Wednesday, December 17

God With Us

You probably know the Christmas story well. The Gospel writer Matthew tells us that before Mary was married to Joseph, an angel of the Lord appeared to her. The angel told her that God had chosen her among all the young women of the world and that she would have a child by means of the Holy Spirit. As difficult as it may have been for Mary to grasp and even impossible to believe, she agreed to do what God wanted. Later on she told Joseph. That didn’t go so well. Joseph was a godly man who did not want to openly dishonor Mary, so he considered divorcing her (breaking the engagement) quietly.

Before he did this an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and told her to not be afraid and to go ahead as he planned and take Mary as his wife because what is created in her is from the Holy Spirit. The angel verified to Joseph that Mary would have a son, and she and Joseph were to call Him Jesus because He would save His people from their sins.

The Old Testament prophets wrote in well over 300 places not only about Jesus’ birth, but they also gave very specific details regarding His death. God let us know from the beginning that Jesus was sent to save God’s people from sin and death. He came to restore the broken relationship between God and man so we could once again have fellowship with our heavenly Father.

Isaiah wrote that Jesus would have the name Emmanuel which means “God with us”. God wants us to know that He is with us all the time in every place. We are never alone. He will not abandon us or forsake us. Whatever our need or wherever or need, God is with us.

Our world today is pretty much the same kind of world He was born into more than 2000 years ago. All the same kinds of problems – economic struggles, social strife, racial unrest, political corruption, religious conflict, moral decay – were looming large on the scene. Yet He has not left. He is still here with us in the middle of our problems.

We often think that Christmas is for the children. We can know for sure that God loves children. It is at this time of year that we focus on the fact that God became a little child and was born in a stable. The baby Jesus whose birth we celebrate is real evidence that God is with us. Emmanuel.

Whatever you may do for Christmas, keep in mind His plan was not to have a holiday with trees and stockings and a fat guy in a red suit. His plan was to be with us. The tree and the fat guy are okay; just don’t forget that God is with us.

Mary and Joseph and later the shepherds were all told “don’t be afraid.” Today the Lord would say the same thing to all of us – don’t be afraid. He is with you.

Saturday, November 22

El Niño

El Niño
By Willie Nelson

He is born
There’s a reason now to carry on
Toot your horns
Write another song

Love is here
Seated at your table now
Not living in a stable now
Love is here

So let us sing
Let us sing
Love is king
Love is here

He is born
There’s a reason now to carry on
Toot you horns
Write another song

Love is here
Seated at your table now
Not living in a stable now
Love is here

Angels sing
About the king
Let it ring
Let us sing
Let us sing
Let us sing
Love is king
Love is here

Wednesday, September 3

Reasons for Trials

One of the best tests of Christian growth and maturity is trouble.

When a believer goes through personal trials, they discover the kind of faith they really possess.

Trials not only reveal our faith, but they also develop our character.

James is written to show us that God is trying to produce in us the kind of faith that overcomes. “The trying of your faith works patience.”

Patience is enduring faith, faith with stamina and resilience.

In chapter one, verses one through twelve, James is writing about the trials and tests that come into our lives from outside circumstances.

God is trying to produce in every Christian “faith that overcomes,” that endures, that has staying power.

Too many Christians fall by the wayside when temptations and trials come.

God is trying to produce an inward change by allowing and even ordaining outward trials to build in us an overcoming faith.

He wants us to understand that trials in the Christian life are not unique. They are for every Christian

If you are going through trials right now, realize that God is not picking on you. He has a purpose!

Friday, May 2

Forgiveness

Former first-baseman Bill Buckner was at Fenway Park for the 2008 Boston Red Sox home opener last month. This may seem inconsequential unless you happen to remember that on October 25, 1986, the Boston Red Sox squared off against the New York Mets in game 6 of the World Series. Boston led 3 games to 2, and had a two-run lead with two outs in the bottom of the tenth inning. Mets outfielder Mookie Wilson hit a ground ball to Buckner at first base. The ball rolled between his legs and into right field, allowing Ray Knight to score the winning run, which forced a seventh game. The Mets won game seven and the 1986 World Series.

The ovation he received from the fans at Fenway this year seemed to say "we forgive you."

One of the fundamental distinctives of the person of our heavenly Father is forgiveness. Forgiveness removes barriers to reconciliation. God is a forgiving God and as His people we are called to be forgiving people who forgive those that wrong us.

Because of unforgiveness, broken relationships are one of the extreme tragedies of life. The unhappiness is compounded when the break involves family members, church members, or close friends.

The plus is that relationships do not need to remain broken. There can be restoration – a relationship “make-over” if you will. As believers we can be agents of healing in broken relationships.

The solution to bringing healing to stressed relationships is to possess a forgiving spirit. Resentment, self-pity, or a general refusal to forgive others will keep us from restoring and being restored.

What is forgiveness? According to one dictionary, to forgive means:
“to give up resentment against, or the desire to punish”
“to stop being angry with”
“to pardon”
“to excuse, let off, exonerate, absolve”

Sometimes the word is used in a legal sense: such as to forgive a debt or to cancel what is owed.

Those who have been forgiven know through practical understanding that there is nothing shallow or superficial about forgiveness.

When forgiveness is genuine, it comes from the heart. It never includes reservations such as “I will forgive, but I cannot forget.” Or qualifications such as “I will forgive as long as you don’t do it again.”

One of the best exemplars of forgiveness in the Bible is the story of Joseph and his brothers. He had a lot to forgive because he had suffered significantly at the hands of his brothers. Their hateful and harmful actions brought to him many years of trouble and hardship in Egypt.

Had Joseph harbored feeling against his brothers, it would have poisoned his spirit. God could not have used him if he had become bitter.

Don't wait twenty-two years to forgive.

Friday, April 18

It's A Marathon

Excessive concern and worry for this life, or love for the world in which we live, presents an unnecessary burden and distraction to the Christian that pulls him down when he should rise up, and pulls him back when he should press forward. Let go of this world and all its attractions. Live like the new man you are.

Paul writes in Ephesians 4:22; “for you ought to put off the old man (according to your way of living before) who is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts.”

When Jesus called for him, blind Bartimaeus threw off his coat and he ran to Jesus on the road to Jericho as reported in Mark 10. He would not let even his clothing slow him down when going to Jesus.

How do we get rid of those things that would slow us down?

Repent. Acknowledge as sin the sin that is keeping you from the best place in God. Then act on your repentance. You have put off the old man. Now put on the new man and live a new life in Christ.

After you have thrown off all hindrances run with perseverance. Where? Where are we to run? There is a specific course to run. Keep moving along the course that is marked out.

Christians have a race to run, a race of service to Christ and His Body, the Church. It is an unpopular course, but we also have a race of suffering for righteousness, a course of active and passive obedience to God.

This race is set before us. It is marked out for us, both by the Word of God and the examples of the faithful servants of God, that cloud of witnesses with which they are compassed about. Ours is a clearly defined course as set out by God-marked boundaries and directions.

Run your race well. Stay on course. Don’t let anyone or anything distract you from the goal line.

Thursday, April 17

Beijing

At 8:00 PM on 8-8-08 – the summer Olympics begin. Hopefully.

Every athlete planning to compete in the Olympic events will throw aside every thing that might impede them in their course: Excess weight; Extra body fat; Poor sleep patterns; Negative emotional influences; All surplus baggage must go. Likewise, followers of Jesus on their race to heaven must throw aside every thing that might hinder them in their Christian race.

Whatever weighs down or holds our hearts or affections to this earth is to be carefully avoided. No person, with the love of the world in his or her heart, can reach the kingdom of heaven. All unreasonable affection and desire for this present life and world must be thrown off.

Care for the present life, or love for it, is a dead weight on the soul that pulls it down when it should rise upwards, and pulls it back when it should press forward. Cut it loose. Throw it off. Don’t allow anything to slow you down.

Thursday, March 13

Why Did Jesus Suffer?

The gospel message is that Jesus shed his blood and died for our sins according to the Scriptures – 1 Corinthians 15:3 and Isaiah 53:4-6

We read that without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sins – Hebrews 9:22; Ephesians 1:7

Do you ever wonder why couldn’t Jesus have simply died a quick death? We know that animal sacrifices were immediate with a quick slice of the knife. There was no suffering on the part of the bull or goat or lamb. Why did Jesus have to suffer and endure the scourging, mocking, and finally the crucifixion? There is really no arguing the fact that Jesus did suffer. The list is long:

As a fully human man, for thirty-three years He suffered temptation, the daily struggles against sin we endure – Hebrews 4:15; 2:18

He was rejected by those that knew Him best in His own hometown – Luke 4:16, 28-30

He was profanely accused of doing wrong when He was doing good – Luke 11:14-15

He was treated with contempt and disdain by the Pharisees – Luke 16:14

He was deceitfully questioned in an attempt to ensnare Him – Luke 20:20

His own disciples defected – John 6:60-61, 66

His family ridiculed him – John 7:3-5

He endured the disgrace and the indignity of all this while knowing who He was, yet He humbly “made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a servant” – Philippians 2:7

None of the above takes into account Gethsemane or the trial before Caiaphas, the Council, Herod, or Pilate. We have not mentioned the soldiers, the crowd, Barabbas, or the thieves.

Why did Jesus suffer? Why did it please the Lord to bruise Him, to put Jesus to grief (see Isaiah 53:10)? Couldn’t His death for our sins have not been less horrifying and more merciful?

Peter explained in his epistle – 1 Peter 3:18 – the reason for the extreme suffering of Jesus was that God wanted to reconcile us back to Himself – Isaiah 53:6; 2 Corinthians 5:18-21. God, with love as His complete motivation, sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins – 1 John 4:9-10

When we see the unbelievably appalling suffering of our Lord, we also see the terribleness of sin. Everyone has sinned. Everyone is a sinner. Sin is universal – Romans 3:23. And there is a terrible outcome to our sin – nothing less than death – Romans 6:23.

In the greatness of the suffering of Jesus we also see the magnitude of God’s love. Just as sin is worldwide, the love of the Father is also worldwide – John 3:16; Romans 5:8. The love of the Son is no less – John 15:13; 1 John 3:16.

Isaiah said it; He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities.

Scripture also shows that He also suffered to be our example. He confirmed the value of suffering for the sake of righteousness – 1 Peter 2:20-24. He proved to us that when we are mistreated for doing good, we can and should trust in God to judge appropriately. He showed us how to persevere in our battle against sin according to 1 Peter 4:1-4. When we seek to live for the will of God, instead of the lusts of the flesh and when we endure the ridicule of the people of this world, and when we love one another, and love our enemies – John 13:34-35; Ephesians 5:1-2; Matthew 5:44-45 – we are truly following His perfect example.

We emulate Christ when we love one another as He loved us. And also when we bless those who curse us, do good to those who hate us, and pray for those who persecute us. This is true imitation Christ. Jesus’ perfect suffering exemplifies how far we must go for the sake of perfect love and perfect righteousness.

For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps – 1 Peter 2:21.

Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator – 1 Peter 4:19.

Tuesday, February 26

Sam is a Problem Solver

The situation: Sunday Morning was BGMC (missions) day at our church. Thirty-five first through fifth graders had prepared a song with motions and then came into the sanctuary to present their production from the platform/stage to the adult congregation.

The problem(s): Sam does not like to be up in front of people. Sam does not like to sing publicly. Sam does not like to do motions. In other words, Sam is opposed to anything that draws attention to himself in a public forum.

The solution: As a second grader, Sam has learned, at least tacitly, that the girls are generally bigger than the boys. He has also learned that the girls are generally much more willing to sing publicly and certainly more willing (and able) to do the motions. Therefore, he positioned himself behind a larger and more effusive girl and was content to stand there smiling at the congregation.

Yep, he’s a problem solver.

Friday, February 22

The True Kingdom

Jesus continued His model prayer by saying “Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

The Kingdom of God is His presence. We need His presence established in our lives. God’s Kingdom has a King – Jesus. As followers of Christ, we should ask Jesus to establish His rulership over our lives.

God’s Kingdom should be established in four major areas according to the pattern of heaven – from personal to public.

First, His Kingdom should be established in my life according to the pattern in heaven.

Secondly, His Kingdom should be established in my family for my mate and my children and the atmosphere in our home.

Thirdly, His Kingdom should be established in my church. Pray God’s Kingdom will for the pastor and other leaders in the local church.

Fourthly, His Kingdom should be established in my nation. Pray for God’s will in America (or your nation), your state, your city, your community, and your neighborhood.

May God’s will be done in our lives and through our lives to His glory.

Wednesday, February 20

This Is How You Should Pray

For some people, it is easy to pray and for others it seems difficult to get through to God. Jesus, God’s Son, gave clear instruction as to how we should not pray and how we should pray to have victory in our lives. What is referred to in the Sermon on the Mount (Plain) as the Lord’s Prayer is found in Matthew 6:9-13. A similar prayer is in Luke 11:2-4

Jesus’ opening statement gives praise to God: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.” Praise God for who He is.

Psalm 22:3 says “You are enthroned as the Holy One; You are the holy One of Israel.”

We can praise Him because He is: Creator, Sustainer, Redeemer, Healer, Deliverer, Helper, Provider, Savior, and more. He is enthroned upon our praises and sits down among us. We are to bless the Lord.

I will extol the Lord at all times; His praise will always be on my lips” – Psalm 34:11.

The prophet Isaiah tells us to put on the garment of praise.

"To comfort all who mourn, To console those who mourn in Zion,
To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning,
The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;
That they may be called trees of righteousness,
The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified
."

Take off the heavy coat; the heaviness and despair. When I am in despair, I will worship Him. Tell God who He is; it will build your faith in Him. Look what You have done. You are great! You do miracles! There is no one else like You!

Psalm 90:2 – “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever You had formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.”

Psalm 121:1 – "I will lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from? 2 My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. Isaiah understood the importance of building his own faith in God."

Isaiah knew God and what he had done.
He acknowledged what God had done.
He glorified God for what He had done.

Romans 1:20-21 shows the contrast of those people that refused to acknowledge God. When we know who He is and what He has done we can better see what He will do. Do you know what God has done and what God will do in your life?

Wednesday, February 6

Noah Found Grace - Final

Noah was a just man, He was justified by faith in the promised seed that he never knew; “By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith” – Hebrews 11:7.

He was sanctified and he was righteous in his conversation; He was a man who made God's ethics his own ethics and was careful to give to God His due and to men theirs. Only a completely honest man or woman can find favor with God.

Noah was perfect, not with a sinless perfection, but a perfection of sincerity; He was not perfectly holy, or free from sin, but he was a recipient of the true grace of God; as we accept Christ’s work of grace, His righteousness is accepted as our perfection.

Noah walked with God, as Enoch had done before him.

He was not only honest, but also devoted and dedicated; he walked with God. He knew that God saw him. And lived accordingly.

He lived a life in relationship with God; it was Noah’s unwavering desire to conform himself to the will of God, to please Him, and to approve himself to Him and not men.

Noah was righteous and perfect and walked with God, in his generation.

He did not ask to be born in that corrupt degenerate age. But he was born into that sinful society and he lived in that society with his eye toward heaven and his ear toward heaven that he might see and hear God and act for Him.

No one else in all the world of his day could be described this way. We are called to be like Noah in our generation; to be just, sanctified, perfect, and to walk with God. While we live in a wicked fallen world, we are here to walk with God and show others the way to God.

Sunday, January 27

Noah Found Grace - Part 3

The Lord saw how great man’s wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time.

All kinds of sin were being done among men. Man had corrupted worship of God. Sin filled the earth with violence. The corruption spread. The sordidness and pollution of sin had filled the whole earth. This wickedness brought about God’s determination to wipe out all living things in the world.

History has shown us that when wickedness is the general rule of a society, the destruction and fall of that society is not far off. It does not take much for mankind to be brought down to a level not too much different from that of the wild animals.

Whenever there is a remnant (however small) of praying people in a nation, to empty the measure of wickedness as it fills up, judgment for sin may be postponed.

If all of society seems to be hard at work to pull down the boundary markers of morality and righteousness by continual sin, and there is no one stand in the gap to make up the breach, what can be expected but a flood of divine wrath to wash away the flood of sin?

By God's own evaluation, Noah and his family were the only exception to the universal apostasy of the land. God always reserves some, in the worst of times, for Himself. There was a remnant, according to the work of God’s grace; it was a small one, but there was a remnant. This grace, which Noah found was the favor and good will of God. Noah was acceptable to God; God was pleased with Noah.

He found favor with God, and consequently was directed by God to build an ark for the purpose saving of himself and his family and the various animals. He found favor with God, and because of that favor he had the honor of being the preserver of mankind, and the father of a new world.

Genesis 6:9 says “These are the generations of Noah.” Or this is the account of his descendants, of those persons that were to come after him, that were born from him, and populated and inhabited the earth after the flood.

These are mentioned in the next verse. The genealogy of Adam is carried on from Adam to Noah, Genesis 5:1 the old world ends at the flood, the genealogy of the new world begins with Noah:

Whatever the past of your family may be, whatever sin and wickedness there may be; you can be Noah in your generation to bring a change for righteousness. Make a difference. Live right before God and receive His favor.

By his faith Noah condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith” – Hebrews 11:7.

Friday, January 25

Noah Found Grace - Part 2

It is not likely that Noah found favor in the eyes of men; they hated and persecuted him, because both by his life and his preaching he condemned the world. He found grace in the eyes of the Lord. It is not likely that the world will respect us and hold us in high regard for our faith in God. The Bible gives a number of examples of godly people who were hated by their generation. The world will (does) revile you and me as well. Keep in mind this; you and I do not answer to our generation. We answer to God.

There are some big people in our world. There are some powerful people in business, in finance, in society, in sports, in politics. But none are so big as the one who comes to the Father like a little child and asks for the kingdom of heaven. God looks down with an eye of favor and grace to those men and women and young people and children, who look up to Him with an eye of faith.

It calls for strong faith to stay off of the broad road, and to stand for, and live for, God when no one else will stand for Him; Noah did. So must we. This should be the high point of our life’s purpose, to find grace in the eyes of the Lord; this is what we work toward.

So we make it our goal to please Him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it – 2 Corinthians 5:9.

Thursday, January 24

Eight Reasons Why Prayers May Not Be Answered

Here is something to think about when it seems our prayers are not answered:

1. We may have a wrong motive in prayer – James 4:3.
2. There may be a cherished sin in our heart – Psalm 66:18.
3. Lack of love in action may keep us from answers to prayer – 1 John 3:20-22.
4. Any unforgiveness hinders prayers – Mark 11:25.
5. A lack of consideration and respect between husband and wife hinders prayer – 1 Peter 3:1-7.
6. Lack of generosity with God and His people will hinder prayers – Luke 6:38; Philippians 4:19.
7. Lack of belief or trust in God hinders answers to prayer – James 1:5-7; Psalm 37:5-7.
8. The resistance of the enemy may keep your prayers unanswered (temporarily) – Daniel 10:12-13.

if . . .

if My people, who are called by My name, shall 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 will heal their land” – 2 Chronicles 7:14.

Revival is an amazing and astounding outpouring of the Spirit of God on His people. God brings a fresh awareness of His holiness and power and at the same time reveals man’s personal sinfulness, spiritual insufficiency and desperate need of Him. Christians who have hidden sin or spiritual laziness are revived. They come back to life. There is a new focus on God and His word, holy fellowship and heavenly worship. There is a new excitement for sharing the Gospel and winning lost people to Christ. Preaching takes on new enthusiasm and huge numbers of people put their faith in Christ.

God removes, through man's repentance and forgiveness, ungodly behavior, immorality, dishonesty, and selfishness, etc. replacing them with His righteousness, peace, joy, generosity, kindness. The fruit of the Spirit is allowed to grow. There have been times in past revivals when entire towns or areas and sometimes even nations have been affected.

Historically when God is preparing to send revival He will raise up people and give them a distinctive burden to pray for the outpouring of His Spirit. This period of prayer can last for years. And then in His appointed time, God answers and showers down the power of His Spirit.

In His divine plan, God is raising up prayer warriors to pray for revival. Are you one whom He has chosen and called for this great work? Will you obey? Will you pray for revival until God sends it?

Thursday, January 17

Noah Found Grace

I love the Guinness Book of World Records. It is full of unique people that have distinguished themselves for one reason or another. And, the Guinness people have approved their uniqueness.

In the Old Testament, Noah has been distinguished from the rest of the world. There is an uncommon note of honor given to him. Noah’s uniqueness is unique. God has approved his uniqueness.

The Lord said to him, “I have seen you righteous before Me in this generation.”

When God was displeased with the rest of the world, He was pleased with Noah: But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord, Genesis 6:8.

We see the rightness of God’s justice in His displeasure against the world. He had closely examined the character of every person in it before He pronounced it universally corrupt.

There was one good man, God found him, and smiled upon him.

The grace that Noah found in God distinguished him from all his contemporaries, and brought him favor with God, yet also brought him under an especially strong obligation.

Noah was called upon to build the vessel by which God would save His creation. He was also called to be the vessel by which God would save His creation. We do have an obligation to our sinful society.