this psalm prayerfully and seek the Lord for revival.

The prayer of supplication (143:1). “Hear my prayer, O LORD, Give ear to my supplications! In Your faithfulness answer me, And in Your righteousness.” The basis for and reason we pray is God’s faithfulness and His righteousness. David begins his psalm by looking to God. And he looks to God with heartfelt devotion. A supplication is a passionate cry for God’s favor in a given situation. David is not merely repeating some memorized words of prayer. David is pouring out his heart to God.

We come to God in prayer on the basis of His faithfulness to His word and the promises contained therein. We come to God in prayer on the basis of knowing He is righteous and all His answers are right. Prayer begins with God. It is the Holy Spirit who puts the desire to pray within us. Prayer ends with God. God is the destination of our prayers. God is the One who is going to make the difference in whatever it is we are praying for.

When we look at this through the lens of the New Testament we can have great confidence before God. John was inspired to write:

1 John 5:14-15 - Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.

If we pray according to God’s will, He hears us, and if He hears us we know that our great loving Father in heaven will answer our prayers and do what is best. Now you might be thinking, that’s well and good, but how do I know what God’s will is? How do I pray “according to His will”? Let’s continue in the study of our psalm to see.

The servant’s surrender (143:2). “Do not enter into judgment with Your servant, For in Your sight no one living is righteous.” We don’t come before God in our own strength or with any attitude that we are worthy in our own right. No, we come to God in total humility realizing in the sight of God who is Holy “no one living is righteous.” We come in full surrender.

That is what Isaiah felt when He came into the presence of God (Isaiah 6). All he could do in the presence of God is utter a deep woe is me as the holiness of God convicted him of his utter destitution before God. God is opposed to the proud but gives grace to the humble (1 Peter 5:6). A “broken and contrite heart” is what is acceptable to God (Psalm 51:17).

It’s so important that when we come to God we do so in humility. We can only come into the presence of God who is Holy because of Jesus and His atoning work (Heb. 4:15-16). Because of Him and His shed blood we can come before our Heavenly Holy Father with the confidence of a child before their father.

The spirit’s distress (143:3-4). “For the enemy has persecuted my soul; He has crushed my life to the ground; He has made me dwell in darkness, Like those who have long been dead.4 Therefore my spirit is overwhelmed within me; My heart within me is distressed.” Man’s extremities are God’s opportunities. Revivals are often birthed out of hardship and distress of spirit. David speaks of persecution, being crushed to the ground, darkness, death, being overwhelmed, and distressed. It is out of his distress that he calls out to God.

Leonard Ravenhill has written:

“Prayer – protracted prayer, groaning prayer, fasting prayer, weeping prayer, speechless prayer – belongs to those initiated into a spirit of prayer, that is, into ‘praying in the Holy Ghost.’ To the uninstructed, terms like these mean ‘works.’ But praying friend, faint not; such critics may yet learn. In the language of Horatius Bonar it may be said of protracted, groaning, speechless prayer, ‘It is the way the Master went. Should not the servant tread it still?’”

And it is out of the distressing circumstances of our lives and this world that we lean on the Holy Spirit to help us pray. And from the depths such prayer in the Holy Spirit often takes the form of unutterable groans.

It is the Holy Spirit who helps us to pray. Scripture tells us:

Romans 8:26-27 - Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

We are weak and limited. We don’t even know how to pray at times. That is why we need the Holy Spirit to help us. The Holy Spirit within us is able to connect with the Father so that our prayers are empowered and according to the will of God. This is why we are advised to pray in the Holy Spirit” (Jude 20). When the circumstances of life push us to our limits, our extremities, it is an opportunity for God to teach us to come to Him in prayer by the Holy Spirit.

The soul’s selah (143:5-6). “I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your works; I muse on the work of Your hands. 6 I spread out my hands to You; My soul longs for You like a thirsty land. Selah.” “Selah” means pause. This is a pause to take in all that has come to this point in what has been written. David begins this verse by looking to God’s works of old. He then “meditates” on them or ponders them. To meditate is to think about and concentrate on something. David ponders the works of God in the past in order to feed his present faith.

As he ponders and takes in what God has already done in his life, he is blessed. It moves him to spread out his hands before the Lord in worship. Haven’t you ever just thought about the things God has done in your life and worshipped him for it? Think of how He saved your soul, delivered you countless times, prospered and provided for your needs, how He made His presence known to you. We aren’t to live on our own past accomplishments. But we are to feed our faith on God’s faithful provisions throughout our lives. Selah. Think about that. Think about God’s faithfulness. If you do, like David, you will be moved to worship Him and long for more of Him in your life.

Feed the Fire

2011-11-25T12:19:00.001-05:00
I was at a friend’s house fellowshipping and they had a beautiful fireplace. It was warm and cozy as they lit it up and we all felt the heat it gave off. But as the night wore on something became very apparent, a fire tends to go out. There is a spiritual lesson to be learned from that truth.

The Holy Spirit is associated with fire. John the Baptist announced that Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire (Mat. 3:11; Luke 3:16). Jesus said He came to bring fire on the earth (Luke 12:49). The fire He spoke of there was contextually the fire of judgment. But can’t we say that judgment fire was aimed at burning off sin? I think we can. Fire is a purifier. It melts metal allowing impurities to be identified and removed. The Baptism with the Holy Spirit is an empowering work that by nature involves the purifying of our hearts (Acts 15:8-9). We need the fire of the Spirit to burn off that which hinders our walk with Him.

Paul warned those at the church in Rome to keep the fire of their zeal alive (Romans 12:11). He wrote Timothy:

2 Timothy 1:6-7 – “Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

Earlier Paul commended Timothy about his “genuine faith” that was also in his grandmother and mother (2 Tim. 1:5). Paul would not have said this unless there was a possibility that “the gift of God which is in you” might in some way wane or dim. The baptism with the Holy Spirit that leads to God’s empowerment for service and holy life is a gift of God to be received by His grace through faith in Jesus (Acts 2:38; 8:18-20; 10:45). If the presence of the Holy Spirit is represented by fire, and fire has a tendency to go out, then as Paul remarked to Timothy, we need to stir it up, or fan it to a flame; we need to feed the fire of the Spirit within us.

Paul didn’t want Timothy to neglect the fire within. Perhaps Timothy’s flame was flickering. Perhaps the light from the fire of the Spirit that dispels the darkness was dimming and Timothy was fearful as the darkness was creeping in. Paul reminded him when the flame is burning hot and bright, there is power, love and soundness of thinking. When those things are absent or diminished, we need to stoke the fire of the Spirit within.

Now it isn’t as though the Holy Spirit in some way is going to go out within us. It is that if we don’t feed the fire or zeal produced by the Spirit, it can flicker. The fire from God kindled on the altar must be fed (Leviticus 9:24; 6:9-13). God’s fire in our hearts must be attended to. Like a fire in a fireplace, we need to feed it. We need to be stoked. How do we feed the fire of the Spirit’s zeal within us?

First, stoke the fire of the Spirit with prayer.The baptism with the Holy Spirit and fire promised by the Father was delivered as God’s people were united in fervent prayer (Acts 1:4-5, 8; 2:3). We need to get serious about our prayer lives. Nothing will suffocate the fire within faster than a prayerless life. It is in fervent prayer that God renews us and rekindles His fire within us.

Second, stoke the fire of the Spirit with the word of God. The Lord told Jeremiah that He would make His words he spoke “a fire” (Jeremiah 5:14). God said His words were “like a fire” (Jeremiah 23:29). Therefore the second thing we need to do is stoke the fire with the word of God. Prayerfully dig in and consume God’s word. Even if we don’t feel like doing so, we need to step into God’s word by faith and seek a word from the Lord.

Third, stoke the fire by dealing with fire quenchers. Paul was inspired to warn the Thessalonians to not quench the Spirit (1 Thess. 5:19). When we look at the context we see that fire quenchers could take the form of:

1. Rendering evil for evil and not pursuing good for all people (1 Thess. 5:15)
2. Joylessness (5:16)
3. Prayerlessness (5:17)
4. Thanklessness (5:18)
5. Despising prophesy (5:20)
6. Permissiveness; lack of scrutinizing things with God’s word (5:21)
7. Involvement with evil (5:22)
8. Failure to trust God to entirely sanctify you (5:23-24).

These things in our lives throw cold water on the flame of the Spirit. When you go to prayer ask the Lord to search you for any such fire quenchers (e.g. Psalm 139:23-24). God’s fire will test each one’s work (1 Cor. 3:13). God’s plan is that we be on fire for Him in the power of the Holy Spirit (Heb. 1:7; Psalm 104:4). He makes “His ministers a flame of fire.” How’s your fire? Get stoked!

In EVERYTHING Give Thanks

2011-11-17T18:58:00.002-05:00

“in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:18

It’s funny how sometimes truth gets lost in translation. Many times we reinterpret words to fit our own understanding or our own plans. We like things to fit just right in our own understanding and our own plans. This verse challenges such a notion. We would like to think that the word “everything” doesn’t really mean everything. We subtly think, “Surely God couldn’t mean for us to be thankful in times of tragedy, pain, hardship, loss, offense, persecution etc.” Such thinking is the cause of missing or losing God’s truth in our personal translations. The word “everything” is translated from the Greek term pas means, “all, any, every, the whole . . . all manner of, all means), always, any (one), everyone, everyway, as many as, thoroughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever.” In other words, in the Greek the word “everything” means everything!

You might say, “Now wait a minute, I’m sick, should I give thanks to God for that?” Or you might say, “Wait a minute, I just flunked my test . . .” or “I just broke up with my spouse . . . boyfriend . . . girlfriend . . .” or “I just lost my job . . . got demoted . . . wrecked my car . . . stubbed my toe . . .” or whatever bad thing you can imagine; should I give thanks for that? Well, not exactly.

A Subtle Distinction

You see there is a subtle distinction we need to make here. The above verse says, “in everything give thanks,” it doesn’t say, “give thanks for everything. Now that doesn’t mean we can be Mr. or Ms. Grumble or Complainer (see Philippians 2:14-16). But it does mean that we can be thankful in spite of whatever befalls us; we can be thankful IN everything.

What Does It Mean to Be “Thankful”?

The word “thankful” in 1 Thessalonians is translated from the Greek term eucharisteo which means, “to be grateful, . . . to express gratitude . . . to say grace at a meal; (give) thank (-ful, -s).” This is a compound word derived from joining the word “good” (̂ ĕu, yoo - . . . good . . . well . . . well done) and “favor” (charizŏmai, khar-id´-zom-ahee - to grant as a favor, i.e. gratuitously, in kindness, pardon or rescue:— deliver, (frankly) forgive, (freely) give, grant) which is another form of the word “grace” (charis, khar´-ece; . . .graciousness (as gratifying), . . . the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; . . . gratitude . . . acceptable, benefit, favor, gift, grace (-ious), joy, liberality, pleasure, thank (-s, worthy).

Therefore, to be thankful is to express gratitude and appreciation toward God for His good favor and blessing.

Reasons to Be Thankful

No matter what we are going through, we should give thanks to God. On what basis and for what reason should we give thanks to God in all things? We should obey this Spirit inspired exhortation of Paul’s based on the following truth from God’s word:
1. This is God’s will for you – 1 Thessalonians 5:18
2. God has a plan for you – Jeremiah 29:11-13
3. God promises to bring good from ANYTHING and EVERYTHING for those who love Him and answer His call in the midst of trials – Romans 8:26
4. God uses EVERYTHING, the good and the bad in our lives, to make us more like Jesus, to help us know Jesus better through experience in situations – Romans 8:29
5. God uses trials to build and purify our faith – 1 Peter 1:6-9
6. If it weren’t for hardship, we would not know that God’s grace really is sufficient – 2 Corinthians 12:9-10.
7. Any hardship now doesn’t even compare to what awaits those who thankfully trust the Lord in everything – Romans 8:18

Eight Good Reasons to Give Thanks to the LORD

In Psalm 92 we are told it is good to give thanks to the LORD. And in this Psalm we are given some good reasons to give thanks to the LORD, even when enemies rise up against us. Let’s see what these good reason are to give thanks to the LORD.

Psalm 92 reads:

“1 It is good to give thanks to the LORD, And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; 2 To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning, And Your faithfulness every night, 3 On an instrument of ten strings, On the lute, And on the harp, With harmonious sound. 4 For You, LORD, have made me glad through Your work; I will triumph in the works of Your hands. 5 O LORD, how great are Your works! Your thoughts are very deep. 6 A senseless man does not know, Nor does a fool understand this. 7 When the wicked spring up like grass, And when all the workers of iniquity flourish, It is that they may be destroyed forever. 8 But You, LORD, are on high forevermore. 9 For behold, Your enemies, O LORD, For behold, Your enemies shall perish; All the workers of iniquity shall be scattered. 10 But my horn You have exalted like a wild ox; I have been anointed with fresh oil. 11 My ey e also has seen my desire on my enemies; My ears hear my desire on the wicked Who rise up against me. 12 The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. 13 Those who are planted in the house of the LORD Shall flourish in the courts of our God. 14 They shall still bear fruit in old age; They shall be fresh and flourishing, 15 To declare that the LORD is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.”
In this psalm there are many reasons given to give thanks to God but we will mention eight of them.

1. It is “good” to give thanks to the LORD – 92:1. The word “good” ( [towb /tobe/]) occurs 559 times in the Old Testament being translated as “good” 361 times, “better” 72 times, “well” 20 times, “goodness” 16 times, “goodly” nine times, “best” eight times, “merry” seven times, “fair” seven times, “prosperity” six times, “precious” four times, “fine” three times, “wealth” three times, “beautiful” twice, “fairer” twice, “favor” twice, “glad” twice, and translated miscellaneously 35 times. A similar word (Strong’s #3202 טֹוב (towb)) has the meaning of either: 1 good, i.e., pertaining to the moral opposite of evil (2Ch 30:18); 2. good, i.e., pertaining to having good value (Ge 1:4); 3.generous, formally, good, i.e., pertaining to giving much in relation to one’s possessions (Pr 22:9); 4. festive, i.e., pertaining to a joyful time or feeling (1Sa 25:8); 5. beautiful, i.e., pertaining to being pleasant to the eye (Gen. 6:2; 2Sa 11:2), 6. pleasing, i.e., pertaining to a feeling of fondness and enjoyment (1Sa 29:9); note: further study may yield more domains All of this and all it implies gives us good reason to be thankful to the LORD.

2. Thanks helps us to focus on God’s loving-kindness and faithfulness – 92:2

3. Thanks to God puts a song in our heart and lifts our spirit – 92:1,3

4. Thanks brings us into proper focus in that it helps us concentrate on God’s work not our own – 92:4. This is the pathway to triumph in life.

5. Thanks to God is based on His thoughts for us – 92:5-6. Psalm 139:4,17-18. Think of it, the Creator of the universe taking time to THINK about us!

6. Thanks to God in the midst of the rise of our enemies is based on the understanding that God is in control, He is allowing enemies to show themselves so that He might expose them and deal with them – 92:7-9.

7. Thankful trust in God in the midst of trials and enemies leads to triumph and fresh anointing of the Spirit – 92:10-11. (Acts 4:31 in context).

8. Thanks to God is based on God’s promise to make us fruitful and flourish in the process of life – 92:12-15. Palm trees grow and flourish where others wilt and die. Cedars of Lebanon are the strongest of trees. These trees remain fruitful even in old age.

It is GOOD to give thanks to the LORD in EVERYTHING.

Wrong Thanks

Jesus spoke a parable that showed the wrong attitude of thankfulness when He said:

Luke 18:9-14 – “Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.11 “The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector.12 ‘I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’13 “And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’14 “I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

We need to guard against being self-righteously thankful. Thankfulness should be in humility and humble adoration of God for all His grace and provision. (See Acts 24:3; 1 Corinthians 10:28-33).

Thankfulness – Sign of Spiritual Maturity

Jesus expressed thanks to the Father (Matthew 11:25; Luke 10:21). If we want to be more like Jesus we need to seek Him to help us live a life of thankfulness.Paul practiced thankfulness in his life (Romans 16:3-4; Ephesians 1:16; Colossians 1:3; 1 Thessalonians 1:2; 2 Thessalonians 2:13). In Paul’s letter to the Colossians he is inspired to write:

Colossians 2:6-7 – “As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.”

This is a call to spiritual maturity and growth by the apostle Paul and it is punctuated with, THANKSGIVING. Thanksgiving is a sign of spiritual maturity; lack of thanksgiving is a sign of spiritual superficiality. We need to ask the Lord to help us grow in Him and be more thankful to Him.

Yes, in EVERYTHING we should give thanks to God. The following poem paints a picture of why this is true and the reasonable thing to do:

If you never . . .

If you never felt pain,
Then how would you know that I'm a Healer?

If you never went through difficulties,
How would you know that I'm a Deliverer?
If you never had a trial,
How would you call yourself an overcomer?

If you never felt sadness,
How would you know that I'm a Comforter?
If you never made a mistake,
How would you know that I'm forgiving?

If you knew all,
How would you know that I will answer your questions?
If you never were in trouble,
How would you know that I will come to your rescue?

If you never were broken,
Then how would you know that I can make you whole?
If you never had a problem,
How would you know that I can solve them?

If you never had any suffering,
Then how would you know what Jesus went through?
If you never went through fire,
Then how would you become pure?

If I gave you all things,
How would you appreciate them?
If I never corrected you,
How would you know that I love you?

If you had all power,
Then how would you learn to depend on me?
If your life was perfect,
Then what would you need Me for?

Sickness, pain and hardship can become a blessing when these drive us closer to God into His saving arms through faith in Jesus. The greatest healing is not healing from cancer, or some other terminal disease, it is healing from the terminal disease of sin. The greatest healing is when the chasm of sin is spanned by the love of God in Christ in the cross and by faith I trust in Jesus and cross over to His side. That healing comes by God’s grace, through faith in Jesus. That is the greatest healing. And that is reason to be thankful in EVERYTHING!

God's GPS Navigation

2011-11-15T15:39:00.000-05:00

Oh, That Men Would Give Thanks to the LORD

2011-11-15T13:01:00.001-05:00
The Thanksgiving Holiday is upon us. People everywhere will be giving thanks, but to whom will they give thanks? In public schools and the various media modes propaganda will contend that the first thanksgiving was aimed at Native Americans who helped the pilgrims survive a harsh wintery climate. Since by political proclamation we are “no longer a Christian nation,” thanksgiving will likely be directed everywhere but where it ought to be. Who should be thanked on Thanksgiving?

Governor William Bradford made a decree on December 13th 1621 that a day of feasting and prayer was to be set aside to thank God not only for His material provisions, but for blessing them with religious freedom to worship Him as the Spirit led them. In 1863 President Abraham Lincoln officially set aside the last Thursday of November as, “a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father.” In 1941 Congress established the fourth Thursday of November as a legal holiday to be called Thanksgiving Day. It isn’t until relatively recent times that the thought that there is a God and that He ought to be thanked has become societally and secularly blasphemous. It’s interesting that those who contend for freedom to promote filth are so antagonistic toward those who desire freedom to promote faith. Such a stance exposes the depth of depravity and debased reprobation in the world of these latter days. It will only get worse before the Lord Jesus returns.

Psalm 107 opens with the words, “Oh, give thanks to the LORD, . . .” We ought to give thanks to the LORD! J. Vernon McGee comments, “We need more “say so” Christians. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so. Don’t go around complaining and criticizing. If you are a Christian, tell others how good God is. He is good, but He doesn’t have a good name in the world today. God’s reputation is bad—a reputation is what people think about you. God does not have many friends in court among the multitudes of people in the world—no champion, or defender, and few to testify on His behalf. There are few to take the witness stand and say a good word in His behalf. . . . If anyone is going to say that God is good, it will have to be His redeemed ones. God is good. That is not an axiom; it is a proposition that is subject to proof. It is not a cliché, nor a slogan; it is not propaganda. It is true.”

Why should we give thanks to the LORD? “. . . For He is good! For His mercy endures forever.” (Psalm 107:1). God is GOOD! God is MERCIFUL! God is not a tyrant or mean. The word “good” means good in the broadest sense. Goodness is associated with beauty, grace, pleasure, joy, kindness, prosperity, sweetness, and wealth and God is a dispenser of such things. “Mercy” refers to lovingkindness, faithfulness or steadfast love. It is a beautiful word, one of the richest in scripture. God’s mercy is eternal. It is because of God’s goodness and mercy that we exist, are offered a way of salvation from our sin and invited to enter an eternally blessed relationship with the God of the universe. Our salvation and every good thing in existence come from God’s goodness and mercy. God is described in a wonderful way here, a way that should move us to bow before Him in thanks.

Who especially should thank the LORD? The psalmist goes on to exhort, “Let the redeemed of the LORD say so . . .” (107:2). Have you been redeemed from your sins by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ? If so, THANK THE LORD! Remember that the price of your redemption was the precious blood of Christ, the Son of God (Titus 2:14; 1 Peter 1:18-19). Can you thank the LORD for that? I hope so. Don’t lose sight of your most important eternal redemption. This Thanksgiving, despite all the opposition the enemy can muster the redeemed need to proclaim their thanks to the LORD. Thanking God is not optional; it is the only reasonable thing for the redeemed to do.

For what should the redeemed thank the LORD? You may have had a really bad year. You may be going through a tough time. You may be brooding over the economy, a souring relationship, an illness, or some other trial or trouble. You may be in no mood to thank anyone, not even the LORD. But listen, a lack of thankfulness exposes a lack of proper perspective. Psalm 107 gives us five reasons to thank the LORD. Four times the psalmist pleads, “Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!” (Psalm 107:8, 15, 21, 31). We will briefly touch on each one, but you are encouraged to make this Psalm a source of study for this Thanksgiving season.

First, thank God for His redemptive deliverance from the enemy (107:2-7). The Psalmist recalls how God delivered His people from Egypt and through their wilderness wanderings. God heard the cries of His people and acted on their behalf. God will hear our cries and act on our behalf, even today. None of our plight today has caught the LORD off guard. God is in control. He makes a way to live victoriously in life now (Rom. 8:37-39). He defeated Satan on the cross (Col. 2:14-15). He is there for you; the good and merciful God of the universe is there for you. Trust Him. Pray to Him. He will answer. For that we should thank the LORD.

Second, thank God for satisfying the longing soul and filling the hungry soul with goodness (107:8-14). Even when people experience darkness, bondage, and affliction as consequences to rebellion against God and His word, even when we despise His counsel, God doesn’t forsake us. He disciplines us and humbles us until we return and cry out to Him so He can save us. He does this because He loves us (Heb. 12:3-15). God will break our chains, even self-inflicted ones, if we will only repent and cry out to Him. For that we should thank the LORD.

Third, thank God for His healing word (107:15-20). Again the psalmist speaks of those who, “because of their transgressions, and because of their iniquities, were afflicted.” The blame for our affliction is so often clear. We may deny our sin in self-deception (1 John 1:8). We may deny our sin and in effect call God a liar (1 John 1:10). The bottom line is that when we repent and cry out to God, He forgives us and sends His word to heal us and deliver us from our destructions. It is in His word that we see revelation truth; reality; and are directed on the path of life (Psalm 16:11). The volume of His Book speaks of Christ (Hebrews 10:7). For that we should thank the LORD.

Fourth, thank God for His protection in a fallen world (107:21-30). These verses speak of the awesome rolling waves of the sea and how God preserves those who travel them. Did you ever think about the immensity of the world and universe? We are so microscopically focused on ourselves that we miss the incredible grace of God who created, sustains and sovereignly rules over the entire universe. Yet God bends down to help puny little us. We are so quick to point to and blame God for those who die in natural disasters. There is an enemy at work in such situations but we quickly blame God or deny His power (cf. Job 1 and 2). We shouldn’t argue with the God of the universe who in His sovereign determination takes some and spares others. He alone can make those decisions from an omniscient and omnipotent position. We can argue and shake our fist at God; we can turn away in doubt and depression and forfeit all because our small brains and hearts can’t grasp the purposes of Almighty God. But it would be wiser and more blessed to trust our good merciful God and thank Him.

Fifth, thank God for His ultimate justice (107:31-43). God is able to dry up a river or make water flow. He is able to discipline sinful authorities and preserve the poor and weak. He is able to bless and “multiply greatly.” He is able to make the righteous rejoice in the end and shut the mouths of those indulging iniquity. God is in control. The answer is not politics or government. The answer is not in military might, science, technology, or education. The answer is the LORD! “Whoever is wise will observe these things, and they will understand the lovingkindness of the LORD.” “The Lovingkindness of the LORD,” that is what we ought to thank God for, His lovingkindness. Look around you, all is not lost. God is in control. He has a plan and will carry it out. Indeed, if you are paying attention, you can see the prophetic word of God being fulfilled quite nicely. Jesus is coming back! Soon and very soon we will see our Savior and King of kings, our good and merciful God. For that we should be most thankful. “Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD . . . .”

Personal Revival: Why Should We Want it? How Can We Get it?

2011-11-09T10:29:00.002-05:00
Why revival? Why should we be interested in revival? Isn’t that out of date and out of touch with what we need and what people are looking for today? Isn’t that for the old folk who in bygone days would run up and down the aisles of churches or tents at camp meetings waving a hanky and shouting? Will revival put food on my table and money in my pocket? Will revival heal my broken heart? Will it get me that promotion? Will revival make me successful? Will revival meet my needs? Those are some interesting questions and I do believe personal revival is a key to addressing them, but perhaps in a way that we’ve yet to consider. You see, God has an answer; in fact He is the Answer to all of those questions (John 14:6). Without God or with a distant relationship with God our priorities and perspectives are all out of whack so that our focus is on the symptoms rather than the root problem. The root problem is that we are either separated from God by our sin (Psalm 66:18; Isaiah 59:2) and need to be saved (Romans 6:23), or we have drifted from God and lost our bearings (Revelation 2:1-7). These questions are not bad in and of themselves; they are just the wrong questions. The Bible tells us to trust and delight in God and He will give us the right desires in our heart and get us through our times of difficulties (Psalm 37:3-5). God has promised to supply all of our needs through Jesus (Philippians 4:13, 19). It is by drawing close to God through faith in Jesus that all of these questions are put in proper perspective and provided for. That’s why we need revival; revival brings us closer to God through salvation and renewal in the Spirit. Today, as never before, we need revival.

The first revival in the recorded revelation of God occurs in Genesis 35. It is there where after a tragic sequence of events involving the rape of one of his daughters and the murderous revenge of his sons against the perpetrator Shechem (as well as the innocents of the city where he lived), that God moved upon Jacob to lead his family in revival. Revivals are often preceded by some tragedy, trial or spiritual low point. When we look at the world nationally and internationally we see a great deal of tragedy. When we look not only globally, but locally and personally we can find tragedy, pain and hardship that threatens to push us down and away from God. It is just during such times of fear, trepidation, uncertainty, and despair that we need a revival from God that will give us the faith and courage in Him to get us through it all.

There is a literary principle of first mention at work here. The first mention in the Bible of a word or subject serves to lay a foundation or pattern for future reoccurrences of that same word or subject. Such is the case in Genesis 35; it lays the groundwork and sets the pattern for personal revival. Below are some things that we need to realize to experience personal revival. There are some questions to help us assess where we are with the Lord. There are also related scriptures in parenthesis we should prayerfully consider. We need revival and God desires revival for us. Let’s turn to Genesis 35 and after prayerfully reading the chapter join together in seeking a personal revival by considering the following questions.

First, realize God initiates revival. Genesis 35 begins with the words, “then God said to Jacob” (35:1a; see Acts 15:8-9; 1 Corinthians 15:10; Philippians 2:12-13). God saw the need and spoke to Jacob. Do I believe God can revive me, that He wants to and can change me? Are you fully trusting in Him to speak to you, to change you, or are you relying on yourself or something or someone other than God?

Second, realize revival involves God reminding us of where we once were (35:1b; see also Revelation 2:1-7). God directed Jacob to a place where he had been close to and in the presence of God (Genesis 28). Are you closer to the Lord now than you were when you first accepted Jesus as Savior? Are you closer to the Lord now than you were a year ago, six months ago, a month ago? If you aren’t steadily growing closer to the Lord, you are probably backsliding (Jeremiah 3:6-15; Hosea 14:4).

When you were saved you proclaimed Jesus as your Lord (Romans 10:8-10). Is He still your Lord? Have you slowly or rebelliously taken back some of the things you once gave Him control of? Maybe you need to go to Him in prayer and return that which you’ve taken back. And maybe you need to ask Him to search you deeper for areas that need to be surrendered to His Lordship. Is He your “King of Kings and Lord of Lords”? (See Philippians 2:9-11; Revelation 19:16). ). If you’re not closer today than you were in the past, why do you think that is? Ask the Lord to show you.

Third, realize revivals often work through a person chosen by God who acts on God’s word (35:2a). The account goes on to say, “And Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, . . .” The Lord started this revival by speaking individually to Jacob. What is God saying to you? God moved on Jacob’s heart and he passed on to others what the Lord had put on his heart. Revivals can be quenched by those who keep what God conveys to them to themselves. If God gives a word, he desires us to share it! (Jeremiah 20:9; Galatians 6:2; 1 Peter 3:15). It may be a testimony of what God has done, is doing or has promised to do in your life. It may be a scripture He has put on your heart. It may be answered prayer. It may be something the Lord has convicted you about and that you obediently intend to change. God can use such things to spark a revival. Caution: don’t feel like you have to say something; don’t use such a time to voice a pet peeve or gripe; listen to the Lord and only speak if He directs you to do so (Acts 4:8f., 31; 13:9f.; James 1:19-20; 1 Peter 4:11).

Fourth, realize revivals involve holiness, a willingness to forsake anything and everything that is not pleasing to God (35:2b; Psalm 66:18; 139:23-24;Jeremiah 4:3-4; Romans 12:1-2; Galatians 2:20; 1 Thessalonians 5:22-25). Is there a sin in your life that you have been allowing? Have you been rationalizing or overlooking some clear contradiction of God’s word in your life? Remember, God is either Lord of all or He is not Lord at all in your life. The missionary Jonathan Goforth stated:

If revival is being withheld from us it is because some idol remains still enthroned; because we still insist in placing our reliance in human schemes; because we still refuse to face the unchangeable truth that, 'It is not by might, but by My Spirit.'

Fifth, realize revivals involve taking action on God’s word (35:3-4). Jacob and his family took action; they obeyed the word of the Lord. Jesus said the one who truly loved Him was the one who was obedient to Him (John 14:21, 23). Do you love Jesus enough to obey Him? (Matthew 7:21-28; James 1:22-24).

Sixth, realize revivals result in God’s protection (35:5). Are you afraid of something or someone? Revivals come when we trust in God to protect us (Psalm 4:8; 11; 121; 124; 139:10; Isaiah 41:10; 54:17; 59:19; John 10:28-30; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10). God is better able to defend us against our enemies than we are or any other earthly person. John Wesley used to say:

Give me one hundred preachers who fear nothing but sin and desire nothing but God, and I care not whether they be clergymen or laymen; they alone will shake the gates of hell and set up the kingdom of heaven upon earth.

Seventh, realize revivals result in a focus on God (35:6-7). Jacob moved from merely remembering that holy place named “Bethel” (“house of God”) to focusing on “El Bethel,” or the God of the house of God. . When the Holy Spirit is working and bringing revival the focus is on Jesus (John 15:26). Focus on Jesus (Hebrews 12:1-2; 13:5).

Eighth, realize revivals may involve weeping (35:8). Deborah, Rebekah’s nurse died and the place where they lay her was then called “the oak of weeping.” Revivals sometimes come to prepare us for a loss (see Death of Rachel in 35:16-29). It could be the literal loss of an individual, or it could be the loss of a portion of our sinful “self” that we need to hold a funeral for (see Romans 6; Galatians 2:20; Colossians 3:1-11). Weeping shows a willingness to allow our emotions out. People are often reserved or embarrassed to let their emotions out. Sometimes the keeping in of emotions is a sign of pride. When was the last time you shed a tear before the Lord? In humility (not prideful show) we should let our emotions out before the Lord (See Psalm 30:4-5; Hebrews 12:12-17; James 4:7-10).

Ninth, realize revival leads to insight and greater perception of God and our relationship to Him (35:9-11; Psalm 42). We need to draw near to God (Psalm 73:28; James 4:8). Jacob the heel-catcher or selfish grabber was transformed to “Israel” or “one governed by God” one who served God as LORD. Revival brings us back to our best time with God and then brings us even deeper as God works in us a greater capacity to know Him on a deeper level (John 14:26; 1 Corinthians 2:9-14). Often a revival begins with the Lord bringing a portion of scripture to mind that He wants to use in your life. Is there a verse or passage the Lord is putting on your heart now? How can it be applied to your life? Is God speaking to you about some changes you need to make? Revivals start when people respect His revelation and take it to heart (e.g. Jeremiah 15:16; 1 Thessalonians 2:13). Is there a verse God used to speak to you in the past that perhaps He wants you to return to and reapply?

Tenth, realize revival leads to memorable fruitfulness and blessing (35:11b-14). God revived Jacob and sent him out to be “fruitful and multiply.” And after God left him, he erected a stone pillar, a lasting symbol to remind him of this special time. Jacob then poured out a drink offering and “poured oil on it. “ Oil is a symbol of the Holy Spirit in scripture (Zechariah 4). Are you spiritually fruitful? Are you growing in your relationship with Jesus? Are you being used by Him in some way? Are you involved in His ministry, in His church? We are fruitful when we abide in Jesus (John 15). When the Holy Spirit is at work He bears fruit in us (Galatians 5:22-25) and through us (Colossians 1:9-12).

We need revival, in the world, as a nation and personally. Pray for and receive God’s work of revival in your heart and life. “He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.” (1 Thessalonians 5:24).

A Word on Thanksgiving

2011-11-07T10:07:00.003-05:00
In the month of November we celebrate Thanksgiving as a national holiday. Over the years those who oppose the God of our fathers have sought to change history so that Thanksgiving is viewed as a time where the pilgrims held a feast to thank the Indians of the land rather than the God of the universe. This is just one more attempt to remove God from the land. Were the pilgrims thankful for the friendship and help of the Indian friends? Yes indeed, but they knew Who had sent the Indians, God, and it was to Him that they came together to give thanks.

William Bradford, the governor of the Plymouth Colony, proclaimed the first day of Thanks in 1623 and did so with the following proclamation:

To All Ye Pilgrims: Inasmuch as the great Father has given us this year an abundant harvest of Indian corn, wheat, beans, squashes, and garden vegetables, and has made the forests to abound with game and the sea with fish and clams, and inasmuch as He has protected us from the ravages of the savages, has spared us from pestilence and disease, has granted us freedom to worship God according to the dictates of our own conscience; now, I, your magistrate, do proclaim that all ye Pilgrims, with your wives and little ones, do gather at ye meeting house, on ye hill, between the hours of 9 and 12 in the day time, on Thursday, November ye 29th of the year of our Lord one thousand six hundred and twenty-three, and third year since ye Pilgrims landed on ye Pilgrim Rock, there to listen to ye pastor, and render thanksgiving to ye Almighty God for all His blessings.

In 1779 George Washington proclaimed Thanksgiving as a national holiday. President Washington’s proclamation demonstrates the spiritual nature of this holiday and that it was a call to the citizens of this great land to give thanks to the One who had overseen them throughout the year. Washington’s proclamation stated:

Whereas, it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; Whereas, both the houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me "to recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness!" Now therefore, I do recommend next, to be devoted by the people of the states to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be, that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country.

The United States is still the most powerful nation in the world today and that power is not attributed to its democratic roots, but to its Christian heritage. God has so “shed His grace on thee.” But our nation has been steadily cutting away its moorings since the early 1960s when prayer, the Bible and God were systematically removed by a handful of judges from the schools. We are in danger of being completely cut adrift as we battle for even the slightest mentions of God in our society (like the mention of God in the Pledge of Allegiance). Make no mistake about it, if we severe as a nation, our ties to Almighty God, we will relinquish His protection from our enemies and soon find ourselves in repeated 9/11 types of tragedies and a constant fear that will rob us of our freedoms and liberty. Our nation, as it takes a jackhammer to the Judeo-Christian foundations of our society will continue to plummet morally into anarchy, avarice and antichristian actions that will bring God’s wrath.

The consideration of same-sex marriages, once unthinkable, is a clear indication of the depths to which this nation has plummeted. When all of the candidates of a particular party in a presidential campaign to the man and woman, support same-sex marriage and homosexuality and lesbianism it shows that we as a nation are sick and sinful from the head of government on down. Homosexuality is being pushed on us from every media. Why is it that a group so small, has so much influence and is being allowed to push itself on the nation and demand they be not only tolerated, but accepted and given equal viability and standing with traditional Biblical family forms? It is because we as a nation are in the process of rejecting God (see Romans 1).

If you look in history and observe empires, kingdoms, and nations in decline you will see a common characteristic of all of them, the rise in immorality, promiscuity, and particularly homosexuality. If (or should I say when) same-sex marriage is approved in our land, can the legalizing of incest, polygamy, pedophilia, and other debauched things conjured by reprobate minds be far behind?

This year many will be stuffed to capacity and lulled to sleep by full bellies (See Philippians 3:18-19). That physical condition is a picture of the spiritual condition too many of us are in. We are stuffed with the things of this world in thought, word, and deed and we have become Christian couch potatoes conked out on the couch while our drawers containing the precious jewels of our Christian heritage are being rifled through and ripped off by heretics and heritage robbers! We need to wake up and stop the pillaging of truth and our heritage.

I wonder how President Washington and the founding fathers viewed Separation of Church and State when they were drawing up this proclamation of thanksgiving to God above. Their view of God's role in our national workings was obviously quite different than that held by many in our day. (No amount of revisionist histroy can change that.)It would be hard to imagine a politician in the land today making such a proclamation. Our country has drifted far from its godly moorings. God has blessed this land so much, isn’t it time we act responsibly in a spirit of thanksgiving?

Wouldn’t it be great to see our land healed of its child abuse (e.g. abortion, partial birth abortion, RU486), immorality (e.g. pornography, adultery, homosexuality/lesbianism, and promiscuity), and antichristian attitude, of its sin? Progress has been made in some of these areas, but the enemy continues to fight tooth and nail against any godly and righteous advancement. We need to repent as a nation and as individual sinners. There is a way for us to get back on the right track with God. God promises to intervene if . . .

2 Chronicles 7:14 - “if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

All is not lost, yet (Romans 13:11-14; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11; 2 Peter 3:9-13). There is still time; as long as God’s gavel has not fallen, there is time. There is still time for a comeback, for a last minute drive to the goal of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:12-21). The comeback starts when we as individuals turn to God with prayerful, searching and thankful hearts and recognize how patient God has been with us as we’ve followed our flesh in so many ways. We need to ask God to search us and show us where our paths are wicked ways (Psalm 139:23-24). Then we need to repent; to actually, by God’s grace and the power of the Spirit, “turn from their wicked ways” and walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:19-24). We need to confess those sins, receive forgiveness and cleansing from God through faith in Christ (1 John 1:9). Then we need to walk in the light of His word and live in fellowship with Jesus (John 8:31-36; 1 John 1:7). This is all the beginning of warring against the forces of evil with spiritual weaponry and that is the only way to be victorious (2 Corinthians 10:3-5; Ephesians 6:10-18). Receive God’s blessed cleansing from sin and be filled with the empowerment of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18).

Once we’ve invited Jesus into our hearts to clean house (Revelation 3:20), then we war on the floor on our knees in prayer. Then we can begin to pray for others and be used by God to minister to others in our families, friendships, neighborhoods and nation. Pray for our country and its leaders and for God to continue to be longsuffering with us. Pray for a conviction of sin to fall upon this land that will fuel a groundswell of repentance from top to bottom. Pray for a move of the Spirit that will win the lost to Christ in our families, friendships, workplaces, our neighborhoods, in our nation, in our land. Be thankful for God’s many blessings, for His patience with us this Thanksgiving. May we be thankful for our freedom, our land, and our families, His church, His word, His provision, for the Father, His only Son Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Be thankful that there is still time to get right with God!

“It is good to give thanks to the LORD,
And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High;
To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning,
And Your faithfulness every night,” - Psalm 92:1-2

How Long in the Wilderness?

2011-11-02T14:11:00.002-04:00
“It is eleven days’ journey from Horeb by way of Mount Seir to Kadesh Barnea. Now it came to pass in the fortieth year, . . .” (Deuteronomy 1:2-3a)

The book of Deuteronomy is a book where Moses is in part warning a new generation of God’s people to not fall prey to the same debilitating spiritual pitfalls of the previous generation. This previous generation lived there lives in the wilderness when they could have gone on into God’s Promised Land. Paul warns us of the same thing in the New Testament (1 Corinthians 10:1-13). There is a valuable application for us here too.

There was a legitimate eleven days journey through the wilderness from Egypt to the Promised Land. From Horeb by way of Mount Seir to Kadesh Barnea is about 126 miles. But God’s people spent forty years in the wilderness! (1:3). Most of this time in the wilderness was illegitimate. What kept the previous generation in the wilderness so long? It was because of their lack of faith and disobedience (Num. 13-14). When God brought them to the edge of the Promised Land, instead of going in, they focused on the obstacles in God’s plan; the giants in the land. They should have followed the Lord wholeheartedly in faith. The consequence was that they never made it out of the wilderness.

The Old Testament can be looked at typologically. The Old Testament contains symbolism and patterns that can be applied to our walk with the Lord. For instance Israel’s life in Egypt represents the bondage of the unsaved life; the old sinful way of life. The Exodus represents God’s deliverance of salvation from this bondage. The wilderness represents the time wherein a person learns that the flesh or sinful nature needs to be crucified with Christ and no longer has a hold on them (e.g. Gal. 2:20; Rom. 6:6, 14; 7:24-25).

In the wilderness we learn to set the flesh life aside and replace it with new life in Christ. In the wilderness we learn living in the flesh is frustrating and doomed to failure. Paul describes his experience of trying to live for God in the power of the flesh in Romans 7. Such a life is a wretched robbery of God’s best for us. The key to passing through the wilderness is coming to the realization that our help is not found within us, but in the Person of Jesus Christ. Self-help is an oxymoron. Self-discipline will only take us so far. Paul by faith came to realize, “O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God – through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Rom. 7:24-25a). The way out of the wilderness is realizing deliverance is found in “Who . . . . through Jesus Christ our Lord!” Deliverance from the flesh is found in the Person of Jesus Christ and His cross. We have to reckon the old man dead and in faith live depending on Christ (Rom. 6:11).

The Promised Land symbolizes the abundant life in the Spirit (Rom. 8). There are battles still to be fought, but God enables us in the Spirit to be victorious. This is a life of victory and overcoming. We are more than conquerors in Him (Rom. 8:37-39). It is life lived in submission to the Spirit and forsaking the lusts of the flesh. To enter this Promised Land one takes a step of faith and crosses the Jordan of decision (Joshua 1-3; cf. Acts 15:8-9).

God doesn’t plan for us to live out our lives in the wilderness. Disobedience and lack of faith can keep us in the wilderness longer than we need to be. Some people never get out of the wilderness because they choose to live a life of complaining and refusal to trust the Lord. God’s desire is to bring His people into the Promised Land. It was a tragedy their lack of trust kept them from God’s Promised Land. They allowed themselves to be overcome by the size of the obstacles rather than depending in faith on the power of God; the size of God.

Have you been wandering, meandering in the wilderness too long? Are you living in Romans 7 or Romans 8? God never planned for you to stay in the wilderness. Stop living in the shadows of frightening giants and come into the light of the Lord. Take a step of faith. Cross the Jordan and live in the Promised Land.

Driven by the Vision of God

2011-10-28T11:29:00.002-04:00
Ezekiel was a contemporary of Jeremiah and Daniel. He was a prophet called by God to minister to the exiles and is therefore referred to as a post-exilic prophet. Ezekiel is referred to as the prophet of visions because he received numerous visions from God. He was driven by these visions to a ministry that would remind the exiled captives why they were in the predicament they were in but also to strengthen those who genuinely repented of their sin and returned with their hearts to God.

Ezekiel is a book about the vision of God and its effect on people. The visions of this book are effective and influential because they are visions from God. Our world and the people in it lack vision. There is no sense of right and wrong. There is little sense of direction. The result is a world and people community that is wandering aimlessly in a fog. Someone has suggested God recall humans for reasons made clear by this illustration:

Important Recall

The maker of all human beings is recalling all units manufactured, regardless of make or year, due to the serious defect in the primary and central component, or heart. This is due to a malfunction in the original prototype units, resulting in the reproduction of the same defect in all subsequent units. This defect has been technically termed, Sub-sequential Internal Non-morality, or more commonly known as S-I-N, as it is primarily symptomized by loss of moral judgment.
Some other symptoms are:
(a) Loss of direction; Loss of vision
(b) Foul vocal emissions
(c) Amnesia of origin
(d) Lack of peace and joy
(e) Selfish, or violent, behavior
(f) Depression or confusion in the mental component
The manufacturer, who is neither liable or at fault for this defect, is providing factory authorized repair and service, free of charge, to correct this SIN defect, at numerous locations throughout the world. The number to call for the recall station in your area is: P-R-A-Y-E-R

WARNING: Continuing to operate the human unit without correction voids manufacturer's warranty, exposing owner to dangers and problems too numerous to list, and will result in the human unit being permanently impounded. For free emergency service, kneel and call on the name of J-E-S-U-S for prompt assistance at any location worldwide.

The importance of vision is stated in the Proverbs: “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keeps the law, happy is he” (Proverbs 29:18). A major reason why our nation, this world and even parts of the church are foundering is because it has no vision. Where there is vision, there is usually the wrong vision. We need God’s vision to flourish. But we’re getting ahead of ourselves. We need to ask a definitive question first.

What is vision? The Hebrew term used in Ezekiel 1:1 to translate “vision” is marah which means literally, a vision, a mirror, or looking glass. Based on this term’s definition, the visions viewed by Ezekiel in this book were like observations made in a heavenly mirror or looking glass. God revealed through the use of visions the spiritual implications of Ezekiel’s immediate as well as future historical and personal circumstances.

Later in the book of Ezekiel a different term is used to refer to vision:

Ezekiel 12:22-25 - “Son of man, what is this proverb that you people have about the land of Israel, which says, ‘The days are prolonged, and every vision fails’?23 “Tell them therefore, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “I will lay this proverb to rest, and they shall no more use it as a proverb in Israel.” But say to them, “The days are at hand, and the fulfillment of every vision.24 “For no more shall there be any false vision or flattering divination within the house of Israel.25 “For I am the LORD. I speak, and the word which I speak will come to pass; it will no more be postponed; for in your days, O rebellious house, I will say the word and perform it,” says the Lord GOD.’ ”

In these verses the term “vision” is a translation of the Hebrew word chazon which also is generally translated, “vision.” This term does not appear before 1 Samuel and is predominantly seen in prophetic books. Chazon is a word used almost exclusively to refer to divine revelation or communication; a message received by prophetic vision; and that which is essential to the survival of a people (Proverbs 29:18). This word also can refer to that which is received by and written down by a prophet as in the case of Isaiah (Isaiah 1:1). Based on the above portion of scripture we see that the people of God had been given false visions or visions that were not from God and this led them in part to their captive state of affairs.

A vision therefore, is a supernatural enablement, communication, or revelation from God to see the spiritual significance in life and history. A God sent vision helps us see the will of God whether in the present, past or future. The vision God provides is the ability to see into the spiritual realm, and the ability to have spiritual insight that a person would not normally have in their own ability. This vision provided by God motivates and ignites within the recipient, a desire to fulfill, proclaim and be a part of God’s divine plan revealed by the vision. When God gives a vision to a person, He is saying, “That is what I desire to do; this is when and how I will do it.” We need vision from God to direct our paths and lead us to the throne of His grace. The vision of God to man is essential to man’s survival.

In the book of 2 Kings Chapter 6 the Syrian Army came up against Israel during the prophetic ministry of Elisha. At one point in the battle Elisha’s servant awoke to see the city of Jerusalem surrounded by the Syrians. Quickly he runs to Elisha to give him the news. Elisha is settled and confident in the face of this danger because of his spiritual vision. He prays for the servant to receive the same spiritual vision. The following is an excerpt from this account:

2 Kings 6:15-17 – “And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, and said, “LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.”

Now I do not mean to imply that if we pray to God He will always give us a vision like the one this servant received. He may, but He may not. The point I do want to make is that God will give us spiritual vision in that He will enable us to see the hidden spiritual battle taking place around us. God will enable us to see the spiritual significance of our everyday circumstances of life and ministry. He will give us vision of what His overall plan is for a situation, area, or circumstance of life. That spiritual insight comes from the vision of God.

William Carey was born in 1761 to poor parents. At a young age he learned the trade of a cobbler. He had an interest in world geography and foreign languages. At age 18 he went into the ministry being called by God from work on the soles of shoes to work on the souls of men. Carey had the heart of a missionary. On May 31st, 1792, he preached a landmark sermon from Isaiah. His text was Isaiah 54:2-3:

Isaiah 54:2-3 - “Enlarge the place of your tent, and let them stretch out the curtains of your dwellings; Do not spare; Lengthen your cords, And strengthen your stakes.3 For you shall expand to the right and to the left, And your descendants will inherit the nations, And make the desolate cities inhabited.”

During the course of his sermon he coined the phrase that would ignite a worldwide mission’s movement that would eventually earn him the title, “The father of modern missions.” The phrase that ignited the movement encapsulates the meaning of being driven by the vision of God. That phrase was: “Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God.” When we talk about being driven by the vision of God that is what we mean!

What is your source of vision? Is it God and His word or the world or some other resource? We need God’s vision to cut through the fog of this world and its views. We need God’s vision to see clearly. That’s why we should seek to be driven by God’s vision.

Would You Consider?

2011-10-28T09:50:00.001-04:00
Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. - 1 Corinthians 4:1

Dear Friends,

This blog is a ministry. From time to time it is good to assess ministry in order to be a good steward of the time and effort involved in its upkeep and to determine the leading of the Lord.

In order to gauge the direction in which the Lord is leading would you consider joining the membership of the Shepherd of Hope blog site?

Would you consider inviting others to become members of this site? This will enable me to determine the direction in which the Lord is leading.

Joining the blog site will give you an automatic notice when a new teaching or other material is posted. It will also help gauge the audience which the site is reaching. This will give a better indication about what materials are most appropriate to minister to those interested in the site. It will also help in considering how to broaden the ministry field.

To join the blog just click the button on the right side of the blog site and follow the instructions. It's very easy.

I would also welcome your comments and suggestions about how to better the site and make it more helpful and God glorifying.

If you choose not to join the blogsite, would you please give the reason for your decision.

Even if you choose to disregard this request, would you also consider praying for this ministry venture in faith?

You are appreciated and I pray the Lord directs you to join me in this ministry. God bless.

in His service, by His grace, for His glory,

Pastor Claude

Purified - Leonard Ravenhill

2011-10-25T12:07:00.001-04:00

Important Questions - Leonard Ravenhill

2011-10-21T10:31:00.000-04:00

Powerful Interview with Leonard Ravenhill

2011-10-19T14:57:00.001-04:00

Ghostly Encounters

2011-10-14T15:16:00.004-04:00
We watch innocent children play in a playroom at home and all of a sudden a child with death in its face pokes its head momentarily through a shadowy doorway behind them. The hair on the back of our necks stands up in response. Self -proclaimed “scientists” go from place to place testing to verify whether or not reported ghostly voices, shadowy figures, scary touches, or emotional impressions are real. It all draws in the curious and makes for popular TV. What is really going on here?

Did you know that there is someone in scripture who experienced a similar ghostly encounter? Read the experience of Eliphaz as recorded in the book of Job:

Job 4:12-17 - “Now a word was secretly brought to me, and my ear received a whisper of it. 13 In disquieting thoughts from the visions of the night, when deep sleep falls on men, 14 Fear came upon me, and trembling, which made all my bones shake. 15 Then a spirit passed before my face; the hair on my body stood up. 16It stood still, but I could not discern its appearance. A form was before my eyes; there was silence; then I heard a voice saying: 17 ‘Can a mortal be more righteous than God? Can a man be more pure than his Maker?

To understand what is going on here the context of the passage is very important. Job is a book about trusting God in terrible times of suffering. It is a book about the meaning of true faith. True faith isn’t based on reward or blessing, it is based on a trusting relationship with Almighty God. But the context of this book is often glanced over. The book opens with a description of Job as, “the greatest of all people of the East” (1:3). What makes Job so great? His holy walk with God and concern for the spiritual welfare of his family (1:5). What matters most is God’s assessment of Job. God says, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?” (1:8). God is proud of “His servant” Job. We should all desire or God to think and say the same things about us. But who was God speaking to when He said this?

God was speaking to Satan when he commented on Job. The “sons of God” or angelic beings come to present themselves before God. Satan, (a fallen angelic being) joined in coming before the LORD (1:6). Once before the LORD God asks Satan where he has been. Satan’s response is important to note. He says, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it” (1:7). And it would not be presumptuous to say that Satan goes to and fro throughout the earth with ill intent.

The New Testament states:

1 Peter 5:8-9 - Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.

Job is in part, a book about resisting Satan. After the second chapter Satan is not mentioned again in Job. And yet Satan’s encounter with God is the backdrop for the entire book.

Spiritual warfare is the setting for the book of Job. God brags on Job, Satan responds with a ridiculing retort:

Job 1:9-11 - 9 So Satan answered the LORD and said, “Does Job fear God for nothing? 10 Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. 11 But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!”

God accepts the challenge and removes His hedge of protection from Job (1:12). Satan ruthlessly removes Jobs wealth and family (1:13-21). Job’s faith proves steadfast. “In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong” (1:22).

Satan wasn’t satisfied. He again goes before the LORD and again describes his dealings as, “From gong to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it” (2:1-2). This time God again boasts on Job saying, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and suns evil? And still he holds fast to his integrity, although you incited Me against him, to destroy him without cause” (2:3). God glories in the steadfast integrity of His servant Job. Notice Job is referred to by God as “My servant.” Job lives for the LORD. Job sees His life and the circumstances of it as fully surrendered to the LORD. This is verified by the description of Job’s response to his loss. The passage states:

Job 1:20-21 - 20 Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped. 21 And he said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; Blessed be the name of the LORD.”

None of us in our right mind would want to experience losses like Job did. But if we ever do, we should pray for Job’s attitude as expressed by God’s inspired word here.
Satan wasn’t satisfied; he never is. He proudly challenged God’s words again with rippling rebellion saying, “Skin for skin! Yes, all that a man has he will give for his life. But stretch out Your hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will surely curse You to Your face!” (2:5). Ah, there is Satan’s motive and goal. He wants to get Job to curse God. God gives permission for even this (2:8). Notice God is sovereign; nothing happens to Job; no attack is made without the express permission of God. Satan and God are not equals. Satan is under the sovereign control of God. But God gives Satan permission to physically afflict Job in an effort to test his faith.

What strategy does Satan rely on besides the actually destruction of Job’s wealth, health and family? We see it in the reaction of Job’s wife. After having lost all and being further physically afflicted Job’s wife encourages him to do exactly what Satan so desired, “Curse God and die!” (2:9). Job’s wife is culpable in that she stopped be a helper to Job and turned to being a defeated antagonist to her husband. Satan often works to divide and conquer in the marriage relationship. Remember Eve and Adam (Gen. 3). Job’s response to his wife is suited for any spouse who acts like her; “You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?” The summary assessment of Job is, “In all this Job did not sin with his lips” (2:10). Satan will stoop to anything to accomplish his cursed plans. And he didn’t stop there.

Job, the biggest loser on earth at that time, having been ridiculed by the one closest to him, his wife, he is then joined by three friends (2:11-13). At first they didn’t even recognize Job so torn was he by his circumstances. But when they did see who it was, they wept with their friend and tore their clothes in empathy. Then they sat down with him for seven days of silent sorrowing together (2:11-13).
Job then speaks and starts what will become an incredible dialogue with his friends and ultimately with God in an effort to explain his circumstances. Who is to blame? Why has this happened? These are the questions addressed in this incredible book. That is the context of the ghostly appearance mentioned earlier.

The first of Job’s friends to respond in an effort to explain Job’s circumstances and set him right, is Eliphaz. And it is Eliphaz who bases his words on “a word” that “was secretly brought to me” by the ghostly figure in the night. Eliphaz and the other two friends Bildad and Zophar, as well as a fourth young late comer named Elihu are all in the end rebuked by God (42:7). Now we can’t attribute all of their response to ghostly apparitions, but at least we can do so for Eliphaz. The account given by Eliphaz concerning the ghostly appearance in the night is not coincidental. There is spiritual warfare going on here. This ghostly appearance is also not solitary in its occurrence.

When we look in the Bible we find other incidents of spirits influencing people. A spirit of ill will had an ill effect on Abimelech (Judges 9:23). King Saul was distressed by a spirit after he had disobeyed the LORD (1 Sam. 16:14-15; 19:9). Lying spirits influenced false prophets (1 Kings 22:23). Satan himself influenced King David to momentarily not trust in God but instead trust in his own earthly forces (1 Chron. 21:1). Jesus cast out evil spirits from people in the New Testament (Mat. 8:16; Mark 1:23-27). And Judas’ heinous betrayal of Jesus is linked to Satan entering him (Luke 22:3).

A point to be made here is that the “friend” of Job who should have encouraged him became a source of discouragement and aggravation in part as a result of passing on words he had received from a ghostly figure in the night. It is not farfetched to associate this ghost with the work of Satan. His desire is to compound Job’s pain with relentless accusations from those closest to him over the bulk of the book of Job. It wasn’t that Satan entered his friends. They believed in God and had a relationship with Him. But they allowed themselves to be influenced by Satan through a ghost inspired (satanically motivated) response as well as their own proud presumptuous reasoning based on very limited information. Proverbs states, “Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; when he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive” (Prov. 17:28). They should have kept their peace.

The broader point to be made is that Satan worked to manipulate and influence others for his purposes by way of a ghostly appearance. The Bible says:

Ephesians 6:12 - 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Job’s enemy was not his friend; it was Satan and his demons. Satan is an intelligent being. He was once a gloriously beautiful cherub but he fell in pride to ugliest of adversaries of God (Ezek. 28:12-17). Satan is a defeated foe. Jesus defeated him publically and decisively at the cross (Col. 2:15). But he is still at work and he will stoop to anything to work his plan to bring people to curse God. Today we see his work in the proliferation of ghostly occultic interests. Satan plays on the curiosity for the unknown in people yet blinded by Him (2 Cor. 4:4). He wants to distract people from the reality of God and His love and grace and salvation by creating an environment where people seek ghosts instead of God. Our response should be to, “have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them” (Eph. 5:11). Look at what happened with Job and his friends. Shine the light of truth on the deceptive darkness of Satan. Expose the ghostly encounters for what they really are, a work of Satan. May God help us by His Spirit in this task. All to His glory. Amen.

Restore Us O God

2011-10-13T20:08:00.005-04:00
Psalm 80 speaks of a time hardship in which the restoration of God is needed for His people. The difficulty apparently had led to depression and discouragement. They were beginning to realize they needed God’s restoration. They needed to be revived. They had lost their passion for God. Perhaps this loss of passion was the cause of their difficulties.

There is a lesson for all of us to learn from this psalm. Do you have a passion for God? Are you only so-so or lukewarm? Jesus finds such a state in His followers repulsive. He said as much to the church of Laodicea (cf. Rev. 3:14-22). And unfortunately the contemporary Church is much like the Laodiceans. One commentator states:

The New Testament Church did not depend on a moral majority, but rather on the holy minority. The Church right now has more fashion than passion, is more pathetic than prophetic, is more superficial than supernatural. The church the Apostles ministered in was a suffering church; today we have a sufficient church. Events in the Spirit-controlled Church were amazing; in this day the Church is often just amusing. The New Testament Church was identified with persecutions, prisons, and poverty; today many of us are identified with prosperity, popularity, and personalities.

Jesus rebuked the Laodicean church for being lukewarm, thinking they had need of nothing while in reality they were spiritually “wretched, miserable, poor, bling, and naked.” Jesus counsel to them was to “buy from Me gold refined in the fire.” The key is “from Me.” Jesus said to these people, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” The gold, the most valuable possession of Jesus, is our intimate relationship with Him; coming into His presence. “He who has an ear, let him her what the Spirit says to the churches.” Hear what Psalm 80 says about restoration and revival.

Psalm 80:1 - Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, You who lead Joseph like a flock; You who dwell between the cherubim, shine forth!

God is prayerfully appealed to as the Shepherd of Israel His flock. And this is no small thing. Someone has said

The self-satisfied do not want to pray.
The self-sufficient do not need to pray.
The self-righteous cannot pray.

God has been working on these people. Their circumstances and loses are percolating within them and has finally brought them back to their God.

As Shepherd, God directs us to green pastures of His word to graze in, protects us from predators, and keeps us close to His presence. This presence is alluded to in the words, “You who dwell between the cherubim.” This brings to mind the ark of the covenant whose lid had two gold cherubs with wings outstretched toward each other. This lid was “the mercy seat” (Exodus 25:17ff.). It was here where God’s glory, His presence manifested itself to His people (Exodus 40).

Here is a call for the glory of the Lord to “shine forth!” God’s glory or shinning forth is closely connected with the manifestation of His presence (e.g. Exodus 32 and 33). When we look at the Old Testament God led His people with a pillar of fire by night. The fire of the LORD provided warmth, light to see the way in the dark, and protection from enemies. As the Shepherd of Israel, God oversees Israel like a flock. The psalm starts off with a pronounced recognition of God’s Shepherding oversight and then cries out for it to be renewed in the lives of the people.

2 Before Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh, Stir up Your strength, And come and save us! 3 Restore us, O God; Cause Your face to shine, And we shall be saved!

Here is a call for revival. A revival is an extraordinary manifestation of the glory of God. The word “restore” can also be translated “Turn us again” and means to return or go back, bring back. The people had lost something and were crying out to God to restore what had been lost. That they cry out for God to shine forth implies they were missing the presence of the LORD in their lives. They rightly associated this with salvation and sought to be restored.

4 O LORD God of hosts, How long will You be angry Against the prayer of Your people?

The people of Israel sensed the displeasure of God. What might have incurred the anger of God toward His people? Sin causes God to turn a deaf ear to the sinner (cf. Psalm 66:18). God is holy and pure and finds sin and wicked practices repulsive (Hab. 1:13). Sin separates us from God who is Holy (Isaiah 59:2).

Now God’s people were coming around. They were coming to recognize their wrongs before God and wanting restoration were crying out to God for restoration. God waits to assure that the sinner recognizes the seriousness of their sin.

Martyn Lloyd-Jones in his book Revival states:

“If you do not see your hopelessness, and your utter despair, before this holy, righteous God, who hates sin with the whole of his being, you have no right to talk about revival, or to pray for it. What revival reveals above everything else is the sovereignty of God, and the iniquity, the helplessness, the hopelessness, of man in sin.” – p. 42

Without a humbling recognition of our sin and guilt, revival will not come.

5 You have fed them with the bread of tears, And given them tears to drink in great measure.

The first step to restoration is conviction for the sin that hinders. This involves repentance and that repentance involves a deep teary sense of regret and a desire for restoration with the Lord. It is not mere shedding of tears. It is a deep conviction for sin that results in a change of mind and heart toward that sin (2 Cor. 7:10). Repentance means we regret our sin, desire restoration and do not plan to repeat that sin. It is the Holy Spirit who convicts the sinner of their sin (John 16:8-11).

6 You have made us a strife to our neighbors, And our enemies laugh among themselves.

Without God’s presence, we are impotent and helpless, a laughingstock before our enemies. When we stray from the Lord and His word our relationships with those around us often become adversarial and aggravated.

7 Restore us, O God of hosts; Cause Your face to shine, And we shall be saved!
Repentance then leads to a cry for God to shine forth; for His glory and power to come down again on His people.

8 You have brought a vine out of Egypt; You have cast out the nations, and planted it. 9 You prepared room for it, And caused it to take deep root, And it filled the land.

Israel is the vine God rescued from the world of Egypt and planted in a fruitful place where it could take root. The LORD is the Vinedresser who digs, plants, cares for and cultivates the vine of His people (Luke 13:6-9).

10 The hills were covered with its shadow, And the mighty cedars with its boughs. 11 She sent out her boughs to the Sea, And her branches to the River. 12 Why have You broken down her hedges, So that all who pass by the way pluck her fruit? 13 The boar out of the woods uproots it, And the wild beast of the field devours it.
Israel was growing and spreading until she lost God’s protective covering. She was lunging ahead of the Lord. Without God’s covering she was vulnerable to robbery and loss. She was in danger of being uprooted and devoured. Without God we are at the mercy of others. We need to guard against lunging ahead or lagging behind the Lord. We need to walk in step with Him; going where He wants us to go and staying where He wants us to stay. That is true of individuals. That is true also of nations.

In the book of Jeremiah we read:

Jeremiah 18:7-12 - 7 The instant I speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, to pull down, and to destroy it, 8 if that nation against whom I have spoken turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I thought to bring upon it. 9 And the instant I speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it, 10 if it does evil in My sight so that it does not obey My voice, then I will relent concerning the good with which I said I would benefit it. 11 “Now therefore, speak to the men of Judah and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD: “Behold, I am fashioning a disaster and devising a plan against you. Return now everyone from his evil way, and make your ways and your doings good.” ’ ” 12 And they said, “That is hopeless! So we will walk according to our own plans, and we will every one obey the dictates of his evil heart.”

God always gives ample warning before He passes judgment. He is merciful in that if a nation repents He will relent of the disaster they deserve because of their sin. It that nation continues in sin, God will relent of doing good to that nation. God warned Judah about their sin and the consequences. They disregarded God’s call to repentance as “hopeless!” They saw no future in following God. That’s sad. They went into captivity and suffered greatly.

When we look at the United States today and view it through the lens of Jeremiah’s prophetic word I shouldn’t surprise us to see the many troubles our nation is experiencing. Our nation has been indoctrinated from within through education and the media to forsake God. We as a nation seem to see no future in following God. We too cry, “hopeless!” And if we as a nation persist in our rejection and resistance to God, that hopeless cry will apply to us in some very grave ways. What is the answer? What is the solution? Revival!

14 Return, we beseech You, O God of hosts; Look down from heaven and see, And visit this vine
We need to call out to God for His return, “Lord visit us again! We miss You! We need You!” It is only when we come to God as the only solitary and preeminent need for our lives, the indispensible and supreme Person in our lives, the King of kings and Lord of lords, only when we are willing and eager to have Him take His rightful position in our lives, then and only then will He bring revival to us.

The poem Revival – God’s Way by Estelle Gifford Jackson expresses what is needed for revival to come:

Revival – God’s Way

Where is the hope for Revival –
God’s Holy Spirit outpoured
Convicting of sin, and of judgment,
And righteousness of the Lord?

When nothing else is important –
Only God’s presence Divine,
When Christians quit worldly pleasures,
Then God, His ear will incline.

Desperate prayer for Revival
Will cleanse the Church by the Word.
Then clothed in spotless, white linen,
The Bride clears the way for her Lord.

Prayer is the key to Revival,
Prayer that is true Spirit-born,
Nights of compassionate weeping – Intercession for all the forlorn.

Then will the burdens be lifted,
Then all the sinners will cry,
Then all the chains will be loosened
And worldly passions will die.

The lost ones will yield to God’s Spirit
When Christians, cleanses, weep and pray;
God’s Living Water flows outward;
This is “Revival – God’s Way”!

15 And the vineyard which Your right hand has planted, And the branch that You made strong for Yourself.

We need to return to the root truth that we are what we are because of God and without Him we are lost! America has a godly Christian heritage. When need to get back to our roots.

16 It is burned with fire, it is cut down; They perish at the rebuke of Your countenance.

Without God we are lost! Ready to be burned in the fire! Perishing at His rebuke! Like Israel, God brought them into the world and God can and did take them out as a nation. He would eventually restore them, but only when they had paid their just due and been thoroughly disciplined by Him.

17 Let Your hand be upon the man of Your right hand, Upon the son of man whom You made strong for Yourself. 18 Then we will not turn back from You; Revive us, and we will call upon Your name.19 Restore us, O LORD God of hosts; Cause Your face to shine, And we shall be saved!
We need the touch of Lord. We need His strength. We need revival! We need God’s reviving power! Restore us O LORD and shine Your glory down on us! Without Your touch we are weak and wasted. We need revival. Then and only then, when revival comes, can we call upon God and experience the shine of His glorious presence in our lives. Then and only then will we experience His salvation life. Then and only then will we find restoration.

We Need Great Answers to Prayer

2011-10-11T12:09:00.002-04:00
"We need great answers to prayer, changed lives and situations - answers that bear upon them the stamp of the divine. We need mighty demonstrations of the reality and concern of God and of His activity and power, which will force the world to recognize that God is truly God, that God is sovereign, and that God is involved in His world today. We need mighty answers to prayer that will bring new life to the church and new strength, faith, and courage to faint believers that will silence, dumbfound, and convict evil men; and that will thwart, defeat, and drive back he assaults of Satan." (Wesley L. Duewel, Mighty Prevailing Prayer, p. 20).

What is An Afterglow Service?

2011-10-03T15:01:00.002-04:00
The Origins of Afterglow – The concept of an afterglow service is derived from an event found in Exodus 33 and 34. God’s people had fallen into great sin (Exodus 32:1-29). Moses had interceded for them and secured God’s forgiveness, but not without discipline (Exodus 32:30-35). God then tells Moses that He will not accompany the people on their journey to the Promised Land because of their stiff-necked stubbornness (Exodus 33:1-6). Moses responds by pitching his tent outside the camp where “the LORD talked with Moses” (Exodus 33:7-11). Moses prayerfully beseeched the LORD for grace and that His presence would go with them and the LORD agrees (Exodus 33:12-17). It is then that Moses, who loved the LORD and just couldn’t get enough of the LORD, asked Him, “Please, show me Your glory” (Exodus 33:18). God consented saying:

“I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.” 20 But He said, “You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me, and live.” 21 And the LORD said, “Here is a place by Me, and you shall stand on the rock. 22 So it shall be, while My glory passes by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock, and will cover you with My hand while I pass by. 23 Then I will take away My hand, and you shall see My back; but My face shall not be seen.” (Exodus 33:19-23).

Moses experienced a bit of God’s glory passing by (Exodus 34:1-9). This concluded with a reaffirmation of God’s covenant with Moses and the people (Exodus 34:10 ff.). But it also resulted in an afterglow on Moses face (Exodus 34:29-35). In the New Testament this afterglow of Moses is referred to by Paul. It is explained that while Moses afterglow wore off the afterglow that comes from the indwelling Holy Spirit does not fade away. We are transformed from glory to glory by the Spirit of the LORD (2 Cor. 3:1-18).

The Baptism with the Holy Spirit – During times of discouragement and confusion we are instructed in scripture not to depend on human resources alone but on the empowerment of the Holy Spirit (Zech. 4:1-6). The work of God is not done in our strength, but His. And God’s empowerment is promised to us in the Baptism with the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4-5, 8). This is a promise of God that is for us today (Acts 2:39).

This baptism with the Holy Spirit is a second work of God’s grace. The disciples who were born again in the gospels (John 20:22; John 3) were instructed by Jesus to wait in Jerusalem until they received the empowering work of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 1:4-5, 8; 2:1ff.). It purifies the heart from obstacles to fully serving the Lord (Luke 3:16). It isn’t a question of getting more of the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit getting more, or all of us. It is a question of total surrender in faith to the Holy Spirit to serve His will in and through us.

The experience of the Baptism with the Holy Spirit recorded in the Book of Acts indicates that the reception of this empowerment was often accompanied by particular spiritual gifting, e.g. speaking in tongues (Acts 2:3, 4, 11; 10:46; 19:6); speaking prophecy (Acts 19:6). Sometimes this experience is accompanied by indeterminate but evidently noticeable behavior (e.g. Acts 8:17-18). The important thing is not the phenomena associated with the experience of the Baptism with the Holy Spirit. The important thing is that you experience the empowerment of the Spirit so that you can live victoriously and serve Him more effectively for His glory.

How can we receive the Baptism with the Holy Spirit? - The experience of the Baptism with the Holy Spirit is received by faith (Acts 15:8-9). When we pray for something that is God’s will we can be confident that God hears and that He will grant our request (1 John 5:14-15). Therefore, if we pray to God in Jesus name asking Him for this Baptism with the Holy Spirit, we need only receive it and then step out in faith relying on it. Jesus said, “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” (Luke 11:13).

What is the Evidence of the Baptism with the Holy Spirit? - What difference does the Baptism with the Holy Spirit make in our lives? D.L. Moody said that after he received the Baptism with the Holy Spirit that his messages didn’t change but their effect on the hearers did. The Book of Acts is a historical account of how people baptized with the Holy Spirit can impact the world.

An evidence of the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives is greater effectiveness in ministry (Acts 2:40-47). There will be victory inwardly in defeating fleshly desires (i.e. selfishness; the sinful nature; e.g. Galatians 5). We will experience a more vibrant spiritual walk and effective prayer life (cf. Rom. 8). The greatest evidence of being baptized with the Holy Spirit is not gifting but a fullness of God’s love (Rom. 5:5; 1 Cor. 12 – 13 the love chapter – 14; Gal. 5:22a).

If the power is not there when we step out, we must consider that there remains an impediment in our hearts and lives that God still wants to work on and remove (Acts 2:37-39). Our problems as Christians are often the consequence of trying to live in our strength instead of the Spirit’s power (e.g. Gal. 3:1-3).

Refreshing - Because we are human and weak there are times when we need to be refreshed in this empowering work of the Spirit in our lives (e.g. Acts 4:31). We need to be continuously filled with the Spirit which involves a daily moment by moment yielding to the Spirit (e.g. Eph. 5:18). The Holy Spirit will help us in our weakness (Rom. 8:26a).

An Afterglow Service - An Afterglow service therefore, is a time when we seek to come closer to God. It is a time where we seek to fully surrender to Him. The heart is deceitful. Only God can know our hearts (Jer. 17:9-10). We should ask God to reveal anything in our hearts that hinders us from experiencing His fullness of the Spirit (e.g. Psalm 139:23-24). God’s word is His scalpel to help us discern the thoughts and intents of our hearts (Heb. 4:12). And when He exposes something He wants to deal with, we need to confess it, receive forgiveness and surrender it to Him (1 John 1:7-9).

An afterglow service in line with God’s word will be done decently in order (1 Cor.14:33, 39-40). Jesus said the teaching of His word would be followed by signs (Mark 16:17-18). If tongues are spoken they need to be interpreted (1 Cor. 14:27-28). If a prophecy is given, it should be judged (1 Cor. 14:29-32). Such a service is about coming closer to the Lord. An Afterglow service can include a devotional on the workings of the Holy Spirit, waiting on the Lord in prayer, worship, and/or Communion.

Our desire should always be to come as close to and go as deep with Jesus as possible. Afterglow services are one way to present ourselves to God to go deeper with Him. Seek Him with all your heart and you will find Him (Jer. 29:13; cf. also Rom. 12:1-2). I pray you experience His afterglow.

"Please, show me Your glory."

2011-10-01T10:58:00.002-04:00
Exodus 33:18 - And he said, “Please, show me Your glory.”

A September 9th news report issued by Reuters online news service entitled Ordinance would Cover Naked Bottoms (http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/09/09/us-ordinance-california-idUSTRE7884UV20110909 ) reported that San Francisco Supervisor Scott Weiner introduced an ordinance requiring nudists to cover their bottoms in public places and wear clothes in restaurants. If you didn’t already know, public nudity is permitted in San Francisco. The news report reads as follows:

"I see it pretty regularly, and unfortunately there are nudists who are not doing what they should," Wiener told Reuters.

The nudists, who expose themselves most often in the city's famous gay neighborhood, the Castro District, have got Wiener and others worrying about public health.
"I'm not a health expert, but I believe sitting nude in a public place is not sanitary," he said. "Would you want to sit on a seat where someone had been sitting naked? I think most people would say, 'No.'"

Wiener, who represents the Castro neighborhood, said he hears from merchants who fear the public displays may drive away customers, hurting the business' bottom lines.

That's particularly true in restaurants. He acknowledged that he has not seen any research establishing a health risk. "But when you have your orifices exposed in an eating establishment, a lot of people don't like it," he said.

California does have legislation against indecent exposure. But the law is lenient enough that it has barely affected San Francisco's current coterie of flaunters.
Weiner's proposed ordinance will next be assigned to a committee, and Wiener expects a public hearing within months. Clothing required.

What is notable about this article is the absence of any concern for public decency. The only concern is for sanitary conditions and economic harm. We are living in an age and nation where “morality” is becoming more and more passé, if not considered at all. Morality is so broadly defined that it is becoming a nonentity in society.
These types of things are happening on our watch. Where is the church in all of this? Too often it is a leader in ever worse immoral conduct. The church and our world needs to be reconciled to God. We need to be brought back into alignment with God and His holy ways. We need a revival.

In the Bible we find a situation not unlike our present day immoral circumstances. Moses was on the holy Mount Sinai receiving God’s Law when God interrupts their conversation to tell Moses he need to return to the people for they had entered into great sin (cf. Exodus 32). It is in connection to this historical context that Moses uttered to God the key to dealing with such immoral conditions, “Please, show me Your glory.”

The Context of the man who asked to see God’s glory

It was Moses who said to God, “Please, show me Your glory.” The context of this verse gives us insight into a holy attitude and inexhaustible resource in God.
The positive contextual aspects of Moses were that he was he was a man chosen by God to lead one of the greatest and most miracle filled victories in the entire Bible; one that is regularly referred to throughout the Bible - the Exodus out of Egypt (Exodus 1-12). He was a man chosen by God to lead the children of Israel in one of the most miraculous escapes in the entire Bible; one referred to regularly throughout the Bible – the parting of the Red Sea and the passing through it (Exodus 13-15). He was a man chosen by God to lead His people through the wilderness where God provided for the people in incredibly miraculous ways (e.g. manna - Exodus 16; water from the rock – Exodus 17). Moses was a man chosen by God to be His instrument to impress unbelievers (e.g. father in law Jethro - Exodus 18). He was a man who spent chapters 19-31 mostly on Mt. Sinai with the Lord receiving His Law, order of priests, and Tabernacle designs and instructions (13 chapters!). He was a man chosen by God to lead a people afflicted with alzheimers (short term memory loss about the work of the Lord in their lives) who passed the test of God for humility and intercession on behalf of the people (Exodus 32:1 – 33:6). A man who gained the respect of God’s people (Exodus 33:7-8). A man who the Lord made His presence known to (Exodus 33:9). A man who God talked to (Exodus 33:9). A man used to move people to worship God (Exodus 33:10). A man to whom God spoke “face to face” (Exodus 33:11). A man who spoke to God (Exodus 33:12). A man who was known by name by God (Exodus 33:12, 17). A man who had “found grace” in the sight of God (Exodus 33:12, 17). A man who had a dynamic prayer life and could ask God for direction and help and get it (Exodus 33:13). A man to whom God said, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest” (Exodus 33:14). A man who knew God well enough to make holy demands (Exodus 33:15). A man who knew he and the people he led needed God’s “grace” (Exodus 33:16). A man who knew that he and the people he led needed to be “separate” and holy, distinct and that their distinctiveness was based on God’s presence with them (Exodus 33:16). And a man whose prayers were answered by God (Exodus 33:17).

The negative contextual aspects of Moses were that he was a man who was called by God to contend with the most powerful political figure in the world at the time, e.g. Pharoah (Exodus 1-14). Moses was a man who had to deal with tremendous logistical complications due to the size of the group of people he was leading, e.g. the waters of Mariah, manna and water from the rock incidents (Exodus 15-17). He was a man who had a chronically complaining congregation of people to lead (Exodus 15-17). A man who had a very carnal and immature spiritually congregation of people to lead, e.g. were more fearful than faithful toward God (Exodus 19; 32). And a man whose second in command had no backbone to resist the carnal advances and idolatry of his congregation, e.g. The Golden Calf incident (Exodus 32).

This is the man who said to God, “Please, show me Your glory” (Exodus 33:18). This is the man, greatly blessed and used by God, a recipient of God’s grace and presence, a man who also had great difficulties and complications leading the congregation of God, this is the man who God’s presence descended upon when he prayed, the man who wanted more; the man who didn’t settle for what God had given him but couldn’t get enough of God.

Show US Your glory

You may have been greatly blessed by God. You may think you have all you could ask for from the Lord. Or you may feel for some reason you don’t have enough of what you thought you might get from the Lord. Whatever your station in life and ministry, Moses’ teaches us to seek more from the Lord. Please LORD, show me Your glory!
We live in Alzheimer’s America; a nation that forgets their heritage in God and the bountiful blessings God has bestowed on them throughout their history. Given our state of affairs the Lord has impressed on me recently our need for revival. Historically, revivals come when society and even the church are at a low point; on life support spiritually. Revival means resuscitation. Revival is a fresh breath of life.

Look what’s going on in the world: dying economies; countries going bankrupt; out of control debt; rampant immorality (e.g. same-sex marriage approved in NYS; San Francisco passed a law permitting public nudity; The American Psychiatric Association has been petitioned to remove Pedophilia as an abnormal diagnosis); divisiveness; meanness; harshness and hatred; tremendous unrest in the Middle East; perpetual warring; the constant threat of terrorism; etc. We are in dire straits nationally and internationally.

Look what’s going on in the church: an emergent movement away from the absolutes of Bible truth and toward relativism; tolerance and ecumenicism that disregards and contradicts the gospel and scripture; ordination of homosexuals and lesbians; celebrating same-sex marriage; etc. All this in the face of the rise of Islam and a liberal media that denounces and ridicules true Christianity at every opportunity.

And on top of all of that the true church, those who know the Lord, follow His word in the Spirit are wearied by the battle. There comes a time in war when the soldier suffers battle fatigue. I don’t know about you, but I get spent and exhausted at times with all the polemic and apologetics, problems and persistent needs of ministry. I know it is not by our might or by our power but by the Spirit we minister (Zech. 4:6). I know Jesus tells us to come to Him and find rest for our souls (Mat. 11:28-30). But I still get tired. I still get spent. I get battle fatigued. Like the Psalmist I thirst for more of God:

Psalm 63:1-5 - 1 O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land Where there is no water. 2 So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, To see Your power and Your glory. 3 Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips shall praise You. 4 Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name. 5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness, And my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips. (cf. Also Psalm 42:1-3)

And what I need, what we all need, is revival.

We need a revival

We need a revival. We need more. Please LORD, show us Your glory! In the book Revival Martyn Lloyd-Jones defines revival as, “Revival is something extra. It is something additional. It is something which is quite unusual” (p. 175). He says, “For, revival, after all, is nothing but God hearing the people and answering them by giving this manifestation of his glory, and his strength, and his power” (p. 199).

What is God’s response to Moses’ request to see His glory; his request for more? Scripture indicates:

Exodus 33:19-23 - 19 Then He said, “I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.” 20 But He said, “You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me, and live.” 21 And the LORD said, “Here is a place by Me, and you shall stand on the rock. 22 So it shall be, while My glory passes by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock, and will cover you with My hand while I pass by. 23 Then I will take away My hand, and you shall see My back; but My face shall not be seen.”

In other words, the LORD said “YES”! And this is what revival is, God’s glory passing by. Martyn Lloyd-Jones described revival in light of these verses saying:

“’While My glory passes by . . .’ (Exodus 33:18-23). He is passing by. Do you know what a revival is? Well, that is a perfect description of it. It is just this glimpse of God, of the glory of God, passing by. That is precisely what it is. Just this glimpse of God. The God who is there in the glory, as it were, comes down and pours out his Spirit and ascends again, and we look on, and feel, and know that the glory of God is in the midst, and is passing by. It is only a touching of the hem of the garment, as it were; it is but a vision of the back.” p. 220

Where can WE find God’s glory?

Where can we find revival? In the New Testament it states:

2 Corinthians 4:6 - 6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

We find revival, the manifestation of God’s glory, in the face of our Savior and LORD, Jesus.

But how can we experience God’s glory? The apostle Paul was inspired to write:

Colossians 1:26-27 - the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. 27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Up to that point in history God had held back something which was now being revealed. That something was “the riches of the glory.” God’s wealth and rich blessing in revealing His glory to us. How? “which is Christ in you the hope of glory.” We see God’s glory most vividly depicted in Christ. But Christ in us by the second birth makes a way for us to experience that glory. It gives us a hope, the prospect of future good, in that with Christ in us we will grow closer to the Lord experiencing His glorious presence more and more until one day we are eternally in His presence. And it also gives us hope in glorifying God in all we do by the presence of Christ in us to empower us in life.

There are times when God manifests His glory in a special way in the church. That is called revival. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains:

“Revival is a time when . . . the whole Church is filled with this glimpse of his glory; the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. Jesus said that when the Holy Spirit came he would glorify him. And so when he comes in exceptional power, the glory of Christ is made unusually plain and clear. It is the Holy Spirit’s special work. And so you will find that in every period of revival the hymns of the Church, the prayers of the Church, are filled with thanksgiving and with praise, for the glory of the Lord, and especially for his death upon the cross. The glory of the cross. The wonder of the blood. These things are the theme of the Church. The Spirit coming in unusual power has given an exceptional glimpse of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. Do you not long for it? Do you not long to see it and to feel it? Do you not long to know what it is to be almost overwhelmed by a sense of his glory, his majesty and all the fullness of his goodness? Seek it, my friend. Seek it personally. Seek it for the Church in general, not only in this country, but everywhere throughout the world. The need of the hour, individually and collectively, is the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” P. 249

Our world and much of the church is in dire inglorious condition. We need a revival. We need a special manifestation of the glory of God in the face of Christ. We need to fully experience Christ in us. That is the perfect answer to our present day predicament.

This poem gives the heart attitude of the one who experiences the glory of Christ within:

Not I, But Christ

Not I, but Christ, be honored, loved, exalted;
Not I, but Christ, be seen, be known, be heard;
Not I, but Christ, in every look and action,
Not I, but Christ, in every thought and word.

Not I, but Christ, to gently soothe in sorrow
Not I, but Christ, to wipe the falling tear;
Not I, but Christ, to lift the weary burden!
Not I, but Christ, to hush away all fear.

Christ, only Christ, no idle word e’er falling;
Christ, only Christ, no needless bustling sound;
Christ, only Christ, no self-important bearing;
Christ, only Christ, no trace of “I” be found.

Not I, but Christ, my every need supplying,
Not I, but Christ, my strength and health to be;
Christ, only Christ, for body, soul, and spirit,
Christ, only Christ, live then Thy life in me.

Christ, only Christ, ere long will fill my vision;
Glory excelling soon, full soon I’ll see –
Christ, only Christ, my all in all to be.

- Mrs. A.A. Worthington

A burden for revival: A burden for more

Moses had experienced quite a bit with the Lord. We look at him and see a man who walked with and knew the LORD personally. We see a man who knew God well enough to humbly, yet boldly petition God. He was a man who knew God’s presence and grace. But he was a man who was not satisfied with that; he still wanted and asked for more.
Moses had a holy dissatisfaction always seeking more of the Lord. I’m not talking about a carnal fatal attraction with dissatisfaction that the children of Israel had. I’m talking about an insatiable appetite for more of the Lord. Do you have that?

Do you share that desire? Do you have that need? Do you have a burden for revival? If so, good, that is the beginning of revival. To quote Lloyd-Jones once more he comments:

“And that is how revivals have always begun. God has put a burden in this way upon somebody, upon one man, perhaps, or upon a number of men – the number does not matter. You might say that a man develops a ‘one-track mind’, it is all he talks about: ‘I will take no rest, I will not hold my peace.” [Isaiah 62:6-7]. He is speaking about it, telling people about it, exhorting people to consider it. Thus, I say, God begins to move.” p. 257

Do you have a burden to be revived? Do you have a burden for your church, community, country and world to be revived, for the glory of God to pass by, for Jesus to be lifted high, for the Spirit to come down upon us?

Do you have a burden for more? Again Lloyd-Jones explains:

“And, here is something that you will find in the lives of all the great saints of God in the Church throughout the ages, and particularly in men on whom God lays his hand in this matter of revival and of intercession. The first thing that happens to them is that they themselves feel this desire for a deeper knowledge of God. Of course, they are good men, they are orthodox men. They believe in God, they know they are saved, they have assurance of salvation – they may have had it for years, - but now they begin to feel a hunger and a thirst for something bigger and something deeper. They read their Bibles, and they feel that here there is some deeper and some fuller knowledge of God, and God’s love, and that is what they want. They are no longer content with what I may call the ordinary condition of the Church. They want something extraordinary, something unusual.” p. 177

Pray it through. Beseech, beg and be burdened for a revival from God. We are doomed without a revival of God. Wherever you are at with the LORD, you need more. You can never have enough of God; enough of Jesus; enough of His Spirit. Like Moses, even when we have experienced all that we could have possibly hoped for, ask for more from the LORD. Ask Him, “Please, show me Your glory.” God said, “Yes” to Moses. He will say “Yes,” to us.

Not I, But Christ by A.A. Worthington

2011-09-23T15:35:00.000-04:00
Not I, but Christ, be honored, loved, exalted;
Not I, but Christ, be seen, be known, be heard;
Not I, but Christ, in every look and action,
Not I, but Christ, in every thought and word.

Not I, but Christ, to gently soothe in sorrow
Not I, but Christ, to wipe the falling tear;
Not I, but Christ, to lift the weary burden!
Not I, but Christ, to hush away all fear.

Christ, only Christ, no idle word e’er falling;
Christ, only Christ, no needless bustling sound;
Christ, only Christ, no self-important bearing;
Christ, only Christ, no trace of “I” be found.

Not I, but Christ, my every need supplying,
Not I, but Christ, my strength and health to be;
Christ, only Christ, for body, soul, and spirit,
Christ, only Christ, live then Thy life in me.

Christ, only Christ, ere long will fill my vision;
Glory excelling soon, full soon I’ll see –
Christ, only Christ, my all in all to be.

- Mrs. A.A. Worthington

Love in Action

2011-09-16T12:07:00.002-04:00
Abortion is a real hot button issue. Given the advances in sonogram technology it’s clear and undeniable that the womb contains a real living person; a baby. Those who believe the Bible to be God’s truth and revelation knew that already (e.g. Psalm 139:13-16). Science is also on the side of those who speak against abortion death and for birthing these children to life. But for the church or Christians or anyone to speak out against abortion while offering no practical help to the pregnant mothers in question is at best Laodicean lukewarmness and at worst a misrepresentation of Christian love.

To speak against abortion and not provide a viable alternative is a hollow gong. Love, true Christlike love, not only speaks truth in love (Eph. 4:15), but takes action to sustain and support truth in life. The apostle John wrote: “By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.” (1 John 3:16-18). It’s interesting that John uses the endearing reference to “My little children.” Perhaps the recipients of John’s letter were childlike spiritually, immature in their faith and talking a good talk of love but not walking a walk of love.

The spiritually mature know that love is an action. Love acts. God’s brand of love is sacrificial; it lays down its life for others. It not only speaks out against or about injustices, it does something to alleviate them. As John points out, it’s about the condition of your heart. If you shut your heart to those in need around you, “how does the love of God abide” in you? A shut heart is a loveless heart. And that is a big problem. Why? Because the prime sign of a person genuinely saved and born of the Spirit is love.

A person must be born of the Spirit. Jesus said that just as we are born physically, we must be born spiritually (John 3). Spiritual life comes from God’s regenerative work in us. When a person acknowledges their sin, turns from it to God and by faith asks God to forgive their sins based on the cross work of Christ, that person will be forgiven by God. And once forgiven the Holy Spirit indwells the believer giving them spiritual life (Rom. 8:9-11; 1 Cor. 3:16).

How do we know if we are born of the Spirit? We know by the witness of the Spirit in our hearts (1 John 3:24). These is a tangible change in our lives (2 Cor. 5:17). The person born of the Spirit is a new creation with a new way of life (Rom. 6:4). And the evidence of that new life is God’s love. God pours His love into the heart of the person who has been born again (Rom. 5:5). God’s love is a sacrificial active love (e.g. Rom. 5:8).

Love is an action. And all that we do needs to be done in the love of God if it is to be worth anything (1 Cor. 13:1-7). That done without love will fail. That which is done in love “never fails” (1 Cor. 13:8). If we are to experience victory in this battle against abortion, we will have to take loving action. And here is where I want to provide you with an opportunity to act in love right here in our own Long Island community. I’m speaking of The Care Center.

The Care Center provides a viable Spirit led link between truth spoken in love and that love in practical action. This ministry provides counseling on sexual health, abortion education, pregnancy, abortion recovery, parenting skills and referrals. They provide free pregnancy tests, diapers and other supplies and services to those who are pregnant and in need. And all of this is provided from a Christ-centered world view. This is a ministry Christians should get behind and support. Pastors can preach about the evils and tragedy of abortion from the pulpit, but unless they are encouraging a real alternative with real help, it is an impotent message. No, we need to speak the truth about abortion in love and provide a loving Christlike alternative to those who are pregnant. If you would like to learn more about The Care Center, volunteer, offer financial support, or just learn more about this ministry the contact information is as follows:

The Care Center
Doreen Gelesko, Executive Director,
1930 Vets Memorial Highway
Suite 15
Islandia NY 11749
631-630-9779
http://www.thecarecenter.org

Pray about this. Pray for the Care Center. What would the Lord have you do in order to not only speak about love but act in love? I think God’s answer to that prayer just may be found in The Care Center. God bless you all.

Three Musts

2011-09-12T15:48:00.002-04:00
Studies show that on average a person makes three thousand decisions a day. The vast proportion of these decisions are inconsequential. But in John 3 Jesus speaks of Three Musts in John 3:7, 14, and 30. The word “must” (δεῖ - dĕi, die) means something necessary, binding, needed, must. In this chapter there are three musts, three things that are absolutely eternally necessary and essential. What are they?

The Sinner’s Must - “You must be born again” (3:7)

George Whitefield, mighty preacher of the 18th century revivals in England and America (i.e. The Great Awakening - in America) was frequently asked why he always preached that man must be born again. “Why do I preach you must be born again?” said Whitefield? “Because you must be born again!”

In this passage of scripture Jesus is speaking about spiritual regeneration. In this material world we look at each other and see life. When someone dies or some form of life dies it is evident to us, e.g. it stops breathing; it’s heart stops beating; it decomposes, etc. But there is another dimension we don’t readily consider, the realm of the spirit. This realm is unseen. The Bible tells us that we are not born with spiritual life but must be born again or experience a second birth, a spiritual birth. If we do not, we are dead spiritually.

What causes this spiritual death? Sin causes death physically, mentally, and spiritually (Rom. 6:23). Sin is living in disobedience to God. It is settling for physical material life while neglecting or not experiencing spiritual life. If we die physically without being “born again” we will go into an eternal existence separate from God in a place of torment called hell where God’s just penalty for sin and spiritual death will be properly imposed for eternity. But if we are “born again” we will live eternally with God in a place called heaven which is a place of endless blessing in the wonderful presence of the Lord. For this to happen, you must experience spiritual birth, be born of the Holy Spirit, “You must be born again.”

How can we be born again?

John 1:12-13 states, “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Being born again involves simply turning from your sin, giving up your sinful ways, and turning to God to receive by faith His gracious gift of salvation provided through Jesus. Being born again is a work of God not humanity (cf. also John 6:29). It is a work of the Holy Spirit who convicts us of sin (John 16:8-11), and draws the sinner to the Father (John 6:44). This spiritual birth can perplex us at times, but that is because it is an incredible work of the Holy Spirit (John 3:7-8).

Our church has an annual baptism at a public beach on the north shore of Long Island. During this service on the shore I give an evangelistic open air message. To illustrate what it means to be born of the Spirit I once scoured the shore of the beach for a horseshoe crab shell. I use the shell to show that we can easily observe that the horseshoe crab is dead. It isn’t breathing. It isn’t moving. Its innards are empty leaving only a shell of what it used to be. In this material world of ours it’s easy for us to see that life has left this shell. But there’s more to existence than what we can see in the material world. There is a spiritual dimension. From the material dimension it’s not always easy to determine if one is alive or dead. We can sometimes mistake religious or altruistic activity for spiritual life when in fact a person is spiritually dead. Sometimes we are mere empty shells. Jesus said some people are tares amongst wheat. That is, some people look good on the outside but are empty or lifeless on the inside. Jesus has so much more than that for us. Jesus said just like we were born into the material world, we also need to be born again, born a second time spiritually. This second birth happens in the heart and fills the heart with the Holy Spirit who makes Christ’s presence known.

How can we determine spiritual life? Here are some evidences that show spiritual life:

1. Spiritual – John 3:6
2. Obedience – John 14:21
3. Understanding of God’s word – John 14:26
4. Personal saving relationship with Jesus – John 15:26
5. Guided into God’s truth – John 16:13
6. Holy Life – As the Holy Spirit lives in them – John 20:22
7. Assurance of salvation – 1 John 3:24; 4:13
8. Love – Rom. 5:5
9. Righteousness, peace and joy – Rom. 14:17
10. Fruit – Gal. 5:22-24

Read these scriptures references. Do you have these in your life? Have you been born of the Spirit? If not you are spiritually dead and risk spending an eternity separate from God.

Sin is disobeying the laws of the Holy God of love. He has created us and given a manual (the Bible) for people to live by to experience His best in life. Those who disregard and disobey this manual are in rebellion against God and His enemies. Their rebellious behavior is sin and that sin causes pain, suffering, and opposes the will of God. God who is just imposes a penalty for such sin – eternal death. The only way the death penalty for such sin to be justly and righteously paid is for a death to occur. But not just any death; since sin stains people it disqualifies them for paying the proper death penalty. Therefore only a perfect sinless atoning death would suffice. Jesus, as a gift of God’s grace, went to the cross and paid that death penalty for humankind. To be born again all a person therefore has to do is turn from their sins repent) and by faith in Christ receive God’s gift of forgiveness based on the death penalty Jesus paid for us.

The Savior’s Must – “. . . even so must the Son of Man be lifted up” (3:14)

In Numbers 21 the children of Israel complained against the Lord resulting in a plague of pain-producing biting serpents. The people were dying. They cried out to the Lord. The Lord told Moses to make a bronze serpent, put it on a pole and lift it up before the people. Then if they looked at the bronze serpent on the pole they would be healed and live. Jesus referred to this OT incident because it was a prophetic picture of what He must do.

The snake is sin. It was cast in bronze because bronze is a metal that speaks of judgment. What did this correspond to in the NT? To the cross. Jesus became a snake for us so that our sin could be judged and put away and we could be healed. Sin has painful venom. There is always a painful consequence to sin. Jesus is the antidote for those snake bitten by sin. Look to Jesus in faith and live!

2 Corinthians 5:21 - 21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

The Servant’s Must – “He must increase, but I must decrease” (3:30)

We are saved to live our lives in old sinful ways. We are saved to enter in service of our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. When we are born again the Holy Spirit comes to dwells in us, in our heart, to give us spiritual life (Rom. 8:9-11; 10:9-10). When the Holy Spirit comes to reside in us He comes to make us holy. What is holiness? It is loving God supremely with the love the Holy Spirit puts in us (Rom. 5:5), but second to that it is loving others sacrificially (Mat. 22:37-40; John 13:35). That means living a life of loving service toward God and others.

John the Baptist is the perfect picture of this. He knew he must decrease; he must put his desires; his self-centeredness aside; and replace it with a life that lifts up Jesus. Jesus said to find life you have to die to self (Mat. 10:39). Truer words were never spoken.

The world will tell you push others aside; put yourself and your interests first; if you don’t look out for yourself who will? That is a very low and fruitless way of life. Instead, when we are born again through faith in Christ we find life by giving up self. You have to willfully give up your life; put it to rest; bury it; in order to find full and rich meaning in the life of Christ. You see your flesh or self, your sinful nature is so obsessed with self that it will compete with and get in the way of God’s best for you. He will say one thing and your flesh will compete against God’s word. You have to die to self. That requires us to trust God and surrender ourselves, our flesh to the cross of Christ (e.g. Gal. 2:20). The only way to abundant life is for Jesus to increase in your life and you, your fleshly sinful nature to decrease.

A Second Work of the Spirit – The Baptism with the Holy Spirit

Jesus told His disciples (i.e. learners) to wait and receive the baptism with the Holy Spirit which would give them power to witness and serve Him (Acts 1:4-5, 8). Jesus is “He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit” (John 1:33). This is a purifying (Acts 15:8-9) and empowering (Acts 1:8) experience where we don’t get more of the Holy Spirit but He gets more of, all of us. It’s called baptism because we are totally immersed in the Holy Spirit. This is full surrender, abandonment to the will of the Spirit (Rom. 8).

Have you been born again? Do you believe and trust in Jesus atoning cross work? Are you a servant of the Lord? Have you been baptized with the Holy Spirit and empowered to serve Him? These are must questions we should consider seriously. I pray the Spirit compels you to experience fully all He has for you.

9/11 - Ten Years Later - A Psalm

2011-09-11T06:34:00.002-04:00
PSALM 20

To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.

1 May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble;
May the name of the God of Jacob defend you;
2 May He send you help from the sanctuary,
And strengthen you out of Zion;
3 May He remember all your offerings,
And accept your burnt sacrifice. Selah
4 May He grant you according to your heart’s desire,
And fulfill all your purpose.
5 We will rejoice in your salvation,
And in the name of our God we will set up our banners!
May the LORD fulfill all your petitions.
6 Now I know that the LORD saves His anointed;
He will answer him from His holy heaven
With the saving strength of His right hand.
7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses;
But we will remember the name of the LORD our God.
8 They have bowed down and fallen;
But we have risen and stand upright.
9 Save, LORD!
May the King answer us when we call.

A Revival Account: Asbury College 1970

2011-09-08T11:25:00.001-04:00
This is what we need today.

Pray for it. Wait on the Lord for it. Pray it through for our churches, our communities, our nation, the world.

Support Israel at the United Nations on September 21st!

2011-09-05T10:31:00.002-04:00
There is an important meeting at the United Nations on September 21st. It is the Durban III meeting which will serve as a platform for anti-Israel nations to denounce Israel. On that day there is a demonstration of pro-Israel supporters being held at the Dag Hamarskjold Plaza in front of the UN. I encourage you to watch this short video which explains the situation and that you prayerfully seek the Lord on how to show your support for Israel and denounce the unjust propaganda of the Durban meeting.

Top Ten Reasons to Support Israel (from David Hocking)

1. Because Israel is the most frequently mentioned subject in the Bible next to the LORD Himself! “Israel” is mentioned 2566 times in the Bible.

2. Because God has chosen Israel out of all nations! – Deut. 7:6 (Isaiah 41:8; 43:1; 44:1; 45:4; 48:10)

3. Because God has identified Himself with Israel! – “The LORD God of Israel” – 108 times in the Bible. “The God of Israel” – 203 times. “The Holy One of Israel” – 31 times. Bible never identifies Himself with any other nation.

4. Because God has a special love for Israel! – The LORD chose Israel not because they were better than other nations but because of His love for her (Deut. 7:8; see also Isaiah 63:7; Jeremiah 31:1-3).

5. Because God has given her Land that He calls His own Land! – Genesis 15:18; 17:7-8 – everlasting covenant – reemphasized over 100 years later to David in Psalm 105:8-11; Leviticus 25:2, 23).

6. Because God will never forsake Israel! – God’s promise is not based on Israel’s performance but His immutable faithfulness – Isaiah 41:17; 49:13-16; 54:5-8; 60:15-16; 62:11-12; Psalm 89:30-37; Leviticus 26:44; Jeremiah 31:3-37; Romans 11:1-2.

7. Because God will destroy all nations who attack Israel! –Isaiah 41:11-12; 63:1-6; 66:15-16; Zechariah 12:9; 14:3; Revelation 19:11-21.

8. Because God will restore Israel to her Promised Land! God is not through with Israel! – Deut. 30:3-10; Isaiah 35:10; 43:5-7; 51:11; Jeremiah 30:1-2; Ezekiel 36:24, 28; 37:13-14; Amos 9:13-14. May 14, 1948 saw the rebirth of Israel and June 1967 Jerusalem was restored to her. She is prospering and being persecuted just as God said would happen!

9. Because God will come and dwell in the midst of Israel! – Zechariah 2:10-12.

10. Because God will bring salvation to the WHOLE world through the Messiah of Israel! – Isaiah 11:1-10; 42:, 6; 43:11, 25; 44:21-22; 45:17, 22-23; 49:5-16; 52:10; 53:1-6; 59:2, 20; 60:3; 61:1-3, 10; 62:1, 11; Jeremiah 23:5-6; Romans 11:25-27. Salvation is “of the Jews.”

For directions to the demonstration go to - http://www.durban3nyc.com/future-event

Revival Hymn

2011-08-31T14:52:00.003-04:00
Take some time to watch this incredible Revival Hymn video. Perhaps you've seen it before. It's worth another watch. It's filled with excerpts from various Spirit filled and empowered preachers. It will convict you and call you to look deep within. It will call you to repent. It will challenge the way you have been living and looking at life. It will bring you to your knees in prayer before Holy God. It will reveal what true revival is. It will show you that the most important thing is not our happiness, but our holiness lived for the glory of God. And I pray that as you watch this video it will bring revival to you and to those around you; to all of us; to our nation. Revival, the move of God in power and glory, that is truly our only hope.

The final question to ask at the end of this video is not whether or not this video challenged you. The real question is has it changed you?
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God come and make Your presence known. Pour out Your Holy Spirit upon us. We need You and a move of Your Spirit. Help us to see how dark we are and how desperately we need You. Wake us up Lord! Glorify Your name in and through us. Revive us for Your glory. Break up our fallow grounded hearts and mold us to God-glorifying Christians. For Your glory, in Jesus' name. Amen.

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Give Glory to God! – Part 2

2011-08-31T10:05:00.001-04:00

We have seen what glory and giving it is and we have seen the reasons we should give glory to God, but what are some ways we can give glory to God? The Bible has the answer to that question. How do we give glory to God?

First, we give glory to God by praising Him. The Bible says, “Whoever offers praise glorifies Me; And to him who orders his conduct aright I will show the salvation of God.” (Psalm 50:23). When was the last time you praised the Lord or entered into true worship in the Spirit? This verse tells us that praising God is our right conduct. We ought to worship and praise Him more for when we do we glorify the One who deserves all the glory I the world.

Second, we give glory to God by our spiritual fruitfulness. The way we live can bring glory to God (Matthew 5:16; 1 Peter 2:12). Jesus said, “By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.” (John 15:8). When we are spiritually fruitful we bring glory to God. We can be spiritually fruitful be inwardly growing in the fruit of the Spirit which is love (Romans 5:5; Galatians 5:22-25) and when we outwardly bear fruit in ministry such as harvesting lost souls (Matthew 9:37-38).

Third, we give glory to God by our manner of death and dying to self. Jesus glorified the Father by His sacrificial death (John 17). We should glorify God in death too. When Jesus was bringing Peter back into the fold, He prophesied of Peter’s death and how it would bring glory to God (John 21:18-19). When Peter died he was sentenced by the Romans to be crucified. Upon going to the cross he requested he be crucified upside down because he was unworthy to be crucified in the same manner His Lord was. Before Peter could literally die in a way that brought glory to God, he had to die to self. Peter got to a point where even his very life was less valuable to him than bringing glory to God. When we die to self and live for God we bring glory to Him (Galatians 2:20).

Fourth, we give glory to God by trusting in His promises. Abraham was an example of this (Romans 4:19-21). By trusting God even when things looked bleak and hopeless, Abraham was giving glory to God. Abraham’s faith and trust in God was a way of giving God the respect and honor due Him. We glorify God when we trust in His promises, no matter what.

Fifth, we give glory to God by living in unity with other believers. When we live in loving unity with other believers it is a testimony to the world of how God’s love is able to overcome differences and prejudices and this glorifies God (Psalm 34:3). Paul was inspired to write of this saying, “Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, 6 that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God.” (Romans 15:5-7). Loving unity brings glory to God. This is what we have been studying in 1 Corinthians 8-10.

Sixth, we give glory to God by doing all things to bring glory to Him. Our verse in 1 Corinthians 10 says, “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Cor. 10:31). Rather than do things merely for selfish or self-glorifying reasons, we ought to do things in a way that gives glory to God (cf. also 1 Peter 4:11). Whatever we do we ought to do it asking ourselves, “How can I do this so that God will receive glory for it?” if we do that, God will get more glory.

Seventh, we give glory to God by having a generous giving heart. Paul wrote to the Corinthians stating that they glorified God with their generous giving (1 Cor. 8:18-19). Since all that we have comes from God (Matthew 10:8; John 3:27) and He promises to supply all our needs (Philippians 4:19), we are freed to give to others. When we have a generous giving heart it brings glory to God because it shows our trust in God to provide for us.

Eighth, we give glory to God by exalting and glorifying Jesus. One day every knee will bow when Jesus’ name is uttered and every tongue will confess that He is Lord and ll this to the glory of God (Phil. 2:9-11). Awesome! One day everyone will give glory to God in Christ but we can give glory to God now by exalting and giving glory to Jesus now. One way we do this is by confessing Christ or witnessing to Him (Acts 1:8). When we confess Jesus outwardly, we bring glory to God. (See also Acts 19:17; 2 Thessalonians 1:12.

Ninth, we give glory to God by persevering in Christ. When we endure suffering for the Lord (Psalm 86:12) or hardship for the sake of Jesus and when we lean on Him to get through our suffering we bring glory to Him as people see the sufficiency of His grace in us (2 Corinthians 12:9-10; 1 Peter 4:14-16). When we suffer because we are Christians we bring glory to God (See Matthew 5:10-12). Paul wrote of his sufferings which were many and explained all the pain and sorrow and suffering was worth bringing glory to God (2 Cor. 4:7-15). When people see how we are sustained in hardship by God’s grace, it brings glory to Him. When we go through a trial and rely on God’s grace we see its sufficiency and reliability and that strengthens our faith. But others see this and are brought to saving faith. And all of this brings glory to God.

Angels give glory to God (Luke 2:14). Kings in the Old Testament gave glory to God (Psalm 57:15). Shepherds gave glory to God (Luke 2:20). Those used by God gave Him glory (Luke 1:46; Romans 11:36). Those healed gave glory to God (Luke 5:25; 13:13; 17:15; 18:43). Those whose loved ones were healed gave glory to God (Luke 23:47). Multitudes gave glory to God (Matthew 9:8; 15:31). The church of the New Testament gave glory to god (Acts 11:18). Even Gentiles gave glory to God (Acts 13:48). A time is coming when those who refuse to glorify God will be punished (Daniel 5:23, 30; Malachi 2:2; Acts 12:23; Romans 1:21; 3:23). It’s time for us now to live to give glory to God. Those who are not living to give glory to God need to know there remains the opportunity to turn to God and bring Him the glory due His name. Won’t it be awesome to join the host of heaven in bringing glory to His name? (Revelation 4:11). I can’t wait! God give us all a heart willing and eager to praise Him and give Him glory. Give glory to God!

Give Glory to God! Part 1

2011-08-30T14:04:00.002-04:00

In his first letter to the Corinthians Paul discusses how we can cure carnality and in particular, fleshly fellowship. His conclusion is to say, “do all to the glory of God.” This phrase is of critical importance to the Christian for it marks a reason for our existence and defines a purpose for living. “Do all to the glory of God,” is a phrase that raises a few questions for us. What does it mean to “give glory” or glorify? Why should we glorify God? And if we are to glorify God then we need to ask, how do we bring glory to God? The Bible reveals the answers to these questions.

What Does It Mean to Glorify? In 1 Corinthians 10:31 it states, “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” If giving glory to God is something we are to do in “whatever you do,” then that tells us it is something that is very important. But what does that mean, what does giving glory or doing all to the glory mean?

The word “glory” in this verse is translated from the Greek term doxa which means, “dignity, glory (-ious), honour, praise, worship, . . . good opinion, praise, honor, glory, an appearance commanding respect, magnificence, excellence.” We derive the word doxology from this word which is an expression of thanks and glory to God. Doxa is derived from the base Greek term doma which means, “a gift.” When we speak of gift here we should think grace. The word “glorify” is translated from the Greek term doxadzo which means, “to render (or esteem) glorious; (make) glorify (-ious), full of (have) glory, honour, magnify.” Therefore, to give glory or glorify means to give the dignity, honor, respect, praise, and worship appropriate to the gift or standing of object or person. To glorify God means to give Him the dignity, honor, respect, praise, and worship due God as the gracious gift He is to us.

Why Should We Glorify God? We should glorify God because we are commanded to do so in God’s word. This is true based on 1 Corinthians 10:31 and it is also true based on an earlier verse in 1 Corinthians where it states, “For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” (1 Cor. 6:20). God’s command to give Him glory is not some proud totalitarian demand of a divine despot; far from it. This verse commands us to give glory to God because He bought us, or redeemed us from our sinful state “at a price” which is His only Son Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:18-21; 1 Peter 1:18-19). We owe glory to God because of His great gracious loving sacrifice on our behalf. God gave His all for us and the only appropriate and respectful response from those He gave His all for is to glorify Him (compare Romans 12:1-2). That is the primary reason we should glorify God.

The Bible gives a number of other reasons why we should glorify God.

First, we should glorify God because of His holiness. The Bible says, “Exalt the LORD our God, And worship at His holy hill; For the LORD our God is holy.” (Psalm 99:9). In the New Testament it states, “Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. For all nations shall come and worship before You, For Your judgments have been manifested.” (Rev. 15:4). The word "holy” means sacred, pure, unique, special, one of a kind, when it is used in reference to God. God is holy because there is none other like Him and we are to glorify Him because of that.

Second, we should glorify God because of His mercy and truth. The Bible says, “Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, But to Your name give glory, Because of Your mercy, Because of Your truth. (Psalm 115:1; See also Romans 15:8-9). Mercy is when we don’t get what we deserve in terms of a penalty. All humanity deserves eternal damnation, but God made a way through His only Son Jesus so that we could be saved from that penalty. And He did this in a way that was truthful. God’s merciful plan of salvation is truthfully all He says it is and all we could ever hope for it to be. That is reason to give glory to God.

Third, we should glorify God because of His faithfulness and truth. That God is faithful and true is good reason to glorify Him (Isaiah 25:1). God is faithful. When God tells us something or promises us something, we can depend on it because He is true and faithful to His word. Pagan God’s are capricious, they say one thing and do another; they say or promise one thing, but are unable to deliver on their claims. That is not our God; our God is faithful and true and powerful enough to deliver on His word and promises. For that we ought to give Him glory.

Fourth, we should glorify God because of His wondrous miraculous works. The Gospel accounts show that when they saw the miracles performed by Jesus they glorified God for them (Matthew 15:31; cf. also Acts 4:21). When Jesus did miracles God was glorified because the impossible had been accomplished. When the apostles performed miracles in the power of the Holy Spirit, (such as heal a lame man – Acts 3-4), the people gave glory to God for God’s power to do the impossible. Notice, God was glorified when Jesus performed the miracles. Notice, when the apostles were used by God to do a miracle, God was glorified. The point to be made here is that God should get the glory for miracles, not men. Jesus is of course God and is to be glorified (Luke 4:14-15; John 7:39; 11:4; 12:16, 23; 13:31-32; 17:4,5, 10; Acts 3:13). But people should not steal God’s glory for the work He does through them. What glory we are associated with is the glorifying of God in and through us as people see His work in us (John 17:10; Galatians 1:24; 2 Thessalonians 1:10-12). When Paul and Barnabas were exalted as gods by the pagans after the Lord healed a man with a crippling birth defect, they tore their clothes and quickly corrected the people (Acts 14:1-18). To take glory to self is a characteristic of the lowest of the unsaved (Romans 1:20-25). In the book of Revelation Babylon the Great is judged for self-glorification (Revelation 18:1-8). We are to give glory to God, not take it upon ourselves.

Fifth, we should glorify God because of His just judgments. In Revelation God is glorified for His just judgments (Rev. 14:6-7). God’s judgments are just, fair, good and righteous and we are to give glory for God for them. He is powerful enough to assert and enforce His judgments and for that we are to give Him glory.

Sixth, we should glorify God because of His deliverance. The Bible says, “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.” (Psalm 50:15). Whenever we are in trouble we can call upon God and He will deliver us and for that we should glorify Him. The greatest example of this is our salvation. We were living in sin and by nature children of wrath, lost. But God in His rich mercy made a way for us to be saved out of our predicament and so we give Him the glory due His name (Ephesians 2:1-10). Psalm 50:15 tells us that the way we give glory to God is through our testimony. Have you testified to the glory of God lately?

Seventh, we should glorify God because of His gracious salvation and blessing. When people are convicted of their sins and realize they need to be saved and that God has provided salvation from sin through faith in His Son Jesus, it causes them to give glory to God (Acts 11:15-18). When in the book of Acts it became apparent that God was opening the door of ministry to the gentiles God was glorified for His gracious provision. Grace is getting what you don’t deserve and that is what we all receive when we are saved from our sin. Paul is a great example of God‘s gracious provision for which we should glorify Him (Galatians 1:23-24). We should give glory to God for His grace.

Now that you know what giving glory to God is and why we should give glory to God, in the second part of this teaching we will consider how we can give glory to God. Until then, give glory to God!

Why the Storms? - Acts 27

2011-08-27T16:40:00.002-04:00

I came across a message by Jon Courson and thought, given Hurricane Irene, I’d pass it on to you with a few editorial changes. The Lord promised everyone on board would survive the storm - Acts 27:1-13. In the rest of the chapter we see four types of storms that blow into our lives:

Storms of correction. Jonah is a good example of this. When a storm arose he was tossed overboard and swallowed by a great fish, because he was rebelling against the Lord (Jonah 1:10). So, too, sometimes when we rebel and disobey the Lord, He will allow a storm to get us back on track again.

Storms of perfection. Jesus fed the five thousand and then sent His disciples across the Sea of Galilee (Matthew 14). Midway through their journey, a storm arose around them for their perfection. You see, Jesus knew it wouldn’t be too many months before these same disciples would see another multitude of five thousand—not fed, but saved (Acts 4:4)—followed by another storm—not on the sea, but of persecution within the church (Acts 8:1). Thus, Jesus was training His boys to endure the storms of persecution that inevitably follow the seasons of blessing.

Faith is not a pill we take, folks. It’s a muscle we work (e.g. 1 Peter 1:6-9). Therefore, the Lord will send us storms from time to time not for correction, but for perfection because the way I respond to storms internally will tell me where I’m at spiritually. Storms provide a unique opportunity for us to see where we are in our walk with the Lord and to grow in our understanding that the Lord will come through at the right time, saying, “Be of good cheer. We’re going to make it.”

Storms of protection. “Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord” (Genesis 6:8). And we see that grace as God sent a storm to drown out all of the carnality, sin, and iniquity that surrounded him. The storm raged for forty days and nights, but Noah and his family were not only protected in the storm—they were protected by the storm. “Oh no!” we cry. “My TV blew up,” or, "My phone . . . iPad . . . iPod . . . computer . . . etc. broke. What a storm I’m in.” But, as in Noah’s case, it might be a storm of protection—protecting us from the distractions of life, the carnality and iniquity that surround us continually.

Storms of direction. Knowing there was a group of people on the island of Malta in need of ministry, the Lord said, “Before you go to Rome, Paul, I’m going to allow you to be blown off course because there is something I want you to do for Me—something you never would have thought of on your own, something that wasn’t part of your agenda. I have some people to whom I want you to minister, so I’ll allow a storm to arise, which, although it looks like it’s blowing you off course, will put you in the very place I want to use you.” “How come I got canned?” “Why did she dump me?” “How come it’s not working out?” you ask. Don’t be blown away. Realize that the Lord is changing your direction because there’s something He wants to do that will ultimately be a blessing. Look at such things not as rejection, but as redirection.

Storms of correction and perfection, storms of protection and direction—how can you know which one you might be in? Talk to the Father: “Why am I in this storm, Lord? Is it correction—or are You perfecting me for what You see is coming my way? Is there a new direction for my life—or are You protecting me from something that would be very damaging?”

(Courson, J. (2003). Jon Courson's Application Commentary (851). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson.)

“Do not be afraid; only believe”

2011-08-24T14:28:00.001-04:00

Have you ever been told, “It’s a dead issue. Just give up”? That can be a pretty frightening thing when what you’re being asked to give up on is something near and dear to your heart. One day when Jesus was ministering by Galilee the ruler of the local synagogue, a man named Jairus, came and fell at Jesus’ feet. He was heart-wrenched and at the end of himself. His “little daughter” was sick and at the point of death. He begged Jesus to come and administer His healing touch. Jesus went with him along with a multitude of others who were curious about what might happen (Mark 5:21-24).

Along the way a woman who had been sick for twelve years with bleeding sought out Jesus for healing. She had suffered many things at the hands of the physicians. She spent all her money on a cure to no avail. She was in a predicament not unlike what many experience today. This woman was at the end of herself. Jesus was her last hope of a cure. She made her way through the crowd and in faith touched Jesus garment and immediately she was healed. Jesus’ looked for who touched him because He felt the healing power go out from Him. When the woman came forward and told Jesus all that had happened to her, Jesus said, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction” (Mark 5:25-34)

Jairus who was accompanying Jesus must have seen and heard all that was happening. For a moment his heart must have leaped for joy. Perhaps he thought this woman was in a hopeless situation just like mine. She was beyond the help of physicians. If this woman can be healed by a simple touch of Jesus’ garment, what might happen to my precious little daughter if Jesus touches her? But just as he was getting his hopes up, word came, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” (Mark 5:35). Death is so final. It’s so abrupt even if you know it is coming. These seem to have been such deathly cold words. But this time it was Jesus who saw and heard what was happening, before Jairus even had a chance to respond, Jesus intervened by saying to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not be afraid; only believe” (Mark 5:36).

Those who don’t know Jesus only see death in life. By nature they can be very discouraging. What hope they have is in people or their own personal resources. But the science, medicine, mechanics, finances, industry, and human resources all have limitations. Rationalism can be shortsighted when it comes to the reality of God and His power. There are no limits with Jesus (other than acting contrary to His Nature). He can do whatever He purposes to do.

The first thing Jesus did in response to these cold conveyers of bad news was draw Jairus attention to Himself. “Do not be afraid; only believe.” It’s always a best first response in a crisis situation to turn to Jesus. When we are overwhelmed we need to go to the Rock; to Jesus (Psalm 61:1-2; 1 Cor. 10:4). The next thing Jesus did was put the crowd behind them. He took Peter, James and John, along with Jairus and continued on His mission (Mark 5:37). When He arrived at the home of Jairus, He addressed those wailing and brought peace to the situation (Mark 5:38-39). Whether or not these were professional wailers we do not know. They ridiculed Jesus for saying the little girl was only sleeping. But if they were professionals, Jesus put them out. They had no business profiting by those who mourned.

Jesus took the father and mother and the three apostles and entered where the child was laid. Then He simply tool her little hand and said, “Little girl, I say to you arise.” And she rose! (Mark 5:40-42). Jesus didn’t have to go through gyrations or incantations, He didn’t use magic or even medicine, He simply spoke and this girl was resurrected. And all “were overcome with great amazement” (Mark 5:42). He didn’t make a big deal or even start a 501 c 3 tax exempt healing ministry. He actually told them to tell no one about what He had done. To Him the more important thing was that the little girl should be given something to eat (Mark 5:43).

That’s a great story and there are some awesome truths to take from it. I don’t think it means we should go to the local morgue and start praying over dead bodies. And I don’t think it means we should stop going to doctors. I do think we should realize that religion doesn’t hold the solution to our problems. Jairus was the ruler of the local synagogue but he was at a loss until he came to Jesus. We should be alert to things the Lord does to encourage us along the way, (like the woman with a flow of blood) especially in times of despair. God is for us (Psalm 42; 43; 56:9; Romans 8:31-32). We should never put limitations on what Jesus might want to do. We need to put out the agents of discouragement. And in situations when all hope seems lost, rather than react in fear we should respond in faith. Faith in Christ is God’s remedy for fear. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13). Bottom line, the next time you find yourself in a hopeless despairing situation, “Do not be afraid; only believe” in Jesus and seek His will. Go to Jesus.

Got Fear?

2011-08-22T17:16:00.001-04:00

Got fear? No? Maybe you should rethink that. There is a kind of fear we need; the fear of the Lord. The Bible says that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge (Prov. 1:7) and the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). It says the fear of the Lord is “to hate evil” (Proverbs 8:13). The psalmist wrote that the fear of the Lord is “clean, enduring forever” (Psalm 19:9). The fear of the Lord is something God feels we need to learn (Psalm 34:11).

The fear of the Lord can be a motivation for holiness. When King Jehoshaphat led the reforms of Judah he instructed his judges to, “Take heed to what you are doing, for you do not judge for man but for the LORD, who is with you in the judgment . . . . let the fear of the LORD be upon you; take care and do it, for there is no iniquity with the LORD our God, no partiality, nor taking bribes . . . you shall act in the fear of the LORD, faithfully and with a loyal heart” (2 Chronicles 19:6-7, 9). The fear of the Lord was an awesome reminder of the holiness and perfect justness of the One whom they served. It was an impetus for revival in the nation. How many politicians and judges would change their ways if they took to heart that they serve the Lord? (cf. Romans 13). How many pastors, religious leaders and Christians would act differently if they really took to heart that they serve Holy God? Got fear, fear of the LORD? Oh I wish we did! I pray we will!

The account of Ananias and Sapphira’s sin and the Spirit’s response concludes with the words,

Acts 5:11 – “So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.”

This event in the early church produced “great fear” (5:5, 11). Got fear? These people did. The people were in reverent awe of what God had done to expose Satan’s work. No doubt it inspired the rest of the flock to be sincere in their offerings.

What were they afraid of? It was not only the sudden death of Ananias and Sapphira that raised chills up the spines of those early believers and those who heard of these events. No, it was also the fact that the Spirit enabled Peter to expose the sinful strategy of the unholy couple and the sin that was in their hearts. Think of it, Peter exposed an area that people normally feel comfortable hiding. The Spirit saw into and exposed the deep recesses of the sinful heart. There was nowhere to hide. But they were merely seeing manifested a reality and truth people often ignore, the Spirit can see into our hearts.

I wonder if the freedom with which people live hypocritically and deceitfully does not betray and expose a darker truth, that they in reality have little true faith in God or even believe there is a God. At the very least it conveys that people have a mistaken notion of God and His grace since their free sin and deception is done with the belief that “God will forgive me.” God nowhere endorses sin. Instead God says, “I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings.” (Jeremiah 17:10.

There are many places in the Bible where it states God looks into the heart of people (1 Samuel 16:7; 1 Chronicles 28:9;29:17; 2 Chronicles 6:30; Psalm 7:9; 139:1-2, 23-24; Proverbs 17:3; Jeremiah 11:20; 20:12; John 2:24-25; Romans 8:27; Hebrews 4:12-13; Revelation 2:23). Do we really believe there is a God who searches the hearts of people? Do we believe that the God who searches the heart of people can and does discipline and give them the righteous consequence of what is in those hearts? Do we sin so freely and in such great abundance because we trust the grace of God or because we presume upon it? Are we really struggling against sin? Is sin in our lives and heart something we resist in the Spirit or permit in the flesh? John said the person who consistently sins and lives a lifestyle of sin is not a child of God at all but a child of the devil (1 John 3:4-9).

God does not only eves drop on our hearts. He looks into our hearts with a purpose, “to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings.” Once we realize that, it can bring fear to our cheating hearts. The people who saw what happened to Ananias and Sapphira were convicted by the Holy Spirit to consider the reality of their sinful ways. Like Isaiah who became acutely aware of his own sinfulness in the presence of the Holy One of Israel (Isaiah 6), these people were in awe and shaken to the foundation of their being by the reality that God could see into their hearts (on this occasion through the spiritual gift of discernment in Peter). They were in fearful awe of the consequence they saw in this influential couple. Maybe they thought if that happened to them, what might happen to me? What the Spirit did in the case of Ananias and Sapphira led to soul and heart searching amongst the people of God and even those who had yet to receive Jesus as their Savior.

What does God see when He looks into your heart? Many in church today say, “Oh, if only we had the power of the early church!” If we did, I wonder how many would fall down, literally slain in the spirit, and have to be carried out! Are we really truly guarding our hearts, or are we presuming on the grace of God. Paul said in his inspired discussion of God’s grace, “Shall we continue to sin that grace may abound?” (Romans 6:1). And with him we must cry, “Certainly not!” (Romans 6:2) And yet, a disregard for the seriousness of sin and casual indulgence in it is the mind and heart attitude of many in the church today.

But there is another aspect of the fear. Let me illustrate. I love my wife very much. I would never want to do anything to hurt or cause her sorrow. My love for her produces a healthy fear to not do anything that would harm her. My love produces holy fear. And our love for God should produce a similar holy fear toward our God. We should fear doing anything that would cause Him sorrow, regret, or pain. We need to reacquire a holy fear of sinning against God.

But doesn’t perfect love cast out fear? (1 John 4:18). Yes that is true. We need not fear God’s judgment when we enter by grace through faith in Christ an abiding loving eternally saving relationship with Him. But perfect or mature Christian love would never endorse sinful living. God knows our hearts and wants them clean. We too often allow Satan to step into the foyer of our heart and tune us into lascivious and lustful words and images. Instead we should resist him in the Spirit with all our might. It’s as though on the outside we present a good show of resisting Satan and his temptations, but on the inside, in our hearts and minds, we crave, lust and indulge his tempting tidbits of lust, pornography and immorality. We should guard against such attempts to infiltrate our hearts and the church. But we should also thank God for His patience and grace and be watchful that we do not allow Satan to infiltrate our hearts as he did with this hypocritical couple. Confess the sins of your heart and be cleansed by God! (1 John 1:7, 9). Got fear, fear of the LORD? I do. Do you?

Faith Like a Demon

2011-08-20T07:57:00.003-04:00

“I know who You are—the Holy One of God!” – Mark 1:24

Do you have faith? What kind of faith do you have? Is it an informed faith? Do you take comfort in defining your faith as knowing who Jesus is? Do you think that is sufficient faith for eternal life? If so, I have to inform you that you are relying on demonic faith. The demons believe in God. Demons know quite a lot about God. In the gospels they knew more about Jesus than the religious people of the day. They believed and knew that Jesus was: “Jesus of Nazareth . . . the Holy One of God!” (Mark 1:24; Luke 4:34); “the Son of God” (Mark 3:11); and “the Christ, the Son of God!” (Luke 4:41). Demons demonstrated their knowledge by identifying the apostles as, “These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation” (Acts 16:17-18). Their proclamation was annoying and counterproductive to the ministry. Paul eventually cast them out of their human vessel. But demons believe in the existence of God and know who His ministers are.

This demonic faith in God is more than a lot of people have today. Today many people deny the existence of God or that Jesus was a literal historical figure. Many deny that Jesus is the Son of God or that He is “the Christ,” the Savior of the world. Many deny that Jesus is God, the second Person of the Triune Godhead. This is because the god of this age has blinded unbelievers (2 Corinthians 4:4-5). He has blinded the lost and deluded them into thinking either there is no God (e.g. atheism), that there are many gods (e.g. polytheism), or that God is everywhere and in everything (e.g. pantheism). There are those who have been deceived into thinking “God” is who they conjure Him up to be. This is nothing more than idolatry; God in man’s image. God is who He says He is, not who we say He is. Still others follow false religious views of God (e.g. Islam). The god of this age, Satan, has deluded people into misinterpreting faith in God and in particular the genuine saving faith of the gospel. This should not surprise us. Scripture warns, “Now the Spirit expressly says that in the latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons” (1 Timothy 4:1).

The deceptive doctrinal teaching of demons seeks to strike at the core of genuine saving faith. It pitches the idea that saving faith is merely the accumulation of knowledge or assent to certain things. But such a definition is no better than the faith the demons themselves hold! And they are not going to heaven. They are destined for an eternal existence in hell. Is that the kind of faith you want? Is that the kind of faith you are relying on? The apostle James spoke of such faith saying, “You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!” (James 2:19). In these words James enlightens his readers in telling them that not even belief in a monotheistic God is enough to save them. No, demons have a theology; and much of it is correct theology; but they are still destined for hell. What’s your theology? What kind of faith are you relying on for your salvation? “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? - unless indeed you are disqualified” (2 Corinthians 13:5).

What then is the nature of the faith that saves us? What is the difference between the genuine saving faith of gospel and the faith of demons? The apostle John addresses this very question of distinction when he is inspired by God to write:

1 John 3:7-10 - 7 Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. 8 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. 9 Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God. 10 In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother.

From these inspired words of God’s revelation truth we see that genuine saving faith, faith that is of God, is faith that “practices righteousness.” It is faith that is applied to life. It is faith that makes a difference in the way we live life. It is faith that leads to measureable change in a person claiming to be a Christian. Genuine saving faith does not practice sin. “He who sins is of the devil.” A “faith” that does not lead to righteous living is not a saving faith. This is not a works righteousness statement for the faith that genuinely saves merely opens the door to God’s working in and through us for righteousness’ sake (Philippians 2:12-13).

These verses tell us that the purpose for Jesus coming was to destroy the works of the devil. That would include all his false and deceptive doctrines about the nature of faith. Jesus came to establish the sincere truth that “Whoever is born of God does not sin” (cf. John 3:1-21). The person with genuine saving faith hates sin. They have received spiritual eye transplants so that like their God they have become “of purer eyes than to behold evil, and cannot look on wickedness” (Habakkuk 1:13). You can’t claim to be genuinely saved if you are living in a sinful state contrary to the word of God. You aren’t genuinely saved if you live in contradiction to God’s holy word which He esteems more highly than His own very name! (Psalm 138:2). You can’t be a walking contradiction to God’s word and be a true genuinely saved Christian. If you think you can, you have fallen prey to the pernicious deceptive influences of Satan and his demons.

There is one distinguishing characteristic of those who are genuinely saved. There is one evidence that separates the child of God from those with mere demonic faith. There is one point of clarity that reveals the truth about who you are and whether or not God sees you as an opponent or ally. That one all determining characteristic that exposes the truth is love. It is not the love of the world. It is not love that saves. But it is love defined by God and it is love that is the fruit of the enlivening Holy Spirit in a person (Gal. 5:22a). Without the Holy Spirit indwelling you, you aren’t genuinely saved (Romans 8:9-11). And when the Spirit is in a person, so is His love. “Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Romans 5:5). John says this is the message given by Jesus from the beginning (1 John 3:11). He states, “We know we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death” (1 John 3:14).

God defines and illustrates that love through Jesus’ atoning work. It is a love that acts. It is a love that makes a difference (1 John 3:16-18). He demonstrates “His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). It is a love that even loves its enemies (Mat. 5:44). The kind of love that distinguishes godly from demonic faith is particularly illustrated by God in the cross of Christ. Demonic worldly “love” can sit by and complacently watch those in need without moving a finger. Demonic worldly “love” refuses to give glory to God. Demonic worldly “love” is a tool for getting glory for yourself. Demonic worldly “love” is self-centered. It can give the appearance of being selfless. Demonic worldly “love” uses emotions to justify selfishness or inaction. Demonic worldly “love” can even seek to show the world that “good” can be done apart from God. Such demonic “love” manifests itself in secular or false religious humanitarian efforts (few as they may be). This demonic worldly love proves one is not of God. This is not God’s true love.

But what we need to understand is that demonic faith is faith that resides solely in thought. Demonic faith believes but continues with a rebellious heart. Genuine saving gospel faith is a matter of the heart. God pours out His love in our hearts. “If you believe in your heart” is where genuine saving faith resides (cf. Romans 10:9). “For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:10). Demons believe and tremble because they have and continue to rebel against God in their hearts. They want people to settle in the anti-salvation state of mere cerebral faith. Demons preach a doctrine of assent to knowledge that is cut off from any actual application to life.

The bottom line is the faith that saves; the faith that is all God intends it to be, is faith of the heart. Genuine saving faith involves giving Jesus your heart. It is total surrender. It is forsaking all alternatives and trusting completely in the saving work of Christ for salvation. It is knowing Him, fully surrendering to Jesus, IN YOUR HEART. It is faith that relinquishes control and lordship to the King of kings and LORD of lords, Jesus.

Do you have faith? What kind of faith do you have? Is it an informed faith? Is it faith like a demon? Or do you have genuine saving faith; faith that not only knows who Jesus is, but gives your heart to Him in full surrender? “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith.”

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2011-08-19T07:05:00.001-04:00